Ukraine Adoption

Hi Kids, Karen Wiz here.
Gotta love the hats. Hmmm. Mike wants a hat. Myself, I would ADORE the oldest military helmet you can find. Can't wait til you meet this little girl. She may be the one. We are praying for you!
Austin is doing great. The boys are making chili for Superbowl. We went to your house. The cat got out but we'll go back today to see if he shows up. Had a little problem with the hot tub overflowing, good thing you have that low area under the pool table so it wasn't too tough to mop up. You can't even tell. Funny odor of gas in the basement though. We just closed off the doors so the smell doesn't go through the whole house. Caroline cut Austin's hair. It's sort of military high-and-tight cut, but don't worry, it will grow out, I think. Well don't fret about a single thing, your big sister is taking care of business.

Hi Laura

The tone of your blog entries has become decidedly more human and sensitive. Much less glib and superficial. I like it; keep it up. I'd like to think that perhaps you've had a spiritual awakening during your stay in Kiev, but it's more likely that romantic adventure has given way to greater realism. The USA isn't the world and our habits are not universal. In the real world, most folks toil and struggle to survive. As a Polish-American, take pride in the fact that Slavic peoples can struggle all day and yet smile in the evening and thank God for His blessings.

This is an exciting time for you as you anticipate a new addition to your family. But this is a historic time for the Ukrainian people as they anticipate a new dawning of freedom and participation in the European Union. God has put you in this place at this time for a good reason. Maybe it is for a daughter. But maybe it is more than that. Have you asked Him lately?

Ukraine isn't Poland, but Ukrainians (eastern Slavs) and Poles (western Slavs) are Slavic cousins. Use some of this time to rediscover your Slavic roots and you'll probably learn a lot about yourself as well. Besides, it will provide a nifty legacy to pass down to your daughter.

Just my two cents worth. Cheap unsolicited advice.

p.s. Please don't get your sister a helmet! She's already got a gun. What do you want to do, start a war? Bring her back an orange scarf instead. It's the Ukrainian version of the Polish Solidarity symbol and it is much more historic and meaningful. (And peaceful and cheap as well.)

p.p.s. Don't worry about the Super Bowl. Teletubbies, the Smurfs, and Barney are doing this year's half-time show.

Laura,
Well, I finally got all my virus updates loaded, so I'm back.
Is that a Yeti(!) with you? Usually they're a very reclusive species. There were a lot of them in the 70's but their number seems to have dwindled since then; I think the aliens that mate with Hillary Clinton are more prevalent now than BigFoot. A very rare sighting! Wow!
And those churches are gorgeous, too!

I hope right now (8:30am our time) you have been to the orphanage & things are going great. Austin, you are a trooper, hang in there. It's gotta be hard wondering about your possible new sister! I know it's driving the rest of us crazy! And you have put up with your Aunt Karen for days now without freaking out (-;
Well, we are waiting here with bated breath, what can I say?
Even my coworkers are dying for news! I barely got my coat off this morning before one of 'em was in my cube--"Did they meet her? Did they meet her????"
And you worried this blog would be boring!
PS: Clueles--interesting facs about Ukraine!
I am Laura's cousin & half Polish.

Tick, tock, tick, tock... :o) Perhaps they are all together at last, as we speak! Or, perhaps it is more "hurry up and wait." In any case, i am having a RIOT hearing from all these extended family members, etc. via this blog in the meantime. It is too fun.

Well, We will all just have to keep poking on in and out of here! :o) Laura, you sure are chained to this thing now. Whee!

P.S. I really love this beachside pic of the two of you on the top left-hand corner of each page here. What a contrast to see you all bundled up and Yeti-like in the Ukraine pictures in comparison! Today is 40 and muddy here in good ole MI, by the way. It's already 1am there, guess we won't hear from you till tomorrow. Sleep tidy!! xoxoxo

Darn, I mean, 11pm. I cannot add 4 + 7. Perhaps you'll make a late-night entry. All BEST! in any case.

Hi John and Laura, I hope everything is going well,lots a prays for you both, patriots won,how about brady being a lion wouldn't that be nice. John I liked the white hat!The photos are great.

laura,

i am laughing out loud at karen's post. i forgot how funny she is. poor you, growing up with a big sister like that. i thought mine was bad!

we all hope everything went well today. perhaps no post is good news today.

heidi

Hey Aunt Laura!! Wow, this years Superbowl was AMAZING!! Paul McCartney played this years halftime...whoa. He played awesome, too bad the camera man couldnt get good angles on him when he did his famous, "You are great!" line. Haha, it was still fun. A couple of my friends came over and Austin got to meet them. We just watched Austin Powers: Goldmember. Haha, hilarious!! And..we were playing outside today with this huge giant ball. But I accidently kicked it over the fence and it landed in the neighbors dogs' poop!! Eww, gross. Especially after I had to clean it up...NASTY!! Well, keep us posted!!

So Heidi, just WHAT are you saying???
Are you saying Karen is FUNNIER than I am???? C'mon, I can take it!
You think she's joking, but the house has probably exploded by now, and Austin's joined a milita group!

Hey Laura & John--hope you guys are ok... and just caught in bureacracy or technology glitches...