SavLaC in Kazakhstan......... aka Savlac-istan!!: 2011

Quotes

Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever. (Isak Dinesen)
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain. (unknown)
When love takes you in everything changes. A miracle starts with the beat of a heart. When love takes you home, and says you belong here, the loneliness ends and a new life begins. When love takes you in, it takes you in for good. When love takes you in… (Steven Curtis Chapman)
Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial. Real parent: Any parent who is not imaginary. Your own child: a child who is not someone else's. Adopted child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all your own. (unknown)
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break. (Chinese proverb)
I may not have given you the gift of life, but in my heart I know. The love I feel is deep and real, as if it had been so. For us to have each other is like a dream come true! I may not have given you the gift of life, but Life gave me the gift of you! (unknown)
We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands. (unknown)

Timeline of adoption paperwork

Oct 6 - return to Canada - yay!!
Sept 20: GOTCHA DAY!!!
Sept 1: see our Angelique again!
Sept 3: court date
Aug 31/Sept 1: arrive in KZ
Aug 29: leave Canada for trip 2
Sept 1-30: travel visa dates for trip # 2
July 16 - home from trip # 1
July 1 - we met our beautiful Angelique !!
June 24 - start of trip # 1 to Almaty
May 30- travel date change - now leaving June 24th
May 26 - TRAVEL INVITATION, to be there June 3 !!
Wait a tic - our file was actually received in Kaz Feb 29!!
Apr 2008 - file received in Kazakhstan!
Mar 2008 - file received at Canada Consulate to Kaz (Toronto)
Dec 2007 - Foreign Affairs is done with our file, then translated to Russian
Sept 2007 - new paperwork for Kaz and redo of some that expired - all forwarded to Canada Foreign Affairs (Ottawa)
Aug 2007 - decided to change our application to adopt from Kazakhstan
Feb- July 2007 - attempts to have the number of Canadian families allowed to adopt from Ukraine raised (unsuccessful)
Jan 2007 - finished home study and 2nd round of paperwork (6 month expiration on some)
Sept 2006 - finished first round of application paperwork to adopt from Ukraine
May 2006 - attended orientation session to learn about international adoption