How are you doing?

I have so many folks ask how I am? 

How I'm holding up? 

The truth is I have my moments. Mostly I just try not to hard to think of the long haul ahead of us. Especially right now while we wait to complete our home study. Yes, I wish he was here instead of there but I have no control over that. If it were up to me I think all the orphans being adopted should have stayed. We can complete all the paper work with them here and they can avoid any more days of being institutionalized in an orphanage. It's a shame the world doesn't consult me more for advice.

However, my wise younger brother Troy pointed out that it will be good for James and I to see how he lives, where he lives and what is culture is like. I agree but I could bring him back with us for the court date.

But if wishes were fishes...

The fact is he's not here. He's half way around the world and I have very little if any contact with him. I bought a little locket I wear with his picture in it. I wear it everyday. We pray for him every time we pray, we talk about him and laugh about things he did and things he said and Ukrainian words have become our words like "da doma" and "lala".

Sometimes I can picture him clearly. He looks in real life different then he photographs. Softer perhaps, more real. I took a lot of pictures but was unable to capture the image I carry in my head.

I've decided to send a Christmas package even if they don't celebrate Christmas because WE celebrate Christmas and next year he will too. I wrote a letter talking about our traditions and Santa and strict instructions not to open the packages until December 25th. That way I'll know on Christmas Day that he is having his own celebration half way around the world.

I hope to send it off on Monday and I hope it actually gets there on time. I wonder if any of my letters have made it to him yet?

Here is some awesome news I just researched. The tax CREDIT for adoption is 2008 is 11,650 (could even be higher in 2009 as it's gone up every year) and the State of Utah gives a $1,000 credit per "special needs child". Read on for the definition of special needs:

Special Needs Adoptions (code 41)

See also Adoption Expense Deduction
A taxpayer who adopts a child with special needs may claim a refundable credit of $1,000 for each child adopted. This credit may only be claimed in the tax year the court issues the order granting the adoption and may not be carried forward or back.
To claim this credit, the adoption must occur in Utah and the child must meet one of the following conditions:

• Be five years of age or older,
• Be under the age of 18 with physical, emotional, or mental disability; or
• Be a member of a sibling group (two or more persons) placed together for adoption.

Note: The requirement that the Utah Division of Child and Family Services have permanent custody of the child has been repealed.
There is no form for this credit. Keep all related documents with your tax records.
So just about HALF of our adoption expense will be reimbursed to us after we file in 2009! What a blessing!!