Happy winter!!

Last night and today we have been dumped on with snow. Wet and abundant snow. I stayed home with the kids as no one was available to watch them and Dave had a shoot scheduled.




We had a terrific day. We played outside. The kids like to slide down the 5 steps on the back deck on a small sled. That kept them busy for quite a while. We built a small snowman. It seemed easier when I was much younger (and shorter). Later we made and decorated Christmas cookies. What a blast! There was icing everywhere.

Today I post for my sweet, lovely, and wonderful daughter Kaitlin.
In August she got married (still waiting to get photos to post). She married a terrific man- Joey.
They are doing very well and just bought a house for which I am very proud of her being able to do. She was my baby and I would drop everything to run to her if any slight thing was wrong. But tonight I had to hold myself back and let her husband do what I felt was my right and responsiblity for so long. We spent a terrific evening at the mall with the kids and Joey pulled up just as I was dropping her off. We chated a minute, then I went home. A few minutes after I got home she called in tears. After I left, they were walking up to the house and were surprised by two unfamiliar dogs. One of them had literally ripped off the front of one of her rabbit cages and had killed her rabbit and she had to see it. They got the dogs tied up, called the police and had the dogs taken away. She has one other rabbit who was not harmed and now worries about that one. Kaitlin is the most sensitive person I know, is a huge advocate of all animals (she even goes to the animal shelter and walks and visits dogs there), so I know how hard this was for her. All I wanted to do was run back into town and be there for her, but I bit my tongue and assured myself that Joey would do it (and I thank God he was there)- take care of her - which is no longer my God given right.
So, Kaitlin , my arms are holding you tight in my heart. I hope you can feel it in yours.
Love,
Mom

first month home

So, here I am! I have not dropped off the face of the earth- but honest to goodness Lori was right when she posted that you really don't have any spare time for luxuries like blogging and other stuff. I've regularly checked in on other families at various points in their adoptions and am joyful for some, sad for others, and prayerful for all. I may not have ever met any of these families but feel a bond to all of them. This truly is a gut wrenching, faith testing, journey and we are so thankful that for us so far we have 2 incredible children home with us. I feel in my heart that a child still waits for us in China, but we are truly blessed with Sasha and Masha in our lives.

1st Day of School

Sasha and Masha started school today. They were both very excited and happy to go to school. The small issue came up when I said goodbye to Masha and she decided I should not leave her.
Sasha was a bit hesitant also. I can only imagine going to a new place where there are a bunch of kids you have never seen before (and of course most of them know each other) and everyone is speaking a language you are still trying to learn and you are in this environment that all you have to compare it to is the orphanage you recently left. THAT'S A LOT! I lurked around for about 30 min. after which they seemed fine. I hope we were able to reassure them they would be home everyday after school. Thankfully, it is only a 1/2 day of school. I will probably be a wreck by noon worrying that everything is OK.........

Official

Yesterday, we received Sasha and Masha's official certificates of US citizinship. Congratulations to our 2 little Kaz/Americans!

crazy times

Sasha and Masha have been home nearly a month now. They seem to be adjusting well. At least I hope so. Language is still our biggest barrier. I feel aweful when one of them spends several minutes telling me something and I can only listen and show interest. sometimes, I think they are trying to tell me something that happened or is going on and I say "show me" or I hear a familier word/s. Then I can figure it out. It must be more frustrating for them when we don't understand them.
We have been to a Ukranian families home twice now and to Ukranian sunday school twice. Nina, our main contact in that family and a translator for our hospital tells me their language is very mature and proper and that they speak very beautifully. Oh, I wish I knew what they are saying. They love the Ukranian sunday school (we go on Friday night). This past friday they got very excited when we walked up to the church. They speak only Russian/Ukrainian so of course Dave and I are out of place again. However, all of the Ukrainian people we have met, especially Nina's family are so kind and warm towards us. I have learned to make Borscht which both kids love, especially Sasha. My next cooking lesson with Nina will be Cabbage rolls- yum yum!
This week we are very busy getting ready for Kaitlins wedding on Saturday. We have so much to do around here and my ability to get anything done is very limited- sigh! I am trying to keep my anxiety under control but it is very hard. I have been on an emotional roller coaster these last few weeks and this week will be challenging. Kaitlin has been wonderful. She has been here with me a lot and gone with me when I venture into town. I do not do that alone! It is very overwhelming to the children to take them places. Meltdowns and sulking/pouting is common. They want everything in sight. I constantly hear "mama, mama, mama" with pointing and "oh". It is just to much for them. The funniest was Sasha getting very upset when we wouldn't buy him a yellow bottle of mustard- he doesn't even like mustard! I think it was the color that attracted him. The worst was a full blown double meltdown at Kohls when we tried to get him shoes for church/wedding. Unfortunately, he saw the spiderman shoes (mind you he already has a pair of spiderman shoes) and that was the end. Masha saw the prone kicking and pounding and decided she should do the same. We took the kids to the car and Dave finished the shopping alone. Oh well, an involuntary way to save I suppose. We have learned the best bathroom stops are certain fast food places. The ones where there are no candy bar racks, toys, or bright colors evident between the door and restroom. lol
Everyday, I think they are learning and understanding better. Even the sulking/ pouting sessions don't last as long. It will still be awhile before I take them anywhere alone.
I am hoping to get the softwear/cables needed to download a vidio of Masha dancing to a cd of her favorite music from the orphanage. She just loves to dance!

dogs, icecream, and playgrounds

Today has been a more difficult day. Both kids are fine with the older dogs: Murray and Mcgee but are afraid of Hank our 1 year old Shitzu and Annie our 2 1/2 year old golden doodle. Granted they are younger and more excitable and rambunctous.

Sasha has taken to kicking. When I try to explain to him that he can't kick (especially the dogs) he gets mad, pouts, stomps and will go to his room and lock the door. I now have all the bedroom doors locked so he can't get in and lock himself in. I know the language barrier is frustrating for both of them. It is for me and I am a grown-up who understands that this is part of the process and it will pass.

I finally decided to keep Hank and Annie in the barn for the remainder of the day and when I went into the barn I heard this little tiny mewing sound from under Dave's Kubota. I thought that maybe Bella (our smallest cat) was trapped under it somehow. But after calling and coaxing- to my huge surprise a very tiny grey and white kitten came out from under. Well, as you can imagine mama mode kicked in and now Kosh-ke (russian for cat) has a bed and food and drink in the barn. What cracked me up is how Dave spent at least 1/2 hour out there with him last night. When I asked him why he was out there so long he said Kosh-ke was very lonely and needed attention. Awe...

After dinner (which for the kids was buttered noodles, carrot sticks, cherry tomatos, and homemade applesauce) we went into town for ice-cream. Not knowing what flavor they would like we started with vanilla. We will have to try others as language develops and likes and dislikes become known. Woodland sweets also has a big safe fenced in playscape. With the exception of one big sulking session (because S had to wait for miss M to finish her ice cream) the night ended up well.

No idea how I got the butterfly image there and can't figure out how to rotate an image from my card to blogger. So apologies on having to bend 90 degrees to the left and enjoy the butterfly (from Meijer gardens back in April).

Exhausted but happy

We are all adjusting bit by bit.

Masha came home with a raging cold- which Dave, myself and Kaitlin all have now. She really doesn't seem to be bothered by it. She is pretty good at blowing her nose but I have to get the tissue there before the yellow globs go everywhere. We have ventured out a few times to quieter less busy places. Except once. Dave and I had to get Sasha a new pair of tennis shoes. Our guessing at his shoe size before he came home was a good size or two off. Walmart is not the place to bring children who have had minimal contact with the outside world, especially the world of american retail. We will rethink those trips for awhile.

Masha and Sasha don't mind the car at all. They have figured out how to get us to stop if they want to get out. A request for "pee-sat" or "ka-cut" with the appropriate pained look on the face will get us to a restroom quickly.

Sunday we traveled downstate for my dads birthday. They have both charmed the rest of the family and Masha especially loves her 20 year old cousin Erik.

We have been to the beach twice. Both Sasha and Masha enjoy the beach and the water

but Masha only likes it if there are no waves. Otherwise papa has to carry her. Friday we went for a walk accross the street on the conservancy land and hiked the short distance to Elk lake. Both kids loved picking and eating the wild raspberries and Blackberries along the way (what would the mamas at the orphanage have to say about that- I shudder to think). When we arrived at the super tiny beach Masha suddenly started pulling off her clothes. Sasha looked at us with a look that said "well, is it ok?" and we looked at each other and gestured yeah, go ahead! So for about 1/2 hour both kids jumped and splashed about in Elk Lake completely naked. It was so darn cute I could hardly stand it. Of course we didn't have any towels with us at all - we thought we would just show them the lake and then walk back- oh silly parents!!!!

Kids coming!!

We had word today that Sasha and Masha will arrive in Grand Rapids tomorrow evening at 8:10 pm. We are very excited!
Stay tuned...

On Their Way

I woke up this morning thinking, the kids are on their very first plane ride right now about to land in Almaty. Then I thought, I hope they're not afraid or anxious. I hope their little tummies don't hurt from nervousness or their ears don't hurt from the altitude. They are with 3 other children from the preschool house so I hope they are having a little fun but not driving Alma stark raving mad. I can just picture Masha running through the airport waving her little arms all over the place and singing la la la la la. I know Alma would not let that happen. She is probably the one person who can manage with 5 children in tow who are having quite the experience of their lives. Alma will meet Oleg in Almaty and he will take them from there for all the necessary appointments. They will finally begin the journey home either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Please send prayers to all the traveling families, Oleg and Alma and all the children, that they have a safe and happy trip home.

Hi to all.

Thanks to all for your patience and support. I am sitting here thinking about all the new friends I have made so for on this journey. All of us at various stages of the process. And often waiting during those stages. We now wait for our children to come home. For several reasons we have decided to have Sasha and Masha escorted to the US. Hopefully, they will be here the last week of July. We have met with the escort twice and feel very comfortable with him.
We miss them very much and can't wait to hold them and hug them again.
Here are some of my favorite photos.

Introducing....

Court was successful! Yeah! We have been granted the adoption of:

Alexander (Sasha) Alan Speckman
and Mariya (Masha) Ann Speckman

Back in Touch

We finally made it home! It seems very odd to be here after 1 month away. When we left it was just starting to get nice out. We had a few warm days and Traverse City was getting ready for summer. Now it seems all of a sudden summer has popped! The tourists are here, the fudge shops are open, the beaches are busy and oh- the traffic. I completly missed the lilacs- my favorite flower. They were just finishing up in Ust-K. Interestingly, the lilacs in Ust did not have any scent to them. The ones here are heavenly.
Its so good to be home! I really can't over emphasize that enough. I left Kazakhstan with a heavy heart and mixed emotions since we won't see the children until the end of July, early August but was so anxious to get home and get everything ready for them.
We would never have survived the whole passport/stolen credit cards and money situation with the awesome and incredible gift of our new friends and other traveling families, Gayle and Sean Storen and their daughter Alexis and Nikki and Steve Coutere and their son Chandler. They all made sure we did not go without and the emotional support was a lifesaver. God has such an incredible way of putting the people together that should be together. Galye and Sean live only about 5-6 hours away and Nikki and Steve live less than 2 hours from Daves sister in Florida. How wonderful.
I have heard from family and friends that no one has been able to get on the blog and apologize for that. But honestly, no one has really missed anything since we were not able to do much with it while in Kaz due to poor internet service and computer malfunction. Fortunatly, we were able to download images from the camera (Daves big ginormous professional one)(the cutie-petutie new Sony was stolen) and was able to put the necessary journal with photos together needed for court. Since I really want to share our experience and do some mama bragging I am opening up the blog for a week or so then will make private again until the children leave the orphange. I will send out new invites when I have to go private again.

Catching Up

We finally have a chance to catch up and I hope we will be able to download photos. Two major problems have hindered us and I apologize for leaving everyone hanging- not intentional!!
Daves computer has some sort of virus and we are often kicked of the internet and weird things happen when we try to do anything. We have even had trouble trying to make files of our photos- necessary for court, which by the way is next Wednesday. By the grace of God we have managed to stay and get through all our visits and be allowed to go to court next week. This leads to our other really major problem. Our passports, ID, Money, were all stolen our first week here. We now have a replaced Credit card, money wired from home and permission from Immigration to go to Almaty at the end of "our business". There was a chance they were going to send us home at the time of the police report. There was talk that we may have had to go to Almaty immediatley for replacement passports and Visas but that they would not allow us to come back. There was a chance that the judge would not allow us to go to court without passports. And there was a chance we would not be able to fly to Almaty- 10,000 km away and that we would have to drive (10-12 hours or take a 2 day train trip- through RUSSIA!) So to say the least I have been anxious and stressed for what seems like forever.
through the awesome power of God and the work of His angel here on earth- ALMA who we consider our personal pit-bull (to see here in action) we have been allowed to stay, complete our visits, and will be allowed to go to court next Wed. We will then fly to Almaty next thursday, spend several days to get emergency passports/visa's and fill out paperwork for escort of the children home when they can be released.
I know it is through the prayers of so many that this is working out.
Thank-you!!

photo trouble

We have been trying to upload photos but have been unable- probably computer problems/virus.
If we are unable I promise to give a full update as soon as we get home-
Please hang in there with us.

What a trip so far!!

Hi to all,
Thanks for your patience. I have not been able to get on the internet for reasons I do not understand. I have paid and paid and paid for access but keep getting booted off. I am keeping my fingers crossed this makes it through.
We have completed day 3 of bonding with Sasha and Masha, our 6year old boy and his 3 year old sister.
They are fabulous children. I can't believe our luck at recieving them for our children. Sasha is a boy with quite a depth to his personality. He can be very active and playful. He can be quiet and enjoy playing alone with his cars and I have seen him sulk when a car that was not his was returned to its owner. He has a smile that melts your heart and loves to have his photo taken- which is often. He has bonded so well with Dave. I love to watch them together.
Masha our 3 year dynamo is abundant with joy and energy. She smiles and laughs easily. She loves to climb- anything. She loves to jump- from anything. She is quick to hug and can just as easily play quietly with a game or a puzzle. Both children are so smart. Sasha read to me from a russian book with clear well pronounce words. I just wish I knew what he was saying. Masha never stops talking and when we get one of the translators around- the awesome Olga or Luba, we discover that Masha has a wonderfull immagination.
I will try to download some photos.

Travel plan

It looks as though we will be traveling the 22nd of May through Amsterdam. Arriving in Almaty on sunday the 24th.
I've always wanted to go to the Netherlands (have family and heritage there) but spending 8 hours in the airport is not my idea of having fun in Amsterdam!!!

Going private

We will make the blog private next Thursday (5/14). Please email me or leave your email in the comments section for an invite.
Thank-you to all for the continued prayers and support you have been providing us. They keep us going.

Going to Ust-Kamenogorsk!!

We received word from our agency that our dossier is in Ust- Kamenogorsk and to expect to travel very soon. We are just waiting on our LOI (letter of invite) in order to apply for our travel Visas. I am in shock and very excited at how soon this happened. We were told to expect to travel in July and were prepared for that. Now I need to get into high gear and get ready. Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this next phase.

Sorry on the poor choice of text color. I think green is better.

Just a little gripe

So, today someone who I see seldomly tells me "I really don't think this thing (adoption I'm assuming) is the best idea for you". And he goes on to say " you are in a comfortable place and happy...why do you want to disrupt all that with possible heartache". This from someone I HAD respected as an intelligent person.
I have also had other comments- not as negative but none the less unkind. Comments such as why do you want to adopt now when youv'e done your time(raising kids)?, Have you REALLY thought about this?, Do you have any idea what you are getting into? , Do you think you will have enough energy for 2 kids?
OK, people I get it. And this is what I get...they make these comments under the guise of well meaning concern and may actually believe they have my best interests at heart. Those however, who make comments like that are uninformed, narrow-minded, rude, and don't know me at all! Thank God for so many others who are behind me 100% and are always supportive and concerned; concerned that we are not getting too stressed out over the long wait we have experienced so far; concerned because I have not taken any time off in the last year for me.
Thank- you, Thank-you, Thank-you to all of you who fit into this group. And yes, thank-you to the previous group who instead of causing me to reconsider "what I"m doing" help solidify my belief that we are indeed doing exacltly the right thing, that God has led us to this point in our lives, and that are hearts and souls are overjoyed and excited that we have been chosen to nurture and grow these young hearts and minds. It is our privilage to do it and the best gift we could recieve.

We are approved!!!

Oh, Happy Day....

Our dossier was approved by the embassy and is now off to Kazakhstan! We are happy to be over this hurdle. Thanks to our agency for the terrific work they do.

Spring

This morning was the first morning I got out of my car at work (6:45am) heading towards the building and heard the birds sing. Not just one or two but what seemed like all the birds on the block. It was music to my soul. The air also had the smell of spring.

I know its still winter and there are still cold days ahead, but I have hope for tulips and daffodils and so much more...

I also learned about Craigslist from a fellow PAP and today listed something. This could be fun. Maybe even make a little cash for the adoption fund...We shall see.

Yippee,

Our dossier was sent to the embassy!! It will probably spend 2-4 weeks there.

Happy Valentines Day to all of our friends and family.

Thank-you for all the support you continually provide to us. We feel blessed to have such a wonderful circle of love around us!

Our agency emailed Thursday stating our dossier is in Washington and "almost ready for submission to the embassy". "They"- whoever that is, is asking for some new photos to be emailed. More views of the childs room, the childs bathroom, the back of the house, and the childs play area...... Done and emailed on Friday. I am praying that the good Lord has it in His plan for everything to move along smoothly and that we will have children home before fall. I know it is not a perfect system (far from it) and that things can go terribly wrong. I am not going to worry or fret. I am not going to get excited or impatient. I know it will be in His time and that it will be the perfect time if it is meant to be for us.
Blessings, and have a wonderful week.
Kari

Happy Birthday Dave

Happy Birthday to YOU, Happy Birthday to YOU, Happy Birthday dear husband, Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Chinese New Year!!

It is the year of the Ox, known by its formal name: Ji-Chou. It is the year 4706 on the Chinese Calendar.

Natural beauty

Living in the country is pretty cool. Nature almost always provides a visual feast. It could be the snow on the trees and bushes or the sudden blizzards of snow gusting around the front yard as the wind rushes up the hill from Elk Lake accross the street. It could be the abundance and variety of birds constantly darting to and from the several feeders we have about the property or it could be the deer munching on a pine tree in safty at the far side of our 4-1/2 acres. But last evening I witnessed 8 deer in procession across my front yard, no more than 60 feet or so from my front windows. Seven of them kept on going, but one of them decided the bushes had something tasty on them and stopped to eat. I have my camera set up on a tripod for just such an occasion and was able to take this ones portrait while he (or she) patiently stood there and appeared to stare directly at me. With 3 dogs in the house and often outside I felt this one deer was indeed very brave.

A gift

Today, I went to Grand Rapids to get documents apostilled. The plan was for document stamps, then lunch with friend (more like a sister) Vicki and my mom and sister. Well, my beautiful daughter Kaitlin was able at the last minute to come along (her fiance offered to work for her- what a sweet guy). The secretary of state super center is at one of the malls. Davids Bridal also happens to be there. We arrived at the mall and she said she wanted to go to Davids Bridal to look at a dress she saw on the internet. When I was done getting documents stamped I headed down to the bridal store, converged on my friend heading to meet me. When we arrived at the store my mom and sister were already there, Kaitlin in the dressing room with the gown. She looked so beautiful in all the gowns she tried but it wasn't until I saw the whole ensemble including the veil that I had to get the tissue box. What is it about seeing your daughter in wedding attire that make a mother cry?

We spent a glorious hour or so there and then went for a late lunch. Kaitlin did not get the dress she initially went in for but found an even better one at a better price. Thanks for the good eye mom. As busy as everyone is and given the distances we live from one another it was truly a gift that we were able to come together for such a special event especially when it happened so unexpectedly. God works in such unusual ways and when we recognize the blessings that He gives, we can see that miracles happen all the time.

Road Trip

Well, I have all the updated documents- notarized, copied, and ready for apostille. I Will be heading to Grand Rapids for the all important "great seal of Michigan" impressive gold seal on each document. Hoping for an uneventful drive and hoping I don't have to go all the way to Lansing. We just recently found out (from the seal lady) in Lansing (the last time we did this) that we can get the same service in Grand Rapids (much closer to home). so, hopefully I can get there early afternoon, get the seals, have lunch with my best friend and my mom, shop a little, then head back home in the knowledge that we may finally be making progress.
Keeping my fingers crossed and my hands folded in prayer.

New Hope

Hope springs eternal!
Today, we have a new president! I prayerfully hope for a very successful and safe administration. I know nothing will happen quickly and maybe things will get worse before they get better, but isn't that the nature of so many things.
I was able to watch the entire swearing in ceremony and was moved by the power of president Obama's words.
I have hope for so many things, including our adoption. I have all the documents updated and ready for apostille, then send to AA. Perhaps with prayers and hope and a bit of luck we will expand our family this year (maybe before winter next).

Waiting and Freezing

Just waiting for the FBI clearance to come back and praying that the Sherrif guy has the right year on it (thank-you to Lanetta for bringing that little potential problem to my attention)- I ran right over to the medicals and checked for the correct date- so far so good) So keeping my fingers crossed. I think as soon as we get our documents completed we will be submitted to the embassy.... Keep the prayers a comin!
Now here in northern Michigan the very very cold temps have been making the news. As I left the house at 6:30 am and was driving down our little county road through the 6 or 8 unplowed inches of snow I was thinking how much I am already tired of this snow and now the freezing cold and how we still have so much winter left when I got a little reality check. I saw what earlier in the season I would have assumed was a leaf blowing accross the street. When I focused in I realized it was a tiny little mouse running accross the road over these mountains of snow left by the early morning commuters. I watched him running and found myself cheering him on with something like "go little guy go! You can do it" and I realized that if he could brave the conditions of this week with his tiny little feet and itsy bitsy body running his heart out to who knows where (probably my basement) then I can most certainly not only manage this awful cold weather and the constantly dumping lake effect snow but I can brave the remainder of this often frustrating process of international adoption.
Heres hoping my FBI clearance comes back good- if not- I will just do it again and keep on running until I get to my destination.

another day

Another frustrating and emotionally exausting day. FBI fingerprints came back. Daves were fine. Mine were, and I quote; "rejected and are returned to you as illegible". This is the second time in the course of this waiting process (having to repeat the fingerprint check and clearance because they are only good for 6 months) that mine have been rejected. This means that I have to go back to the sherriff office between 5-7 pm on a Wednesday and in vain explain to them to please do a careful and very good job so they won't be rejected. Honestly, they just don't seem to care. The last time we were there we were the only ones in the office so I don't get it. Secondly, our medicals needed to be updated again ( they are only good for 3 months). My doctor quit her practice and moved to AZ in September- so obviously I asked her to give me an update just before she left- which she did. I then contacted the dr. who purchased the practice, did a meet and greet with her, explained the requirements for the dossier to her. She assured me it would be fine and to just bring the form when I needed it and she would fill it out, sign it and include a copy of her license. (I did make sure she knew that the licence had to be current for a least 1 year.) I requested the new medical form on Dec. 30th. and got a phone call today that the dr. med license would expire within 1 year but that she would get it renewed. So here I sit in tears, frustrated, no dr. with an acceptable license. No FBI clearance for at least 2-3 weeks and our dossier supposed to be sent soon. Maybe I am just overreacting but this is all just to much. All signs (there are more than mentioned here but I just can't get into that right now) seem to be pointed away from Kazakhstan.

Blog-Stalker

I have officially become a blog stalker. Until recently, I really havn't kept up on my blogging or done a lot of reading on other blogs but I am feeling new hope for the new year and have checked back in on several blogs I have (somewhat) followed over the last 6 months or so. Several families are somewhere in the same timeframe we are or slightly ahead of us. This is good news. It means dossiers are moving, referrals are being made, and I have hope for 2009. I pray we will all get to Kaz soon and meet, then bring our children home. I have listed several blogs I follow. If you see yours and don't want it there, PLEASE let me know. I don't want anyone upset. I think the private ones will stay private.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!!

Happy New Year to all.
Well, can I say it- do I dare? Oh what the heck,
THIS is the year we will bring a child home! Its been 3 years since we started our adoption journey and saying there have been twists and turns is putting it mildly! As I am sure there will be more, but I am hopeful.