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We received an update from our Adoption Agency yesterday. Now don't get excited cause we still don't know when we are going, however one couple is leaving for the country just before Christmas and there is one family currently there bonding with their 2 new children. There are 2 families that are waiting for their "Letter of Invitation to Travel" and we are one of them. . It would be so cool if we end up travelling around the same time.

I found this great website on Kazakhstan and it also has blogs on families that have adopted from there. I have to say the more I read their stories, the more at ease I feel about travelling there and adopting from there. I have yet to read anything negative regarding the adoption experience from this country.

I've seen pictures of some of the Baby House's and am quite impressed. They may not look like much from the outside but inside you can tell that they really care about their children. It is very clean on the inside. They have play rooms, music rooms and therapy rooms. Even outside there are play things for the kids to play with. It makes me feel very comforting to know that these children are not left in their cribs or playpens for the entire day. The caregivers do the best that they can given the circumstances these children are living in.

You should see some of these children!! So precious!!. When I read some of their stories I get all teary eyed. Yeah I know I'm a wuss

There is one thing that I am nervous about and that is the court date. There are quite a few people present for this. There's us, the judge, our interpreter, court reporter, representative from the local dept of Education or social worker, director of the Baby House and a prosecutor. You are expected to sit up straight, no doodling and pay strict attention to what is going on. Easier said then done especially for my husband who cannot sit still and has a habit of letting his mind wander. During the proceeding the judge will review all the paperwork and then ask us some questions. Did I mention that all this is being communicated in Russian ? Hence the interpreter. We have been told to look at the judge when talking and not the interpreter. Oh did I mention the speech that we may have to do before the judge ? I am hoping just my husband will have to do this. If I have to I am not sure I will be able to get thru it without crying . This did happen to one woman and the judge let her get out of doing her speech.

The nursery is still not finished. Waiting for the closet door to be put up, molding around the floor, light fixture to be put up and the window treatments. Hopefully my husband will get these things done when he is off for the holidays. Actually I told him I wanted it all finished by the end of this year!!

So that is where things stand right now. This will be our last Christmas as just a husband and wife. Next Christmas will be as Mother and Father !!!

Paka!!!