I'm going to hop on here quickly and let everyone know that our world travelers got home safely. The four younger kids and I cleaned the house this morning and then headed to the airport. Everyone was very excited. We met Pop and Nana (Alisa's parents), Bumpa (Marsh's dad), and a dear friend, Irina Cline at the airport to meet Alisa and the four older kids as they arrived in Salt Lake City.
As they turned the corner and came down the escalator, they noticed our greeting party and we all waved. Emma and the little boys couldn't wait to meet Nastia and see Ruslan again. Lucy and James also really ached to snuggle Mommy again.
Emma was a little anxious over how Nastia might feel about her. She wondered if there would be distance between them since she wasn't able to be there in Ukraine with her like Patty Lyn was.
As they reached the bottom of the escalator, Nastia bee-lined directly to Emma with a big smile and gave her a giant hug. Emma was ecstatic. They have been bosom buddies the whole evening and are now bunked down together.
Ruslan looked tired, but very excited to be "Home".
We stopped for some dinner at a buffet on the way home and it was fun to see the kids realize that they could have whatever they wanted and however much they wanted. Nastia especially took advantage.
Then, as we were getting ready to leave for home, both Ruslan and Nastia came to me and said, "We can’t wait to get home and see our rooms." Nastia added, "I really want to see our rabbits. I love rabbits."
So we drove home, and, once there, most of us went out to do chores and show Nastia the farm. Chris was already zonked, so we helped him get to his bed. Poor guy.
Nastia was in heaven. Emma showed her the ropes on feeding and watering the rabbits (the chore she requested) and then they went to the swings. They were flying high in a matter of seconds, laughing and giggling together.
Ruslan reacquainted himself with the dogs and goats. He told me, "They remember me."
Pretty soon we all gathered at the swings. Every part of it was in use. All the swings, the ladder, the slide, and even the side posts had someone swinging, climbing or leaning. Ruslan was joking around and making everyone laugh. Nastia was swinging high with Patty Lyn and Chase. Emma was pushing Lucy in the toddler swing and James was climbing around the ladder and slide.
Nastia suddenly exclaimed, "This is so much fun to be all together doing this." It was great to hear her feelings.
A few minutes later she said, "It is such a wonderful evening. We are spending our time in a great way." I translated for Alisa. It was fun to watch Nastia find so much joy in her new life.
We finally came inside and got ready for bed, then the travelers shared their trip spoils and surprises. When that was done, we sang a song and said a family prayer, and everyone headed to bed.
Emma and Nastia resurfaced at one point to get a drink of water. I took the opportunity to ask Nastia if she was comfortable in our home. She quickly replied, "Yes, very comfortable!"
Success.
Of course, challenges will come. We won’t kid ourselves. We know we’re just passing through one door of challenges into a whole new set, but for now, we’re enjoying the memory of our first happy evening with the faith that life’s ongoing journey will provide many more worthwhile moments ahead scattered among the challenges. It tends to be the typical recipe of life and we choose to embrace it.
Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts that have helped us get to this point.
I should clarify that I am enjoying this evening’s memory, because Alisa has long since passed out. Jet lag. Poor kid. This has been quite an adventure for her. I don’t expect her to be up earlier than ... 5pm tomorrow J
.
Alisa woke up a few moments ago and asked me to take Lucy, who had also fallen asleep next to her on the couch. Then she asked me where I was going to put Lucy. I told her I would take her to her bed. I have the TV on watching the Olympics and Alisa then asked me how we were getting KSL. We only have rabbit ears here for Television, but we usually get KSL, so it was a bit of an odd question. I took Lucy to her bed and when I returned, Alisa admitted that she had forgotten that they had returned home. She thought she was still in Ukraine, so that’s why she wanted to know where I was putting Lucy and how we were getting KSL on the Television. Pretty funny stuff.
I’m sure things will be back to normal soon.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Day 20.3--WE ARE DONE!!!
We blissfully slept in this morning...well, the kids did...I don't know what my problem is but I feel like I'm on alert all the time. Last night, Ruslan specifically asked me what time we were waking up and was absolutely thrilled to know we weren't getting up at 6am.
Our driver came at about 1pm with the medical forms all sealed up in an envelope that was stamped on the seal. Very official. We went straight to the Embassy, all passports in hand this time and everyone fed and no one throwing up. Today, we knew the drill...which was nice.
The same guy helped us again and he also knew the drill...which was also nice. We were soon sitting and waiting for a bit. The only other people there were American women who were also adopting and waiting for the visas to be all ready. It was so nice to talk to them! One was adopting a little 13 month old girl with a cleft palate. The cleft goes all the way up to her eye. This woman's children are mostly grown, the youngest of which is 15.
The other woman was adopting three children, two that were brother and sister and one that was unrelated to the others. This is her second adoption in Ukraine and the first was a real challenge. We talked about the amount of faith it takes move ahead when things are so difficult but we know it's what the Lord requires us to do. This gives them six children, two of which are biological. She was great, a fast friend and we exchanged email addresses. Her name is Natasha Jones. :)
The lady at the window who was finishing up all our stuff, had me raise my right hand and swear that everything in the papers was correct to my knowledge. I was kind of surprised to have her ask me to raise my right hand and when she asked me the question, it was like a scene in a movie where you get sucked into someone's mind and they flashback through all the memories of their lives. My mind reeled through all the paperwork and records and everything we've done this year.
Soon, we were sitting again and waiting. Not long later, I was called up to another window and there was the same man again. He said, "First of all, I want to congratulate you on your adoption..." and then he handed me their passports with the visa page all neatly inserted, the immigration packets that were as thick as most of my other paperwork packets and stapled shut. He then told me that I needed all these things in my carry on bag as I went home and that these children would be American citizens as soon as they set foot on American soil. He told me where I needed to go in customs in the airport and some other information. I suddenly felt the weight of the responsibility I had carrying all of these documents with me! Woo...talk about pressure.
We left the Embassy and decided we needed a party again tonight...why not? This is big stuff! We have Ice Age 2 on the laptop and ice cream tonight. :)
We will have another outing day with dear Zoya tomorrow to say our last goodbyes to Kyiv and Ukraine. We leave at 3:45 am Friday morning (6:45pm home time) for the airport.
I can't wait to hug my little babies again. I'm glad we've worked out some kinks while we've been here...this has been really, really important time together. But, it will be so good to be home. I know Chris and Patty are more grateful for The United States of America than they ever could have been without this experience.
Thank you for all the support and prayers. I know you are out there and that we have been included in your petitions to Heaven. Without you, this would have been a harder time. Your faith has helped clear and smooth our path on one of the most important and challenging journeys of our lives thus far.
We will keep making blog posts on occasion to keep you updated, but I know it won't be nearly as frequently as they have been!
Thank you again. Thank you for your donations, your love, your attention and your prayers. We love you all and pray for you in return.
Our driver came at about 1pm with the medical forms all sealed up in an envelope that was stamped on the seal. Very official. We went straight to the Embassy, all passports in hand this time and everyone fed and no one throwing up. Today, we knew the drill...which was nice.
 |
| The US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine |
The same guy helped us again and he also knew the drill...which was also nice. We were soon sitting and waiting for a bit. The only other people there were American women who were also adopting and waiting for the visas to be all ready. It was so nice to talk to them! One was adopting a little 13 month old girl with a cleft palate. The cleft goes all the way up to her eye. This woman's children are mostly grown, the youngest of which is 15.
The other woman was adopting three children, two that were brother and sister and one that was unrelated to the others. This is her second adoption in Ukraine and the first was a real challenge. We talked about the amount of faith it takes move ahead when things are so difficult but we know it's what the Lord requires us to do. This gives them six children, two of which are biological. She was great, a fast friend and we exchanged email addresses. Her name is Natasha Jones. :)
***
The lady at the window who was finishing up all our stuff, had me raise my right hand and swear that everything in the papers was correct to my knowledge. I was kind of surprised to have her ask me to raise my right hand and when she asked me the question, it was like a scene in a movie where you get sucked into someone's mind and they flashback through all the memories of their lives. My mind reeled through all the paperwork and records and everything we've done this year.
Soon, we were sitting again and waiting. Not long later, I was called up to another window and there was the same man again. He said, "First of all, I want to congratulate you on your adoption..." and then he handed me their passports with the visa page all neatly inserted, the immigration packets that were as thick as most of my other paperwork packets and stapled shut. He then told me that I needed all these things in my carry on bag as I went home and that these children would be American citizens as soon as they set foot on American soil. He told me where I needed to go in customs in the airport and some other information. I suddenly felt the weight of the responsibility I had carrying all of these documents with me! Woo...talk about pressure.
We left the Embassy and decided we needed a party again tonight...why not? This is big stuff! We have Ice Age 2 on the laptop and ice cream tonight. :)
We will have another outing day with dear Zoya tomorrow to say our last goodbyes to Kyiv and Ukraine. We leave at 3:45 am Friday morning (6:45pm home time) for the airport.
I can't wait to hug my little babies again. I'm glad we've worked out some kinks while we've been here...this has been really, really important time together. But, it will be so good to be home. I know Chris and Patty are more grateful for The United States of America than they ever could have been without this experience.
Thank you for all the support and prayers. I know you are out there and that we have been included in your petitions to Heaven. Without you, this would have been a harder time. Your faith has helped clear and smooth our path on one of the most important and challenging journeys of our lives thus far.
We will keep making blog posts on occasion to keep you updated, but I know it won't be nearly as frequently as they have been!
Thank you again. Thank you for your donations, your love, your attention and your prayers. We love you all and pray for you in return.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Day 19.3--Dr. Appointments and US Embassy
We were picked up at 7:30 this morning which was MUCH too early for a bunch of teens and preteens...especially when they don't go to bed on time. Honestly, it's like a slumber party here every night and I have a harder time getting them to go to sleep than I do with my toddlers. It's 10pm here right now and they are still wrestling and goofing off in the dark. The Mom tone of voice is already being used ("Para spaht!" which means "Time to sleep!") so people are getting the idea that they'd better toe the mark. After the catastrophic morning (okay, that's an exaggeration but wait 'til you hear the story), I would think they would be all over the idea of getting to bed on time. I guess we're just too young to relate choices and consequences when goofing off is so tempting...
So, people crankily rolled out of bed at about 7:05, some choked down a little cereal, others inhaled it (give you one guess who that was) and Ruslan didn't get anything to eat at all. He's had a little cold and I'm guessing that getting up early and being a little under the weather didn't lend itself to much of an appetite. We were five minutes late getting out the door and I was trying to convince him to at least take a banana or yogurt but, like any Ukrainian, he stubbornly refused. If I'd pushed it, he would have relented but he insisted he wasn't hungry. I don't know why I didn't just take it with me anyway, but I didn't. I was too concerned about the money I needed to make sure I had with me and the fact that we were already late.
The drive was silent. No one spoke, no one wanted to be there. Everyone was exhausted and kept to themselves.
The traffic was crazy. The moment we parked and I set my foot on the ground, I had the horrible realization that I had left all the paperwork at the apartment...everything Marsh had signed and notarized so we could get their visas at the embassy. What was I thinking??? Oh, yeah...money, breakfast, Ruslan, late cranky kids. As a matter of fact, the night before when I was setting out the money I would need, it never even occurred to me that I needed those papers. I sheepishly called the female facilitator because, honestly, the man intimidates me and told her what I'd done. It had taken us almost an hour to get to the medical center and I knew my forgetfulness had to be costly in time and money. However, she acted like it was okay and we'd be able to take care of it. It was decided that Chris would go back with our driver and pick up the documents while I was in the embassy so we could keep our appointment. Hooray for big, responsible kids! They are literally like having another adult around.
We got to the medical center about 20 minutes late, but I determined that it wouldn't have mattered if we had been there on time because the person we were there to see didn't show up until after we had arrived.
We sat in a long hallway, lined with chairs, that had doors all down one side. It was like something out of a movie about the Soviet time. The soul-draining flourescent lights flickered at one end of the long hall and women in white coats went in and out of doors, locking them as they came out and unlocking them as they went in. The only thing that called us back to 2012 was the TV blaring an American infomercial that had been voiced over in Russian. Since it was advertising ladies undergarments, I took it upon myself to brave the long hallway and go turn it off.
We were in there for almost two hours. During that time, Ruslan had x-rays done and people were going from door or door and knocking and entering and leaving and speaking in hushed tones and through doors cracked part way open. It was really uncomfortable for me because I didn't know what was going on, the kids were all exhausted, the papers were still at home and I realized that I hadn't mentally prepared for any of this. It had taken so long to get to this point and the concerns about so many things were so long and so deep and it's just been so many days that I suddenly realized I was overwhelmed...and tired and homesick for my babies.
Later, I was called in to talk to the doctor and be present during the kids' examinations. Nastia was first, all was well. He filled out paperwork and explained a lot of things in English, for which I was grateful.
Then, it was Ruslan's turn. He came in with a bandage on his arm. I realized he'd had his blood drawn and talked to him about it. In his characteristically calm, "no problem" way he acted like it was no big deal and gave me a smile. He was then examined and the doctor made the poor kid drop his pants right in front of me. When I realized the doctor was going to request that, I hurried and carefully examined Nastia's paperwork on the desk and made it really obvious that I wasn't looking. Like these kids haven't been through enough. Sheesh.
Back out into the long hall, then into the cashier's office where we were barked at to wait. I suddenly realized I needed the money I had brought and had just a little more than was needed. I realized how unprepared I was for the experience because, though I had come with the money, I hadn't actually thought through paying it. It felt like I was in a dream.
Out the door we went and back into the car. It wasn't long before we were off the highway and onto a more private road. My facilitator (the intimidating man...who is really very efficient and knowledgeable, he's just an Ukrainian man in every respect) called to ask me if Chris and Patty had their passports. Oh yeah, those too. When I looked back to ask the kids about their passports, I saw Ruslan. His face was this weird yellow color, his eyes were dark as was the area surrounding his mouth, but his lips were white and his eyes were half-mast. He looked like he was going to die. I was shocked enough to warrant an "I fine, I sleep" from him. My brain was putting it all together...no food, no drink, blood drawn...and my next question to my driver was, "Is there a store nearby?" All I could think of was to get some juice into the kid.
One ear on the phone, two eyes on the kid getting ready to pass out and Nastia yells, "Mom!" and grabs her throat. I asked the driver to pull over and just in time, she's out of the car before she throws up on the dirt. I asked my facilitator to wait because I had carsick kids...and does he know where a store is??? His response: "There is nothing around there. You'll just have to wait. Yes, she's throwing up. That happens."
Okey dokey, thanks.
My driver pulls out some paper towels for Nastia which she leaves on the ground, Ukrainian-style. I pick them up, American-style, and off we go again.
Ruslan is bound and determined to be a man and won't let this little blood sugar issue lick him so he decides to look a little perkier, but I'm scared to death the kid is going to die on me. As I exit the car I asked Chris to get Ruslan a banana and some bread or something when he goes back to get the papers and passports, but it turns out that you can't take food in the Embassy, even for kids on the brink of death. Great. I'm 0 for, like, 4 at this point.
Embassy
The kids and I are the only ones who could go into the Embassy. No driver, no facilitators, nobody but us. Oh, and no purse, no bag, no cell phone, no electronics...just passports and bodies and paperwork in hand.
I don't know what I was thinking, but I was really disappointed to find out that everyone working at the US Embassy with their American police uniforms with little American flags on their shoulders are not American. I think I was hoping there would be some kind of party...you know, "Hey, welcome home! We know you are just dying to get back to The States so we thought you could use a nice, friendly American-style welcome! We're so glad you're here!" and no one would scowl or bark or look irritated at me and wish I'd go home. Just a little piece of American heaven for a few minutes. Nope.
We're called up very quickly and we stand at the window while the papers are reviewed and forms are filled out. Both kids insisted on standing with me, even though I was sure Ruslan wouldn't be able to stand much longer. His color was better, but he was blowing his nose and shifting his weight. I never could get him to sit down. I thought maybe it was because he wanted to be a part of what was going on.
After forms were filled out and we had kind of come to a stand-still until the other papers arrived, the person helping me sent me to the cashier's window to pay. My facilitator had said to come back out of the Embassy about 25 minutes after being dropped off so I could get the papers from the kids. However, just as I had received my receipt and was heading back to my helper's window, a security guard escorts Patty and Chris to me and they hand me the papers. It was the most perfect timing of anything that had happened that morning! It was a relief, too...everyone was safely with me again and I had everything I needed. (sigh)
I will just step aside from my story for a minute (which is almost done, don't worry) to say something about my facilitators and agency. I don't know how to emphasize enough that there is NO WAY I could have done this without them. I don't have any idea how anyone could do this without people who know exactly what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, what is going to be required, when it is required, where to go, how to get there...really, it's mind boggling.
It's literally embarassing that I forgot the papers. They handed me the packet which included all major adoption documents, originals and copies, birth certificates (which I didn't have to do anything with but put on my John Hancock on a few papers...didn't even have to figure out where to go or to get a driver to take me there), even two copies of headshots of Ruslan and Nastia (which I had no idea would be requested at the Embassy), all put together neatly in plastic sleeves and I LEAVE THEM AT THE APARTMENT?? I can't even be trusted to bring them where they needed to be with them perfectly complete, let alone complete them myself.
Because of these capable people (whom I have determined work 24 hours a day/seven days a week), I am able to focus on being a mom in a totally new situation, in a forgein culture, and just make sure everyone is fed and safe and happy (if I have any control over that)...which, honestly, is probably more than I could handle without the Lord's help anyway. So, kudos to my facilitators and coordinator and all the behind-the-scenes people who make my life easy so I can make it complicated by leaving things in places I shouldn't leave them...and then call them and beg their advice about my mistakes in the early morning hours! You all should have a big "S" on your shirt!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled story...
We left the Embassy knowing that we needed to bring back the doctor's paperwork tomorrow afternoon (the blood work will be done and recorded by then) and finish out the process. At that point, we're done and ready to go home.
Even though Chris and Patty brought food, Ruslan wouldn't eat. But, instead of silence in the car, the kids were goofing off on the way home. There was a tangible, literally physically tangible, difference in the feeling in the car. On the way there, it was heavy and sad...on the way back, it was obvious burdens had been lifted. Nothing changed, no one ate or had something fun or new to do...I think the big hurdle was over for everyone.
We got home and most of us napped, which helped a lot for the rest of the day. The girls and I made olivye (Ukrainian potato salad) and there was much rejoicing (and eating) when the boys got up.
My brother, Dave, called me during the afternoon, too, which was a very welcome connection with home. I needed it right then because a wave of homesickness just came over me not long before. Thanks, Dave.
I can't imagine what it would be like to be forced to be separated from family members for long periods of time, especially one's little children. I can't help but mourn over the things that have gone on in this part of the world that had excruciating consequences in so many lives.
Later, while grocery shopping yet again, we were picking out treats to take home to the little ones and I decided this was a party night. We needed to celebrate that we did it all...sure, we still have to go back to the Embassy tomorrow, but that's just a follow up. The big hurdles ended today!
So, everyone one chose a candy and we headed home to make dinner. They all pitched in. Ruslan requested that we make the apartment look like "a restauran" where we move the table into the center of the room and eat there. Of course, we did and Patty made it look pretty. We are counting our kopecks so we made the Ukrainain version of Ramen Noodles, opened cans of fruit and put out the olivye. The candy was, of course, dessert...everyone chose some kind of chocolate.
It was a great ending to a day that really didn't start out all that promising. We are all counting the hours until we are on a plane headed for home.
So, people crankily rolled out of bed at about 7:05, some choked down a little cereal, others inhaled it (give you one guess who that was) and Ruslan didn't get anything to eat at all. He's had a little cold and I'm guessing that getting up early and being a little under the weather didn't lend itself to much of an appetite. We were five minutes late getting out the door and I was trying to convince him to at least take a banana or yogurt but, like any Ukrainian, he stubbornly refused. If I'd pushed it, he would have relented but he insisted he wasn't hungry. I don't know why I didn't just take it with me anyway, but I didn't. I was too concerned about the money I needed to make sure I had with me and the fact that we were already late.
The drive was silent. No one spoke, no one wanted to be there. Everyone was exhausted and kept to themselves.
The traffic was crazy. The moment we parked and I set my foot on the ground, I had the horrible realization that I had left all the paperwork at the apartment...everything Marsh had signed and notarized so we could get their visas at the embassy. What was I thinking??? Oh, yeah...money, breakfast, Ruslan, late cranky kids. As a matter of fact, the night before when I was setting out the money I would need, it never even occurred to me that I needed those papers. I sheepishly called the female facilitator because, honestly, the man intimidates me and told her what I'd done. It had taken us almost an hour to get to the medical center and I knew my forgetfulness had to be costly in time and money. However, she acted like it was okay and we'd be able to take care of it. It was decided that Chris would go back with our driver and pick up the documents while I was in the embassy so we could keep our appointment. Hooray for big, responsible kids! They are literally like having another adult around.
We got to the medical center about 20 minutes late, but I determined that it wouldn't have mattered if we had been there on time because the person we were there to see didn't show up until after we had arrived.
We sat in a long hallway, lined with chairs, that had doors all down one side. It was like something out of a movie about the Soviet time. The soul-draining flourescent lights flickered at one end of the long hall and women in white coats went in and out of doors, locking them as they came out and unlocking them as they went in. The only thing that called us back to 2012 was the TV blaring an American infomercial that had been voiced over in Russian. Since it was advertising ladies undergarments, I took it upon myself to brave the long hallway and go turn it off.
We were in there for almost two hours. During that time, Ruslan had x-rays done and people were going from door or door and knocking and entering and leaving and speaking in hushed tones and through doors cracked part way open. It was really uncomfortable for me because I didn't know what was going on, the kids were all exhausted, the papers were still at home and I realized that I hadn't mentally prepared for any of this. It had taken so long to get to this point and the concerns about so many things were so long and so deep and it's just been so many days that I suddenly realized I was overwhelmed...and tired and homesick for my babies.
Later, I was called in to talk to the doctor and be present during the kids' examinations. Nastia was first, all was well. He filled out paperwork and explained a lot of things in English, for which I was grateful.
Then, it was Ruslan's turn. He came in with a bandage on his arm. I realized he'd had his blood drawn and talked to him about it. In his characteristically calm, "no problem" way he acted like it was no big deal and gave me a smile. He was then examined and the doctor made the poor kid drop his pants right in front of me. When I realized the doctor was going to request that, I hurried and carefully examined Nastia's paperwork on the desk and made it really obvious that I wasn't looking. Like these kids haven't been through enough. Sheesh.
Back out into the long hall, then into the cashier's office where we were barked at to wait. I suddenly realized I needed the money I had brought and had just a little more than was needed. I realized how unprepared I was for the experience because, though I had come with the money, I hadn't actually thought through paying it. It felt like I was in a dream.
Out the door we went and back into the car. It wasn't long before we were off the highway and onto a more private road. My facilitator (the intimidating man...who is really very efficient and knowledgeable, he's just an Ukrainian man in every respect) called to ask me if Chris and Patty had their passports. Oh yeah, those too. When I looked back to ask the kids about their passports, I saw Ruslan. His face was this weird yellow color, his eyes were dark as was the area surrounding his mouth, but his lips were white and his eyes were half-mast. He looked like he was going to die. I was shocked enough to warrant an "I fine, I sleep" from him. My brain was putting it all together...no food, no drink, blood drawn...and my next question to my driver was, "Is there a store nearby?" All I could think of was to get some juice into the kid.
One ear on the phone, two eyes on the kid getting ready to pass out and Nastia yells, "Mom!" and grabs her throat. I asked the driver to pull over and just in time, she's out of the car before she throws up on the dirt. I asked my facilitator to wait because I had carsick kids...and does he know where a store is??? His response: "There is nothing around there. You'll just have to wait. Yes, she's throwing up. That happens."
Okey dokey, thanks.
My driver pulls out some paper towels for Nastia which she leaves on the ground, Ukrainian-style. I pick them up, American-style, and off we go again.
Ruslan is bound and determined to be a man and won't let this little blood sugar issue lick him so he decides to look a little perkier, but I'm scared to death the kid is going to die on me. As I exit the car I asked Chris to get Ruslan a banana and some bread or something when he goes back to get the papers and passports, but it turns out that you can't take food in the Embassy, even for kids on the brink of death. Great. I'm 0 for, like, 4 at this point.
Embassy
The kids and I are the only ones who could go into the Embassy. No driver, no facilitators, nobody but us. Oh, and no purse, no bag, no cell phone, no electronics...just passports and bodies and paperwork in hand.
I don't know what I was thinking, but I was really disappointed to find out that everyone working at the US Embassy with their American police uniforms with little American flags on their shoulders are not American. I think I was hoping there would be some kind of party...you know, "Hey, welcome home! We know you are just dying to get back to The States so we thought you could use a nice, friendly American-style welcome! We're so glad you're here!" and no one would scowl or bark or look irritated at me and wish I'd go home. Just a little piece of American heaven for a few minutes. Nope.
We're called up very quickly and we stand at the window while the papers are reviewed and forms are filled out. Both kids insisted on standing with me, even though I was sure Ruslan wouldn't be able to stand much longer. His color was better, but he was blowing his nose and shifting his weight. I never could get him to sit down. I thought maybe it was because he wanted to be a part of what was going on.
After forms were filled out and we had kind of come to a stand-still until the other papers arrived, the person helping me sent me to the cashier's window to pay. My facilitator had said to come back out of the Embassy about 25 minutes after being dropped off so I could get the papers from the kids. However, just as I had received my receipt and was heading back to my helper's window, a security guard escorts Patty and Chris to me and they hand me the papers. It was the most perfect timing of anything that had happened that morning! It was a relief, too...everyone was safely with me again and I had everything I needed. (sigh)
I will just step aside from my story for a minute (which is almost done, don't worry) to say something about my facilitators and agency. I don't know how to emphasize enough that there is NO WAY I could have done this without them. I don't have any idea how anyone could do this without people who know exactly what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, what is going to be required, when it is required, where to go, how to get there...really, it's mind boggling.
It's literally embarassing that I forgot the papers. They handed me the packet which included all major adoption documents, originals and copies, birth certificates (which I didn't have to do anything with but put on my John Hancock on a few papers...didn't even have to figure out where to go or to get a driver to take me there), even two copies of headshots of Ruslan and Nastia (which I had no idea would be requested at the Embassy), all put together neatly in plastic sleeves and I LEAVE THEM AT THE APARTMENT?? I can't even be trusted to bring them where they needed to be with them perfectly complete, let alone complete them myself.
Because of these capable people (whom I have determined work 24 hours a day/seven days a week), I am able to focus on being a mom in a totally new situation, in a forgein culture, and just make sure everyone is fed and safe and happy (if I have any control over that)...which, honestly, is probably more than I could handle without the Lord's help anyway. So, kudos to my facilitators and coordinator and all the behind-the-scenes people who make my life easy so I can make it complicated by leaving things in places I shouldn't leave them...and then call them and beg their advice about my mistakes in the early morning hours! You all should have a big "S" on your shirt!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled story...
We left the Embassy knowing that we needed to bring back the doctor's paperwork tomorrow afternoon (the blood work will be done and recorded by then) and finish out the process. At that point, we're done and ready to go home.
Even though Chris and Patty brought food, Ruslan wouldn't eat. But, instead of silence in the car, the kids were goofing off on the way home. There was a tangible, literally physically tangible, difference in the feeling in the car. On the way there, it was heavy and sad...on the way back, it was obvious burdens had been lifted. Nothing changed, no one ate or had something fun or new to do...I think the big hurdle was over for everyone.
We got home and most of us napped, which helped a lot for the rest of the day. The girls and I made olivye (Ukrainian potato salad) and there was much rejoicing (and eating) when the boys got up.
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| The boys on their bed. The foot on the right is Nastia's...she was threatening to wake them up with her spoon. Patty is crouched down in the back there because she was using the fan and paper pieces to make "snow" on the boys. So, this shot is just before the awakening ensued, all instigated by the sisters who were anxious to have olivye! |
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| The kitchen helpers proud of their work...and really glad to eat it! |
I can't imagine what it would be like to be forced to be separated from family members for long periods of time, especially one's little children. I can't help but mourn over the things that have gone on in this part of the world that had excruciating consequences in so many lives.
Later, while grocery shopping yet again, we were picking out treats to take home to the little ones and I decided this was a party night. We needed to celebrate that we did it all...sure, we still have to go back to the Embassy tomorrow, but that's just a follow up. The big hurdles ended today!
So, everyone one chose a candy and we headed home to make dinner. They all pitched in. Ruslan requested that we make the apartment look like "a restauran" where we move the table into the center of the room and eat there. Of course, we did and Patty made it look pretty. We are counting our kopecks so we made the Ukrainain version of Ramen Noodles, opened cans of fruit and put out the olivye. The candy was, of course, dessert...everyone chose some kind of chocolate.
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| The "restauran". The word in Russian looks like this: PECTOPAH which, if read phonetically, says "restoran". Learn something new everyday, right? :) |
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