We Love You Ben

We were honored to be chosen as Cousin Ben's sponsors at his baptism almost 14 years ago. We were not able to be there today as he confirmed his faith but he was definitely on our minds. Ben, we are so proud of you!

Happy Hannah Day

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah!

Isn't this the face we all make when the wait staff gathers to sing Happy Birthday?

April 19, 2010 - Bilateral Meeting Postponed

The meeting between a U.S. government delegation and their Russian counterparts, originally scheduled for April 20th in Moscow, has been postponed due to travel difficulties resulting from the volcanic ash cloud over Iceland and much of Europe. The U.S. Department of State is attempting to reschedule the meeting which was to address the Russian government's request for a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption. (from jcics website.)

Travel is now planned for the week of April 25th. While things haven't officially stopped they have slowed to almost a stop especially for families in the waiting for a referral stage. I'm anxious to know one way or the other!!

April 20, 2010

April 16, 2010
The Department of State has received no information to confirm a suspension of adoptions from Russia to the United States. Our Embassy in Moscow and other Department of State officials are talking with Russian officials to clarify this issue. (from the jcics website)

It looks like we probably won't know anything for sure until officials meet on Tuesday. Since the last couple posts have been way too serious I thought I would share a picture Ken sent me that made me laugh. Nothing like siblings to cheer you up!!

We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day

Russia suspended adoptions to the U.S. today. We are sad but are getting pretty good at picking ourselves up, dusting off and moving on. The real sad story is there are kids who don't have that option and now have to spend more time in an orphanage. Since I already had this post ready to go I'm still going to post it. We are not sure what plan "B" (not sure what letter we are on by now) will be.

The Joint Council on International Children's Services asked bloggers to blog about successful adoptions today. I know many families who have successfully adopted but since it is Russian adoption that is under the public eye right now I thought I would link you to my favorite Russian adoption blogs. I began following them when we started our journey in 2008 and they are a big part of the reason we decided to go back after our first experience. So on behalf of the 60,000 successful Russian adoptions that have happened since the early 90s meet.....
Artem
Owen
Daniel
Ilya
Anna
Nickolas
Aidan
There are many, many more stories you can see through these blogs.

My fingers are crossed for the families who have accepted referrals and are just waiting for a court date that this suspension won't last long!

Adoption Help

So, I get that God makes people in this world who can't have babies the regular way because he makes babies that can't have parents the regular way. I even understand why he chose Brian and I but for the love of, well, Him why does it have to be so difficult!? We are asking for your help. If you believe Brian and I could be good parents to an orphan regardless of emotional and behavioral problems please sign the following petition by the Joint Council on International Children's Services. See link below.

Sign the letter to President Medvedev and President Obama: The letter asks both Presidents to ensure that intercountry adoption continues uninterrupted and to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of children. You can sign anytime, but doing so before Tuesday night would help us get the letters to both Presidents before President Medvedev leaves the U.S. Click here to sign the letter.

Also if you have a blog on Thursday April 15th please blog about a successful adoption of someone you know. See link below.

We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know. It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international. Let the world know your truth!

And Pray!

Happy Easter

We hosted Easter this year. I'm not sure we will ever be trusted with the ham again.

First Ever Boy Cousin Pie Bake Off

When Ken wowed us with his pie making abilities it was decided that the boys in our family would have a pie bake off.
They all took it pretty seriously researching recipes, admitting to practice sessions, making lattice crusts and meringue. The result - our boys can bake!! We had official Julia Childesque judges who picked Josh's key lime pie as the winner. Brian made Crack Pie which he renamed Sweetie Pie so as not to offend the judges. He got the idea from Sara's blog and can't take full credit but OMG it is soooooooo good.

Month Two Update

It has now been 2 months since we sent our Dossier to Russia. We didn't hear anything this month but we weren't expecting to. Hopefully in the next couple weeks/months we will get a region assignment.
Books have been a way to keep me connected during this process. I like to look for books with Russian or adoption themes in them but also like recommendations from experienced moms. I also love Amazon because I can find most of the books cheap, sometimes under a dollar. This month I found a couple with Russian Easter themes. Marushka's Egg about a popular Russian witch, Baba Yaga, was a little on the scary side but I liked how it talked about baking Russian Easter Bread, Russian Easter eggs and it did have a happy ending. I love Patricia Polacco's books so I was happy to find Rechenka's Eggs about a Babushka (Grandmother) who makes award winning Russian Easter Eggs to bring to the fair in Moscow. Since this process has taken us so long The Rooski will have quite the library when he or she finally gets here.

What are your kids' favorite books?

Copycat

Since Brian and I are trying to fund an adoption, money is pretty tight. Eating out definitely gets cut from the budget so I was excited to come across this cookbook. Now when we do eat out we can concentrate on trying new places because we can have Perkins pancakes, Applebees Tilapia, and Olive Garden soup, salad and bread sticks at home. The first one I tried was Boston Market Carver Sandwiches with Creamed Spinach. It was good but something was missing. Maren, I hope you can find the missing ingredient(s).



Creamed Spinach

5 T Butter, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 t salt, 1 cup half-and-half, 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 T minced onion, 2 10 ounce boxes chopped frozen spinach - thawed, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 cup pecorino/romano cheese.

Over medium-low heat melt 3 T butter, flour and salt until creamed together. Raise heat to medium and slowly stir in half-and-half and cream cheese. Whisk until mixture becomes thick and smooth, remove from heat and set aside.

Saute onions and remaining butter until translucent. Add spinach and water to pan reduce heat to low cover and simmer 8 minutes.

Stir in sauce and cheese.

After our Boston Market dinner I sat back and watched Brian bake a pie :)
Ok, it would have been just as remarkable if it was me since I don't bake either but it was still fun to watch.