tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post4869355283034965274..comments2023-05-14T08:06:41.594-05:00Comments on Creating My Own Little Nirvana: An Anya & Orphanage UpdateKerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04886116438383281567noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-56414359698674946112012-02-02T00:07:59.541-05:002012-02-02T00:07:59.541-05:00Thanks Alysa:) I'll be sure to check it out!Thanks Alysa:) I'll be sure to check it out!Kerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04886116438383281567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-43602649726879314502012-02-01T23:24:12.578-05:002012-02-01T23:24:12.578-05:00Hi Keri!!! This has nothing to do with the post......Hi Keri!!! This has nothing to do with the post... I just know that for a long time you have been focusing on eating healthier and thought I would post a website for you to visit -- the green smoothie is the #1 thing she recommends to drink daily, so if you are interested click on that link... she also has other smoothies and tips!! Just thought Id share! I am going to start doing the smoothie daily :)<br /><br />kimberlysnyder.net/blog<br /><br />(or just go to kimberlysnyder.net and click on "read blog" thats where all the good stuff is at :) )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-9949178954011439232012-02-01T23:04:47.543-05:002012-02-01T23:04:47.543-05:00Carmen, my email is kericahill34(at)gmail(dot)com....Carmen, my email is kericahill34(at)gmail(dot)com. <br /><br />We've tried everything youve mentioned and about 1,000 other paths, too. We have left no stone unturned. Nastia is not eligible to sponsor her until she(Nastia) turns 21. Anya cannot be adopted in her home country bc of her age. Anya is nor eligible for a student visa in canada (too long to explain) and we TRIED to get her one in the US over two years ago. The US Embassy higher-ups told us in no uncertain terms that she would never get a visa - student or otherwise -- because of her orphan status. I have spent over $30,000 of my own money over the last 6 years trying to get her home. I have spent over $30,000 of OTHER people's money as well these past 6 years, trying to get her home, supporting her, and trying to adopt her in 06 and 07. I'm so glad you were able to work with immigration to get your husband here, but it is not the same for someone with orphan status. I'm sure your husband has told you about the stigma of orphans in Russia, even once they grow up and are out of the system.<br /><br />It isnt possible to list everything we've done, but in the 75 months since we first found Anya, I have chased down every single possible way of getting her here. I have met with or spoken with or been in conference with over 15 different immigration attorneys. I have petitioned governors and senators and diplomats and presidents. I have started online petitions and letter drives. Senator kert's office alone got so many thousands of letters that they called me and begged me to put a halt to it -- it was interfering with their work. I have inundated immigration and the state dept with letters and phone calls and meetings with 3rd party supporters that work closely with the "Super Powers.'<br /><br />I have exhausted my self financially, physically, emotionally and even sometimes spiritually. Both Anya and myself have come to the point where we are done pushing and begging and fighting. We're worn out. We're all worn out...anya, her sister and me. <br /><br />Our last hope is a medical visa, but Anya is not allowed to leave the country until her court case is over, so if we send in the application and she gets the visa, HER country will now not allow her to leave. so, we wait. We wait until we feel the timing is right to submit the paperwork for the medical visa so that she might get approved AND be able to come. if we apply to early and she gets approved and cannot come, we are at square one again.<br /><br />For now, I try to keep her safe and warm and fed from afar, and we talk as often as possible via skpe. And I ask others to help her by writing her letters, sending cards...anything that will help her to remember she is loved. I hope and pray that is enough for now, because I have nothing left to offer her. My love and my meagre support. God will have to see to the rest:)Kerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04886116438383281567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-90268934612397460952012-02-01T16:13:06.613-05:002012-02-01T16:13:06.613-05:00Keri, I wish I could e-mail you, but I don't s...Keri, I wish I could e-mail you, but I don't see an e-mail link. Have you thought of getting Anya a study visa to Canada? If she gets an undergrad in Canada, she can pretty easily be taken to the US for a master's program, or even for a job. It's possible she could even transfer from a Canadian college to a US college mid-program. <br /><br />Has Nastya considered sponsoring her sister into the US as a close relative, rather than you guys persuing the adopting route? <br /><br />Also, is it even possible at this point that you yourself could live in Russia or Canada for two years, with Anya living with you, so that you can adopt her in her home country, which may qualify her for a visa into the US? This may not be possible any longer because of their ages, but maybe there is a way to do this as a sort of retroactive adoption (if you qualify with the two-year live-in requirement) since you applied for her adoption when she was still of-age. It's possible you could even live on the border US side, while she lives close to the border Canadian-side, and then you can see each other very very often. <br /><br />My husband is from Russia, and we have done a lot of juggling to make his immigration to the US and Canada work. <br /><br />e-mail me if you care to. this is my e-mail (minus spaces): cokhmatov (at) gmail (dot) com<br /><br />blessings - <br />carmenCarmen O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02931290672385490614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-57897597910826019392012-01-30T22:44:10.495-05:002012-01-30T22:44:10.495-05:00It's hard. It's so, so hard.
When I hear...It's hard. It's so, so hard. <br /><br />When I heard about children aging out of the orphanages at 16 and what their lives would be like, I was so heartsore. Then I met my girls who were 10 and 11. Now, THOSE are the 16 year olds who are out on the street and my heart, oh, my heart is in a million pieces.katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01981791168464858869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-11959396138882910362012-01-30T22:17:59.275-05:002012-01-30T22:17:59.275-05:00Interesting photos, esp. of graduation. Looks lik...Interesting photos, esp. of graduation. Looks like the Thanksgiving feast was plentiful. I hope to get my little card/package out to Anya this week.hoonewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00077170160087493334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29308661.post-74089608377112329342012-01-30T18:34:02.833-05:002012-01-30T18:34:02.833-05:00Oh how frustrating. I'm very glad that Anna i...Oh how frustrating. I'm very glad that Anna is living in a better situation. I would love to know if the Orphanage got the two boxes we sent for Christmas Time. I hope they got them! Lots of candy, toys etc. How is your adoption going? Thinking of you!kohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06384283028899954661noreply@blogger.com