Adoption books for kids

I haven't done a lot of research on this, but as Camden gets older we discuss the adoption more and more.  Now I know that he doesn't fully get it, and won't until we bring these kids home, but if anyone has any adoption books geared towards kids I would be greatly appreciative!

I do have "My Adopted Child, There's No One Like You" by Kevin Leman

But if there are more, or even ones geared towards kids that are biological, or previously adopted I would love the titles!

Also I filled out Camden's passport application today, now just have to go get him a picture and go apply for his passport and he will be ready to go to Russia!

Edit: just realized when I got out Camden's birth certificate that I put the wrong city of birth on his application!  I know, sad, but the hospital where he was born is right on the edge of 3 suburbs of KC meeting, and I picked the wrong one, oh well!

84 Hour Work Weeks

Well this week starts the 84 hour work weeks for Randy.  You ask, how in the world?  Well he just accepted a full-time position at the hospital as an RN.  He was working PRN, but full-time positions are few and far between here in KC.  There are SOOO many nursing schools that the city is over saturated with nurses looking for full time positions.  We were very blessed that he got offered this position so soon after starting at the hospital he is at.  So every week he will work 2 24 hour shifts at the fire station, and also 3 12 hour shifts at the hospital.  The nice thing is though we still get him 2 full days out of the week.  I am sure he will be napping with Camden though on those days off.  Since he will be working so hard, I have been "trying" to help out as much as I can.  Heck, I even mowed the lawn twice in the last week!  Go me!  I HATE mowing.  Now I am not one of those girls who say they "can't" mow, I am actually pretty good at it, but I hate doing it.  It drives my allergies insane!

Hopefully if everything goes as planned, our adoption will be fully funded by December 31st, and we will be able to purchase a new(er) car by late summer next year.  Since we don't do debt, we will also be paying cash for our car.  Right now we have a Suburban and a truck, the suburban is great and we will be able to get all 5 of us in the car fine.  But if anything were to happen to it, we would be tough out of luck with the truck, since it only seats 3, so we desperately need to replace the truck.  We just pray it lasts 1 more year, it is a 1990 truck that leaks oil like a sieve!

We are also praying that Randy can get into the ICU by this time next year working weekend options, where you work every weekend, but only work 24 hours, but get paid for 36!  Then it would only be 4 days of work a week.  If you ever want to meet a more determined person, I would gladly introduce you to Randy, he is one of the hardest working people I know.

Just as I thought

No, we are not closer to a referral, good thing I did NOT get my hopes up.  They just assigned people to regions so that people would quit asking.  Yes, I am disappointed, and frustrated.  But based on the message board that our agency has, is seemed to me that they just started assigning people, because there were people after us that got region assignments also.  This is not in our agencies normal behavior.  Oh well, life goes on.

Interesting....

Friday, the 12th, we got an email stating that our dossier was being sent to Kemerovo to be registered with the MOE, (Ministry of Education).  Supposedly this is suppose to mean that the region has a referral that meets our requirements and wants.  This is just confusing since on Wednesday during the conference call I was told not to expect anything anytime soon.  So we are NOT getting our hopes up.  Though we did check out flight information for there.  EXPENSIVE!!!  They are about $500 per ticket more than they are for the region that we got the initial referral from.  Which means we need to add to our budget for these added costs. 

In other good news, Randy who was working PRN at a local hospital was offered a full-time position with the hospital, so my husband who is amazing anyway, is now embarking on 2 full-time jobs!  In order to go to CRNA school he has to work full time as a nurse for 2 years, he was going to do this after the adoption, but nursing jobs are so scarce here in KC that he just had to take it.  We won't be seeing Randy very much between the fire department and the hospital, but it will all be worth it in the end so that he gets to accomplish his goal!

Have a blessed Weekend!
Denise

Conference Call

So yesterday we had a conference call with our agency with everyone who is in the "process".  There was some good news, the "go-to" region actually gave out a referral this week, and the region that has been taking over a year to give out court dates gave out two dates to 2 of the 7 waiting families there.  Though we were told that if you want girl, don't expect anything soon.  So, some good news, some bad.  I really don't know where we are in the process, just waiting, waiting, waiting.

Pawn Stars Faberge Spider

In addition to my famous Russians, I added this clip from a show that Randy and I love to watch, Pawn Stars.  Shelly, this is the episode that I was talking about when you did your piece on Faberge on your blog.  Please excuse the bleep, but it is a priceless episode.  Wish I could stumble across something like this!

Famous Russians

Peter the Great (Peter the I of Russia)

“I have conquered an empire but I have not been able to conquer myself.”

Peter the Great, an experienced army officer and navy admiral, a skillful shipbuilder and an amazingly energetic personality, ruled Russia and later the Russian Empire from 1682 until his death and is credited with dragging Russia out of the medieval times to such an extent that Russia was considered a leading eastern European state.

Mikhail Gorbachev
Gorbachev, Soviet political leader, a skilled reformer, was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. His series of summit talks improved substantially the relations with the U.S. and decreased East - West tensions. Gorbachev contributed to the end of the Cold War and ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union which led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Evgeni Plushenko

Plushenko is a very talented Russian figure skater, who was seven-time National Champion, five-time European Champion, three-time World Champion, 2006 Winter Olympics gold medalist and four-time Grand Prix Final gold medalist.

Aleksandr Stepanovich Popov

Was a Russian physicist and electrical engineer, a pioneer in the invention of radio and its application. He first demonstrated the practical application of electromagnetic (radio) waves. Although he did not apply for a patent for his invention, Popov is credited with being the first to use an antenna in the transmission and reception of radio waves.

Etiquette and Customs in Russia

Meeting Etiquette
. The typical greeting is a firm, almost bone-crushing handshake while maintaining direct eye contact and giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day.

. When men shake hands with women, the handshake is less firm.

. When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating.

. When close male friends meet, they may pat each other on the back and hug.

Naming Conventions
Russian names are comprised of:

. First name, which is the person's given name.

. Middle name, which is a patronymic or a version of the father's first name formed by adding '- vich' or '-ovich' for a male and '-avna' or '- ovna' for a female. The son of Ivan would have a patronymic of Ivanovich while the daughter's patronymic would be Ivanovna.

. Last name, which is the family or surname.

In formal situations, people use all three names. Friends and close acquaintances may refer to each other by their first name and patronymic. Close friends and family members call each other by their first name only.

Gift Giving Etiquette
Gift giving using takes place between family and close friends on birthdays, New Year, and Orthodox Christmas.

. If you are invited to a Russian home for a meal, bring a small gift.

. Male guests are expected to bring flowers.

. Do not give yellow flowers.

. Do not give a baby gift until after the baby is born. It is bad luck to do so sooner.

. Russians often protest when they are offered a gift. Reply that it is a little something and offer the gift again and it will generally be accepted.

Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Russian's house:

. Arrive on time or no more than 15 minutes later than invited.

. Remove your outdoor shoes. You may be given slippers to wear.

. Dress in clothes you might wear to the office. Dressing well shows respect for your hosts.

. Expect to be treated with honour and respect.

. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served. This may be turned down out of politeness. Asking 'are you sure?' allows the hostess to accept your offer.

Table manners are generally casual.

. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

. The oldest or most honoured guest is served first.

. Do not begin eating until the host invites you to start.

. Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.

. You will often be urged to take second helpings.

. It is polite to use bread to soak up gravy or sauce.

. Men pour drinks for women seated next to them.

. Leaving a small amount of food on your plate indicates that your hosts have provided ample hospitality.

. Do not get up until you are invited to leave the table. At formal dinners, the guest of honor is the first to get up from the table.