When all the paperwork becomes real, surreal

It seemed like ages since we began our adoption process in Russia - we actually began our home study in January 2005 - but it never was really a problem because it was all just paperwork. Once we finished the paperwork and it arrived in Russia, that's when it first occurred to me that there were actually two children who were alive, living in a Russian orphanage, who would be joining our household as our son and daughter.

And then came the photos in August. Then it became real.

They had faces. They had names. And, if all goes well, they will be our son and daughter.

I don't think it's set in yet. Maybe not until we visit them. Or maybe not until we bring them home.

It's a little surreal.