Today is Maks' 3rd Birthday!!

Maks turned 3 today! Chris and Michelle were actually able to bring him a little birthday present from us. Our first present to Maks! We sent a sweatshirt and a little car that when you shake, the tires spin. It goes really far! We hope he likes it. We kinda feel like parents. How weird that the present we picked out and sent made it to Maks. We feel sooooooo thankful. Look at that picture! "Check me out in my addidas!" Michelle says that he liked the gift bag so much when she first gave it to him that he didn't know "it" wasn't the present. He didn't even know to open it. Then he got even more excited when she helped him pull the car out. The best part, she said, was when he put the sweatshirt on. He was so proud. Sigh! They sang "Happy Birthday" to him and then left Ust for Almaty. Michelle said that they have a few more pics that they'll send when they get home.

How lucky! We are excited and hopelessly attached to Maks. His caregivers told him that his Mama and Papa are on their way. So he knows we are coming. : ) We wish we had any idea when we will go. But haven't heard a peep....

Waiting for the Consulate

We decided to send our paperwork through the NY Consulate instead of the Embassy at the suggestion of our agency. We sent the new checks to AIP and we are waiting to hear news. I sound like a broken record!

We hope to hear something significant by Thanksgiving. Waiting, hoping, praying....

Dossier completed! (again)

We finally received the official forms for the new requirements. The FBI clearance was really easy to obtain and they sent us our "no record found" letters within 1 week. We also had to sign a statement saying that 1) we will allow a Kazakhstani official to visit our home up to twice per year and 2) we will continue with post-placement reports until Maks is 18. Though the first few have to be done by a social worker, the last can be done just by us.

The last hurdle was another medical statement proving absence of disease. At first, we were worried because Dr. Mandel wanted us to come in for another physical. Would we have to wait 2 weeks for our HIV test, then 1 more week for the "transcription department" to write our statements on letterhead??? When we got there, Kristina, Laura, and Dr. Mandel worked to help us figure out a way to finish the statements right away. But wait - we need it notorized. We called every Notary in the SB phonebook. The last lady couldn't do it but had a friend named Lori. Luckily Lori arrived at Dr. Mandel's office within 15 minutes. Everyone signed and the new requirements were complete!!

We took the documents to Mail Boxes and Fed Ex-ed them to Parasec for the apostilles. Hooray!!

Now, we wait!! Our dossier will travel to Kazakhstan to be translated, which might take 2 weeks, then back to the Consulate in New York. It should spend about 2 weeks there if Orson is correct. Then 4 weeks at the MFA , 1 week and the MOE and we will have our LOI. That's right, you guessed it, 8 weeks! We could travel in December. When they say "you can come to Kazakhstan to adopt your child" - I think we'll be on the first plane. : )

Soon!

We are going to immerse ourselves in boat work and hopefully this time will fly by....

Things are moving forward

Our agency called last night and said he was going to get us to Kazakhstan in December. We just have to get a few more items of paperwork together ASAP. The news is exciting because maybe things are going to start moving forward. Maksim feels so close now. But we still have a little bit of anxiety because we know it is possible to lose him.

Things are looking up! I have been working with Jay on the New Salt. Fishing is pretty fun actually. The weather has been nice and the fishing decent. : )

Anyway - the reason why Maks feels so close, I guess is really because of the Sapps. I love to hear about him. We will be parents soon! By the way, Michelle and Chris arrived back in Normal, Il last night and Michelle emailed. I'll quote her (it is easier).

Just wanted to let you know we are home and would love to answer ANY
questions you may have about anything.  I should be home after 5 most
nights and I'll be home all weekend, too.  Your son is precious!  He
not only is in Mateo's group, but eats at the same table and shares a
locker with him!  They are like brothers - we'll definitely have to
keep in touch and keep the boys friends.  We told our favorite
caregiver to give your son extra love as well - that his family is
coming.  Maksim really stands out as a leader in the group.  And as I
said before, he is always smiling.  Can't wait to chat with you!

Michelle Sapp