Well, I hate to say that the kids have kept me so busy since we arrived home that I have not even had time to post that we are home!!! We arrived at the B'ham airport on Thursday night at 10:45 to a bunch of family and friends. You all can't imagine what that meant to see all of you. We had travelled for about 24 hours (losing 8 hours) but the kids were wonderful and were so excited to finally be going to America!!! They are so much fun and animated about everything. It is neat to see their excitement.
As I write, the kids are asleep on the couch. They go, go, go so hard all day that they just collapse by 8pm. They were so excited about Santa Claus and we had to answer questions repeatedly at dinner tonight. Katie thought that maybe Santa comes for 4 nights. We have already experienced the tooth fairy since we have been home.
The kids are learning English so quickly and are bonding well. The tantrums are fewer in number and duration. The wooden spoon had to come out of the drawer on one occasion (not for stirring the pot in the kitchen) when I was called every name in the book in Russian!! The spoon transcends all language.
We have just learned that our other 2 kids in Ukraine (Y and S) are not actually siblings but are cousins. Therefore, Y will age out before being adopted unless she is adopted by a Ukrainian family (they do not have to wait the year that are required for all others).
This Christmas is something very special for us and we are so thankful for each other, and that we can all be here together. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!!! I don't know why we were selected for this most important job (child rearing, again), but we feel so very blessed!!!
Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Coming Home
As I write this blog Kim, Kevin and Katie are in a plane on their way home. Due to the time of year and full flights they can only get as far as Atlanta where I will pick them up at 10:00 tonight. I am sorry we can't have a welcome home at the airport but the most important thing is that they will sleep in there home tonight.
Nothing I write here can express what you thoughts and prayers have ment to us throughout this whole process so THANK YOU!
Bobby
Nothing I write here can express what you thoughts and prayers have ment to us throughout this whole process so THANK YOU!
Bobby
Thursday, December 13, 2007
December 12, 2007
Today has been a very emotional day. The kids and I returned to the orphanage for the last time to have a going away party for Kevin and Katie's class and to say good buy. I also had to say good buy to Sasha and Yulia. It was a very sad day to have to say good buy to the children I came here to adopt but I know that it is all in God's hands and he knows what is best for us and them. I am excited to report that we will be leaving zap tomorrow to return to Kiev to begin the road home. Kiev is a very modern city and has a lot more to offer to pass the time until we can come home. As it looks now we will probable be returning home next Wednesday or Thursday.
While we were at the orphange today we found out that 2 girls in Kevin & Katie's class hade two familys her to adopt them at the same time. On family is from Indiana and one is from Italy and the girls had to make the decision which on they wanted to go with. I was very interesting to see Katie try to talk them into coming to America. The Italian lady said someting to Katie and Katie proceed to tell her someting in Italian that I am sure was not very nice but it was good to see her take care of herself. The disturbing part is that both of these familys were given a referal on the same day to adopt the same children. I can't imagine the stress put on these girles to have to make this kind of decission in about an hour.
Thanks for everyones support and I hope to see ya'll soon!
Kim
While we were at the orphange today we found out that 2 girls in Kevin & Katie's class hade two familys her to adopt them at the same time. On family is from Indiana and one is from Italy and the girls had to make the decision which on they wanted to go with. I was very interesting to see Katie try to talk them into coming to America. The Italian lady said someting to Katie and Katie proceed to tell her someting in Italian that I am sure was not very nice but it was good to see her take care of herself. The disturbing part is that both of these familys were given a referal on the same day to adopt the same children. I can't imagine the stress put on these girles to have to make this kind of decission in about an hour.
Thanks for everyones support and I hope to see ya'll soon!
Kim
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
December 11, 2007
Today’s update is one of the hardest I have written through this whole journey. I am 30,000 feet above Iceland and my wife and two youngest children are still in Zap. While it well be good to see my older children and family, a part of me is still back in Ukraine. When I left yesterday I thought it would not be to hard to leave because I was so homesick but I have to admit that after Kevin and Katie both gave me a hug and a kiss my eys did no dry out for about 30 minutes. This was the first voluntary hug I had gotten from Katie since I meet her. I am not sure what happened but she does not like men very much and I know I have a lot of work to do to bond with her. Kevin on the other hand can’t wait to be with me. He has developed an addiction to back massages from me and I am sorry I can’t give him one for a while but this is all a part of the process. For some reason my company want continue to pay me when my vacation runs out so I must return home. I also need to return so Kim’s Mom can get a break from taking care of our dog. She has been a great help and I will never be able to repay her for what she has done. Well enough about me. Today’s upday is as follows.
This morning Kim, Kevin and Katie took about a three hour trip to the Black Sea where they are getting the new birth certificates for Kevin and Katie. The last time I talked with them just before I took off, all was going well and they were waiting on the certificates. At that time they will travel back to Zap to file the certificates and apply for the new passports. While these are the final steeps to getting home it is very hard for me to get excited because I am not there to help. It is not that they can’t take care of it but I would like to help. My wife is the most amazing woman I know and seeing her new lease on life with these kids make me the luckiest man on earth.
Today’s update is one of the hardest I have written through this whole journey. I am 30,000 feet above Iceland and my wife and two youngest children are still in Zap. While it well be good to see my older children and family, a part of me is still back in Ukraine. When I left yesterday I thought it would not be to hard to leave because I was so homesick but I have to admit that after Kevin and Katie both gave me a hug and a kiss my eys did no dry out for about 30 minutes. This was the first voluntary hug I had gotten from Katie since I meet her. I am not sure what happened but she does not like men very much and I know I have a lot of work to do to bond with her. Kevin on the other hand can’t wait to be with me. He has developed an addiction to back massages from me and I am sorry I can’t give him one for a while but this is all a part of the process. For some reason my company want continue to pay me when my vacation runs out so I must return home. I also need to return so Kim’s Mom can get a break from taking care of our dog. She has been a great help and I will never be able to repay her for what she has done. Well enough about me. Today’s upday is as follows.
This morning Kim, Kevin and Katie took about a three hour trip to the Black Sea where they are getting the new birth certificates for Kevin and Katie. The last time I talked with them just before I took off, all was going well and they were waiting on the certificates. At that time they will travel back to Zap to file the certificates and apply for the new passports. While these are the final steeps to getting home it is very hard for me to get excited because I am not there to help. It is not that they can’t take care of it but I would like to help. My wife is the most amazing woman I know and seeing her new lease on life with these kids make me the luckiest man on earth.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
A Little Behind
WE MISS HOME!!!
Here is our list of most-missed things about home:
Family, including our 14 year-old dog, Kristey
Friends and acquaintances (including neighborhood, work, garden club, Bunko group, Hot wings group)
Church/small group
Work (Bobby)
American TV and radio
Starbucks (Kim)
The smells of home and America
A routine
The independence of having a car/being able to stay busy
Sunshine (it has been very overcast/grey here since the first couple of days)
Wal-Mart
Cell phone plan (before we make a phone call, even locally, we must check to make sure that we have enough grivnas/minutes)
Smoke-free options
Color in general (Most sights are grey or dark: sky, road, all brick, Ukrainian clothes)
Landscaping (we haven’t seen much beauty surrounding homes or buildings)
Hills (it is very flat here)
Our yard/grass (space between neighbors)
Christmas sights (we did buy 2 garlands and decorated them)
Christmas shopping (Kim)
A variety of eateries (Chinese, Mexican, etc).
My kitchen/large table/icemaker/large trash can that doesn’t need to be emptied every hour/clothes dryer (there’s nothing like the feel of clothes fresh out of the dryer)
Being able to read what you are buying in the grocery store (now we look for the cow or pig symbol on the meat to make sure it is not muskrat, etc).
Here is our list of most-missed things about home:
Family, including our 14 year-old dog, Kristey
Friends and acquaintances (including neighborhood, work, garden club, Bunko group, Hot wings group)
Church/small group
Work (Bobby)
American TV and radio
Starbucks (Kim)
The smells of home and America
A routine
The independence of having a car/being able to stay busy
Sunshine (it has been very overcast/grey here since the first couple of days)
Wal-Mart
Cell phone plan (before we make a phone call, even locally, we must check to make sure that we have enough grivnas/minutes)
Smoke-free options
Color in general (Most sights are grey or dark: sky, road, all brick, Ukrainian clothes)
Landscaping (we haven’t seen much beauty surrounding homes or buildings)
Hills (it is very flat here)
Our yard/grass (space between neighbors)
Christmas sights (we did buy 2 garlands and decorated them)
Christmas shopping (Kim)
A variety of eateries (Chinese, Mexican, etc).
My kitchen/large table/icemaker/large trash can that doesn’t need to be emptied every hour/clothes dryer (there’s nothing like the feel of clothes fresh out of the dryer)
Being able to read what you are buying in the grocery store (now we look for the cow or pig symbol on the meat to make sure it is not muskrat, etc).
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
December 4, 2007
I guess that we are behind again on our blog. Many days it is hard to find or take the time to write. There is so much to tell and we can only put a small part of each day on here.
I will start today by saying that Bobby and I were not really in jail. The “bird cage” that you saw in the picture was in our courtroom, but since it was unlocked, we decided to get a serious-looking picture inside it.
On Sunday, the Grace family came into town to adopt their 13 year old daughter. It is wonderful to see another American family, one that we know. Again, we are reminded of how fortunate that we are to be spending our time with other families from home. We would be so much lonelier, I think, if it were not for that. Speaking of home, this 10 day waiting period is almost the longest that we have lived. We have both been so homesick and are ready to come home to the rest of our family and our dog, Kristey. My sweet parents have been taking care of our dog every day since we have been gone. They say that dogs can’t tell time, but I am sure that by now, Kristey wonders if we will ever come back into that house again!!!
Yesterday, all 3 American families and children got together at our apartment for what we expected to be a fun time of fellowship. Denis and all the kids decided that we Americans needed borscht and they were cooking it for us. In order to cook borscht, there is lots of chopping and grating and many different pots cooking something before it is all added together at the end. The kids helped for a little while before becoming bored. And, all of you parents know what happens when 7 kids become bored. The squabbling and pouting began. Katie and Kevin took offense to “their house” being overtaken by others, so the evening that began so wonderfully, ended in tears and raised Russian voices. The hierarchy which is so prevalent at the orphanage also took the stage when different-aged children got together. Denis is fantastic at diffusing situations and to work through these with the children. Even though we were not happy with their behavior, we are happy that our children are beginning to see themselves as an integral part of our family. I can’t help but think that with every misunderstanding/disagreement we come closer to working more together. The pouting/temper tantrums are becoming less frequent and less loud, which is good to see. The children are also beginning to smile much more. One night, we were sitting on the couch with the children and Kevin reached up for Bobby’s hand to rub his back. Within 5 minutes, Kevin was sound asleep. We relish these small moments, because even though these kids crave love and touch, they do not know how to ask for it or how to act many times when it is given to them. They are constantly watching us and learning from us.
The kids love to help me in the kitchen. We cook at home most of the time as they are most comfortable at home with just us being there. We go to the store almost every day because the kids eat everything in sight. I am sure that after eating orphanage food for years will make almost all other food taste good. I think that they could live off of sausage, bread and ketchup. Katie is the chocoholic and we have our “girl time” each night together eating a piece of chocolate that Nina had gotten for us (of course, Katie needs 4-5 pieces to get her fix)!! Speaking of cooking, we have a couple of grocery stores within walking distance to us and every hole in a wall has some kind of tiny store that one can buy freshly-baked bread, sausage, and cheese, and all the vodka that you would want (all the staples of life in Ukraine). I have learned that the sugar is not nearly as sweet and the salt not nearly as salty as the US and neither are as refined. The meat and cheese is very good and of good quality.
Bedtime is late, since meals seem to be later. I will be glad to get on a better schedule once we get home. It may take awhile to feel back to normal. We are hoping and praying that we will be able to leave Zap by the middle of next week and be home next weekend!! Please pray for that with us.
Thank you again for all your comments, love and support. You can’t imagine how it keeps us connected to our real world!!!
I will start today by saying that Bobby and I were not really in jail. The “bird cage” that you saw in the picture was in our courtroom, but since it was unlocked, we decided to get a serious-looking picture inside it.
On Sunday, the Grace family came into town to adopt their 13 year old daughter. It is wonderful to see another American family, one that we know. Again, we are reminded of how fortunate that we are to be spending our time with other families from home. We would be so much lonelier, I think, if it were not for that. Speaking of home, this 10 day waiting period is almost the longest that we have lived. We have both been so homesick and are ready to come home to the rest of our family and our dog, Kristey. My sweet parents have been taking care of our dog every day since we have been gone. They say that dogs can’t tell time, but I am sure that by now, Kristey wonders if we will ever come back into that house again!!!
Yesterday, all 3 American families and children got together at our apartment for what we expected to be a fun time of fellowship. Denis and all the kids decided that we Americans needed borscht and they were cooking it for us. In order to cook borscht, there is lots of chopping and grating and many different pots cooking something before it is all added together at the end. The kids helped for a little while before becoming bored. And, all of you parents know what happens when 7 kids become bored. The squabbling and pouting began. Katie and Kevin took offense to “their house” being overtaken by others, so the evening that began so wonderfully, ended in tears and raised Russian voices. The hierarchy which is so prevalent at the orphanage also took the stage when different-aged children got together. Denis is fantastic at diffusing situations and to work through these with the children. Even though we were not happy with their behavior, we are happy that our children are beginning to see themselves as an integral part of our family. I can’t help but think that with every misunderstanding/disagreement we come closer to working more together. The pouting/temper tantrums are becoming less frequent and less loud, which is good to see. The children are also beginning to smile much more. One night, we were sitting on the couch with the children and Kevin reached up for Bobby’s hand to rub his back. Within 5 minutes, Kevin was sound asleep. We relish these small moments, because even though these kids crave love and touch, they do not know how to ask for it or how to act many times when it is given to them. They are constantly watching us and learning from us.
The kids love to help me in the kitchen. We cook at home most of the time as they are most comfortable at home with just us being there. We go to the store almost every day because the kids eat everything in sight. I am sure that after eating orphanage food for years will make almost all other food taste good. I think that they could live off of sausage, bread and ketchup. Katie is the chocoholic and we have our “girl time” each night together eating a piece of chocolate that Nina had gotten for us (of course, Katie needs 4-5 pieces to get her fix)!! Speaking of cooking, we have a couple of grocery stores within walking distance to us and every hole in a wall has some kind of tiny store that one can buy freshly-baked bread, sausage, and cheese, and all the vodka that you would want (all the staples of life in Ukraine). I have learned that the sugar is not nearly as sweet and the salt not nearly as salty as the US and neither are as refined. The meat and cheese is very good and of good quality.
Bedtime is late, since meals seem to be later. I will be glad to get on a better schedule once we get home. It may take awhile to feel back to normal. We are hoping and praying that we will be able to leave Zap by the middle of next week and be home next weekend!! Please pray for that with us.
Thank you again for all your comments, love and support. You can’t imagine how it keeps us connected to our real world!!!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
December 1, 2007
Now that the adoption has happened, the waiting has begun. Today we, along with the Hartsocks, hired a van for an excursion to Dnipro…, a city about 45 miles to the north of Zap where Denis lives. Even though it rained all day we had a great time. On the way we stopped to see the Hydro-Electrical dam just outside of Zap. It is a large dam that generates a lot of the electricity for this region and was a major part of the Soviet Union. The road to Dnipro… was lined on both sides with agriculture fields. It is the exact picture of any Interstate in the Mid-West. When we got to Dnipro we were surprised to find a beautiful city full of history and a population of about 2 million people. We walked around in the rain for awhile so Denis could give us a little tour, and he is an excellent tour guide. We also witnessed a wedding being held next to the river (that poor bride in her white dress on such a cold, rainy day). We ended up in a large mall in the middle of town. When Kim and I walked in we look at each other and for a split second thought we were back home, the sights and smells were so familiar!!! It was a very modern mall that could be anywhere in America. We walked around for a while and ended up at the arcade. We bought the kids a card that had credits which allowed them to play games. Kevin went straight to the bumper cars and used all his credit in about 10 minutes. Katie took a lot longer deciding how to use her credits. Each game was considered carefully as not to make the wrong decision. Of course Kevin got a little mad because it took Katie longer to use her credits and he thought she had more than him. Kids are the same all over the world!!! The day ended with about an hours ride back to Zap where the kids slept and I thought about how wonderfully my life has changed over the last few weeks. God has already blessed me more than I could ever ask for and we still have a lifetime to go.
We hope to see you all soon.
Kim and Bobby
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