Apostilles on the way.....

Well, it has been just under 2 months since we arrived home from our first trip and our documents are on their way to get Apostilled.   A few changes were made to satisfy the Russian judges, and I am sure that several more will follow eventually.   We emailed everything to Olga in Russia and Michalina in NC to ok the documents and so far it looks alright.  8 Doctors in 2 months, not bad for a novice ! 
The only thing we are waiting for is our FBI fingerprints, government bureaucracy at its best, which could take another month or so.  By then of course the medicals will have expired and we start that all over again....yeah, what a ride.
We will send this package off to Russia without the fingerprints, so Olga can begin the translation and at least move the process somewhat along.  So--a list of who's fast and who isn't for future reference:
1) ABMS- very fast, not even one week turn around. (see what $100 per doc gets you)
2) Accountant Certification from State of PA - 30 days max, got it in 3 weeks.  Cost $40
3) Psychologist Certification from NJ Attorney General - 1 week - $35 Cost
4) Home Study Agency Certification - 3 weeks
5) Social Worker Certification - 2 weeks
6) Home Study Updates - $325 - rather quick with Golden Cradle (great agency)
7) Fingerprints- FOREVER.......$80 per person
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The end result...................Priceless.

OK I couldn't resist that last part, it just had to be said. :)

There have been some statements that talks in Russia are going well with the State Depts.  and Russian officials, although the courts have not been disrupted by the Hanson adoption fiasco.  The judge in Ekat still moves at the speed of a thundering herd of turtles and I would guess that realistically, we won't travel before Sept or Oct. for court. 

So, for future reference....Don't ask " When do you pick them up?" , it simply does not work that way. 
If adoptive parents immediately had a gotcha date after trip one, the world would have a lot less blogs in it.
My mother saw the large binder full of documents the other day and said "what is that"...I replied "this is the road to your grandchildren."  --did they think I was making this stuff up??  :)

I think I have everything organized, the room is freshly painted, the new  beds are being delivered next week, the toy chest in a few days and the stuffed animals are already dotting the shelves.  Sea Turtles, that's our theme.  Joe and I love Sea Turtles.   We purchased a WYLAND watercolor in Key West in February that we were drawn to.  It was Two Sea Turtles swimming side by side.  We fell in love with it and it spoke Jack and Noah to us.  That painting is the focal point of the boys' room.  
Sea Turtles are majestic, graceful, patient, protective and endangered - much like the Adopting Parent.

From FINDING NEMO:
Marlin: [Inside the whale] I have to get out of here! I have to find my son! I have to tell him how old sea turtles are!