Notes from Poland 1

Hello everyone - what a trip this has been. I barely remember how to use a computer anymore. We spent our first night in warsaw to recover from the flight and get rested for the journey ahead. On 16 Oct we drove to Bialystok with our driver/guide. We had a short meeting with our attorney for prep. We went to the 'adoption center' which is situated on wooded acres on the edge of town. We were ushered to a room and met Emilia 9, Maciej 7, and Michal 6. There were some staff present and were able to ask questions and talk back and forth.

We were asked to take the kids immediately home! Just kidding! we went into a room down the hall and played with the kids for about ten minutes and we were asked it we were interested in proceding.

So we stayed in that room which is an efficiency apartment for five days with the kids for five days. We were mostly left on our own to get them to eat, sleep, shower, and do our daily activites. There were staff down the hall, but most spoke no english ( and our Polish so limited.)

Our guide, Lech, took us into town, and the mall/grocery. There is a super park 1 mile away that worked well to burn off the kids' energy and nervous excitement.

Emilia is very bright and knows a few words of English. She has been able to help me figure our things like the word for pharmacy - apteka. She is very beautiful, just as the photos, and smart as a whip. She is used to being mom to the boys, but loves to hug and cuddle. She is enjoying, letting me baby her but her habit of being mom is still engrained, of course.

Maciej is also very bright and a charmer. He's very verbal and usually the one telling stories when we have them coloring or another activity. Of course we don't understand him, but we know when he is getting antagonistic and stirring the pot. He is usually an interested observer but will get in the fray when he feels like it.

Michal is difficult to gauge so far. He has pretty thick armor. Even the staff said he is small for his age, so he is making sure he gets his piece of the action. He is a diamond in the rough. He's really a cutie.

Tim is hanging in there with me. I don't know how I know what to do with them, but it is coming naturally, while I'm getting to know their trigger points. Tim says 'I'm not equipped for this'. Also I told him that he doesn't have the hormones that makes this work and I mean work, to be as second nature. He has been super, when I ask him for something and taking my suggestions on how to handle things. He is out of his element, but is working so hard because as he says he loves me.

I'm doing pretty well. The kids have slept through the night every night, so I'm fairly well rested. When they are coloring or otherwise occupied, I can have a moment to catch a breath.

we're in Wroclaw now, in a killer suite. It is too fancy, but has what we need, in-room internet access, kitchenette, two baths and a pool. We'll explore the city a bit today since it is right outside our hotel door.

pass the word on to anyone you know will be interested. We haven't had internet access until now, and I need to catch up.

love to everyone and more news when I have a chance
Beth