We've spoken to Viktorija on the phone 8 times in a week and a half. She should be released from the hospital on Thursday. She will then have to stay out of school for 1 week before she can join her classmates in school. Being in the hospital with no TV and little to do, she spends her time thinking about coming to America to live, what American school will be like, and most of all, "can I come to America in December?". That is a question we get with EVERY phone call:-) When we spoke on Friday, she told us she had a list of 5 questions she wanted to ask us. Three of those questions were related to school, one was about when she can come to America (of course), and the last thing she had written was, "Thank you for wanting me". We wish she could be with us now. But, instead, our lives have been busy with the endless paperwork, online studies, meetings, and running hither and yon for necessary documents. We had our final home study visit last Friday (8/27). Once the homestudy report is complete, the next step is the immigration process and dossier preparation. Immigration approval can take up to 2-3 months . Of course, we are fervently praying that this happens much quicker!
Viktorija's education is a priority. We found out that putting her in a public school in not an option until her adoption is finalized (that will take about a year). So, we are in prayer about what is going to be best for Viktorija. We have an appointment with Southlake Christain Academy this Friday. There are so many unknowns....at what grade level will she test? Will she be able to start mid-year? Will she get the assistance she might need in regards to language? Throughout all of this, my job situation might be changing. My priority is to be available for Viktorija after school everyday. I'm not sure that my employer is willing to agree to this.
There are days I feel the stress and pressure of all of this, and I wonder what we are thinking...Mike is a rock and and doesn't seem to worry at all as he plows through all of the paperwork/budgeting. Then I remember that this is the path God has chosen for us and we need to be trusting and faithful to Him.
Hey Julie, Call me when you have a chance! A friend was telling me to make sure they are tested in their native language in order to get an accurate assessment of her abilities! I have NO IDEA where we are going acquire that in rural GA! Groan. And our caseworker canceled o get ton us this weekend bc of a birth mom went into labor! I am about to pull my hair our bc I just want this DONE!
ReplyDeleteShannon