In 5 days we'll know if we are able to adopt a little girl

[lettinggo]

I won't go thorugh all the process that's brought us this far, but we're 6 1/2 years in the process.

In 5 days time, on June 30th, we're going to find out if we will be able to adopt a little girl from Russia. She must be made available for domestic adoption until June 30th and after that will be able to be adopted internationally. She has some minor health issues, as far as we know nothing hugely serious, but apparantly Russians don't like to adopt children with health issues. She's been adoptable since she was 2 months old.

For the past month we've known about her and have been told that if she doesn't get adopted domestically, we will be allowed to adopt her. In my heart I know we should be hoping she gets to be adopted domestically because that would obviously be what is best for her but it's hard not to hope that it doesn't happen. I'm just not that good.

And now there's only 5 days to go and she's still there. I'm not at all religious, I certainly don't pray. But I remember years ago doing a novena (type of prayer service you do for 9 days where you pray for a specific thing) to St Francis Xavier and the words are rattling around in my head

"but if what I ask is not for the glory of God and the good of my soul,
I pray and desire that which is most conducive to both"

Might not make sense to anyone not Catholic but it's a comfort at the moment.
Sorry for the ramble. I wish I could go to sleep and wake up on Thursday at 1pm (close of business in that part of Russia).

[memoriesindeed]

ahh thats great, hope it all goes through for you xxx

[flossymuldoon]

Fingers crossed for you!!!!

[hester]

Your nails must be bitten down to the knuckle... Really hope you (and we!) get good news this week

[lettinggo]

Thanks for the kind words. 3 days to go now...

[Pancakeflipper]

Fingers crossed. You must be clock watching! Lots of good luck.

[PureNewWoolWithPerfectStitches]

OOOOH! How exciting I do hope you are going to be the one to give this little girl a home. Try and keep busy (as if that will help....I'd be glued to the clock too ). Rescue remedy is great for calming down. I'll have everything crossed for you.

[PureNewWoolWithPerfectStitches]

Not long now! How are you holding up lettinggo?

[lettinggo]

I'm totally stressed! I'm finishing school for the summer tomorrow and a parent sent me a lovely letter of thanks this morning and I bawled my eyes out in front of the kids. So that's stress! We'll know in less than 24 hours. I'm very hopeful. Thanks for thinking of me.

[Kewcumber]

I remember this stage so well - though I didn't know about DS in advance (travelled completely blind). Bet you don't have any fingernails left!

[ednurse]

How exciting! Keeping everything crossed.

[Lilka]

Keeping fingers crossed for you :)

[TimsterC]

Good luck tomorrow morning. I hope all your prayers are answered.

[TinyPawz]

I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

[hester]

I woke up this morning and thought of you, lettinggo. I really hope today goes well for you.

[DayDreamingDaisy]

Thinking of you and hope you get the green light.

[Pancakeflipper]

Fingers very firmly crossed, and my toes.

You have to update later. Stuff informing, champagne corks popping and whooping with your family and friends... This bunch of strangers need to know... Loads of luck X

[PureNewWoolWithPerfectStitches]

Everything crossed here too. Today could be the day!

[lettinggo]

I had a long reply typed out and Mumsnet went offline and it's gone!

Well, she's still there, it's now closed in Russia so as of tomorrow morning, she's available for international adoption and we're getting a referral for her. We hope to get the referral next week and I think I'll believe it more when I see it in black and white. It feels a bit of an anti-climax at the moment, iykwim? I still don't fully trust that it will work out.

Thanks for all the good wishes. I'm an emotional wreck at the moment. I bawled in front of my kids in school again today when my DH rang at 12 to say she's still there. I told them why I was crying which I really regret now. I just hope they forget over the summer.

[TimsterC]

Lettinggo, I hope everything goes ok for you. I wouldn't worry too much about showing your human in front of a class of kids. Sometimes it's refreshing for them to see that you are not a robot from planet education.

[Neverlandpirate]

I have been lurking, and wondering how today went for you.

I have fingers, toes, and knees crossed for a smooth process, and you having your little girl in your arms soon.

[PureNewWoolWithPerfectStitches]

LettingGo - sorry I'm a bit late to your reply but it's great that she's open for international adoption now. I'll be thinking of you next week.

[HarrietJones]

good luck with your happy ending !

[hester]

Oh, this stuff really plays with your emotions, doesn't it. You anticipate these moments of crashing joy, and so often it isn't like that. Just treat yourself gently, allow yourself to breathe and smile with each little step forward..