Hi everyone! Welcome to our blog site! We began this blog to keep everyone updated on the progress of our adoption from Russia. As many of you already know, our dossier paperwork was sent to Moscow on February 10th. It will stay in Moscow for a couple of months to be translated and authenticated. Then it will be sent to one of three regions: Tula, Kursk, Or Kras. Our social worker, Aimee, explained that during the "waiting" process Russia does not give updates as to the status of our dossier. She will be able to request information in a few months to see if they will disclose where our dossier has been sent. As of November, Aimee said that things are moving fairly smooth in Russia, and it is possible that we could receive a referral in about a year. However, things can quickly change without warning. When we receive our referral we will have 2-3weeks to collect the rest of our paperwork and get our visas. Our first trip to meet our child will last a week to 10days. We will then come back home for about 2-4months to finalize paperwork and wait for a court date. On our second trip we will be in Russia for around a month, and then will finally be able to bring our child home! There is not a foster care system in Russia, so all of the children live in orphanages while they wait for their forever families. Children are not put on the international adoption registry until they have been in the orphanage for at least 8months, as to give the Russian people the opportunity to adopt them first. They are mostly boys, and the majority are toddlers and older children. We are expecting to receive a referral for a child 12-24months old, and while it will most likely be a boy, we are open to either. There is a very good possibility that our child has already been born, and is waiting for us as well. We ask God every night to bless and protect our child, and to keep him or her safe, healthy, and happy. Mark and I are so grateful for all of the love, prayers, and support that we have received from our families and friends during this process!