The Adoption Option

Abby is Home

2011-08-01T00:59:00.001-04:00

We brought Abby home 2 weeks ago. I am still in the process of detailing our trip. I also just posted family pictures. All of these can be found at www.livingwithouradoptionoption.blogspot.com

Moving Over to the Family Blog

2010-06-26T12:38:00.002-04:00

Just in case anyone is wondering why I'm not updating here, I've decided to just post at www.livingwithouradoptionoption.blogspot.com The only thing is, we can't actually mention that Abby is from Bulgaria--we just have to say Eastern Europe since it is a public blog. I plan to return here when we travel. Thanks,
Joy

FBI Fingerprints

2010-05-27T18:25:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Kevin and I got our fingerprints done at a near-by police station. Today I mailed the fingerprint cards, cover letters and cashier's check to the FBI so they can search their records for any criminal activity related to either of us. This will be the first of 3 sets of fingerprints needed for this adoption!! Apparently the FBI prints have been taking about 13 weeks to process :( I do hope ours are an exception to the rule.

It's kind of fun that one of the ladies at the parcel station recognized me from Steven's adoption, and asked if our current process is almost done. I told her we're just plugging along and she encouraged me to remember last time when it was all finally accomplished.

Today I also contacted 4 people to see if they are willing to provide a personal reference for us. For our last two adoptions I believe we just needed 3; this time we need 6!

We are tentatively scheduled for our first home visit for this home study on Monday!

Apology

2010-05-25T02:13:00.003-04:00

I'm sorry to those who wrote such sweet comments and they never showed up. I forgot I had set the comments to a moderation-needed setting :) And then once I found the comments I marked them all as OK and only one shows on the blog.

She has a new name!!

2010-05-21T16:45:00.000-04:00

We plan to change "Stephanie's" name to Abigail Anne and call her Abby.

Wednesday, May 19--Three envelopes on their way

2010-05-20T15:47:00.004-04:00

One with 6 forms requesting background checks from 6 states to A New Beginning office in Boise; the 2nd with our Reece's Rainbow Family Disclosure form to Andrea; and the 3 rd to our home study worker with paperwork for her to fill out from Reece's Rainbow and About A Child.

Wednesday, May 19 FSP, Notary, Background checks

2010-05-19T14:11:00.005-04:00

Andrea emailed me with the link to our new Family Sponsorship Profile. It is www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsormcclain.html
It is so fun to see our family information and Stephanie's pretty picture all together--it just makes the adoption seem more real. This is also the place where anyone who wants to partner with us in accepting God's invitation (to join with Him in providing a loving family for one fatherless girlie) can contribute to our adoption fund. Remember, all monies donated through Reece's Rainbow are 100% tax-deductible and are actually given on behalf of the CHILD, not the family (just in case the family, for some reason, cannot complete the adoption) The funds aren't distributed to the family until just prior to traveling to bring their child home.

This morning we got a couple more documents notarized--one for Reece's Rainbow and one requesting the state of Texas to diligently search their files for records pertaining to that notorious villain known only as "Joy The Adopter". We were waiting at City Hall when it opened at 9:00 am. That way Kevin could run in, sign his John Henry in front of the city clerk and still get to work by 9:30 as needed. I just cannot express how wonderful it is for both of us to be on the same page with this adoption.

And just in case there is anyone out there in blogdom who is perhaps considering adoption from Bulgaria, you do need background checks for every state in which you have lived as an adult. BUT this is not nearly as complicated as I thought it would be. Our agency, A New Beginning, emailed us the specific downloadable form required for each separate state. All I had to do was print and then fill out name, date of birth, address, SS# on each one. Some also wanted the name of the city where I had resided, while a couple needed actual street addresses. This last requirement threw me for a bit of a loop momentarily. We are talking ancient history here, back when I had to scratch my cave number above our entry hole with a sharp rock ;) Thank the Lord, in a moment of rare inspiration I had written down most previous addresses on a piece of paper in my old resume' file several years ago and I was able to find the street address of my Alma mater on the internet.

And very, very early this morning I found out I now have access to the Bulgarian documents section of About A Child's website--so now I can even get going on paperwork for the dossier. I love to have something tangible to do to help speed the process of bring Stephanie home.

You can always tell when I've spent too long enhancing my blog entries--I start getting silly.

Tuesday, May 18 Multi-State Clearances filled out

2010-05-19T02:10:00.004-04:00

Guess what! Our worker says she has actually started our new home study! I don't know why that juicy bit of news makes me so happy. I think because the home study is like the backbone document for the whole process--without it there is no adoption, plain and simple. It must be completed prior to submitting to USCIS (the US Immigration folks) for pre-approval to bring Stephanie to the US and is the major document of the dossier, the stack of papers that will (hopefully) be gathered and sent to Bulgaria. Since we're adopting from a Hague country this time we have to get child abuse clearances for every state we've lived in. I'm not honestly sure if this is every state we've lived in since we were 18 or every state we've lived in for the last 18 years, excluding Idaho (Idaho's clearance will be taken care of when we get fingerprints at Health and Welfare in June) I was thinking the first choice. So today I filled out paperwork for 6 clearances--5 for me and 1 for Kevin. One of mine has to be notarized--hopefully in the morning--and then I'll hope to send the whole batch to our agency in Boise for further processing. Also found out today that we will need SIX personal references for this adoption.

Commitment Application has been filed in-country

2010-05-17T13:12:00.003-04:00

This is the message I received this morning from Toni: Just wanted to let you know that this morning your commitment application for Stephanie was filed with the MOJ. Now all we are waiting for is for your completed dossier (HS, I-800A and the rest of the documents) to be filed with the MOJ to officially start the procedure. Keep the good job!

Also registered for the required "Issues In Adoption" training session to be held in Boise in June.

Celebrating every bit of progress!

Background Checks scheduled

2010-05-16T00:26:00.002-04:00

Today we got background checks scheduled. Mine is June 1 and Kevin's is June 3. There weren't any available times left in May.

A New Beginning Adoption Agency Application

2010-05-14T14:23:00.005-04:00

Sorry, I know this part may be boring to everyone else but it's encouraging to me to think that everyday I'm doing something toward getting Stephanie home.

So yesterday, May 13, I began filling out the essay part of the application for A New Beginning (the local agency that is doing our home study) called Motivation to Adopt. I fell asleep working on it last night and finished it today. I will be mailing the ANB application forms and application fee today. These are the questions that were asked and my answers:

1. How did you come to the decision that adoption should be your next step toward building your family?

I have been interested in adoption and orphans at least since Junior High. Around that time I read a book called The Family Nobody Wanted about a minister’s family that adopted 12 children.
Kevin and I love children and have already adopted six but I have been feeling for some time that there was another girl “out there somewhere” for us. Adoption is the very wonderful way God has chosen for us to build our family. I believe that adoption is a win-win situation for kids who need parents and parents who want kids. We see adoption as a mirror of the way that God the Father lovingly brought us into His own family through Jesus Christ and gave us the rights and privileges of His precious children.

2. Who initiated the decision of adopt?
Joy

3. Do you have a history of infertility? If so, what was your experience?

I was never officially diagnosed with infertility. Kevin and I married later in life. I was already 33 and wanted very much to be a mommy. We tried for a year to get pregnant and then I finally conceived but miscarried at 12 weeks in 1996. Billy had joined our family in March about a week before the miscarriage as a foster child. I loved him so much. Watching him blossom and grow and learn helped me maintain my sanity and gave me a special reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I was absolutely devastated by the miscarriage. I had done everything I knew to take good care of my body and our unborn baby. I was very angry at God for letting this happen when He knew I wanted a baby so badly. I’m sure I spent time journaling, crying, screaming at God--my memories there are somewhat cloudy. Slowly but surely I worked through and prayed through and cried through my feelings. I just didn’t have it in me to try again to get pregnant for at least 5 years. By that time we had adopted two of our kids and had another foster child living with us.

My periods started getting heavier and heavier and finally after 3 people told me how horrible I looked :) I went to a doctor and found out part of my red blood count was very low. I was eventually diagnosed with fibroid tumors for which I had a hysterectomy in 2003. I felt very blessed to be the mother of 4 adopted kids by that time though I must admit I was somewhat sad to totally cut off even the remotest chance of ever becoming pregnant.

Have you attended counseling to address any issues of grief and loss associated with the infertility? If so, what did you learn through counseling? If not, do you feel like counseling would be beneficial?

No, I did not attend any counseling to address this grief and loss. (I had attended a series of classes on grief and loss back in 1992 or 1993 after my first husband left me) I did read some books on the subject as well as my Bible and was surrounded by people who loved me--including my husband and our children and I gave it a lot of time. Over time I have come to realize that life does not always make sense and God is not under any obligation to explain His ways to me. HOWEVER, He is totally trustworthy, He walks through all the hard places with us, and He is not intimidated or put-off by my loud or prolonged grief.

How may your thoughts and feelings about infertility effect your adoption and ability to bond to an adopted child?

We already have six adopted children and absolutely consider them OUR children. Bonding/attaching with a couple of them has been a longer process than with others, I think largely due to their life experiences before joining our family. I really don’t believe “infertility” has adversely affected the bonding at all.

5. Why did you select the adoption program that you chose (I.e. Infant Waiting List, Waiting Child Program, International)?

At our ages of 49 and 48 Kevin and I really aren’t in the “market” for an infant. We have tried the Waiting Child Program before and I found the ‘shotgun approach” very emotionally difficult (having our home study submitted on 25 different children but not being able to get my heart set on any single one) and besides that program has a waiting list right now. We chose the international program because we have successfully adopted internationally twice before (Ukraine). Little Stephanie from Bulgaria is such a cutie, has so many abilities, has special needs that seem so manageable with my nursing background, reminds me of James’ older birth sister, and needs a family very much. I am beginning to fall in love with her already. I am very interested in her country and excited to return to Eastern Europe--even looking forward to seeing the Cyrillic letters again on signs J. At 8½ she will fit nicely in our family between the “big kids” and the “little boys” and will still have the blessing of being the youngest girl. Though we loved Ukraine I just could not face being away from our children for another 5 weeks or more. Travel to Bulgaria is only about 10 days on one trip and a week on the other.

Bulgaria or Bust

2010-05-12T14:58:00.009-04:00

Since this IS a private blog I got permission from our in-country facilitator (or whatever her official title is) to post a picture and the name of our country. So let me introduce you all to "Stephanie" from the country of Bulgaria. She is 8 1/2. Isn't she just precious! I am trying really hard to envision her here in our living room but right now she seems a bit unreal.

As you can see from the quotation marks around her name, "Stephanie" is not her real name (though it is kind of an Americanized version of it.) And what will we be naming her??? Well, I have a couple ideas but we haven't decided yet. Honestly haven't discussed it yet. As those who followed our last two journeys know, we are notorious for making final decisions on names the night or morning before actually meeting our child. Those people who figure it out right away amaze me. Though I go by "Joy" my full name is Anna Joylean. My mom is Joyce Ann. My maternal grandmother was Anna. My daughters are Teresa Joy and Scheri Lynn with the middle names coming from my middle name. I would really like Ann, Anna, Anne, Anya--etc. to be part of Stephanie's name. We'll see.

I've been wanting to share my Bulgaria story. As some of you know, back in January Kevin and I had felt led of the Lord to cautiously proceed with the adoption of a little girl from another country but on January 27 Kevin lost his job. Those adoption plans came to a screeching halt (thankfully another Reece's Rainbow mommy came forward and is in the process of adopting that little one) yet I could not get away from the idea of adoption. On January 31 our pastor came to Acts 16 in the course of his sermon series. This is the story where Paul is on one of his missionary journeys, knows he is called to preach the gospel but when he thought to turn one direction and go into the province of Asia, the Holy Spirit blocked him. When Paul and party tried to turn the other direction and enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them. So they just headed straight for Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Paul and his crew determined God wanted them in Macedonia and headed there by ship to share Jesus. Well this story reminded me of our adoption journey. We thought God wanted us to adopt so we decided to try to bring home two little girls. We found out one wasn't available for adoption so we thought to adopt just the other one. Then the door slammed shut. I'd been wondering about Bulgaria--especially since the in-country travel time is so much shorter than with Ukraine which could be especially important if Kevin had a new job. So I got on the internet in the next two or three days (early in February), went to the RR site, looked at some Bulgarian kids listed there, looked at the Bulgaria program site, pushed the highlighted "Bulgaria" link and was taken to a history page. I found out that Bulgaria used to be part of Macedonia!!! (Though not at Paul's time) I was so intrigued I spent several hours studying the country of Bulgaria.

Adoption stuff done today: printed off the I-800A form, directions, and tips--that's a PILE of paper. Printed off a passport renewal form for Kevin AND found his current passport. Tried to go to the Health and Welfare site and schedule fingerprints for background check for home study but the site will only use Internet Explorer and we use a different browser. Filled out 2 pages of application for our home study agency--the EASY pages that just ask for name, address, DOB, education, job, income, kids' names and birth dates, dog's name, number of toes on your cat's left hind foot, language spoken at home by your parrot, etc. Now I just have the short answer questions that ask about motivation to adopt--these always take me way too long to write. I am rarely satisfied with the 3-5 word response but must expand and expound. Except the question that asks "Who initiated this adoption?" I really can't think of any profound, drawn-out way to say "ME"

Getting tired and silly obviously. Must go to bed.

One step at a time

2010-05-11T14:26:00.002-04:00

This was the message I received from our in-country facilitator this morning: "I already translated the commitment application and will file it for authentication tomorrow. It takes 3 business days for them to authenticate. As soon as I have it ready I will file it with the MOJ. I will let you know when I do that, as well a the reference number."

The other adoption-related event was scheduling my physical for our home study. Unfortunately, I had to do it toward the end of June because that is when our insurance through Kevin's job kicks back in. That seems so ridiculously far away. I'm praying that will change.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

2010-05-10T11:59:00.006-04:00

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Well Kevin and I have taken the first steps on the journey of several thousand miles to a new daughter in a Eastern European country--NOT Ukraine this time. :)

I'm not sure yet what this country's rules are about posting picture or specific country on our blog so you'll just have to take my word on it that she is a cutie-bug. Or better yet, you can go to http://reecesrainbow.org/familysponsorshipnew.htm and you'll see "Stephanie for the McClain's" [Our page there isn't totally set up yet but that is the same site that anyone interested in donating to our adoption can go. Two really good things are (1) that donations through Reece's Rainbow are totally tax deductible and (2) all funds stay with "Stephanie"--so if for any reason we would have to back out of the adoption, the money stays there to help another family adopt her.]

Hey, wait a minute, this IS a private blog, isn't it?!!! Perhaps that opens up the possibilities a bit as far as posting a picture! I'll have to find out.

There's so much I want to say but right this second I want to just lay out what's been happening so far.

January 31 Pastor preached a sermon about Macedonia. (See May 12 post) Found out later in the week that Bulgaria used to be a part of Macedonia!!

February 16 Had emailed several concerns to Victoria at About a Child and found out we do qualify for adoption from Bulgaria

March 26 Praying about adopting Stephanie

March 27 Email from Shelley that a family has stepped forward to adopt Stephanie

Mid-April Stephanie's adoptive family had to back out. Only few days to find another family before file has to be returned.

April 18 Inquiring about Stephanie with Shelley and Andrea

April 20 Mentioned Stephanie again in my journal

April 22 Trying to figure out if we qualify financially for her country.

April 23 Advocating for Stephanie on Reece's Rainbow while also asking a lot of questions to the adoption agency. Finally sent pre-application and family picture to About A Child, the agency that is handling Stephanie's adoption.

Monday, April 26, about 1:15 AM, Kevin and I finally agreed to try to adopt Stephanie. Extremely busy day but kept having a feeling like I'd just had a positive pregnancy test--just this little interior smile that says I'm having a baby and no one knows it. Just my own special private secret.

Tuesday, April 27, the line from the Bible "Sing oh barren woman" just kept playing over in my mind. With some hunting found that biblical line in Isaiah 54. Another insanely busy day. I believe it was this day--but perhaps Monday-- that I spoke on the phone with both Carla and Victoria from About A Child and printed off documents from About A Child, from Toni and from Reece's Rainbow.

Wednesday, April 28 in Boise airport on way to Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VI in Minneapolis, Kevin tells me about how God was working in his heart concerning adoption over the weekend both through the Men's Fellowship lesson that he taught (David and Abigail--the FATHER is my source) and Children's Church lesson about providing for the needs of a little orphan girl. Kevin's main objection to another adoption was concerns about job stability.

Thursday, April 29 Met Tammy from RR at the Summit. I knew she was specially interested in Stephanie's well-being so I told her our special secret.

Saturday night, May 1- home

Sunday afternoon, May 2 worked for several hours--like 6-- on document for Toni about our family and finances. On Monday May 3 found out the financial part was way too detailed--she only needed a couple lines :) Emailed the shorter version.

May 4 Notarizing documents didn't work out

May 5 Kevin and I went to City Hall and had the 3 initial documents for Toni notarized. Put pictures of our family into a document. After little boys went to school I hurried over to Twin to pick up a printer cartridge. Back home to take, download and print pictures of our house plus print pictures of family. Took documents and pictures back to Twin, copied them and tried to fax copies to Victoria--kept getting answering machine. Gave up. Across town to shipping store. Overnighted the 3 documents by Fed Ex to Boise for apostilles and also paid for shipping on to Stephanie's country. There was $60 difference between Economy and the faster one but didn't seem like the more expensive one was THAT much faster. Afterwards I was feeling I shouldn't have chosen Economy. Back to pick little boys up from preschool.

May 6 Documents arrived at Secretary of State office at 10:13. By the end of the day they were in transit to Tennessee and expected in B------- on the 16th or 17th. Faxed documents to Victoria at AAC. Kevin and I started formally reading through the 26 page service contract from AAC

Friday, May 7 Documents are now in Paris. Arrival date now listed as the 12th. (Toni is out of the office for holidays until the 10th anyway) Signed the AAC service contract--mailed it with two accompanying checks. Finished Family Sponsorship Profile application for Reece's Rainbow--took me forever to write up the little ditty about our family--mailed it with the two accompanying checks. FINALLY got to make the announcement on the Reece's Rainbow yahoo group--so fun to receive so many excited responses.

Tried to contact A New Beginning Adoption Agency. Didn't see our social worker Dixie listed on their site. Concerned that she isn't working for them anymore and we'll have to start with a new worker.

Monday May 10
Paperwork arrived in B----! So glad I used economy rate.
Dixie called from A New Beginning--she IS still with agency. There have been several changes in the agency's policies/procedures since our last adoption. Now all paperwork comes from Boise, goes back to Boise and then they let Dixie know we can set up for subsequent home study. Will need new physicals, references, background checks and financial info

Last Post for Now

2009-11-01T02:47:00.002-05:00

Since our adoption journeys for Caleb and Steven are complete, I have taken the good advice of my friends and started a new public blog called Living With Our Adoption Option (www.livingwithouradoptionoption.blogspot.com) I hope you will join me there. And thank you for your support here for almost two years.

Cardiac Exam

2009-10-23T13:55:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Steven was seen by a Dr. Womack--I believe from Boise--who came down to our neck of the woods for a couple days. During Steven's initial physical exam his primary doc had heard a murmur and suggested further examination by a specialist. Apparently about 50% of children with DS have some kind of heart condition from very mild to quite extensive.

So yesterday was the appointed time. This doctor was very nice, very 'kid-friendly', if you know what I mean. He looked at Steven's overall condition (warm and pink and growing and healthy), asked about his energy level (just fine, I assure you), listened to his heart, felt his pulses and then led us clear across the hospital to the heart lab. For those of you who are heart experts due to experience with your children, please forgive me that I don't know the actual name of the procedure done. Steven just had to take off his shirt and lay on a warm blanket on the stretcher. Then "Gordon" (the lab guy) let Steven hold the transducer (I assume that's what it is because the machine was quite similar to what it used for a fetal sonogram) and put it on his own chest with that lovely cold gooey gel. Of course, Gordon took over the controls from there. I was so fascinated with the moving 3-D images on the screen and Gordon was great to point out the atria, ventricles, various valves, aorta, cardiac arteries, hepatic arteries, aorta, descending aorta. He could also change the settings so colors would show on the screen--I believe the red was blood flow toward the transducer and blue was blood flow away from the transducer? (I could have that backwards) With that setting he could tell whether any blood was leaking back through a valve or coming through the walls in the heart. You could also hear and see the heart rhythm as he examined various views of the heart. He did see a TINY bit of leakage at a couple valves but the end result was that Steven's heart is structurally and functionally normal and he will not need to see a cardiac specialist again. Cool!!

Actual current post with current pictures

2009-10-19T03:14:00.005-04:00

10/14 Steven and Caleb awaiting the school bus. They get soooooo excited when they see that big yellow box coming toward them down the street. Caleb always sits by the window and waves til he can't see me anymore. The weather has definitely warmed up again after an unseasonable snow in September which looked so weird when the leaves were still attached AND green. Some of my kids have even worn shorts and T-shirts outside but not me--I'm too cold-blooded for that.

Sunday, Oct 18 What a day! As in many areas, we have been having a lot of sickness at church and school. This morning Pastor called Kevin to ask if he could please lead the worship service and sing a special number since our pastor's wife who usually leads worship, plays the piano and sings beautifully is very ill with the flu. I really had to laugh because Kevin and I were already scheduled to teach our regular Sunday School classes, Kevin was to play his guitar for worship, plus it was our turn to do Children's Church. (Our lesson was on the fruit of the Spirit called Self-control and the main idea was "My tongue belongs to Jesus.") Then this evening we were also scheduled to begin our Kids Clubs for the school year. [Kevin teaches the middle school boys in a group called Adventure Rangers and I'm teaching the Rainbow preschoolers this time after several years leading the PRIMS (1st,2nd grade girls)] Not too long later I got a phone call from 'J' apologizing that she is quite sick and would be unable to fill in tonight for the regular STARS leader "C" as planned. (C. had let me know well in advance of a schedule conflict for this week.) Oh my! So Scheri and Teresa bravely agreed to lead the STARS (3rd-5th grade girls) and Scheri spent quite a bit of time this afternoon putting together a meeting plan with some input from me. Then later during the afternoon there was a call from the new PRIMS leader saying she was sick with the flu and would be unable to come. So Teresa and Scheri had the PRIMS AND the STARS at a table right outside the door where I was doing Rainbows--so I could supervise as necessary. I really must say my daughters did very well for their age and the little girls seemed to be having fun. Caleb, Steven and I did OK but I can see I am going to need a lot more activities planned for next week because their attention span is so short. Our club shirts are green with big rainbows, our motto is 'We are helpers' and we have a Noah's Ark theme. We are working on our Dog badge-learning that Jesus is our best friend. I was so exhausted when we left the church tonight that I just wanted to fall in a hole and/or drink about a gallon of Diet Pepsi (And we didn't even try to make it to the 1st practice of the Community Christmas choir at the Nazarene church! Thankfully only the last 2 or 3 rehearsals are mandatory--most you learn on your own listening to the CD over and over )

Thanks to the Lord for helping us with all of our commitments

Mom and Dad joined us for lunch. Mom brought her yummy vegetable beef stew and Kevin had cut up a bunch of fresh fruit and made sandwiches on this 9-grain bread that we (even the kids) really like. I joked that this makes up for the days when french fries are our only vegetable.

Here are Steven and Caleb in their Rainbow shirts.

The Last of the Catch-up Pictures

2009-10-19T02:37:00.003-04:00

All these pictures are from August 26. As you noted the pictures in these 3 catch-up posts are in reverse order. This made complete sense when I thought I could put all of them in one post. Oh well.

Here are Teresa, Scheri and James ready to head off for their first day of school: Teresa, 7th grade; Scheri, 8th grade and James, 6th grade.
Billy was a little later getting out of the house. He is a freshman this year. Oh my!

After the big kids got out of the house, Caleb and Steven and I headed for town. Caleb had a well-child check and had to get some annual blood work. He was shown to be low on iron so we have been giving him vitamins with iron per the Dr's recommendation; otherwise his tests were normal.

Catch-Up Pictures

2009-10-19T01:28:00.009-04:00

8/28--We finally got to go on the Thousands Springs river cruise/dinner that had originally been scheduled for June 26. This was a present from my parents in celebration of 3 anniversaries: their 50th, my brother's 25th and our 15th. We weren't sure until almost the last minute that Kevin was going to get off early enough from work to go with us. We remarked that you can be late to a dinner and still be OK but when that dinner is on a boat--you're either ready or you're not

8/30 "Graduation" Sunday for the Mission Possible VBS kids

9/1 A sad morning at our house--the kids saying good-bye to Lily--our faithful, overprotective doggie whom Kevin rescued from the poo-poo pond over in Murtaugh. Lilly bit the hand of the elderly gentleman who was delivering Meals on Wheels to Kevin's father who lives next door. There is just no reasonable way to completely fence our yard and we can't stand the thought of Lily living on a chain so Kevin had to take her to the pound.

9/1 Celebrating my Dad's birthday at our house. Here's Daddy with James, Billy, Scheri and Teresa

9/2--These are pictures of our family at our annual trip to the Filer Fair. Our school actually lets out on this Wednesday which is the first day of the fair and McDonald's Day on which the price of the all-day rides pass is significantly reduced. I love this day of the fair because the lines are exceedingly short.

9/4 Steven had bilateral ear tubes placed. He was the 7:30 am case and we were HOME by 9:00 am. He sailed through without a hitch--drank his juice, walked to the bathroom and was able to pee without any difficulty. He had no problems with nausea and no ear drainage. Praise God. The first picture shows me holding him in the last moments before laying him on the stretcher and walking away with a smile on my face and a tear in my heart. The second picture shows him drinking juice back in his little 'room' in Same Day surgery.

09/09/09 (never noticed this before) First day of school for Caleb and Steven. Here's a picture of their school supplies

And here are our two littlest cuties with backpacks ready to hop in the suburban with mom and head to preschool. They will go every day from noon to 3:15. They are to travel by bus on M-W-F and by mom-bus on T-Th

9/19--Putting up our new volleyball net. We had a lot of fun playing out in the back yard

Random thoughts--pictures of kiddos

2009-10-18T23:30:00.010-04:00

I'm sorry to be so behind. I'm having a hard time feeling like I'm doing anything interesting enough to blog about. I am so, so, so passionate about adoption and orphans and very 'into' the workshop I'm getting the opportunity to facilitate to help commemorate Orphan Sunday. I've been working very earnestly on this labor of love but it doesn't seem that exciting to blog about how many letters and posters and photocopies and folders and fliers I've written or hung up or racked up or stuffed or collected. Besides practically everyone that subscribes to this blog is already 'into' adoption so it's like preaching to the choir. (Here I want to get up on the rooftops and motivate everyone on the planet--Christians in particular--to get involved in orphan care!! but both(!) of you readers have either already adopted or are adopting now.)

On a related note, I'm really considering re-opening this blog for public view. The only reason I've kept it private is that I've started discussing our older kids by name and have even mentioned our home town. I really am not a paranoid person but 3 of our children were adopted from local foster care and born about 15-20 minutes from here. I respect our kids' birth families but I''m not keen on having them know all about our personal lives. I know probably most of them know exactly where we live anyway and have not used that knowledge to cause any problems but still . . . I want to be smart. Any words of wisdom? And no, I really cannot imagine trying two blogs.

Some of you know we had submitted Steven's passport to the Ukrainian consulate in San Francisco about 2 weeks after we got home (this registration is required within 30 days of return to the US). I was getting pretty nervous because said document had not yet been returned (and ya'll well know just how much trouble we had GETTING that lovely blue thing in the first place.) Thankfully someone on Reece's Rainbow 'happened' to make a passing remark about a self-addressed stamped envelope. Uh oh!! Guess what I'd forgotten to enclose with the registration? YIPES! So I sent a SASE along with detailed note about Steven's birth name, birth birth date, new name, new birth date, place of birth, date of adoption decree, etc etc. and so help me, got the passport no more than 5 days later, maybe 4. Just Tuesday I took my place as #66 in the busy Social Security office (day after Columbus Day) and was promised a social security number within about 10 days.

9/20--My son Billy very happily playing the drums at church singspiration to accompany the beautiful song Kevin wrote.

9/23--Steven getting his hair cut at Great Clips

9/23-- Grandma and hairdresser were both trying to get Caleb to hold still--quite a job. He absolutely cannot stand the little hairs falling on his face and just squirms and fusses while constantly trying to brush them off.

9/25-- Two of our kids had overnight guests and we all went bowling at Cedar Lanes--the first time I ever remember actually bowling as a family. It was a lot of fun.

Caleb covering his ears at the bowling alley--I can't remember what noise he was trying to avoid.

Steven watching what was going on

10/2-- Scheri got to hold B's wedding bouquet while B and her sweetie cut the cake at their reception

Our babysitter and her new husband, October 2

October 6-- Scheri and Teresa all dressed up for Hawaii Day during Homecoming Week. I had just bought these shirts for something like $1.49 at KMart a couple days earlier

October 7-- Caleb and Steven looked so cute in their striped button-up collar shirts as they were eating before heading to school. I tried and tried to get a good picture. I basically just have to snap and hope because they hold still for the tiniest speck of time (and I think the shutter on my cell phone is very slow anyway)
The view I think I'm getting is NOT the one I end up with.

10/10--Caleb with Poppi and Grandma ('Amma') at cousing Elizabeth's wedding

10/13--Steven and Caleb helping Mommy clean up Scheri and Teresa's old sink/dishwasher that has been living out in the yard for months and maybe years

I am so excited

2009-09-25T14:49:00.003-04:00

I emailed our adoption agency to ask if they could send brochures for me to hand out at the adoption workshop. I got more than I asked for! The social worker who did our home study for Caleb and for Steven volunteered to come to the workshop "and talk as little or as much" as I wanted her to. The agency is also planning to supply some items for give-away--like T-shirt, bracelets, magnets!! I think having a professional there to answer people's questions will add so much clout to the event and boost attendance.

To me this is just another confirmation that I'm actually doing something God is pleased with. Wow!

Orphan Sunday--November 8, 2009

2009-09-19T21:53:00.005-04:00

I have the unique opportunity of volunteering with the very-reputable Christian Alliance for Orphans to promote Orphan Sunday here in our Valley. A couple days ago I mailed out letters to 21 area pastors (plus hand-delivered two) letting them know about this up-coming special day as well as the related website http://www.orphansunday.org/ . Almost every time I check out the site, there are more resources listed there. We're talking posters, videos, sermon outlines, Bible studies, kids' ministries, music, books, etc. There's a great video series there by Mr and Mrs Rick Warren of Saddleback Church where they use the acrostic O-R-P-H-A-N to list 6 things we as Christians can do for these needy children. Two of the YouTube videos listed there --"The Facts" by Show Hope and "Just How Big is 143,000,000?" --are particularly powerful, I think. It doesn't have to be a pastor that uses this stuff--it could be a Sunday School teacher, small group leader, college group--anyone who has a heart for orphans. There are several events already listed on the site and an invitation to add more. Any of you want to do something in your church or your town?

I am hoping to lead a workshop here at our church on Saturday, Nov 7 on topics like: Adoption is Needed; Adoption is Biblical; Adoption is Ministry; Adoption is "Do-able." I've got quite a few ideas but will really need God's help to truly make it fly. I would so appreciate your prayers.

Heart-breaking Math

2009-09-11T16:36:00.004-04:00

According to one estimate there are 130 million orphans around the world. (I've heard even higher estimates) I started to comprehend the magnitude of this mind-boggling number a week ago when the thought came to me to figure out how many seconds there are in a year (31,557,600). Did you know that if you read the name of every one of these precious children at the rate of one per second it would take 4 YEARS 43 days and almost 20 hours to read them all--and that is surmising that no more children were orphaned during that time.

This has been haunting me all week. I am hearing the cry of orphans in their distress.

So how is Steven doing now?

2009-09-11T14:37:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to blog for days but just haven't found the time to do it. Now, I am in my house all by myself with all 6 of our kids at school. Caleb and Steven both started preschool on Wednesday the 9th and get to attend every afternoon from noon to 3:00. For those who don't know, my purpose in wanting to set Steven's birthday ahead by 6 months was to buy him a year in preschool and I am so thankful that our school cooperated even though he will turn 6 in March. (One rather humorous thing about the new birthdate is that Steven's baby immunizations show as being administered before he was born!!) Both times that I've picked Steven up from the teacher so far, he has cried and kind of backed away from me. I wonder if he's trying to tell me that he was sad that I left him. It must be so confusing to him. Poor guy. But he is not at all hesitant about going--even got on the bus readily today (the other 2 days I've driven) so I really think he likes school.

I know when I was in the adoption process I was very interested in knowing how various newly-adopted kids (whom I'd 'met' on Reece's Rainbow) were doing once they were home. I'll try to put this into words.

Steven is much less out-going and bubbly than Caleb. He is quite hesitant around strangers and often gives them a scowl, sometimes even a raised fist (though not so much lately) He still has not really warmed up to my parents whom he sees quite often. He is also more hesitant around Kevin than around me. He sometimes comes up to me when I'm seated and lays his head in my lap. When I'm standing he hugs my legs or raises his hands to be picked up. He does like to be carried and actually holds on with his arms and legs (unlike Caleb who is gawking all over the place and leaning back) I have seen him try to hug Caleb and vice versa. Steven can say 'hi', 'bye', 'me' He can give high-fives and knuckles. He can pray before he eats. (It was hilarious one day listening to him bossing Caleb that he needed to pray before he started eating) He knows quite a few signs, though doesn't use them spontaneously too much--except 'play'. I did actually see a look of delight in Steven's beautiful blue eyes about 2 weeks ago. That was encouraging. That gleam is not there everyday but I do know it exists.

Steven and Caleb are definitely partners in crime. Before Steven came Caleb was pretty laid back but now the two are Mess-Making Machines, Inc. and are amazingly fast in their efforts. Like most kids they do way better when there is something or someone to keep them constructively occupied but when left to their own devices . . . . well, beware!! I'm not talking really bad stuff, just little annoying stuff like pulling all of the dress-up clothes out of the closet, turning the faucet on in the tub where the dirty clothes are, pouring my pop into the toilet, applying lip gloss, putting some unknown paper into the shredder, throwing stuff behind the couch, throwing their blocks ALL over the dining room, taking off their clothes, trying to shave. I really blame them for our plugged up toilet that absolutely would not come loose with a plunger. I believe--but can't prove--they had emptied the trash can into the toilet. I really think their favorite occupation is watching water go down the drain full blast in the bathroom sink. Steven's fave used to be unrolling toilet tissue and stuffing it in the toilet. We no longer put our TP on the roller so it isn't as fun. Yesterday they got into the chewable vitamins--and that could have been very bad. The time when they do all this stuff of course is when I'm on the computer or on the phone or trying to monitor James' homework while giving Billy ideas on where to find his lost shoe while fixing dinner while cleaning off the dining room table while talking to the girls about how their day went, etc. They really don't fight too much. I don't think I've ever seen them intentionally hit each other but they do raise their voices when one gets something the other wanted. Usually they are giggling and laughing and chasing and pretending like they are shooting each other and . . . Oh, I forgot to mention how much Steven LOVES to sing. He will strum a badminton racket to accompany himself or hold a soft bowling pin up to his mouth as a microphone and just let it rip.

Steven had tubes put in his ears on Sept 4 by Doctor Mayes and came through great. I just picked him straight up out of bed about 5:30 am and carried him to the car in his jammies and off we headed for same-day surgery. It kind of reminded me of heading to the airport there in Kiev. Steven did well but could tell something was up and was really clinging to me. Thankfully he didn't even have an IV. All the prep we had to do was dress him in the hospital jammies, and put the 'funny hat' on his head. I've been through tubes 3 times with Teresa so am pretty familiar with the routine but it was still so hard to finally lay him on that bed and smilingly tell him "Mommy will be right back" and walk away hearing him cry as they wheeled him into surgery. Steven was the 7:30 case. It couldn't have been much past 8:00 when I'd already talked to the doctor (who said the right ear was pretty good but the left eardrum was quite retracted and had fluid behind it and will need to be watched) and headed from the waiting room back to same-day. Steven was wide awake, he guzzled down his glass of apple juice with zero nausea, we walked across the hall to the potty and he went pee, and I got him dressed. The only glitch at all was that we were originally handed antibiotic EYE drops rather than the necessary EAR drops and had to wait for the correct bottle to arrive from the pharmacy. (I had to put 5 drops into each ear twice a day for 3 days) We were back in Hansen shortly after 9 am!! Hopefully this procedure will improve his ability to accurately hear English so he can learn it as well as possible.

Steven is no longer so protective of his food and there have even been a few times when he didn't finish his plate. I think he is figuring out that there is plenty to eat. He sleeps well. When he's in a familiar setting he almost always keeps his pants clean and dry---he just walks to the potty and does his thing. However, he doesn't ASK to go potty so this can be a problem when he doesn't know where the potty is.

One thing Steven does that I think is pretty impressive is that on the trampoline he can bounce down on his bum and land on his feet.

Steven is a precious little boy and I am so thankful that he is no longer a picture on our fridge but our real-life son.

Adoption as a ministry--and some resources

2009-08-30T19:18:00.012-04:00

I know there are many different roads that bring various people to adoption. For us, adoption provided a way to have the children I so dearly wanted. To me it was a win-win situation: children were blessed with a family and families were blessed with children. And I still believe this. However, over the last several months I have also begun to see adoption as ministry--actually as missions. What better way to win someone for Jesus than to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as provided in a Christian home.

I am passionate about adoption. In fact, I really believe God has called me to be involved in some kind of adoption-promotion ministry

I have been repeatedly encouraged in my calling and blessed by emails from a man named Gerald Clark who is involved with an organization called Home for Good Foundation.

I'd like to share some of the resources I've received from him.

First, here's the link to the Home for Good Foundation website where on the left hand side you can find links to a free downloadable Adoption Bible Study and Adoption Ministry Manual: http://www.hfgf.org/

Secondly, I was so impressed with a resolution passed by the Southern Baptist Convention in June 2009 entitled "On Adoption and Orphan Care" that I wanted to share it here. I am not part of the Southern Baptist denomination but I can just imagine the huge positive impact this can have on the lives of the orphaned and abandoned children of our planet. What if every Christian denomination adopted such a stance!
http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=1194

Next, I just received this link to a You Tube video by a Rev John Piper called "Adoption is Greater than the Universe"
http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=ZgNXQ2CazUg

And finally while viewing the above video, I saw a powerful, touching adoption video called "They Chose Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MdQP3OK4s&NR=1

I hope you are blessed by some or all of these.

Family Pictures from my parents' 50th anniversary

2009-08-30T17:20:00.004-04:00

These are pictures from my parents' 50th wedding anniversary held on July 25, 2009. What a blessed heritage I have had.
Here is our whole family that was able to attend: my parents, my brother's family and our family.

Here are my parents with our family: in back, Kevin holding Caleb, Dad, Mom, me (Joy) holding Steven; in front, Billy, Scheri, James and Teresa

Here are my parents with their grandchildren. One granddaughter and spouse and two great-grandchildren were unable to attend.

Another shot: Caleb (left front) was so taken with his boutonniere, he was trying to show it to the photographer :)

Caleb on the phone

Steven, probably a bit over-whelmed with all the people

Ice Cream Lovers

2009-08-24T03:44:00.002-04:00

Today after church we headed for Arctic Circle. Kevin and the big kids took their food with them; Caleb, Steven and I ate in the restaurant. Kevin had a building project going over at a friend's house near Filer--and the kids were hoping for close contact with said friend's horses (which they got.)

After the little boys ate and played on the slides they were treated to small complimentary vanilla cones. Caleb made his disappear pretty pronto. Steven took tiny little licks with the tip of his tongue and eventually cleaned the cone out quite well though he wouldn't bite the now-soggy cone itself.

An Unforgetable Day

2009-08-23T19:03:00.002-04:00

In the 7 weeks since Steven, Teresa and I have been home from Ukraine we have had a schedule unlike I have had since Billy, Teresa and James were little. Billy has been getting developmental therapy and OT. Scheri has restarted counselling for attachment issues and has now begun volleyball practice. James has been in OT and speech as well as a reading program put on by the Southern Idaho Learning Center. Caleb is in speech and OT and Steven in OT, PT and speech. Then of course, there are the usual rounds of getting everyone seen by the dentist and having all the well-child checks done besides the occasional doctor visit for actual sickness. There's also Youth group on Wednesday nights, some church movie nights and other youth activities, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School classes to teach weekly, Children's church that Kevin and I are responsible for once monthly. My Daily Planner is quite impressive and I would be absolutely sunk if I should chance to lose it.

Thursday August 20 was a day you could tell in advance was going to be a killer. It started off at 9:00 am at the dentist office in Twin Falls where originally just Scheri and Teresa were scheduled for cleaning and x-rays. (so Scheri missed her volley ball practice) As it turned out however, the dentist had extra time and was able to see Caleb and Steven as well besides doing fillings on Billy and Scheri. These 5-6 items were toggled with the 5 therapy appointments the 4 boys had beginning at 10:00 am. The dentist and Primary Therapy are just a couple short blocks apart but I was kept pretty busy trying to lend moral support to everyone seeing the dentist and getting the right persons over to therapy at the right time while filling out 3 or 4 pages of paperwork for each of the boys for therapy plus 'new patient' paperwork for Steven at the dentist's. I think we were done in the part of town around 11:30 or 11:45. We got lunch and drove back toward Hansen where Billy was supposed to meet up with his develop0mental tech at 1:00. Just before I got into our hometown I decided to check phone messages and found one from the dev. tech saying she'd had her schedule unexpectedly changed by her boss and wouldn't be working with Billy after all. Groan!! Why am I in Hansen then when I still need to be in Twin Falls! Thankfully about that time Carol who is in charge of our weekly VBS drove by. We followed her to our church and let off Scheri who has been helping so much with VBS. The rest of us drove back over to Shopko in Twin (about a 20-30 minute drive) to continue our shopping for school supplies. (Our school supply shopping the day before had been somewhat impeded by Caleb who started our stint in Shopko by dipping the tail of his shirt in the toilet and so had to continue bare-bellied and by Steven who ended our stint by an episode of runny poo poo in the drawers) We then proceeded to the Dollar Tree where we got a few last school items for James and then headed once again to Hansen for VBS from 3:30-5:45. Though I am not officially assisting with VBS, I have been asked to accompany Caleb and Steven from station to station to help provide whatever extra hands they might need. Then--can you believe--we all jumped back in the car and headed back to the ever-lovely city of Twin Falls to shop for school clothes. JC Penney's was supposedly having a 75% off sale. AND they don't have shopping carts. So I was trying to keep Caleb and Steven corralled, assist James and Billy with their selections and ooh and aah at the proper times for Scheri and Teresa. We were getting along with some degree of success when a distinctive odor began to emanate from Caleb. Sure enough there was something amiss in his britches and part way down both legs. So off we headed for the little girl's room. Fortunately I had extra pull-ups and shorts in my big purse; unfortunately, I did not have wipes. Neither did the bathroom--nor paper towels. I had that pitiful one-ply toilet paper stuff that disintegrates at the touch of moisture and I was trying earnestly to get Caleb's poopy tushy scrubbed off while over-head I hear the announcement that the store in going to be closing in x number of minutes. GREAT!! Thankfully, the cashier agreed to let us check out when I finally emerged with Caleb. I hadn't even seen many of the purchases. I just told the kids I'd go ahead and pay for them, then we'd try them on at home later and decided what to keep. (As it turned out, they selected well and we only have to exchange one pair of jeans for a larger size)

I was EXHAUSTED!!

My Cousin Dan

2009-08-23T18:59:00.007-04:00

July 25 was the last time I was able to converse with my cousin Dan. He came to my parents' wedding anniversary celebration and honestly looked horrible. When asked how he was doing he replied "not so good." Not so long thereafter he admitted himself to the hospital and was given 5 units of blood--I was told his color was better and I took it for granted that the problem was solved.

I have always been close to Dan and his twin brother Daryl, sons of my mother's only sibling. I was born on their 3rd birthday and we ate a lot of birthday meals together over the years. Even this year my parents took Dan and me out to the Mandarin House in Twin Falls for our special day. I have wonderful memories from Bellevue Bible Camp, Shoshone Easters and baseball games, Christmas leg-wrestling and family jam sessions. Dan is funny, meticulous and very musical.

Dan was born a preemie on Jan 18, 1958 and nearly died in infancy. School was not his forte; in fact, he spent some time in Special Ed. But as a kid growing up with Dan I don't think I hardly knew that. Dan had such a great sense of humor and was so musically gifted that I loved being with him. I loved hearing David, Daryl and Dan sing and play their guitars at school and at church. I remember being glad they were my cousins so I didn't have to choose which of the three I would marry :) :) Dan did a hitch in the Navy. Later, he experience kidney failure, peritoneal dialysis and finally a kidney transplant. No longer strong enough to maintain a full-time job, Dan was especially good at handyman-type odd jobs that required not speed but intricate attention to detail.

On Tuesday, August 11 we had our annual Ladies' Night Out--a night when the women of our church get together at a restaurant and just enjoy each other's company. My aunt was there and mentioned that Dan might be admitted to the hospital again that night if David (Dan's older brother) felt it necessary when he got home from work. The next morning (Wednesday) I got a call while James and Caleb were in speech that Dan was indeed in the hospital and was unresponsive. We went over to the hospital as soon as possible. Though I'd worked as a nurse for many years, I was not prepared for what I saw. 'Unresponsive' should not apply to a 51-year-old but it did. His side rails were padded due to seizures; he had oxygen, IV's, and a monitor for vital signs. At that point my Mom and Dad were the only ones at the bedside--Mom kept trying to get Dan to open his eyes to no avail. I finally had to leave so I could get lunch for the kids. That night my phone rang during Bible Study--I hurriedly silenced it, not recognizing the number, figuring it unimportant. Afterwards I remembered to listen to the message--it was Dan's sister calling from the hospital saying Dan was dying. I collected the kids and we headed back to the hospital. Dan had been moved into a private room and disconnected from everything except oxygen--according to the directives of his living will. Apparently an EEG done that evening had shown little to no brain activity. Breathing was more labored. Tons of family members and friends were assembled around the room. We stayed as long as we could. Thursday we were back at the hospital. There were beginning to be intervals between breaths. We sang songs around Dan's bedside--songs of hope in Jesus. Songs that brought tears to the eyes and comfort to the heart. We were there until 1-something but had to leave so the kids could eat prior to VBS that afternoon. About 2:35 I got a call from my brother, Mark--Dan was with Jesus. Suffice it to say I didn't make it to VBS. Friday we were at the mortuary. Monday we were at the viewing and then went over to Dan's home church in Hazelton and spent several hours choosing and practicing songs for the funeral on Tuesday. Music has been such a big part of our family over the years that we agreed it needed to play a big part in the service. I was so blessed by the amazingly large group of people who gathered to show their final respects. The pews were full, the chairs set up in the back were full, and I really think there were people standing.

Dan was known and loved by lots of people. But best of all, Dan knew and loved Jesus and Jesus knew and loved him. I don't have to wonder where Dan is now; I don't have to grasp at some wisp of hope that at the last second he somehow made his peace with God. Nope, as the old song says: "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago" The words to the first verse go something like this:"

There was a time on earth

When in the book of heaven,

An old account was standing

For sins yet unforgiv'n

My name was at the top

With many things below

I went unto the keeper and settled long ago.

Long ago (down on my knees)

Long ago (I settled it all)

Yes the old account was settled long ago.

And my record's clear today

For he washed my sins away

When the old account was settled long ago"

I love you, Dan and as I told you the other day, standing in front of your casket, "I'll see you later."

Steven is a Citizen

2009-08-23T18:58:00.003-04:00

Steven has received an official document from the President of the United States certifying that he is indeed a citizen of the US. Now if we can just get back his passport from the Ukrainian consulate, I can go apply for his social security number.

Church in the Park--almost

2009-08-23T18:57:00.004-04:00

On Sunday August 16, we were scheduled to have church in the City Park but the day or so before the weather was unseasonably cool so our pastor decided we'd better have church in the sanctuary. The kids had been scheduled to sing "He Came from Heaven to Earth" and "Our God is an Awesome God" so sang in front of the congregation at church. Teresa and Scheri were doing the verses accompanied by a cassette; James (center in blue shirt), Steven and Caleb (far left front row) were part of the choir.

Playing in Rock Creek- Aug 12

2009-08-23T18:56:00.005-04:00

Dressed for Fun--August 6

2009-08-23T18:53:00.007-04:00

Two Very Well-behaved Boys--Aug 1

2009-08-23T18:50:00.002-04:00

Kevin, Billy and James were at Ranger Camp; Scheri and Teresa were at Niagara Falls in the Snake River canyon with friends; so Caleb, Steven and I headed to Hollister for the final services in honor of Mrs. Peggy Hamby, mother of my friend. I wasn't sure how Caleb and Steven would do sitting quietly for that long but they did great.

All the King's Army and All the King's Men

2009-08-23T18:49:00.002-04:00

James loves to set up his Play-mobil guys for battle on the coffee table in our living room.

Steven's evaluations

2009-08-23T18:45:00.004-04:00

Caleb and Steven (wearing shades due to pupils being dilated for exam)
Steven in the dentist's chair--he enjoyed using the suction tip.

We have been making the rounds of doctors and appointments for Steven. He saw the pediatrician on July 14 for an initial evaluation. He had blood drawn and neck x-rays taken--both normal. The doc did hear a heart murmur. Steven had a PT evaluation done on July 23, Speech evaluation July 28, OT evaluation on July 30. He qualified for all and has been receiving services at Primary Therapy where he is working hard and loves to 'play'. On August 3 he saw Dr. Mayes, the ENT guy who discovered old drainage behind both ears. A hearing test (where you sit in the sound booth and look for response to various stimuli) showed decreased hearing. Steven is scheduled for tubes on Sept 4 in same-day surgery. On August 17, Steven saw the ophthalmologist who discovered his vision is normal for his age. On August 20, Steven climbed up in the dentist chair for the first time, got x-rays and cleaning and has no cavities. And on the 21st the poor guy had to get 3 shots--he was actually due for 5 but I just couldn't bear that many in one whack so we'll do the final two next week when Caleb gets his well-child check and shots for school.

My parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary--July 25

2009-08-23T18:43:00.005-04:00

Scheri is back from her first year at Youth Camp. It was held at the ISU Campus in Pocatello.

Trying to get pictures of Steven and Caleb before heading down to the church for Mom and Dad's celebration. We got much more official family pictures taken prior to the celebration and I hope to post them as soon as the disc is available--they are good so don't miss out :) :) :)

Below are Scheri and Billy

Here are James and Billy. I was so proud of my kids.

Here's James by himself

Here are our two 13-year-olds--Teresa and Scheri--looking lovely. They helped serve the nuts and mints at the reception

Billy wanted to make sure everyone saw his new construction truck with it's lift extended. He got this for a smile and $2 (I think) at a neighborhood yard sale

Here's the cake table down at the church. Decorations were yellow and lavender which were Mom and Dad's original wedding colors in addition to gold in honor of the 50th milestone.

Pastor Bruce singing a beautiful 'love' melody in honor of my parents

My younger brother Mark (who is also a pastor) emceed the event. It was so wonderful to have so many family members and friends in attendance. Someone counted between 131 and 134 there in the Fellowship Hall. My parents have faithfully been in ministry here in Southern Idaho for 50 years (they actually 'tried out' for their first church while they were still engaged) so are loved and respected by many, many people. I would not know that this would be the last time I would ever converse with my cousin, Dan, on this earth.

Opening presents after everyone else had gone home

It was such a wonderful day. Our kids were incredibly well-behaved. My parents, Mark's family (except Jessica) and our family all headed to Gerties in Twin Falls afterwards just to finish it off.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

2009-07-23T11:52:00.012-04:00

July 4 The little boys, Caleb and Steven, get a chance to play together in the bathtub. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. Steven didn't seem scared of the water.

Sunday, July 5. It was my turn to do nursery duty during worship service at church so I decided to keep Caleb and Steven with me even though they are officially too old for that room. Here's Caleb with the dinner he fixed.

Here's Steven by the tool play area. Sorry he is in-motion. I couldn't get a still shot. He seemed to have a good time but didn't know (of course) how to play with the various toys and couldn't seem to be shown at this time.

Both boys at the table: Steven and Caleb

July 8, 2009 Caleb trying to prevent my Dad, "Poppi", from leaving the house

Steven and I were playing with the blocks

July 9, 2009 James, Caleb(blue undies) and Steven (white undies) in the wading pool. I sure hope to put some weight on Steven

July 10 and 11 Teresa's birthday celebration out at Murtaugh Lake. July 10 is actually Kevin's birthday so of course we celebrated that event as well. It was around 8:00 pm by the time the kids and I finally got out there and even later when we were all there and able to sit down and eat. Teresa had two friends, A and J who were able to come, play in the water, spend the night in the tent. J had to go home earlier on Sat morning but A was able to stay for the slaying of the pinata on Saturday. We had bought way too much candy for the beastie so much sugar was had by all. Also my parents are such good sports and were there for the chicken, salads, veggies and cake There was a big motorcycle club get-together at the camp site across the lake so we had live band music until around 1:00 am !!

Out at a picnic table for late dinner

Into our motor home for cake and presents

Caleb and Steven waiting for some cake

Scheri, Billy, Grandpa and Grandma

Saturday morning Teresa and A playing with the Polly Pockets after a swim in the Lake

Teresa and A wearing particles of pinata

Billy, Steven, Teresa, A, Scheri and James gathering candy

There's still some candy residing in that burro

Everyone ran for candy after each shower of candy rained down

Billy and his prize pinata particles

Steven and Kevin with Steven's pile of candy

July 15 Looking over the Snake River Canyon near our occupational therapist's office: Scheri, James, Teresa and Billy. This part is near the Perrine Bridge and looks down on a couple beautiful golf courses

Scheri, Billy and Steven (You can barely see Caleb's feet in front of Scheri)

July 16 A Star is Born: Steven's self-application of red lipstick

July 18 Caleb is "helping" Daddy fix the kitchen faucet while Steven looks on. We have been trying so hard to get various needed projects completed. This same day Kevin also worked on the faucet/stopper in the kids' bathroom. I (Joy) have been working on lots of paperwork projects: I got Caleb's social security card application done and back, got both State and Federal income taxes re-filed with Caleb's missing social security number, got paperwork sent to show Steven as dependent for insurance purposes, sent Steven's registration to the Ukrainian consulate in San Francisco, sent paperwork hoping to clear up the problem with getting Scheri's passport, filled out and mailed the annual report of use of one child's survivor's money. I still need to copy the necessary documents so we can get adoption assistance from UPS Freight and find out what documents I need to send for one-time adoption subsidy from the state. I even got the checkbook balanced!! And I'm updating the blog :)

July 18 Here the guys are relaxing in the living room watching TV: Steven laying on Kevin, Billy on couch, James on tube and Caleb watching

Sunday, July 19 Another ploy of Caleb's to keep Grandma and Grandpa from getting away: lay IN the laundry basket as they try to carry it out the door

Celebrating America's Birthday

2009-07-06T19:15:00.005-04:00

Caleb (wearing blue jeans) and Steven (blue shorts) leaving the yard with Daddy to go watch the 4th of July parade

Caleb, Steven, Kevin and James in front of our old-but-fun motor home

Caleb with his bottle of water. Bottled water is given to all parade-watchers by our church reminding everyone that Jesus is the water of life.

Our church float: Scheri was the Statue of Liberty; Teresa and Billy riding along
They were advertising our upcoming Vacation Bible School

Steven and Caleb sitting out on the park lawn beside Daddy

Steven, probably our town's newest American citizen, holding Old Glory

I can't believe I actually got this many pictures of Steven's face! Usually I end up with fuzzy shots of the back of his head

Caleb and Steven enjoying hot dog, fries and pop lunch at our City Park

Teresa and Scheri enjoying lunch with young friends from church and community

Hot, sweaty, red-faced Billy sitting beside his Grandpa. Billy had been pushing a stroller all over the park pretending like he was mowing the lawn.

Kevin and Joy's Mom seated on chairs, Steven and Caleb in front

Our first family pictures as a family of eight:James, Teresa, Scheri, Joy, Billy standing; Kevin seated with Caleb and Steven on his lap

Caleb and Steven buckled in for the block-long ride back home from America's birthday party

Home

2009-07-04T17:22:00.004-04:00

One very tired little boy in the Kiev airport getting ready to travel to his new home and new family in America

Teresa has a cure for the very-early-morning snack attack

Sharing with her new little brother

On board Flight XXXX from Kiev to Frankfurt scheduled to depart at 5:35 am

A second breakfast at the Golden Arches in Germany. We had about a six-hour lay-over at Frankfurt.

Since our stroller died from a fatal blow apparently suffered at the hands of the luggage handlers on our flight to Kiev, we resorted to using a luggage carrier while whiling away our long stay in Frankfurt. Please don't think too hard of me for using the "leash"--I was afraid Steven would dart off in the crowd and get lost or hurt.

Just another quick note to let you all know we are home safe and sound. We had to meet our taxi driver about 2:30 am so I'm guessing I had about 2 hours of lay-down time and Teresa not much more. I'd just put Steven down to sleep in the red and white striped shirt that I wanted him to be wearing when he became an American citizen so just had to slip on pants, socks and shoes. Steven did WAY better than I had imagined on the long flight--ate well (this little guy is so skinny that his size 3T shorts were sagging on him yesterday) slept well. Just maybe 2 or 3 times that he got a little loud but people around commented what a good traveler he was. One guy that we met in the airport gave him a bag of assorted licorice candies in honor of his special day. Though I really do love Kiev it was wonderful to return to American soil in Denver and wonderfully wonderful to see my family in Boise. 30 hours from leaving our apartment in Kiev we walked into our house in Idaho--all of us home together at last.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported this adoption in any way. I can hardly believe it is really me saying, "It is finished!"

Have Visa, Will Travel

2009-07-02T12:52:00.005-04:00

I really was not sure this day would ever come but we have completed this adoption process and are scheduled to leave Kiev in the morning.
We got the visa shortly after noon and then were driven to our 4th apartment. We spent most of the afternoon repacking stuff. Then this evening we introduced Steven to the Metro and McDonalds. We even got to introduce him to Lyndi and Boston.

Thanks everyone for standing with us through all of this. Without your prayers I honestly do not believe this day would have ever arrived.

FINALLY We Have Steven

2009-07-01T18:26:00.003-04:00

Hopefully I will have time sometime soon to share the details but about 6 pm on Wednesday evening Teresa and I AND STEVEN walked out of the orphanage gate. Our visa is supposed to be ready on Thursday and we are getting ticketed for a flight early on Friday morning. Will probably leave the apartment about 2:30 am. It looks like we are going to have to change apartments AGAIN for those few hours.

THANK YOU for ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of your prayers. It looks like there'll be a new little US citizen celebrating the 4th of July in Idaho.

Still Chugging Along

2009-06-30T16:25:00.003-04:00

Reece's Rainbow Dads and Moms at Tequila House in Kiev. These people represent the adoption of 9 children--all with Down syndrome, I believe--saved from ?life? in an institution. Above: Ruben, Kevin (not my Kevin), Bill and Adam. Below: Me (Joy), Amy, Gillian, JoAnn, Lyndi and Paula

No, God did not do things today the way that I thought He might. Yet I still know that He is God and He is in control and He does all things right. He gets to do it HIS way because He is the boss. I like the way the Three Hebrew Children responded when faced with the very real threat of the fiery furnace: "Our God is ABLE to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But IF NOT . . . we still aren't gonna bow to your image."

I got up fairly early this morning anticipating a call from our facilitator: I showered, blogged, hung up laundry, cooked breakfast, worked some puzzles. Finally, I think it was around 11:00 am Nastya called and said she'd been worried about me because she'd been calling and calling and I hadn't picked up the phone. I have no idea what happened. Teresa and I were both right here, the volume was turned all the way up on the phone and yet we had 8 missed calls. Anyway, Alexey had gotten Steven and worker over to the Dr. to get his blood drawn prior to the actual physical exam necessary prior to leaving the country. They'd wanted us to go, too, but seemed to get it done in our unintended absence. A little after noon Nastya asked us to just hang tight because she was to get immediate word when the passport was ready and we needed to be on hand. I think it was around 3:40 when she called asking if we could proceed immediately to the passport office at the University metro stop. There was a chance Alexey would be getting the passport at 4:00 pm and wouldn't have time to then come back to our apt and get us prior to heading for that infamous 'unregistration' office.

So off we headed. The apt where we are now staying is on the green line so we got on there, rode one stop, transferred to the blue line, rode one stop, transferred to the red line and rode 2 stops. Boy, we got our metro coin's worth on that little trip! I've never had such a complicated ride but we did make it to the right spot--just weren't sure exactly WHICH building was the passport office so got further directions by phone and waited outside the passport office and waited and waited and waited and sweated and sweated and sweated but when Alexey came out--it must have been around 5:30 or 5:40--he had bad news: we can't get the passport until the morning. Bless his heart!! he felt so, so, so bad about it. He said something about they have helped with 300 adoptions and have never dealt with one as difficult as ours.

He dropped us off at the Kreschatik Metro stop since it was now 6:05 and we were supposed to meet Lyndi and Bill, JoAnn and Ruben there at 6:30 and head over to the Tequila House again. When this dinner was planned everyone had said-- half-jokingly, half-seriously--they hoped they wouldn't see Teresa and I there because that would mean we had gotten Steven. This particular get-together had been planned as a way for all of us to meet Boston--another Reeces Rainbow friend--who arrived today---unfortunately that didn't work out but the rest of us--also including Gillian and daughter, Amy and Adam, and Paula and Kevin plus 2 facilitators--enjoyed her party anyway.

So I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a really full day with getting the passport, getting Steven's medical exam, possibly even getting the visa applied for (but maybe that can only be done in the mornings)--these are pretty routine things at the very tail of the adoption process. Though a visa CAN be applied for and received on the same day, the usual and embassy-preferred way is to have you pick it up the 2nd day. But I'm guessing the wild card is going to be getting Steven un-registered from the orphanage address AND actually getting him outside of the orphanage gate in our custody. Who can guess how long those 2 little items may take. (Gulp) So I'm planning for a Friday or Saturday flight instead.

Thanks for your prayers. I know God is answering because though I am homesick and honestly tired of being here I am not totally falling apart with all the delays. Please keep praying for my husband as well. He had a serious strep throat infection and then we thought the antibiotics were causing his gout to act up making it very difficult for him to get around. However, when he went to the Dr. he found out it was not gout after all. The strep had not completely gone away but had attached itself to other parts of his body--his ankes, I guess. (Later found out it was strep in one foot and gout in the other) Kevin said the Dr. just about put him in the hospital but opted for a big shot of antibiotics to be followed up by oral medication. And please remember him at the funeral of his grandmother tomorrow. Your prayers are hugely, vitally important and desired for our whole family.

When God Steps In

2009-06-30T02:18:00.004-04:00

Tuesday evening Teresa and I got together with two other RR couples at the Ukrainian buffet right around the corner from the Kreschatik Metro station in honor of Teresa's upcoming birthday on July 1. Teresa is pictured here with the bracelets (including a 'Touched by Adoption' one), gum,and chocolate ice cream she was given.

****************************************************************

I have thought of other titles for this post--like Calling in the Calvary (NOT a typo)--but they all center around the idea that this is a wonderful opportunity for God to ride into town--like the hero on an Old West movie. The bad guys have done their dastardly deeds, the town is in a mess with evil in control and the good people either dead or in hiding and then you hear the music changing and you know the big, strong guy on the horse is going to gallop down main street with both guns smoking and save the day. . . (and the girl. Smile.)

So my response? Go Get 'Em, God!!!

There is so much to be accomplished in the next two days for Teresa and Steven and I to be able to fly on Thursday.

But I also know that God is very capable of doing all of that . . . and more!

Yesterday I was re-reading some great stories from the life of Elisha from II Kings chapters 6 (esp see verses 14-17--part of which says "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.") and 7 (I especially like the phrase 'tomorrow about this time' in verse 1 where God promised an absolutely impossible turn of events in just 24 hours time--and then made it happen!)

Today I'm reading from II Chronicles 20 about Jehoshaphat, a godly king who was faced with a huge enemy army. He was honestly and rightly afraid and called his people to prayer and fasting. They remembered Who God was and what He had done for them in the past; they remembered what He had promised to do and exactly what they needed in the present. I love Jehoshaphat's prayer in verse 12"O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." God's reply through the man of God was: "Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you . . . fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you."

Weekend in Kiev

2009-06-28T12:27:00.005-04:00

On weekends this part of Kreschatik is closed to traffic

At the Hydropark Metro we found these two areas (above and below) that look like they might be set up for paint ball.

Teresa wading right at the edge of the Dnipro River

We saw these costumed folks out on the sidewalk outside the theological building on Sunday morning.

Scenes from our apartment that we moved into on Sunday afternoon

Well, we are moved into our 3rd apartment. The funny thing is that it is exactly straight across the boulevard from our last one! This place does NOT have an air conditioner but does indeed have a working computer connected to the internet--and as of 5:00 pm even has a mouse. On the one hand, it has 2 TV's but so far nothing in English :( -------- and on the other hand, Teresa's DVD's work on THIS player so she is surviving.

Yesterday we rode the Metro across the Dniepro River to the Hydropark stop. I wanted to see what this was. When I saw the sign on a previous trip I'd thought maybe it was a water park of some kind. No, it seemed mostly to be a bunch of beach-side, tent-type restaurants and bars-- quite a few places were grilling meat (though one guy seemed to be melting a plastic bottle on the grill right next to the meat) One area looked like it was set up for paint ball. There were quite a few carnival rides out there, too but very few seemed to be operational. The main activity appeared to by laying on the beach and we saw all ages sunning in their bikinis--not necessarily a pretty sight, believe me :) Teresa did put her piggies in the edge of the river and picked up some snail shells from the sand but we have been discouraged from swimming in it--the very brown color of the water helped reinforce the plan NOT to dive in. Good grief! it was so hot out there that the back of my shirt and pants were amazingly damp. Afterwards, we stopped off at the mall for McDonalds--but the LARGE pop was definitely the best part. On the way home we decided to try to find the metro stop nearer our apartment knowing we'd need it for getting to church in the morning. Thankfully, I could read the Cyrillic signs well enough to figure out which street it was on. And we got to church and back this AM using the new Metro stop where we actually had to transfer from the green line to the blue line--it's funny how scary something so simple seemed--AND we made it home about 1:45 to meet the moving guy at 2:00 pm.

Tomorrow is a holiday here--Constitution Day--so no official business will be conducted. Thank you so much for all the prayers. There is SO MUCH that needs to be accomplished on Tuesday and Wednesday so we can fly home on Thursday. We are getting pretty homesick here--having been gone 4 wks and a day.

Don't stop praying, please!

2009-06-27T07:09:00.004-04:00

Our suitcases, bags and sacks stacked by the door in anticipation of our move.

Teresa trying to drink as much of her Fanta as possible so we won't have to move it, too.

Fancy-schmancy bathroom in our new apartment

Absolutely gorgeous view out the balcony window--makes me feel like I'm in the woods

Our fancy shower stall with sliding, rounded see-through doors

Closet in the bedroom

The chair can also pull out into a bed--though we didn't give it a try

Views of the living room--the wonderful air-conditioner was right above Teresa's head

Views of kitchen and dining area

Teresa was delighted with the TV

The fridge/freezer were out on the balcony

The view on Kreschatik--people out walking, sitting on benches chatting

Many of the buildings are marked like this with name of street and building number posted somewhere on the front. Our apartment was on Lesi Ukrainky, building no. 10

We got moved to a very nice apartment with lovely chestnut trees out the balcony window. It kind of makes me forget I am still in a huge city. No computer though. We got our bags set down, spied out all the conveniences and then headed out the door to figure out where we are. We made it down to Kreschatik, ate lunch and got a call from Nastya. Things are still not smooth with the DD. I was asking Nastya if we could go pick up Steven Friday or Saturday and she said we could but it wouldn't likely go too well. DD has hung up on the prosecutor's office, the State Dept of Adoption, and Ukr version of Dept of Health and Welfare. It sounded like if we tried to get him we might have to resort to police action! Seriously. I think that would be just too frightening for Steven so we are opting to wait for Tuesday when we can get the passport and fix the address registration problem and then hopefully get him. Of course then we have to do medical and visa before flying out on Thursday.

Then we headed on Metro to see the Chernobyl Museum. Oh my :( I so wish I could have read the exhibits or that their books-for-sale were in English. We found out that a person can arrange ahead of time for an English-speaking tour of the place. We did get to hear a bit of the English explanation that some other people were getting. But just looking at the pictures was quite sobering. I will have to do more research on that disaster.

The last tenants of the apartment left cherries and strawberries in the fridge, some cheese spread and some sliced ham. We also found two fresh loaves of bread and some eggs. Cool!

The apartment we move to tomorrow is supposed to have a computer. Obviously we are not unpacking much!

Passport Application submitted

2009-06-26T02:09:00.004-04:00

These pictures are from 6/25/09 afternoon and evening

The fountains at Independence Square felt so refreshing. Teresa and I waded sandals and all.

I don't know what this building is. It was near our eating-spot and just looked interesting

Thank you for your prayers. Yesterday we got a call to head for the Metro and meet Dima at the University station at 2:30. Dima, Steven, the blond care-giver and the other representative from the orphanage were waiting across the street. Steven looked so adorable in a yellow T-shirt with sports shoes pictured on it and wearing tennis shoes as well. Usually at the orphanage he is wearing slippers. But bless his little heart, he also looked quite scared and was definitely not running off. When he got his picture taken, they actually sat him up on top of two really thick files of paper to make him tall enough for the camera and he looked like he was about to cry. I got to choose which pose to use for the passport and then had to practice writing my name in a certain sized box without touching the borders. My name is pretty long all written out and my hands were so sweaty--it was HOTTTTTT!!--that my fingers wouldn't slide properly across the page so I ended up just doing first name, middle initial and last name. Then I had to do the same on the actual form from which the signature is transposed to the passport itself. Dima says there is a tiny chance the passport will be done today (Friday) but MUCH more likely to be ready on Tuesday since offices are closed on Monday for Constitution Day. But he feels quite sure we should be ready to fly by Thursday June 2.

Teresa and I went to Papa John's for late lunch (about 4 pm) and then returned to our apartment where I brushed teeth, put on more deodorant, used the potty and then headed back on the Metro to meet other RR families for dinner. I had a plate of potato wedges and 2 Cola Lights--not bottles, just small glasses. One thing that surprises me is that as hot as it is the drinks are very often not kept refrigerated. Teresa did not accompany me--she had a hot date with a TV show. I left her with the room phone and Nastya's number to call if she needed to get in touch with me. I couldn't leave the cell phone with her since it has come in handy before when I couldn't find the people I was meeting.

Teresa and I had already packed most of our clothes but spent quite awhile collecting all of our stuff around the apartment. My heart had sunk when I realized we also need to move all the stuff out of the fridge and cupboards. Since I don't have a box, the cupboard stuff is in sacks. Fridge stuff is still in the fridge of course. And since 2 of our carry-ons are still in Nastya's car with Steven's clothes--should we ever get to pick him up--quite a bit of our other stuff is in sacks, too. I hope everything will fit in the car. I've got to get off of here--supposed to be moving at 11:30 (2 hours from now)

I'm not sure about our internet status--the place we move to on Sunday is supposed to have a computer . . . we'll see.

Oh my word!!

2009-06-25T04:09:00.002-04:00

It's a little after 11 AM here and Nastya just called to tell me what is going on with the passport process. Oh my word!!! Believe me, just because you don't hear from your facilitator earlier in the day certainly does NOT mean they are not working earnestly on your behalf. Often it is just the opposite--they are so busy working on the case that they can't stop to chat.

As you might easily imagine, the request to the DD about getting Steven taken to the passport office for a picture--just a picture, mind you, and transported by orphanage staff, NOT us--was not met with a "sure, what time do you need him?" No sirree, Bob! Instead we needed some kind of a decree and this paper and that form. So phone calls were made to the inspector and the prosecutor and some 'higher authority' I think Nastya mentioned about 5 different offices. Even the director himself who is on vacation was contacted. The director then called the DD and afterwards the DD 'thinks' she is convinced. Maybe she can get him to the passport office 'tomorrow' Nastya said no way, we have dealt with 'tomorrow' since November. So as of Nastya's phone call, Dima is at the passport office right now getting a start on the passport paperwork and the orphanage is supposed to be taking Steven over for picture. At some point Dima will call us and we'll board the metro and head there ourselves.

We are to change apartments tomorrow around noon and then to yet another apartment on Sunday.

It looks like every . . . . single . . . . step is a struggle but this is our son and GOD is going to win!! But please don't stop praying--THAT is the power source.

The bad news and the good news.

2009-06-24T16:09:00.004-04:00

One of the cute little guys from Steven's orphanage--he has the most gorgeous, melt-your-heart brown eyes

Natasha, Paula, Kevin, Bill, Lyndi, Adam, Amy at Tequila House

Back of Natasha and Paula's heads, Bill, Lyndi, Amy and Adam

Natasha, Paula, Kevin and Bill

My time sense is still totally off even though I've been here 3 1/2 weeks. This morning we didn't have a particular schedule. I woke up and figured it must be something like 10 am--nope, more like only 7:30. It has been very hot and we keep the window wide open for air and so of course get lots of traffic noise from the very busy street outside. Though I did lay back down I'm really glad I went ahead and showered at a reasonable hour because I heard that birdie-cheeping sound--the doorbell. A man was standing there, apparently from the power company, to install a new meter. Then it dawned on me what the note left on the apartment door yesterday was telling me. I could read the date and the times but had no idea what it was pertaining to--I thought it had something to do with checkout times for departure or something. Being illiterate stinks :)

We were originally scheduled to fly out tomorrow but are guessing at about another week. That's THE BAD NEWS. We'll have to move out of this apartment on Friday as it will no longer be available. Our apt company is providing this service free of charge. They'd already offered us another apartment but now I've had to ask whether it's available for so many more days--I don't want to have to move more than once.

I was so bummed to mess up my Mom's special plan to have an anniversary dinner cruise on the Snake River on the 26th. Seriously it broke my heart because my Mom has been looking forward to this event with just Mom and Dad (50th anniv), my brother and his wife (25th anniv), Kevin and I (15th anniv) for several months. But tonight I found out that the trip had been cancelled by the cruise company itself. I'm relieved I wasn't the one to mess it up but hope we can reschedule after I'm home.

We went across town to visit Steven. Wow, was it ever hot outside!! The weather didn't slow that young man down a bit--still kept running off wanting to be chased over and over and over. The deputy director came outside--I think really to observe our visit. I tried to show her we were hugging, kissing, playing, laughing. She had us move to a shadier, more comfortable area--not that Steven had any interest whatsoever in staying sedately in that shady gazebo-like shelter. Teresa found the cherry trees all around with several fairly-ripe cherries within reach. I hope the kids get the benefit of the fresh fruit on the property.

On the way home I got a call from Nastya with THE GOOD NEWS: after one entire week, we have that lovely tax number!!!!! I guess Alexey and Nastya were called to pick up the paper at the tax office in Irpin. It's a good 30-45 minute drive. They got there and found that the paper did indeed show his name as Steven Mikhyal McClain but still also had the patronymic name--something like Mikilovich--AND it listed him as female. This was a problem. Smile. So A and N just glued themselves there until the errors were fixed.

The current plan is to try to get people from the orphanage to take Steven to the passport office to get his picture taken tomorrow. Then we can apply for the passport. Since A and N must be out of town tomorrow, Dima is scheduled to help us out.

Also A or N called some 'higher authorities' who said the DD has no right to keep us from picking up our son. They plan to give this phone number to the DD tomorrow so she herself can call said 'higher authorities' to discuss the situation. Hopefully we won't have to continue the seemingly futile efforts to unregister Steven from the orphanage address.

Lyndi called saying several of us Reece's Rainbow people were meeting at a place called the Tequila House around 7 pm and her husband Bill explained which Metro station we needed to get off at. We got there but unfortunately had no idea of which direction to exit the station. I was so hot I just chose the nearest one so I could get out to fresher air. I called Lyndi and spoke to Paula's translator but she couldn't figure out where Teresa and I were from my description of the surrounding buildings. Teresa and I kept walking, I kept trying to pronounce street names, describe what I was seeing but to no avail. Finally she came up with a good idea: go back to the metro platform and meet there. That worked great.

The Tequila House has a Mexican theme. We had Amy and Adam, Lyndi and Bill, Paula and Kevin (who are adopting a 4 year old from an orphanage here in Kiev) and Paula's translator, Natasha (?) We had such a fun, crazy, laughing time. Yes, we did get pictures!! I had a chicken chimichanga and Cola Light. Teresa had a cheese enchilada and Pepsi. Pretty yummy. Lyndi and Bill rode the Metro home with us as far as their stop and we came on home.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

Good Grief!!!

2009-06-23T09:35:00.004-04:00

Scenes from inside the huge train station

The above picture shows the outside of the train station; the picture below shows the metro station next door

These 2 pictures are taken in the botanical gardens at the University (Universitet) Metro station

First off, I wanted to better explain this 'registration' thing with Steven since I asked more questions today. Nastya told me that every person--but especially every child--in Ukraine is registered to a certain address. If a family with children sells their home they can't actually sell the portion that belongs to the child unless there is proof that the child has a new address. I think it is actually for the child's welfare--to make sure he/she always has a home. So right now Steven is registered at the orphanage address and the deputy director (DD) wants us to get him unregistered there before she releases him. Nastya asked us to be ready at 8 am this morning so we could go get this done.

So off we drove across the city to the Svyatoshin district to the orphanage to pick up a representative from the orphanage (I don't know her title but she is not the deputy director or the doctor or a caregiver) So we waited quite awhile in the car, then Alexey went in, then Alexey and Nastya went in and asked us to please stay there and not leave the car (remember the time we left the car unattended to go find something to eat? That must have been a no-no) Well, after awhile here came Alexey, saying I needed to come in and sign a paper. I said "OK" and he said "No, it's not OK" Poor guy, he is so disgusted with this situation. So up we traipsed to the director's office (I tore the sleeve of my shirt on a tiny nail sticking out in the entry doorway) where Nastya was writing out a legal paper, getting advice from the other ladies present including the DD and the lady we were supposed to pick up on the appropriate wording for the document. They got it to their satisfaction and I signed it--as I recall it was a request for Steven's registration to be changed.

The 5 of us got into the car and headed to an office building where we squeezed through the narrow, crowded hallway until we got to such and such a room. Of course, I have no clue what was said but the person in there actually, physically pushed and shooed us out of there and shut the door behind me. So we all stood in the hallway, (I'm sure providing a welcome diversion to all the other people standing in the passport line and by other doorways awaiting their turns) while Nastya made some phone calls. Then Teresa and I were told to stay there while Nastya and Alexey went off in search of another door, I guess. It's so weird being surrounded by people with whom you cannot communicate, feeling like they are going to eat you. Finally A and N motioned to us and we squeezed back down that hall with people lining both sides and into another office and then another office and finally back to the first office. I did get to show my passport. I heard Nastya talking about 'momma' and 'papa' but was otherwise pretty clueless about what was going on. When Nastya had an appropriate time to explain she said each office was just basically saying that we needed to go to some other office first before coming to their office. The final word was that we cannot unregister Steven from the orphanage until he has a passport with our US address, proving he has a home to go to. AND that the passport needs to be done through that particular office (Nastya remarked later that Steven could be an adult before THAT office got the passport done --smile--so it's not the one they use) Anyway, that takes us back to the elusive tax number (which still has not come through) that we must have before we can get Steven or the passport both of which we must have prior to getting an exit visa, of course. So there was nothing else to do but drop the orphanage representative off back at the orphanage. Teresa and I asked to be dropped off at McDonald's at the train station (which is gorgeous by the way) from which we proceeded by Metro to the botanical gardens for a nice shady walk on this extremely hot day. (I got my other arm mildly pinched in the metro door when it opened--I guess that's why they say to step away from the door but it was so crowded in there)

Apparently in most cases the orphanages just take care of this whole registration issue themselves when a child is adopted. That is why it is so irritating to our facilitators, I think, to be spending all this time on something that is so needless.

So it is certain we will not be able to fly home on Thursday as hoped. We will be moving to another apartment at some point since this one will only be available one more day after we'd originally scheduled it. And tomorrow sometime I need to be able to tell Eldon from Golden Rule WHEN we can fly--please pray that we'll know by then.

Thanks everyone for your prayers. God has not answered them the way I hoped he would but He is sovereign and He is walking through the tough times with us. I do know you are praying because I am feeling like I am being upheld.

Please keep praying for us and our family at home.

They Wouldn't Let Him Out

2009-06-22T18:09:00.003-04:00

The inspector, Teresa and Nastya heading down the path under the grape arbor toward the front of the orphanage. We were planning to 'go get Steven' and bring him to our apartment but that was not to be.

Teresa, Nastya and the inspector inside the orphanage

Steven really enjoyed playing with Teresa's scarf . . .

. . . and running off

Here he is looking handsome

Nastya, the DD, and Steven. The plastic bag has our gifts for the care-givers; the black bag has Steven's clothes and chocolates for his fellow 'inmates' ('inmate' is actually the term used in our petition for adoption!!)

Steven and Teresa sitting only momentarily on the provided bench

Two little boys from Steven's group. Actually right now there are two groups being combined--I don't know if it's just for the summer or what.

****************************************

I'm just going to make a quick entry. We still do not have that lovely tax number. But Teresa and I decided we need to pick Steven up from the orphanage anyway so we can get to know him a bit more before we travel together for 25-30 hours on a plane. Nastya, Alexey, the inspector, Teresa and I zipped over to the internat and up the stairs to the director's office. He is on vacation so the deputy director was sitting in his place. After much very heated discussion Nastya let us know that the deputy director is refusing to give him to us until he is "un-registered" as being at the orphanage. I don't really understand and may not be describing it right but we have to go early in the morning to some other office to get this procedure done so we can spring him. The inspector was so angry at some off-the-subject comments that the dep director made that she left the room and left without us. Alexey was so mad that I was really, really glad that he is on MY side. I tell you Nastya and Alexey have been wonderful through all this and have fought so, so, so hard. Nastya later explained that this dep director is the one who told Alexey we just wanted Steven so we could sell his organs. Nastya went on to explain that this lady comes from Soviet times (ie, when Americans were the enemy and certainly not to be trusted.) I know (at least I hope) she is just concerned about Steven's well-being. Hopefully some of her concern was abated when she came outside with us and watched us interact with Steven.

Please keep praying. That verse keeps coming to mind again: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Sorry if I'm not quoting it exactly right but I think I'm pretty close. You guys that are prayer warriors--PLEASE pray.

No News is No News

2009-06-21T10:38:00.004-04:00

Our gift bags for the care-givers are ready and waiting

Chocolates for Steven's group

Idaho books for the director of the orphanage, the inspector and our facilitators and translators

Teresa scores some chocolates

This was the pitiful specimen of can-opener found in our apartment along with the pitiful results of using it to try to empty the pineapple can

New and improved can-opener

I bought these mushrooms for spaghetti sauce. Thankfully I smelled them prior to dumping them into the skillet: they were pickled!!!

This shower curtain cracks me up because it has such a big crack in it with the built-in valance--guess where the water goes????

Reece's Rainbow get-together at the Ukrainian buffet: Amy and Adam, Ruben and JoAnn

Joy (me), Gillian, daughter Elena??, Bill and Lyndi--Teresa is taking the picture

This is some kind of berry tree out behind our apartment--I've only heard of berry bushes

Steven and Teresa in the orphanage hallway

One of the other little guys in Steven's groupa--we were told in December that he is deaf

Teresa's got Steven upside-down in this one

I'm sorry to say there really is no news to report. We waited around all Thursday and Friday hoping for news that the tax number was ready. I don't know how many phone calls Nastya and Alexey have made on our behalf nor how many hours they have spent waiting at the office. I know Friday afternoon they had to go somewhere else so Dima (the translator who helped us with Caleb's adoption) was put on stand-by in case the necessary paper was completed. (Then we could grab Steven and head for the passport office) Nope. Consequently, Steven is still at the orphanage. I know God knows what He is doing. I know HIS timing is perfect. But honestly days of just sitting around an apartment and watching our departure date loom closer and closer without the essential paperwork being completed drive me nutso.

One really cool thing was that Friday evening 5 of us Reece's Rainbow families got together at the Ukrainian buffet near the Kreschatik Metro station. Wow! Amy and Adam, JoAnn and husband, Ruben, Lyndi and Bill, Gillian and her daughter, and Teresa and I. I would love to spend hours with these people hearing their stories. Really cool, wonderful folks. And yes, Andrea, pictures were taken of us together. (And yes, you know you will have to wait for mine until we get home. Smile.) Ordering pizza at this place was amazingly--almost boringly--simple this time around :) :) :)

So far no one has taken me up on learning to ride the Metro. But I was able to share a couple maps of the City with interested parties.

Saturday my tummy was feeling a bit unsettled and I was just feeling down in the dumps all the way around. But we'd missed two days of visiting Steven while awaiting a phone call so decided we'd better try to see him though it was a weekend. I hadn't been keeping track of the time so it was probably about 4:40 when we left our apartment (rather than 4:00 like it should have been)and about an hour later by the time we'd walked to the Metro, rode way across town and walked about 5 blocks to the orphanage gate. I knew it would be a very short visit because the kids eat at 6:00. I was right but I'm still glad we showed up. Steven was glad to see us. It gave us a chance to hug him and kiss him and rub his back plus pat a bunch of other little boys who are so needy for touch and attention. I've gotten to see Ruslan several times and he is such a cutie bug. Much quieter than Steven. Usually smiling. Come on guys--he needs a family!! There's one little boy who has the most meltingly-gorgeous brown eyes. He came and sat on Teresa's lap. I couldn't quite snap a picture quickly enough but I am trying hard. The workers here seem kind and caring but they are just not the same as a momma, a poppa, brothers and sisters.

I felt much better emotionally and physically after getting out and about in the fresh air and the sunshine.

Today we went to church. We have met such special people there, too--Alex, Jon, Natasha, Lloyd, Terry--I will miss them. You know, I want to get home so badly and yet the thought of never returning to Ukraine breaks my heart.

As I was typing this we had a minor catastrophe--the TV, computer, washer, fridge, hot pot all suddenly flipped off plus room lights in the living room and bedroom. At first I thought we'd just lost power altogether like we did momentarily yesterday but no, we still had lights in the bathroom and kitchen. So then I knew we must have flipped a breaker. OK, when we were in another apartment, we had something like this happen and Kevin just went out to the breaker box above the hallway door and clicked switches until the power came back on. So I finally got up the courage to take a chair out in the hallway and give it a try. Nope, no dice. Of course, I have a phone number for the apt people here in Kiev but also a note beside their name that says 'doesn't speak English' so wasn't sure how calling them would help at all. So I called the booking agent who lives in another Ukr city -- first on the apt phone where I kept getting some recording no matter which numbers I did or did not dial. So next I tried on the cell phone where I explained the situation and was told the problem would be repaired in the morning. Poor Teresa was in tears. She has been pretty much surviving on TV and computer. Just a few minutes ago a wonderful lady called telling me about another power box in the wardrobe by the living room door. Yes sirree, I started poking and probing all available buttons and now we are back in business. I am so glad God even cares about this kind of stuff.

We were able to talk to Kevin and the kiddos a couple hours ago on the phone. Please continue to pray for Kevin--he has been sick in bed with strep throat. Poor guy, he is such a faithful provider for our family that he never misses work-- even when he feels rotten-- but this time the doctor put him on bed rest. I guess he was flat in bed all day Friday and a good part of Saturday. He's been on antibiotics over 48 hours and shouldn't be contagious so he was going to try to go to church I think--except now James is getting a sore throat. My mom is also being treated for another kind of strep infection. Yikes! Please pray for health for them and also that Teresa, Steven and I won't get sick when we get home. And thank you Scheri for all you have done to keep the house running while Daddy has been sick. I know you are tired, Sweetie. I am very proud of you and am praying for you.

One more post for the day

2009-06-18T17:42:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday, Billy. I can hardly believe you are 15!
I love you very much.
Love,
Mommy

Prayers Please

2009-06-18T11:29:00.002-04:00

Our facilitator Nastya just called and said she and Alexey waited at the tax police office until it closed at 6:00 pm but we still don't have what we need. She said they've promised about 99% chance of being able to get it in the morning. So we are supposed to be ready for their phone call about 9:00-9:30 am and head out on the Metro closer to that end of town so it will be quicker for Alexey to pick us up since they will already be out that way with another couple (Amy B)

Nastya asked for lots of prayers that this tax number paper will indeed be ready tomorrow morning. Then we can finally get Steven and get to work on the passport. We just have 4 more business days to get all this final stuff done: passport, medical and visa--and you know we are fast coming up on a weekend.

Thanks so much for all your prayers. I really don't think people realize just how absolutely vital they are.

Thanks for the Comments

2009-06-18T03:23:00.001-04:00

Thank you everyone for your comments. I read them avidly and appreciate them so much. They are a part of my life-line.

Thursday, Part 2

2009-06-18T02:30:00.002-04:00

On our way home from the metro station we stopped at the little 24-hour convenience store and grabbed two big jugs of water, some milk and some orange juice. I knew I wanted to carry those items the shortest distance possible. After depositing those items in the apt we headed out with our rolling 'shopping bag' for full-fledged shopping at the Mega Market. I was just hoping the place was still open because it was 8:30 when we finally got to the right corner. What a relief to see the sign saying it didn't close until 11 pm.

We did better this time since we knew our way around a little better. We spent the longest time on the chocolate aisle. Teresa was wanting to buy some for herself and I wanted a box to take to the orphanage when we do pick up Steven. I don't know whether it will work but I thought he might enjoy being able to share it with his friends. (Do they understand the concept of sharing?)I have little gifts for the ladies who work with him--just very small gift bags with a couple mini bottles of hand sanitizer, a small pkg of tissues, a couple cute pencil sharpeners and two chocolate candy bars. They are Roshen brand and Teresa says it is really yummy chocolate. I can't remember if I mentioned that I brought books filled with lovely photographs of Idaho scenery for the director, inspector, facilitators, etc. I am pretty nervous about this 'gift' thing, too--wondering if the recipients will like them.

OK, back to the Mega Market. This time we bought pre-weighed produce though I did see where the ladies with the scale are. I guess if you buy loose produce you have to take it to them for weighing and labeling prior to check-out. That part of the shopping adventure filled my bag clear to the top plus another sack which Teresa very cleverly deposited in a locker (my bag wouldn't fit) before our trip up the stairs to the health and beauty area. I also discovered a display of kitchen gadgets and now am the proud owner of a can opener I know how to operate. Our final stop was in the children's section. I decided to just buy pullups AND underwear since I really don't know which one I'll need. I'd seen underwear there before so just figured I'd walk right over and easily select several pair. Harder than I thought, first off because I didn't understand the sizing system--centimeters are beyond my realm. So finally I called Nastya (poor lady) and she so sweetly gave her assistance. We decided we needed the smallest ones. So Teresa and I looked through pile after pile and rack after rack of boxers but the best we could do was "medium" so that's what I got. Then on to Pull-ups. Yes, they do have Pull-ups--for a price--but here again size was a mystery because the weight is given in kilograms (some also list pounds but I can only guess at his weight as compared to Caleb. I actually buy Caleb the 2T-3T size of pull-ups because he has such a tiny bumbum!)

I am so spoiled at home having shopping carts that I can take right out to my waiting van. Here the shopping carts stay in the store (though I did consider trying to rent one!) and you ARE the van. So I had the crammed-full rolling 'shopping bag' and another weighty sack. Teresa had 3 sacks including a awkward-sized one with a big box of chocolates in it. She finally just cinched up the hood on her San Francisco jacket and used the jacket as a sack. She never complained at all. This is a distance of at LEAST 6 city blocks so we were both quite happy to get home, up the stairs and into our apartment. Home sweet home.

Wednesday, Another full day

2009-06-17T16:32:00.004-04:00

Above: Teresa and another little guy from the orphanage; below: this young man was one of the guys who snuck out most often to get in on our visits with Steven

Here's Steven actually sitting down in the hallway chair very briefly

I was so nervous this morning about possibly bringing Steven home today that I woke up about 6:45, just ran around in circles once I actually got out of bed, couldn't even eat breakfast cuz my tummy was in knots. Though of course having a new son was the point of this entire year-long effort, there is just something very frightening to me about being totally in charge of someone who is still basically a stranger, particularly in a strange land far from our usual support system. I have two main concerns: food and potty.

Nastya and Alexey picked us up mid-morning. First off, we had to get a notarized copy of my apostilled power of attorney paper from Kevin. Then we headed to Irpin (the same town where we had court for Caleb's adoption.) I'd guess this was a 30-40 minute drive through some beautiful woods and fields. Teresa missed this journey because she was sleeping soundly on my lap.

There we went to the tax police office and waited in the car while Alexey went in alone. Nastya said in Ukraine everyone has a tax number--similar to the social security number in the U.S. We have to get Steven's number that he already has assigned to his new name before we can get started on his passport. Quite some while later Alexey returned to the car really, really, really frustrated. He had been told that it would take two days to change the last name, two days to change the first name, two days to change the middle name--and they could not change more than one name at a time. The SOONEST we could have the tax number would be a week from Friday. Definitely not good. I am hoping to be taking a anniversary cruise on the Snake River back in Idaho on that day. Well, Nastya got on the phone and called Oleg and I'm not sure who else. After several minutes of talking both she and Alexey headed into the tax office. And Teresa and I were praying that God would go before them, give them favor, make a way where there seemed to be no way. (Side note to readers: thanks to everyone else who has been praying for us as well.) They were in there quite a while but when they finally returned the new word was that we might have it done as soon as tomorrow!

But since we don't have it today there wasn't anything else we could do in the adoption process. And since we aren't done with the sit-in-the-car-and-do-paperwork stage, I decided not to stop for Steven today. I do NOT think he would tolerate the close confines of a car very well and since restrooms seem to be so few and far between in our travels, where would I take him potty if he needed to go? Teresa was very disappointed that he's not coming to the apt today but I hope understands that we must do what is best for Steven whether it's what we would prefer or not.

Alexey dropped us off at our apartment and I took in the suitcase of cold-weather clothes for Steven we'd left with them back in December. Teresa watched a few cartoons on TV, I sent a few emails and then we headed across the city by metro to visit Steven. Again the boys were outside playing. As usual some of the bigger boys met us out on the sidewalk to greet us. This freaks Teresa out but I think it's kind of fun. I also think some of the bigger boys must alert the worker of the little boys that we have arrived because we hadn't waited long before Steven arrived in the usual hallway 'play area'. This is a tougher place to visit because he loves to escape out into the other part of the orphanage, hide behind the drapes, rip leaves off the trees. He did kiss me today. He sat quietly in my arms for the longest time yet when I held him kind of like a baby. And he seemed to be calmed when I held him sideways across my arms and just gently swayed him back and forth. And we found out he likes dress-up: I had the two scarves in my purse that we purchased at the Perschesk-Lavra for head-coverings so we were being silly with them. We tied one around his head and the other around his shoulders. He was swaying around, singing, looking at himself and actually disappeared into another group's room for awhile, returning with only Teresa's scarf :( Other than that I would say he was pretty wild. But he was not the only one: the other little boys that came sneaking out were climbing up on the table, standing on the table, jumping off the table, getting into my purse, running off with Teresa's sweatshirt and sandals, screaming and one even tipped over a tree (I was really glad Steven wasn't the guilty party this time) Yipes! I was still down on the floor trying to scoop up the spilled dirt when the group came by for dinner.

I would so appreciate your prayers for peace for the people of the orphanage. Some are very supportive of our adoption but some are very worried. I guess just earlier THIS week Alexey had to deal quite sharply with someone there who is convinced we only want to adopt him so we can sell his organs. How could someone honestly believe we would put ourselves through ALLLLL the hassle and expense of an adoption for some sicko purpose like that. These rumors are widely circulated I guess here in Ukraine and so these people who truly care for Steven's well-being are sincerely worried about his future.

We were nearly at death's door by this time :) :) in spite of our well-rounded lunch of pretzels, granola bars (For Teresa), and a bag of Teriyaki turkey jerky so we stopped at the food court at the Maidan metro stop and I managed to order 2 Big Macs, 2 fries WITH KETCHUP, and drinks (with honest-to-goodness ice) AND straws!! That ordering feat was definitely worth a high-five. (Do I have to admit that the cashier spoke English quite well?)

Sorry, I'm not done but it's 1:45 am and I MUST get to sleep.

Busy Day

2009-06-16T15:52:00.003-04:00

Scenes from Teresa and I waiting for Alexey as he pursued paperwork from various offices

This was one of those long sitting-in-the-car paper-chase days. Good grief! It seemed like we traveled every street in Kiev at least twice and the traffic was insane. Alexey picked us up a little after 8 am and dropped us off at 4:30 at Kreschatik Metro station. Now we all know we are going to have these days and we've all heard the good advice about bringing granola bars, jerky, trailmix, etc. along with us to take care of our growling tummies on these occasions. The non-mentioned-but-should-be-obvious part of the advice is that you don't eat all your granola bars, jerky and trail mix BEFORE the long days of paperwork :) :) OOPS! I don't eat chocolate and wouldn't you know all 6 of our remaining granola bars had that ingredient. (which is precisely why we still had them) So I popped 2 in my purse for Miss Teresa but had none for me.

Anyway we started the day by heading to the Svyatoshin court to pick up the adoption decree. (I love to pick out Kevin and my names in the midst of all those Cyrillic words.) Steven is legally our son. Praise God! Then took the decree to the orphanage and got some needed paperwork from there. They gave me this plastic ID card with Steven's name, picture, DOB on it. I was so excited about that. I want to collect every picture I can from his past. I kind of forget the order after that--I think it was the notary's office and then I believe a birth certificate office. We also got Caleb's birth certificate!!!!!! Praise the Lord for that!! There was also a registrar's office--I think that still had something to do with the birth certificate as well. In the midst of the day we went to the US Embassy and met up with Nastya briefly. She assisted us in what she and Alexey laughingly referred to as a real Russian bathroom. This was obviously a row of squatty potty stalls, but instead of being mopped and at least "somewhat" tidy like at the Mall, there was only one which Nastya deemed decent enough to even use. It was one where your own supply of tissue and a generous helping of hand sanitizer were in order--and then one more dose just for good measure. But when desperate you do what you need to do.

Most of these offices required extended waiting. I read one of the new books I got yesterday about the city of Kyiv, we played "I Spy", we walked around, I did a little of my puzzle book. At the last stop Alexey said whatever paper would be ready in an hour. I asked Alexey if he knew where we might buy some pretzels but it was an unfamiliar area and he had no idea. Finally Teresa and I were starved enough that we headed out on a hunt for cheap food being very careful not to lose our way. And low and behold, we were able to get a 500 gram box of yummy pretzels, 2 pops and a Snickers for Teresa for the amount of grievnas I had. (I couldn't see a place to exchange money) As we were walking back toward the car, Alexey called me saying they were ready for me to sign a paper.

We had hoped to get started on the passport thing today too but ran out of time so that is on the agenda for tomorrow--as well as picking up a certain little boy with blue eyes and a light brown crew cut and bringing him here to the apartment.

Back in December we left a little suitcase with Alexey and Nastya with clothes for Steven--cool weather stuff. Alexey brought the suitcase with him today but since he was dropping us off at the Metro we decided to just leave it with him for one more day. The weather has been so "springy"--hot, cold, warm, rainy--that I think I'll need to be prepared with a variety of clothes just in case.

By the time we got to the Metro it was starting to rain. I was so tired and so sweaty and just felt disgusting so we headed to our apartment where I turned on the water for a coolish bath. And for some reason the water pressure was down to almost nothing. Just a little drizzle of water was running into the tub. I have no idea what was going on because we have always had plenty of water and very good pressure before. And the water that was coming out would about roast your hide off. Thankfully it did cool down and I seriously felt tremendously refreshed after I got out of my 3 inches of water.

We had arranged to meet Lyndi and her husband outside their apartment at 7:30. We got to the area about 7:00 and it was definitely raining by now. To kill time (and because we needed a few items), I went to check out the grocery store where Kevin and I did our shopping on our last trip--and it's selling technology now. I couldn't believe it. We spent about 15 minutes standing under a spreading chestnut tree trying to keep mostly dry. Of course, our rain ponchos were safe and sound in our apartment.

I was so pleasantly surprised when JoAnn and her husband came walking up to our meeting spot with Lyndi. Bless their hearts--they just got in this afternoon and had to be totally exhausted--but were such good sports to come along. How wonderful to get to meet these ladies after months of following their journeys through Reece's Rainbow. And it is very wonderful for me that they are going to be in Kiev while I'm here.

We all headed for the Ukranian buffet. Teresa had been very disappointed when I told her where we were going since she is convinced she doesn't like any of their food. So she and I had agreed to share a pizza there. And Lyndi's husband Bill decided to do the same. Big problem was that we didn't know how to go about ordering the pizza. I could see the one on the menu that I thought Teresa and I would want but couldn't seem to get the message to the guy twirling the dough. After a few attempts I was ready to give up and get something else but Teresa was very set on pizza. So I cheated. I called Nastya, explained our situation, told her what we wanted on the pizza, and handed the phone to the chef. He was laughing, I was laughing and Nastya said her sister and Alexey were laughing hard at their house, too. OK we got the message of what we wanted to the pizza man. But we found out we couldn't pay for it there--we still were to go through the usual checkout and tell the cashier that we had pizza. We tried that but she looked at us like we had sticks coming out of our heads. So I just paid for the drinks and Teresa's bread and headed over to the seats by the pizza area. I thought maybe we'd pick up the pizza and then go pay for it. Eventually Bill figured out that we had to tell the cashier what KIND of pizza we ordered. That took a little more figuring out but by then there was a pizza guy who spoke a little English. With the right term we sailed through the cashier's desk like a breeze and got our ticket to take to the pizza guy proving we'd paid. Well, suffice it to say that it was really yummy pizza, only cost 22.50 grievnas (ours had 2 kinds of cheese, something like Canadian bacon and an egg on top--that was a bit of a surprise. Apparently the egg is sunny side up until the pizza goes into the oven.) and 3 families are thinking of ordering another one next time.

The other bad thing was that Teresa tried this 'bitter lemon' drink which basically tastes like lemon juice. She likes sour things but she decided to try adding a packet of sugar. Oh my goodness! I don't know why it happened but the juice just came bubbling up out of there like a volcano. Of course, her instinctive reaction was to put her hand over the top and then it was squirting and spraying all over. Bless her heart, she lost about half of her drink.

We got home and found our apartment door open. It scared me. We didn't see anything missing or messed with so I guess I must have just forgotten to shut it properly. I must have had my mind diverted at the time I usually turn around to lock the door behind us when going out. Thanks for all your prayers. I know God is with us but I don't mean to give Him so much work!

Nastya called to say we don't have to be ready until 10:00 am instead of 7:00 am as we'd thought.

All in all it was a very busy--but beneficial-- day.

A Better Day

2009-06-15T15:08:00.005-04:00

Getting ready to board the funicular
Standing in front of statues in square in front of St. Michael's

Teresa taking pictures of St. Andrew's

View from the walkway around St. Andrew's

Pretty architecture

Cobble-stoned streets near Andriivsky Street

Steven on one of the pathways behind the orphanage

Steven playing his usual game of "I run and you chase me"

Teresa on the playground

First off, James, I sure love you and hope you have a great week at Kids Camp. Kevin, Billy, Scheri, Caleb, I love you so much and pray you have a super week, too.

Today Teresa and I headed off to Andriivsky Street which is an essential part of any trip to Kyiv --Souvenir Alley. I am always so proud of myself when I get somewhere and home without Kevin's help. :) And we made it! We headed up the funicular, past St. Michael's and then down the side street to St. Andrews which Teresa really enjoyed, particularly the shade of green of the exterior. I showed her where the SDA appointments are held right next door. Then we started down the trail of the vendors and I think we did pretty well. One thing different this time is that my toes and fingers weren't freezing by the time we left. We were starving by then so went into McDonalds back down by the Metro and I managed to get what I ordered with the exception of straws for our drinks. :) And I forgot to ask for ketchup which I think is another 3 grievnas apiece. But the drinks were ice-cold and the fries were hot and the special sauce on our Big Macs was yummy. Surprisingly, the air conditioning was on a bit of over-kill in my opinion--though it doesn't take a lot to make me cold.

Then we decided to go ahead and try to see Steven though we were running a little late. I am so, so, so glad we did. He and other little boys were playing outside because the weather was so pleasant. One of the workers showed us how to get outside. When Steven caught sight of us, he whooped with delight and came running to us. Wow! Did that ever bless this momma's heart. I think he actually missed seeing us over the weekend. We of course kissed him and hugged him. He still spent a lot of time running off but it seemed more appropriate outside. He definitely wanted to be chased. A couple times he actually ran toward me rather than away from me. Thank you, God! And thanks everyone for your prayers!

Our 10 day wait is now over!!! So we are supposed to be ready at 8 am for Alexey to pick us up. As I understood it, our first stop will be the court to pick up the adoption decree. Nastya said that may take some time. Then we are to head to the orphanage with the decree so the orphanage director will give some necessary paperwork. Next we go to the birth certificate office--I believe to the particular office where Steven's original birth certificate was filed. And lastly we do something to start the passport rolling. So it sounds like it will be a busy, somewhat tedious day but an extremely important one in the final part of the adoption process. Oh, how wonderful it is to type that word: FINAL.

Then tonight I got to talk to both Lyndi and Gillian on the phone. They are both here in Kiev--in fact it sounds like Lyndi is in the identical apartment we occupied in December!! And Amy is here as well for her SDA appointment tomorrow. Doesn't this sound like way too much fun :)

Just a little note: my hopes to get pictures on here haven't panned out so far :( The only USB port I see on this computer is on the back where all the other cords are plugged. I tried putting my little picture thingy there but nothing happened on the screen where I could download the photos. Sorry, you guys all know I am far from a computer whiz.

Thanks for your continued prayers and comments.

Sunday in Kiev

2009-06-14T12:36:00.002-04:00

First off: Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday, Dear Caleb
Happy Birthday to You!

Today is my baby Caleb's 5th birthday. (Steven is just 3 months older.) Happy Birthday, Sweetie. Mommy and Teresa will be home as soon as we can.

James turned 11 on the 8th and Billy will be 15 (YIKES!!) on the 18th. Teresa's 13th bday is July 1st and Kevin's on July 10th. Yes, we are back in "Birthday Alley"

Since Teresa and I didn't go to bed until about 12:30 am I knew we would not be making it to the first service at church today and I was right!! :) but we were there for quite a bit of chat time, coffee and tea before the second service. For those readers who are also part of the Assemblies of God, it was fun to point out to Teresa equipment and supplies that were likely paid for with Light for the Lost, Speed the Light and/or Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade funds. These are missions programs for the men, youth and children of our Fellowship.

It was great to see familiar faces, sing worship songs--some familiar and some not, and hear the next installment in the series on Jonah.

I had thought we might just head on up to St. Michaels, St. Sophia, St. Andrews while we were dressed up anyway but it was very cool and breezy with threatening clouds so we opted to grab a whole chicken from a vendor on the way home from the Metro and stay in the apartment for the afternoon.

I am going to experiement a bit here and see if I can figure out where to plug in my tiny little camera thingamajig on this computer. I just need a USB port.

We have internet in our apartment

2009-06-13T13:35:00.003-04:00

Scenes from our visit with Steven yesterday: sweeping in the hallway between the outside and the coat room

We finally have internet in our apartment

Me (Joy) with my improvised shopping cart-bag

The store has bunches of different kinds of tomato-based sauces. We guessed right with this one--thankfully the picture of spaghetti on the front was a good clue to the contents of the pouch

This is the only type of 'spatula' in the apartment. I must say it really doesn't work that well for fried eggs :)

The dishes we bought for Steven just in case his tossing talent pertains to glassware as well as toys, plants, and knick-knacks

Yes indeed! I am typing in my own internet cafe right here in the living room of our apartment! This morning the 'apartment lady' called about 9:35- 9:40 to say a man was coming at 10:00 am--"in 20 minutes"-- to repair the computer. I got Teresa out of bed and rushed to the shower. The guy was a little late but about 2 1/2 hours after his arrival we had a screen with Google on it. Hurrah!! I'm sure the guy behind the desk at the Samsung Internet cafe there at the mall will miss our daily presence and donation of 12 grievnas per hour.

I am so losing track of time here. Do I blame it on the NutraSweet in the Cola Light? To continued jet lag? Certainly not to being old!!! Maybe because so many days are so much like so many other days? And I can't keep straight what I've put in my blog, written in my journal and/or written in separate emails.

Let's see, I was going to tell about yesterday's visit. When Teresa and I arrived at the orphanage, the place was absolutely quiet which was weird because I knew it was not the scheduled nap time. We tried the door to Steven's area and it was locked. I just went to sit in our usual chairs in the hallway. Finally a lady came walking by and went in search of "Roman." It was such a nice day--warm but not hot--that the kids were outside playing. Steven looked so cute when he walked in--cap, short-sleeves, shorts without leggings for the 2nd time. He was smiling. We were invited into the coat-room to play. Well, I didn't have a ball since it hopped out the window yesterday or the wiggly-squishy ball cuz Steven took it with him yesterday. We sat down for awhile and looked at pictures of our family and Steven seemed to be calmly paying attention. He had more difficulty than I would have guessed with turning the pages of the album but didn't fight me turning the pages. One of the workers came and she seemed very interested in the pictures as well. (I've been told that the workers here are concerned about how Steven is going to do in a family. Like Nastya says, they've heard a lot of bad rumors about what happens to kids once adopted, so she suggests that I send them pictures about every 3 months so they know he is OK.) He played a little with the finger puppets then went into the entry way and swept for quite awhile with a branch broom and a very stout dust pan with a handle. I am trying to get pictures of this young man every day but very few are even showing his face. He is soooooo wiggly and I'm using my cell phone so the lens just isn't quick enough. Even when I think I've finally got a decent one--I'm usually wrong. I've even tried video but then I just get his back. He walked into the living room and was gone for some time. When I went after him, I found out he'd taken himself to the bathroom. I've noticed he wears underwear! I wonder if he is actually potty-trained rather than just trained to go potty at certain times (and if he'll stay that way once he's with us.) I'm thinking that especially on the airplane or in someone's car that pullups might be in order. Anyone have suggestions on this? We kept our visit even a little shorter this time. Steven waved bye-bye, tried to say 'bye', blew kisses, kissed my cheek, even opened up the door into the hallway behind us and waved some more.

I am really hopeful that once he gets into another environment, he will settle down. Now of course he keeps checking in with the people that are familiar. But when he gets here, WE will be the people that are familiar.

Was this Thursday or Friday? See, I told you I can't keep the days straight :) We were really thirsty so we stopped to buy drinks on the way home. It was one of those refrigerated coolers with the sliding glass doors on the front. The owner opened only one side and we were trying to reach across to the larger ones on the other side. In the process we managed to knock over about 10-15 bottles. I went ahead and bought the one that rolled out and bit the dust in addition to the 2 we were already buying. 3 bottles are heavier than you'd think when carrying them. We went and sat down for awhile on a bench in the little park by the metro stop.

I know this is Friday: Then on to the Kreschatik stop for internet and something to eat. There's a place Kevin calls Captain Potato. It IS a potato place and it starts like "KAPT" (yes, I know the P is pronounced like an R) But wouldn't you believe it, they were out of potatoes for the day so we had sandwiches instead with boxes of fruit juice.

Today after getting on-line, Teresa and I ventured off for true grocery-shopping now that we know we aren't moving tomorrow. I've seen several ladies around here pulling enclosed bags with wheels on them with groceries inside so we decided to make a piece of luggage into a grocery cart. First we headed to the nearby 24-hour store for a big jug of water, big bottle of Pepsi, cookies, some stuff that looked like cup-of-soup, etc, loaded it into our bag and brought it back to the apartment. Ate the tasty soup and headed for Mega Market where we did our best to buy what we need at the best prices. Thankfully most foods have pictures on them :) We tried not to go too crazy because we knew we had to either get it into the bag or carry it all the way back to our apartment. We did pretty well I think--even managed to buy red sauce that tasted like the spaghetti sauce we were hoping for--except we chose 2 loose apples and an orange and apparently missed the weighing-station somewhere. The lady at the check-out couldn't take them without them being weighed and we didn't understand what we were supposed to do. We went upstairs and found napkins, Q-tips!!!, trash bags and another nail file. On the in-between level we got plastic plates, bowl and cup for Steven. But we abandoned our apples and oranges.

By the way, I thought our 10-day wait was up on Monday the 15th but that is actually the 10th day. Tuesday will be a very full day of running around in the car and paperwork so I think it will actually be Wednesday before we can get him. I have been reminded that he will be 'excused' from the orphanage into our care in only his birthday suit, though Alexey said the director agreed he would give us clothes if necessary. Of course I brought clothes that I definitely hope will fit (same size as Caleb's except smaller pants because Steven seems so much lighter) but the naughty part of me wonders whether a child has ever walked out the front gate stark naked.

Much more comfortable in here tonight--today has been cooler and much more pleasant.

Thanks for all the notes and prayers and encouragement. Yes, I do remember that our visits with Caleb were awful and he is a wonderful child--whom I miss very much by the way. We've been gone two weeks today. So here are hugs and kisses for my kiddos and my Sweetheart.

Love to all and to all a good night.

PS If anyone knows how to get in touch with the other RR couples here in Kiev, I would LOVE to meet them.

Kiev, June 11 and 12

2009-06-12T12:29:00.003-04:00

Two little boys playing on the jungle gym in the orphanage hallway.

After we left the internet cafe yesterday (11th) Teresa and I headed for Steven's orphanage. It is the 2nd to the last metro stop on the red line.

I don't know why but this particular metro stop seems to be very unkempt--papers, cigarette butts, pop caps, bottles, trash all over the place. It seems so weird because the other stops I've been at have been much tidier. I have figured out which way to go just by remembering right-left-left: I turn right after getting off the subway itself, turn left after exiting the station and follow that underground hallway all the way to the end where I again turn left and go up the stairs to the outside. I have absolutely NO, ZERO, ZILCH sense of direction underground. If I remember my simple directs then it is only a matter of about 4 or 5 blocks to the orphanage gate. Sometimes there's a guy sitting at the gate, sometimes not. Sometimes he has stopped us, sometimes not.

Our visit on Thursday was another tough one. Steven came to us pleasantly and calmly enough but soon was much more interested in running off than staying near us. He loves to play the chase game--and that's fine when it's a GAME but not when we are telling him no. So when I went to fetch him from distant parts of a galaxy far, far away (otherwise known as another part of the orphanage than where he was supposed to be) I didn't go laughing and running. I tried to just walk faster than he did, catch him and then carry him calmly but firmly back where he was supposed to be. One time when we returned I had him sit on my lap which he did NOT like and another time I just placed him in the chair. Then he spent a lot of time hiding behind the ceiling- to-floor curtains that are along most of one side of this hallway. I could just imagine him pulling the curtains down so wasn't real crazy about this arrangement. I thought perhaps he'd come out if he saw we weren't chasing him but that didn't work. I found out that he wasn't just hiding there, he was also working on pitching our toys out the window. Only the ball escaped to the great beyond; the finger puppets saved themselves by clinging to the window sill from whence I rescued them and returned them to the safety of the bag. I switched to this wiggly, squiggly ball-thing and Steven seemed to like the feel of it. He was still holding it when it was time for him to go eat and that was fine.

To be honest I was pretty discouraged after this visit. I would appreciate emails/comments from people who have dealt with this kind of stuff before and lived to tell about it--and whose kids are coming around to normalcy in their behavior and attachment. Yes, of course we know we should expect institutional behavior but I guess there's always a part of us that really, truly hopes we won't have to deal with it--that when a child comes into contact with our marvelous selves that 5+ years of learned behavior will just miraculously disappear.

Teresa and I stayed up really late and consequently did not rise and shine anywhere near the break of dawn this morning. I was laying around doing some Bible reading about Jesus' attitude and response to children when I heard this chirping sound and thought a bird had got into our kitchen through the open window. Nope, it was our doorbell and soon the door opened and a blond-headed lady carrying a computer monitor entered calling out "hello?" I was embarrassed to say the least that I was still in bed and not dressed for company. Thankfully I was decently clothed (though later found out I had my shirt on backwards!) by her return trip with other computer parts which she was soon assembling in the living room while I washed my hair. Sadly however, we still do not have internet. According to the apartment people, the computer was working fine but by the time it arrived at our apartment, it was no longer functioning properly. I was promised a phone call by the end of the day. OK, it's after 8 pm. Apparently not by the end of THIS day. Otherwise I guess we'll move on Sunday.
Visit today a little better. More later.

Kiev, Thursday June 11

2009-06-11T08:05:00.003-04:00

Kevin got off this morning about 3:00 am to head to the airport. I am hoping he gets some rest along the way because I think he slept about 30 minutes tops last night.

Teresa and I slept in. We decided to go check out the Mega Market that is about 4 or 5 blocks from our apartment. OK, this is the kind of store easier for us foreigners because you can select the items you want off the shelf, put them in a shopping cart or basket and pay for everything at once at the checkout. It has a large grocery section, a kid-section on the next level with diapers, I think I even saw pull-ups, baby food, toys, some clothing and some plastic dinnerware. We think the purchase of plastic could be very advantageous to protect the apartment's ceramic plates, cups, etc from the toss of a certain young man. One section had plants, planters, etc and the top level we saw had health and beauty items. I am so bummed that during the entire 5 weeks I was here in Kiev with Caleb's adoption that I didn't know this store existed. Oh well. And it is just a block or so from the Republic Station metro stop. As someone famous once said, I'll be back.

On our way there we got a call from Nastya saying that there was a couple here in Kiev who'd just had their SDA appt this am and we could meet for lunch. They are from Tuscon, AZ and adopting 3 older kids--like 12, 14, 16. They brought their 11 year old son with them. We ate at the same Ukrainian buffet where we ate yesterday but were a day smarter: we didn't take so much food this time. I had chicken breast with ham and cheese on it, the Russian salad (similar to potato salad but also has peas and carrots in it) and water; Teresa had a shishkabob (sorry, I don't know how to spell that), a chunk of meat and orange juice. Yesterday I had the Russian salad, vereniky with potatoes and potato pancakes (was this Idaho girl having some secret craving for spuds? We ended up taking a container with at least 8 potato pancakes home with us. One serving was 4 pancakes!) Both Kevin and Teresa had tried the cold Russian soup--had cucumbers, onions, dill in it.

The other couple is waiting to pick up their referral and we are waiting until time to go see Steven so we came over to the mall to kill some time.

I am finally getting to read recent digests from Reeces Rainbow and feeling less left out. My congrats to everyone with exciting news about adoption and my prayers for all experiencing difficulties. I haven't got to read the old ones so if anyone knows someone who still wants an invite to the blog, please let me know in the comments section.

Kris L, I just want to thank you again for advocating so long for the adoption of Steven. He is a precious little boy and I know he will bring much joy to our family.

We are hoping to get pictures of some of the other boys in Steven's group. I know the adoption has been a long process for us but doable if people go into it EXPECTING to take two trips, with the first for SDA appointment and to make contact with their son and the second a few months later for court, passport, birth certificate, visa. Ruslan is still here and is such a cutie. And I've heard other names likes Sasha, Misha--we can start praying that families will find them soon.

Well, we'd better head down the trail. Have a great day.

Love from HOT Ukraine,
Joy

Kiev, Wednesday, June 10

2009-06-10T11:32:00.003-04:00

This may be pretty short and sweet due to time. Kevin is planning to fly home in the morning and arrive in Boise at 8:01 pm.

Teresa and I may be moving to another apartment on Sunday. The lady from Ukraine Fare (NOT Kiev Rentals as previously stated) called this morning and said the computer for our apt is irrepairable and this other apt is supposed to open up on Sunday. We'll see what happens there.

Since this is Kevin's last day in Kiev, Nastya took us to see the Monastery Caves. Very interesting. We bought scarves and took the guided tour with Nastya translating. Before entering we were given a candle for light and wrap-around skirts to wear to cover our pants; additionally Nastya had to wear a covering for her shoulders. Apparently many pilgrimages have been made to this site in Kiev which was founded in something like 1055 AD by a monk from Greece. She said something about there being more religious artifacts only in Jerusalem. Even though I am not from an Orthodox background, it still was a very interesting place to visit and also interesting to hear various accounts of miracles associated with the place or with the people buried there. It was also very enlightening to hear an explanation of the Orthodox faith from someone who holds it very dear and precious. I think heaven is going to be such a fun place with Christians from many traditions gathered around the throne singing praises to the Lamb of God--all with one common thread: saved by the blood of the Crucified One.

More tomorrow, I hope.

Love from Ukraine

Kiev, June 8 and 9

2009-06-09T13:05:00.005-04:00

Teresa's heart was touched by all the stray dogs we saw around the city. We saw a momma dog and 4 pups near the orphanage metro stop.

Inside the orphanage

Waiting for Steven and his group to finish their snack before play time.

Teresa and Steven in the hallway

Playing outside

Steven "sweeping"

and sweeping . . .

and hiding

Our visit to the Kiev Zoopark

Beautiful flowers around the orphanage entrance

Waiting out on the bench on the orphanage grounds

These tights are quite a fashion statement--June 9

**************************************************************************

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments. They just bless my heart. Mandy, Nastya was talking about you just today, about what a sweet lady you are. And Lyndi, I am very much looking forward to meeting you. I really hope we can meet JoAnn, too.

We STILL do not have Internet in our apartment. Kevin called again this morning and the lady from Kiev Rentals (actually Ukraine Faire) said she thought the computer had already been brought back to us and that we would have it by the end of the day. All I know is it had not yet appeared by the time I left the apt to come down here and it is 8:08 pm. I am so disappointed because this company was so good when we used them before and I recommended them to other people coming to Kiev. But now I can find this place with no problem and there are always computers available (AND the guy at the desk understands English--can't beat that combination!)

Today we visited the Zoopark here in Kiev. It was just 20 grievnas apiece and I thought quite nice. Some of the exhibit signs were even in English. I particularly enjoyed the two baby monkeys. Teresa enjoyed the tigers. For a few extra grievnas you could also visit the petting zoo or a butterfly exhibit of some kind. There was a little train and several carnival rides as well but we didn't do those. It was HOT out there. They did have clean potties (with seats no less) though I did have to pay 2 grievnas for the privilege of using one.

We grabbed lunch at the McDonald's by the train station and then headed to the orphanage. A guy at the gate actually stopped us today. We think he was just asking our purpose in entering but didn't understand Kevin's explanation so we had to call Nastya and have her explain it to him over the phone. Nastya had thought Kevin might have to sign some paper concerning Steven's release from the orphanage but as it turned out, he didn't have to after all. We got our daily temperature check and throat exam and the doctor said we are now good because we've been in Ukraine for a week without symptoms. I thought she said we wouldn't have to check in at the infirmary any more. However, the worker with Steven's group said we needed to bring her some kind of paper from the doctor. I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow.

Today we weren't allowed to take Steven outside. We were supposed to play with him in the hallway. We were told later that Steven asks every day about his 'papa' We were also told the staff is happy he has a family because he has so much potential. Part of the visit went well. Steven came to us quite readily and climbed up in the chair. I think though we just gave him too much stimulation--bubbles, ball, truck more or less all at once being offered to him. He did a lot of running up and down the hall, running down to the doorway of 'his' group--like he was checking in and making sure everyone knew he was with his papa. And little boys from the group kept sneaking out to play with us. I really hope I can get some pictures of them, by the way. He loved to be chased by Teresa, swung, tickled. He really was not very interested in rolling or bouncing a ball back and forth for very long AT ALL. He prefers to throw the ball the other direction. He did enjoy being held, hugged, kissed and only grabbed my glasses twice this time. He ripped some leaves off of one of the potted trees in the hallway and then later when he tried it again, he pulled the whole tree over. Someone nicely came out and cleaned up that mess. Then at the very end he grabbed a ceramic ornament off the table and chucked it on the tile floor. You can guess how that turned out. That was our clue that he really had all he could take of this visit and Kevin took him back to his group.

We came on home. Kevin crashed on the couch and Teresa flipped on the TV and I came down here. More tomorrow hopefully.

Kiev, June 5-7

2009-06-08T13:08:00.005-04:00

Dressed up again for our second court date

A view of the entry door to our apartment

Teresa being silly. There are a lot of plants being tended out behind the apartment building.

We are in a different court room this time. The judge sits in the middle seat with the jurors on each side of her.

The cell for criminals is off to the right.

Kevin, the inspector and Joy

Alexey, Nastya, Kevin and Teresa

Our visit with Steven in the afternoon--officially our son now

The orphanage grounds

Walking out toward the front gate

Relaxing back in the apartment

Big church near our apt--Catholic I believe

There was a wedding in progress apparently--Kevin was intrigued with the limo

Having pizza out on the deck of this restaurant

Our Dnipro river tour--this boat is similar to the one we rode on

Teresa and I went strolling along the riverside while waiting for Kevin to return from changing some money for the tour

I thought this little church kind of out on this little 'island' was really cute

Scenes along the riverside while on our river cruise

This is some official building up near St. Michael's

Views of St. Michael's

A little panorama of old Kiev inside the furnicular

********************************************************************************

Goodness! Will I ever get caught up on this!

The judge came back into the room on Friday and began reading her decision. Now Roman is officially Steven Mikyal McClain!!! It was wonderfully good news after such a long wait. My eyes were pretty leaky.

Our visit with Steven that afternoon was pretty rough, however (and that was after we spent almost an hour trying to find the orphanage--things looked so different with leaves and grass and fruit stands rather than just ice and snow AND we got off at the wrong exit to begin with) I think most of the people who are following this blog are at least somewhat familiar with institutional behavior and that is definitely what we were seeing. On the one hand Steven seemed to really like having me hold him, hug him, kiss him, etc and he responded positively by hugging back, kissing his hand at me, etc. But he also bit my neck and spit in my face a couple of times. He also grabbed my glasses over and over. Right now, he seems to think running off, throwing toys, grabbing glasses, spitting, etc are quite funny and just giggles and giggles. Kevin really held his ground about not letting him run out the door to join the other kids outside--just kept telling him 'no' and 'nyet' Teresa was pretty bummed with him and was saying 'he doesn't care about us' and 'I like Caleb better' etc. because we were trying to play with him and Steven kept just turning away from us--throwing ball at wall rather than to us, running into hallway, living room, etc. It was a tough visit for all of us. I really hesitate to say this but I think it's important because other people who haven't travelled yet may have some tough visits and need to know it's pretty normal. It honestly reminded me of how people treated Jesus when he came to adopt and redeem us.

I think I forgot to mention earlier that Kevin's wallet got stollen on Thursday. He hasn't even been carrying it but in our apartment had been getting something out of it and just put it in his back pocket by habit. He'd noticed it when we were walking WAY down the street looking for an internet cafe, so he had buttoned the back pocket and pulled his shirt down over the top of it. However, in this one metro we were absolutely packed in like sardines and we are guessing that's when someone took advantage of the situation. So rather than visit Steven that afternoon we had to go back to our apartment and cancel credit card, debit card, etc.

Saturday exhaustion set in and we slept until something like 2 or 3 in the afternoon!! Yipes!

Sunday was a great day. It was raining when we left our apartment--which by the way looks much better in the daylight--several trees and lots of flowers are planted out there. Anyway, we made good use of the rain ponchos Pat got us--thankfully, she had the sense to find out what weather in Kiev was like. We got to church a little late, right in the middle of the prayer and worship service. We saw a few people we had met when we were here before and met some other very precious folks. Being the first Sunday of the month, they were serving communion. The regular pastor is back in the States temporarily. We actually ended up staying for the beginning part of the second service as well. Then home in lovely, sunny, rather hot weather to change into jeans and crocs and downtown we headed. Boy, did we do the town. We walked all over the place, we ate pizza on an outside deck with lovely baskets of petunias hanging overhead, we went on a one hour boat tour of the Dnipro River (only 25 grievnas apiece, exchange is about 7.6), we rode up and down the furnicular, we were at St. Michaels when they were actually doing a service. The harmony of the music was beautiful. Then we headed for the internet cafe. Thankfully Kevin and Teresa did not take my suggestion of just going on to the apartment. I found out I had no clue where I needed to be. There is a HUGE underground shopping mall near the Tolstogo metro that goes all the way to the end of Kreschatik boulevard, I guess. We walked and walked and walked trying to get to this Samsung Club. Finally we found the right place. Then over to the food court for baked potatoes and some kind of sandwich. They turned the light off on us--I think it was about 10:15 or 10:30 pm by then. It was a long day.

Today--yes, almost caught up--we had a time getting ourselves out of bed. The visit with Steven today went much better. He walked right over to us when we arrived the 2nd time (the first time he was napping) but went obediently with his group to have a snack. We got to play outside with him and he seemed much calmer. He wasn't too interested in the bubbles. He threw the truck so as we'd decided ahead of time we just calmly put the truck away. But he enjoyed sweeping with a bundle of twigs he found (Caleb loved to sweep, too) and we played ball with him quite awhile. He absolutely loved it when Kevin put him up on his shoulders and ran around with him. He was smiling ear to ear. Teresa and he played on some tires. He let me hold him and hug him and kiss him and didn't bite me or spit at me. He did grab my glasses a couple times and actually threw Kevin's on the ground. He ended up playing quietly digging with a stick in the dirt--not really interacting with us but not running off either and not being so wild. Teresa and I played in the dirt, too. Just as I was thinking 'we could pretend we are making cake' Steven took a bite of his dirt--hopefully he didn't swallow too much. The adjoining field to this play area has tons of stinging nettle in it. Kevin got a little on his leg but the hand sanitizer seemed to make it feel better.

I'm sorry this is so disjointed and dry. Hopefully now that I'm pretty much caught up with the facts I can spend more time with feelings and reflections, etc.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and good wishes. I am dying to read up on Reece's Rainbow to see how all my friends are doing but will have to wait.

For anyone in Kiev or coming soon, here is our address: Krasnoarmeyskaya St. 102, Apt 131 Our apt phone is +88(044) 529-1872. We have a cell phone, too but I don't have that number with me right now. We are closest to the Palats Ukraina metro stop on the blue line.

As far as the vote that was supposed to happen here in Ukraine on June 2 that could so drastically affect adoptions, it has been delayed for now. Nastya has heard all kinds of rumors about whether it's going to actually happen or not. I think it is still pretty much up in the air.

Kiev, June 1-5

2009-06-07T13:44:00.006-04:00

I forgot to include these with the last post--these are taken in the Frankfurt airport

Teresa and Kevin relaxing and having a spot of tea in our Kiev apartment

Here I was wishing I'd brought a book and here is a whole huge bookcase in our apt full of volumes--unfortunately nary a one in English

Here's the area right inside the door where we hang our sweatshirts, passports, key, purse and put our shoes

The 'living room' for Steven's group at the orphanage

Here are Teresa and Kevin in the coat room where we sometimes had our visits

Here is the little cubby door with Steven's last name on it

And here is little Mister Steven--over 5 months since we saw him last

This handsome young man would often try to get in on some attention and lovin' during our visits

Here we are all 'spiffed up' for court on Wednesday, June 3

Kevin the Master Chef

The view out our kitchen window--this is a very busy street down below that goes between two VERY busy streets

*****************************************************************************************

Well, as I'm sure you guessed my time ran out before I was finished with that post.

We did sail through customs with no difficulty whatsoever and were very happy to see Alexey again who drove us to our apartment. Driving in at 10:40 pm does not give one a very good idea of the neighborhood--it looked kind of scummy and smelled horrid in the very dark hallway and stairway. Since the elevator does not work, our joke is that the last person who rode the elevator died in there and no one has removed the body. But the room actually looked better than the advertisement photos--separate bedroom, couch that folds into a king-size bed, separate kitchen, tiny room that houses only the toilet, and a separate room for the sink and tub/shower. There was indeed a computer sitting on the table in the living room but alas, even with all of Kevin's expertise, he could not get it working. The problem literally was trying to fit the mouses square connector into a round port. They did get the DVD player working so Teresa could watch some of her Cosby shows.

Tuesday we got to see Steven. I was unsure how he would react to us after being gone for 5 months. I would say he partially remembered us. (Apparently the director of the orphanage was under the assumption our family had been refused for adoption in court some while ago) We rolled and bounced a ball back and forth, tickled him, kissed him. I had to laugh when he shook his fist and said "nyet. Papa." when any other little boy tried to get in on the attention. However, though he seemed very proud to have a Papa, he didn't seem to want to get too close to Kevin--I think partially cuz Kevin was trying to make him mind. Teresa thought he was very cute and funny. After we'd been playing awhile in the coat room, a lady came in and we were whisked out to see the doctor. Of course they were trying to explain what was going on but we were pretty clueless and thought they were going to give us a shot. We had glass thermometers inserted and then our throats inspected. I was breathing a prayer cuz Teresa had just been complaining that morning of a sore throat. Well, she passed with no problem but the doctor kept showing me the reading on my thermometer. I didn't know what the normal Celsius temp was supposed to be but apparently mine was elevated. I felt perfectly fine so I'm guessing maybe just a little dehydrated. Anyway, Kevin scurried out to get Alexey so he could find out what the problem was. Apparently there is quite a scare here about swine flu and since the Dr. knows we are from the US she was concerned we might be spreading disease to all the kiddos under her care. So our directions now are that we must check in at the Dr.'s office before we can visit Steven.

Our final court was supposed to be on Wednesday at 3:00 pm then was moved to 4:00 pm. In attendance were the judge--a very pretty blonde woman who looks like she's in her 30's, the prosecutor with short, very blond hair; the inspector who seemed very glad to see us again; the orphanage psychologist (Nastya says usually the orph lawyer attends but this orph has no lawyer because they have no adoptions); and 2 jurors, a man and a lady--just normal folks, I guess. Nastya was there to interpret. Well, all we got done was going through the list of all the interested parties and then the judge said the file was missing a pertinent paper from the SDA. This paper was placed in our file with our original judge and apparently she has not wanted to release it. So court was recessed for 30 minutes to see if it could be located. Yes, the paper was found but the original judge was not in the building to sign a paper releasing it. So court was continued to Friday. Another missing paper was a letter explaining that the I-171H is indeed the official form that gives permission for an orphan to enter the US. Nastya and Alexey have tried and tried and tried and tried to get these papers to no avail.

Thursday we went to a notary so Kevin could give his permission for Steven's passport. We then stopped at an Internet cafe that was open and had available, working computers so I could write our last little ditty. Then over to the embassy so Kevin could sign his part of the paperwork there. I knew no pictures were allowed inside so I took a picture of the embassy sign outside and got in trouble--but I didn't lose my camera and I must admit I'm glad I have the picture (I'm controlling myself and not posting it on the Internet) However, we didn't get anywhere with the embassy. Apparently before they have opened in the afternoon at 2:00 pm (after lunch break) but now only open 9:00-1:00.

Friday we had to get up at 5:30 to be ready for Alexey and Nastya to pick us up at 7:30. Court was scheduled for 9:00 and traffic has been horrendous. Well, it was definitely past 9:00 when we got started. The judge went through our whole dossier page by page (not reading it but stating what each thing was) plus all the letters between SDA and court and embassy and whoever/whatever else pertained to the case. She read through our whole petition to the court. She noted that orphanage, inspector, prosecution have no objection to the adoption, etc. Then she went to her decision room. At this point the prosecutor stopped in front of Kevin and gave him such a sweet ------ I can't think of the word and I know I'm almost out of time--anyway she wished us much joy and that our children would only bring us joy and that sort of thing. It made me teary-eyed. Then she left as did the jurors.

More later.