WOW!

Dear Friends I am writing this to let you know I am OK. We as a family have been getting to know each other and working side by side in many ways.
First we have been learning language,communication. Everyone who is interested in adoption "LEARN THE LANGUAGE" I made a BIG mistake and did not know enough.
Second we have been learning behavior. For some children having a parent watch them or care about them is NEW. Manners are not something children learn without training and they do not take to discipline well. Even if it is out of love.
Finally ATTITUDE, well. I have learned that attitudes are not always matching the expression on your child's face. A straight face might mean they have nothing on their minds, but I am not one to let it ride. I also realize that sometimes you need to say NO even when they do not understand. This is not only for adoptive children but for biological children too.
When you bring anyone home the family changes, when you bring in two new children the same ages as your bio kids EVERYTHING changes.
My oldest bio child, LeAnn 12, stepped up and is a HUGE help. She has been a support and a help. I know she is a tad bit stressed at times but she always is willing to help.
Mebrate my older adoptive child 12, she is getting to a point were I think she feels I am here to help and love her. She gets sad sometimes when she listens to Ethiopian music so I had to hid it and only put it on when we are together.
My third youngest, Laryssa 10, she is empty. I have seen such a big change in her. She is crying so much more and I think she feels that her everything was taken. She has one MORE older sister and a younger brother. So her next in line was given to Mebrate and her baby role was given up to Roba. I did not do this but I see her actions are screaming "WHAT ABOUT ME!!!" I have tried to take her aside, do something with only her, but she will include everyone. Please pray for her little heart.
Roba is my son. He is the first Kocis boy in the house and he is all BOY! It is hard when he gets confused. I can see it in his eyes and then come the tears. Our neighborhood is the best we have every nation all around. He can go out the front door and hang for hours, everyone loves him and he loves everyone. I do have one thing that I need prayer for. Every now and again he will say, "I want to go home" I respond ... You are here! I hope I get over the personal blow, he doesn't mean it I know. Well I think I covered everything I have. Please continue to pray for all of my children, my husband, and myself. I know God called me to this task and this family and I really want to honor HIM.
Thank you everyone
Good night
Bridget

time to get it DONE!

OK friends and fellow readers. I am having a book party for a company called 31! Yes that is right it is bags and SO MUCH MORE!!!!! I love them, really! OK I am going to post the website and let you look. If you are interested please let me know b4 you place an order so I know it goes to my party. I would also encourage any of you who are interested in this product to call and talk to DANA GEZIK about a party of your own.
This is what she does:
1. She is a wonderful Godly women who is interested in honoring and glorifying her maker
2. she donates a portion of her earnings to the charity or whatever that you choose to raise money for.
3. She is also a friend of mine....Very nice and friendly!!!
Please look at the website, call her or me and place your order
If I have enough people b4 March ends I will place the order on or before the 30th; otherwise I am going to place it between April 1-5th. That way you can have your goodies for Easter gifts!!! BONUS!!!!!!!
Well friends email soon or send me a message on Face book.
Thank you,
I will be looking forward to hearing from all of you :)
Bridget Kocis

Dana Gezik
Giving Back Half
dana@31bydana.com
www.31bydana.com

Good days make me smile!!!

OK all we celebrated our ONE MONTH!!!!!!!! All is well, we had about 5 days with some sad moments but as for all others we were a basic chaos! I am very use to CHAOS!

The girls are nor very close and Roba is ready for us to adopt another boy. I told him to pray if God wants us to bring home another boy it will happen, that is how he got to be our son. He said OK I pray MOM.

I can not tell you what a blessing this is for me, I am so proud God chose us.

Today we went out and got Mebrate a new hair due, and Roba a hair cut. They both are SO happy and ready for tomorrow. The older girls have book club and the younger two will attend Olympians Roba's first visit.

I am going to attempt to attend my Bible study in the am, and Rich is back to work.

Thank you all for your prayers and support during this crazy time.

Post placement!

Well it has been three weeks home and now we have had our SW visit and talk with everyone! It went GREAT!!!!!!
If anyone would like the name of a WONDERFUL home study agency, I have it! During the adoption process I had some let downs but I am sure pleased with the outcome. I could not have placed this family together the way He has. I am so happy I sat back and let "Jesus take the wheel" He had a plan and it was/ and now is so wonderful.
I would like to list everyone who has helped us along the way but I know the list length would be SO long. The top few who I know I need to mention are;
My mom who watched the girls and cleaned my house and attended EVERY support get together we had...Thank you!!!!!!!
Traci and Scott Heim; Pray and support and PAPERS<>>> Then second trip took the kids and gave Flo a break!!!!! Dug my dog a path to his kennel and unbarrierd my mothers car! THANK YOU!!!!!!!
The Jordans>>>Prayer Support and PRAYER. I do not have a thank you Large enough or a hug strong enough so I will step back and praise God for your love!!! Thank you
Winona and Paul Hubert,,, well what can I say ;) Thank you for praying, loving , and supporting us from DAY 1!!!!!! We love you!!! Thank you

I know there is about 150 more loving, supporting, and generous people out there; but I needed to be sure I said it on here at least once. During our 20 month paper pregnancy We had many people come out and show us there love and support. We are working on putting together a family picture to send out to you all so you see what pray does.
Thank you all,
Our Family, Church family, and Home group.
Because of Gods great mercy we are now OFFICIALLY and forever (until we feel God call us to this again) a happy family of 6!!!!!!
Thank you everyone!!!!
LOVE!!!!

ONE WEEK!!!!

So today we celebrated our ONE weekaversary...yes I am making up words I think.
We have a great day with Family and friends!!! I can not explain the way things are settling in! It is like an old pair of jeans that are fitting all over again. I am so blessed to have such a great support group. Thank you all!!!!
Have a great weekend and week to come!!!!
Bridget:)

Well, new things happening! :)

This morning I woke up when I like to and thought well I get to do my exercise and bible study!!! Yes, finally a little normal is back...WRONG! God had a different plan. My son woke up also and decided to grab his bible. We read together for about one hour. Then Rich woke up and we read more. That was awesome!!! I am so happy that HIS plan is always SO much better than mine. Now the boys went to have coffee with a "dear" friend...male bonding aw.

So I decided to clean up and get ready for a day of painting and FUN!!!

Thank you for the we can feel them.

Have a good weekend,

Bridget

BIG THANK YOU!!!!!

Hello all
We are all back and safe and together!!! I have to thank you all for your prayers, love, and support. The family took a day to be together then Dad went off to work. All is going well and the kids are getting acquainted as God has attended.
I am very tired and feel a little under the rug. Boy if I could do one thing different I would have studied the language better. I only bought the book and "tried" I think I should have gotten a CD/DVD and a tutor. Things will get better I am sure but this is tough and I did not think it wouldn't be...SO.
I have a son who is action unless he has a TV in front of him then he is "Captain Tunnel Vision" so I had to be mean mom and put a limit on the TV. ;(
I also have three daughters...YIKES!!!!!! One who is very direct on wants needs and must haves. The middle one who really doesn't say much, which is very hard on me who feels we need to talk everything over. Well I am learning that is not so. And the youngest who just wants everyone to be happy and get along.
The one thing I am truly blessed with is a husband who is very intentional with his words, time, and love. He is a hard working man who only wants what God wills for us. I am always able to call on him for anything!!!!
I am in need of prayer to get through the language barrier and get over the "new" family hump. I am also open for any suggestions on how to have conversation, not me talk and you stare.
Besides the small down I have no complaints. I am very happy an I am sure the Glory is shown all around. I praise God for His provision and leadership, Thank you!!
Well I need some sleep now. I just want everyone to know we are back, settling in, and getting it together one day at a time. :)

count down

Here we go We are getting ready to head out to go to pick up our children. We have a tentative Embassy date of February 2 nd. Please everyone pray we get word that the papers are all in and cleared!!!! We will return home on February 6 th and be home for a HUGE FAMILY REUNION.

Anyone in the area of OHare International Airport around 130 that afternoon is welcome to stay and welcome our children into the family.

Pray Gods will is done and that ALL glory and honor are to HIM and HIM alone!!!!!

Thank you all

Bridget

Let's GO!!

Well friends...Thank you!!!
We are going to pick up our children in the next couple weeks. I prayed not to long ago that we could all be together for Valentines day and God is faithful.
The girls are beside themselves with joy and ready for the sleepovers they get to have while Rich and I are out of country.
Thank you all ahead of time for your prayers on travel, connecting with kids, and blending the family. These are three things I have been praying for and I would love for you to join me.
Rich has been working hard to raise up the funds for our final travel and the kids Visas.
The house is as ready as it can be and as for me...I am getting there.
I will post soon with the homecoming pictures!!!!
LeAnn will come on while we are out there and she will update everyone.
Thank you all one more time, I cant express my gratefulness.
Bridget

2 more weeks??

Well friends we are back to the beginning...not really but, I think we have read this before. I heard today there is a little more paperwork on the other end that needs to be completed. Then we are going. I am ready when they call. We have received donations from some very kind and wonderful friends(Scott & Traci), had a beautiful shower(thank you all), and now we are awaiting the fly now call(email).

I can not tell you all how crazy it is. I feel as I sit in His rest with the peace only He can give me I can not help but to want to DO MORE. I am going to read a book and stay packed so I am ready on to go asap! We have so many people offering to help and I can not tell you how grateful we are to have ALL OF YOU!!!

LeAnn has started her fine arts program today and then tomorrow her book club starts, and finally back to school on Tuesday! This year has allot to offer her and she is going for it all.

Laryssa and I are going to check out a dance school nearby, that is her passion and I see how much she misses it. She is also getting back into Olympians and school this week, not so eager but ready. She misses her friends and is looking forward to seeing them all.

Rich has the studio running, this family studying, and his mind is, as always on overtime. He is so wonderful and we as a family are very grateful for his dedication and hard work.

And as for me....well I am just a "Girl Gone Wise!" This is my year to be in His peace. I am ready to loose the I and move on to the HE. I have learned in the past few months that man no matter how much they love you they will and do hurt you. It is never about me I need to always make everything about HIM. My goal is simple Honor and Glorify the one who created me. OK not so simple but it is what I am going to strive for.

I thank you all for reading and praying for us. Soon I will be able to show some real cool complete family pictures, and I mean REALLY COOL!

Thank you all for everything and remember to respond to this if you wish or inbox me on face book. I long for prayer and support during this waiting season. I will post soon as I hear and let you all know when we will be home.

Still waiting :(

Well I do wish I had better news but as of today they still have no confirmation for us. I am just resting in the fact that this is not my doings and I will travel for my children when HE says. There is no paperwork out of order. The families are all in check, the agency has done all they need to, so now we are waiting for the Embassy. They are running a little behind do to holidays so, I am trying to be patient.

Yes I do appreciate all your prayers and now I need you to pray for me to be content. OK with the timing, OK with the waiting, and OK with things moving at the pace of someone else.

Thank you all for all you have been doing. I know I would never be able to get through this alone. I first thank GOD! then my (dh) darling husband and my (dc) darling children, and then all of YOU!!!!

Please keep praying I am ready to go so if the word comes in we may leave FRIDAY!!!!