Merry Christmas

I do not have all my blog friends address so here is a Christmas card to you from Mattie, Jake and Beth.

Still no news from the judge, I do not know what he is waiting for???  But Mattie said it the BEST the other day he asked me if people where your family even if they are far away and I said YES of course they are!!  He really wants to meet his brother NOW.  So hopefully the judges list will not be to long and hopefully I get it soon so I can work on it over my school vacation!!!  

I will keep you all posted

we are still here WAITING

Hello,  Well I talked to Jennifer from WHFC and NO news yet from the Judge maybe tomorrow!!  Mattie and I are getting a little no a lot inpatient waiting to hear from THE JUDGE about what else he wants.  I did get my Dr forms notorized on Friday because the last one expired???  ANd I think my FBI clearance will be here tomorrow I hope because I got a call Fed Ex is coming tomorrow and I am not expecting any thing else unless it is a early xmas gift.  Poor Mattie just wants his brother home now it is getting hard to explain this whole waiting process to a VERY smart 4 year old!  Well I have to get back to baking cookies for Mattie's school bake sale tomorrow, hopefully I get the list from the judge tomorrow I will update when I get the list I promise.

The Judge

     Well I got a email from Svetlana today and she is going to see Jake tomorrow so I should be getting updated information and maybe some pictures YAH!!!!  Also she said ALL my paperwork has made it to the courts so I should be hearing from the judge in the next 2 weeks to see what he wants redone so it is getting closer!!   I can hope to travel before the end of 2009 but not sure if that is possible.  Mattie asks about his brother everyday, he was even ask questions about him at day care so he is READY for his brother to come home!!  

     Mattie's newest thing to ask me is when is his baby sister is coming??  I tell him I just think he will be having a baby brother and he says no he needs a sister to YIKES!!  I  think I have to say no to him for the first time I do not think I can go thru another 2 years of ALL this paper work!!

     SO I am keeping my fingers crossed that the judge only needs a few things redone and I can get the needed documents quickly.  I already sent for an update from the FBI for the fingerprints so one thing started who knows how many more to go???

Still Waiting

Well I am still waiting to hear from the Ekat judge to see what he wants me to redo!!  I hope I hear something soon, Mattie can not wait till his brother comes home.  This weekend Mattie and I went to a Moon Festival party and had a great time.  Thought you would love to see a picture of us from the Festival.  

Happy Birthday Baby Jake

     Happy 2nd Birthday baby Jake!!  Mama's last bit of paper work was sent to Russia today.  Your big brother can not wait for you to get home, he talks about you everyday!!

     This is one of my favorite pictures of Jake.  He is wearing the shirt we sent him, and Mattie picked out the Pooh Bear to send him.

DONE Yes DONE for now!!

     Ok August was VERY busy for us.  Finished all my Doctor appointments, went to CA for Sandra and Eric's wedding and YES Mattie was the cutest ring barrier and back to school for me. Mattie turned 4 , and now sits in a booster seat he is so proud of himself.  And when talking to him about his brother Jake he gets very excited and DO NOT say to him he is going to be a big brother because he will CORRECT you and say he is ALREADY a big brother.  He can not wait for Jake to come home every time we do something he says " I wish Jake was here".  He also says he wants to go to Russia NOW and steal baby Jake and bring him home he is sick of waiting for the judge, as am I but I tell him we need to wait and have patience!!

     So now it is September!!  Well I finally was able to get ALL the Dr's notorized which was not an easy feet.  Today I went to Fallriver to finish getting things appostiled again not as easy as it sounds but I did not leave Fall River  till every thing was correctly notorized and appostilized, thank goodness I have wonderful 1 to 1 aides in my class to cover my room this morning.  OK and after work I was off to Waltham to WHFC to drop off my last documents.  So now all my 40 or so documents are in Russia or on there way to be translated then off to the judge to look over.  So now it is back to waiting I hope the judge sends me a short list to redue but who knows.

     Lucky for Mattie and I we did receive some more updated photos of Jake.  He looks great and he received the cloths and stuff animal of Pooh bear Mattie sent him which made Mattie's day.  

So Close and yet so far

     Here is Jake.  Sytlana emailed me some updated pictures and Mattie and I were VERY excited!!  We are not sure what he is eating??  But we know it is not Papa Gino's Pizza!!  I know I am not a great cook but I hope I can do a little better then that?!?!?!  WOW it has been 3 months since I first meet Jake and I hope he is home with us soon.
     Well all the paper work is DONE and APOSTILED except one more Dr Apt next Tuesday and Mattie's Birth Certificate which has been a night mare to get and still have not received it!!  That is another LONG story for another day or blog.

     I have a meeting at WHFC on Monday and will hand in all the paperwork I have done and they will be sending it to Ekat to get translated so YAH some progress.  

     I sent a care package over to Jake with a family and I know he received it and I have another one on the way with another family so Mattie is excited about sending things to his brother.

     Oh and Mattie does not want to be called a little boy any more he wants to be called "Big Brother"  and since he is a big brother he does not know WHY he needs to sit in a car seat.  Oh yes I am in trouble with him.   

Almost Done with paperwork

     Well tomorrow I have an apt. with the neurologist then 2 more Dr apts and they will be done. I was able to find a oncologist and a Psy. to see me so I will be done on Aug 4th with the apt!!!  YAH and since the sun has finally come out I should pass my psy. apt. LOL!!!

     After my apt tomorrow I am going to head to FallRiver for more appostilling.  WHFC said they will send what I have done to Russia and then wend the medical stuff when it is done so that is some POSITIVE news!  Mattie and I have been waiting patiently but Mattie does ask nearly every day when is his brother coming home and he has big plans for him and his brother when he gets home.  I hope he is this excited when Jake is actually home with us.

     Not much more to report the judge in Ekat. comes back from vacation on August 3rd so hopefully he had a great time and is well rested and ready to look over some adoption paperwork.  I can not believe it has almost been 3 months since I met Jake, I hope he will be home soon.

     Since the weather finally cleared up Mattie and I have been enjoying the pool and the beach so that is a good thing.  Here is a picture of my little surfer dude.  And also a picture of us that I am putting in my paperwork packet hopefully the judge likes it.

Check list

     Ok my list is getting checked off day by day YAH!!!  FBI fingerprints back and once again no crime has been committed.  Psy eval done, guardianship letter done, birth cert. and divorce cert updated since the judge in Russia considered them expired, so now I just need to finish my Dr apt. and Mattie needs a physical then I will be done.  I am still trying to get an appointment with an oncologist and a psychiatrist so if anyone knows of one in my area please let me know.  I live 20 minutes south of Boston.  On Wednesday I am going to go to FallRiver and get what I have done Appostilled.

     Three more days left of school then my summer vacation begins.  Mattie is very excited to go to the beach and swim in the pool so all we need now is some SUN!!  I checked the weather and it will be warmer in Ekat. Russia then here go figure??  

     Mattie is getting excited about being a big brother.  Every day he asks when is Jake coming home.  Today he started to pack his back pack and he thinks he is going to Russia with me??  YIKES, I am telling him he needs to stay home to get the house ready for Jake, but he wants to go.  I do not think I can handle 2 little ones alone in Russia so Mattie will have to stay home.

2 doctors down 6 to go

Well the pool is almost clean and Mattie is ready to go swimming!!  I am so excited I was able to see 2 doctors this week so just 6 more to go.  And I got my Psy. eval done so now I have documentation that I am sane!!  

Mattie new thing is that he can not wait for his baby brother to come home because he wants to be taller then someone.  So lets keep our fingers crossed that Jake does not get to tall over the next couple months so Mattie will be taller then him for a little while any way.

Paper work Part #2

     It is hard to believe that it has been one month since I meet my son Jake.  I hope he knows mommy is home working hard to get back to Russia to bring him home.  Mattie is so excited about being a big brother.  Any time he puts on something that is to small he gives it to me and says to save it for his baby brother.  I do not think Mattie understands that Jake will probably be  2 years old when he comes home,  Mattie has plans on carrying him around and he is picking what toys he can play with and what ones BABIES do NOT play with!!  He even finally shared a picture of Jake with his daycare which was a big move since he would not talk about Jake over there at first and would say "it is a secret".  

 Ok I am about half through round 2 of the paper work for the judge in Ekat.  It is like having another full time job.  I have made some of the Dr. apt. but can not see some of the Dr.'s till July so trip 2 will probably not be till November at the earliest!!!!

     I am hoping to find some one who is going to Ekat. Russia this summer so I can send Jake a care package and I am hoping to maybe get some pictures between now and trip 2.

      Well time to give Mattie dinner but I just thought I should update my blog.

Last day with the little guy

Hello,  And yes it was my last visit with the little guy today.  The nanny's said he knew his mommy was coming ok now I need to get the paper work so I can get back here.  We had a great visit!!  We went outside and of course he was all bundled up.

     They let us take him to the grocery store today so we could buy cookies for the kids.  I think it was his first trip to a store but it won't be his last.  Wait till he gets home Mattie will show him around the mall and tell him Mommy's favorite word in on sale.  

     The nanny's said they loved the lotion I brought them so back to Target to get some more.  And thank you Auntie Carolyn the perfumes were a huge hit.  I bet these Nanny's would be regulars at our school store.  SO I took lots of pictures and video so Mattie can see his new baby brother.  I just talked to Mattie and he was very excited to hear only one more sleep till Mommy comes home and he can not wait to get the cars I bought him.  Wait till he has to start sharing his toys with baby brother YIKES we better  start working on that.

     Well for my last afternoon here I walked around the city and got caught in a rain storm so yes I was soaked and muddy.  That should be fun packing muddy clothes maybe I should just leave them here??  I hope you like the pictures from today and I will be home word bound at 3AM Russia time Friday morning.  Why bother going to bed.

Day 3

Hi,, Got to visit my little guy this morning.  It was drizzling out so we visited inside.  He seems happy to see me I get smiles and no tears.  He plays with the stacking cups, likes the photo album of me Mattie and the family which I am going to leave him.  Today he had fun taking everything in and out of my bag.  He giggles and babbled some words today.  

    The hardest part of visiting the baby home s when all the little kids look at me and some say MAMA I told Sylanta they are so sweet and I wish I could take them all home!!!!!!  She said all are not available for adoption some parents are still involved and some parents are in jail and having their kids in the baby home may be there ticket out . How sad.  Lucky for me Gennadly's parents did not sign his birth cert. so no one will be coming back so it will make court easier for me.

     Today I had my first real russian meal.  Sylanta took me out to lunch.  I had salad, cabbage soup and some kind of chicken/rice dish not so bad and herbal tea.  ANd yes a diet coke can not have a meal with out my favorite.  Sylanta has been great and works very hard for us and the children so as soon as I get home I will work on my paper work so I can get back here quickly to bring home Mattie's brother.

     I talked to Mattie on the phone today.  He seems to be doing great I told him 2 more sleeps and mom will be home.  I found him cookies and cars so he will be happy because that is what he told me he wanted from Russia.

     Thanks everyone for all your messages and emails I love to read them!!!!!!!  OK I will post a new picture then to sleep for me it is 11pm here.

Beth

Out side visit

I am back in my room.  Here is a picture from today visit.  We went out today, it was not that cold but they sure bundled him up.  He was giggling today it was so cute.  2 more days to visit then home to do more paper work.

     

Out to eat

Ok I brought my computer to dinner so I can maybe ICHAT with my classroom.  I am at the hotel resteraunt which is pretty good.  I am just getting a burger I am not that daring when in other countries by myself.  Do not want to get sick so a old fashion burger and a diet coke.  For my weight watcher friends I am not sure how many points it will be, but I did lots of walking today.

     OK I think there is some kind of party /function going on.  Picture this, me and my computer in the corner and long tables of people laughing, talking drinking and now a man is talking on a microphone.  DO not know what he is saying hopefully he is not talking about the girl in the corner on her computer they are laughing now and now there is music.  I feel like I am the uninvited guest to some kind of party???

     Oh well a girl has to eat.  At least some of the music is in english, do not worry I will not be dancing.

Beth

No More Waiting

Great Report

Hello,  This morning I received a email back from the Dr. in RI.  I had sent him all the medical information I received on the little guy along with the photos that were taken of him and he said HE LOOKS FINE.  That made my day, I know he looked great and the medical information did not sound to scarey but it was nice to hear from the Dr.  

     So right now I am waiting to go spend the morning with him.  I have my bag full of toys and some animal cookies so I am ready to go.  And yes I have my camera and video camera so I will be taking lots of pictures.

Beth

OK, OK, THE NEWS YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!

Hello,  Well here I am in Russia.  The trip to get here not so bad.  MyWHFC rep. Svetlana picked me up at 9:45 am and off we went.  Yes it is cold here so the winter coat was on!!  NO flip flops n Russia

     We had to notorize a paper then off to the Ministry to find out my referral.  Now I have been trying to get in touch with Mattie other wise known as the BOSS to tell him first but he is not at day care yet and no one is answering my home phone so I am not quiet sure where my 3 year old is.  Maybe out for coffee with grandpa.  Now do not worry I know he is fine with either Aunt Lizzy or Grandpa, and I will call day care again to make sure he is not skipping and at the beach or working with Grandpa.

     So are you ready to hear brother or sister for Mattie?   I wish I could have Malcolm (my student) do a DRUM roll for you.  So with out any more delays or me babbling on I would like to announce that Mattie is a BIG BROTHER to a baby BOY!!!  I know we were thinking pink but who knows what Mattie would have done with all those poor barbies and dolls in the house. He would have been stuffing them in his trucks using them as base balls etc., etc..

     HE is adorable and his birth date is Sept 22 2007.  He is in baby home #5 for all you Ekat families reading this.  His birth name is Gennadily (old Russian name),  so I think we might be changing it, I will have to consult with THE BOSS.  From what was told to me he seems very healthy and I have sent the info. to Dr. in RI so I am waiting to hear back from him.

     Unfortunately we got to the baby home at nap time so  was able to see him for a short time (5 minutes).  He smiled at me, walked over to me. let me pick him up and again he is adorable brown hair and eyes and small so he will have to start eating out of the snack draw with his big brother when he gets home to fatten him up.  Svetlana took a few pictures on her phone camera so if she emails me them I will post them, if not I will take LOTS tomorrow to show him off!!

     OK I am going to get dinner now then get some rest for my big play date tomorrow with my son.  And I hope my students in room 5 add checking my blog to their morning meeting.

Happy Mother of now 2 boys!!  Beth

Germany

Hi Everyone,  I am half way there.  I am in the Sheraton in Frankfort Germany.  My flight was no problem.  I had 2 very large diet pepsi's before I got on the plane and a slice of pizza, not sure what I will be eating the rest of the week??  The plane was huge I sat between 2 very nice people and watched the airline movie ink heart(strange movie).  Landed in germany 6am germany time and checked into my hotel.  I know this is a boring post but just want to keep yo all updated of my adventure.

     I slept for about 8 hours off and on and now I am ready to go.  Mattie still thinks I am bringing him home both a brother and sister so I hope he is not to disappointed when there is only one.  I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather at home I have my winter coat and boots and am ready for Russia and to meet my little one.

     So tomorrow (Monday) is the BIG day. I will get picked up at 9:30 do some paper work then off to the Minestry to find out if it is a girl or boy???  I am getting very excited and can not wait to meet him or her.  I should be able to meet the child on Monday so stay tuned for information and PICTURES!!

     Well I am off to find a diet pepsi and some breakfast or lunch, I think lunch here in Germany and then get my plane at 7:30.  I do not think I will venture to far today maybe next time since I will be taking this route 2 more times.  Does anyone know can you get frequent flier miles on Luftansa???

      Until tomorrow keeping wondering boy or girl or as Mattie would say Baby Lyla or Jake.

Beth

My bags are packed almost.

Hello,  Well it is 12:30 and Mattie finally fell asleep at about 11:30pm so now I can finish packing.  I think I have everything I need, warm clothes, gifts, camera, video camera, toys, movies and my paper work.  SO my LONG journey begins tomorrow.  Mattie keeps asking to go with me but I tell him he needs to stay home to take care of grandpa and auntie.  He is excited about being a big brother and I can not believe I am 3 days away from meeting the newest member to the Hurley family!  Mattie wants a brother and a sister so if he had his way I would be getting twins!!  I think one more will be fine for me and Mattie.  

     The next time I update I will either be in Germany or Ekat Russia so stay tuned and follow along as the journey to Matties brother or sister continues.  Well I should probably get some sleep since I have some traveling to do.         Beth

On your mark get set go

     Here is the update you have all been waiting for.  This week for me was like running a race a couple times.  I had to hurry and sign papers, get them noterized then apostilied, then scan and email them to WHFC not once but had to do this twice this week.  Well I finally got confirmed travel information on Friday the 17th. 

     So here are my travel plans, I leave Logan at 4;30 pm on Saturday April 25th, arrive in Frankfort Germany at 5:20 am and leave Frankfort at 7:30 pm and land in Ekat Russia at 4:30 am Monday April 27th.  Yes what a travel agenda.  I am actually on planes for 7 hours then it is 4 hours to Russia.  It is all the time differences and yes you read it right the 14 hour layover in Germany.  So when in Germany I might get a hotel room at the airport sleep for a couple hours and then if possible maybe do some sightseeing??  I will have to talk to the travel agency about my time in Germany I do not want to get stuck there.

     So fast forward to Monday morning 4/27/09 I land in Russia 4:30 am, get a ride to my hotel and get picked up at about 9:00 to go get my referral and see a picture of the newest addition of our family.  We still do not know if it is a girl or a boy and I am in big trouble because Mattie is now convinced he is getting a brother AND sister so we will see how this goes.  After I get the referral it is off to the baby house to hear all the information on the child then the 1st meeting so Monday will be one EXCITING day.

     Of course this week is my school vacation I guess my timing is not good but you have to go when Russia wants you so here I go.  So this week I will do school plans, MCAS alts and any other school stuff that needs to be done at the beginning of the week.  Thursday and Friday will be spent packing ( I think it will be cold there so now spring clothes), get things organized for Mattie and Landscaping and just having fun with Mattie maybe a visit to the zoo or to the circus if we can ft it in.     Beth

     So get ready to follow my next adventure and I am one week away from completing my family and meeting my little girl or boy.

     

Fed EX pick up

Hi,  OK yesterday I got everything ready to send for my VISA.  I called Fed Ex and he said "leave the envelope outside the door and it will be picked up at 9AM".  So Mattie and I left it in the door and off to work/daycare we go.  Me thinking at 9 am the envelope is being picked up and is off to New York for my VISA.  We get home at 5 and the Fed Ex envelope is STILL in the door.  I get a little panicky and MAD so I call FED EX and the nice lady tells me he ment any time after 9AM and the truck should be there soon.  At about 6PM Mattie sees the FED EX truck pull up.  He is very excited and hands the envelope over to the man, then the questions start.  Can I go in the truck, the man answers you do not want to do that it is really dirty!!  Mattie of course being Mr. I will clean it says well why doesn't he clean it!!  I said first mommies stuff needs to be delivered so she can get to Russia then he can clean it.  One more step closer to seeing my little cuttie waiting for me in Russia!!!  Beth and Mattie

Happy Birthday Grandpa 4/3/2009

Hello,  I got "The Call" on my dads birthday, 4/3/09 at 2:19 while I was at work.  My cell phone rang and I did not recognize the number but had a feeling I should answer it and it was Vica from WHFC!!  I was so excited jumping around and screaming not proper behavior for school but my students did not seem to care they were so excited for me, I could see it in all their faces.  So yes I have a referral but do not know if it is a girl or boy??  Vica mentioned traveling maybe the week of April 20th which caused me to yell right in her ear (sorry) because that is my April vacation so that would work out perfect where work is concerned.   But believe me when they tell me to travel I am going!!                                                                                                                                                  I told Mattie he is offically a big brother and his brother or sister are waiting in Russia for me.  So what does he say "I am a big brother and you are a big mamma."  All I could do is laugh and tell him he does not need to use the BIG word for mamma.  So I made some calls and printed out more paper work to be filled out and notorized before I can travel.

     So my next step is to get my Visa.  Then the packing begins and luckly the weather seems to be warming up a bit there but I think I can leave my flip flops home.    Beth

Waiting, waiting and still waiting!!!

     Well here we sit and wait for the referral for Mattie's baby brother/sister.  My agency is telling me I should hear something in April so luckly April begins this Wednesday.  Mattie and I have been keeping busy.  Saturday the weather was great so we were outside all day.  Grandpa came over and helped us with yard work and he put the training wheels on Mattie's 2 wheel bike so he is ready to go.  Now we just need to get him a new helmet.  Today the guys went out working so the landscaping season has offically started and I work I have my MCAS ALTs to keep me VERY BUSY.   So as I wait I have plenty to do but it would be nice to get my referral and travel dates soon.

     Maybe things will work out perfect for me and travel to Russia will be over my April school vacation week.  Right now a couple I met at a Russia travel meeting for WHFC are in Yeketerinburg Russia meeting their 2 boys so lucky for me they have been giving me tips so my trip should run smoothly.  

     Hopefully my referral comes before the Easter Bunny or maybe the Easter bunny will deliver it himself wouldn't Mattie love that candy and news about his baby brother/sister.  

     We will keep you posted,  Beth and Mattie

practicing putting in photos

Well I figure it is best if I learn how to add photos now so when in Russia I can add them for all of you to see as I travel.  Here are some photos of our big shopping spree.  Hope I can do this!!  Beth and Mattie

Shopping

Mattie and I went shopping last night and what a bargain we found.  As I have taught Mattie wait till it goes on sale and boy did we find a sale.  At Old Navy we found hats and mittens for 47 cents, yes that is right 47 cents each so we picked up 20 for me to donate to baby H's orphanage.  I am sure I will be gong back to pick up more, they will be easy to pack and very useful in Russia!!  

New Adventure

Mattie and I decided to start a blog so everyone can follow along as our family grows.  I am hoping to travel to Russia the end of March or the beginning of April to meet Mattie's brother or sister.  This is my first time designing a blog so bear with me.   Beth and Mattie