We’ve almost had to go through a grieving process since the kids left. We reached a pretty low point and have had to pull ourselves out of it. Each day is better though and now we’re ready to get back to the business of compiling our dossier so we can officially request to adopt them. We almost have everything we need. Yesterday we received our final homestudy documents in the mail. YIPPEE!!! We only have a few minor things to gather and then we’re ready to get our documents apostilled and send everything to Latvia. Now, if only we knew who to send it to. There is a wonderful attorney over there who has been helping some of the host families from the Christmas hosting with their adoptions. We’re praying that she’ll be able to help us as well. We had heard that she’s expecting a baby so we’re not sure how that will affect things.
Tonight we had our debriefing meeting with the other host familes. It was so great to see everyone again. We hadn’t seen each other since the airport and we were all pretty upset and emotional that day. All of the host families have such a special bond and I know we’ve formed life-long friendships through this experience. It will be so neat for us to all get together when our children come home and celebrate Latvian holidays together. One thing that was a little hard for Rob and me was to hear how many of the other famliles had been in touch with their children already. We found out yesterday through Ilga that our children are at a summer camp until August 21st!! It’s apparently way out in the country somewhere so that means we can’t contact them until they get back. It seems like an eternity. I only hope they don’t forget us. Of course we’re happy for the other families because we’re just as excited for them, but we can’t help but be a little jealous.
One bit of good news we found out was that Olegs did get his suitcase after all. We found out that he did receive it when the airlines said he would and everything was intact. Helen (one of the chaperones) was so kind to take it to him at camp so he’d have his things. We were so grateful to her. At least we can rest assured that he has his stuff. We only hope the other children haven’t taken any of his or Kristine’s things. Olegs had asked us for a small padlock for his suitcase because he said there were thieves (he pointed to the word “thief” in our phrase book) at the childrens’ home. Of course we gave him a lock, and Kristine too, because we just couldn’t face the thought of someone taking their things. That may or may not have been a good idea but it at least made all of us feel better.
At the debriefing meeting we exchanged emails with some of the other host families so we can keep in touch throughout the adoption process. Everyone seems to be at different stages of the paperwork gathering…some are just starting their paperwork and others are in the middle of their home studies. It’s just so good to be going through this at the same time so we can encourage each other and compare notes. Each day we’re trying to remember that we’re one day closer to bringing our kids home!
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