FLORIDA
Thursday, May 5, 2011
PRAISE!!!!!!!!
Sergey isn't back yet, but he called to let me know he got us a court date for next Thursday! This is the earliest day we could have asked for with the delays and holidays. God has been faithful!! This is truly a praise because the judge could have said, no...next week, or anytime. At least we now know when we can fly home. Now, to deal with Delta...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A rough day...
Today was a rough one. I am mentally exhausted, frustrated, disappointed, and worried.
Jason is still away trying to work a little bit. He will return tomorrow night. I didn't get to see Vika until about 6pm. The inspector required another thorough physical for her so she had to go to the hospital and see 5 different doctors!?! This report was 100% healthy - go figure.
I had to ride with Sergey to the town Vika and her brothers were born to pick up the coveted 'separation papers'. The inspector here (like social workers at home) did their thing but then the inspector in that town had final say to separate them and it had to be signed by the mayor of that town. They did sign off and were so kind and gracious when we arrived. We came bearing gifts to show our appreciation! The inspector in that town knows Vika's family and was able to confirm a lot of information we have been told. She confirmed that Vika's father did drown in a fishing acident when he was 29. She said her mother has a lot of issues and always has. She said the grandmother that has been visiting Vika is her paternal grandmother. She said she cares about the children but is a little eccentric. It was so interesting to listen to someone who watched this family fall apart...she said Vika and Sergei were very sweet children but were in a mess when they were younger after their father died. I asked why and how they ended up in Chernigivka (there are orpahanges closer to her home town so I wanted to undertand the process). She said that Vika and Sergei (her brother) were originally placed in Zap but were ultimately moved to Chernigivka by the regional board in Zap.
After that we tried to make contact with the Vital Records office (new birth cert bearing her new name). We will need them later in the process and Sergey likes to cover all bases. Unfortunately they still think it is a holiday in Ukraine and they weren't there! Next we went to the tax ID office (like Social Security...again, name change ultimately needed) and made a contact there and verified how they want us to handle this step when it is time.
This may not sound like too bad of a day...but you haven't driven on these roads and you weren't with a 4 year old bored out of his mind! I thought the road to Chernigivka was bad... There is a town called Takmok and I am not kidding when I tell you that there are craters for about 8km and all the roads, in general, on this drive were abysmal. It was awful. I was sick! Thankfully Thomas slept on the way there, but he didn't on the way back and because of the road conditions the trip took a long time. On the way back Thomas was not feeling good (he is prone to carsickness). Sure enough the second we walked in our door he threw up repeatedly EVERYWHERE! At least it was not in Sergey's car! He was cranky after this and that started the evening. I have determined that if I hit the lottery I am sending money to fix those roads!!!!!!!!
Sergey went to see the local inspector to take our 'precious document' and found out that the letter Vika wrote last Thursday had an error in it. He also found out that it doesn't look like court is a possibility until at least Thursday next week. He came back to tell me this and I was in the middle of dealing with a defiant 4 year old and a 14 year old defiant teen-ager!! UGH!!!
I am frustrated because we have issues at home that we need to deal with. I know every family does, but I am worried about jobs, three more kids at home, dogs, and on and on. I am feeling stressed and homesick to get back. I am equally stressed to know I have to come back for the final processing. I am frustrated that we have 3 holidays here that are slowing this down. And I know I sound like a brat and that God is bigger than all of this and I am not to worry...so I will stop (or at least try :)) )
I do know we have a lot to be thankful for and many reasons to praise God! First of all we are here together and being forced to slow down; we are healthy (if we can keep T out of a car for long drives!); Vika seems ready to start this new chapter in her life and seems excited; I am getting a rare, valuable glimpse into the life she has led which should make me a better mother; the issue of the brother and the papers have caused her to talk to her 2 brothers and other family that she may not have before she left; we have found favor with every official we have dealt with thus far (I have been praying and asking you guys to pray for this and it has truly happened in each instance which Sergey says is not the norm). So I know I need to focus on this and not the cruddy day today and the frustrations and worries...
Sergey is going in the morning to speak with the head judge and try to arrange court as soon as it is allowed. Can I please ask you to pray for favor one more time? Please pray that he would understand, that his schedule will allow him to help us and that the details come together tomorrow. Please pray that Sergey says the words to compel him to work this out for us and our family!!!
In the meantime I will stop my pity party and focus on rest and a better day tomorrow!
Thank you all for the private messages and emails and the ones you post here. We feel the support and are thankful for each of you. You are such a part of this girl's life already. We all appreciate each of you and are praying for the needs you have made known to us!!!!
Good night,
One tired mom!
Jason is still away trying to work a little bit. He will return tomorrow night. I didn't get to see Vika until about 6pm. The inspector required another thorough physical for her so she had to go to the hospital and see 5 different doctors!?! This report was 100% healthy - go figure.
I had to ride with Sergey to the town Vika and her brothers were born to pick up the coveted 'separation papers'. The inspector here (like social workers at home) did their thing but then the inspector in that town had final say to separate them and it had to be signed by the mayor of that town. They did sign off and were so kind and gracious when we arrived. We came bearing gifts to show our appreciation! The inspector in that town knows Vika's family and was able to confirm a lot of information we have been told. She confirmed that Vika's father did drown in a fishing acident when he was 29. She said her mother has a lot of issues and always has. She said the grandmother that has been visiting Vika is her paternal grandmother. She said she cares about the children but is a little eccentric. It was so interesting to listen to someone who watched this family fall apart...she said Vika and Sergei were very sweet children but were in a mess when they were younger after their father died. I asked why and how they ended up in Chernigivka (there are orpahanges closer to her home town so I wanted to undertand the process). She said that Vika and Sergei (her brother) were originally placed in Zap but were ultimately moved to Chernigivka by the regional board in Zap.
After that we tried to make contact with the Vital Records office (new birth cert bearing her new name). We will need them later in the process and Sergey likes to cover all bases. Unfortunately they still think it is a holiday in Ukraine and they weren't there! Next we went to the tax ID office (like Social Security...again, name change ultimately needed) and made a contact there and verified how they want us to handle this step when it is time.
This may not sound like too bad of a day...but you haven't driven on these roads and you weren't with a 4 year old bored out of his mind! I thought the road to Chernigivka was bad... There is a town called Takmok and I am not kidding when I tell you that there are craters for about 8km and all the roads, in general, on this drive were abysmal. It was awful. I was sick! Thankfully Thomas slept on the way there, but he didn't on the way back and because of the road conditions the trip took a long time. On the way back Thomas was not feeling good (he is prone to carsickness). Sure enough the second we walked in our door he threw up repeatedly EVERYWHERE! At least it was not in Sergey's car! He was cranky after this and that started the evening. I have determined that if I hit the lottery I am sending money to fix those roads!!!!!!!!
Sergey went to see the local inspector to take our 'precious document' and found out that the letter Vika wrote last Thursday had an error in it. He also found out that it doesn't look like court is a possibility until at least Thursday next week. He came back to tell me this and I was in the middle of dealing with a defiant 4 year old and a 14 year old defiant teen-ager!! UGH!!!
I am frustrated because we have issues at home that we need to deal with. I know every family does, but I am worried about jobs, three more kids at home, dogs, and on and on. I am feeling stressed and homesick to get back. I am equally stressed to know I have to come back for the final processing. I am frustrated that we have 3 holidays here that are slowing this down. And I know I sound like a brat and that God is bigger than all of this and I am not to worry...so I will stop (or at least try :)) )
I do know we have a lot to be thankful for and many reasons to praise God! First of all we are here together and being forced to slow down; we are healthy (if we can keep T out of a car for long drives!); Vika seems ready to start this new chapter in her life and seems excited; I am getting a rare, valuable glimpse into the life she has led which should make me a better mother; the issue of the brother and the papers have caused her to talk to her 2 brothers and other family that she may not have before she left; we have found favor with every official we have dealt with thus far (I have been praying and asking you guys to pray for this and it has truly happened in each instance which Sergey says is not the norm). So I know I need to focus on this and not the cruddy day today and the frustrations and worries...
Sergey is going in the morning to speak with the head judge and try to arrange court as soon as it is allowed. Can I please ask you to pray for favor one more time? Please pray that he would understand, that his schedule will allow him to help us and that the details come together tomorrow. Please pray that Sergey says the words to compel him to work this out for us and our family!!!
In the meantime I will stop my pity party and focus on rest and a better day tomorrow!
Thank you all for the private messages and emails and the ones you post here. We feel the support and are thankful for each of you. You are such a part of this girl's life already. We all appreciate each of you and are praying for the needs you have made known to us!!!!
Good night,
One tired mom!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Things I am not good at...
OK...so there are a LOT of things I am not good at - singing, dancing, drawing, need I go on? Well, I can tell you the thing I am the WORST at...DOING NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! God did not design me to sit around!!!
Jason is still working this week at his company HQ so it is me, Thomas, and Sergey. Sergey and I are SOOOOO ready to get back to work tomorrow. He is on a mission to go home just like we are.
I watched the kids watch us from the windows all morning but finally the kids were allowed to be outside most of the afternoon today! It was music to my ears to hear the chaos and see them running and playing. We (collectively) spent about 4 hours out there with them. There are 168 children here "today", to quote Alex (apparently that is a moving target). I was able to spend a good bit of time with the kids Vika's age and it was very interesting.
These kids are doing all of the things our kids this age in the US do...smoke, walk off for periods with boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. I know I stumbled on a crew smoking and they were a mess when they saw me (they all know who I am by now!). I just stopped and tried to talk to them and hugged any of them who would let me. This is behavior I can do nothing about but I can show them that they are loved in spite/despite of their circumstances.
I hung out with a LOT of Vika's friends today. There is a 'mole' among them who will tell me anything and has enough English to do so!!! She told me Vika is a "good girl", "no smoke", but "sleeps sometimes during school"!!! I immediately said in America...no sleep in school, Vika Elizabeth!!! No way! They all laughed and laughed.
The kids are amazing...when we are out there they will just come and sit and do anything to be touched, hugged on, loved, talked to, anything. Of course Thomas is really the hit...not me. He has so many friends now it is unreal. There is 1 girl and 2 boys that have stolen my heart. The girl is part of the hosting program and is being re-hosted this summer. She is so sweet. Neither of the boys have been hosted. One is younger...about 9 or 10, I would say. He is just so sweet and has a smile as wide as a river! He is precious. The other boy is about Vika's age and will not let Thomas out of his site when we are outside. Tonight he even brought badminton racquets and a birdie to play with him. We are approved for 2 children through INS...but I know better with my other half. He would have me committed! I will just have to pray for them to find families. They are precious boys...I can just tell!
I have a glass full of tulips. Whenever one of the girls would come and talk they would bring a tulip (I am sure the orphanage loved that!) It is heart breaking that all they want is love and acceptance.
Thomas is asleep and I am right behind him. Praying for all of our friends...please pray that we receive GOOD news about a court date tomorrow!
from UKR...
Jason is still working this week at his company HQ so it is me, Thomas, and Sergey. Sergey and I are SOOOOO ready to get back to work tomorrow. He is on a mission to go home just like we are.
I watched the kids watch us from the windows all morning but finally the kids were allowed to be outside most of the afternoon today! It was music to my ears to hear the chaos and see them running and playing. We (collectively) spent about 4 hours out there with them. There are 168 children here "today", to quote Alex (apparently that is a moving target). I was able to spend a good bit of time with the kids Vika's age and it was very interesting.
These kids are doing all of the things our kids this age in the US do...smoke, walk off for periods with boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. I know I stumbled on a crew smoking and they were a mess when they saw me (they all know who I am by now!). I just stopped and tried to talk to them and hugged any of them who would let me. This is behavior I can do nothing about but I can show them that they are loved in spite/despite of their circumstances.
I hung out with a LOT of Vika's friends today. There is a 'mole' among them who will tell me anything and has enough English to do so!!! She told me Vika is a "good girl", "no smoke", but "sleeps sometimes during school"!!! I immediately said in America...no sleep in school, Vika Elizabeth!!! No way! They all laughed and laughed.
The kids are amazing...when we are out there they will just come and sit and do anything to be touched, hugged on, loved, talked to, anything. Of course Thomas is really the hit...not me. He has so many friends now it is unreal. There is 1 girl and 2 boys that have stolen my heart. The girl is part of the hosting program and is being re-hosted this summer. She is so sweet. Neither of the boys have been hosted. One is younger...about 9 or 10, I would say. He is just so sweet and has a smile as wide as a river! He is precious. The other boy is about Vika's age and will not let Thomas out of his site when we are outside. Tonight he even brought badminton racquets and a birdie to play with him. We are approved for 2 children through INS...but I know better with my other half. He would have me committed! I will just have to pray for them to find families. They are precious boys...I can just tell!
I have a glass full of tulips. Whenever one of the girls would come and talk they would bring a tulip (I am sure the orphanage loved that!) It is heart breaking that all they want is love and acceptance.
Thomas is asleep and I am right behind him. Praying for all of our friends...please pray that we receive GOOD news about a court date tomorrow!
from UKR...
Monday, May 2, 2011
WHAT A NIGHT
Jason left this morning and arrived safely in France. We are both so homesick...missing home and the the children.
Sergey had to take Jason to the airport at 3:30am this morning to make his flight from Zap.
At 9 or so the Director, Alex stopped by and I understood 2 words of 100 that he said...something about seeing Chernigivka.
At 3:00pm here he knocked on our door and wanted to take us out to see the village. Leave it to me, village idiot, I left my camera at the orphanage. But I had the phone! Chernigivka is really beautiful! he took us to 3 lakes and at the last one he started a fire for a picnic.
Now...Sergey, our translator has worked in every region and he says this director is different from anyone else! His wife and children were there as was his grand-daughter who is 3 - we have a pre-arranged marriage for Thomas and her! He even showed us his home and all the places he has lived in the past.
When we got to the last stream, he and his sons started a fire and they cooked shish-ka-bobs...they had many sides, cheese, radishes, bread with caviar, cucumbers, etc. Of course the Russian staples came out (go figure!) but we had a really great time. They went OUT OF THEIR WAY to show us a nice evening. Since Jason was not there Alex said we will have a 're-do' Sunday afternoon (He knows Sunday the 8th is Mother's Day and Monday the 9th is a holiday here!).
I am AMAZED at the treatment we have received. Sergey is speechless. Alex has opened up the children, his life, his family (took us to his home today), his country...unreal.
I would like to ask for prayers for a court date...for Vika, for the caretakers (Alex, included), for Segey and the incredible job he is doing for us, for Jason traveling, for Thomas, and for my friends in various parts of this process!
I thank God for a good night with, now, good friends. I am so thankful that we have been able to travel and forge relationships that will help us and others coming after us to bring children home!
See pics below!!!
Sergey had to take Jason to the airport at 3:30am this morning to make his flight from Zap.
At 9 or so the Director, Alex stopped by and I understood 2 words of 100 that he said...something about seeing Chernigivka.
At 3:00pm here he knocked on our door and wanted to take us out to see the village. Leave it to me, village idiot, I left my camera at the orphanage. But I had the phone! Chernigivka is really beautiful! he took us to 3 lakes and at the last one he started a fire for a picnic.
Now...Sergey, our translator has worked in every region and he says this director is different from anyone else! His wife and children were there as was his grand-daughter who is 3 - we have a pre-arranged marriage for Thomas and her! He even showed us his home and all the places he has lived in the past.
When we got to the last stream, he and his sons started a fire and they cooked shish-ka-bobs...they had many sides, cheese, radishes, bread with caviar, cucumbers, etc. Of course the Russian staples came out (go figure!) but we had a really great time. They went OUT OF THEIR WAY to show us a nice evening. Since Jason was not there Alex said we will have a 're-do' Sunday afternoon (He knows Sunday the 8th is Mother's Day and Monday the 9th is a holiday here!).
I am AMAZED at the treatment we have received. Sergey is speechless. Alex has opened up the children, his life, his family (took us to his home today), his country...unreal.
I would like to ask for prayers for a court date...for Vika, for the caretakers (Alex, included), for Segey and the incredible job he is doing for us, for Jason traveling, for Thomas, and for my friends in various parts of this process!
I thank God for a good night with, now, good friends. I am so thankful that we have been able to travel and forge relationships that will help us and others coming after us to bring children home!
See pics below!!!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Life at Chernigivka
Today has been a good day. We have played outside a lot with Thomas and Vika. It is a holiday here but one thing we can't understand is that as gorgeous as it was none of the kids were allowed to play outside. It was pitiful...they were all plastered to the windows watching us outside. Then they started making up games and ways to interact with us as we were just beyond the windows. Sergey said he wasn't sure why they weren't letting them out except maybe that there weren't a lot of workers here today with the holiday. I pray that tomorrow they are allowed to come outside and play.
Jason is leaving for France at 3:30am (I just said don't wake us!). He is going to work for a few days then he will be back for us to finish paperwork and, hopefully, have court.
The door to the inside of the orphanage from our area is locked. They open to bring our food (then lock it back) and come back to clean up...we sort of feel like prisoners when they do that lol! (We have access outside through an exterior back door.) Anyway, after coming in from outside her friends all came to the interior locked door. There is a big gap at the bottom of the door. Vika and Thomas started playing a game to catch the hands of the kids on the other side of the door through the gap at the bottom. While it was entertaining to listen to and watch, Jason and I commented how sad it was in a way. Again...I hope we can play with more of them tomorrow!
A friend sent me a message tonight that Elizabeth means "God's Promise", "Oath of God", and "I am God's Daughter". WHAT A GREAT AND FITTING NAME FOR SWEET VIKA!
Please pray for safe travel for Jason tomorrow and also please keep praying for a crazy fast court date!
We miss home and are ready to be back. Please pray for us and for peace and comfort and lack of 'homesickness'!!!
PS...look at the pic of Thomas at the bottom of the page!
Jason is leaving for France at 3:30am (I just said don't wake us!). He is going to work for a few days then he will be back for us to finish paperwork and, hopefully, have court.
The door to the inside of the orphanage from our area is locked. They open to bring our food (then lock it back) and come back to clean up...we sort of feel like prisoners when they do that lol! (We have access outside through an exterior back door.) Anyway, after coming in from outside her friends all came to the interior locked door. There is a big gap at the bottom of the door. Vika and Thomas started playing a game to catch the hands of the kids on the other side of the door through the gap at the bottom. While it was entertaining to listen to and watch, Jason and I commented how sad it was in a way. Again...I hope we can play with more of them tomorrow!
A friend sent me a message tonight that Elizabeth means "God's Promise", "Oath of God", and "I am God's Daughter". WHAT A GREAT AND FITTING NAME FOR SWEET VIKA!
Please pray for safe travel for Jason tomorrow and also please keep praying for a crazy fast court date!
We miss home and are ready to be back. Please pray for us and for peace and comfort and lack of 'homesickness'!!!
PS...look at the pic of Thomas at the bottom of the page!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunny Skies
PRAISE THE LORD! Better weather today!
I will update tonight about our day. The next 3 days they celebrate the equivalent of Labor Day here...
I will update tonight about our day. The next 3 days they celebrate the equivalent of Labor Day here...
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