Everything is complete.  We visited the embassy today and have the boys' visas in hand.  We are on our way home tomorrow at 2:00pm.  BOY ARE WE GLAD!!!  We miss our kids something fierce!!!!

 

The medical exam was kind of a joke!  They looked in their ears and down their throats - felt on their tummys and checked their eyes and charged us an arm and a leg!  However - we did learn that James is 48 lbs and 3ft. 7 in (born Januray 21,2000 by the way) and Charles is 67 lbs and 4ft 7in (born Octobober 15, 1994 by the way)

 

The boys were our first referral and they are the boys we wanted - we didn't "settle for older kids".  We had actually come thinking we would adopt two boys under 5 - and we were shown a set of healthy boys in that age but Nastya caught site of Charles picture and mentioned what a good looking boy he was....naturally we glanced at the file AND it just seemed they were our boys.  We are SO happy with them.  It will be a challenge - they do have some orphanage behaviors that Daddy is struggling with.....*grin*......shoveling food so quickly James hardly breathes while he eats - is really the most annoying for him.  I think Charles mentioned in the previous post that James has had a couple of time outs because he doesn't believe NO.....time outs are a "sit" time - with either Mommy or Daddy sitting with him - but he just doesn't want to sit!!!  We let him up as soon as he sits and is calm for TWO seconds! LOL  It's working - at least with the light switches.  Charles is completely different than his little brother.  I have to make him eat unless it's junk food!!  CHIPS get eaten REALLY quickly.  He is a sweety and ready to help at any time.  As a matter of fact he has made our bed every morning while I'm fixing breakfast!!!  WOW.....NEVER NEVER NEVER have my older three made my bed!! LOL LOL

 

I wanted to address a couple of things that I've seen discussed on the adoption boards.  I want to stress to you that this is OUR EXPERIENCE....

 

First of all....dress....we dressed up.  Charles in tie and coat - me in a long black skirt and ivory sweater - for both the NAC and Court.  Both times it was noticed and appreciated - take that for what it's worth - but I would definately dress up rather than down.

 

It has been our experience that it IS what facilitation TEAM you use that matters.  We are using Oleg's team and have been really amazed at the way things have gone for us.  I never saw or heard a hint of anything being done that shouldn't be...I DID see that his team is experienced - knows people and procedures and especially in the region that was important to us.  I am a very "take charge" control freak kind of person in situations like this.  EVERYTIME I raised a question - the team was two steps ahead of me.  We met a couple that used an agency in the US and their facilitator was seldom with them and they had been in the region a week longer than we when we arrived - and unfortunately are still there.  I am sure there are people who have had positive experiences with other facilitators but I would never think of using anyone else.

 

Here is our timeline:

June 2 - Homestudy

July 2 - Sent in I600A

August 19 - Recieved I-171H

Sent Dossier - (Mid September....I don't have the date with me)

Registration Number Received - November 8

Apointment Date Received - November 20

Appointment at NAC - January 31

Adoption Final - February 11 (got to take custody of boys)

Flight Home - February 16 (got hung up because there was a WEEKEND in there!)

 

There are so many beautiful children here - So many wonderful sweet older kids in the orphanage that we were at.....

 

Ah well....time is almost up so we will post more on Friday when we are AT HOME!!!!

 

Penny

I been following your are your adventure as while you were gone from work. Finnally pulled up the pictures at home. Cute kids, how is everything going I know you must just be exhausted. But my prayers have been with all of you. Jeanne

HI I have been reading your journey and it has been very informative for me. I just sent all of our paperwork out in the mail today. I can't wait until we add to our family too. Thanks

Kristi