Waiting....

Waiting for news that the court decree has been released....yeah I know it has been more than 3 weeks since court.  Finally heard yesterday that the decree would be released today...still haven't heard that it has been released.  However, we are planning the pickup trip.  A family friend is being amazing and giving us his "buddy passes".  This is awesome, because instead of paying over $1700 per ticket we will be paying around $700 per ticket.  Yes, I know I'm really lucky that I'm getting these tickets.  It also means that we will be spending some extra time in Europe.  We are talking about spending a few days sight seeing in Rome and then a few extra days in Bulgaria.  Thought it would be nice for Maria to see some more of her country before leaving.  Oh, and we will most likely get to fly first class....this could be a lot of fun.

The only thing that makes me sad it that it will be just over 6 months between trips...that is just too long.  Especially for an older child who understands the process and time.  Hopefully the extra waiting won't be an issue for Maria.  I will still have about a month and a half of summer vacation left for bonding time and to help with learning English.  I'm also disappointed I won't get to see everyone at the Bulgarian Adoptee's reunion this year.  I know I had such a great time last year and really wanted Maria to meet everyone this year.  Oh well, next year will have to do and it will be here before I know it.

I'm also going to run to Chicago for a few days next week....completely last minute.  I get to take care of my honorary niece and nephews for a few days while their mom finishes up working at the Montessori school that the kids went to this past year.  So, I get to hang out with an 11 year old, 9 year old, 7 year old and 4 year old....this could be a lot of fun, although I'm wondering if I'm slightly nuts for taking care of them a week prior to the pick up trip.  Oh well, at least it will keep me busy and they are AMAZING kids. 

Well, that is the only news for now...nothing is completely 100% on travel until the Bulgarian agency has the decree.  Hopefully will know that by the end of the day.  Until then here is a picture of one of my newest projects that little miss Emilia will be sporting next year :)

Knitted bodice attached to cotton material skirt

Just had to share....got a pick of one of the finished necklaces.  I think it looks awesome!

Gifts

I know I have mentioned to my friends and family how well cared for Maria is at her orphanage.  I had no concerns about leaving in December because I saw the care and love they have for her.  I knew she would be well taken care of during the long wait between trips.  I know that the orphanage staff has been her family....the ones who have taken care of her when she was ill, celebrated birthdays and holidays with.  They have seen the major milestones in her life thus far.  I'm sure that on the day that I go to bring Maria home...there will be many emotions for all of us.  I have no doubt it will be bitter sweet for them...happy that she finally has her own family and sad that she will no longer be with them.  I have been wanting a way to honor the special role that they have had.  So, this week I asked my FB friends for ideas (usually I'm creative with things like this, but with all the ups and downs, I feel a little burned out).  My friend Kristen suggested I look for necklaces on etsy.com  I started to look and found a store that makes glass tile necklaces and key chains (liked this since Maria's director is a man and I just don't see him wearing a necklace).  You get to choose the design, words, font, colors, etc.  The tiles are 7/8 of an inch (in case you were wondering).  She also will give discounts for larger orders!  We have been emailing back and forth to make sure that the design is perfect.  At first she asked if I wanted such personal words.  When I explained about Maria and the staff's relationship, she agreed I had the perfect words.  She is also an adoptive mom and completely has understood what I wanted.  So, if you would like to check out her store you can do so here.  Here are the two designs (similar) in Maria's favorite colors.

5/14/2012

Finally, after 145 days since seeing my daughter, after court was postponed last week.......I received the email at 3:45pm Monday, saying that the Judge approved my adoption.  Maria is no longer one of the 145 million orphans worldwide.  She is wanted, is loved and is my daughter!

 After receiving the news yesterday, I quickly called my mom and dad to let them know the news.  Then started making calls, sending texts, and sending emails to other important people who have been huge supports during this journey.  Answered texts/emails of congratulations and received calls of celebration.  Ended up posting a short video (minus music) on FB as an announcement.  So many fellow adoptive parents pouring out their support and joy.

The best reaction was probably from my amazing friend Andrea, who had been at a memorial (unbeknown to me).  She called late last night, squealing and giggling with joy!  She had me giggling and laughing too, just like when we were in college.  She didn't get my message until she got home and as soon as she heard it ran downstairs to call me, giggling the whole way...not sure what her kids thought of seeing that.  It was the perfect ending to the night.

The relief and joy felt are hard to describe unless you have been through this journey yourself...can say a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I'm sure there will be more stress and frustration before Maria is finally home....at least I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel!  So, now I'm waiting on the judge to release the court decree so that I can learn when my travel dates will be.  Ready to be reunited with my daughter! 

Mother's Day came a day late for me.  Just glad I can say: I'm officially, legally and finally Maria's mom!

Reality

Another adoption blogger wrote a post about her realizations regarding international adopt, specifically about adopting from Bulgaria.  She is completely correct about the frustrations that waiting families face.  It also made me realize that it is important to be upfront and honest about the process with other families.  It isn't all sunshine and roses.  I know my friend Viviane is always trying to let families new to the process understand the wait, the process and the children who are being referred needs.  At times people just don't want to hear or accept what she is saying.  No matter if you plan on adopting a child with special needs or "healthy", the child is still going to have needs due to the circumstances that they have lived with in their short lives.  Medical-social homes and orphanages do try to provide children with the basics, but there are things they cannot provide to children to the degree that children need.  They just don't have the time, the staff, money or the ability to create a family type environment in these facilities.  We also know that there are some orphanages that don't compare to our worst nightmares.  Thus being said, the child will have issues that waiting families might not of planned for or expected.

Where I'm at right now....about 2 weeks ago I got an email from my agency saying that the BG agency thought that I might have court on April 9th and that they needed 3 documents notarized, apostatized and sent to BG now, since the potential court date was on Monday.  Well, I rushed around the next day and got everything together, notarized, apostatized and FedEx to the agency in BG (by the way if you haven't had the pleasure of sending things directly to BG yet it cost around $120 for a FedEx envelope).  I was told by FedEx that it should be there Monday before 6pm.  I also, per my US agency, scanned copies of the documents to them and they were forwarded to the BG agency so that they could have things translated and ready to go. 
Honestly, at this point I knew the documents were going to be there on time and I was HIGHLY frustrated that I was given very short notice of the need for these documents.  I had 2 business days to get these done and sent over and they still didn't get to the agency until 5pm that Monday night.  So, I knew that court wasn't going to happen that day.  The question was, when will my court date be.  Last week on Tuesday I got word on my court date.  Needless to say I was NOT happy at all.  My court is not until May.  I have only shared the specific date with a few people right now.  So many people are so supportive of my adopting M and are anxiously awaiting word on when I can go back and get her.  They mean well, but at times the questions about news and what is going on aren't easy on me.  They just reinforce the frustration and anger that I feel.  Yes, I feel anger.....I do not feel that it should have taken as long as it did to get a court date or that the court date should be so far out.  I am angry about the way things seem to happen at the very last moment and I am expected to drop everything to get it done.  Both agencies I am working with have done many adoptions in Bulgaria, they know what will be needed for court and could have easily let me know what was needed with more notice. 
Mostly I'm angry about what this means for M.  She is 11, she understands the process to a degree.  She has seen many friends go through the same process and is anxiously waiting for me to return for her.  In December she asked me when I would return for her.  I told her I hoped to return in April or May.....now I don't know that May will be possible.  It could be easily close to 6 months between visits!  I have no idea what this extra wait will do to M.....I have emailed her agency director letting him know what is going on and have requested that the psychologist talk with M about the potential for the wait for my return being longer.  Due to this I don't see how we will be going to the Bulgarian Adoptee's Reunion this summer, which also saddens me.  It was wonderful connecting with all the other families last year and I was excited for M to get to meet other kids who have been adopted from Bulgaria.  I was hopeful that M would get to reconnect with a friend from her orphanage that was adopted by Valerie at the reunion.  Although, Valerie and I plan on getting the girls together as soon as possible to re connect.  We are both very excited to see that reunion. 
I just keep thinking about M, waiting............... 

Bleach Pen T-shirts

Hello, my name is Katherine and I'm addicted to Pinterest!

Latest thing I have tried from Pinterest is bleach pen t-shirts.  It is fairly easy to do.  So, here is what you need:
Colored T-shirt
Contact paper
Design (or free hand if you are a great artist)
Clorox bleach pen
paintbrush
and something to put between the T-shirt layers

Ok, so how I started was to find and cute a design and cut it out with my Cricut.  When looking at designs I tried to think of what parted I wanted to be bleached tried to have as few extra pieces of contact paper to place on the tee.  I then transferred the design onto contact paper and cut it out (the Cricut didn't seem to want to cut the contact paper well).  Once the design is cut out I placed the contact paper on the t-shirt and made sure that the edges were firmly down.  Then add the bleach and let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then wash the bleach out.

First attempt: learned that bleach looses it's power if it's too old...this didn't even fade the t-shirt at all!

2nd attempt: learned that this is way TOO much bleach!

Results of 2nd attempt....not perfect, but my niece liked it.

3rd attempt: used a paint brush to apply a light layer of the bleach pen to this tee, better results.

2 more tees for my niece...the "Once upon a Time" was a pain to cut out, but it turned out cute.

Tees I made for M....hopefully she will like them.

Crafting weekend

This weekend has been a nice change of pace.  I got to spend most of the weekend doing different crafts.  Yesterday my mom, 6 year old niece (Rhiannon aka Sass) and I went to Hobby Lobby for a craft supply run.  These always turn out way more expensive than they should.  Anyway, we went back to my parents' house and started on the first craft project.....double strand lace or ribbon headbands (thank you pinterest).  Rhiannon loved doing this and decided that these are "princess" headbands.  These are super easy to make and we ended up making 12.  2 for Rhiannon, 2 for M, 2 for my other niece Scarlett, 4 for my coordinator's girls and 2 for me. 

Rhiannon showing off the top view of her "princess" headband

Some of the headbands we made

Me modeling one of my headbands....my hair usually isn't that curly by the way.

Then today I made Easter treat bags for some special kids I know in the Chicago area and some in Indiana (again another idea from pinterest).  I must admit I'm not sure what I did before I had my Cricut....it just makes life so much easier.

I made 10 treat bags today

Filled with goodies....now just to get 2 boxes and get them sent off to the kids.