Roller blading, ice cream and protests

Last night was a long night and not because we partied all night welcoming in the New Year.  We did stay up until 12:30 so that hopefully we could see fireworks from our flat.  We were able to see them reflected off a 20 story building made of all windows.  Haha!  Then at 12:30, this mean mom said it was time for bed.  However, the fireworks continued.  We could hear them coming from all directions and at times they were so loud, it literally sounded like bombs going off.  For a split second, I wondered if we were in a war zone and then I remembered it was New Years.  I finally fell asleep after was seemed like hours only to be woken up to another bomb....ahem, I mean... fireworks going off right outside our flat at 3:00am.  Good grief.  The past three hours worth of fireworks weren't enough?  So, next time our neighbors decide they want to shoot off some firecrackers at 10pm, I am going to remember being woken up to bombs at 3am in Kiev and realize firecrackers at 10pm isn't so bad after all! 

We ended up sleeping in this morning until 10am and then we got up and got ready to spend the day with another adoptive father and his two girls.  We met at Independence Square; which is about a 10 minute walk from our flat and took the subway to Dream Center.  This is a huge building that has shopping, food courts, ice cream, ice skating, roller blading, bowling, movies, etc.  We grabbed a quick bite to eat; which wasn't so tasty and then headed to to the skating rink.  Alex did not know how to Roller Blade at all and wanted to stop many times.  He was getting frustrated and kept saying "Alex no more".  But he really didn't mean it because he got up and kept going.  He finally got the hang of it enough to go around at his own pace.  He often went in the opposite direction of traffic but he was finally having a good time.  So much so that he asked if he could have a pair of roller blades in America! 

 
Lilya loved it.  They roller bladed for about 2 1/2 hours when Shane's two girls and Alex got off the rink and sat down but Lilya stayed on the rink.  She'd probably still be there if I didn't say, "let's go".  They both rode the bumper cars and then we got an ice cream cone. 

She's beautiful even after roller blading!

I didn't get a photo of Alex on the bumper cars but here is one of Lilya

After that, we got back on the subway and grabbed a bite to eat at Pizzata Hata, a Ukrainian Cafeteria Style Buffet.  There was a long line - I've eaten a few different Cafeteria Style Buffets but never had to stand in line.  We waited for probably 30 minutes before finally getting up to choose our food. 

After we ate, we got back on the subway to get off at Independence Square and wow, there were a lot of people!  I've never been anywhere where there were that many people at one time.  It looked something like Times Square in NYC on New Year's Eve before the ball drops at midnight.  We started walking back to our flat down Khreschatyk Street when I heard some chanting and I saw people lined up along the street.  Well, I wanted to see what was going on, so we lined up, too.  All of a sudden, I could see what looked like a parade of people marching down the street but it wasn't a parade.  I believe it was some type of protest.  These people marching were holding torches and chanting.  They were in groups and in front of each group they were holding a banner.  There must have been over a thousand people marching.  The media was there running in front of them taking video and photos and we decided to video, as well.  It was interesting to say the least.  We decided to leave and head back to our apartment and lined along some of the stairwells going down underground were police officers.......probably 40 or 50.  At that point, I must admit, I got a little scared.  I am now happy and warm in my flat!  Ready to take the kids for their medicals and head to the US Embassy to obtain their visas!!

Our Journey from Decree Day to New Year's Eve

We have had a crazy and amazing journey in Ukraine and while I want to be able to share every detail, I won't bore you.  I will share some of the highlights over the past week since the adoption was decreed.

• Christmas Day - our facilitator went to the court and picked up our adoption decree.  Then he went to the tax office and applied to have their "tax ID" (kinda like their government ID) changed to their new names.  Then he went to the registration office and applied for their new birth certificates. Around 5:30pm, we went to the registration office and picked up their new birth certificates.  The lady was so sweet!  She talked to the kids and gave them a big hug!  Their new birth certificates list their new names and list us as their parents!!  How cool is that!

• Christmas Evening - we went to Pastor John and his wife Ev's home for dinner.  There were several other families there and it was nice to be able to enjoy a traditional Christmas Dinner and speak English with other folks!  

 

• December 26 - Our facilitator spent part of the day turning in documents and then picked us up in the afternoon so that we could go to the Passport Office and apply for passports.  We were told it can take up to 7 business days (a total of 13 days due to Ukrainian Holidays) - so we may not get them until January 8th.  However, he did talk to them and they said "they would try their best to get them as soon as possible".  Well - they sure did!  The passports were issued the next day!!!  People pay $700 PER PASSPORT to have them done the next day.  We did not have to pay anything extra!  Praise the Good Lord!!  That night, Tetyana, the children's neighbor, came to say goodbye.  It was a little emotional because everyone knew that this might be the last time she ever sees these kids in person again.  I definitely cried (and for those who know me well, know this is normal) because just knowing how much she loves these kids melts my heart.

Lilya and Alex giving Tetyana a kiss goodbye

 

Tetyana walking back to the bus stop.  She kept turning around and waving goodbye.  She knows she will probably never see these kids again, yet she encouraged them to come to America so they can have a family.  That's unconditional love. 

• December 27 - We went and picked up the inspector from the local SDA office (State Department of Adoptions) and went to the orphanage to sign the kids out.  However, on our way to the orphanage, our facilitator decided to stop by the bank first to drop off the paperwork so that we could close out their bank account and take whatever money they had out of the account.  When we got to the bank, there was a line.  So, he got out of the car to find out why - the bank wasn't open yet.  Hmmmm...it's 9:40 in the morning and they aren't open yet?  I think the bank makes their own hours!  So, we headed to the orphanage.  The kids said goodbye to their friends and we signed them out of the orphanage.  Alex had one friend that he said goodbye to, his name is Jenya and Lilya had one friend that she said goodbye to, her name is Nastya.  I will share the videos on another blog. The kids had some photo albums and personal items they wanted to get but the door to the bedroom was locked and the teachers would not be in until 2pm.  It was 10am.  We had to wait 4 hours.  Our facilitator said "no problem, we will leave and another family can bring it home with them".  Ummmm.....nope!  First of all, that is not cool to ask another family to bring our kid's items home.  I have no idea how much stuff they have and I am not going to make it someone else's responsibility.  Second of all, what if that family doesn't get it or doesn't get all of it?  So, I told him we would wait.  And we did.  We went to the bank, went and got tea and then got something to eat.  When we got back to the orphanage, he went and talked to the director and she had one of the girls from the orphanage come with us as we drove all through town from house to house trying to get the keys from the teachers!  Haha!  I asked him why the director didn't just call the teachers and have the teachers come unlock the rooms but he said "it just doesn't work that way".  And the director does not have the keys to the rooms because these are the teachers personal rooms.  Huh?!?  Don't the kids sleep in these rooms?  Very strange!  But when it was all said and done, the kids got their belongings and we drove 7 hours from Zaporozhye to Kiev.  

Alex and his sweet friend Jenya

Lilya and her friend Nastya

• December 28 - We spent last night and tonight in one flat and then had to move to another flat.  The one we were in was only available for two days.  They were unable to find us a flat that we could stay in the entire time we were here....but that is OK!  Our facilitator originally told us that a flat for the night of 12/31, 1/1 and 1/2 would be $150/night!  Switching flats allowed us to only pay $65/night.  So, switch we did.  We spent the afternoon walking around Kiev.  It is absolutely gorgeous here once it is dark (and it gets dark by 4pm) because the main street is all lit up!  Buildings are lit up and they have a huge "New Year's Tree" in the main square.  We ate and walked around, looking at all the beautiful lights.  We tried to find an ice cream stand but to my dismay I think maybe they believe it is too cold for ice cream.  Phooey!  So, we opted for McD's Ice Cream!  Well, the kids had ice cream and I had coffee.  On our way to McD's, we saw a carrousel.  I never in a million years would have thought that my 11 and 13 year old children would think it is "cool" to ride a carrousel but they did!!!  Yay!!!!  I almost sat there and cried as my children rode the carrousel and grinned from ear to ear, waving at me each time they passed me.  At that moment, I saw two little children - something they really haven't had a chance to be!  I was able to allow them to do something that they probably never did in their entire lives!  Ride a carrousel.  A carrousel.  Did you catch that?  If not, you may want to re-read this paragraph again.  

This is Lilya on the horse in the carrousel.  This was the best photo I could get due to it being dark and there was a plastic cover around the carrousel since it was cold.

A picture of the Huge Post Office in Kiev - all lit up

The "New Year's Tree" in the main square of downtown Kiev

My McD's Iced Coffee

 

• December 29 -  We moved flats again.  This time, we were only staying one night.  It was either that or be without a flat for 6 hours.  We opted to move and stay one night.  We did not even open the suitcases!  We slept in our clothes and just had our toothbrushes out so we could at least brush our teeth.  Had we not brushed our teeth, I think the neighbors would have knocked on our door and offered us a mint!!  Then, I met an American Father and his two adoptive Ukrainian Treasures and we had lunch together.  It was nice to be able to speak English but mostly just to share adoptive stories.  Actually - just to hear his story was what encouraged me!  He is a father of 12, 7 of which are Ukrainian girls!  He shared his joys and his struggles and gave me some pointers.  His girls are absolutely gorgeous - he will be in trouble in a few years!  :)  During lunch, I received a call from my facilitator and he said, "I have some good news for you.  Your kid's passports are ready and they will be in Kiev tomorrow."  Whaaat?!?!  They are ready already?!?!  Wow!!!!!  I did a happy dance, right there in that Ukrainian restaurant and I didn't care who was watching!!!!  

 

• December 30 - Today we walked around Kiev a bit.  We ate lunch at a Ukrainian buffet, went to the Roshen Chocolate Factory and then went to the supermarket.  I was really surprised at what I bought and how much it was......$47!  Yikes!!

 

• December 31 - Today I called the US Embassy to make our first appointment.  I knew that if I could get an appointment today, I would be able to get the kid's medicals done on Wednesday and go back to the Embassy Wednesday Afternoon for their Visas so that we could fly out on Thursday.  My facilitator had already emailed asking for an appointment but she hadn't heard back yet.  When I called, the lady told me that I had to email in order to make an appointment because they don't make appointments over the phone.  I said, "No problem.  I will be happy to send an email.  How long does it take to get an appointment once I send the email?"  She said that it shouldn't take too long and proceeded to ask when I wanted to come in.  I told her that I was hoping to come today.  This was her response, "Oh OK.  We can get you in today.  Here is the email address.....but you know what, since today is a short day and we are closed tomorrow, I will go ahead and make an exception and just schedule your appointment over the phone".  Yay!!!!  Praise the Good Lord!!!  I was at the Embassy by 10:30 am and everyone was nice.  However, I was surprised that at the US EMBASSY, they are not Americans!  It was very easy and now I have an appointment on Wednesday in order to pick up their Visas.  I will just have to make sure I do their medicals on Wednesday before my appointment.  Danny booked our flight for Thursday and we were VERY Lucky to get a flight out!!!  First of all, the cost was almost $3,000 for the three of us compared to only $1800 for Danny, Coby and I to fly here.  Second of all, there were not three seats available on any Lufthansa flight over the ocean.  Yikes!  And the kids are not allowed to stay over night in any European Country, so any of those options are out!  We could fly "upgraded coach" and only pay $3,800 per ticket.  Not First Class.  Not Business Class.  Upgraded Coach.  Is that like an Oxymoron or what?   Hmmmm....let me think about that for a minute.  Ok, I thought about it - nope!!!  Oh yeah and just for giggles - how much IS Business Class?  $5,800 per ticket!!  Who in the world would pay that kind of money for a cushy seat, a drink of water in a fancy glass 30 minutes before the rest of the passengers and an upgraded meal?  But, our agent rocked it and got us a flight on United Airlines!  We will leave Kiev at 5:55 am Thursday Morning, January 3, 2013 (which will be 10:55pm EST Wednesday Night) and we will land at RDU at 6:16 pm EST (which will be 1:15 am Kiev time) - total travel time = 20 hours!  Today I also took the kids to a movie theatre here in Kiev and we watched "Three Heros and a Talking Horse".  It is a Russian Animated Film.  Before that, we ate at............well, for some of you reading, you may just want to stop reading here and move on...............Oooooookay, I warned you!!  We ate at.....shhhhhhh..... McD's!!  I despise McD's but for some strange reason, it doesn't seem that bad when you are in a foreign country!  I assure you, that will probably be my last McD's trip.....maybe ever.  

This was a three story movie theatre and this was the view overlooking the second story where you purchase popcorn and snacks and then head to the movie theatres to the left

This was the ceiling inside the theatre - it was a beautiful theatre!!

Inside the theatre - this is looking at the wall to the left

Beautiful detailing in this theatre!

 Thanks for following our story, for praying for us and meeting us at the airport.  I know the kids will be absolutely blessed and excited when they see all of the people waiting at the airport for them!! 

They are God's children...not mine

I received a nasty comment on one of my blogs posts a while back because I used the words "my children" when referring to Lilya and Alex and our journey to adopt them.  This lady went on to tell me that they are not my children until I adopt them and if I even begin to think they are, then I shouldn't be adopting.  Well.....I can now say:  THEY ARE MY CHILDREN!!!  Neener, neener, neener!  There.....that felt good!!!!

But in all reality, they aren't my children.  They are God's children and he is just entrusting me to take care of them.  Isn't that really the truth surrounding all of our children....bio, step, adopted, etc?   

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.  Psalm 24:1

I sit and ponder that.  He, the Lord of the Universe, is entrusting ME to take care of these precious children!  Wow!  I blow it every day.  I don't have the patience.  I don't give enough grace.  I probably say "no" more than I say "yes".  However, He gives me the grace I need and the tools I need in order to do the job that is set forth for me.  I know He does not expect me to be perfect but He does expect me to obey His Word and even then, I blow that, too.

However, He gave me the greatest "tool" ever when he gave me Danny 14 years ago.  My husband is my rock.  He knows what to say to me, when to say it to me and most importantly how to say it to me.  For those wives and moms reading this - isn't that important?  Most times, it is not what you say but how you say it that matters.  Danny claims that the Lord gives Him what he needs to support me and I just know that is oh so true!!!  I am not easy to love.at.all.  Yet, he loves me unconditionally, without reservation, when I am being ugly and stubborn.  He loves me.

Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing me to take care of these children.  Thank you for the blessing of my biological son that you have given to me.  Thank you for the incredible blessing that you gave me in Danny.  I am blessed.  Beyond what words can even begin to describe.  I am sitting in a flat almost 8,000 kilometers away from the rest of my family, I missed Christmas with them and I will miss New Years; however, I can still say that I am blessed.  My biological son has been such a trooper through all of this!  We did not allow him to bring video games on the trip and he was here for three weeks (I know...cruel, right?).  Guess what?  He complained not one time.  He tried many new and interesting foods.  Even if something did not look good, he at least tried it.  He was bored many times just sitting and waiting.  He read a book. He was without his mom for the first time in his life at Christmastime and he stayed strong.  Oh and let me tell you, he is a mama's boy!  He did not get to open any gifts on Christmas Morning.  He. Complained. Not. Once.

So, Lord Jesus, thank you for allowing ME to have a wonderful, kind, loving son who has a big heart.  Thank you for allowing ME to take care of two more precious children and give them something they would otherwise not have.  And thank you especially for the true priceless treasure that you have given to me in Danny!!!

My Treasures