Adopting Sasha - The Journey 2009

So Funny:)

I was riding in the car tonight with the translator, Ksenia and Sasha and the subject of adoption came up.  Sasha told the translator that he has not seen me 'preparing the documents' at the house and wants to know why not.  We have not really come right out and told him we are adopting, but he's very wise and has let it be known that he wants to be a part of our family.  I told him that I have been working on the documents but that we are waiting for Russia to tell us if we can or not.  Then he proceeds to tell the translator that he will write a letter to the President of Russia and that I should write a letter too.  Awww! Too cute and precious!

The real truth is we are working on documents and at the moment we are waiting for final approval from USCIS to adopt internationally. We have an appointment on the 14th for a second round of fingerprinting.  We will be taking Sasha with us and hopefully he will charm the man in charge:)

Please pray for this next step as it has been the major hold up so far.

Summer 2009 with Sasha

Thursday night, June 25th Sasha arrived to spend 40 days with us. The adoption is moving along....slowly, so we decided to host him through "New Horizons For Children" hosting program.  It has been so great to see him again and have him here with us in our home.  This time will give us the opportunity to bond a little, learn some english, and lay down some foundational rules and set some expectations....for all of us:)  

He has been so excited to be here and told the translator on the way home from the airport that he wanted to stay forever.....melted my heart. We are having alot of fun...we've been to Stone Mountain, lots of swimming, a BIG birthday party for his 10th birthday, Arts and Crafts class, Freedom Fest for the 4th of July, the lake, JumpZone and bowling tomorrow.

It is so fun to see him do things for the first time in his life.....the things we take for granted.

On July 2 we took Sasha to see a Cystic Fibrosis Specialist and he was a little champ.  The doctor was so awesome.  He was so warm and compassionate and spent a huge amount of time with us.  I am so thankful we found him.  He did a chest xray, and a few breathing tests on Sasha and is almost positive that he does have CF.  He wants us to bring him in one more time before he leaves to go back to Russia and he wants us to come to the CF clinic so he can do some further testing and start Sasha on some additional meds. He feels pretty confident that some of the damage to his lungs and other organs can be corrected with proper diet and consistent healthcare and medications. 

We have 28 days left with Sasha before he has to go home and I am already dreading saying goodbye again.  He said last night at dinner, "Allison, Papa Russia - Sasha, Mama America"  such a little jokester.....it makes my heart smile to know he really wants to stay here with us. I cannot wait for the day that we get to confirm to him that we are bringing him home to America FOREVER!

Keep praying!! We are hoping to travel to Russia around the 1st of September and then again for a final trip to bring Sasha home by Thanksgiving.