Saturday, April 14, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Russian Adoptions Are At A Standstill...
There seems to be some confusion as to whether or not Russia is open for international adoption at this time. I have a comment from someone who appears to be in the process of adopting from Russia and has some brighter news to share. Laura Christianson's blog is where my information comes from along with Elizabeth's post on her blog 'Dragonfly and Ladybug'.
This excerpt is directly from Laura Christianson's blog:
April 13, 2007
Russia Halts All International Adoptions
Russia suspended the work of all 76 foreign adoption agencies that operate there on April 12, 2007.
Russian sources say that foreign adoptions will be on hold for several months because the licenses of dozens of adoption agencies operating in Russia expired Wednesday and officials now have to consider applications for new ones.
Sergei Vitelis, an official at the Education Ministry's department in charge of adoptions says the delay is merely “technical,” and that there are no political motives.
Last year, Americans adopted 3,706 Russian children, making Russia the third most popular destination for international adoptions to the U.S. (after China and Guatemala).
International adoption restrictions are being put in place in other countries, as well. On May 1, China begins imposing more stringent restrictions on foreigners who want to adopt from that country.
And the U.S. State Department has also recommend that Americans avoid adopting from Guatemala, where they say fraud and extortion reigns.
Stats:
In Fiscal Year 2006, the following numbers of children were adopted by US families:
China – 6,493
Guatemala – 4,135
Russia – 3,706
Source: Statistics on Intercountry Adoptions: “Infant Visas Issued to Orphans Coming to the U.S.”,
US Dept. Of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
Related articles:
“From Russia With Love” This news-feature overviews the history of Russian adoption and the current state of adoption in and from Russia to other countries. Download a PDF of the article from this blog’s lefthand sidebar: “Links to Laura’s Adoption Articles”
“International Adoptions to U.S. Decrease by 9% in 2006”
Adopting Internationally? Be Prepared for Sudden Changes in Adoption Laws
Series on Russia & Ukraine Adoption
The Mystery of the Chinese Baby Shortage
Planning to Adopt from China? If You’re Fat or Ugly, Don’t Bother
Source information for this post:
Associated Press article by Maria Danilova Yahoo News
Seattle Times
New York Times
For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.
Prayers Please for Rachael who is in Russia...
Please join me in praying for my blogfriend Rachael. She is currently in Russia to bring home her daughter Katya who she is adopting. I am very concerned for her after hearing that Russia has shut down adoptions to the United States. Please pray for this woman and her new child. Her blog is 'Always Wanted Four'.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Adoption Bracelet
As many of you know, my mother passed away when I was a teenager. When her best friend Chris found out that I was adopting a little girl from China, she sent me this bracelet along with many other treasures that are priceless to me.
I wear this bracelet often, whenever I want to feel close to Sophia. I cannot carry her in my womb as I did her brothers, so to me this is a physical tie that I have to her. This is her bracelet and when I wear it, it creates a feeling of her presence with me.
Last week I was reading Heather's blog 'Digging a Hole to China'. She shared a very personal experience that she was going through. It was something that she felt that she needed to include her daughter in, she is also waiting for her daughter from China. She described how she too wore a bracelet that gave her a sense of her daughter's presence.
Then, I was reading a post on Donna's blog 'Waiting for Lauren Elizabeth' and she actually has a blog called Close at Heart Jewelry, 'closeatheartjewelry.blogspot.com' where she sells adoption bracelets and other jewelry.
For those of you longing for a way to feel a physical manifestation of your adoption, this may be a wonderful thing. I know that it brings me comfort and when my daughter has her first child, I will give her the bracelet.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Terri's Desk Challenge....
Terri from 'our whole world in His hands' has tagged me with the desk challenge. So....here is my desk. It's not really my desk, the whole family shares it, but this is where I write my blog. My husband hates all clutter, so he keeps it very tidy.
Every day I try to visit each of the blogs on my favorite blogs list and anyone new who has commented on the seventh diamond. I keep a notepad nearby so I can jot down any news that I think I should post about.
To me, the families on my favorite blogs list are the community of people who have offered me support and advice throughout my adoption journey and in turn, I do whatever I can to do the same for them. I really would be a basket case without these relationships.
This is a closer shot of the desk. Pretty simple when you look it, but here is where I come to find answers, friendship and understanding. This adoption is such a huge part of our lives and this community understands through experience what we are going through. It's not that our friends and family in the 'outside world' do not support us. It is just impossible for them to truly grasp how this feels and why we are choosing to adopt our daughter from China.
I tag Steffie, Elizabeth, Kris and Glinda...they each are artists in their own way. Some with their blogs, some with their photographs and some with their words. I would love to see where they sit when inspiration hits them.
Steffie's blog is 'Never Too Many', Elizabeth's blog is 'DragonflyandLadybug', Kris's blog is 'Mad Race for Macey', Glinda's blog is 'Give Me Back My Slippers'.
Disclaimer: I don't keep this desk clean, my husband does. He throws away my sticky notes, organizes the top of the desk and frowns if I leave things out of place. I wish I could take credit for how nice it looks, but it's really my man.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Ok..I'm Going to Try to Be Positive About This 2 Day LID Situation...
Thank you Steffie and Dawn for reminding me that the only way to get through this journey is by staying as positive as possible and supporting one another. I just feel completely overwhelmed right now because we have over 460 days to go until our LID comes up. I'm going to do my best to overcome this feeling of total helplessness that I have. I love my daughter and I'll wait as long as it takes to bring her home. I just wish I had some idea of how long that was going to be.
Lisa at 'Labor of My Heart' is asking for Prayers....
Lisa at 'Labor of My Heart' is asking for prayers. They are sending in their adoption application and are hoping that it will be approved. They are on my favorite blogs list and I'm sure would appreciate some supportive comments.
Monday, April 09, 2007
What Am I Reading?..I think I Need a List to Work Off Of.
Right now I am reading 'The Lost Daughters of China' to Tim. He doesn't like to read really, unless it is a techy magazine, but he is enjoying me reading this book out loud. After that, I'm stumped. So.....What is the best book you have read over the past 12 months and why?? I will try to pick my books off of the list. It may take a while for me to work my way through them, but I'll bet the list will be incredible. Maybe some of you can join in if you want and read some of them too.
Welcome To Your New Forever Family Baby Sarah.
Congratulations to my dear friend Amy who I admire tremendously. You have shown such great faith in God and love for your daughter.
Welcome little Sarah to your new family.
Amy's blog is 'Catching Butterflies' and is on my bloglist.
Dannye...I did get your squish and I love it!...Big Hug!
Dannye, I'm so sorry for not posting this sooner and not getting Chynna's fabric out to you. Things have been crazy with our vacation and everything. I'll get it in the mail to you on Wednesday!
For anyone who is swapping quilt squares, Dannye's are very cute ladybugs. Her blog is 'LayDfrog'.
How Do I Find My Blinkies and Graphics?
I get asked quite a bit about how I find the images that I put on my blog. The answer is that I am a complete scavenger. I have 2 files that are devoted completely to all of my blinkies and images. I copy them from other websites and blogs that I find along the way. A great way to find things is to go to a search engine like google or ask.com, select images and type in words that describe what you are looking for. I would say that is how I find most of my fun stuff. When I find something that I like, I save it and put it in my folder to be used whenever it fits in with what I'm talking about.
If there is ever anything on this blog that you like, feel free to copy and use it! I copied it from somewhere else to begin with :)
Sunday, April 08, 2007
April is Reading Month for our Family
I have asked each family member to designate a book that they will be reading for an hour each night from 7:30pm to 8:30pm, Sunday through Thursday for this month. We need to get back into the swing of regularly reading. I am an English Lit major and need to rekindle my love affair with books.
Happy Birthday Doris!
Happy Birthday Doris!! I hope that you had a wonderful day! Doris' blog is '3dsadoptionjourney.blogspot.com' and is on my favorites list.
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