a story of love, a story of Lena: LENA NICKALA SANNER!!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

LENA NICKALA SANNER!!!

So sorry, a bit behind the eight ball, but the last couple days have been crazy busy!! Actually lots of hurry then wait... waiting in a car, waiting behind closed doors, waiting in hallways, waiting in rooms, but we are sooo very happy to report as of January 10th, our wait is over,

LENA NICKALA SANNER is now officially our daughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bit more hurry up and wait to come, but if all goes well, we should be heading for home mid next week. Submitted paperwork for Lena's passport yesterday, will now need to wait for 3 to 5 days to receive it, then exit medical and visa.

We will spend the next few days exploring Kiev with Lena, she has never been, we are looking forward to experiencing our daughter's homeland capitol with her. Should have seen her last night as we drove in, she was lit up as bright as the Christmas lights in Independence Square, I'm sure we were too as we watched her...

and now your wait is over, here's Lena!!

first hugs! :]

feels soooo good!! :]

already family!!

Charlie with Lena, Alyona and Dasha. :]

Having fun!

Lena, me and Lassy.

5 comments:

Brian MacyJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:35 AM
CONGRATS!! We had that same great feeling yesterday with Dennis, though I'm halfway across the world. It feels great.
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Just Another Day In ParadiseJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:15 AM
She is so amazingly gorgeous and happy! Congratulations, again and enjoy Kyiv!
PS Vote schmote, eh? WOOHOO!
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PlainJaneJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:22 AM
the smiles all around say more than words can express ~ congratulations!
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The McEachernsJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Congratulations! Have fun in Kiev! Blessings! (You'll be home just in time for the warm-up. It's back in the upper 60's!)
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DerricJanuary 13, 2011 at 3:21 PM
FANTASTIC!!!
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TimeLine:

Early 2009 - Begin to get a sense that God has something in store for us, change is coming. Begin praying that He would prepare us.

10/4/2009 - Pastor Jason begins his sermon series, "and Justice for All." Charlie and I begin to pray how we might make an impact.

10/25/2009 - Pastor Jason's "and Justice for All" series continues with "Adoption". We continue to pray.

11/13/2009 - Charlie comes home with an article in a local horse publication about Lena, we contact International Family Services Adoption Agency and feel as if we get nothing but confirmation that this is the direction we are to head.

11/27/2009 - Sign and mail contract to IFS.

12/15/2009 - Sent Lena a letter letting her know we want to adopt her, along with photos of us, and a Christmas gift.

1/12/2010 - We hear back from Lena through our Facilitator, Konstantin and our Adoption Consultant, Susan, Lena wants to become a part of our family!

2/8/2010 - We receive our first letter from Lena, she says, "I always dream to have a loving family and now I hope my dreams will come true." That is our prayer...

2/20/2010 - Construction on Lena's bedroom begins by some incredible guys from Prescott Christian Church, GOD is soooo good!!

2/21/2010 - We receive our first email from Lena!

2/25/2010 - Our first Home Study Appointment with Teresa our Social Worker.

3/20/2010 - Our second Home Study Appointment.

5/9/2010 - Received our Dossier Documents, will wait until July to begin work on them, August for signatures and notaries.

6/28/10 - Mailed our fingerprints in for FBI Background Check.

7/20/2010 - Mailed our A600A form into USCIS.

8/25/10 - I spoke with Lena on the phone for the very first time!! Walking a foot off the ground. :]

8/26/2010 - Appointment with USCIS for Biometics (a fancy name for fingerprints).

8/27 & 28/ 2010 - Received our "No Arrest Results" from FBI.
9/7/2010 - Charlie and I spoke with Lena with the help of Galyna our translator for 71 wonderful mintues!!

9/10/2010 - Received our I171H Form!

9/14/2010 - All but one Dossier Document Apostilled.

9/16/2010 - Dossier complete and headed to Ukraine!!!

9/20/2010 - Dossier received by Konstantin.

9/21/2010 - Translation begins on our Dossier!

9/27/2010 - Lena's bedroom is completed!
Thank you Prescott Christian Church!! Let the decorating begin!! :]

10/9/2010 - Skyped Lena!

10/27/2010 - Found out that our Dossier was successfully registered with the SDA! Was given a November 3rd appointment, although we will be requesting a new date.

11/12/2010 - Request for 2nd appointment date with SDA recieved in Ukraine.

11/22/2010 - Received 2nd appointment date with SDA!! December 22nd at 9:00am!! Ukraine here we come!!

12/18/2010 - We're off to Ukraine, departing Phoenix at 8:00am.

12/22/2010 - SDA appointment, Lena's referral in hand, headed to Mala Vyska tonight!

12/23/2010 - Met Lena face to face for the very first time, an incredible day!!

12/29/2010 - Court date, Judge approved adoption petition, now 10 day waiting period begins.

1/10/2011 - Gotcha Day!! Lena Nickala Sanner is officially our daughter!!!!

1/11/2011 - Complete passport paperwork, back in Kiev to wait on passport, do exit medical and get Lena's visa.

1/17/2011 - Exit medical, it's a thumb's up.

1/18/2011 - US Embassy for visa paperwork, hoping we get Lena's visa this afternoon, but looking like tomorrow instead...

1/19/2011 - Lena's visa in hand, our last day in Ukraine!

1/20/2011 - Arrive in Phoenix at 8:32 pm!!

1/21/2011 - HOME!! Life with Lena begins!!