Friday, May 29, 2009

Temporary Insanity

First, some pictures: James and his ever-growing Play-Mobil collection
Here are two of our boys with 3 of Kevin's nephews: Caleb, Brandon, James, Tyler and Andrew (who is graduating from high school this week)
Getting that last document apostilled before heading to Ukraine




Celebrating 3 June birthdays prior to traveling to Ukraine: Caleb will be 5 on June 14, James will be 11 on June 8 and Billy will be 15 on June 18.


Here's James and his dinosaur cake


Caleb and his Winnie-the-Pooh Cake


Billy chose dolphin decor



Caleb enjoying the party


Escavating for dinosaur bones on our coffee table




Teresa was the first to get her dinosaur put together

Some of the presents









A lady in our church was so excited about Teresa going to Ukraine that she brought her a suitcase with all sorts of goodies, clothes and just fun stuff for the journey






My wonderful parents

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I'd better put some news on here since it's quite relevant to our adoption.

Monday night we got home from an overnight trip to visit relatives in Boise. (Note: this turned out to be our last time to see Grandma Bryson alive) Imagine my total shock when I read the following note from our facilitator:

Hello Joy, We just found out today that Ukraine might impose moratorium on international adoptions next week. Alexey talked to the judge about it and she told him he needed to provide proof by the end of this week that I-171 is truly the document that allows the adopted child to enter USA (it is Ukrainian law requirement). If we can get it to her by the end of this week she will reschedule court hearing to June 1, next Monday. It will be the main hearing and you have to be present. Please, check and possibly book tickets to be in Ukraine this coming Monday and we will try to get the judge proves she needs tomorrow as well. She wants papers from US Embassy and SDA. We need to work together to work all of this out, even if Ukrainian Parliament closes adoptions next week. It is very unexpected and we all are in total shock. Best wishes, Nastya

Oh my! First, because here in Idaho--perhaps this varies from state to state or country to country??--there are only 5 days from Monday to Saturday when my husband, myself and our daughter, Teresa would need to be taking an extended international trip and when the kazillion details of providing for our other 4 children's care in our absence would need to be completed. I guess you'd think with waiting so long for this adoption to actually happen that I'd have all the details taken care of and would be ready to just throw my toothbrush into my already-packed bags and travel with great dignity and poise to the airport. Any of you who actually know me are now laughing hysterically because I do not really operate at my full potential until the last minute. Absolutely true story. I could also imagine God laughing because of all my whining and complaining about how long this adoption has taken--He's probably up there cracking up and saying, "OK Joy, is THIS fast enough for you?" Yep. I'd have to say this is definitely fast enough.

And OH MY! secondly because the thought of adoptions possibly being stopped--even temporarily--in Ukraine is just too awful to consider. I have so many friends who are also in the midst of adoption right now and I have no idea how this could affect any of us. Apparently a very important vote is supposed to be made on June 2. All you prayer warriors--please keep praying!

So anyway I have been bustling around all week trying to get something crossed off of my mile-long list. Yesterday was especially goofy with a trip to Boise to get a Power of Attorney form apostilled so I can complete adoption paperwork even after Kevin comes home, then stopping at WalMart, ShopKo and K-Mart looking for birthday presents for my 3 boys who all have June birthdays, picking up the 3 cakes and 3 kinds of ice cream and getting to our house about 40 minutes after the joint birthday party was supposed to have started. My Dad who had been watching the kids was ready to admit himself to the funny farm, the house was a disaster in spite of my directions to have it all cleaned up and vacuumed . . . BUT the party turned out to be a lot of fun. The two friends of James who were able to come were very well-behaved and fun to have around. Everyone-including a friend of our daughters who joined in on the party-enjoyed the activities James had selected: trying to excavate these tiny plastic 'dinosaur bones' out of very hard "dinosaur-egg"- shaped clumps of plastery stuff and also putting little capsules in warm water and watching foam dinosaurs 'grow' We also had dinosaur-decorated drinking straws but forgot to use them. As you might guess James had dinosaurs on his cake; Billy had dolphins and Caleb had Tigger and Piglet. Crazy day that ended well.

This morning I am kind of bummed to get this message from our facilitator:

Hello Joy, Alexey is just back from second preliminary hearing. The main hearing is 100% scheduled for next Wednesday, June 3. The judge said she needed to find out one more thing from SDA, but the hearing is already scheduled for 3 pm on Wednesday. You can decide whether to come on Sunday as planned or postpone until Tuesday. Have a good weekend, Nastya

I, of course, emailed my concern about the vote being on June 2 and our court on June 3 and she responded:

Even if the vote is positive, it is very unlikely the president would sign it the very next day so you should be OK time wise

Please don't stop praying--not just for us but for Ukraine and for all adoptions. We are still planning to fly out tomorrow and arrive in Kiev late Sunday night.

33 comments:

amyl4 said...

I will be praying Joy, as I have felt this worry about the same time last year when I was adopting from Ukraine. It is very scary, but God is in control and things will work out according to His Plan. Like I have said before, I believe God has a great plan for Steven and your family.
Amy

gillian said...

Prayers Joy!

Lyndi said...

Prayers Joy, I am so happy you have your date.

Hi, I'm Alysha -But you can call me Lysh said...

Godspeed Joy! In spanish we say "biyo con Dios"...Go with God. He's been there every step of the way and He's got a good grip. Praying for everything to fall into place for you and your family. I'm sooo happy this time has come!! :) Praises to You our Almighty God!!

Chris and Mary Malone said...

I will be praying for you and your family! You have been waiting so long and it is finally here!
You are going to love Ukraine in the summer!
Mary

Mandy said...

Holy Holy Holy - Oh my goodness Joy!!! I excited and scared for you all at once!!!! Praying for a smooth rest of the way home!!!!!

Carson's Mom said...

I am praying that there is no disruption- and even if there is that you are able to spring Roman prior to it taking affect!

Kayla

Arizona mom to eight said...

Oh Joy, you know you have my prayers

Anonymous said...

Mommy and daddy I luv you and miss you already love you lots.
luv
shooter

shooter said...

teresa luv you

Miranda said...

Good luck and safe travel. Please know that I, and the entire body of Good Shepard Lutheran Church in B'ham Alabama will be praying especiall hard for you tomorrow!
* hugs*
Cant wait to see that beautiful boy safe in your arms (FINALLY)
God bless!
Randi (Sergeys mommy)

Linda said...

Joy,
This Ukraine business is very tricky! both Amy and I know what that's like, but it's really going to happen for you! I'm so excited to follow your journey! Please be safe and know that all of us will be praying for you! Hugs, Linda from RR

ArtworkByRuth said...

PRAYING PRAYING PRAYING! Can't wait to hear the good report!

shooter said...

I am praying for you mommy!!!!!!!!

shooter said...

dear mommy
I want you to blog me now
come on!!!
love,
scheri

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

ok, so this will teach me to go out of town! wow! praying hard for yall and I guess beiong monday night yall are there in kiev! PRAYING please keep us posted

shooter said...

I want you relly bad like right now mommy.
I want to come home.
LuV,
*ScHeRi*

shooter said...
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shooter said...

now

shooter said...

nowwwwwwww!!!!!!!

shooter said...
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shooter said...
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shooter said...

How is it over there?

shooter said...

Give huges and kisses to teresa and daddy for me okay?
luv,
scheri

shooter said...

Sorry for writting alot I am so upset and I want you to blog me now!!!!!!!!
luve,
scheri

shooter said...

mommy I luv u

shooter said...

when will you bring him home?
love,
scheri

shooter said...

You do not have to worry.
I posting alot because I am bored!!
love you
scheri

shooter said...

You do not have to worry.
I posting alot because I am bored!!
love you
scheri

shooter said...

Now stop crying!!!!!!!

Alice said...

Wow! I thought my weekend was busy! I'm sorry to be starting so late, but I am praying now!!!

shooter said...

mom why can't you blog me is there a problem I am so worried right now.
love,
scheri

shooter said...

Mom I miss you NOW!!!!!!!