Getting close

A busy week preparing - even though this is my 4th trip over, I have so many questions!   Things seem to happen so quickly over there - whisked from one place to another, that I forget a lot of the little details.  So, I'm asking tons of "how to" questions and still have many more.  

I'd planned to rent a cell phone and laptop in Moscow as I know that the combo offers great wireless internet but the laptops are unavailable during that time.  We'll be staying in a flat rather then the hotel and, may possibly wait out the 10 days in Chelyabinsk at another flat. Therefore, internet access is questionable.  I haven't had to worry about that in the past as I was either at a hotel with access or had the phone/laptop combo.  I'm bringing an Apple laptop - any knowledgeable input would be appreciated - i.e. internet cards (heard of them but don't know how they work), etc.

Today I got an email from the agency.  It had been quiet until then - in fact, yesterday was the deadline on purchasing the tickets so I had to do it.  It's certainly not unheard of to have them cancel this far along but I think it's unlikely.   But, today, another curve ball.  Olga had received a copy of my dossier to review and is now asking for renewal certifications for the social worker and the director of the agency!  This is a four week process with "no way to expedite".  I'm trying anyway and have told the agency what I've learned.  They're going to try to use a copy of the director's from another family but they don't have any more recent ones for the social worker.  Olga said I need to hand carry those and the FBI clearance which I don't have yet either.  My INS fingerprints expire on 10/31 so I need to go next week and re-take those to be safe in case we leave Moscow after that date.  I thought getting an appointment would be difficult but they responded quickly and I should have the form early next week.  All normal problems with these adoptions I know but still I could do without the stress.  Just have to wonder why it is always last minute.  

Lots of gifts to purchase still and I'll have to work on trying to squeeze everything in luggage wise.  Other than that and the last few forms, we're ready to go!  Hopefully, next week will be equally as quiet without any more surprises.

Par for the course

Wouldn't you know it . . . what I think is my very last adoption document ever (what I hope is), my FBI clearance letter came back in the mail today as rejected.  The computer couldn't read the prints well enough to complete the clearance.  Even though I have one card left, tomorrow I have to go out and get more to be safe and overnight them.  I sent the last one on 8/6 and only received it back today so I don't think I'll have a new one in hand before leaving in two weeks.  I'll have to make arrangements for someone else to get it and send it off to the agency and hope that all that happens before the judge returns on the 15th.  I don't think the judge will issue a court date without the updated form.  Between the two adoptions and the delays, I've done this probably 5 times and this is the first time I've had this happen - typical of this adoption so far.

Olga's confirmation - yeah!

Thankfully, nothing has changed so far.  AO called today.  As soon as I saw the call coming in I held my breath until the message was relayed.    I was relieved to hear that Olga had communicated with the agencies (Franks & AO) regarding my case.  She says she thinks it's a good idea that I be there by the 10th(!).   The message also relayed that the judge's first day back will be the 15th and that she is going to try to hold court the following week.     I guess that Olga had not received the confirmation earlier that I was going to be there on the 10th but, it's nice to get this directive from her as well.  At least I'm traveling now with some indication that there are plans to set a court date although this is basically what I was told a week or so ago before things changed again.  

The reservations are booked but not paid for - I'm waiting for the drop dead date on this as I don't want to incur any more unnecessary cancellation expenses .  We'll be flying 12 1/2 hours direct to Moscow, have a 6 hour lay-over, leave Moscow at 12:30 AM and arrive in Ekat at 5AM although it's only a 2 1/2 flight.   Total flying time will be 15 hours and door to door it should be around 25 hours.  Long trip for a 3 year old but I think Katy will do well!     It was about a 12 hour drive to Lake Tahoe with stops and she was strapped in her car seat the whole time.  She was a great little traveler - hopefully that will be the case again and she will be a role model for the twins on the way home!  One can hope anyway!