10 August 2004 - One Month!

On 08 July 2004, the judge in Gadyach banged his gavel and the boys became part of my family -- more than a month ago! We've been home in Texas for over three weeks.

It's hard to believe it's been so long already!

The boys now have US passports, social security cards, and have completed all their medical checkups. Their Ukrainian passports are on their way back from the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington D.C. I won't need them for anything except travel to Ukraine, but I'll keep them in the fire safe along with the other adoption records.

In another week, I'll be meeting with the principal and psychologist at the boys' school to discuss setting appropriate educational goals and deciding when (and in what grade) they should enter school.

The boys have been making tremendous progress. Sleeping and eating are now mostly routine, and I'm gradually introducing them to more and more aspects of life in America. They're testing the boundaries with everything, which is perfectly normal and expected, and discovering that there's leeway in some things and absolutely NO leeway in others. All in all, they're doing great.

My own health is improving. The doctor put me on different antibiotics last week, and although I'm not 100% yet, I can already tell it's making a difference. Feeling better also makes it a lot easier to deal with the 24 hour/day job of taking care of the kids.