More Delays and a Second Honeymoon?

Hi All-

Many of you know we had a delay last week- UGH! Apparently dumb old DHL lost some of our documents in Russia! So, needless to say I am no longer a fan of this service!

Anyway, thankfully Aaron was able to run all around the town and with some help from Marta and Bob (who both have been absolutely great about re-doing documents 3 or 4 times each for us) we were able to pull it together in less than 24 hours. Then the agency was able to get them apostilled and off to Russia in another 48 hours- I think we all did pretty well considering! They are in Novo now and hopefully we will hear soon- maybe this week but more likely next I think- about a court date!!!! So, keep your fingers crossed and I still hope to get there in mid July now.

So, due to this and the fact that we have been lost in baby preparations, stress from waiting and general other stress due to work and the house and all we decided on the spur of the moment yesterday that what we needed was a break, a last minute "second honeymoon", the last trip we will ever take just the 2 of us, with no other responsibilities. So, we are off to Wausaukee Thursday - Tuesday for some sun, golf, relaxing, recharging and reconnecting. We are totally ready to go to Russia and ready for the babies to come home so even if we get court dates and need to leave next week we are all set- we can fly home, throw everything in a bag and leave again! And it would still be worth it! Cant wait to get to the cabin and enjoy the weekend together - our last as a couple with no kids. The next time we are at wausaukee it will be VERY different so this is fun and we are excited for this trip, though short.

waiting, waiting, waiting

Hi All-

It has been a while since we posted but that is because we have been so busy getting ready for the babies!

Since we have now been back 4.5 weeks (not that I am keeping track or anything) I thought I would give an update of where we are now.

1) The work at the house is continuing. Doug, our fearless friend and contractor, and his crew have almost finished the new laundry/mudroom - which is good because I am dying to do some laundry! The good news is it will no longer be a scary unfinished part of the house with wires hanging down, it is now bright and white and has tile and walls and floors and a ceiling and all that good stuff. Very exciting!

2.) Aaron is almost done with the nursery! The closet is being painted as we speak (poor thing- all weekend has been spent on that closet but it looks awesome!) and the beds, dressers, chair etc have all arrived and are in various states of togetherness. I expect we will have a fully functioning kiddo room by the end of next weekend and will post pics as soon as it is done. Aaron's dad Craig has been absolutely instrumental in getting the projects we needed done finished - help with wiring, baby gates etc- THANK YOU SO MUCH CRAIG!

3.) Check out the new "mac daddy mobile". This is a terrible picture but I was in a hurry and my iphone is not perfect. In anticipation of Aaron becoming a stay at home dad and needing a safe car to transport our babies in we are now the proud owners of a 2005 Honda Odyssey. This is crazy to us but in a good way. Our neighbors are all staring at us though - many of them have no idea we are adopting and then they see the minivan and the play structure go up in the back yard- I think they are all trying to figure out if I am pregnant- it is pretty funny. When we show up with 2 toddlers it will be quite the surprise for them!

4.) When are we going back you ask? We dont know- ARRGGHH! We are still going with our agency's original July timeframe but we do not yet have travel dates or a confirmed court date. We have been told we "MAY" get court dates as early as the first week in June (umm, now!) or as late as the end of June. This is making me a bit loo-loo but what can you do? The good news is that the family in front of us did get a notice that their papers have been officially filed, which means they should have a court date soon and we are about 10 days behind them in process so I am hoping that we have dates by June 15th. Don't worry- i will keep you all posted! It is maddening to not know but that is how this works so I just keep saying to myself "chin up buttercup" and know that we will get back to them soon and bring them home. (Queen Markell is someplace working on that I am sure and making sure they are safe until we get there too).

That is all the news for now. Just keep thinking good thoughts and if anyone happens to have any secret tricks for getting us back there faster please fill me in!

Love,

Sarah and Aaron