January Update.

Happy New Year! I know this is a bit late, but a lot is going on to prepare for the trip that is coming up. We feel like we have become hermits and are socially inept. For those that we have not spoken with, we apologize and hope you understand. It is not because we do not love you, we're just all consumed getting things ready. Therefore this entry will be full of major events updates, leanings and the "holly *&^!&*^#@!&^ this is going to happen" information. I will tell you right now, Lara will not like the expletive in the body of this paragraph so you can have ill feelings toward me for it, but not her.

Two major updates are: 1) Change of plans/expectation! 2) Lots of prep work. I'll leave number 1 until the end so you have to read it all.

First: We have been busy getting things ready. We are refinishing two rooms so we can fit all of our growing clan into the house, getting things ready for our house sitters so they are comfortable during their stay, buying everything in sight for our child's arrival, arranging travel, buying gifts for the people helping us in the Ukraine, and arranging work absence plans and completing our work projects. I know I am missing something, but there is a lot of activity which is the reason we have been so out of pocket. We still have to refinish a bedroom upstairs and buy furniture. I don't know how it will all get done, but I feel better thinking that Lara will be returning to the U.S. before me and that will give us (her) time to prep any last minute stuff.

Second: Our adventure just got longer. We received a letter in December after my last post that detailed the program, timeline, and what to expect. Great to receive, but it certainly made me think...."Gee, that sounds different from what we received last summer". We chose to be calm and talk with the agency (remember the "patience" definition in prior posts?) before jumping to conclusions. When Lara called, we were told to wait until a few weeks before we leave.... patience ended right there. We forced a meeting that occurred a few weeks back. Long story short, we should expect an additional 4 weeks in the Ukraine to complete our adoption. In accordance with the definition of "patience" out lined previously, and my newly acquired skill set, I decide to incorporate this into the bucket of an opportunity to learn more about the Ukraine and Ukrainian culture. SO....... now we re-coordinated with our family to cover for us here in Minnesota, pulled in more resources, re-tooled our expectations about the "journey"'s process and are now back on track. A five weeker, is now a nine weeker. So now in addition to Norman and Maxine, Clarke and Jane will now be spending some incredibly wonderful quality time in the ice bowl. Lara will be coming home early to conserve leave time just after our court hearing, and Scott (me) will spend two months in the Ukraine with 18 days alone in the former Russian republic. Party. Now, keep in mind that this schedule is the worst case scenario so we may be able to complete everything in the originally understood 5 weeks, but we are not planning on it.

We spoke with a couple in Toronto that worked with our coordinator and physician in the Ukraine. The conversation was good in that they had glowing reviews for the two individuals with whom we will be putting our fates in their hands. Additionally, we got a lot of questions answered with a completely different point of view. This conversation made us feel better about the process and understand it better. Good to do. (Thank you!)

Now that all of this is out in the open for your digestion, we find ourselves incredibly excited! Believe it or not.

Admittedly, we are more than a bit fearful of the trip and the process. Through all of this, we continue to keep in view the end point where we have a beautiful new addition to our family and more love in the house than ever. This vision keeps us moving forward in a positive direction regardless of the distractions that could inevitably derail us. We continue to think about the fact that our new child is already alive and out there, waiting for our loving arms.