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This is the story of my journey to adopt a child from Kazakhstan.
Welcome!
Welcome to my journey to Motherhood! I appreciate your interest and am thrilled to share this exciting and terrifying adventure with my family and friends.
-- Alysa
Little Precious
Fur Babies
Callie and Merlin
Aqtobe Time
Aktobe |
Aqtobe Weather
Polling Place
Timeline
- October 26, 2008, 4:38pm MDT -- Newest US Citizen
- October 26, 2008 -- Homeward Bound
- October 12, 2008 -- Left Aqtobe for Almaty
- October 7, 2008 -- We are family! (Gotcha Day)
- October 3, 2008-- Return to Kaz - Trip 3
- October 1, 2008 -- Adoption Decree signed by judge - You're mine!
- September 15, 2008 -- Kaz Court
- September 9, 2008 -- Return to Kaz - Trip 2
- August 9, 2008 - End of Trip 1
- July 22, 2008 -- I found you!
- July 19, 2008 -- On da plane to Kaz
- July 10, 2008 -- Letter of Invitation Received
- February 1, 2008 -- Dossier sent to Aqtobe MOE
- November 9, 2007 -- Aqtobe is my region!
- November 5, 2007 -- Dossier to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- October 10, 2007 -- Dossier to Kaz Consulate in NY
- October 5 -- Dossier in translation
- October 2, 2007 -- Dossier FedEx'd to LMI!!!
- August 21, 2007 -- I171H (approval from US immigration) received!
- August 9, 2007 -- Homestudy submitted to USCIS.
- June 15, 2007 -- Homestudy completed again! Sent to USCIS -- Not!
- May 31, 2007 -- Homestudy completed. Not!
- March 2007 -- Signed agency contracts
- January-March 2007 -- Researched agencies, countries, etc.
- March - November 2006 -- decided to move out of CA, found and started new job, sold CA house, bought CO house, and moved!
- February 2006 -- Realized I needed a fresh start, whether or not I adopted
- October 2005 -- Started researching adoption
Favorite Adoption Blogs
Links to More Info
Kazakhstan
A Bit About Kaz
Kazakhstan is the largest of the former Soviet republics in size (after Russia) and is the ninth-largest nation in the world. It shares a border with Russia on the north and is west of China. Kazakhstan gained its independence from Russia in 1991, and although traditionally a nomadic and pastoral society, the current way of life and culture reflect strong Russian influences. Kazakhstan has a population of over 15 million people comprised of 46% Kazakhs, 35% Russians, 5% Ukrainians, 3% Germans, and the remaining 11% a mix of other European and Asian ethnicities. While Kazakh is the "state" language, nearly everyone is bilingual in Kazakh and Russian.
About Me
Yep, I'm 40-something and going to be a single first-time parent!
And yes, many nights (days, nights, and more sleepless nights) I think I may have just lost my mind! But, I'm also excited and am looking forward to all the challenges, thrills, sweet little moments, panic, hope, messes, joys, and mostly love that will be an everyday part of my life.
I've changed my life pretty dramatically in the past year (new job, new state, new house, new life!) in part because I wanted a fresh start, but also because doing so allowed me financially and emotionally to pursue adoption.
Most of you know that my mother had me at nearly 40 and raised me alone. And this was back when being a single mom, and especially an older single mom, was not a very acceptable thing to do. I'm sad that Mom will never know her grandchild, but I know she would be thrilled that I am doing this. From her I have learned independence, tenacity, resourcefulness, and that family is not defined by numbers or what society thinks it should be, but by love and support. Thank you, Mom, for setting the example that has given me the courage to follow, in my own way, in your footsteps.
3 comments:
Hi Alysa,
Just checked in to see how Brady is doing. Saiyora is now two and doing great! Recites songs and nursery rhymes all day long. How is the job thing going?
DH is still looking, its been two years now. Our Kaz. princess also does the hitting, biting, scratching, pinching thing when stressed and overwhelmed. I know it would be a lot worse if I had her in daycare. Still can't sort out if it is triggered by confusing sensory input, flashbacks, or a inappropriate flight or fight response. I wish someone would do some good research on this type of behavior and institutionalized kids. I've tried everything and the only thing that helped were some sensory exercises that I did every night. A somatic therapist taught them to me. Have you read the Out of Sinc Child? Our opthamologist of all people just gave me a ton of articles on kids raised in orphanages and sensory issues. Very interesting stuff. It will get better but it sucks that the kids gets labeled and it becomes a "behavior" and dicipline issue when they are only two. Happy holidays. Lesley
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!
Griffin wants to know if Brady is still around???? :-)
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