Wednesday April 9,
2003
Clarke:
Today is spent getting out in the snow to accomplish our
final task abroad. Natalie’s physical is a 10-minute formality. We spend about
an hour at the Embassy getting her Visa applied for. We are told to return at
3:00 pm to pick it up. We tried taking a photo of us in front of the flag at
the Embassy from across a busy street. However, we are quickly waved by armed
police to put down the camera. Killing time before 3:00 pm, we enjoy lunch and
a visit to the playroom with our adoptive couple friends, Troy and Janelle.
They have also been looking for two older children, but adopted younger. Their
boy, Nathan, is cute. He even looks like his parents!
We count our blessings with Natalie, and are thankful she is
almost 4. Natalie’s rate of learning is increasing. She now knows to turn lights
on/off, take things to trash, get ready for outside etc. Right now her favorite
playtime is with dishes and plates. When she is imitating her orphanage
experience, sometimes revealing the un-desirable, she takes her washcloth and
slaps her dolls on the legs as she barks out orders. We have learned the hard
way how much she hates pants! She is a tights and dress girl! We have now
advanced to using water in our “tea party,” and we have water (vwada) spills
everywhere!
We are awakened to a pleasant 5:00 am wakeup call from
Annette and kids. They sound great and we can’t wait to get home! We laugh a
bit, sounding like Grandpa and Grandma (both on the phone at once). Kris is
using our second phone in the bathroom. We’ve come a long way since Tuesday in
Kyiv!
Kris:
We talked with Amanda and Alex this morning! It was so great
to hear their voices. It sounds like all is going well and they are gland we
are on our home stretch. We also talked to Ann Yuska. It sounded as if she were
next door! It is so nice to connect with our friends and family back home!
We had Natalie’s doctor appointment with Doctor Kruk. It was
the fastest appointment I have ever seen. Height, Weight and listen to the
heart that was it! And now we are waiting at the US Embassy Consulate to complete
our paperwork. We see at least 3 other American families in the same step as
us. If we can, we are going to try to leave Poland tonight.
But it looks like
there are no flights out here until April 11th. Oh bummer.
Thursday April 10, 2003
Clarke:
 |
| Warsaw City Square |
Today
we spent touring the old part of Warsaw. We were given a tour of their castle,
which was completely destroyed in 1944 by the Germans. It was rebuilt from
1971-1984. We then watched a movie at the historical museum of the destruction
of Poland during World War 2. Over 6 ½ million people were killed on Polish
soil. With 85% of the city destroyed, it is understandable why it took 10 years
to regain the 1 million population that it had prior to the war. It’s
absolutely amazing to see the difference of Ukraine and Poland and how they
have and not have prospered since (respectively).
 |
| Our new friends Troy and Janelle |
 |
| Enjoying the history of the city |
Natalie
has transitioned fully to a normal 3-year old. She has lost her inhibitions and
can now throw a temper tantrum in a flash when she is tired and doesn’t get her
way! We have barely made it back to the Hotel at 3:00 for a much needed nap for
“nada” Natalie. When she gets tired and unwilling, everything is “na-da!” (NO)
an incredible investment in time by me in the tube (with my swimsuit) and Kris
outside has paid off. Natalie was very resistant for 25 minutes till she could
hardly resist the temptation to play in the soapy suds. Forty minutes later she
almost cried when the water is drained from the tub.
Kris:
We
slept in at the Holiday Inn. After breakfast, we met some friends; Troy and
Janelle and their newly adopted son, Nathan. We took a taxi downtown to tour
the town square. Natalie was good today. She only had two meltdowns. One
because I insisted she wear her hat and the other is she did not want to lie
down. Right now, though, she is sawing logs! We leave for our long journey home
tomorrow! I will be so glad to get back to American soil; I think I’m going to
kiss the ground! Well, goodnight for now…
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