Where We Are Now

Since we are home now, we thought we should give everyone a summary of everything that has happened and where we stand now. It's difficult to talk about, and I just have the desire to not talk about it, though I know this is probably not the way to cope. A few days before we left, we got word that another family had gotten a referral for the boy we were trying to adopt. This sort of thing happens in Ukraine often now, because of a recent change, they can't hold a child for a particular family and seem to prefer not to. There was nothing we could do except pray that this other family didn't bond with the boy. When we got here, we found out they hadn't necessarily bonded, but were going to stop at nothing to try to adopt him. We were heartbroken but had no choice but to try to proceed with our appointment at the SDA and try to find another child to adopt. We went to the SDA that day and got a referral for an 8 year old boy in the Odessa region (Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, to be exact). After accepting our referral the next day, we drove the 6 hours here with our facilitator.

Bilhorod was very different from Kiev. Kiev is a much more modern and much more populated city that is much like other cities in Europe. Bilhorod is very small, old, and poor. It is also one of the 10 oldest cities in Europe (and the world) - over 2,500 years old (I think the streets and sidewalks must be some of the oldest in Europe - they are in terrible shape). No one spoke English other than our translator (and one guy who sold tea at the grocery store). In Kiev, many people speak at least a little bit of English since they get many tourists there. We couldn't really do anything here without our translator. After a while we discovered some things within walking distance, but there really wasn't much happening there. Luckily, we did find the cleanest hotel I have seen in Ukraine (until we stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Kiev), and the manager and staff were very nice, but spoke no English. Things in the Bilhorod legal system move much more slowly than in the larger cities, and there seems to be more corruption. This is supposedly a tourist town in the summer since it is on the Black Sea, but it didn't seem very touristy to us. Most of the tourists must go to the larger city of Odessa.

After spending a few days with the boy, we found out that his mother made an appearance and said she was going to file a petition to stop the adoption. She had her parental rights revoked over 2 years ago. From what we've heard she is still an alcoholic and doesn't have any electricity in her apartment (she is US $2250 behind on her electric bill). Our facilitator thought this wasn't the mother's idea, but another facilitator might be behind it (another American family was planning on adopting this boy, but we were handed his referral. They were in the same boat we were in before) We told our facilitator that we felt bad about "taking" another family's child. He said even if we didn't adopt him, the SDA would very likely give his referral to another family before this American family could get to Ukraine (they had hosted him in America last summer, although recently we were told that he didn't want to be adopted by that family). The other facilitator was just trying to scare us. It almost worked, we were very upset However, we continued to meet daily with and bond with our boy. He became more and more comfortable with us, and would request special snacks that he liked. We spent time playing outside, drawing, learning English, and his favorite thing, playing on Dave's tablet.

Our kids came over after we'd been there for 3 weeks, and fell instantly in love with him. They just seemed like 3 little peas in a pod. The second day they were there however, we found out that the mother appealed, and they cut short the visit in the afternoon. We had no legal right to visit with him any further until we received a favorable conclusion, pending the results of the mother's appeal that she filed that day. We're unsure of the exact time frame, but it could take a month for the court to declare whether she is fit or unfit to be his mother. During that time, we would be unable to spend any time with the boy, so we made the decision to come home. If she doesn't get her parental rights back, she cannot file another appeal for 18 months and everything should go smoothly after that.

The legal system is also very corrupt here. Our facilitator is having to "give gifts" to several people, including the orphanage director and the adoption inspector. He is having to make use of his "connections" to get in good words with the lawyer and judge for us. If you don't use one of their lawyers, they will make it more difficult for you to adopt. There was an Italian family (husband and wife) in our hotel that was been here since December waiting for his court date because he wouldn't hire their lawyer. He finally had his court a couple of weeks ago. Everything went fine in court, but the prosecutor appealed his adoption the last day (actually the last 15 minutes) of his 10 day waiting period. Now he is stuck, and has to fight through the courts again. Apparently you have to "gift" the prosecutor to actually complete an adoption. We will hire a lawyer to try to get this done as quickly as possible.

The most difficult thing is that as an adoptive parent, we've had to just jump in with our whole hearts with each child. We can't hold back with love or emotion, though self-preservation tries to kick in. We're just trying to stay positive... but the hardest thing about this is how hard it must be for him. He told us over and over again that he wanted to be part of our family. We told him we were going to bring him home (as did the orphanage director and our translator), and we will keep trying as long as we're able to. We can't give up on him, though it just seems cruel that he doesn't get to see us during this time, or really know what's going on. For a child who has been taken from his birth family and placed in an orphanage, I know that trust is a big thing. But we know that despite the difficulties we're having, God is still God, even in Bilhorod, and He is still good.

Thanks so much to everyone for your support. At this time, we can use prayers for:
1) Finalizing this whole process in a timely manner, which seems IMPOSSIBLE, I know.
2) For our boy. For understanding of the situation, and that we're trying to do everything we can.
3) For ease of traveling back, and for timing.
4) For our finances, that we can recoup some of the money we have spent, since we're not sure how much more we'll need for going back. We've spent around $4,000 and we will probably need at least that much more (more if we have to come up with money for "gifts").

Going to Kiev tomorrow...

And then heading home with the whole fam on Monday. It's kind of surreal to be leaving again... I don't understand. The kids are completely broken-hearted. But it's kind of wonderful to see in them compassion, tenderness, and love for someone they've spent very little time with. The Italian family was on the last day of their 10 day waiting period and were told there was a problem. Last night we prayed for AS, and for them and their son. I was reminded again of Exodus 22:22-24

Do not take advantage of a widow or the fatherless.

If you do, and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.

My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with a sword;

your wives will be come widows and your children fatherless.

I was again reminded that God loves children, and despairs for the orphaned and abandoned. Whatever happens, we pray that God's will is done and He is glorified. I know this experience has changed each of us, and hopefully for the better. Praying for safe travels home again.

Follow up to the post yesterday

Most likely we will be heading back to Kiev this weekend. Everyone is leaving Monday morning, so we may try to do that as well. This has been incredibly difficult for all of us, but Addie seems to be taking it the hardest. She just starts crying when she realizes she won't get to see him before coming home. We all sat around weeping yesterday afternoon. I don't think AS understands what's happening, although K tried to explain it to him. Thankfully we're not required to wait here in Ukraine while they decide her case. After that, we will come back, and we're hoping that we can expedite things once we get back. I'm not sure how things will go for my job since FMLA is supposed to be 12 weeks, and we'll have been gone for 5 weeks this time, and we don't know how long we'll have to be here when we return.

This is where we are...

So, since AS's mother appealed, she will get her time in court to prove she is a fit mother. It seems unlikely since she has no job and no electricity in her home. We will most likely leave Ukraine next week and wait for her court appeal to run its course. If she doesn't get her parental rights back, we will return to Ukraine in 3-4 weeks and continue our adoption process. If she does get her parental rights back, it is over. We will pray that whatever happens is best for AS.

They cut our visit with AS short today since we got a negative conclusion from the adoption inspector. We will find out tomorrow if we can visit with AS any more before we leave. We have hired a lawyer to help us with this.

Well...

The birth mother says she is going to appeal. My heart doesn't know what to feel.

I'm Trading My Sorrows

Thinking about things

Well, K tells us she is taking our documents to the inspector today, and we're hoping to get our conclusion from her. I still don't understand the delay, but I am trying day by day to not get frustrated. Really, I have no control over anything anyway, but sometimes I like to act like I do.

Yesterday I was thinking, it seems easier for AS to accept Dave as his dad than it is for him to accept me as his mom. He's got a mom... she's hasn't passed away. She loves him. And she wants him. I think life is so different here. The way people think about things is very different. I know he wants to be with us, and each day, I think he starts to trust us a little more, and open up a little more. We've got a long road ahead of us, but I am trusting.

In other areas, it seems we're dealing with a whole lot more ignorance and just plain meanness from people you'd least expect. Or I'd least expect. Others probably would. I've heard reports that around 80% of children orphaned are orphaned not through the death of their parents, but through poverty. Of these children who are orphaned in Eastern Europe, they age out of the orphanage at age 16. 40% are homeless, >20% turn to crime, many girls become prostitutes, and 10% or more commit suicide. There are more than 100,000 in Ukraine alone, and of these only 10% are orphaned by the death of a parent. Most are due to neglect, alcoholism, and termination of parental rights. I just don't understand why anyone would tell us we're doing something wrong by trying to make a difference for the life a child. I don't have time to try and explain things since I kind of have a lot going on right now.

You can read more statistics at:

http://www.worldorphanproject.com/statistics.html

Right now we can use prayers for:

1) That we can get this conclusion from the inspector. We've had to refile petitions to see him daily because she's already run out of time once.

2) For my heart. This is just extremely difficult for me to bear at times. I just need a daily dose of turning my frustrations over and receiving peace and patience.

3) Safe travels.

4) Wisdom, guidance, and discernment. I also obviously need to learn when to keep my mouth closed!

5) For another family here who's 10 day waiting period is over Thursday! Yay for Victor! No more orphanage. He is 11 years old, and gets to go home with his family this week. We're so happy for all of them, but particularly Victor who gets to be with his forever family.

Hmm, someone seems jealous

So this morning K went to Odesa leaving us to head to the orphange (and lunch) alone. We did pretty well. AS knows enough English for us to be pretty OK as long as nothing goes wrong. He was outside with the other kids cleaning up, but he was off yard work when we arrived. He asked for the ball and the camera, and set about doing what he usually does, which is take a bunch of pictures of us and videos of the ground and whatever else catches his eye. After the other kids were done cleaning, they all came over to play, and I think AS got a little jealous. He didn't really want other people playing with his mom or dad, or really his ball either. He asked us for juice since he was hot with his coat and hat on and it was like 60 degrees. He ate his yogurt and oranges I had peeled for him. And then they got set to playing basketball, in the sand, with a soccer ball. But they had fun. At one point he was trying to get me to stop taking pictures of other kids, and said "video, me, dad!".

But, you've got to love this... This is what it's all about :)

Today

So today we went and met with AS's birth mother. She and I (and the translator too), all appeared to be on the verge of tears. I think she realizes we can give him a better life than the orphanage, and that she won't be able to provide what he needs. I can understand, mother to mother, how she feels. It must be a very painful time for her. I hugged her as we left, and hope she knows that we love her boy.

Being boys :)

I think Mommy has bigger footprints.

Still being a boy!

Prayer requests at this time:

1) Pray that we can get the conclusion Monday. The inspector says that she is relieved now that we have spoken to the mother. She wants some things from us Monday, and we're hoping that we can get it done.

2) Pray for his mother. This is hard on her, understandably.

3) For continued bonding. We're moving in the right direction, though. He called Dave "dad" today when he was trying to get him to do something. Since I am usually paying attention, he doesn't have to call my name :), so I'm waiting on that. As I recall, my daughters did the same thing.

4) That court will be scheduled EXPEDITIOUSLY! We can't be here forever, so we need to get a move on with the process.

5) For safe travels for everyone!

6) For the separation from the girls. It's extremely hard to bear at times. It's more difficult than I ever could have imagined. It's like a physical ache that I have all the time.

7) Financially, that we can make it through our time here. It's not the cheapest thing we've ever done, but we marvel at the low cost of some things (such as plastic cups... we got 10 of them for $0.40). However we're spending a lot of money.

We really appreciate the prayers and support!

A trip to the Akkerman Fortress

We are still waiting on a conclusion from the inspector. To get our minds off things a little, we took a walk down the street 10-12 blocks to the Akkerman fortress, built in the 13th century. It was very large and impressive. Here are some pics:

Where the moat used to be - that was a large, deep moat!

The entrance to the fortress

The partially frozen Black Sea outside the fortress

Some catapaults

Some cannons

The area around the fortress is very old and dilapidated

OK, we need serious prayer here

They are refusing to give us a conclusion (because they are afraid the mother will appeal and then prosecutor will be mad that the inspector gave us a conclusion while the mother was still coming around?). The inspector has told the mother to come by her office, but is conveniently not there when the mother arrives. I am not sure how many taxi rides we have paid for the mother to go to the inspector's office. I am very upset, and I cannot see the end or what good this does. What are we supposed to do? No one can give us any answers. It seems cruel to the child for this to be an issue.

We're very international here!

So I think I have said before that we have 4 other families who are adopting staying here at the hotel. One is Italian, one French, one Spanish, and us. Last night the Italian family, the French family, the Ukrainian housekeeper, our Ukrainian translator, and Dave and I were standing in the hallway having a conversation in no less than 4 languages. It was kind of funny! Vincenzo speaking a combo of Italian, Spanish, and English; the French speaking French and English; our translator speaking Russian, Spanish, and English, and the housekeeper speaking only Russian. Somehow we understand most of what Vincenzo says despite the fact that he speaks mostly in Italian. He had court yesterday, so he's in the 10 day waiting period before he gets to bring his son with him forever! He's very excited... well both of them are. We've been invited to a party for him at the orphanage next Wednesday night!

Slow day

Today we didn't leave the hotel until it was time to go see AS. I've been feeling overwhelmed with translators not being translators and not letting the interaction be with us and our child. I've been overwhelmed with not knowing day to day what will happen. But this evening K told us that she asked AS what would happen if his mother came back and asked him to come live with her. He thought about it, and then said "it would be better for me if I go to America". Some days he interacts with us a lot, and some days, he seems more content to just play by himself. I am sure even for him it gets old sitting in the nurse's office... We're kind of relegated to an area no one else is in, rather that being allowed to watch him interact with other kids in his group, or be somewhere we can be more comfortable. He showed us his room the other day, and there are 6 children sleeping in there. He assures us he isn't scared to sleep alone. He is also excited that he will be able to look out the window at night. I told him about how we had put glow-in-the dark stars on his ceiling for night time. I think he thought that was neat.

His room at the orphanage.

The poster we sit next to everyday. Yes, it is about scabies.

Gar...

I am feeling very defeated today. It seems I can't do anything right in the eyes of whomever. I guess I need to work on that.

My devotional passage from today

Isaiah 61

The Year of the Lord's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,t

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 "For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed."

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

This morning God reminded me that AS was placed in the orphanage by the state in May 2010. That was the same month that Dave and I began to feel the Lord's leading as a family to adopt. At that time we didn't know from where, when, and who we would adopt. I wonder if everything leading to this time was to purpose us for him. As his parents. To set him free from the institution and darkness. I just feel overcome... we still don't know how long we will be here, if his mother will actually appeal, or what the conclusion of the inspector will be on Tuesday. But it's nice to have reassurance that we are doing what we need to do at this time no matter what the outcome will be. I am just praying for quickness here, and for everything we need to get done to bring him home

Soldiers?

This morning when we got to the orphanage, AS came running in and told us some soldiers were at the orphanage to play with the kids. There were probably 10 of them, and they took the kids outside and played with them on the playground, and showed off their physical prowess by doing pull ups and balancing on the bars. AS took us out there and held my hand. A friend of his asked "Mama zavut?" (what's your mother's name?), and he said "Mama zavut Rachel". Then she said "Papa zavut?" (what's your dad's name?), and he said something in Russian I couldn't understand and then shrugged. I said "Papa zavut David", and AS said "ah, David". All the kids were very curious about us, and one boy in particular wanted to come see us, and show us all he could do on the playground. It's hard for me to tell how old they are because they are all so much smaller than similar aged children in the U.S. It was a nice change for the morning. AS also showed me some more words in his English vocabulary such as "sit down please", "Look", and "house?". We made ourselves understood for the most part. He seems eager at time to learn more English, and other times tired of listening to us blather on about words in English. We have taught him words for some clothing items, foods (particularly bananas, yogurt, juice, and chocolate), body parts, and other stuff like tables, chairs etc.

One thing we didn't know was that a few days ago AS was asked to sign something agreeing that he wanted us to be his parents. He was asked by the orphanage director to sign saying he wanted to go with us to America forever and be in our family. I was glad that had taken place when we were not there, since I probably would have cried. He's already embarrassed by my singing, how much more so by my weeping? In a few months he will likely be just as embarrassed by having such parents as Zoe and Addie are.

Of note, we have heard English and Russian versions of Selena Gomez songs, Pink songs, and Katy Perry songs. I of course found this endlessly amusing.

One of the soldiers.

Katia, our translator.

Picture of Daddy taken by AS.

And one of Mama.

Right now we need prayers for:

1) Continued bonding with AS.

2) Learning more English.

3) Good health for the kids, my mom and sister, and us.

4) Swiftness with getting our court date, and that once it's set it would not be rescheduled.

5) No more delays... that his biological mother would sign something stating she will not appeal.

6) for our finances, that we have enough money to make it to the end!

7) That we can continue to bear this separation from Zoe and Addie. This is incredibly hard sometimes, but I know they are taken care of. That makes it easier to do what we need to do here.

Each day I am amazed at the peace I have, and feel so truly blessed every time I see my boy smile. I didn't know how I could bear the thought of losing the other child we came for, but now I feel that we're in the right place at this time. Our little guy wouldn't have too much of a chance here, and it's so exciting to think of all the new experiences and opportunities he will have once we get home (and get past the scary part of starting his life there).

So...

I just thought about him starting school in America. How am I going to do this? He's so stinking sweet, and it's going to be so hard.

Chickens and what not

Well, we don't really have any news for the moment. Our days seem to be spent at the orphanage, traveling around getting some document or another signed and delivered, or at the Supermarket. There isn't much else to do... We spend a lot of time sitting in the room. Every morning we eat our breakfast and have a little quiet time. AS is getting better about asking us for things he wants. He has asked for bananas and yogurt. And of course, chocolate. He asks Dave "Papa can I play computer?", which means he wants to play on the tablet. He also asks for chocolate by saying "choco-lot". We're trying to teach him certain words in English, but the more we work on the more I realize he needs to learn. Addie told me yesterday "he needs to learn all the words mom. They're important". So, we will work on what we can when we can. Sometimes he seems to understand some of what we say despite the fact that he doesn't know much English. We've also spent some time with a man named Vincenzo from Italy who is there adopting an 11 year old boy. He speaks to him in Italian, and he seems to understand most of what he says. Of course Vincenzo has been here for 3 months. It's funny though, we can understand a lot of what each other is saying even though he speaks Italian, and we speak English. So between us, our tri-lingual interpreter (she speaks Russian, English, and Spanish), we can carry on a conversation. It's kind of funny... We can't understand very much of the Russian, but it seems we can understand a lot of the Italian because it's close to languages we hear more often.

Yesterday we went out for a walk and happened upon a yard which housed several chickens and some grape vines. It made me think of our friend Brian Berryhill who told us he wanted to have chickens in his backyard. Like a pet. That you can eat. Which I thought was funny.

More pictures from today :)

Our first family picture! Zoe, Addie, Mommy, Daddy, Asher, Darbie, and Maeve

Drawing all of us.

A picture he made for us :) You can notice that he wrote a "B" instead of a "V" at first. In Russian the "B" makes the "V" sound.

The completed T-Rex.

First document obtained!

Well, we got the document from the orphanage director this morning, and we took it to the adoption inspector as well as the notary. We have to go back to the notary this afternoon to get the rest of the documents as well as to the inspector to give her something. K (the new translator we have here), has been working hard to get things done in S's absence, which is good. The inspector told us that she must give us her conclusion by next Tuesday, but that she will say no to us if the mother files paperwork, has a job, and is sober. Which seems unlikely, but I guess you never know. We shall see I suppose. The days kind of blur together here. There's not really anything to do, and we can't really walk to the orphanage or to the inspector, so we're spending a ton of money on taxi fare. It's good for the man who's carrying us around though! I was hoping today we could eat some real food, but there's not really anywhere nearby to eat. I did buy some bananas and oranges at the open air market. I should have taken the camera but I was trying to cut down on things we had to carry.

So the latest news

So we went back to the inspector this afternoon. Since the biological mother hasn't filed anything we will proceed as normal. S says it's good news. So we're going to act like nothing's happened and go about our business! This afternoon we went for our time with AS and he saw us in the hallway and came running over. He gave us a hug and then the translator said "he wants a kiss", and I said "a kiss!" and leaned down and kissed him. He smiled, which just melted my heart. Then we did some drawing, and we got a lego set out which he went at with a passion! It was so awesome to see in action how clever he is!

And a picture post!

How cute is this puppy! If it didn't smell like death I would have cuddled it.

More stray puppies.

This tower is behind our hotel... and this is what was written on it. OOOKKK...

Farther view of the tower.

The back of the hotel. I think that's a swimming pool.

This little pond is out front. Frozen now, and apparently a terracotta pot fell on the ice and broke.

Out front.

The view from outside the gate. That sign says No Rooms in Russian.

The outside of the orphanage.

Some other houses here.

Our bathroom. We're exceedingly pleased to have an actual shower.

The room.

The bed and our skylight! It opens, so we let in some fresh air occasionally.

And unless we've already told you, you'll never guess what this food is. It looks like the "tree man" warts a little bit, doesn't it? Just try and guess what it is... if you guess correctly, you win!

Meeting was confusing... And pizza

We went to meet with the inspector who told us that AS's biological mother came last week and found out there was a family who wanted to adopt him. For the past year she has not filed an appeal to get her son back, but now she's suddenly saying she wants to. At this time there is no document on file that she is actually appealing, so we will proceed as if this did not happen. We don't know what else to do. If she does file an appeal on paper, then it will be a month or more before we would be allowed to proceed. During that time we would have to remain in Ukraine... which is not possible for us. So right now we are praying that we can just continue as we were before this, and nothing else comes of it. S thinks the facilitator for the other family in the U.S. was potentially behind it. Anyway, we will continue to fight for our little guy.

After meeting with the inspector we went to the market to eat lunch. I ordered a pizza with cheese and pepperoni, but in the translation we got green peppers. Dave wasn't excited, but I sure was! It was a nice change of pace from peanut butter sandwiches and Ukrainian food, which let's face it, is very different from American food.

Leaving soon for our visit with the inspector

We're heading out in a few minutes. Will let everyone know what happens after we get back.

I don't know what to do anymore

So, here we sit in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, a tiny place having met our second child during this process, and once again we don't know what's going to happen. S (the facilitator) says he wants to fight. But there is a potential that the birth mother, who was deprived her parental rights, may have petitioned on Friday. We have to meet with the inspector tomorrow morning and see what's going to happen. My heart can't take this. I can't describe the feeling that I have in my stomach. I have a child in this world... and I can't get to him. And everyone around me is trying to stop my. I know that God can do anything and everything He chooses. I just don't understand what's happening and why. We will keep everyone updated. Hopefully this won't be a setback.

Hmmm...

This is the second time in 24 hours that I have read this passage. My devotional has used the verse in Mark 10:24 often, that with God all things are possible. But Mark 10:29-31 state:

29 "Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

So right now we need prayers for:

1) That K (the new translator) would arrive, safe and rested, and be able to help us communicate with AS and the others around here. Again there are no people who speak English here, and Dave and I speak very (VERY) little Russian.

2) That we can continue to bond with AS. He's a sweet little guy, but distractable. He seems interested in Skyping with other family members etc. I think that will be good. But he will be leaving everything he knows. Even if it's not the greatest place, this is his home.

3) That we can get the paperwork done THIS WEEK that we need to get done in order to receive our court date.

4) That there are NO DELAYS. The courts here love to delay, particularly if you don't do certain things to grease the wheels.

5) For Dave and I to stay strong and faithful to what we're doing. We feel that there are a lot more obstacles in the way here. We want to continue to do what we've set out to do, but this city is very depressing. I can't tell you how bleak it is... I have described it as merely surviving, not really living.

6) For our kids. That they can remain healthy and strong while we're away. And that our separation won't be too long. We're not sure, now that we're here if they should come over or what. There is nothing to do here, nothing to see, and it's a little more dangerous than in Kiev. We're trying to make a plan, and were hoping to do so in the next week.

Our visit today

Today we went to the orphanage for about an hour and a half. We went a little early and interrupted homework time, but they assured us that we would be able to visit for a little bit anyway. Tomorrow we could visit twice, but we will be without a translator for the morning. So we probably will go only once for this time. During our visit today we Skyped with the girls for a few minutes (it was early and they were still half asleep) and with Dave's parents. S introduced them as "babushka" and "dadushka". I think AS was a little overwhelmed with all the new family. We showed him pictures of cousins, aunts, uncles, our house, his new school, our church, and we also showed him where he is now in relation. It's kind of scary. I described an average day at our house, what we normally do, and about where we live. He seemed OK with it. I told him about Alabaster Rec league sports. And I described to him what would happen if we adopted him. I told him that he would be our son, like Zoe and Addie are our daughters. I told him that everything we have would also be his. I told him that didn't mean he had to forget where he was from, but that he would be permanently be in our family. I think he thought that was OK :). So overall it was a good visit today. Ended with games of Stupid Zombies and Tank Hero.

International Women's Day

So next weekend Ukrainians celebrate National Women's Day. It's kind of funny based upon how they normally treat women, but that's neither here nor there. When we went to the orphanage this morning (they told us that weekends we could visit 10-1 and 3-6), but when we got there they told us AS was at school because next weekend was a holiday. I thought that was funny... they give you something, but they take something also. So S (the facilitator) is going to take us back over in a bit and then head back to Kiev. A new translator is coming in the morning, and she will be with us while S is back in the capital.

The man who owns our new accommodations is former military and very severe looking. Yesterday he was telling us "I am former military, no one will bother you here" and "I walk at night all the time. No one bothers me. You can walk at night". Then I said "But we're not as scary looking as you are!", to which he laughed (it's very difficult to make anyone laugh here), and told us we could carry his screwdriver. In any case, we paid about $300 for a weeks' stay, and a couple loads of laundry. Not too bad. We paid less than $5 for our breakfast of an omelet, pancake, and pastry with a pot of tea and bottle of water. The man who gave me my tea today was the first person in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi to actually speak any English other than S, us, some other foreigners, and AS (who knows most of the alphabet, 1-11, yes, no, and some other things). Some things here are pretty reasonably priced, but I am still afraid we will run out of money before heading back to Kiev.

Since we didn't get the document we needed from the orphanage director yesterday, she told us to get it on Tuesday. She says if she gives it too early the prosecution (the people representing the state in the court adoption hearing) will say they have been bribed, and no bond between us and the child had actually been made. So we hope to get it Tuesday and then be on the way to getting the next document from the Adoption Inspector. S is working overtime to get these things done.

So AS's absolute favorite thing is the android tablet. He loves playing games on it. We get in a little conversation, a little English, and then he's ready to play. Today we're hoping to get a little time in looking at where we live, our houses, around Alabaster etc on Google Earth while we're in the orphanage. I'd also like to explain a little about what it means to be adopted. And then we will let him ask us any questions he wants to. Of course at the end I am sure he will want to play more games. He loves the Tank Hero game... he's a regular military genius. S says he's very Russian... destroy everything and use every bullet you can. To me that's a very 8 year old boy thing. No sense of conservation.

We found a new place to stay!

So there are NO apartments here for us to stay in, but today S found us a nicer, cleaner, quieter hotel with a common kitchen and a woman who does laundry for 20 hyrivna per load, which is about $2.50. I am very thankful also to have an actual shower as opposed to a room with a shower head on the wall, small sink, and toilet. It was a mildewy mess, true story. So today we say goodbye (or rather dasvedanya) to the Fiesta Hotel.

First of all, I don't know how to caption this as I don't know what it is. At all. It's like screwed into the ground. On the sidewalk. We speculated it was so people couldn't drive up and park on the sidewalk up there.

Here, Rachel is walking away from Fiesta. Our room was the right above where she's standing.

In front of Fiesta. It's a restaurant and hotel.

Here is Green Noise. It wasn't noisy but it was smoky.