We Made it to Ukraine!

On July 18th we received a call from our adoption consultant. She notified us that we had received our appointment date with the SDA (Government office for Children's Services in Ukraine) and an invitation to travel! I was not expecting that call that day because our adoption consultant usually doesn't work on Thursdays or Fridays so if I didn't get a call on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday I stopped expecting to hear from her until the following week. I expected to get the call on our home phone so anytime it rang I got really excited. Most of the time it would be telemarketers because we don't use our home number very much. Such a let down each time. When my cell phone rang on a Friday I didn't expect it to be her so she took me off guard. I was shocked, but super excited about the news! She had called us from her home on her day off which I thought was nice so we didn't have to wait until she went back into work on Monday.

Since that call we have been busy, busy, busy trying to get everything arranged for travel. We were able to secure plane tickets for us and for our family members who are watching our children. James was able to meet with our lawyer to get Power of Attorneys for our caretakers. I was able to complete and order a book that will explain our family and a little bit about our community to our future children. James and I typed up tons of lists to help those taking care of our children and home and pets. We were able to shop for school supplies and clothes for all three boys and register our youngest for kindergarten. Sign up our kids for sports and music and try to complete paperwork for the new school year at each of the schools. We finally found time to pack too! It has been a very busy time, but it has also been amazing to see how many people who are willing to help out while we are gone. So many people have helped us in this process and we want to say thank you to all of you who helped us get here! About a week before we left a new family moved into our area that attends our church. They have adopted two children from Russia and two children from Ukraine. It was awesome to talk to them about what to expect and they gave us great advice! What amazing timing for them to move in!

I'll let my husband post next to fill you in on our travels. Please keep us in your prayers. The next few days we will especially need them!