Talk About Short Notice!!

Two days ago we found out we are leaving next Friday, May 26th, for Kazakhstan. A week from today my husband and I and our two children Alex and Dominique will be on our way to Kazakhstan, a 32-hour trip, for the second time in less than two months --hard to believe. Usually we get more notice than this, but we are not so lucky this time around. We have to renew our Police Clearance Letters, our medical exams, employment letters, our children's medical exams, etc. etc. The list doesn't end, as most people in this situation know. These documents must be renewed EVERY three months, without fail. Then they must be sent via special messenger to Sacramento's Secretary of State Office, where these documents will be authenticated and apostilled. HUHH??? What is THAT??!! Yeap, our question exactly.

Once they are back from Sacramento, copies are sent to our Agency, Adoption Options, Inc. in San Diego, and we are good to go. Meanwhile I'm packing for four people for a stay of almost 25 days. And how do you keep two children, 7 and 8-years old, occupied for almost a month in a country with different customs, expectations and norms?? They will be indoors a lot. Yes, much consideration has taken place over this matter, and besides the normal books, games, crafts and crayons, small toys, and a small DVD for watching some of the Disney 'stuff', I BROKE DOWN TODAY!! And I bought each of the kids an adorable Game Boy -- so much for watching how much time they will spend in front of the teeny weeny screen watching a DVD, and so much for using two thumbs on a continuous basis for hours on end on an even smaller screen! But, what's one to do unless one is not interested in keeping his/her sanity?? Ok, so sue me!!!

Baby Sofia looks healthy, very healthy, even by American standards. She is almost 1-year old and her head measurements as well as general growth are excellent - she is on the 50% scale overall, and higher in length. Of course we will confirm this when we arrive. We are very excited to meet this wonderful and precious human being, and are counting the days!