Travel Dates!!!

We have a couple other posts in the 'Draft' folder BUT we couldn't resist letting everyone know that we got a call today with our travel dates!!! This is amazing because we haven't even had our court date yet. They schedule travel dates after the court date to ensure that everything goes smoothly with your case but apparently they are very confident with our case because they assigned us dates and gave us the go-ahead to buy our tickets.

We will fly out July 30 and arrive in Varna on the 31st. First thing on August 1st we will go to the orphanage to pick up our kids!! We will then immediately fly to Sofia at noon (just us and kids...yikes!) for the rest of the week (appointments with doctors, the US Embassy, etc. etc.). We will arrive back on American soil (after 3 long flights) on August 6th. The nerves are setting in!

Unfortunately we will be there one week AFTER their second birthday but what a way to celebrate our 9th Anniversary (August 3rd)...as a FAMILY!

More updates to come about things that have been going on and on our preparations!

Toddler Shower: The Pennsylvania Edition

Back-to-back weekend flights to the north resumed as we both flew up to PA for another toddler shower, this one at Joes’ parents house!  Lots of people in attendance from Joes family, childhood church, and some of his high school friends!  It was an awesome time of celebration and having the opportunity to show everyone pictures and videos of the kids (of course in all reality many of them had already seen the pictures Joes mom carries around!).  It was another short trip (Friday night to Sunday afternoon) but it was a  great time and we take every opportunity we can to see our niece and nephew (you of course their parents! :) ).  Thanks to all for the wonderful presents and celebration.  It was physically impossible to manipulate everything in the suitcases this time but Joes parents were on their way to FL in a couple weeks so the rest was delivered to our door!

Toddler Shower: The New York Edition

We’ve been so humbled by the generosity and excitement of our friends and family as we all wait for the homecoming of Madison and Jonathon. In the beginning of May Myra flew up to Syracuse for a weekend because her mom hosted a toddler shower! It was a great day with family and friends and so exciting to start to prepare with things we need for the kids.

Of course the fun started even before the shower when Myra’s aunts and grandma sent a double stroller to us in St. Petersburg! We love it! Now we just have to figure out how to fit it through doorways! This on top of the diapers, toilet seats, and car seats family and friends have purchased is such a wonderful surprise and blessing.

The real challenge came in getting everything back home but with empty suitcases packed inside of empty suitcases on the way (think of those wooden Russian dolls) and Myras superior packing skills it all made it back. Of course when she emptied it all out in the living room to show Joe, he about fainted from the overwhelming realization of everything we need for the kids (and will our house be big enough!?!?)

Court Date Scheduled!

You might think we are a little behind with updates, but the sad part is...there weren't any updates to be posted! We are hoping to add some posts soon with pictures from the wonderful 'toddler showers' our friends and family have been having for us, and some the 'nesting' that is going on around the house. But in the meantime, we FINALLY have a court date scheduled!!

July 4, 2011 will be the court date. Obviously not as soon as we would like, but at least we have a date. We are praying this next 2 weeks goes by quickly.

Whats Next: After the court there is a one week period for people to contest the courts decision. Then, provided we passed court (they oftentimes ask for additional information and postpone the decision), and no one contests the adoption, it takes 2-3 more weeks to issue new birth certificates and the court decree. Once those documents are issued we can travel to pick up Madison and Jonathon! So we are looking around mid-August...we HOPE!