We have a date! What a long road it has been.

After many months of work and hope, we finally have an appointment with the State Department for Adoptions and Protection of Rights of the Child (or the Ukrainian adoption authority for short) in the Ukraine. We will leave at the end of February and be in the Ukraine for a month while we find our child and work through the process. We are so thankful we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and are blessed with such loving family and friends who have supported us directly in our quest to add to our family. It is amazing to think that right now there is a child alive in the Ukraine that is in an orphanage and is awaiting our loving arms. We only need to get there and find him or her. WOW!

To bring those up to speed on what we have gone through over the last year (yes, a year), I thought I would provide a quick synopsis of our journey.

(NOTES:

"journey" is frequently used in adoption circles to make the process of adoption seem softer and easier than using descriptors like "work" or "effort". It puts a spin on the process that attracts the adventuresome and naive. The "journey" is also a surrogate to 9 months of pregnancy and labor. You are excited, scared and anxious and you know this is not going to be easy. All you can count on is there will be someone new in your life to make it all worth while.

"patience/patient" is the term frequently used by adoption agencies with their clients. Often used to inoculate the client so that the "journey" can unfold in its own special, magical way.)

December '06: We decide to adopt. We do not know how to do this or where to go to find out, but in the midst of our busy lives, we'll get it done.

January '07: After reading up on the subject decide upon foreign adoption. The rationale is that it is not an open adoption process like the U.S. and the speed to adoption. Scott is not getting any younger. We decide upon Russia as our adoption destination.

February: Through a reference and homework we choose an agency which specializes in Russian adoption. Started the process of paperwork, interviews, background checks and physical examinations. One thing is for certain; we will know ourselves better than we ever have in our lives by the end of the "journey"!

March: Russia shuts down adoptions for US citizens. Apparently they are changing the accreditation process for adoption agencies. Sad to think they have about 1 million orphans with little hope or prospects in life, but in their "best interest" they shut down access to the people and a life that can really make a difference. We are devastated with this news. Decide to keep moving forward with the process and stay with Russia in hopes things open up. Lots of paperwork.

April and May: More paperwork. Every aspect of our financial history is collected and submitted. We write down our life's story and all our deepest thoughts in an essay designed to put who we are as individuals down on paper. Started home study process. A social worker quizzes us for hours/days about every private aspect of our lives, relationships, finances, faith and philosophy. Very invasive. I won't sugar coat it. Completed physicals. Started local, county and state police background checks and began FBI background checks.

June: Disappointment. We are given the news that Russia is a dead end for Americans. Decided to go to our second choice, the Ukraine. Some good news came. For those reading this and love us, you will be proud to know that Lara and Scott are clean and have no criminal record (We're sticking with that story (whew!)). We were also given a clean bill of health. Most importantly we do not have aids, hepatitis, syphilis or any other communicable disease. I am sure this is a big relief to those who share a bathroom with us. Additionally, we had to submit health information on Zach and Lauren.

July: OK, now that we're going to the Ukraine, we have to repeat our physical exams and redo a lot of the paperwork. We're starting from scratch again. We want to thank our patient physicians who had to do all of this twice on forms that were really not medically relevant. We also were finger printed; first by the county and then by the feds. This along with other paperwork were submitted to the INS and Homeland Security for approval to adopt and return with a child. Lara and I took photos (as required) of our house, belongings, cars, boats, etc. to go along with everything else. The best one is where we are standing in front of the cars one of our boats and the ATV. Looks right out of the Price is Right. Lara looks stunning.

August: Agency is compiling paperwork and translations. Received official INS and HLS approvals!

September: Dossier submitted to the Ukraine!

October: Just waiting.......

November: We have an invitation to travel and an appointment with State Department for Adoptions and Protection of Rights of the Child. March 3rd, 2008!

December: Lots of questions to help us plan.

In all seriousness we really do want to thank everyone who has helped and supported us to get this far (first names only): Maxine, Jane, Norman, Clarke, Zach, Lauren, Gregg, Sandy, Beth, Jeff, Andy, Missy, Tina and Mark. Thanks also goes out to Dr. Nerenberg, Dr. Crandall, Dr. Campbell and their staffs for putting up with our multiple requests and rework. Without all of you, we would not be here writing this blog today. We love you all.

We're amazed that this has gotten done. In the midst of all of this we of course have had a lot going on in our lives. Lara's work continues to be extremely busy. She took part in Sarah's wedding this summer and is involved with her book club and with our dogs. Scott started a new job, traveled the globe, started some new hobbies, took the kids out west skiing, traveled twice on hunting trips out west and survived the layoffs this fall at his company only to find the job he changed to changed again. We continue to be involved in Zach and Lauren's busy lives and also added a new dog (#3) member to our household. All in all good training and practice for what is to come.

Stay tuned!