Part one: Done and Done!

Yes! Application for sponsorship mailed. We really HAVE finished what we can for this step. All we need to do (other than send more money orders, lol) is to wait for the letter from Citizenship and Immigration saying they've accepted our application for sponsorship of an unknown Russian child and get a copy of our social worker's license. THAT'S IT! I've never felt so unencumbered yet during this process. We are now on vacation for a weekend of anniversary celebration. It's kind of fitting that the four year marriage mark is also the mark of this next step passing beyond our control. Here you go fate, you've treated me good thus far, let's see who you bring us. Happy Anniversary Mike. I love you and am proud of us!

Mailed!

It felt really good. Now to concentrate on Citizenship and Immigration.

The Wait is Over!

Well, this wait, at least! We received the amended pages for our homestudy. They came in the mail - that's why the wait was longer! I had actually emailed our social worker yesterday and asked if they had given her a time frame when she submitted her report. She wrote back to say that we should be hearing soon. I expected a phone call, like last time, but this was a bonus. Happy Anniversary to us! They will probably be receiving our final police checks, the amendments, and the last two signed pages for the Ministry of Education of Bashkortostan on our anniversary Thursday. I think it's the last signatures... I know it's not the last of the money orders! This is really exciting! It's not the end of September timeline I had in my mind, but it is damn close! I am in a community theatre group doing a pantomime. This will help pass the wait time up to Christmas... I should start making plans for after that! YEAH!

Only One More Piece

We got our police checks-again.  We are just waiting on the hone study to be returned.  I expect it soon; it was 3-4 weeks the first time and that is right where we are now.

I am thinking we are just going to send in the immigration stuff as is.  I will attach a cover letter and explain why we are doing this first part only.

I think I contemplated how to mail this waaaaaay too long.

Sent from my HTC

Can I Please Hold the Line?

I've been trying to get through to Citizenship and Immigration for three days! It doesn't let you hold the line, it disconnects if there are no available agents. I do know that they do not accept aggressive behaviour or language and that I may be warned that my call will be terminated if I choose to use such actions. i also know that my call may be recorded for quality assurances but if I choose not to have my call recorded I must inform them. Then I get about four bars of elevator music, three rings and another recording informing me that there are no agents and to try my call later and that their least busy days are Thursday and Friday. I tried so frequently today and yesterday. Why can't I just hold the line to ask my three questions?

It's Been Awhile...

Guess what? We're waiting for a document... surprise, surprise! Ha! Seriously though, we have only the amended home study left to wait on. We got our new passports. They came in a week! I'm so glad I didn't pay to get the rush order. Once we have the amended study we have to get another police check (they expire every three months). Then we mail it off with the 9 new forms we have to sign (all for the Russian Consulate and Ministries). I have all the immigration forms filled out. Just waiting a bit before paying the fee. sigh. So many fees. I am still hopeful for having it all sent off by the end of this month. 20 days left.

karma

I hope Russia knows how hard I cheer and hope for their Olympic victories. My sister is doing it too... Awesome. We have also been gathering the last of the documents needed for our dossier, of course more were required (hey Russia! Way to just win gold on the uneven bars! Yes! Gymnastics are awesome!) after we thought we had it all. We needed written letters from four references. Awesome knowing how much my friends and family appreciate our love for their kids! I will never not cry when I think of what you have done to help us!