[Abdulina]

Yeah, small victory! Our homestudy is almost complete. We had our social worker came on Tuesday and Saturday. She will have it completed this week and handed in. Victory!!! And she wasn't scared off---LOL. This was a new lady for us. I asked her when she got here if she has ever been to a house w/ 5 kids (4 of which are FASers). She said not too much. I said when they get home it is loud, chaotic and at times mayhem. She kind of looked at me funny. Well, the girls had some of their friends over nad were dancing upstairs. She leans over the table and says " it's a little loud in here." I had to laugh. I think we had 9 or 10 kids in the house at the time. I said I told you a little earlier it may get loud. She seemed puzzled that we weren't phased by the noise. I guess it is second nature after awhile. The only thing that all of us busted out laughing about was when I was talking about my siblings. Well, Max was on the floor building (in his own little world) and decides to pipe in and say "yeh, and Uncle Chris drinks ALOT of beer!" Last time we saw my brother was at his wedding and yes, he had a bit much. Amazing the things kids will remember. Oh well we at least at humor to our homestudy visit.

I am nowhere near done w/ the dossier. In fact, haven't begun. Plan to do most of it today. Having it all notarized on Thursday and Apostilled on Friday. Then to agency next week sometime. Then, it is off to Russia w/ the dossier! Can't believe it is actually happening so quickly. And we even got to see a 45 minute video this weekend! I'm sure you can all figure out what it was about . We are on cloud 9. Our fundraiser is now June 10th. This is our major obstacle right now is raising the money. VERY short right now. Praying for some miracle to happen. It will, I jsut have to learn to be patient. Our daughter is waiting for us.

Well, off to work on the dossier, sell some fundraiser tickets, and take Alex to the park today. And throw in an IEP meeting at the school. Got to love staying busy. Enjoy your week. And Rainy, how about your story some time? I'm dying to hear.

Take care,

[Pinkie]

Stephanie, I don't know how you do it but I love reading you and your families updates. Can't wait for the second part of the journey.

[mommyto4]

Congratulations Stephanie, how relieved you must feel. Best wishes with the rest of the dossier, sounds like you are a pro at it by now
Your family sounds awesome, thanks for the updates.

[lovestruck]

I hope the second half of your journey will go well. I also love reading about your family! You have a way of making me feel like I'm right there with you.

May I ask what kind of fundraiser you are having?

[kretzklan]

On to the next step! I'm sure this feels like second nature to you by now - but I can still feel the excitement in your post! Congrats!

[SingleMama2B]

Wow Stephanie, I admire your stamina!!! You new SW's head must have been spinning when she left

Kudos to you and your wonderful family for persuing this wonderful child!!

Blessings........

[mikeintexas]

Great news Stephanie! You know I stand in awe of what you are able to do and accomplish... I'm wishing you nothing but a smooth road to getting this next one taken care of!
Mike

[HollyB]

Wow, things are moving! I'm glad to hear it. You must have an unending energy supply. I'm just curious what your secret is. I need a little kick in the pants this morning.
Holly

[dlhall]

Glad to hear the homestudy went well. Good luck with finishing everything else. She'll be here before you know it.

Liz

[Sally26]

Yeah, one more thing checked off the list! You make doing the dossier sound simple! Wish I knew how to do it so quickly the first time!
A 45 minute video! Awesome! I know you have to have watched a few dozen times by now!
If you need any IEP advice let me know, but you are probably a pro at it by now, too!

[Abdulina]

Thanks for the encouragement. Some days I do feel overwhelmed a bit. I'm still keeping the appts. each week. But cut them down a bit. So this week I only have 7 appointments amongst everyone. I've got it organzied enough now that I can make it work. Being that this is the 6th child, it does seem that nothing phases us anymore as it did the first go around. Plus, I"m less likely to have to redo paperwork as I ask questions before. --live & learned from the previous adoptions. Right now my biggest obstacle, besides time, has been my husband's company right now. The HR lady that has to handle all our request for paperwork just got back from vacation. She'd been gone since May 8th. So not only is she answering us, but everyone else. And you can only push so far to remain polite. We will still be getting the majority of the dossier notarized on Thursday and then I take it to get it apostilled on Friday. It's starting to move, that's for sure.

Someone asked about the fundraiser. We are doing a portrait fundraiser. You can pm & I can give you the web address. I don't think I'm allowed to give a link on here so write me. Got a lot of sellers so far and hoping we can sell some serious tickets! Need that airfare. Got to run today. And by the way, by no means is this easy even the 6th time around. It's just kind of a different approach and I feel no stress. I know that will change as I get closer to travel. But for now, enjoying the moment. Even managed to get my kids ALL in the same school this year! Long story folks. Overall, just a good week. Okay, my husband's car is on it's last leg. Speedometer is off by 34 mph. He has to drive 104 to go 70. And you have to hit the dash to get the lights on and a trick to getting the keys out. We're hoping we can salvage this car just until we get her home. Hey if you see a man on a bike riding down I-40 that may just be my husband--LOL.

Take care everyone,