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

Some sad news and exciting steps. But still, getting closer!

So this last week was a little sad when we found out our priest was transferring to another parish. We love Father and he was excellent with my son when he did his first reconciliation and first communion this year. Still, he requested the move because his parents are getting older and he wanted to be closer to them- can't fault him for that. It does prove rather challenging though since we need him to fill our one of the references we need before he leaves at the end of July. He's got alot on his plate and although I'm sure he'll happily do it, I just want to make sure its done before he goes. Can you say control freak? Yep, I do have that tendency- lol.

On a brighter note, we received our pack from Lina with the reference and medical forms so that is exciting! Since we are both in the medical profession, getting the tests and exams done will be pretty easy and the references are going out to reliable friends. So I'm not worried about that part at all. I actually kinda like this busy work stuff and filling out forms (I know, freak!! lol). Also, our new passports arrived- yay! And holy cow are those things ultra-cool now or what?! The electronic chip thing is pretty awesome and the way they are more counterfeit-proof is funky! Still, a major relief to have them in our possession in such a short time. One step closer, one step closer!

Happy 4th of July!!

Far and away, one of my fave holidays! I mean Christmas and the others are great, but for some reason I have always LOVED celebrating the 4th! The flags, fireworks, bands, parades, and overall celebration of FREEDOM- I totally love it! Add in a little breakfast at Wimbledon (I know, English but still a part of the day) and a baseball game and it is perfect!

It also seems to be more exciting this year since we have started our adoption journey. I now find myself looking at the different elements and part of our history and thinking about what we will teach our new son/daughter about US history. I loved a video link another adoption blogger posted that listed the Polish Constitution of 1791 as the second most important such act in the world- right behind the US! There is such a rich history from Poland and I feel like I want to absorb it like a sponge; yet, I also look forward to the day I can teach my other child about his/her new country and the attributes that make us unique and special. But since I can't teach that lesson yet, today I will celebrate the awesome heritage we have as Americans and all the events that led to the formation of our great country- Happy 4th of July everyone!!

We made 4th of July Bald Eagle Marshmallow Treats to celebrate!!

How many times can I sign my name and not make a mistake?

Turns out...a bunch! :) So, today we finished our agency contract and got it all notarized (and yes, we are buying our notary dinner for all her hard work!). Half way through the 80 some odd pages, I began to wonder whether I would mess up signing my name. Why you ask? I mean, of course I know how to spell it, but writing it over and over repetitively felt like I was setting myself up for a major gaff on these important papers. And, well, the concerns were valid since about 4 months ago I signed my maiden name on a check out of the blue (and we have been married 12 years!)! Why? I have no idea! At least I spelled it right- lol! Happily, none of us made spelling mistakes and we got it completed and ready to mail. At this point, and a bit of money later, we become officially on the agency's grid and one step closer to our waiting child. I'm excited to finish yet another step in the journey and move on to finishing the home study etc. Here we come!

A Sign?

So this weekend we went to Philadelphia for two reasons: 1) because I was graduating with my master's degree in nursing; and 2) to see the cool historical stuff. . Ok, so anyway, while we were waiting in line for our tour of Independence Hall (awesome!) this gi-normous foreign tour group of about 60 people comes up and literally surrounds us. We were basically encircled! They were speaking a foreign language and it was rather chaotic and confusing (with them all talking on top of each other in the group). It was also very hard to tell where they were from UNTIL..... a woman said "excuse me" in POLISH! That's right: Przepraszam! Right when she said it and stepped behind me, I looked immediately at my husband and said with wide eyes "Oh my goodness, they're Polish." He said "No way, seriously?" I was, and realized I knew this from the one and only Polish lesson I have taken so far! Weird, huh?! Then another woman behind us said "Do you know Polish?" and I told her no but we were learning. They totally loved that! They were the nicest people (a Polish tour group from Toronto of all places) and so very interested in our country's history, I was really touched. But when the tour was over, I looked at my husband and he looked at me and we both realized we had just had a Bill Engvall moment- Here's your sign! Isn't life funny? lol

Passports, away!

Today we are getting our passport renewals together and also filling out a new one for our son, who will be traveling with us. It is something we have needed to take care of anyway, but this new decision has pushed us to actually do it (we tend to procrastinate on some things...lol). The sad thing is that as I look at the passport forms, I just know that the upcoming adoption forms in the near future will be even more intricate, complicated, and...well... you know. Still, I feel like we are taking a step in the right direction and that in itself is exciting! Passports, away!

Its happening!

Well, we've made our decision and we are definitely going ahead full steam. Today we officially filled out our agency application and have gathered all the documents they require. It didn't take too long since we still had alot of them in a folder. We also have contacted our fantastic friends who have agreed to serve as our references. We are so blessed to have all these people in our lives! They are such wonderful parents and we love raising our children together. Tomorrow, we get the documents notarized (easy, since work has a notary on site), write the check (ok- I'll do that tonight actuallly, lol), and then put it all in the mail!