We got "WYO'ed", but are finally home again!

Well, we just returned from a wonderful vacation at a ranch in Wyoming. There is nothing like the peace and solitude of being in a cell-free zone for an entire week. Couple that with the beauty of the Big Horn Mountains, fantastic horses, fly-fishing, and friendly people and well, its as near to paradise as I can imagine. This is the second oldest dude ranch int he country and it has hosted and continues to host loads of famous people, who are just seeking rest and peace like all of us.

The horseback riding is the central activity and we went out wrangler-free alot this year since we are familiar with the trails from having come a number of times. Our son rode even better than last year and we had 3 fabulous horses: Russia (my American Bashir- think dreadlocks for a mane and a curly coat); Scotty for my son (about the most trustworthy animal alive); and Miller for my Wisconsin-bred husband (could that be any more appropriate? lol). We met wonderful people from all over the world and saw some friends from previous years as well.

We even went to a professional rodeo while there- awesome! Of course, again, we found ourselves thinking and talking about how great it will be to take this annual trip with our second child waiting for us in Poland. We can't wait to share this beautiful state and awesome ranch with him/her too!

As for the nitty-gritty of the adoption process, we have happily completed our references and medical exams and have sent away or received our passports and birth/marriage certificate copies. We were so happy and blessed our priest that is leaving took the time to fill this out because we just adore him and really wanted to have him as a part of this. But better yet, we just found out that the agency is "all in" for us to use Ann, the social worker we used previously for a domestic adoption (that quest ended because of the birth mother flat out lying to us and our adoption attorney etc we just decided to go another route- loooong story). Anyway, we are thrilled to be able to work with Ann since she won't have to update much on us and we won't be starting over fresh with someone that doesn't know us. If only everything else in life worked as smooth .

As we start looking down the road, I am seriously contemplating getting a credit card that will allow us to start securing miles for upgrades etc. Even if we keep it for a year or two, I think it could help and why not, right? Anyone with suggestions out there please feel free to share. :) Also, for those who have traveled to Poland already- what airlines did you use from the US and would you use it again? We would be flying out of either Charlotte or Atlanta, but can adjust as necessary obviously.

So as we continue to decompress from a va-ca at 5300 ft (the altitude change is challenging!) we look forward to the next couple of months preparing our dossier etc. School starts up soon again for us, so we are in those last precious weeks of summer. Hope everyone's is going great as well!

-L