Suspension of dossier processing?

As they say in the newscasts, "This just in ...":

Joint Council confirms the suspension of dossier processing by the Kazakhstan Embassy and Consulates pending the finalization of a review of adoption cases by the Kazakhstan government. The following represents our understanding of the suspension. The suspension of dossier processing by the Kazakhstan Embassy/Consulate is effective immediately.

Right after I read this, I rec'd word from my agency coordinator that they have rec'd no official word regarding suspensions. Who knows? This adoption stuff is not for the faint of heart ...

Mother's Day?!?

I got a letter from Borya yesterday, and this is part of what he wrote:

We had a Mother's Day event. I played on stage. All the teachers liked it. Aleksey made photos from the concert. I congratulate you, dear mother on this Mother's day. And I wish you love, health and happiness.

WTF?!? What kind of sick, twisted place celebrates Mother's Day at an ORPHANAGE?

Happy Birthday!

Borya celebrated his 13th birthday yesterday (3/11)! I'm hoping and praying that his next birthday will be celebrated in his home, surrounded by his family all singing to him, with a sloppy, homemade cake and flickering candles on the table in front of him.

Snags

Well, we sent our dossier out a month ago, but it still hasn't been sent to the Kazakhstan consulate yet. Some of the issues include needing new medical clearances since the old ones have expired by now, needing our social worker's diploma translated from Latin to English before it can then be translated to Russian (have you ever?!), and other piddly things like that. And we're hearing things about the Kaz consulate that are leaving us worried about major delays. Apparently, their whole staff turned over, and the new staff wants things done differently, and they're taking much longer to grant approvals. All we can hope is that if there are delays in the consulate, that our dossier will pass though the ministries quickly so this delay doesn't hurt us too badly.

Tips on learning to read?

If any of you have brought home an older, school-aged child, I would love to learn what you did to teach your child to read English. I know learning to speak and comprehend English will come pretty quickly, but since Borya will be 13 when he arrives home, and starting school a few months later, I wasn't sure of the best way to get him reading. Any of you out there that have "been there/done that? If so, I would love to hear from you ...