Get Ready, Get Set, GO......................

Rocky…

After months and months of tons of paperwork, medical tests and waiting, we were thrilled to get the phone call yesterday that we are scheduled for our adoption appointment in Ukraine on Dec 13^th!!

We aren’t sure if Roman and Natasha know that we are officially coming yet and we can’t wait to try and call them tomorrow to tell them.

I don’t know how to pack for Ukraine in the winter. I imagine it will be pretty cold there. Ukraine was formerly part of the former Soviet Union, so I think of Russian winters and Dr Zhivago, ha ha. We had to buy some extra clothes and outerwear for the children to wear for the hearing. Also, other families have asked us to take some gifts over to their kids and this we’ll gladly do. I will have to ask Don to sit on the suitcase for me.

Many things are going through our heads right now, but most of them are all good. We have to organize the mounds of adoption paperwork that we have collected, wrap-up important projects at work, and plan for being out of the house for at least a couple of weeks. We won’t be home for Christmas, but the anticipation of seeing Roman and Natalia’s faces will more than make up for that.  I just can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they see that we are actually there to adopt them and can give them great big hugs….no kisses over the phone..just real kisses and hugs.

The sad thing is that we may miss Christmas with our families here, but on a positive note, we will be trying to spread some cheer among the many orphans at the orphanage. Families who have stayed there have told us how the younger ones will cling to your legs and beg for hugs. Many older children have begged them for the chance to find them a forever family. They don’t want toys or anything else..all they want is a family and a home. In the meantime, I heard they have worn the skin off all the soccer balls at the orphanage, so we are taking a few with us to leave there for them to play with. Also, we purchased some Uno cards, drawing supplies, warm socks and blankets for their beds. I’m sure as their heads hit the pillow tonight, they are all dreaming of the day when they can find a mother and father again to call their own.