What we've been doing while waiting for dates.

Well we got a chance to talk to K & B again. This time it was 1:00 am our time and we were able to talk for a much longer time. This time it was pre-set for a designated time. We were told that when Magdelena (the woman at the orphanage)went in to get Kasia & Bartek from their rooms for the phone call, they were already awake, dressed and waiting. Awww.

Kasia & Bartek talking to Us.








The orphanage staff is taking all the kids to the Mountains for a vacation. They'll leave 7/15 and take a train overnight and arrive on 7/16. Kasia & Bartek are very excited to go. When Bartek mentioned they would be going fishing, Jeff said it sounded like fun and he wished he could go too. Bartek said "Ok, come on over and go". Awww.

We're going to call one last time Tuesday morning (7 am our time) before they go on their trip.

The only somewhat discerning thing we were told was that they're a little confused as to what's taking so long for us to get back and get them. They're not sure if the 2 1/2 weeks we spent together was all or will we be back. Very discerning to us. We reassured them we will be there to get them as soon as we can but that we're waiting for our attorney Agnieszka to give us our dates. They remembered Agnieszka and this put them more at ease.

Bartek & Kasia keeping busy while waiting for mom & dad




I too have been keeping busy. I went on a fun filled shopping spree to buy some clothes and shoes for the kids, thanks to the generosity of our friends and the many target gift cards we received at the shower thrown for me by our friend Wendy. (Shh I still have to get my thank you notes out).

I also got Bartek's bedroom painted. But still have to paint their bathroom and decide on a color for Kasia's room.


Bartek's Room Before



Bartek's Room After

Do you want the good news first, or the bad?

It's amazing how we're expected to jump thru hoops but our judge can make a mistake and not feel any obligation to correct it.

As you may have guessed, I'm leading with the bad news. Our judge was given a 3x5 index card with the exact spelling of how we wanted our kids names to be listed on their new birth certificates. We wanted to keep their original birth first names and give them middle names that meant something to us. So what does the judge do? She gives them the middle names as their first names. When our attorney received the adoption decree, she talked to the judge and was told the judge made a mistake but if we wanted it corrected it would require another court hearing date which would be set for who knows when, hence causing another delay! Ugh! Why can't she just change it? If we leave it as is, it will be filed on their new birth certificates in their birth town and we'd have to incur additional costs to get it changed once the kids are home. And in the meantime I have only a few days to enroll the kids on my health insurance and their school registration would be all wrong! Once again, UGH! I don't know anymore, I think this is just the straw that broke the camels back and I'm loosing it! Sorry for the venting.

On the plus side, we stayed up until 11:30 pm last night so that we could call Poland and talk to Bartek & Kasia. Bartek was the most talkative and even that was yes & no answers. We did have the help of our new friend Michael, to act as interpreter. So it wasn't like Bartek didn't understand. I think it was more that it was 7:30 am over there and he was still sleepy. Kasia on the other hand wouldn't talk because, we were told later, she got too emotional and started crying. She was so happy that we called but sad that we weren't together. Isn't that bittersweet. I want my babies home!

Feeling back to Normal

We've been home now for 8 days, and I'm starting to feel normal again. Not so much jetlag that my bedtime was messed up, more just tired during the day.

Today we tried to call Bartek for his 11th birthday (it was 8:30 am Colorado time and 4:30 pm Poland time). However we never got an answer from Poland's end. Bummer! I miss those little rugrats!!!

Our new friend Michael is going to continue calling throughout the day and try to set up an appointed time as to when we can call. I guess we won't be calling Poland too often. Maybe snailmail is the way to go.

We hope to hear this week what our next travel dates are going to be. We'll keep you "Posted".

A few more photos

Kasia at water's edge



Bartek & Kasia waiting



Bartek in the Indoor Playground

We are blessed!

I cannot believe how God has blessed us and put so many Polish people in our path. My husband's doctor is from Poland and now wants him and the kids to call him Uncle. I have a friend who is from Poland, who has a small daughter and wants to have play dates so our kids can help each other with their Polish/English. My sister-in-law's husband's co-worker is from Poland and has offered to help us with translation once the kids come home. And today my boss met with a new customer and happened to mention I was adopting from Poland, only to find out this customer is from Poland and has offered to meet us and give us any help we might need. He's already emailed me. WOW, God is so good to us!

May you all believe and be as blessed as we are.

Another favorite photo

I couldn't put this one on earlier because we had used a disposable camera at the beach. I'm hoping Jeff can do a watercolor of this picture.

It's so good to get back home and hear English again!

The countdown begins for trip two as we wait for dates.

Houston we've got contact!

We have photos!

So here are a few photos, I'm not going to write much, maybe just label the pictures. They're not in any order either. Can't wait to get home and show ALL the pictures I have.

Bartek & Kasia on their go-karts.




One of my favorites of Bartek & Kasia.




A comfy cozy morning of Kasia watching cartoons.




Sleeping in after a night with a toothache.




Our little Diva!





Our World Champion Soccer Player!




Bartek wants to be like Jeff in every way. He even told the court psychologist he thought he looked like Jeff.





Our first day at the pool.




My happy little family! (this was taken in front of the Viking ship that we took a ride on)





For years and years I prayed and prayed for children. After the first day I got here I had a few moments of panic when it finally hit me as to what we were actually doing here in Poland and I said, Oh My God what have I gotten myself into. Then I spent time with the kids and all their energy and I thought, Oh My God what have I gotten myself into. But after the 2 1/2 weeks with Bartek & Kasia I thought, Oh My God thank you for answering my prayers and sending me these two beautiful children and making us a family!

This will be my last entry until after we get home late on 6/20th.

Thank you again to all our friends and family and fellow bloggers, who have kept us in their prayers and sent encouraging comments.

God Bless,
Debbie