We have birth certificates!

Today we got the children's new birth certificates listing us as their parents! It is even more official now.  It took ALL day and we are completely wiped out.  We had to drive to the town of their birth which is about 160 km from where we are staying.   In addition to passports, we had to get their names changed on their ID number...similiar to an United States social security number.  So we got both items done today and they are needed in order to apply for passports.  Tomorrow we get the children and head to Nickolaev for passports!!

We have had some extra stress the last few days and today's accomplishment was kind of tainted.  As previously mention about the children's older brother contacting us. Today we received a call from an Aunt.  It is interesting that SUDDENLY relatives are coming out of the woodworks after all this time.....imagine the frustration.  We in our love and care for Zhenya and Leeza want to know about their families, but at the same time feel frustrated that they have had no contact all this time and NOW they care about them!?  We know however that Zhenya and Leeza may want to find their family one day and we want to be able to let them by having as much information as possible.  I just wish his family was excited that someone loves these kids and wants to give them a life they won't have staying in the orphanage and internat.  Anyway, this has added some stress here at the end that we weren't expecting.  It is difficult to explain what we are feeling, unless you are a parent to an adopted child who will look to you for answers about their past.  I want to be able to provide that and at this point I am not sure it will be possible due to the negativity involved.

Another added stress has been finances....I haven't talked about money much since we traveled because it seemed a minor issue compared to meeting our children. We have done what we can to save money,but we have had some extra expenses that we did not expect and it is causing a strain on us.  Some have wondered if the fundraising thermometer on our blog is accurate....IT IS.  We had to borrow a large sum of money in order to travel.  The decision to travel when we did was not made lightly...we prayed and felt we needed to go.  Also, the state department here in Ukraine does not look too kindly on being told to reschedule something due to lack of money.  It is possible they would have rejected our dossier and we wouldn't be able to get children.  We had prayed for God's timing through the whole process and did what we felt we had to do to get our children.  One look at their faces and I would do it again.   However, due to the unexpected expenses and the amount of money will be owe upon returning home...I have been quite stressed.  I am praying and trying to give to God, but this can be tough.  Please pray for God to continue to provide the money we need to pay for the adoption fully as well as paying for getting Leeza's teeth fixed.  Poor child has teeth that are completely rotten in the front...it is an urgent need that we have to get looked at immediately when we get home.

Anyway, on to happier thoughts....we get our children tomorrow!!  Tomorrow, they will leave the internat and orphanage FOREVER!!!  They will FOREVER be our children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your continued prayers!!  We love you all!  We are almost home!