They Are On Their Way Home!!

Yet again, I have to apologize for being lax in keeping up with my blogging.  I have done lots of updates on Facebook, but there just never seems to be the time to sit down here and compose my thoughts and pictures the way I would like, so I put it off.

But I must now because there is some exciting news to share!  Our children will soon be coming home!!!!!!  We are finally in the last stage of this adoption process.  The medical appointments have been completed, the visa appointment was held at the Embassy, and they are due to pick up their visas tomorrow afternoon!  The flights are booked people!

On Saturday afternoon my husband, daughter and two newest children should be touching down on American soil, making Bronwyn and Leo official American citizens!!!  We are so thrilled that this time is finally here!

Everything these past couple weeks has been going very well.  Tim and Schuyler waited out the required 10 day waiting period until the children were officially ours.  Then he and our facilitator did the mad scramble last Friday to run to the cities of our childrens' births to have their birth certificates changed.  It was very exciting to see the new ones, with their new name of  Rowe!  Such a momentous occasion.

The official court decree!!!!!!

The plaque outside the office where you get the birth certificates.  Notice the parents holding the child

One of the buildings where they got the birth certificate

The statue of Stalin in Bronwyn's hometown of Saki

Leo's hometown, Konstitushya

Waiting.....waiting.....  It was a long day.

Bronwyn's new birth certificate!!

Leo's new birth certificate!!


After that, the children were released to Tim's custody.  He said that although they were going to miss their friends at the orphanage, they were very happy and very relieved to say goodbye to that lonely place that had been their home for years.  Home being used in its loosest term.

Watching movies in Russian!

He had a lot of fun with them during their last couple weeks there!  They had to go shopping for some new clothes as they were not allowed to bring much of anything with them,  Bronwyn loves her new coat and boots!

He also brought Leo for a haircut, and got one himself while he was there  :)  They got to go exploring a bit and headed to the park across the street from our apartment with some friends we know who are also there adopting two wonderful teenage boys!  Between that and checking out some new restaurants, and finding some movies in Russian to download and watch, they have been biding their time chomping at the bit to come home!

Our friends the Hamiltons who are adopting two amazing teenagers

Bumper cars anyone??

The very cool park!

Taking pictures.  Of course!

The boys are going to do some target shooting!

Ah the smiles of a boy with a gun.  Hmm....  They were only shooting targets though :)

Leo got a little haircut with Papa the other day!

Before they left, Tim was able to organize a class party for each of them which was very fun!  He brought cakes and juices got to take a few pictures of them eating and having a good time.  He also brought flowers and chocolates to the director and social worker at the orphanage, and chocolates for the kids' teachers.  He said he has more pictures of their official " Gotcha Day" and I will post some of those once I get them.

The weather over there has changed dramatically since I left too!  The streets of Kiev are covered in snow.  I love the snow, but I am petrified of slipping and falling.  So it is probably better that Tim is completing this last leg of the trip instead of me  ;)  They don't clear their sidewalks or steps or streets for that matter over there, so I would probably be on my behind in a millisecond!  :)

This street was where we had our first apartment when we traveled for our first trip to adopt Charlotte and Atticus.  Ahhh memories!  It wasn't covered in snow though!

Here it was before!  BIG difference!

He has defected!  ;)

So now, we wait.  They are scheduled to pick up their visas tomorrow at 2pm.  Then around 4am on Saturday they will head to the airport and begin the long journey home.  Lots to do before they arrive!  Like clean, clean, clean, bake, and clean!!  Just kidding, we are pretty much ready.  I do want to bake a few "welcome home" treats for them though  :)  CAN"T WAIT!!!!!