Space Management
This is Elaine.
Lawrence and I thought that we owed you, our loyal viewers, the update on our plans.
First, there is no shower planned. Originally, we thought it might happen between the trips. However, circumstances have made it impossible to do so. Some folks thought it would be nice to have a shower in our back yard after the kids came home. However, Lawrence and I both feel that a shower where “I”, “D”, and “M” are "getting stuff" and “R” was left out ~~ would give the wrong message to the Polish trio and hurt “R's” feelings. “R” is a big hearted kid but he is still a kid. Also, given the sheltered life that the Polish trio has had, being "shown off" would be disconcerting to them, especially the youngest.
Right now, we are frantically trying to rearrange our household to accommodate three more bodies. We have had some really wonderful donations of used clothes and toys. Now, the stuff we still need for them is largely stuff that we have to go and get ourselves ~~ things like dressers/bureaus, shoes, linens, and underwear.
What we still need to do is the unglamorous activities like sorting of clothes, organizing of toys, repair of the play structure, yard work, moving of furniture, and the re-arranging of rooms. Any volunteers? So, you can understand why you don’t hear from us much these days.
As for the things we still need for the children, we feel a bit weird asking for gift certificates especially since the kind we like are singularly boring (Wal-Mart, Target, Payless Shoes, Linens-N-Things, and Lands End). You've all been so generous and open-hearted, that we feel very blessed, but if you feel like you must give something, see the list above. Some of you have asked.
We are leaving the second week of June. There is something that we have to sign for the Polish Lawyer that will let us pick them up three days later. However, there is a holiday in the middle of that period, so we have to wait for four days. We will pick them up on the 12th probably in the late afternoon (we have to wait for the Polish Lawyer to make the long drive from Warsaw). The next day we all make the long drive back to Warsaw for several days of American Embassy processing starting on Monday.
After that we will have a long, long flight home. Lawrence and I found the flight very hard and we are seasoned travelers in comparison to the rest of our traveling troupe. Neither “R” nor my mum has flown internationally. As for the Polish trio, they have hardly been in a car let alone in a plane. I ask for prayers that everyone is able to catch some sleep on the long flight over the Atlantic. This trip home will take 16+ hours including all the flights, waits, and immigration processing.
We will let you all know when we have recovered. Someone said that they might be willing to be "casserole coordinator" to help supply dinners for the first couple of weeks home. That is a nice offer. I have to find out if she is still available to do this.
Lawrence and I thought that we owed you, our loyal viewers, the update on our plans.
First, there is no shower planned. Originally, we thought it might happen between the trips. However, circumstances have made it impossible to do so. Some folks thought it would be nice to have a shower in our back yard after the kids came home. However, Lawrence and I both feel that a shower where “I”, “D”, and “M” are "getting stuff" and “R” was left out ~~ would give the wrong message to the Polish trio and hurt “R's” feelings. “R” is a big hearted kid but he is still a kid. Also, given the sheltered life that the Polish trio has had, being "shown off" would be disconcerting to them, especially the youngest.
Right now, we are frantically trying to rearrange our household to accommodate three more bodies. We have had some really wonderful donations of used clothes and toys. Now, the stuff we still need for them is largely stuff that we have to go and get ourselves ~~ things like dressers/bureaus, shoes, linens, and underwear.
What we still need to do is the unglamorous activities like sorting of clothes, organizing of toys, repair of the play structure, yard work, moving of furniture, and the re-arranging of rooms. Any volunteers? So, you can understand why you don’t hear from us much these days.
As for the things we still need for the children, we feel a bit weird asking for gift certificates especially since the kind we like are singularly boring (Wal-Mart, Target, Payless Shoes, Linens-N-Things, and Lands End). You've all been so generous and open-hearted, that we feel very blessed, but if you feel like you must give something, see the list above. Some of you have asked.
We are leaving the second week of June. There is something that we have to sign for the Polish Lawyer that will let us pick them up three days later. However, there is a holiday in the middle of that period, so we have to wait for four days. We will pick them up on the 12th probably in the late afternoon (we have to wait for the Polish Lawyer to make the long drive from Warsaw). The next day we all make the long drive back to Warsaw for several days of American Embassy processing starting on Monday.
After that we will have a long, long flight home. Lawrence and I found the flight very hard and we are seasoned travelers in comparison to the rest of our traveling troupe. Neither “R” nor my mum has flown internationally. As for the Polish trio, they have hardly been in a car let alone in a plane. I ask for prayers that everyone is able to catch some sleep on the long flight over the Atlantic. This trip home will take 16+ hours including all the flights, waits, and immigration processing.
We will let you all know when we have recovered. Someone said that they might be willing to be "casserole coordinator" to help supply dinners for the first couple of weeks home. That is a nice offer. I have to find out if she is still available to do this.