One Week from Now we'll be in Kyiv

And "A minus 10" days to our meeting with the Ukraine State Adoption Agency (SDA).

So, is everyone getting tired of the "countdown" titles? So are we, we are pretty much ready to get out of here and get on the plane. Enough thinking and worrying...lets just get going. Of course that's just me (Murray) talking. The real planner, worker, organizer and responsible person is Donna, and she knows we still have to pack, tie up the loose ends, and get all the paperwork ready.

It was our last day at work today. Donna packed up her office as she'll (hopefully) be gone for a few months at least. I just cleaned and tidyed up my office a bit which was a milestone event in and of itself. I don't think either of us will miss work that much. We are too eager to start a whole new chapter in the life of our family. I'm guessing that work will never be quite the same once we get back....

Two Weeks from Now we will be over North Pole...

A minus 20...to the meeting with the State Adoption Agency (SDA) in Kyiv. And in two weeks, we'll be somewhere inside the Artic Circle trying to spot Santa suntanning. (It will be just after the solstice after all)

We are scratching of "da list" - things we have to get done around house and items for trip - as quick as we can, but it doesn't get any shorter because someone (who shall remain unnamed and is doing most of the work anyway) keeps on adding stuff. This "getting ready" business is kind of like quicksand: the more you struggle to get out, the faster you get sucked in.

But things are coming together well all in all. So, help us "keep the good vibes vibing"!!

Tick tock...things to do...(and hockey to watch)

21 days to go until lift off....lots to do around the house...who know's if we'll have time after we get back. I doubt that the new members of our family will be ready to stain the cedar or weed the garden. Of course, as I write this and watch the hockey game, please note that Donna is still outside putting in bedding plants.

I was at work today as usual, but its tough to think about those things as the day draws near. When we tell anyone about the adoption, invariably the response is: "Boy will you be in for a change." I'm beginning to think about that now. Who cares about work...(don't tell the boss I said that...)

The Countdown Begins

"A-minus-33" - 33 days until we walk into that office at the State Department of Adoptions in Kyiv...

WELCOME TO SONYCHKO!! Our blog and our story of how Donna and I are building our family

So, many of you knew we were pursuing adoption. Surprise!! We are going to be on our way sooner than you may think. June 25th we fly to Kyiv. July 1st (Canada Day) is when we meet with State Department of Adoptions to launch our family building journey.

For those of you who are curious, we have a different posting on what the process has been and will be as we move forward.

For me, with every day we move closer, the other hassles of life seem to go farther into the background and I think more and more about the opportunities that await. Maybe one of them will be Rhodes Scholar...maybe a hockey or soccer star...or maybe even a Rider's wide receiver. But then, really, all I hope for is that they are healthy, happy and that over time we learn to love each other and all become a family. MURRAY

DAWGS for 'doption

DAWGS Saskatoon has generously donated 75 pairs of chidren's footwear for us to take to children living in Ukraine orphanages. The colours and sizes are sooooooooo cute! We will be taking the shoes with us; most are double packed---smaller sizes tucked into larger ones to make the packing more compact. Hopefully, these won't be checked by Ukrainian customs. Thanks to Brian and Trina at DAWGS www.dawgsclogs.com for everything you've done to help us with this donation. You guys rock!