God is good and He continues to open doors quicker than we expect throughout this process. After lots of researching we compiled a list of potential housing for Katerina and her son Nevelle. We had a jam-packed weekend and didn't expect to even begin calling places until Monday (today). We were also told by Jennifer at Little Angels to prepare for lots of rejection. Most transitional/community housing have long waiting lists or they don't accept children older than an infant. We figured we'd have our work cut out for us. But... on Friday while I was at work and Zach was home studying, he decided to take a break from the books and make a small dent in the list of phone calls. Low and behold, he found a place that was able and ready to take in Katerina and her son right away!! We were SO grateful. It's a Catholic-based maternity home in Merced (abt. 2 hours south of where we live), run by a wonderful couple who have a passion for helping homeless pregnant women. They help them get their lives back on track and counsel/train them for motherhood. In Katerina's situation though, they are completely on board with affirming her decision for adoption. The couple has actually adopted two children of their own so they understand our side completely.
We are currently waiting on paperwork from them to send on to Katerina so we can get her ready to move. As soon as the paperwork is filled out and her place in the home is reserved, we'll move her out here (we're hoping by Thursday or Friday of this week). They'll help Katerina get on welfare, and her "rent" will be approximate one third of what she receives from welfare. We'll cover this cost for her. Her food will be taken care of by the home and she'll be placed on MediCal so her medical costs will be covered as well. We'll continue to pay for her cell phone, but that's basically it.
We've spoken to Katerina about our plan of action and she's very willing to make the transition. She told us she really doesn't have anybody out there in Maryland (which broke our hearts) and that we've already done so much for her that she'll do whatever we'd like her to do. She's been enjoying good sleep and hot showers in the hotel we've put her in, and she said our baby continues to "kick, punch and jump" in her tummy. She said it felt like "popcorn popping in her tummy." :-) Based on this information alone, Zach is convinced it's a boy. :-)
