Terrific link

For those of you who are interested in different blogs of those adopting around the world, check out this site: http://internationaladoptsites.blogspot.com/search/label/Russia

Interesting reading

A fellow blogger on FRUA posted this terrific link. It is about a book containing pictures of Russian culture and lifestyle. Please take a moment to view its pages.

http://www.motherlandbook.com/

I have often said that the pictures John and I took while in the Ukraine do not do justice to what you are looking at. In truth, the pictures acually make it look better. The people we met in Ukraine we warm and friendly. The experience was a good and one I will never forget it. I look forward to the day when John and I are in the position to live over there abroad for a few months each year to work with the children.

I find it strange to think that just 23 years ago when I was in Highschool the US and Russia were involved in a 'cold war'. So much has happened throught the years. The fall of the wall, the change in Governments. Look at the relationship we have with them today. AND, I have the blessing of mothering one of their children, and hopefully soon another...life is unique at times. Very unique.

The great paper chase...

Paper work, paper work, and more paper work.

The homestudy is underway. To our favor they have most of our documents from Carrington's adoption, so we only need to add new background checks, finger print clearances, physicals, and updates of our financial information.

The Dossier is a different story. I need to gather all of the documents necessary and then drive them all to Sacramento for be Apostilled. A long trip. Maybe I can take the train...that would be fun. That is a little farther down the road, but I a deffinately in the process of making it happen.

In other areas of my life, John is still in the Ukraine running the RU4Children's summer leadership camp. I heard from him for the first time since he and Carrington left last week. All is well and they are having a great time. Carrington is a celebrity of sorts. He is an American now - the kids are curious.

As with my last international adoption I am learning a lot about Russian adoption from posters in FRUA. I was well prepared for Ukraine due to the knowledge of others that had gone on before me. It is the best place to get the info you need. So, I am researching, gathering, and bookmarking the information that will assist me on my our new journey to our daughter.

Oh yeah, and I was bestowed a new title today: "Mrs. Baby on the Brain"...LOL!

*SMILE*

I feel like I have had my first ultrasound...and seen a heart beat!

"Everything's coming up Roses"

When the night has been too lonely,

and road has been to long.

When you think that love is only

for the lucky and the strong.

Just remember, in the winter;

Far beneath the bitter snow;

Lies the seed,

that with the sun's warmth,

in the spring, becomes the rose...

The words to the song "The Rose" have always touched my heart. The rose is my favorite flower. I think it is one of God's greatest creations. It is strong, yet delicate. It is beautiful. Timeless. It has long been the symbol of love. Every woman I know wants flowers, or more appropriately - roses! So I have chosen to write those lyrics here along with my thoughts of our second journey into International Adoption. Because I have started the search for my own 'Rose'. My hearts desire. My daughter.

*

For as long as I can remember I have dreamt of having a daughter. Thoroughly seduced by the color pink, frilly panties and white patent leather shoes, I always assumed I would have a least one little girl to call me own. After all, my family was made up of mostly girls anyway, so the odds were running in my favor (5 girls, 1 boy - and he was in the middle so to speak. My poor brother!) As a young child I tried to imagine my future children and dreamed of blond pigtails and blue eyes. And one of each. A boy and a girl. But, it would appear that God had other plans in mind for me.

*

So, here is the story about Kym & John...and our ABC's

*

My husband John and I were married 23 years ago at ages 18 & 19. I know, I know. 'Young' you say...BELIEVE ME when I say we know now that we are the exception the the rule! All the odds were against us. But were young, had each other and our God, and we were in love.

* After a wonderful first year together, we found out we were expecting. We were blessed with our first son Christopher 9 months later. My wonderful 10 lb. bouncing baby boy! We just loved being parents, and quickly fell into a routine of diapers and night time nursings. As things progressively became easier taking care of a new born, I remember saying jokingly to John "Let's have another one". Chris was only six months old but I knew then as I do now that we were meant to be parents. It is a job we take seriously and love thoroughly.
*

Well, low and behold came a surprise! A few months later our second child Bryce came along (yes, he was not planned) and although I had said "Let's have another baby" I really hadn't planned on it being so soon. God had given me two beautiful boys - 17 months apart in age - and I had forgotten about having a daughter. We were happy, and we were done.
*

Looking back now, I say "Yeah right! Famous last words..."
*
When Bryce was 4 I decided that I was not willing to give up on my dreams of having a daughter. However, one tubal reversal and 13 miscarrages later, I found myself spiraling down the road of infertility. This road was lonely, expensive and hard to travel. Very few understood my desire the have another child. By now Chris and Bryce were 12 and 11. Friends would ask "Why on earth would you want more now?" I didn't know why - But I just did.
*
Soon there after came Aidan. A gift from God through a domestic
adoption. To make the story short, an aquaintance and soon to be mother approached us and asked us to take her unborn child and raise him as our own. She was not prepared to be a mother. A selfless act that to this day I am forever grateful to her for. We admire her for her strength, love, and the sacrifice she made to ensure her child was part of a family. Aidan has been the light if many lives. He is full of spirit and happiness. And I often say he keeps us young. I didn't think I needed anything more...'Cause now we had three wonderful boys...
*

When Aidan was 5 we hosted a child from the Ukraine through a program called URGEX. It started out as a simple 'Hey, wouldn't it be fun to bring a child here to the US and show him a great time' kinda idea. International adoption was not on our hearts...but once again God had other plans. We fell in love with and adopted Carrington (Oleg) and he came home in November of 2006.
*
You can read all about of trip here at http://www.kympatterson.blogspot.com/
*
And sooooo... one more makes 4!
*

So, as you can see I now have four fantastic children. Chris 21, (He works for the County Fire Dept. Has long ago flown to nest to be on his own:) Bryce 19, (Currently in the Sherriff's Acadamy and will be leaving the nest soon) Carringon 12, and Aidan 6. My ABC's...and I luv, luv, luv 'em!

But it was bound to happen. I think my hubby was just counting the days before I came to realize what he knew all along...The all to familiar need had returned. A daughter. A little girl. Pink bows and frilly panties....It was still there, overwhelming me, and I can't deny it! I really never had a chance as it is just meant to be...
*

John and I have officially returned the the adoption roller coaster for one last go round. We have started our paper work for an adoption in Russia. We will have our daughter, just not in the way we had thought. It has became abundently clear that this was Gods plan all along. We just didn't know it until now. Funny how He works sometimes...
*
I enjoyed blogging our trip to the Ukraine and the process of adopting Carrington. I started the blog late in the game, hoping to keep in touch with our many family member's scattered in other states. This time around I can start from the beginning, and look forward to the journey to finding my Rose. Please be prayer warriors for us. Remember our family to God. We rely on them so much!
*
My own ending to the song is this...
*

When the seeds of dreams, planted so long ago,

in the blessed sunshine of Gods love,

finally becomes my Rose...