Family of Six!

We are now officially (at least we think it's official -we were the receivers of many congratulatory handshakes!) a family of SIX! We went to court today, which was actually way more intense than I expected. It wasn't too bad for Rick and me, but it was intimidating for the boys. Taras did great, he didn't waver at all, and was very confident and relaxed. Poor Bohdan was a nervous wreck. His whole body was shaking as he tried to answer the judge's questions. In the end, it all worked out and we got a favorable decision!

Now we have a ten day waiting period, and then we will try our hardest to RUSH through the rest of the process in only 8 days! Please pray HARD for this, as it is unlikely that we will finish without help from God. According to our legal facilitator, the biggest obstacle will be getting the kid's ID numbers changed in a timely manner - something we have absolutely no control over. Our returning plane tickets are scheduled for July 30th, and our ten day waiting period ends July 20th. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to get home on the 30th. REALLY, REALLY!!! We've already been here 3 weeks and we are ALL wanting to get home. On the upside, my Mom will arrive on the 14th of July, and I have a lot to show her. On the downside, Rick, Charlie and Andrew will return home and I will miss them all terribly. We all will. We covet your prayers!

With much love to ALL our followers, friends and family...
Rick, Erica, Taras, Bodie, Charlie and Andrew PENNY (!)