It's a boy????

Ok....Joel was so correct in saying that adoption has it's wonderful, crazy, exhausting surprises. Here's ours....

Yesterday we found out that our two Russian sons have a baby brother in Russia. He is not off the database yet but will be soon. We were asked if we wanted to adopt him. What does this mean?

Well, after seeing his picture and thinking about it for precisely 5 seconds we decided that a little girl is not in the cards for us this time. We have been offered the opportunity of keeping this family together and it's one we jump at with joy.

Where do we go from here? Who knows? We will listen to the advice and follow the direction of our adoption workers. Please pray for us as we endeavor to bring our sons' little brother into our family. Thank you for the prayers already offered on our behalf!!

With hopefulness and joy,

Joel, Clarion, Slav, and Sergei

WOW!!!

Well, just like last time around, our blog kind of sits here during the paperwork process. Sometimes we don't even post when we make it up another step in the whole paperwork adventure. Just to bring you up to date...Last week we received approval from ICPC (Interstate Compact) on our home study. Our home study fees have been paid. Last week we also mailed our I-600A to USCIS before the fees go up on the 23rd. Progress to be sure!

Then today happened! When you're adopting, especially internationally, you try to prepare yourself for what what might happen along the way, but there are almost always surprises (pleasant and unpleasant) along the way that are just impossible to prepare for. One of those surprises came today with a bit of news from our agency. Wow!!! I can't reveal what it is just yet, but I can reveal that it is a very pleasant surprise. In fact, today is a day I will never forget. I'm still trying to process the news I just received. Today is my day off. Poor Clarion has a long day ahead of her with teaching, then parent-teacher conferences. I guarantee that she'll be thinking about this news all day long in the midst of it.

We'll share soon! I promise. Until then we ask for your prayers. The news we received today is a gift from God and will most definitely impact our journey, again in a very pleasant way. In fact, we'll need your prayers now more than ever. More to come soon!

Sincerely,

Joel