Embassy visit

It’s hard to express this state of the ease our family is in.  There are no more OC visitations, no more court hearings and no more appointments to be kept.

The morning started out pretty relaxing as the only two things we had to accomplish today. Running out to the United States of America embassy and to start the actual packing up all the stuff we have either brought with us or purchased here.

 I’ve come to realize that  our youngest daughter has the attention span of a knat.  We asked her to complete one job and we needed to remind her of that job no less than 10 times after she originally started.  Natalija we have come to realize does not waste a single item.  Every scrap of paper whether or not it was cut up or crumpled somehow made it into her “go home pile”.  This included, the toilet paper rolls, melted wax, pieces of used blue paper tape and anything else that could be used in the future for an art project. Mommy had a fun time throwing out crumpled paper, toilet paper rolls, melted wax and a whole host of other useless items.

Before long it was time to meet up with Ilze to drive out to the embassy to submit the paperwork for Nata’s visa.  We had a fun time with her telling her we were going to the United States today.  I don’t think she believed to us when we told her as soon as we got through security it would be a lot warmer in the compound.  She looked at me with disbelief but you could tell in the back of her mind she was thinking.

After our interview her visa was granted and we will be able to pick it up tomorrow afternoon.  Ilze however, said she would pick it up and bring it out to us.  On the way home the girls apparently asked her if her family could meet with us tomorrow night for our farewell ice cream sundae at the top of the Blu.  We look forward to spending more time with Ilze and her beautiful family.  Since the kids are close in age it’s been fun to see them interact.

I forgot to mention that before we left Nata and I had to go visit the dressmaker to pick up her custom made traditional Latvian costume.  The ladies that worked there remembered us from last year and the dress made for Sanija.  As we left the store all of the workers came to say goodbye with huge smiles on their faces, Nata to waved to them.

With our morning tasks done and the visit to the embassy completed we now have to get down to business and really figure out how we were getting all this stuff home.  We worked for many hours and could only manage to get two suitcases packed and weighed.  Our airlines only allow bags to be no more than 50 pounds each.  If you do the math, that gives us 200 pounds.  But by the looks of things we have 300 pounds of stuff, including 100 pounds of doll stuff.

The girls were bouncing off the ceiling so we decided to get a late dinner and let the girls come home to watch a Disney movie while Sheri and I continued to pack.  I really should say Sheri continued to pack as I got a little distracted watching, “A Bug’s Life”. 

It’s about 11:00pm here and we just put the girls to bed.  I think Sheri still has the idea that we’re packing more tonight.  I would normally agree and we have a ton of work to do but I have hit the wall.

Nata is so excited to get to what she refers to as, her home.  She must have  asked me 10 times today when we’re leaving to go.  Sanija has also mentioned that she is ready to go home as well.  She absolutely loves being in Latvia but I think she now realizes that her life is in America.  Both girls are so proud to be Latvian and Sheri and I you will do whatever we have in our power to make sure they never forget their roots.

So much of their conversation has been about seeing their extended family such as Michaela and Savannah along with funny Uncle Tim and their favorite Aunt Jayne.  Nata looks forward to meeting Grandma and Papa G and seeing her Grandma R and insists that Grandma Rossini made her a promise to stop smoking.  Now Mom, I would hate to be you if that promise is not filled. You will certainly feel the wrath of Natalija.