One of Three

Morning: Blah blah blah. Okay, that out of the way, here’s the good stuff. 

Around 10 this morning we got a text from Ilze letting us know that the Orphans Court Representative would be coming by today at 3pm. Holy Moly, there were still four showers to be taken, bedrooms to be clean, Living room to recover from Hurricane Sanata,  hor d’oeuvres to be ordered, video presentation to be made and things to be organized. Not to mention the 3 hours of Studying that Sanija does each morning.

This was to be the first of three visits from the OC. Somehow we were ready to have our special guests. At a few minutes before 3pm Ilze was the first to arrive. By 3:15 the OC rep was knocking on our door. When she walked in, we had never seen her before. Later, after she left, Ilze told us the she was the most serious of all the reps. In fact, of all the OC people we have met over these two adoptions she was definitely the most professional in her mannerisms and appearance. Maybe, just maybe I should have worn pants vs. shorts. Anyhow, introductions were made and the girls sat with us for a little while. But as kids will be, they got bored and started playing around, luckily the girls left and went to their bedroom to play. This was good as the OC sat with Sheri and I along with Ilze. Her questions to us were pretty basic; are the any problems? How is the bonding going, What we were doing with our time in Riga.  How is the relationship between Sanija and Nata. One interesting set of questions was about her brother Andre. Does she speak of him? Does she comprehend his death? Things like that. After 30 plus minutes with us she asked us to leave and she wanted to speak with both girls. As Sheri, Ilze and I sat in our bedroom we noticed that the interview was taking some time. Not watching the clock, we estimate she was with them for 40…45 minutes. Finally, we were asked back into the room. There were a few more questions asked and a few statements that she said the girls told her.  Don’t worry, they were not bad it was about how we restrict them on sugar and sugar is bad for them “Yeah”, Sheri though, “They’re learning”.  Other statements like “she calls you mommy and daddy”. Loved that one!!!  When all was said and done the OC Rep basically said, “Everything was on a positive note and would grant us permission to continue with the adoption”. Now we just have two more OC inspections (each Tuesday for the next 2 weeks). We even spoke about being able to depart early, after her visa is issued with the US Embassy.  As soon as we make the airline arrangements we will let you know. All this is in an effort to get Sanija back to school as soon as we can. Note: Sanija wants it too. (so proud of my girl).

With a big sigh of relief we took the girls out for a celebratory “Movie Night”. The girls have really wanted to see Stork and you know what…It was a cute movie.  Which once again brings up a good question. Being Americans in Latvia seeing an English speaking movie were we seeing a Foreign Film or Domestic film on Latvia soil?  Ponder that one for a while will ya?

Let me revisit the Blah, blah blah. First off, WHAT HAPPENED? It was very, very cold out and windy. If you don’t believe me, just as the penguin that was walking down the street, he was flying a kite! It must have dropped 20 degrees out. The polar ice-caps aren’t melting up here – no sir-re! Anyhow, the girls joined mommy in a morning run. Of course, now buying the girls warm hats and gloves is now on the shopping list.

There was something I forgot to mention about last night’s blog. Sanija always asks Sheri if she will stay with her till she falls asleep and last night was no different. On no other nights before did Nata snuggle with her mommy in bed….till last night. Sheri said, slowly a foot would touch her, then a leg over her, then an arm followed by butting right up to her. In between she would give Sheri a peck on the check.  We are thinking that she never had to opportunity to do this in her short life. She didn’t know what to do and eventually found comfort and protection with mommy. I’m thinking mommy’s new bedtime is whenever the girls go to bed.  I’ll keep you posted on this.  Ohhhhh…it’s been about 10 minutes since I wrote that last sentence and Nata just came out to get mommy to lay down with them…….oh sooo cute!

Oh yeah, one more thing. After the interview but before we left for the movies Nata handed both Sheri and I an envelope and asked us to open it. We pulled out the cards (see below).