We have been home a couple of days now. We arrived at Hobby airport at almost Midnight on Thursday. A huge THANK YOU to Bob for picking us up so late on short notice. We are so thankful to be home. The kids have been sleeping well and eating well. Thank you to everyone who blogged along with us keeping our spirits up when we were feeling blue.
I will post later with details about our last couple of days in Kiev. We didn't know what we were doing until it happened regarding the visas. We also flew to JFK without a flight to Houston so we didn't know how we were going to get home. Everything worked out, but it was very stressful. Of course now that we are home, it doesn't seem like it was as bad as I thought it was:-). We ran in to the couple from St. Louis at the US Consulate, but I did not get their email or phone informaiton. They were headed to the Crimea region on Wednesday (4/23).
The kids are sitting outside playing with the dogs. Julie's dog, Joey, undertands Russian now . Ok, he acts like he understands Elizabeth when she gives him commands. Max remains low key and sits around waiting for the kids to come to him.
Life is wonderful!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Count Down!
We got some good news today. Our facilitator called to let us know that he is taking the overnight train tonight to get the passports. He is going to call us once he has the passports in hand to give us the numbers. Then we can go to the Embassy and start the paperwork to come home. The kids needed another set of photos made for the Visas. We got that done today. So, if we can catch a few breaks we may be able to get the paperwork done at the Embassy tomorrow. Then on Wednesday we have to get the medical exams done and bring the passports to the Embassy for review. Once we have the Visas and medical done, we can come home. So there is a slight chance that we could come home on Thursday. We still have the airfare issue to deal with. Most flights are booked the end of this week and most of next week due to Spring Break. We may have to do a fundraiser to pay for our airline tickets to get home:-). They are extremely expensive. The kids have been asking every day when we will get on the airplane to go to America. They were very excited today when we took them to get their photos made for the Visas.
We talk to V every day. He is a very sweet boy. He sent me a photo text message with a gift box and a happy birthday message on our Ukraine cell phone. He loves to play soccer. He and Michael love to talk "football".
I just ran in to a couple who is here from St. Louis. They just got their referral for an older child in the southern part of Ukraine. This will be their 6th Ukraine adoption. It seems they are experts on this process.
Thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a great birthday and I will always remember how special it was to be here in Kiev with our children to celebrate. That was a nice entry on the blog from Tim.
Kathi - I can't get any emails without my blackberry. Glad you had a good time.
We talk to V every day. He is a very sweet boy. He sent me a photo text message with a gift box and a happy birthday message on our Ukraine cell phone. He loves to play soccer. He and Michael love to talk "football".
I just ran in to a couple who is here from St. Louis. They just got their referral for an older child in the southern part of Ukraine. This will be their 6th Ukraine adoption. It seems they are experts on this process.
Thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a great birthday and I will always remember how special it was to be here in Kiev with our children to celebrate. That was a nice entry on the blog from Tim.
Kathi - I can't get any emails without my blackberry. Glad you had a good time.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sharon's Birthday
I got up this morning and made a nice birthday breakfast for all of us. Mmmmm, mmmmm good! Everything I cook is from the skillet. And I mean everything. This morning we had pan toast, scrambled eggs, kilbasa for the kids, juice, tea, and coffee. Sweet. Ok, after breakfast me, Elizabeth, and Michael left to do some birthday shopping. We knew what Mom wanted so we headed out to the underground mall. She wanted a tea pot and a tea cup. Mom drinks alot of black tea and they have a special cup and tea pot to make it in. Since it is Saturday the underground mall shops are mostly closed. So we had to hoof it to a big department store. I had to count on the kids to help me in the department store to find the "foot" tea pot. Luckily Michael lead us in the right direction and I was able to find what I was looking for. It actually ended up much better. There was a nice selection and good prices. The kids wanted to get her something too. Michael got her a stuffed dog that looked like Max. Elizabeth got her 3 roses.
Then we raced upstairs and gave Mom the presents. She was beaming with joy. We spent a total of about $30 and Mom loved everything.
Ok for entertainment purposes only. Sharon commented on people cutting in line. I will elaborate. They have invented the sideways line here. This is where there is a line of people who set you up and then cut in front of you. It's totally obvious. Here if you look the other way while you are in line, you get smoked. If you try to tell them something like, "hey, you cut in line", they just ignore you like you don't exist. Everyone knows why there is a "foot'n" reason for a line. It's to prove who is next.
The kids are great unless you pass by a toy store and don't buy them something. Their heads immediately drop and for the next hour they don't want to talk to you. The cure is a Fanta. Fanta cures everything. These kids are so full of Fanta they are as happy as they can be. Fanta rules. Please if you want to get us a gift for the children. We need more Fanta!
Elizabeth is like a bull in a china shop. She wants to do it and then listen. And by that time something is broken or she has crashed in to something. Michael, on the other hand, is sneaky. He's already used the separation technique. This is where Mom is in one room and he asks her a question and she says no. Comes to where Dad is and says Mom said yes. Foooooot!
Last but not least, if I don't get out of here I'm going to go Ukraine on somebody.
Happy Birthday Honey!
Tim
Then we raced upstairs and gave Mom the presents. She was beaming with joy. We spent a total of about $30 and Mom loved everything.
Ok for entertainment purposes only. Sharon commented on people cutting in line. I will elaborate. They have invented the sideways line here. This is where there is a line of people who set you up and then cut in front of you. It's totally obvious. Here if you look the other way while you are in line, you get smoked. If you try to tell them something like, "hey, you cut in line", they just ignore you like you don't exist. Everyone knows why there is a "foot'n" reason for a line. It's to prove who is next.
The kids are great unless you pass by a toy store and don't buy them something. Their heads immediately drop and for the next hour they don't want to talk to you. The cure is a Fanta. Fanta cures everything. These kids are so full of Fanta they are as happy as they can be. Fanta rules. Please if you want to get us a gift for the children. We need more Fanta!
Elizabeth is like a bull in a china shop. She wants to do it and then listen. And by that time something is broken or she has crashed in to something. Michael, on the other hand, is sneaky. He's already used the separation technique. This is where Mom is in one room and he asks her a question and she says no. Comes to where Dad is and says Mom said yes. Foooooot!
Last but not least, if I don't get out of here I'm going to go Ukraine on somebody.
Happy Birthday Honey!
Tim
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Passport Update
I called our facilitator this afternoon to check on the status of the passports. Today is day 10! I dialed his cell number and his mother answered. There is a story here, but I'll save it for another day. I have been calling him for the past two days and have not received an answer. After a certain amount of rings the phone hangs up so you can't leave a voicemail. I was so happy someone picked up today. His mother told me that the passports were issued today. I was so happy, but I should have known there was a "Ukraine catch". She said that now we have to wait 4 working days for the "official stamp" on the passports. She said that our faciliator would be traveling via overnight train to the region to get the passports on Tuesday. She also said that sometimes they say they will be ready in 4 days, but it could be 5 or 6. In other words, don't make flight arrangements, don't make any definte plans because you never know when things are done here until they are done.
I called the US Embassy Visa division to see what they need from us so we can get this process started and they told me that the region issuing the passports can fax them a copy of the front page of each passport along with a copy of the birth certificates and we could come in and fill out the papers. So I called "Mom" back and told her this information. She told me that this region does not fax or issue and copies of anything to anyone. That we just have to wait until our facilitator arrives in Kiev on Wednesday afternoon with the passports. Tim is about to go postal on someone. When I talked to "Mom" I asked her to please tell her son to check and make sure that we can't get copies of the passport and birth certificate sent to the US Embassy to get this process started. She said either he or she would call us back tonight. We'll see. We might get lucky and be able to fly out next Friday.
Tim is at the Hyatt working right now. The kids are on the computer next to me playing a hot wheels game on the computer. When they heard that the passports were issued today they were so excited. They thought that we would be able to get on the airplane right away and go to America. Elizabeth started packing all of her things. I had to tell her that we still have 8-10 days here. Michael bounced all over the den saying America, America. Their friend, Karina, flew to America on Tuesday and they have been anxious to talk to her.
There a a couple of things about Ukraine that I will never get used to. One is that people drive wherever they want to including on the sidewalks. There are no lanes on most roads and people cut each other off. If you can't find an open lane, jump on the sidewalk and honk at the pedestrians walking. It's bizarre. The other thing is that they do not believe in forming lines and waiting your turn. If you are in line at McDonald's behind 5 other people, someone will walk right up in front and place an order. To us it's just plain rude. To them, if you snooze (digging for money or looking at the menu) you lose! It happens everywhere. The grocery store, clothing stores, restaurants, or shopping for gifts in the outdoor market.
I won't be able to post any photos until I get home. I think the kids will have gained at least 5-10 lbs each by the time we get home. They eat non stop. It's good for them. They didn't have the best choices for food in the orphanage.
Keep the comments coming! We look forward to reading them.
I called the US Embassy Visa division to see what they need from us so we can get this process started and they told me that the region issuing the passports can fax them a copy of the front page of each passport along with a copy of the birth certificates and we could come in and fill out the papers. So I called "Mom" back and told her this information. She told me that this region does not fax or issue and copies of anything to anyone. That we just have to wait until our facilitator arrives in Kiev on Wednesday afternoon with the passports. Tim is about to go postal on someone. When I talked to "Mom" I asked her to please tell her son to check and make sure that we can't get copies of the passport and birth certificate sent to the US Embassy to get this process started. She said either he or she would call us back tonight. We'll see. We might get lucky and be able to fly out next Friday.
Tim is at the Hyatt working right now. The kids are on the computer next to me playing a hot wheels game on the computer. When they heard that the passports were issued today they were so excited. They thought that we would be able to get on the airplane right away and go to America. Elizabeth started packing all of her things. I had to tell her that we still have 8-10 days here. Michael bounced all over the den saying America, America. Their friend, Karina, flew to America on Tuesday and they have been anxious to talk to her.
There a a couple of things about Ukraine that I will never get used to. One is that people drive wherever they want to including on the sidewalks. There are no lanes on most roads and people cut each other off. If you can't find an open lane, jump on the sidewalk and honk at the pedestrians walking. It's bizarre. The other thing is that they do not believe in forming lines and waiting your turn. If you are in line at McDonald's behind 5 other people, someone will walk right up in front and place an order. To us it's just plain rude. To them, if you snooze (digging for money or looking at the menu) you lose! It happens everywhere. The grocery store, clothing stores, restaurants, or shopping for gifts in the outdoor market.
I won't be able to post any photos until I get home. I think the kids will have gained at least 5-10 lbs each by the time we get home. They eat non stop. It's good for them. They didn't have the best choices for food in the orphanage.
Keep the comments coming! We look forward to reading them.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Life in Ukraine
We have met many interesting people during our stay. Yesterday as we were leaving our apartment a man heard us speaking English and he came up and introduced himself. He is from Florida, but he travels all over Asia, Russia, and Ukraine for business. He showed us a few places where we could eat that weren't too expensive. He also showed us some clothing stores and told us stories about living in Ukraine. We are always skeptical when a stranger approaches us and Tim is on guard the entire time waiting for a con, but he was very nice and we actually went to one of the restaurants he suggested and had a nice meal last night. Tim is also sending me out with my purse as a decoy to try and catch anyone who tries to pick my pocket! Tim says he will invite them to a redneck party.
When we first arrived in Kiev with the kids we ran in to another American and he heard us speaking English and introduced himself. He is a former diplomat and knows the country. He met a woman online who lives about an hour from Kiev in a small town and had been corresponding with her. He came to meet her, but when he got to her town she never showed up. I'm not sure I would have shared this story, but when you meet another American you tend to pour your heart out. He stopped to help a man push his car out of the road when it died and someone picked his pocket and got all of his money, but not his passport. Several days later Elizabeth and I were walking back from the internet cafe and we ran in to him. I shared my story about my blackberry getting stolen.
I forgot to mention that the night before we got the kids out of the orphanage we met a couple from North Carolina. They were adopting a 9 year old girl. They were just starting their adventure and we were able to share our story with them. Their little girl is adorable. They told us she went to a camp in Texas. I believe she went to Dallas at the same time we hosted Michael. We exchanged email addresses. It turns out they were staying very close to where we were staying and we shared our taxi with them. We also exchanged addresses with the Italian couple. All of the kids know each other and it will be nice to stay in touch.
Today is our first day without our friends here. We went to the new restaurant with them last night and had a good time. They called us this morning right before they boarded the plane. Oh, how we wish we were going with them. It got cold today. We walked to the market to shop dressed like we normally do, but on the way back it got very cold. We broke out the long johns for our afternoon walk. As we walk along the street Michael will read the names of the cars (BMW, Mercedes, Honda, Fiat, Loda). He seems to really want to speak English. It's alittle bit harder for Elizabeth, but she is very smart and once we are home and in a routine it will be much easier for her. She is a typical teenage girl. She is more interested in changing her hairstyle 100 times a day, taking pictures, talking on the phone, fashion, shopping, and eating McDonald's. She also loves being in the apartment. I think it's because it's private. Everything there is for the four of us and we don't have to share it with 180 other kids.
We have been trying to figure out a way for Tim to get a computer connection. I was reading through the travel guide book that June let me borrow (thanks June!) and I realized that some of the luxury hotels have WiFi. The Hyatt Regency is not very far from our apartment so we walked over there before we came here and asked. Jackpot! They said for a fee Tim can come back and use their WiFi. He is very happy that he will be able to get more work done. President Bush stayed at the Hyatt when he arrived on April 1. I read in the Kiev Post that everything in Independence Square was blocked off. So I guess it's a good thing that we arrived on April 1 and took the train that night directly to the kids because we would of had a hard time getting to our apartment or getting around. They said the security was at its highest level and they weren't letting any cars anywhere near Independence Square or the hotel.
We hope to hear something from our facilitator by Friday. Thanks for all of your comments!
Barbara - thanks for the message. We love being parents. There is always something to do. It's great to see them experience things for the first time.
Erin - thanks for the message. I'm glad you are able to read the blog. You or Barbara may need to help my mother with her comments. She seems to have problems every time:-).
Becky - We'll see you soon when you come to vist CJB!
Brenda - Thanks for the birthday wishes. I hope Stephen gets to come home this weekend and see Hayden. Please keep me posted.
Mom - Call me again in a couple of days.
Julie - check your email.
Stephanie - Stay out of trouble.
When we first arrived in Kiev with the kids we ran in to another American and he heard us speaking English and introduced himself. He is a former diplomat and knows the country. He met a woman online who lives about an hour from Kiev in a small town and had been corresponding with her. He came to meet her, but when he got to her town she never showed up. I'm not sure I would have shared this story, but when you meet another American you tend to pour your heart out. He stopped to help a man push his car out of the road when it died and someone picked his pocket and got all of his money, but not his passport. Several days later Elizabeth and I were walking back from the internet cafe and we ran in to him. I shared my story about my blackberry getting stolen.
I forgot to mention that the night before we got the kids out of the orphanage we met a couple from North Carolina. They were adopting a 9 year old girl. They were just starting their adventure and we were able to share our story with them. Their little girl is adorable. They told us she went to a camp in Texas. I believe she went to Dallas at the same time we hosted Michael. We exchanged email addresses. It turns out they were staying very close to where we were staying and we shared our taxi with them. We also exchanged addresses with the Italian couple. All of the kids know each other and it will be nice to stay in touch.
Today is our first day without our friends here. We went to the new restaurant with them last night and had a good time. They called us this morning right before they boarded the plane. Oh, how we wish we were going with them. It got cold today. We walked to the market to shop dressed like we normally do, but on the way back it got very cold. We broke out the long johns for our afternoon walk. As we walk along the street Michael will read the names of the cars (BMW, Mercedes, Honda, Fiat, Loda). He seems to really want to speak English. It's alittle bit harder for Elizabeth, but she is very smart and once we are home and in a routine it will be much easier for her. She is a typical teenage girl. She is more interested in changing her hairstyle 100 times a day, taking pictures, talking on the phone, fashion, shopping, and eating McDonald's. She also loves being in the apartment. I think it's because it's private. Everything there is for the four of us and we don't have to share it with 180 other kids.
We have been trying to figure out a way for Tim to get a computer connection. I was reading through the travel guide book that June let me borrow (thanks June!) and I realized that some of the luxury hotels have WiFi. The Hyatt Regency is not very far from our apartment so we walked over there before we came here and asked. Jackpot! They said for a fee Tim can come back and use their WiFi. He is very happy that he will be able to get more work done. President Bush stayed at the Hyatt when he arrived on April 1. I read in the Kiev Post that everything in Independence Square was blocked off. So I guess it's a good thing that we arrived on April 1 and took the train that night directly to the kids because we would of had a hard time getting to our apartment or getting around. They said the security was at its highest level and they weren't letting any cars anywhere near Independence Square or the hotel.
We hope to hear something from our facilitator by Friday. Thanks for all of your comments!
Barbara - thanks for the message. We love being parents. There is always something to do. It's great to see them experience things for the first time.
Erin - thanks for the message. I'm glad you are able to read the blog. You or Barbara may need to help my mother with her comments. She seems to have problems every time:-).
Becky - We'll see you soon when you come to vist CJB!
Brenda - Thanks for the birthday wishes. I hope Stephen gets to come home this weekend and see Hayden. Please keep me posted.
Mom - Call me again in a couple of days.
Julie - check your email.
Stephanie - Stay out of trouble.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Tick, Tick, Tick.....
Today is day 7 of our 10 day passport wait, but who it counting? Me!!! We are so anxious to get home. Our friends, June and Dennis, are leaving tomorrow. They finished up with the US Embassy today. We are going out to eat tonight to celebrate. The children are doing very well considering their regular routine has been thrown out the window. We are just trying to get through the process in Kiev. At the orphange their bed time was 8:00pm and they got up at 7:00am. The first couple of nights they were asleep by 8:00pm, but now we stay up until 10:00pm. Our apt. has one big room with two beds (one is a couch that converts to a bed) and a tv. It's hard to tell them to go to sleep when we are still up getting things ready for the next day. We have been sleeping until 8:00-9:00am every day. The kids need the sleep. They are eating alot more now than they did in the orphanage and are enjoying walking around Kiev and seeing the sights. They like the simple things too like going to the grocery store. We usually give them the change from our expenditures and they save it to buy candy or cheap toys (and I mean CHEAP). They usually break after playing with them for an hour.
Right now Tim has them on the computer next to me and they are playing an online computer game. But out of all of the new experiences they have had their favorite thing to do is take a shower/bath. They really like being clean. I'm sure this will all fade once they get home and realize that they have their own bathtub and shower and that it's required that they shower every day :-).
We talk to V every night. If we don't call him, he calls us. The kids love telling him about their day and what new things they have seen or done. We went to a part yesterday and Elizabeth got slide on a big air slide. You can jump up and down and hurl yourself down and bounce like a rag doll. She went down forwards, backwards, sideways, rolling, on her head, on her back, and summersaulting! Is that a word? Anyway, she had a blast. Michael chose the small merry go round where he could sit in the middle and we could spin him around. He did it for way longer than I could do it. I would have gotten sick. The day before we came across an air pellet gun range and Michael was a sharp shooter. He had never shot a gun like that and he knocked of can after can after can. We called him "the sniper".
Tim is having a hard time finding a connection for his computer so he can get online at work. He is doing the best he can with his blackberry, but he needs to be able to download his emails and respond. We have talked to our faciliator about finding a location with WiFi, but we haven't had any luck yet. Tim is having difficulties with his new computer. He is very frustrated and wants to get home so he can get to work.
Shane - THANK YOU!!!!!
Kathi - Thanks for the call and the birthday wishes. Bon Voyage!
Stephanie - You crack me up! Thanks for the Rosetta Stone. Please tell Cathy thank you!
Marilyn - good to hear from you.
Becky - I hope to see you soon in Houston!
Brenda - Thanks for the update. We can't wait to see how much Hayden has grown. Any news on when Stephen can come home for a visit?
Bobby - Thanks for the message! I hope you don't beat us home :-)!!!!
Right now Tim has them on the computer next to me and they are playing an online computer game. But out of all of the new experiences they have had their favorite thing to do is take a shower/bath. They really like being clean. I'm sure this will all fade once they get home and realize that they have their own bathtub and shower and that it's required that they shower every day :-).
We talk to V every night. If we don't call him, he calls us. The kids love telling him about their day and what new things they have seen or done. We went to a part yesterday and Elizabeth got slide on a big air slide. You can jump up and down and hurl yourself down and bounce like a rag doll. She went down forwards, backwards, sideways, rolling, on her head, on her back, and summersaulting! Is that a word? Anyway, she had a blast. Michael chose the small merry go round where he could sit in the middle and we could spin him around. He did it for way longer than I could do it. I would have gotten sick. The day before we came across an air pellet gun range and Michael was a sharp shooter. He had never shot a gun like that and he knocked of can after can after can. We called him "the sniper".
Tim is having a hard time finding a connection for his computer so he can get online at work. He is doing the best he can with his blackberry, but he needs to be able to download his emails and respond. We have talked to our faciliator about finding a location with WiFi, but we haven't had any luck yet. Tim is having difficulties with his new computer. He is very frustrated and wants to get home so he can get to work.
Shane - THANK YOU!!!!!
Kathi - Thanks for the call and the birthday wishes. Bon Voyage!
Stephanie - You crack me up! Thanks for the Rosetta Stone. Please tell Cathy thank you!
Marilyn - good to hear from you.
Becky - I hope to see you soon in Houston!
Brenda - Thanks for the update. We can't wait to see how much Hayden has grown. Any news on when Stephen can come home for a visit?
Bobby - Thanks for the message! I hope you don't beat us home :-)!!!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
We are in Kiev!
We arrived in Kiev on Wednesday morning after a 16 1/2 hour train ride. We had a second class cabin with four bunks and June, Dennis, and K had the cabin next to us. The kids were very good. They slept most of the trip. We are still waiting for the children's passports. We have been told that it takes 10 business days to get them, but June and Dennis have waited 15 days and just got word last night that K's passport is arriving this morning. Today is day number 6 for our passport wait so we are praying that we don't have any delays, but everything here depends on something else and something else always happens:-).
Since we gave V a cell phone we have been able to call him every night. He was so happy last night when we talked to him. He is an amazing young man. He wants what is best for his brother and sister. He sent a text message to Elizabeth and Michael on the cell that said "I love you". Even though he is staying in Ukraine we feel like he is part of our family too and he will always have a home with us if he chooses to come to America.
Yesterday we had a wonderful day. The weather was perfect. It's much warmer on this trip. Cool in the evenings, but it gets warm during the day. All you need is a nice long sleeve shirt or sweater to stay warm. We met June, Dennis, and K and did some sightseeing and shopping. We bought the children some clothes. Mom, Elizabeth (O) is a girls size 14. Michael (M) is a size 9/10 boys. We had lunch at a traditional Ukrainian restaurant. I'll let Tim fill you in on that later. Somewhere along the 15 minute walk back to the apt someone unzipped my purse and stole my Blackberry! I was shocked! I never felt a thing. Fortunately that is the only thing they got. It could have been much worse. I had to call my cell phone company and have my cell number suspended until I return from our trip. I also had all of my phone numbers and email addresses in my Blackberry. The worst part is that I had all of the photos I have taken on this trip on my Blackberry. If I have sent you any photos on this trip, please save them for me or send them to my personal email at coonss@comcast.net.
June and Dennis may be leaving soon. They are supposed to go to the US Embassy today to start their departure paperwork. We have really enjoyed spending time with them and will miss them when they go.
Elizabeth and Michael are doing great! The hardest part is the communication, but we have discovered that Michael is a pretty good translator. Elizabeth is trying very hard and we are trying hard as well with our Russian. It will be much easier once we are home.
Kathi - Bon Voyage! Have a great time on your cruise!
Mom - I forgot to bring our Ukraine cell number with me, but I will call you with it so you can call me. Get the calling card number I left with Julie.
Julie - See above. Call if you have time. You know how much we like to hear from you.
Steph - See above. Ditto.
Brenda - I'll keep you posted on our return. How are Michelle and Hayden?
Jeanine & Dean - Give Caden a hug. We are glad he liked the birthday gift.
Teresa - thanks for your messages. I sent you one on Tim's email last night. We can email on that address. Hello to all my Square D Family!
Thanks for all of your prayers!
Since we gave V a cell phone we have been able to call him every night. He was so happy last night when we talked to him. He is an amazing young man. He wants what is best for his brother and sister. He sent a text message to Elizabeth and Michael on the cell that said "I love you". Even though he is staying in Ukraine we feel like he is part of our family too and he will always have a home with us if he chooses to come to America.
Yesterday we had a wonderful day. The weather was perfect. It's much warmer on this trip. Cool in the evenings, but it gets warm during the day. All you need is a nice long sleeve shirt or sweater to stay warm. We met June, Dennis, and K and did some sightseeing and shopping. We bought the children some clothes. Mom, Elizabeth (O) is a girls size 14. Michael (M) is a size 9/10 boys. We had lunch at a traditional Ukrainian restaurant. I'll let Tim fill you in on that later. Somewhere along the 15 minute walk back to the apt someone unzipped my purse and stole my Blackberry! I was shocked! I never felt a thing. Fortunately that is the only thing they got. It could have been much worse. I had to call my cell phone company and have my cell number suspended until I return from our trip. I also had all of my phone numbers and email addresses in my Blackberry. The worst part is that I had all of the photos I have taken on this trip on my Blackberry. If I have sent you any photos on this trip, please save them for me or send them to my personal email at coonss@comcast.net.
June and Dennis may be leaving soon. They are supposed to go to the US Embassy today to start their departure paperwork. We have really enjoyed spending time with them and will miss them when they go.
Elizabeth and Michael are doing great! The hardest part is the communication, but we have discovered that Michael is a pretty good translator. Elizabeth is trying very hard and we are trying hard as well with our Russian. It will be much easier once we are home.
Kathi - Bon Voyage! Have a great time on your cruise!
Mom - I forgot to bring our Ukraine cell number with me, but I will call you with it so you can call me. Get the calling card number I left with Julie.
Julie - See above. Call if you have time. You know how much we like to hear from you.
Steph - See above. Ditto.
Brenda - I'll keep you posted on our return. How are Michelle and Hayden?
Jeanine & Dean - Give Caden a hug. We are glad he liked the birthday gift.
Teresa - thanks for your messages. I sent you one on Tim's email last night. We can email on that address. Hello to all my Square D Family!
Thanks for all of your prayers!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Last Night as Family of Two
We have visited the children every day since we arrived. Many of their friends stop by to say hello and it's always nice to see them. It's very easy to get attached to these kids. We met a couple from Italy who is adopting a little boy. We have enjoyed visiting with them as well. We talked about the distances we traveled to get here. They have a two and half hour plane flight plus the train ride. We have a 13 hour plane flight plus the train ride. They have already been here 4-5 weeks and they look like we did when we were ready to leave on our first trip. It's nice to see other people willing to take the abuse to change a child's life. The little boy they are adopting is 7 years old, but looks much younger. He is a very happy little boy. He is always smiling. He seems to know M, O, and V. We exchanged addresses and phone numbers so we can keep in touch.
Since we are staying with friends here the stay has been so much better than our first trip. We enjoy our evening conversations and dinner and it's so nice to have other people who speak English. June is very good with Russian and has been a big help to us with translating. I was finally able to order the chicken pizza with June's help! All of us walked to the city park today just in time to see some sunshine. We ate dinner at a local bar -- Tim's description: open faced ham sandwich with mayonaise and tomatoes on white bread. It cost a whopping 80 cents. But the best part was they had "potatoes free" which translates to FRENCH FRIES! We each had a plate of french fries then stopped for ice cream and cookies on the walk back to the apartment. It's about a mile walk each way.
Tonight is the last night our children will spend in the orphanage. We will sign papers with the Director tomorrow then we will all stay at the apartment on Monday night and leave on the train to Kiev on Tuesday. We booked a full cabin which sleeps four. J & D booked the cabin next to us. It will be nice to travel back to Kiev with them. We should arrive in Kiev before Noon on Wednesday.
O is counting the days until she comes with us. M is excited too, but like a typical boy doesn't ask every 5 minutes when we are leaving for Kiev. Tim and the boys played soccer today. V has mastered his MP3 Player. He figured out how to use it as a recorder and recorded himself singing Rap music in Russian....very interesting. He has also figured out his cell phone. He understands it better than I do and changed the display and switched it from English to Russian. They are all very bright kids. M has been helping us with our translating. He understands more English than we thought. That will be our biggest hurdle. Communicating is hard and it takes patience to look up words and give information to the kids.
We are very excited about tomorrow and hope there are no delays along the way.
Thanks for your messages!
Sharon and Tim
Since we are staying with friends here the stay has been so much better than our first trip. We enjoy our evening conversations and dinner and it's so nice to have other people who speak English. June is very good with Russian and has been a big help to us with translating. I was finally able to order the chicken pizza with June's help! All of us walked to the city park today just in time to see some sunshine. We ate dinner at a local bar -- Tim's description: open faced ham sandwich with mayonaise and tomatoes on white bread. It cost a whopping 80 cents. But the best part was they had "potatoes free" which translates to FRENCH FRIES! We each had a plate of french fries then stopped for ice cream and cookies on the walk back to the apartment. It's about a mile walk each way.
Tonight is the last night our children will spend in the orphanage. We will sign papers with the Director tomorrow then we will all stay at the apartment on Monday night and leave on the train to Kiev on Tuesday. We booked a full cabin which sleeps four. J & D booked the cabin next to us. It will be nice to travel back to Kiev with them. We should arrive in Kiev before Noon on Wednesday.
O is counting the days until she comes with us. M is excited too, but like a typical boy doesn't ask every 5 minutes when we are leaving for Kiev. Tim and the boys played soccer today. V has mastered his MP3 Player. He figured out how to use it as a recorder and recorded himself singing Rap music in Russian....very interesting. He has also figured out his cell phone. He understands it better than I do and changed the display and switched it from English to Russian. They are all very bright kids. M has been helping us with our translating. He understands more English than we thought. That will be our biggest hurdle. Communicating is hard and it takes patience to look up words and give information to the kids.
We are very excited about tomorrow and hope there are no delays along the way.
Thanks for your messages!
Sharon and Tim
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Friday - Dinner With Director
We purchased a cell phone for V today. We loaded the phone with important phone numbers and asked V not to use it unless he is calling us. The kids here have a way of trading phones and sim cards and things get lost quickly. V is older and responsible and it shouldn't be a problem for him. This way he we can keep in touch. He was very happy to receive it.
We went to the Orphanage Director's house for dinner. She has a nice country home. She laid out a huge spread that could have fed 20 people. All traditional Ukrainian food. Including the Vooooddka. We brought gifts for them including a bottle of Cognac. We drank the Cognac and we tried their Vodka. We toasted the children, we toasted each other's country, we toasted the food, we toasted family, we toasted to toast. It was awesome.
Tim wants to talk about the food. Check it out.... ok, ok, ok. We hit the jackpot! Everybody ready? Here we go. First thing on the table I spotted was fried chicken and mashed potatoes. No kidding. Homemade and finger licking good. Next up, some really strange salads. One was typical cabbage, carrots, bell pepper with a mayonaise sauce. Not bad. The other one was R-O-N-G! Purple cabbage on the top some kind of weird fish on the bottom with a tangy sauce. Ok, now to talk about the mushrooms. Everything has mushrooms in it here. This time they served them raw. They were small, tan mushrooms in a syrup. They were pretty good, but a little slimey. The other kind were your standard, grey mushrooms. Pretty tasty. Then she had black olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes, homemade bread, salami with mayonaise. And last but not least she served very good tea and cake. The kid ate in a separate room. It was weird because we just got the kids then they were gone. All the kids joined us for dessert. The director's husband has a Chow (dog) that was seriously intimidating.
We went to the Orphanage Director's house for dinner. She has a nice country home. She laid out a huge spread that could have fed 20 people. All traditional Ukrainian food. Including the Vooooddka. We brought gifts for them including a bottle of Cognac. We drank the Cognac and we tried their Vodka. We toasted the children, we toasted each other's country, we toasted the food, we toasted family, we toasted to toast. It was awesome.
Tim wants to talk about the food. Check it out.... ok, ok, ok. We hit the jackpot! Everybody ready? Here we go. First thing on the table I spotted was fried chicken and mashed potatoes. No kidding. Homemade and finger licking good. Next up, some really strange salads. One was typical cabbage, carrots, bell pepper with a mayonaise sauce. Not bad. The other one was R-O-N-G! Purple cabbage on the top some kind of weird fish on the bottom with a tangy sauce. Ok, now to talk about the mushrooms. Everything has mushrooms in it here. This time they served them raw. They were small, tan mushrooms in a syrup. They were pretty good, but a little slimey. The other kind were your standard, grey mushrooms. Pretty tasty. Then she had black olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes, homemade bread, salami with mayonaise. And last but not least she served very good tea and cake. The kid ate in a separate room. It was weird because we just got the kids then they were gone. All the kids joined us for dessert. The director's husband has a Chow (dog) that was seriously intimidating.
One Step Closer......
We forgot to tell you about Air Force One. When we landed at the airport in Kiev we saw Air Force One parked on the tarmac. It was very cool to see the plane up close. It was very impressive. We would never have the chance to see it like that in the US. On our way out of the airport to the train station they had police stationed about every 1/2 mile. One policeman standing in the rain with a rain slicker and baton. One after the other, after the other, after the other, for miles and miles.
On Thursday we visited the kids at the orphanage. We brought the suitcase to V. The one that we lugged half-way across the world full of clothes and gifts. We were very happy to give it to him. He was thrilled to receive so many nice things (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!). I made Tim and V pose with their matching shirts like Grandma wanted:-). The biggest smile came when he opened the MP3 player. He was really happy when he realized that music was already loaded on it for him. We told M that Tim's friend Shane (who he met) had loaded the MP3 Player for V. M made the motion of a bike rider to indicate that he remembered Shane. We brought kites for them to fly so we went up on the hill (a dump that have been covered over) to fly the kites. They really enjoyed the kites even though it was very cold and overcast. Several boys had beat up old bikes and they would go to the top of the hill and ride down like Evel Knevel. It's a miracle that no one broke any bones. When we were almost ready to go our facilitator called and told us to meet him at the passport office at 5:00pm to get the official Ukraine passports done for the kids. It was already after 4:00pm so we decided to take the taxi back to the apt. to let June and Dennis know our plans. Their daughter hasn't seen M & O in a while. When O and K saw each other they were typical girls screaming and laughing and having a good time. It was nice to see them so happy. M decided to go with Tim to exchange money:-).
We met our facilitator at the passport office at 5:00pm as requested. The kids had to have their photos taken for the official passport. They also had to sign their new last name (our last name) in Russian (Kync). M had to sit on a box to take his photo and couldn't keep a straight face. O made sure to brush her hair and put on a big smile for her photo. It was a great moment to see them sign their new names with big, beautiful smiles on their faces. Then we met J, D, and K at Pizza City and had dinner. It was a great ending to a great day.
On Thursday we visited the kids at the orphanage. We brought the suitcase to V. The one that we lugged half-way across the world full of clothes and gifts. We were very happy to give it to him. He was thrilled to receive so many nice things (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!). I made Tim and V pose with their matching shirts like Grandma wanted:-). The biggest smile came when he opened the MP3 player. He was really happy when he realized that music was already loaded on it for him. We told M that Tim's friend Shane (who he met) had loaded the MP3 Player for V. M made the motion of a bike rider to indicate that he remembered Shane. We brought kites for them to fly so we went up on the hill (a dump that have been covered over) to fly the kites. They really enjoyed the kites even though it was very cold and overcast. Several boys had beat up old bikes and they would go to the top of the hill and ride down like Evel Knevel. It's a miracle that no one broke any bones. When we were almost ready to go our facilitator called and told us to meet him at the passport office at 5:00pm to get the official Ukraine passports done for the kids. It was already after 4:00pm so we decided to take the taxi back to the apt. to let June and Dennis know our plans. Their daughter hasn't seen M & O in a while. When O and K saw each other they were typical girls screaming and laughing and having a good time. It was nice to see them so happy. M decided to go with Tim to exchange money:-).
We met our facilitator at the passport office at 5:00pm as requested. The kids had to have their photos taken for the official passport. They also had to sign their new last name (our last name) in Russian (Kync). M had to sit on a box to take his photo and couldn't keep a straight face. O made sure to brush her hair and put on a big smile for her photo. It was a great moment to see them sign their new names with big, beautiful smiles on their faces. Then we met J, D, and K at Pizza City and had dinner. It was a great ending to a great day.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
We're Back......
We took two planes, a train, and a taxi and we are back in the small north eastern town in Ukraine staying at the same apartment and eating the same pizza we did during our last trip. Actually, we are sharing the apartment with friends who arrived two weeks ago to complete the adoption of their daughter. They were kind enough to allow us to stay with them for a couple of nights because the other accomodations in this town are worse than the apartment. They will probably be leaving in the next two days to go back to Kiev then fly home with their daughter.
We saw the kids this afternoon. We took them to get passport photos made. When we pulled up in the taxi we saw V first. He seemed very happy to see us. Then O happened to walk out of the school house and she smiled and came to give us a hug, then M came out and said hello. Tim and our facilitator were discussing how adoptions aren't like they are portrayed on tv. The kids did not come running to us with their arms wide open and ask us when we are leaving for America. Yes, they were happy to see us and they said they missed us, but they have each other in the orphanage and alot of friends and that's all they know. I think at this point we are all alittle bit anxious to get home and start being a family.
Mom, M, O, and V said they got the package you sent. O had the bracelet I sent her for her birthday.
From Tim
Ok, lets start this trip off with a story about the plane loading in Frankfurt Germany. The planes are all on the tarmac there and, you as a passenger, are bussed to the plane. Now, they have both the back and front doors to the plane open for people to board. The bad part comes when people who enterd the plane from the back and need seats in the front meet the people who enterd the plane from the front and need seats in the back. I could not beleave the total confusion and mayhem. There were small children getting knocked over and bags getting tossed over people's heads and others desperately trying to squeez by others and all for nothing. Southwest would have had a fit!!! Crazy!!!
After we rattled around on the train for fourteen hours we arrived at the train platform at 8:30am in the middle of the coal plant just like last time. The train makes a 2 minute stop and waits for no one. So, I start hauling off the (4) large suitcases and throw them from the train (about a 5' drop) down the stairs at Sharon. Now, I never actualy hit her but she was doing a funny dance. This part of the trip is always fun.
We saw the kids today and when we arrived they all ran up to the taxi with big smiles on their faces and were so happy to see us. RIGHT! They casually walked up to the taxi and said hello. Like you have been gone... I did not notice until just now. Ok, it was not exactly like that but close. Anyway they are beautiful. They have their whole lives ahead of them and they will come to appreciate me....I mean us!
We saw the kids this afternoon. We took them to get passport photos made. When we pulled up in the taxi we saw V first. He seemed very happy to see us. Then O happened to walk out of the school house and she smiled and came to give us a hug, then M came out and said hello. Tim and our facilitator were discussing how adoptions aren't like they are portrayed on tv. The kids did not come running to us with their arms wide open and ask us when we are leaving for America. Yes, they were happy to see us and they said they missed us, but they have each other in the orphanage and alot of friends and that's all they know. I think at this point we are all alittle bit anxious to get home and start being a family.
Mom, M, O, and V said they got the package you sent. O had the bracelet I sent her for her birthday.
From Tim
Ok, lets start this trip off with a story about the plane loading in Frankfurt Germany. The planes are all on the tarmac there and, you as a passenger, are bussed to the plane. Now, they have both the back and front doors to the plane open for people to board. The bad part comes when people who enterd the plane from the back and need seats in the front meet the people who enterd the plane from the front and need seats in the back. I could not beleave the total confusion and mayhem. There were small children getting knocked over and bags getting tossed over people's heads and others desperately trying to squeez by others and all for nothing. Southwest would have had a fit!!! Crazy!!!
After we rattled around on the train for fourteen hours we arrived at the train platform at 8:30am in the middle of the coal plant just like last time. The train makes a 2 minute stop and waits for no one. So, I start hauling off the (4) large suitcases and throw them from the train (about a 5' drop) down the stairs at Sharon. Now, I never actualy hit her but she was doing a funny dance. This part of the trip is always fun.
We saw the kids today and when we arrived they all ran up to the taxi with big smiles on their faces and were so happy to see us. RIGHT! They casually walked up to the taxi and said hello. Like you have been gone... I did not notice until just now. Ok, it was not exactly like that but close. Anyway they are beautiful. They have their whole lives ahead of them and they will come to appreciate me....I mean us!
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