Never A Dull Moment!! (Uzbekistan)

First, let me apologize to the masses for not updating sooner. So much has happened within the past week that my head is spinning and I have barely had time to process it all. We have received some clarification regarding the new laws in Uzbekistan and continue to receive new information as it is acquired. Thankfully, we were far enough into the process when the changes occurred that we will not need to make two trips. However, what would have been one trip of 5-7 days AFTER Joshua's adoption was finalized will now be one trip of 2-4 weeks and I will need to travel to meet the Mayor BEFORE the adoption is finalized. We were also grateful to learn that only one of us will be required to travel, especially since the length of travel will be more extensive than we initially thought and there is no way Richard would be able to make the trip (with our trip to Ukraine in the near future). The thought of leaving my husband and children for so long is difficult, but I know that this will be just a small wrinkle in time in the grand scheme of things and the end product is well worth the sacrifice!

The above information came as a huge relief, but before I had time to process it, I received a call from our agency telling me that our dossier was on the Mayor's desk and that he was requesting to meet with me. Our in-country coordinator will be meeting with him next week to establish a firm date for travel and for our meeting and I have been told to begin the process of obtaining a visa (which, I have learned in the past few days, will not be easy). I believe the hope is that I will travel within the next 3-4 weeks! I was definitely not expecting this news, but am thrilled at the prospect that I may be holding my baby boy in just a matter of weeks!

Of course, with this news, the reality of traveling has set in and I am completely overwhelmed by all of the things that need to be done within the next few weeks. This is, of course, compounded by the fact that we are in the process of packing up our house and moving to a new home within the next week! Whew! Let me just say, crazy is one thing the Rieben's do well!

I am hoping to have more news regarding travel dates sometime next week and I promise to update as soon as I do (because I know if I don't there are many of you who WILL track me down!)! But for now, I am going to bed! A special thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers! We appreciate each and every prayer offered in our behalf and know with surety that they have been heard!