Crazy in Utah

We're working crazy hard in Utah trying to get things ready.  Regretfully, working on our Polish has not been a part of it yet.  When we got to Poland this last time, I realized how much I needed to work on it more.  Magda was great to translate some key parent phrases like: "you're not allowed", "no more", and "not now".  We're picking out furniture, reorganizing all the closets, painting their room, and looking forward to kid showers.  We'll post more pictures later!

Poland

I don't know if it is jet lag or the short time we've spent with the kids, but I'm exhausted!  We met the kids today after a meeting with all the officials.  I surprise a few people by how young I am.  They sized me up that I would be best at running after the kids, and boy were they right!  The meetings went well.  For the second meeting, we saw their bedroom, play rooms, and bath room.  We brought toys (they liked), bubbles (they loved!), and stuffed animals (they wouldn't touch).  They were happiest when we were tossing them in the air and playing with them.  We heard some tears and saw the other side too!  I wonder what they tell them exactly besides that we're here to visit them.  I did realized that we missed their snack time and that would explain some behavior at trying to get out the door.  We'll have to keep their schedule.  They sure like cookies and sugar!  Bribing power!  We look forward to a couple more visits before we leave.  Here are some pictures!

ACCEPTED REFERRAL!

I didn't believe I would say that for a while.  We have accepted a referral for 2 kids.  There is Damian who will be 3 next month, and Natalia who will be 5 in September.  I haven't met them yet, but I'm already losing sleep!

I guess it was one of those quick offers, but it's perfect for us.  We received the referral after a quick call from Lina asking if we would be interested.  Of course, we said yes.  It only took us a day, quick trip to a pediatrician, and lots of prayer to feel it was a miracle.  Now we have bought our first plane tickets to Poland.  We meet our kids in less than 10 days I think!  I can't believe it's here.  They are absolutely adorable.

This is my son!
Here is my daughter!

So I have a list of questions to ask about background, parents, and current routines.  We're bringing 2 blankets, 2 stuffed animals, and photo books of the families.  Lina said they could keep these things with them to help remember us and feel closer.  Any more ideas?  We figured we'd wash the blankets and stuffed animals in our laundry detergent and spray our cologne to help smell memories.  I have even thought slinkies.  Call me crazy, but I read in "Parenting Internationally Adopted Children" that it can help the concept of away and back.  Just a reminder that we will come back for them.  What do you think?  I appreciate all input from those who have gone before us and those to yet go.  Thanks so much for your friendship and support.  I hope our experiences help lift the spirits of those waiting as those before us helped us.  

Off to Poland!

Our dossier is complete, approved by our agency, and mailed off to Poland.  It feels good to join those in waiting.  I just hope it goes reasonably quick as I'm sure everyone else does too!  Off to craft!

Not Quite Waiting Yet

We are getting all of our documents sent off to be apostilled.  Maybe my excitement was a little too early.  We are not quite waiting yet.  Our major discouragement is with getting a police clearance apostilled in Germany.  Adoption clearances are harder when you have lived in multiple states or countries after the age of 18.  Who knew?  Germany is no longer apostilling documents for people outside of Germany.  Any ideas?  Scott and our agency are exploring options such as talking to the German consulate.  Hopefully our paperwork will be apostilled in two weeks.  I will keep you posted. 

I asked for a new timeline for waiting.  Our agency SMIA, told me it is about 2-3 months to get translated and get in line for a referral, and then realistically 2 months after that for a referral.  We were hoping for quicker!  I guess everyone wants it to be quicker!  We've waited so long for our little ones, and any longer just seems hard.  Does anyone know if 2 kids is faster nowadays?  I heard it was, and then last year it wasn't.  I was just wondering.  I guess I can put it on my question list for my agency! 

Thanks for all your well wishes!  Just seeing other adoption successes and hearing about referrals makes me happy and gives me hope.  Thanks for all your posts.

CIS approval

We received our CIS approval from the government to bring two children into the United States.  It was our last big paper to receive.  Two days later, we drove to our social worker's house to pick up our Utah clearances that he hadn't mailed back yet.  Now we are going to get our copies notarized with affidavits.  Then we are off to get everything apostilled by the secretary of state.  And finally, everything will be sent to POLAND!  


It is exciting to be so close to be at the waiting period.  I've got a few crafts for the kids to keep me busy.  I always love to sew and crochet.  I've done a few blankets over the years, but I only have one boy blanket.  I keep thinking I need to be prepared for one of each or two of each.  I have many girl blankets because that is what we requested at first, but now it is totally open to hopefully decrease waiting time.  Also, I'm making a play house out of material to cover our card table.  I've made them for my nephews and niece, and they absolutely loved them.  I'll have to post a picture when I'm finished.  I'm making hand puppets with different emotions on the front.  My hope is that our kids will be able to relate and learn to express how their feeling with the puppets.  I would love to add more projects to my list, but that will be enough to keep my busy for a couple of months.  If anyone has ideas for home made generic toys/needs for kids under 6, I would love to hear them.  


We are still working with Rosetta Stone.  I've started learning how to count at the end of Level 1.  I think it will come in handy.  Scott is busy with school work for his masters so he isn't quite as far.  On the radio today, they were asking for parents to call in if their kids spoke another language other than English.  They wanted to show how diverse the population was, I think.  I just thought...  my kids speak Polish!  I hope they try to remember their Polish because we're striving to learn it to use with them.  It would be a fun family bond if we spoke Polish together.


Scott and I have decided to make one last quick trip while we can.  Our paperwork is almost over, and it's a small celebration.  Soon we'll be leaving for Washington DC for a few days.  It's one place that I haven't visited.  We have three whole days to pack in as much as we can.  Scott and I love history, and we thought we'd slip in it before Poland.  We'll have to bring the kids when they're older and studying it in school.


I'll write again once everything is sent off to Poland.  Thanks for your comments!

Wow! It's been a long time!

This year has been full of surprises and curve-balls.  My husband was laid off at his job in April.  Therefore our finished home study had to be updated with our new information.  I continue to work more hours at Dyslexia Center.  Scott applied and got into a master's teaching program.  He was able to take a difficult situation and turn it into fulfilling a life long dream.  I'm so proud of him.  In December on 2011, if all goes well, he should graduate a teacher for grades 7-12 in social sciences.  


We are still on the track of adopting up to two beautiful children from Poland.  We increased our age limit to increase our chances of getting two.  Although the postponement from the summer drama, we have mailed off our i-800 to the CIS for approval.  We are scheduled to get fingerprints done on Tuesday.  I hope it doesn't take long to get the approval after that.  They've had it for two or three weeks now.  


Just waiting to hear back from our social worker, working on perfecting the documents to be apostilled (approved and verified), and reading my Parenting Internationally Adopted Children mommy guide.  It is really interesting and fascinating to read.  My goal is to be equipped to handle the hardest problems and hope for the best.  I need to get back into the Rosetta Stone and practice my Polish some more.  I've almost finished book 1 of 3.   


I think the hardest part is not knowing what to expect and not being able to prepare for it.  I keep wanting to buy things to get rooms ready, but my loving husband reminds me to wait.  I just keep a notebook full of ideas on packing lists, things for their rooms, and everything else that pops into my head.  It is all very exciting, and I love all the support and enthusiasm from all my friends and family that surround me.  You would think that they're getting the child(ren)!  


I hope this updates all our friends all over the United States that were wondering.  Sorry it's been so long.  There's been ups and downs, and it didn't help that I forgot my password!  Thanks for all your help and love.