Leaving US Soil

Well our bags are packed and we are more than ready to go!  Our flight leaves in 10 hours and I'm trying to unwind so I can get some sleep.  I am someone who usually does not use an alarm to wake up-even at 5 a.m.  We are leaving tomorrow at 3:45 a.m.  We are setting 3 alarms!  I won't sleep well because I will be worried that the alarms won't go off and we'll miss our flight!  

I want to thank my good friend, Lea, for taking us to the airport so early.  What a pal!

We should be in Ukraine by Friday night around 11 our time.  I will try to post by Sat. night.

Thanks

We picked up a dresser tonight from my friend Barbara's house.  It belonged to her daughter and now they want our daughter to enjoy it.  It is white washed and has pretty flowers painted on the drawers.  It's so girly!!!  It is already in her room and it fits perfectly!  Thanks, Babs.

What would a dresser be without clothes to put in it?  I want to thank Jan and her daughter, Samantha, for the hand-me-downs that now fill the drawers.  We appreciate  your thoughtfulness and generosity.  

And thanks, too, to all you that have sent your positive thoughts and prayers our way.  

Just Thinking

I am sitting here unable to sleep.  I have spent the past days shopping, packing, and organizing. I lay awake at night thinking about minute details.  I am a person who likes to have control over a situation.  The things I can control-what to pack, exchanging money, making lists for people who are helping out with the house and pets while we're gone-I am attacking those with zeal.  It keeps me from pondering what a leap of faith this whole process is.  Every so often my head clears and I think about what I have little control over.  I don't know what region we will end up in Ukraine until we get there.  I don't know how long we'll be there.  I don't know her name or face.  With all the unknowns, you'd think a control freak like myself would be stressed. Instead, I feel most at peace when I think about the unknowns.  It's because I feel like she has already been chosen for us and we just have to enjoy our journey to her.  I used to think that it's so great that she has no idea her life is about to change dramatically.  That it would be so wonderful to see the look on her face when she realized she was being adopted.    A friend told me that she said a prayer that our little girl would know peace from now until she's adopted. Peace in knowing that she will soon be a part of a family.  I love that!  I'd much rather see the look of expectancy on her face when she meets us-I knew you'd come.

Preparing for the Trip

Well, it's finally happening.  We are leaving for Ukraine on August 1 to adopt a girl 6-9 years old.  I am busily getting things in order and making all the arrangements.  Mike, Brynn, Viktor, and I will travel to Kiev and then let the process take us where it will.  We are prepared to go with the flow and enjoy the unknown adventure before us.  In the end, we will come home with the little girl who is meant to be a part of our family.  I will post as often as possible so as to keep you informed of the whole journey.  Please pray for us.