While at work --- right before noon --- I did my usual e-mail check. Sitting next to me were two co-workers and friends, Dawn and Karina. With my gasp "OMG --we have a Court Date", all 3 of us just started screaming!! (Thank goodness the door to the "dictation room" was closed as screaming in a hospital is usually not a good thing...)
I couldn't even read the e-mail filled with lots of dates and information ~ my head was just spinning! It was a moment I won't soon forget because all my co-workers/friends were thrilled as well. Boy --- word spread fast, too! I called JD and he had already heard the news directly from our US agency coordinator. He's a pretty proud papa-to-be! :)
The scoop, as it is right now:
Tuesday, April 14: Depart Los Angeles
Thursday, April 16: Arrive Ekaterinburg, Russia (our 15th Wedding Anniversary!!)
Friday, April 17 - Tuesday, April 21: Visit K at the orphanange
Wednesday, April 22: Court Day!!!!
April 23 - May 4 (approx.): "10-day" waiting period
Week of May 4: Welcome K into our arms forever and hang out in Ekat to get p/w done
May 13: Travel to Moscow for medical exam/K's VISA/etc. (not sure why so long in Ekat yet...)
May 16: Travel home!!!
I just spent several hours filling out numerous VISA forms, getting passport-type pictures, money orders, etc. just so we can get our VISA info out in the FedEx tomorrow. They need a week and if they receive it Monday -- we may get it the day before or the day we are leaving! Geez -- cutting it close!
Anyways -- I've been wanting to e-mail everyone individually about our good news but time just doesn't permit it. I now have to figure out scanning on our printer, get the initial info off to the VISA office in NY via e-mail, and then be up for work by 5am. Another evening with about 3-4 hours of sleep! But I don't know if I could sleep anyways--- I'm so excited.
Good Night, our sweet, K --- we'll be there with you soon! xoxoxox
Geeky pic...but this is me the moment after reading the e-mail (in the background) about our court date. Yes, I was carrying around my iPhone waiting for the infamous call! NOTE: Photo is HIPAA Compliant!!
33 comments:
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I thought YES! as soon as I saw the name of your post!!! Congrats! Now -- start the packing spree! My VISA story was the SAME way. Stressful -- but it will happen!
What a wonderful Mother's Day present! We're beyond happy for you, and wishing you godspeed in reaching your pot of gold.
Zee
Yeah! I can't believe it! YOu're going! I am so excited! You'll be traveling on our anniversary (4/15) and you'll head to Moscow on my birthday (5/13). Wow!
The wait in Ekat, is unusual. We left within a day of getting Colby from the orphanage. However, I do know there is one of those wonderful Russian holidays in early May. And the office that does the paperwork, adoption and birth certs, only does them on Tues. Ugh! But, you'll have your little one. Ekat should be pretty now. Much different than in Feb.
Melissa
That is great news!! We will keep you in our prayers for safe travels.
OH MY GOSH! It's here! K is coming home. I'm so happy for you and JD!!!!!
Take care,
Karen Z
Great News...
CONGRATS!!!
Yeah!!!!! What a week this has been! Congratulations. So we will be in Russia at the same time. Of course miles apart, but still it will be exciting to share our experiences! There is such a whirlwind of activity now. Enjoy the moment if possible. A good friend told me this week that Blake (and in your case K) is going to want to hear how exciting we were preparing to come and get him. He isn't going to want to know how stressed we were. For some reason I take comfort in that comment and want to make the next several days memorable for happy reasons. Best of luck with the final details!!!!!
congratulations!!!!!!! i am so excited for you and your hubby. what a great anniversary present.
Congrats! Awesome! What a great way to start April!!! Our prayers are with you!
!!!ENHORABUENA!!!
Me alegro mucho de vuestra noticias!!! Desde España compartimos vuestra inmensa alegría. Tendremos los juicios seguidos, si vais al Hotel Park Inn, nos conoceremos, nosotros estamos alojados allí hasta el día 18. Espero poder celebrar juntos la salida de nuestros niños, qué biennnn.
Muchos besos y hasta pronto.
Adriana.
Yippee!!!! Fantastic!!! I am so excited for you, JD and K. I cannot wait to see her face. This is going to be a great trip for you all. A big high 5 to you for doing such a great job with paperwork and patience. Congrats!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I knew it was coming soon! I hope we get the same news soon as well....can't wait to follow you on your journey.
Can you hear me screaming in excitment for you from OC!!!!! WOW! I couldn't be happier for the 3 of you!!! Love, Donna
Congratulations, this is so exciting! And what a wonderful anniversary present! God is so good :)
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
What terrific news!!! I am so happy for you!
Boy, that is a l-o-n-g trip... any chance the waiting period might be waived?
Good luck and safe travels!!
gina
Laura & Jon,
Congratulations! Rene, Gaby and I are sooooo happy for you. The most awaited time is here. Soon you will have K with you and will bring her home. Can't wait to meet her. We are so happy for the two of you! Congratulations!
Tere, Rene & Gaby - Chatsworth
CONGRATS - I have goose bumps trying to write this. If ANYONE in the world deserves to have a child, it is you, sweet Laura. I am SO EXCITED for you and can't wait to see K's precious face and hear her name.
Love and prayers!!
-Terrie
Yeah Yeah Yeah! Congratulations!!! so happy for you!
WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
This is so exciting! K IS COMING HOME!!!!!!
:D :D :D <--(for your happy family of 3)
Congratulations, Laura! Your head must be spinning!
And, for what it's worth, I think your "geeky" picture is beautiful and glorious. From one iPhone to another: WOOOO HOOOO! :D
Awesome! Now you can really do that Happy Dance! And a month from tomorrow, which is our 1st anniversary Gotcha day!, you will have your Gotcha Day!
I am so incredibly happy and excited for your family!
I read your news during Silent Reading time in my classroom, so then I had to tell my whole class of 2nd & 3rd graders why I was so happy. They all say CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I can't wait to hear details and see pictures.
Jocelyn
You're in the whirlwind now! Now until you're settled in at home with little K! I'm so happy for you guys and can't wait for you to get back there! I think you'll be home early too - that's way too long in Ekat! But, wherever, as long as you have K in your arms, It won't matter here or there. Congratulations!
I'm so excited for you. It's been such a journey and you guys will make awesome parents! K is a lucky girl!
Oh this is GREAT news!!! You are going to be there soonier thenyou think.
Joy
Yiiiiiipppppppppeeeeeeeeeee........Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
Will keep you in my prayers.
That is definitely a long trip but well worth it. I tried to post a couple days ago but my Crackberry was acting up....lol.
I hope you have all your communication devices in order. We can not go that long without hearing from you.
I'm so happy for you Laura, it has been a long road but finally the day is near. Love ya sista!
So happy to hear you will finally be able to bring her home. The journey seems long from the outside - I can't imagine how long it feels to you. Congrats!
Jamielynne
I'm so happy for you! You so deserve it! Keep us posted. And it is so nice to see all the "sistahs" posting here! all great stories that are a honor to follow :-)
Fe
Hi, Congrats, I actually just got my referral call yesterday so we might be in Yeketarinburg at the same time. They told me to get my visa dated 4/19-5/19 so maybe I will see you there!!! Congrats I hope I get to meet you and your little girl. Beth
I am so excited for you both. I lokk forward to reading good things in your blog and excited to pics of you as a family!! Heidi, Coral springs, fl.
I've been out of town and am just reading your news - I'm THRILLED for you!!!!
I can't wait to hear more.
Big hugs - cm
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