Woooo HOOOOO

Don't get all excited - have not gotten the "final" YES yet BUT today was a GREAT day. Today we sent our full dossier (minus the I171) to our facilitator. He was nice enough to tell us to send it on that way when we get the I171 he will be sitting on READY! So sent it off today and it is guaranteed to arrive by Monday. The homestudy agency is currently in the process of revising the homestudy. We hope to have that by the end of the week - the hardest part for them was to get all of the signatures on the homestudy again - but I do believe they are doing their darndest to speed things up for us. Ivanna is doing good - growing like you wouldn't believe. Her mom and dad got to see and talk to Ryan and Steven Sunday before last (May 16th). The boys couldn't believe it. They were amazed that it was night time where they were and the middle of the day for us. Our facilitator told us today by going ahead and sending him our original documents that it would at least save us a week. But to us adoptive parents a week can seem like an ETERNITY!! Well, we are a step closer and I can tell you our visit over there will certainly be great I'm looking forward to meeting some of the people we have been talking to. It will be an experience. We are just ready to go get her but we'll continue to have a connection in Eastern Europe for sure. Well keep saying prayers and maybe we will have more good news to report soon but at least this gives me something to do for the next few days and that is continue to check the tracking on our package so you know I'll keep you posted. It has already left Gautier, MS and is currently in Gulfport, MS. Hurry Hurry Hurry!!! Continue your prayers for our family and Ivanna's family who will now be part of our family!!

I'm BACK!!!!

Ok haven't posted in quite some time because I was aggravated and worn out from TRYING to get my answer. Well, you all know by now about the woman in TN that adopted a child from Russia and decided to something idiotic and return him via a one-way ticket. What a dork!!! So, on top of everything else, we believe that further complicated things for us - that's our story and we're sticking to it. Not to mention the fact that I was very demanding in my request for an answer so they were probably making an attempt to make it has hard on us as they could - little did they know - it didn't matter what they asked us for we were armed and ready to jump through hoops.

So, on Monday, May 3rd we FINALLY received a letter from USCIS requesting a mental evaluation. Well, this is not because either of us are crazy by any means but there are some countries that already make this mandatory but Ukraine is not one of them. We feel like that since this episode they are only trying to do their job and be cautious which in some ways is comforting. Just wish it had not taken her a month to finally tell us but it is what it is. Needless to say we started the process the next day. Took the MMPI and the Rorschach test which is a personality type test that is supposed to tell you how you perceive the world and stress levels and all. Well, then my husband had to go in today. So as soon as he left he called me and he said that she had revealed to him the results from my ink blot test - said it came back that I had some type of Interpersonal Disorder - well my heart dropped and he told me to call her because she wanted to make my appointment for Friday earlier anyway. So, I did, I called her and she confirmed that yes I have what is referred to as Interpersonal Neediness Disorder - so I said OK - what does that mean - she said that she asked the examiner and low and behold she replied 'YOU NEED A CHILD'!!!! Well, DUH!!! I tell you I don't think I have laughed so hard at anything lately. But what a GREAT disorder to have you think?

You ask: What happens now?

Both my husband and I will go back on Friday and we walk out the door with our report. YAY - then it will be off to USCIS and to our homestudy group to incorporate in the home study and provide a revised homestudy to USCIS. So ---- I am in hopes that USCIS can have it in their hands by the end of next week - not sure that's realistic but it is my hopes anyway. THEN once USCIS receives it we are back in wait mode but my guess is she's tired of getting e-mails from us, Congressman, Senator, etc - I hope she has had enough and just stamps it and sends it on.

So say prayers as we are almost there. Really glad we didn't go in the month of May anyway since there are several holidays and also now the Volcano seems to be impacting flights again so be that as it may - we are not going until God says we can go and it's all about His time and His plan.

Thank you much and I leave you with a precious picture.