Tuesday, October 28, 2008
IT HAS BEEN A YEAR.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
CoolKazMoms
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Kazapalooza
We had such a great time in Chicago this past weekend at Kazapalooza 2008. We finally got to meet in person some of the many families that we have become familiar with via their blogs about their adoption process in Kazakhstan and current lives back home.
I hardly make the time to continue our blog but thought for this occasion I must post some photos of our new friends.
Special thanks to Muriel, Michelle, Gretchen and Kristan for taking so much time and making the effort to pull this very successful event off.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Birthday Girl
Nika is 3 years old today and it also happens to be 6 months today that we are home with her. I thought I would keep the day simple with her and we would celebrate with just the family this evening together, but when I took her to her favorite music class this morning and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her I got completely emotional and realized what a big day this is.
We have come so far together and our beautiful daughter, Nika is so loved and happy with her life I was taken by the moment and decided I must go out and get an ice cream cake and invite a few friends over to celebrate after school. We had a great party and I am so glad Nika got to feel the love from all of her new friends and family. We all had a great day. I am just so moved by how far we've come. I read my friends blogs who are in the process of adopting and hear their stories and recall myself being in a difficult place and uncertain times of not knowing how things were going to play out. Finally I can truly say I don't worry so much any more - I am confident we are on track and moving right along.
Speaking of which - we move in 1 month from today.
Ouch that means I have a lot to do between now and then.
Friday, April 4, 2008
April
It is almost five months that Nika has been home in NYC and I can finally say she is a very happy girl.
It was a difficult few months getting settled into life and family but she is doing so well adjusting and loving her home and environment. All of a sudden her language is coming together and just this week she is speaking and greeting Tom
at the door with whole sentences that can actually be understood.
There is no doubt this child is full of energy, but she seems a bit calmer then before. We also notice her display of love has surfaced and she wakes
up and gives Aidan a good morning kiss and hug that just fills me with joy.
So there you have it - we are all truly in love and growing every day in every way.
Life is good.
xxxA
There is no doubt this child is full of energy, but she seems a bit calmer then before. We also notice her display of love has surfaced and she wakes
So there you have it - we are all truly in love and growing every day in every way.
Life is good.
xxxA
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
12 weeks later
I realized tomorrow will be 12 weeks since we have been home. It has been a very hectic time for us and I do not want to go into too much detail, mainly because I speak to most of you.
We are well, yes still tired but working on that. Nika is so happy in her new home. The two sisters are great together and I get such joy knowing they have each other. If I said much more it would become epic so I keep it short and sweet.
Let the pictures speak for how we are and maybe I will come around to bloggging again sometime soon.

We are well, yes still tired but working on that. Nika is so happy in her new home. The two sisters are great together and I get such joy knowing they have each other. If I said much more it would become epic so I keep it short and sweet.
Let the pictures speak for how we are and maybe I will come around to bloggging again sometime soon.
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Timeline
11/08/07 Left Kazakhstan on route home to NYC
10/22/07 Left Arkalyk for Almaty
10/03/07 Court Day - Petition for Adoption Accepted!
9/15/07 First day in Arkalyk at orphanage, met Veronika
9/12/07 Departing NYC on route to Kazakhstan
9/04/07 LOI - arrived today!
8/24/07 Heard from Agency with information about children, region and some details about trip. (1 week to gather info while caseworker on vacation)
7/27/07 Began process of updating FBI clearance and medical forms
7/03/07 Dossier arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan at the MFA
6/27/07 Approved by Kaz Embassy in DC and shipped to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana, Kazakhstan (MFA is the 1st ministry to review dossier)
6/22/07 Dossier shipped to Kazakhstan Embassy in Washington, DC
6/01/07 Dossier fully translated and awaiting to be sent to Kaz Embassy.
5/21/07 Agency submitted dossier for translation.
5/15/07 Dossier complete / sent to adoption agency
5/09/07 I-171H Approval letter forwarded by INS to US Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan
5/01/07 Notarize, Authenticate, Apostille and copy of all documents
4/24/07 INS fingerprinting
4/08/07 Paper work hell...........working to gather all that is needed to complete dossier
3/12/07 Received notice of FBI clearance from US Department of Justice
3/11/07 Second home study visit
3/04/07 First home study visit
3/02/07 Had fingerprints taken for FBI clearance
2/28/07 I600A - Application filed with BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services ) for I-171H
2/21/07 Applied for home study review and began collecting documents for dossier
2/20/07 Signed with Adoption Agency - Adoption Ark
10/22/07 Left Arkalyk for Almaty
10/03/07 Court Day - Petition for Adoption Accepted!
9/15/07 First day in Arkalyk at orphanage, met Veronika
9/12/07 Departing NYC on route to Kazakhstan
9/04/07 LOI - arrived today!
8/24/07 Heard from Agency with information about children, region and some details about trip. (1 week to gather info while caseworker on vacation)
7/27/07 Began process of updating FBI clearance and medical forms
7/03/07 Dossier arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan at the MFA
6/27/07 Approved by Kaz Embassy in DC and shipped to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana, Kazakhstan (MFA is the 1st ministry to review dossier)
6/22/07 Dossier shipped to Kazakhstan Embassy in Washington, DC
6/01/07 Dossier fully translated and awaiting to be sent to Kaz Embassy.
5/21/07 Agency submitted dossier for translation.
5/15/07 Dossier complete / sent to adoption agency
5/09/07 I-171H Approval letter forwarded by INS to US Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan
5/01/07 Notarize, Authenticate, Apostille and copy of all documents
4/24/07 INS fingerprinting
4/08/07 Paper work hell...........working to gather all that is needed to complete dossier
3/12/07 Received notice of FBI clearance from US Department of Justice
3/11/07 Second home study visit
3/04/07 First home study visit
3/02/07 Had fingerprints taken for FBI clearance
2/28/07 I600A - Application filed with BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services ) for I-171H
2/21/07 Applied for home study review and began collecting documents for dossier
2/20/07 Signed with Adoption Agency - Adoption Ark