Well, I'm officially going bananas as I wait for an update on Oliver.
- Obsessively checking my email in hopes of one with the update: Check
- Worrying that no update means he is sick or injured...or worse: Check
- Worrying some more that the 'no update' is because something is wrong: Check
- Checking my personal email since beginning to type this post: Check
So...no update to share. Hopefully an update comes along soon.
In other adoption-related news, you may have seen coverage in your local media about the developments in Russia regarding the shut down of adoption between the U.S. and Russia. First, I am happy to see that the media is covering this issue. Second, I was happy to see that our Senator acted quickly to meet with the families directly impacted and begin working to help move things in a more positive direction from her role as our representative.
My eyes welled with tears as I watched thousands of Russians protest the ban -- in the cold of winter and at the risk of being punished for speaking out. I am hopeful for those families already in process, that they will in fact be allowed to finalize their adoptions (although that is not guaranteed, it is hopeful). I am still incredibly sad for the children in Russia who need loving families, and those families in the U.S. who want to be provide such a home but may not be allowed the opportunity to do so. Nothing seems fully settled yet, but at least there is a glimmer of hope. Sometimes hope can make all the difference.
Musings of a Breakfast for Dinner Kind of Gal and Her Sauerkraut and Kimchi Loving Guys
Friday, January 18, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Adoption in the News
Last month I posted an article on Russian adoptions. Today I went onto the U.S. Government's International Adoption website (http://adoption.state.gov/) and learned that Russia is now closed to the U.S. and will remain so for at least 1 year. Families currently in process do not yet know if they will be allowed to continue or if their adoptions will be terminated. Here is the official information:
Alert: Legislation to Ban Intercountry Adoption by U.S. Families
On December 28, President Vladimir Putin signed into law Russian Federal Law No. 186614-6, which prohibits the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens. This law went into effect on January 1, 2013. The law bans adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens, bars adoption service providers from assisting U.S. citizens to adopt Russian children, and requires termination of the U.S.- Russia Adoption Agreement.
The United States regrets that the Russian government has decided to ban the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens and to terminate the Agreement under Article 17(5). The Agreement entered into force on November 1, 2012, to promote stronger safeguards for children and all parties involved in the intercountry adoption process. Under the termination clause of the Agreement, it will remain in force for one year, until January 1, 2014. Despite the adoption ban, the U.S. government remains committed to implementation and fulfillment of its obligations under the Agreement. The United States continues to urge the Russian government, in the spirit of the Agreement, to allow U.S. families already in the process of adopting a child from Russia to complete their adoptions so that these children may join permanent, loving families.
At this time the Russian government has provided no details on how Russian Federal Law No. 186614-6 will be implemented. The Department of State has no information on whether the Russian government intends to permit the completion of any pending adoptions.
Tony and I had to take a day-long class at the agency over the summer and I recall meeting a woman who had been in the process of adopting from Russia for a long time. Prior to the ban, a Russian adoption included three trips to Russia. Two trips for all of your medical evaluations, mental evaluations and various legal/court steps. The third to bring your child home. However, you meet your child on that first visit -- you get to see them and hold them and fall in love with them.
My heart breaks for the families currently in process who do not know what is going to happen. My heart also breaks for those children, most (if not all) of whom live in an orphanage and have a rather difficult start in life. Please keep them all in your prayers.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Progress
Well, folks, we have movement!
It appears that the Korean Ministry / Family Court / New Adoption Law red tape stoppage may be easing after nearly 3 months of a stalemate (almost seems to be on the NHL schedule!). Some of the families who have been in limbo since the Fall have been granted their Emigration Permission and their files are now before the court. We do not know how long the court will take to process the families through -- we don't even know if they have a plan on how to accomplish their mission. What we do know is that there is some progress being made. As you all know, Tony and I are just waiting in line. Knowing that those in the front might be moving ahead means we are too.
On the home front, Tony and I were contacted by our social worker yesterday. It seems that our Home Study will be expiring soon and we need to get it updated. For some reason I thought it would be just us writing another check to the agency, telling our social worker that nothing's changed, and being on our merry way.
Of course it's not that easy.
The Home Study Update includes filling out several forms (again; this is where I'm especially happy I copied every piece of paper we've filled out so far); renewing our Adam Walsh background check (more paperwork, online files and -- of course -- more money...luckily no fingerprints); a physical for both of us; and a visit with our social worker. We'll be meeting her a few days after we get back from Hawaii, so we need to get the other pieces done before our vacation.
At least this time isn't as nerve wracking as the first time. Don't get me wrong, I'll still want the house to be clean and tidy. I will probably skip the steam cleaning of the carpets and dusting of the baseboards, though. :)
...hopefully my next post will include pictures! Oliver turned 18 months yesterday. Hard to believe.
It appears that the Korean Ministry / Family Court / New Adoption Law red tape stoppage may be easing after nearly 3 months of a stalemate (almost seems to be on the NHL schedule!). Some of the families who have been in limbo since the Fall have been granted their Emigration Permission and their files are now before the court. We do not know how long the court will take to process the families through -- we don't even know if they have a plan on how to accomplish their mission. What we do know is that there is some progress being made. As you all know, Tony and I are just waiting in line. Knowing that those in the front might be moving ahead means we are too.
On the home front, Tony and I were contacted by our social worker yesterday. It seems that our Home Study will be expiring soon and we need to get it updated. For some reason I thought it would be just us writing another check to the agency, telling our social worker that nothing's changed, and being on our merry way.
Of course it's not that easy.
The Home Study Update includes filling out several forms (again; this is where I'm especially happy I copied every piece of paper we've filled out so far); renewing our Adam Walsh background check (more paperwork, online files and -- of course -- more money...luckily no fingerprints); a physical for both of us; and a visit with our social worker. We'll be meeting her a few days after we get back from Hawaii, so we need to get the other pieces done before our vacation.
At least this time isn't as nerve wracking as the first time. Don't get me wrong, I'll still want the house to be clean and tidy. I will probably skip the steam cleaning of the carpets and dusting of the baseboards, though. :)
...hopefully my next post will include pictures! Oliver turned 18 months yesterday. Hard to believe.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year's Eve. It's hard to believe that the new year is upon us already! Tony and I usually spend NYE at home, cooking up something special for dinner and flipping between the various NYE specials on TV. This year we had an opportunity to go out with friends, but after spending much of the day working on our lower level we realized we had more work to do and couldn't make it to dinner on time. Nonetheless, we enjoyed some homemade pasta with Alfredo sauce and sauteed shrimp, a lovely bottle of champagne, and cozy pajamas on a very chilly night. Not a bad way to spend the last few hours of 2012!
The Meyers family rings in a new year with an annual Korean feast -- featuring homemade bulgogi (marinated and broiled beef) and mandu (deep fried Korean egg rolls). This is a tradition that Tony's family started when the boys were small and it's a fun way to keep a bit of the Korean culture alive and well. In addition to the bulgogi and mandu we enjoyed lots of tasty snacks and kimchi (though as I've noted before, I can't stand kimchi and therefore abstained). A little cheesecake topped off our meal, so it is safe to say that we did not kick off the year with a nice healthy meal! Yummy, but not very healthy. I do love family traditions and am happy that this is one that will include Oliver next year.
Tony and I (mostly Tony) have been spending a lot of time considering a pre-Oliver vacation. A sort of babymoon....one where the mother-to-be can still drink and eat whatever she wants! After considering lots of options and trying to find ways to stretch miles and hotel points, we finally booked a wonderful trip. Drumroll please....
We are going to Hawaii!
We will be spending 6 nights on Kauai (2 in Poipu and 4 in Princeville) followed by a night in Honolulu (and hopefully a trip to see Pearl Harbor and maybe Diamond Head). I haven't been back to Kauai since my internship in 2001, so I'm pretty excited to go. It's the rainy and cool season, so I'm just hoping we get a nice dose of sunshine and warmth while we are there.
While we might get a weekend away in before we bring Oliver home, this trip is it, folks! Our next big journey will be the trip that will change everything.
Happy New Year -- wishing you a wonderful 2013!
The Meyers family rings in a new year with an annual Korean feast -- featuring homemade bulgogi (marinated and broiled beef) and mandu (deep fried Korean egg rolls). This is a tradition that Tony's family started when the boys were small and it's a fun way to keep a bit of the Korean culture alive and well. In addition to the bulgogi and mandu we enjoyed lots of tasty snacks and kimchi (though as I've noted before, I can't stand kimchi and therefore abstained). A little cheesecake topped off our meal, so it is safe to say that we did not kick off the year with a nice healthy meal! Yummy, but not very healthy. I do love family traditions and am happy that this is one that will include Oliver next year.
Tony and I (mostly Tony) have been spending a lot of time considering a pre-Oliver vacation. A sort of babymoon....one where the mother-to-be can still drink and eat whatever she wants! After considering lots of options and trying to find ways to stretch miles and hotel points, we finally booked a wonderful trip. Drumroll please....
We are going to Hawaii!
We will be spending 6 nights on Kauai (2 in Poipu and 4 in Princeville) followed by a night in Honolulu (and hopefully a trip to see Pearl Harbor and maybe Diamond Head). I haven't been back to Kauai since my internship in 2001, so I'm pretty excited to go. It's the rainy and cool season, so I'm just hoping we get a nice dose of sunshine and warmth while we are there.
While we might get a weekend away in before we bring Oliver home, this trip is it, folks! Our next big journey will be the trip that will change everything.
Happy New Year -- wishing you a wonderful 2013!
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