Life Moves On...

While we wait, life moves on- for us and for them. The boys have been at camp in Ivankiev (where we met them last summer). And now they are participating in church camp back in Mariupol. Meanwhile, Levi, Noah and I tagged along with Daddy on a business trip to Santa Fe. It was nice to get away- away from the heat of Oklahoma and away from the "what ifs" of adoption world. Just before we left, our facilitator told us that our home study was done being translated. We're just waiting for clearance from USCIS. So while we wait, why not enjoy a little vacation? The boys and I enjoyed the museums, art galleries, visits with old friends from Albuquerque and pool time every day...not to mention the amazing weather (never hotter than 82 degrees). On the second day there, I received an email from Nina that the boys are officially available for international adoption. That was a huge relief as we are acquainted with a family that went through the whole process only to find that the boy they were intending to adopt was not available. We had a little party right there in the hotel room! Noah said, "Then when can we go get them, Mom?" I explained that there was still more paperwork to complete. "But how long does it take Mom? Like three years or what?" Poor guy! If I think it's difficult to be patient, I can't imagine how hard it is for someone who thinks a 6 minute time-out is a long time! The next day, we received an email that Andrey had asked when we would be able to skype next. This was significant for me because Andrey is so quiet that we often wonder if he enjoys our visits. So, before we left to return to Oklahoma, we skyped with the boys in Ukraine. We told them about our trip and they told us about camp. Ruslan finally rapped for us! We'd all been looking forward to that. He was very good and I was just glad that he would share his gift with us in that kind of setting! I know that I would MUCH rather sing for thousands of people than sing to four people in a room staring at me. Levi decided to rap for Ruslan. It seemed to bring a smile to his face. We love these conversations as they are our only "real" interaction with the boys for now. I appreciate Tanya so much for taking her time to make this happen. I cannot imagine only having letters. But it kills us to say good-bye. It's difficult to lose them with the press of a touch-screen button. All the way home, Josh and I wondered aloud how our family will change...what will they think of us...what will we think of them...will it be simpler than these two thinkers imagine or more difficult than we could ever dream? When we got home, our fingerprint appointment notices were in the mail. August 23. We've been told by others that it's only another 2-3 weeks past this appointment that we should receive USCIS clearance. Once that happens, we'll be able to send off the dossier. From that point, it's around 2 months until we get our appointment in Ukraine. It's beginning to look like Christmas is a real possibility! OF COURSE IT IS!!! What am I saying? With God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!! I am praying constantly, His nagging daughter. And I know that if it is His will, we will have two more stockings to hang this year.