What to do, what to do?

So, we are at a point of crisis in this process (probably the first of many). We are in a major holding pattern with regards to our home study and our agency. There is an internal issue with our agency and DCFS here in IL, which is putting our home study in its holding pattern. It is very frustrating right now. We have a home study that is ready to be reviewed and sent for approval, dossier docs ready to be reviewed and apostilled, and we cannot do any of it or move foraward!!

So, the crisis? Do we switch agencies or stay with our current one? That is the big question that we are facing right now, and the big decision we have to make. I feel like we are at the make it or break it point in the process for switching (or at least the ideal time to do it). We have been doing a lot of research, talking to a lot of people, and are working on sorting it all out. We knew and expected there would be bumps in the road, but switching agencies was definitely not one of them!!! All in all, we think that switching might set us back a month or so, but considering the uncertainty of when the issue with our agency will be cleared, a month doesn't seem so bad.

Once we decide what we are doing, we will update the blog. I am so completely frustrated right now, and for the first time since we started this whole process, I broke down in tears (probably not the last time, right?!) Anyway, enough negative vibes for the night!

Best wishes to all our blogging friends who are travelling right now and meeting their children and awaiting court dates! We are so happy for you and can't wait to read more about your little ones!! And congratulations to those families who had successful court dates and are now proud parents!!! Safe journeys to Kaz and home:)

Also, one of these days (when our normal computer is working), we will post the pics of our other "kids" and baby Vaughn's room like we have been promising!!!

Thanksgiving

This is a short post just to wish all of our family and friends (old and new) a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! We love you all!!! We are so thankful to have all of you in our lives and supporting us during one of the most exciting times in our lives!!!

We are also thankful to all of the adoptive families we have met during this process, and through blogging. You are all wonderful, amazing individuals and we are lucky to have you as support and sounding boards!! Best wishes to those who are completing paperwork, those who are waiting, those who are travelling, and those who are home with their children - we are thinking about you all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hanging in there!

Well, we didn't receive that great of news from the adoption agency. Looks like we're going to have to wait until Illinois DCFS gets their act together and allows the agency to keep preparing home studies. Typical government, especially Illinois. I guess that's why they call it the big political machine. We're thinking about raising a ruckus and contacting our local congressman, not that they would do anything either...you know...big political machine.

In the meantime, Kim and I are going to keep on trucking and get all our papers in order, so that the dossier is ready to hit the Kazakhstan ground at a moments notice. Thanks to all who provided us pictures in order for us to complete the dossier. Never thought gathering pictures would be such a project. Actually, it gave us the opportunity to reminisce as well.

Stay tuned for pictures of our animal kingdom, which includes our dog, Ryno (and yes, he is named after the best second baseman of all time, Ryne Sandberg), and our cats Maji and Piper (a little Ali Baba/Mummy/Charmed theme going on there - don't know why, my wife named them). And, we will also attempt to post pictures of the recently completed (minus the furniture) baby's room.

Anyway, thanks again to all who have been there for us and have a great Thanksgiving. Oh, and in case you haven't noticed, this is Jamie blogging and this is my first ever blog. Got one under the belt.

J-

Great Book

I now have baby shopping on the brain since the last post:) We are really excited to stop dreaming about our baby's room, and start making it a reality! But patience is key, right? We are going try and wait until after the holidays to start shopping, but I am sure I will break down before then. LOL:)

With all the baby "stuff" on the brain, I just wanted to give a shout to a great book given to me by one of my oldest and dearest friends, Jess. Jess & Bry have have a beautiful little girl, who we are proud to call our Goddaughter:)

When we began our journey, Jess gave me the book "Baby Bargains" by Denise and Alan Fields in order to help us sift through things we might buy for the baby. This book has been a godsend, and a wealth of information about everything related to babydom. It has information on what are good buys, bad buys, things not to even think about buying, etc. So, I just wanted to share the wealth about this book. I highly recommended it, and both Jamie and I enjoyed reading it, and it helped make some of our decisions very easy!