The Splendor of Utah

While we've been waiting, we figured we would get in some quality ski time, considering that we live in the heart of ski country!
Not only was it great to get out and enjoy the sun and snow, but we thought it might get our mind off of wondering when that highly anticipated call would come! Of course, that worked for a few minutes, then we noticed all the "little ones" on the hill and alas...our discussions of teaching our "little guy" how to ski began! I guess you never can escape the desire for a wee one.
Yes...we've even looked at ski equipment for our little guy. I suggested that we just rent until he gets older...Mike informed me (rather quickly and emphatically), "that will not happen...our baby will have his own ski equipment!" (And knowing Mike it will most likely be the top of the line!)

We've been holding off on posting on our blog, thinking that we'd have something to post about soon. Still status quo! The good news...another family ahead of us accepted a referral to Vlad and they are traveling in March. That means we've moved up the list! We are thinking that we are 2nd on the list now. That is encouraging! I've been on my school break for the last 4 weeks...so, I figure, we'll get the call next week, when I have to go back to work. Just in case, I've typed up all my Substitute plans! As my rep at our agency says...there is a baby out there for us, it's just when HE is ready!

Irresistible!!

Happy New Year! Here are pictures of our babies on New Year's Eve! Our friends came over with their brand new puppy "Maddie" and she "fit" right in with our babies Eiger and Sierra! Aren't they adorable!?! They played all night, until Sierra decided she wanted some shut eye and found a spot under the ping pong table...Maddie soon followed in her footsteps!

The Roller Coaster Ride...

We're not talking about the kind of ride that you'd go on at Disneyland...but rather the "emotional" Roller Coaster ride that goes along with waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Being an impatient person, I've done pretty well (I think)...but this weekend wasn't so great...panic set in, wondering if we would ever get a referral for our little guy. We were hoping that we would be able to travel in February (Of course, these are "our" plans...not necessarily God's plans). So, since we hadn't heard any news yet, I figured I'd actually CALL our consultant (if you know me, you know that I'm not a "phone" person). Anyhow, I talked with her and she told me very carefully "don't plan on traveling in February". The good news is that our Dossier is officially registered in Vlad now and she was able to tell us that we are one of the next few families to get a referral. As to when that will actually happen, that is still up in the air. So, the roller coaster ride continues with some good news and some questions still left to be answered.

A Christmas Wish Comes True

Why the big smiles?? Our agency CHILDRENS HOPE INTERNATIONAL received word today from Russia that they will be ACCREDITED on Friday!!! WOOHOO!! This is exciting news, as this means that things should move a little quicker!! I have been smiling all day!! Not only is this good news for us...but wonderful news for all those little kiddos that will be finding new, loving homes!! I've always loved this time of year and now another special memory to add to this season of miracles!

We're hoping that next year's "Family Christmas Photo" will have an "addition" to it!! As you can tell by the picture...we're ALL happy to hear the good news!!

The Holiday Season is Here...

I know the holiday season is here because... we are busy! Today we have Mike's work party, tomorrow we head to Idaho for Christmas with my family, back tomorrow afternoon so Mike can fly to Boise for work, Mike returns Monday night and flies to Wisconsin for Christmas...at which point he will be able to rest...meanwhile, I continue traveling "Around the World" in my 2nd grade classroom until Friday and then I leave Saturday to meet up with Mike and his family for Christmas. So...doesn't it seem appropriate, especially considering "Murphy's Law", that we should get "The Call" from our agency this week?!?! I guess it is just my wishful thinking and hoping. Mike's thinking is that the call won't come in the midst of our busy-ness, but rather just as we start to relax and have nowhere to be and nothing to do...then that's when we get the call. In all reality...I am happy with either scenario!! We just want to meet our "Little One"!

As for our travels "Around the World" in my 2nd grade classroom...yesterday, we stopped off in Russia and the Ukraine. I have a student in my class that was adopted from the Ukraine (yes, God works in mysterious ways) and she brought some treasures her parents bought when they were there. She had one of those Russian hats they wear (not sure of the name)...it is so beautiful and soft! A huge Matryoshka nesting doll set, and a Pysanky egg. It was so wonderful to see her marvel in her countries traditions! Another students grandparents are living in the Ukraine and that student was able to bring in lots of gifts that they had sent her...even a Russian Monopoly game! Needless to say, I was enthralled with all of the treasures they brought! I can't wait until we can experience our babies culture!

Winter is Here!

We got our first decent snow storm yesterday. We got about 3" down here in the valley, and the ski resorts received over 7". It finally feels like Christmas Season. We bought our tickets to go back to Wisconsin for Christmas, and will spend the holidays there. This past week, several agencies received their accreditation from Russia, and we thought ours would be in that batch. That did not happen, however there is still hope that they will be accredited this week (which means referrals will happen quicker). We are keeping our fingers crossed. Even with accreditation, our agency has informed us that no visits to Russia will take place between Dec 20 - Jan 15 due to the holidays. So, it looks like 2008 will be the year for our family to grow.

Our Anniversary!

Yes...3 years ago today, we were getting married! Happiest day of our life! It seems like it was just yesterday, yet it feels like we've always known each other...I guess that is what happens when you marry your soul mate and best friend. We've been so blessed to have found each other. It's hard to believe that in just 3 years time we've lived in Washington, Arizona, and Utah and now we are embarking on this journey that will take us to Russia. Maybe our Anniversary gift will be a call from our agency saying we are going to meet our son...we're keeping our fngers crossed.

One Particular Harbor - What does this mean?

If you are wondering why our site is called One Particular Harbor... Besides the obvious meaning that Vlad is a harbor city in Russia, it is also a popular song by Jimmy Buffett. We are big fans of Buffett and his "Island Music". His music has even inspired the Pirate/Nautical theme for our babies room. We will post pictures of the room soon. Enjoy the clip of Jimmy at his best.

Go Packers!

While waiting for "the Call"...we figured we better get in some quality traveling time and what a better way to do that than go to a Green Bay Packer game! We went to Denver, CO for the Monday Night Football game. Had a blast while we were there and the Packers won in overtime...go Favre!! We were surrounded by Cheeseheads and Packer fans!!

Welcome to our Blog! We thought this would be a good way to keep you posted on our adoption journey! We will post updates as changes occur OR if no changes are happening...we will ramble on about our time while we wait.

The last update we sent via email was that our Dossier (all the legal documents we compiled) was sent to Russia in June. The next step is getting "The Call"...our agency will phone us when they have a referral from Russia.

So, the big question....when will we get "The Call"? That is the question we ask ourselves everyday!! Things are moving slowly in Russia, so our agency says it could be anywhere from 12 to 14 months from the time our Dossier was sent to Russia (June). Part of the slow down is that Russia is requiring every agency to be "accredited". Our agency is in the final stage to be accredited...so it could be a couple of days or a couple of months...so, pray for accreditation to happen quickly for all agencies so that those children in Russia can find homes.

In the mean time, we are trying to keep ourselves busy. We've been traveling a lot and spending time with our family and friends. Check in for updates...hopefully we will have some good news soon.

One Particular Harbor

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