happy updates!

We are thrilled to report that our foreign dossier is COMPLETED, submitted, and has already arrived in Russia!

It has been a great relief for me to have those pieces of paper completed - something I've looked forward to for 2 years now. Thanks to Dr. Reed (our doc), Mr. Davis (our CPA), Dr. Bankhead (SHSU SoM Director), our mortgage person (name unknown), Jennifer (my Close Personal Friend and favorite notary), Jacel (my favorite LOCAL notary), Diane (owner/manager/hostess of 'The Treehouse', fine Austin lodging establishment, i.e. friend's house), our three different fingerprint ladies, the Texas Secretary of State (should know HER name by now!), Anyra and Irina at Buckner - oh, the list goes on and on but the overhead music is about to start and I'll have to rush off stage...

Seriously, so many people have contributed to this part of the process going amazingly smoothly and quickly. Everyone has been so quick to respond to our strange and unusual requests - blue ink only, sign here and only here, gold sticker please...

So here we are! Our paperwork now has to be translated and submitted to the Russian committee, then to the judge. Either could ask for revisions or more information, but I'm not worried about that. At least the bulk of it is done.

In other news, we hear that the kids are doing well and asking about us. We may even get letters from them soon! Their grandfather is still in the hospital but doing better. Bob is busy building a dresser for Dasha and a bed and desk for Dima. We're working on other preparations as well.

In non-adoption related news, we said good-bye to our precious feline friend Peanut a couple weeks ago. Tragic loss, and we miss him. Maybe Dima and Dasha will get a kitten to raise while Bob and I continue to spoil the other two.

We appreciate your prayers, as always! We're praying especially that the paperwork will go through smoothly so that we won't be delayed and can get the kids here with lots of summertime left! We are more confident than ever that God is completely in control of our situation and the timing, yet we know He wants us to pray and He responds to our prayers, so we thank you for talking to Him on our behalf.

Until next time,
Karen