Hi
Well we were excited today because we got to have Madison from 10 - 6 today.. We waited for Oksanna and Dasha to get to the apartment then we left for the internet place. Our internet quit working sometime on Thursday...we could not figure it out...so we made our 5th trip in there with the laptop to find.....they had cut our service off...how funny...we went over the megabytes we bought...eventhough we thought they said unlimited...oh well we are back up and running. So after we left there we went to the orphanage and picked her up. Every morning we have been waking up to someone frying bacon so we decided we were on a bacon hunt we wanted to make Madison BLT's. So we went to this awesome market where we picked up bacon, bread, mayo and lettuce. We already had the tomatoes. When we got back to the apartment we invited Oksanna and Dasha up for lunch. Dasha is 2 and she loves Madison...Oksanna told her the other day that she was going to the market to get fruit and she said " I know where you are going, you are going to the Americans and then to Nina and I am going too". Ha she is so funny. Anyway they accepted. It is so nice to see how relaxed Madison is now at our apartment. She comes right in takes her shoes off and goes to her room gets her socks. Today with Dasha here she was pretty busy entertaining her. I fixed lunch...I do appreciate presliced bacon you get at home but I managed and we all ate. We havent found anything Madison truly wont try. Jeff is spoiling her by making her fresh squeezed lemonade everyday but she can use alittle spoiling. Jeff and Madison walked down to the market to get some minutes for the phone and came back with her favorite gum, cookies and soft drink. It is good for them to have daddy/daughter time. Anyway when our company left it was time to do hair. I brought color with me so I got it out and put the cap on and she looked like a professional...seriously she never missed a hole to pull my hair through. Then when that was done Jeff gave her a tshirt to put over her clothes, she donned the plastic gloves and Jeff mixed up the ingrediants. She is quite the perfectanist...she went strand by strand making sure each were covered...when she finished she sighed and fell back on the bed. It was time to take her back and my head still had a plastic bag on it. So we asked her if she wanted me to go also or just dad cause I didnt want to embarrass her in front of her friends and her eyes got big and she pointed to dad...ha...so I hugged her bye and off they went...with goodies in tow. We bought her new flipflops last week and when she got here today they are already so dirty so I asked her if she wanted me to wash them...she shoot her head yes and I was in the restroom running the water and she came in there and was pushing her bracelets up and I said no I will do it thats what moms do and she looked at me and smiled and hugged me and went back to watching tv...
The traffic was horrible today because the head of the Russian Orthodox Church was coming through town today headed for Sevastpol. There were more policemen and roadblocks than you can imagine. People were protesting at the parliment building. Finally at about 7pm we saw out our window the stream of police escorts and motorcade go down the street. Hopefully today will be better. Speaking of seeing things out our window. It was football (soccer) night again at the stadium and we were just reading and working on the computer when people stated parachuting down out of the sky...it was cool...pre game activities.
Still no real news except a meeting did occur between the SDA and Interpol and they are trying to resolve the situation quickly so we can get a court date. 4 other families are also affected. We will keep you informed right now we are going to try to enjoy the weekend.
Love
Donna and Jeff
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday July 30, 2009 Still waiting
Hi,
So the news is pretty much the same...nothing...this is our 6 day of not moving ahead at all...getting very frustrated and then the fact that we couldnt get Madison again until 3pm makes our days so long just waiting for everything. News and Madison. We picked her up and took her to see Ice Age 3 maybe still dont know...It was a great movie I think....It made her laugh and that is all that matters. She was dressed cute today and when she came up to hug us Jeff noticed how good her hair smelled and her face is already clearing up also. That made us feel better...After the movie we took her to buy her some tennis shoes so she would have something to walk in that had support..She has never had a pair...she picked out some cute ones. Then it was time to take her back. She sat and stared out the window in the car and our driver (Jeff Gordan) asked her what was wrong and she said " I dont want to go back I want to go to America now with mom and dad". This made it extra hard to take her back ...We told her it wont be long and she wont ever have to go back...She said she hasnt except for camp spent the night anywhere else in 5 years. That is so sad...but true. We dropped her off and ran to the market and then home. Jeff made us an awesome greek salad for dinner...he can cook anywhere..and I think I can live on it....
What I did think I would do tonight is give an insight on my experiences her in the Ukraine that I just will never get use too.
1st - Restrooms. I will send a few pics to all that are interested but you should have been a fly on the wall the first time I had to use the restroom outside of my apartment. We had driven 2 hours to the town Aloyna was in school at and I drank tea on the way there. So I asked Oksanna to see if there was a restroom in the inspectors office in this town.. She did and directed me to it. You should have seen my face when I walked in...couldn't find the light ( they are all on the outside of the doors) it was so dark I almost fell in this hole in the floor. Finally I opened the door and looked outside and turned the light on...well I should have left it off...The hole I almost fell in someone expected me to pee in....I just stood there...staring...almost laughing and honestly talking to myself about this could not be possible I must be on candid camera. Now dont get me wrong I have used outhouses in my life but atleast you can sit if you can get the fear out of your head of something biting your bottom, but this I had to stand, stradle, aim and fire....all the while holding on to nothing except your pants....not easy for a 40 year old woman with a weak bladder...so I accomplished this and began to look around for the charmin....not....so now I am trying to stradle, hold my purse in my mouth, dig with one hand to find a tissue all the time trying not to drop my pants or fall in the hole...lesson learned...dehydratation cant be any worse....I got out of there and I told Jeff that I think I just used the bathroom somewhere I wasnt supposed to and he said " no that is where you where supposed to ". Whatever. The next trip to the town we stopped along the way for Jeff to take pictures and Oksanna and I choose the side of the road...1 chigger was better and I had a tree to lean against.
2nd Doorways. I guess because of the time when the building were built around here every door you go through or out has a threshold something another on the floor...it dont matter where...I dont have to tell you how many times I have managed to trip and almost fall going through every door in the Crimea...I just cant make myself understand...they will be there....pick up your feet...my big toe ( as if it isnt ugly enough) looks like a weeble wobble that just got back from the war zone....I have seen toes on 80 year old men look better than my toes from stumping it on the thresholds.
3rd Driving. I dont and will never understand how these people drive...there is no rhyme or reason...Jeff and I was bored the other day and I was like lets go rent a car and be crazy we can just drive like you always wanted to at home but no you will GO TO JAIL...these people drive on the sidewalks, get out in the middle of the road to work on their cars, honk, honk, honk, honk and honk the horn...they show no mercy on the horn you could be 2months or 100 years using a walker....get out of the way or you are getting honked at....seriously I feel sorry for some of the pedestrians...and walking is just taking your life in your own hands...you might be walking down the sidewalk and all of a sudden here come a 1939 souped up station wagon on 2 wheels coming at you...move he is honking and you shouldnt be on the sidewalk....its crazy I just laugh now...I cant say anything I just pray I dont die and laugh
Well thats all for today I have many more...
Love
Donna and Jeff
So the news is pretty much the same...nothing...this is our 6 day of not moving ahead at all...getting very frustrated and then the fact that we couldnt get Madison again until 3pm makes our days so long just waiting for everything. News and Madison. We picked her up and took her to see Ice Age 3 maybe still dont know...It was a great movie I think....It made her laugh and that is all that matters. She was dressed cute today and when she came up to hug us Jeff noticed how good her hair smelled and her face is already clearing up also. That made us feel better...After the movie we took her to buy her some tennis shoes so she would have something to walk in that had support..She has never had a pair...she picked out some cute ones. Then it was time to take her back. She sat and stared out the window in the car and our driver (Jeff Gordan) asked her what was wrong and she said " I dont want to go back I want to go to America now with mom and dad". This made it extra hard to take her back ...We told her it wont be long and she wont ever have to go back...She said she hasnt except for camp spent the night anywhere else in 5 years. That is so sad...but true. We dropped her off and ran to the market and then home. Jeff made us an awesome greek salad for dinner...he can cook anywhere..and I think I can live on it....
What I did think I would do tonight is give an insight on my experiences her in the Ukraine that I just will never get use too.
1st - Restrooms. I will send a few pics to all that are interested but you should have been a fly on the wall the first time I had to use the restroom outside of my apartment. We had driven 2 hours to the town Aloyna was in school at and I drank tea on the way there. So I asked Oksanna to see if there was a restroom in the inspectors office in this town.. She did and directed me to it. You should have seen my face when I walked in...couldn't find the light ( they are all on the outside of the doors) it was so dark I almost fell in this hole in the floor. Finally I opened the door and looked outside and turned the light on...well I should have left it off...The hole I almost fell in someone expected me to pee in....I just stood there...staring...almost laughing and honestly talking to myself about this could not be possible I must be on candid camera. Now dont get me wrong I have used outhouses in my life but atleast you can sit if you can get the fear out of your head of something biting your bottom, but this I had to stand, stradle, aim and fire....all the while holding on to nothing except your pants....not easy for a 40 year old woman with a weak bladder...so I accomplished this and began to look around for the charmin....not....so now I am trying to stradle, hold my purse in my mouth, dig with one hand to find a tissue all the time trying not to drop my pants or fall in the hole...lesson learned...dehydratation cant be any worse....I got out of there and I told Jeff that I think I just used the bathroom somewhere I wasnt supposed to and he said " no that is where you where supposed to ". Whatever. The next trip to the town we stopped along the way for Jeff to take pictures and Oksanna and I choose the side of the road...1 chigger was better and I had a tree to lean against.
2nd Doorways. I guess because of the time when the building were built around here every door you go through or out has a threshold something another on the floor...it dont matter where...I dont have to tell you how many times I have managed to trip and almost fall going through every door in the Crimea...I just cant make myself understand...they will be there....pick up your feet...my big toe ( as if it isnt ugly enough) looks like a weeble wobble that just got back from the war zone....I have seen toes on 80 year old men look better than my toes from stumping it on the thresholds.
3rd Driving. I dont and will never understand how these people drive...there is no rhyme or reason...Jeff and I was bored the other day and I was like lets go rent a car and be crazy we can just drive like you always wanted to at home but no you will GO TO JAIL...these people drive on the sidewalks, get out in the middle of the road to work on their cars, honk, honk, honk, honk and honk the horn...they show no mercy on the horn you could be 2months or 100 years using a walker....get out of the way or you are getting honked at....seriously I feel sorry for some of the pedestrians...and walking is just taking your life in your own hands...you might be walking down the sidewalk and all of a sudden here come a 1939 souped up station wagon on 2 wheels coming at you...move he is honking and you shouldnt be on the sidewalk....its crazy I just laugh now...I cant say anything I just pray I dont die and laugh
Well thats all for today I have many more...
Love
Donna and Jeff
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday July 29..No news yet
Hello all,
Well it has been a pretty good day. Jeff started out by going to the electronic market with his new friend and our driver Alec aka Jeff Gordon. Then they came back to get me and Oksanna. We were going to the orphanage but we were told we couldn't see Madison until 3pm because they had an inspection for the next 2 days. Madison called asking where we were. She has gotten very use to us being there after breakfast to get her. She wasnt happy when we told her not today. So since the other families are leaving tomorrow one of them asked if they could store their clothes they brought for their daughters and another suitcase at our apartment until they came back and we said yes. So we went and picked those up and one of the suitcases was the size of the Kia itself but we somehow got it in. So we went back to the apartment and put my tennis shoes on. ( dont see many of those around, thats how they know we are American because Jeff wont go anywhere without his tennis shoes and levis shorts). We walked all over the Crimea I think. It felt like it for all of you who know how I absolutely depise walking. It was a nice day though and we walked and sight seen for a couple of hours. We havent really had a chance to do any of that because we have been so busy. Jeff got his little girl a single long stem pink rose and some cookies and a birthday gift since we were not here on her birthday. It is so funny because you cant get her to take anything as far as money from us. She actually dont like us to even spend money on her at the market I think she wants us to know this isnt about things we can buy her it is about family. We got to the orphanage at 3pm and they let us have her until 6pm. We got her to the car and gave her the gifts and she was really happy. Then we left there and went to look for her a homecoming outfit. I told her I wanted her in a dress and she told me a skirt yes a dress no. Ha...set me straight. Anyway we found one actually Jeff picked it out and it looks so cute on her. She told us this is the first time in her life she got to go to a store and pick out her own clothes and try them on to see if they fit. She looked like a doll. She has been breaking out on her nose with little bumps so we stopped at a store to get clearasil and I told her how and when to use it and she said she would. I asked if she needed anything else and she asked for shampoo and conditioner, soap and I asked her if she knew what deodrant was and she was confused so Oksanna explained and she said she would like some so we got her teen deodrant. She was very happy. We then went to get her something to eat and then back to the orphanage. Each day it is harder to take her back there. It is so depressing but I keep telling myself she doesnt know any different and its only for a short time longer. She told us the other girls that mother left yesterday because of the problems were in there beds last night crying that she probably wont come back and get them. We seen them today and they were both so so sad looking. Madison said she told them that she will be back dont cry. As we arrived back to the apartment Oksanna got a call from Aloyna asking her to ask us if she could have some money for groceries. We said yes I am trying to just do what is right in our hearts by helping a child who has no parents...thats the way I have to look at it. She just left and she really is a good girl. She thanked us for taking Nina and she told us Nina was happy and loves us and thats all she wants for her sister. I do believe her. Madison called while Aloyna was here and I think she was happy we were helping her sister. Well thats all for today. We are taking her to the market tomorrow to buy her some food and then we will get Madison at 3 again and she wants to see ICE AGE 2...that should be interesting in Russian...ha Jeff and I decided we would make up our own story line....glad no one can read our minds...ha...We are waiting on a call from Galya. The SDA in Kiev invited Interpol to meet with them today to develop a plan on how they are going to handle families already in country to complete their adoptions. We hope to hear soon so I will know if I am coming on home for a few weeks or finishing this pretty quick...we will let you know as soon as we do.
I want to tell our boys and family we love you all and we miss you all and thank you for keeping it all together when we are unable to...we wont do this to you again.
Love
Mom and Dad
Well it has been a pretty good day. Jeff started out by going to the electronic market with his new friend and our driver Alec aka Jeff Gordon. Then they came back to get me and Oksanna. We were going to the orphanage but we were told we couldn't see Madison until 3pm because they had an inspection for the next 2 days. Madison called asking where we were. She has gotten very use to us being there after breakfast to get her. She wasnt happy when we told her not today. So since the other families are leaving tomorrow one of them asked if they could store their clothes they brought for their daughters and another suitcase at our apartment until they came back and we said yes. So we went and picked those up and one of the suitcases was the size of the Kia itself but we somehow got it in. So we went back to the apartment and put my tennis shoes on. ( dont see many of those around, thats how they know we are American because Jeff wont go anywhere without his tennis shoes and levis shorts). We walked all over the Crimea I think. It felt like it for all of you who know how I absolutely depise walking. It was a nice day though and we walked and sight seen for a couple of hours. We havent really had a chance to do any of that because we have been so busy. Jeff got his little girl a single long stem pink rose and some cookies and a birthday gift since we were not here on her birthday. It is so funny because you cant get her to take anything as far as money from us. She actually dont like us to even spend money on her at the market I think she wants us to know this isnt about things we can buy her it is about family. We got to the orphanage at 3pm and they let us have her until 6pm. We got her to the car and gave her the gifts and she was really happy. Then we left there and went to look for her a homecoming outfit. I told her I wanted her in a dress and she told me a skirt yes a dress no. Ha...set me straight. Anyway we found one actually Jeff picked it out and it looks so cute on her. She told us this is the first time in her life she got to go to a store and pick out her own clothes and try them on to see if they fit. She looked like a doll. She has been breaking out on her nose with little bumps so we stopped at a store to get clearasil and I told her how and when to use it and she said she would. I asked if she needed anything else and she asked for shampoo and conditioner, soap and I asked her if she knew what deodrant was and she was confused so Oksanna explained and she said she would like some so we got her teen deodrant. She was very happy. We then went to get her something to eat and then back to the orphanage. Each day it is harder to take her back there. It is so depressing but I keep telling myself she doesnt know any different and its only for a short time longer. She told us the other girls that mother left yesterday because of the problems were in there beds last night crying that she probably wont come back and get them. We seen them today and they were both so so sad looking. Madison said she told them that she will be back dont cry. As we arrived back to the apartment Oksanna got a call from Aloyna asking her to ask us if she could have some money for groceries. We said yes I am trying to just do what is right in our hearts by helping a child who has no parents...thats the way I have to look at it. She just left and she really is a good girl. She thanked us for taking Nina and she told us Nina was happy and loves us and thats all she wants for her sister. I do believe her. Madison called while Aloyna was here and I think she was happy we were helping her sister. Well thats all for today. We are taking her to the market tomorrow to buy her some food and then we will get Madison at 3 again and she wants to see ICE AGE 2...that should be interesting in Russian...ha Jeff and I decided we would make up our own story line....glad no one can read our minds...ha...We are waiting on a call from Galya. The SDA in Kiev invited Interpol to meet with them today to develop a plan on how they are going to handle families already in country to complete their adoptions. We hope to hear soon so I will know if I am coming on home for a few weeks or finishing this pretty quick...we will let you know as soon as we do.
I want to tell our boys and family we love you all and we miss you all and thank you for keeping it all together when we are unable to...we wont do this to you again.
Love
Mom and Dad
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday July 28...Hard day
Hello everyone,
I guess I will do the blog today since neither of us feels up to it. So bear with me if it is not upbeat as usual. Jeff is having a really rough day and has already laid down for the evening...he said he was not tired but he isnt talking much.
We are having some long days. Not so much in hours as in stress levels. There have recently been some changes to the laws and there are requests for paperwork that we are trying to obtain in order to get a court date. There are several families over here right now and one had already gone to court and was on thier 10th day and 23rd hour after court and ready to leave for home when the adoption was protested by the prosecutor, plus the other 2 couples that had court date for Thurs and Friday of this week were cancelled and they will give no more court dates until we meet these requirements. Galya, Oksanna and SDA are all trying to figure it out but it seems like a dead end everywhere we turn. The other 3 families are leaving this week but they have a different facilitator who has advised them to do this. With hopes of coming back in the next 20 days or so. The word is SDA will have a plan by Friday so at that time we will decide who is coming home or if there will be a quick court date since our 10 days before court will be already served. I just dont know...
Then to make a bad day worse....we had to tell Madison's sister this morning our decision about her adoption. We wanted to do it away from Madison but by the time we got done at the court house she was already with Madison at the orphanage. We know it was the right decision but it is so hard to disappoint and hurt children who have had a lifetime of disappointment. Madison cried and that was heart wrenching to us. She just laid her little head on her sisters back and they cried and we cried and nothing we said right then sounded like a good enough excuse to hurt these children. Again we were and are at peace with our decision it was still hard and depressing. So now that we have brought everyone down I will sign off.
Please keep praying and emails and comment make days like this alittle more bearable.
Love
Donna and Jeff
I guess I will do the blog today since neither of us feels up to it. So bear with me if it is not upbeat as usual. Jeff is having a really rough day and has already laid down for the evening...he said he was not tired but he isnt talking much.
We are having some long days. Not so much in hours as in stress levels. There have recently been some changes to the laws and there are requests for paperwork that we are trying to obtain in order to get a court date. There are several families over here right now and one had already gone to court and was on thier 10th day and 23rd hour after court and ready to leave for home when the adoption was protested by the prosecutor, plus the other 2 couples that had court date for Thurs and Friday of this week were cancelled and they will give no more court dates until we meet these requirements. Galya, Oksanna and SDA are all trying to figure it out but it seems like a dead end everywhere we turn. The other 3 families are leaving this week but they have a different facilitator who has advised them to do this. With hopes of coming back in the next 20 days or so. The word is SDA will have a plan by Friday so at that time we will decide who is coming home or if there will be a quick court date since our 10 days before court will be already served. I just dont know...
Then to make a bad day worse....we had to tell Madison's sister this morning our decision about her adoption. We wanted to do it away from Madison but by the time we got done at the court house she was already with Madison at the orphanage. We know it was the right decision but it is so hard to disappoint and hurt children who have had a lifetime of disappointment. Madison cried and that was heart wrenching to us. She just laid her little head on her sisters back and they cried and we cried and nothing we said right then sounded like a good enough excuse to hurt these children. Again we were and are at peace with our decision it was still hard and depressing. So now that we have brought everyone down I will sign off.
Please keep praying and emails and comment make days like this alittle more bearable.
Love
Donna and Jeff
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday July 27
Well its been another wild day of running all over. We have been to every corner of this town trying to get our paperwork finalized. Still no court date. Oksana & Galya are working their tail off trying to get all this worked out. If there were two people who can get it done I know they will. We need lots of pryers for us, Oksanna, Galya, and Nina (Madison). Donna needs extra she has been BAD lately.HAHA Madison rode her first escalater today and her eyes got real big, she liked it once we got off. Well its been a rough one and maybe there will be more and better news tomorrow. The good news is it has finally cooled off the bad news is when Donna was doing her last minute packing and unpacking at the airport in front of the whole world the jeans got left at home. Good night and God Bless
Love
Jeff & Donna
Love
Jeff & Donna
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday July 26 Relaxing Sunday in Ukraine
Hi all,
Well I had some bad dreams last night I guess in the back of my mind i was worrying if after Madison slept on the news about her sister would she still greet us like always. So we had a cab come and get us this morning so Oksanna could have a day off. She deserves it. We arrived at the orphanage at about 10:30 and went inside to check her out. One of the children went upstairs to get her and she came running down ready to go and ran up to Jeff and gave him his usual morning hug and mine followed. We called Oksanna to tell her we were going to the open market to shop for dinner and then we were spending the day at the apartment. The market is CRAZY on Sundays. Jeff had his first experience at almost getting pic pocketed. We were buying a magazine that Madison picked out and he said he felt the cellphone being taken out of his back pocket, he swung his elbow and hit this old lady that had her hand in his pants. She was not happy and even though we couldnt understand the cursing in Russian we are sure that is what was being said and she was ticked off and Madison's eyes were big. Madison was not impressed with the crowd at the market and just picked a magazine and a pair of earrings and was ready to go home. We walked home and she sat down and started reading ( as usual) her magazine. Then we worked on the computer a little and she decided she wanted a shower and for me to fix her hair. So she went into her room and picked a new complete outfit and to the bathroom she went. Well any of you that know Zach knows how he loves his bath time....competion has arrived. The water ran for atleast 20-25 minutes before the princess emerged. Then I introduced the hair dryer to her and she acted as though she had never seen one and asked me to do it. After the girlie stuff she was ready to watch a movie and eat some of her dad's lunch he prepared. She loves pasta and dad's cooking. I asked her if she liked to cook and she is my daughter. She snarled her nose. HA. We took her how to play UNO and she likes it. We had to have her back at 1800 so we decided we would go get a pizza before the cab arrived and we typed out on the computer and had it translated what kind of salad we wanted. When we arrived at the restaurant she grabbed the menu and started looking at it. Jeff made his fingers in the motion of typing and said " Remember we typed it at home" and she said " I DONT KNOW" LOL our first experience with a pre teen attitude. We shut up and let her order our dinner and we got Pizza with shrimp, fish and mussels on it and you better believe we ate it with the fear of backlash if we didnt. No joke it was good but it cracked us up. She definetly knows English if she wants to. She asked yesterday if she could have cookies to keep under her pillow because at night before bed she and her friends sit and talk and they would like something to snack on. So we let her pick out some at the store. When we got her back to the orphanage she gave us our usual hugs and kisses and her and her midnight snack disappeared to go hide them. We decided we would walk back to the apartment approx 2.5 -3 miles as the day ended up being very nice temperature wise. It was nice except the mussels, shrimp and fish pizza made the nice stroll a gallop for 2.3 miles. LOL...we made it though with no mishaps. Hope all is well and we love the comments and emails so please keep it up it is nice to have that connection to home. We are very blessed to have this experience and opportunity to be where we are at and to have people at home helping us take care of our love ones there. We miss you all and cant wait to bring this special little girl home. She is amazing. God has truly blessed us so many times in the last 20 years.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Well I had some bad dreams last night I guess in the back of my mind i was worrying if after Madison slept on the news about her sister would she still greet us like always. So we had a cab come and get us this morning so Oksanna could have a day off. She deserves it. We arrived at the orphanage at about 10:30 and went inside to check her out. One of the children went upstairs to get her and she came running down ready to go and ran up to Jeff and gave him his usual morning hug and mine followed. We called Oksanna to tell her we were going to the open market to shop for dinner and then we were spending the day at the apartment. The market is CRAZY on Sundays. Jeff had his first experience at almost getting pic pocketed. We were buying a magazine that Madison picked out and he said he felt the cellphone being taken out of his back pocket, he swung his elbow and hit this old lady that had her hand in his pants. She was not happy and even though we couldnt understand the cursing in Russian we are sure that is what was being said and she was ticked off and Madison's eyes were big. Madison was not impressed with the crowd at the market and just picked a magazine and a pair of earrings and was ready to go home. We walked home and she sat down and started reading ( as usual) her magazine. Then we worked on the computer a little and she decided she wanted a shower and for me to fix her hair. So she went into her room and picked a new complete outfit and to the bathroom she went. Well any of you that know Zach knows how he loves his bath time....competion has arrived. The water ran for atleast 20-25 minutes before the princess emerged. Then I introduced the hair dryer to her and she acted as though she had never seen one and asked me to do it. After the girlie stuff she was ready to watch a movie and eat some of her dad's lunch he prepared. She loves pasta and dad's cooking. I asked her if she liked to cook and she is my daughter. She snarled her nose. HA. We took her how to play UNO and she likes it. We had to have her back at 1800 so we decided we would go get a pizza before the cab arrived and we typed out on the computer and had it translated what kind of salad we wanted. When we arrived at the restaurant she grabbed the menu and started looking at it. Jeff made his fingers in the motion of typing and said " Remember we typed it at home" and she said " I DONT KNOW" LOL our first experience with a pre teen attitude. We shut up and let her order our dinner and we got Pizza with shrimp, fish and mussels on it and you better believe we ate it with the fear of backlash if we didnt. No joke it was good but it cracked us up. She definetly knows English if she wants to. She asked yesterday if she could have cookies to keep under her pillow because at night before bed she and her friends sit and talk and they would like something to snack on. So we let her pick out some at the store. When we got her back to the orphanage she gave us our usual hugs and kisses and her and her midnight snack disappeared to go hide them. We decided we would walk back to the apartment approx 2.5 -3 miles as the day ended up being very nice temperature wise. It was nice except the mussels, shrimp and fish pizza made the nice stroll a gallop for 2.3 miles. LOL...we made it though with no mishaps. Hope all is well and we love the comments and emails so please keep it up it is nice to have that connection to home. We are very blessed to have this experience and opportunity to be where we are at and to have people at home helping us take care of our love ones there. We miss you all and cant wait to bring this special little girl home. She is amazing. God has truly blessed us so many times in the last 20 years.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday July 25 Invitation for dinner ( Ukrainian Style)
Hi everyone,
We started the day off by going to the orphanage to see if we can have Madison. The lady was nice enough to go ahead and tell us today that we can have her today and tomorrow all day. We were then invited to dinner at a friends and her husbands house Ukranian Style. We had the best stuffed peppers I have ever tasted and pork over open fire, with grilled veggies and salad..It was awesome. We sat around and talked and ate until it was time to have her back at 1800. We got her back and checked her in and now we are going to try to watch a movie again tonight but as full as our bellies are it could be a 3 part series. LOL.
We found out how strong Madison is today when we had to have our first serious talk with her. Throughout this process we have met and spent time with Madison's sister. She wanted to be adopted and we actually started the process but along the way we ran into obstacles that even through prayer we couldnt overcome. We had to tell her today that we had decided not to adopt her sister and it just about killed us and Oksanna but Madison understood and said nothing has changed for her and she stilled wanted to be our daughter. I hope after she goes to bed and thinks about it she will still feel this way but it is the best decision for us, our family and as her parents the best decision for Madison. We prayed alot and didnt sleep much but we are at peace with our decision. She is a tough little cookie and more mature than most 16-17 year olds I know. I guess she has had to be and thats ok because with the right tools and lots of love she will go far in life. In 2 days she has read over 264 pages in her 2nd book and she probably hasnt had more than 6 hours alone to do that all together. Tomorrow we are letting her choose if she wants to go to the zoo in Yalta or the beach but I think she is leaning toward the beach ....it is her age... Hope all is well and thanks for following along on the roller coaster of emotions.
Love
Jeff and Donna
We started the day off by going to the orphanage to see if we can have Madison. The lady was nice enough to go ahead and tell us today that we can have her today and tomorrow all day. We were then invited to dinner at a friends and her husbands house Ukranian Style. We had the best stuffed peppers I have ever tasted and pork over open fire, with grilled veggies and salad..It was awesome. We sat around and talked and ate until it was time to have her back at 1800. We got her back and checked her in and now we are going to try to watch a movie again tonight but as full as our bellies are it could be a 3 part series. LOL.
We found out how strong Madison is today when we had to have our first serious talk with her. Throughout this process we have met and spent time with Madison's sister. She wanted to be adopted and we actually started the process but along the way we ran into obstacles that even through prayer we couldnt overcome. We had to tell her today that we had decided not to adopt her sister and it just about killed us and Oksanna but Madison understood and said nothing has changed for her and she stilled wanted to be our daughter. I hope after she goes to bed and thinks about it she will still feel this way but it is the best decision for us, our family and as her parents the best decision for Madison. We prayed alot and didnt sleep much but we are at peace with our decision. She is a tough little cookie and more mature than most 16-17 year olds I know. I guess she has had to be and thats ok because with the right tools and lots of love she will go far in life. In 2 days she has read over 264 pages in her 2nd book and she probably hasnt had more than 6 hours alone to do that all together. Tomorrow we are letting her choose if she wants to go to the zoo in Yalta or the beach but I think she is leaning toward the beach ....it is her age... Hope all is well and thanks for following along on the roller coaster of emotions.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Friday, July 24, 2009
Friday July 24 Another good day
Hi,
Still no court date. We didnt get the paperwork we needed today but we will Monday. We went to the hospital to pick Madison up today and found out they released her to the orphanage. She has had a sinus infection and evidentally that will buy you hospital stay..anyway we went to ask if we could have her again today and we were told yes as long as we have her back by 1830. So we came back to the apartment and watched movies and folded laundry and then Jeff made us lunch and served it to us as we watched TV. He is a great husband/dad. She also loved his pasta salad she had 2 servings. She also got to talk to Luda today on the phone and she just chatted away. We introduced her to the computer and she loved it. She typed all of our names, address and other words. Its good for her to keep the alphabets familiar. Each day is getting easier and easier with our language barrier and her being comfortable with us. She has always been comfortable but now you can tell she feels more comfortable around us and her surroundings. The hardest part of the day is when we have to take her back. We wish she could stay with us all the time. Nothing planned for the weekend, except to hopefully get her each day but you never know who will be working at the orphanage, they all seem to have their own rules on visitation. But we will pray.. She said she is almost done with one of the books we gave her yesterday. She loves to read. Jeff had an opportunity to go fishing on the Sea but turned it down because he would rather spend his time visiting with this little girl who has stole his heart. He said he would love to just squeeze her...but I am sure that would freak her out..ha...so he has to squeeze me...Ok thats all today....Hope all is well
Love
Jeff and Donna
Still no court date. We didnt get the paperwork we needed today but we will Monday. We went to the hospital to pick Madison up today and found out they released her to the orphanage. She has had a sinus infection and evidentally that will buy you hospital stay..anyway we went to ask if we could have her again today and we were told yes as long as we have her back by 1830. So we came back to the apartment and watched movies and folded laundry and then Jeff made us lunch and served it to us as we watched TV. He is a great husband/dad. She also loved his pasta salad she had 2 servings. She also got to talk to Luda today on the phone and she just chatted away. We introduced her to the computer and she loved it. She typed all of our names, address and other words. Its good for her to keep the alphabets familiar. Each day is getting easier and easier with our language barrier and her being comfortable with us. She has always been comfortable but now you can tell she feels more comfortable around us and her surroundings. The hardest part of the day is when we have to take her back. We wish she could stay with us all the time. Nothing planned for the weekend, except to hopefully get her each day but you never know who will be working at the orphanage, they all seem to have their own rules on visitation. But we will pray.. She said she is almost done with one of the books we gave her yesterday. She loves to read. Jeff had an opportunity to go fishing on the Sea but turned it down because he would rather spend his time visiting with this little girl who has stole his heart. He said he would love to just squeeze her...but I am sure that would freak her out..ha...so he has to squeeze me...Ok thats all today....Hope all is well
Love
Jeff and Donna
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday July 23
Well today was our best day in close to a week, we did'nt run all over the country side. We went and got Madison at 11:00am and went to lunch, did a little shopping (The girl loves to read) bought her lots of books. Came back to the apartment and settled down for a movie and just relaxed all afternoon. We worked on flashcards and english. We got out all her new clothes we brought and she took all the tags off and folded them and put them away. She is very meticules about her stuff (which I Love). She watched Mama Mia and loved it, she likes to dance so it really captivated her.Donna and her did the girl things like fingernails and played with their hair and all the stuff girls do. She had to be back at six and thats no fun but we asked about tommorow already, so we have something to look forward to. The weather here is getting hotter by the day, it is going to be in the mid to upper nineties by saturday. If we can get Madison out for a longer day I think we are going to try the beach in Yalta, the beaches there are supposed to be great. We are finally in the stages of things were all you do is wait, which I,m not complaining.
We should know our court date very soon. I have a few new pictures I will post at the bottom of the blog.
Love
Jeff & Donna
We should know our court date very soon. I have a few new pictures I will post at the bottom of the blog.
Love
Jeff & Donna
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday July 22nd ...On the road again
Hi,
We started this morning like every other we head down to the market because Jeff has found this thing he likes for breakfast so as a creature of habit he wants it everyday. We got there this morning and guess what....they didnt have it so he had to try something different...he was reluctant and tried his best to point to the picture to find out why it wasnt there this morning but the girl just stared at us so he decided on the new one. LOL...We also bought the sandals for the boy. Jeff is excited to give them to him...We had to get back to the apartment to be picked up by our facilitator and our driver ( Jeff Gordan). We named him that for his unique driving skills....we headed to the notary to have some papers completed there and then off to the country again to try to get what we needed from the school and the HELPFUL man. The drive is beautiful and we got to take pics of this awesome site called BIG CLIFF. We stopped because Jeff Gordan was driving at the speed of light and we hit a bump and our heads almost hit the roof of the car ( good shocks or bad roads) and we heard this pop and we broke a spring in the passenger rear wheel..That made the ride much better LOL. Anyway we made it there at 1155 and we didnt leave until 530. It is a long day just waiting for everyone to do what needs to be done. We headed back to the orphanage and when we got there Madison was at the hospital already. She spends her time reading. She completed the book and started another one. I asked her if she ate today and she responded "DAH" (yes). I asked her if she wanted me to take her new outfit and wash it for her and she said she already washed it herself. That impressed Jeff. We told her we would be there tomorrow early and maybe we could bring her back to the apartment she said ok. She also said bye mom and papa in English. It is supposed to get very hot the next few days...we are not looking forward to that but thats life. We had the driver drop us off at the supermarket and we bought some eggplant and squash and came home and made a little dish we were served the other night and it was delicious. Then started watch a movie...ofcourse we fell asleep but the good thing is these movies will last us forever because it takes us 3 days to get through 1. The phone rang at 315 and it was Zach he just wanted to tell us about his day so that is why I am up at this time of the morning...they havent gotten used to the difference in time zones....the disadvantage is as thier mother I answer when they call me thinking something could be wrong...when I call them early...they ignore me...ha....so I am going to try to lay back down before the sun comes up.
Love
Jeff and Donna
We started this morning like every other we head down to the market because Jeff has found this thing he likes for breakfast so as a creature of habit he wants it everyday. We got there this morning and guess what....they didnt have it so he had to try something different...he was reluctant and tried his best to point to the picture to find out why it wasnt there this morning but the girl just stared at us so he decided on the new one. LOL...We also bought the sandals for the boy. Jeff is excited to give them to him...We had to get back to the apartment to be picked up by our facilitator and our driver ( Jeff Gordan). We named him that for his unique driving skills....we headed to the notary to have some papers completed there and then off to the country again to try to get what we needed from the school and the HELPFUL man. The drive is beautiful and we got to take pics of this awesome site called BIG CLIFF. We stopped because Jeff Gordan was driving at the speed of light and we hit a bump and our heads almost hit the roof of the car ( good shocks or bad roads) and we heard this pop and we broke a spring in the passenger rear wheel..That made the ride much better LOL. Anyway we made it there at 1155 and we didnt leave until 530. It is a long day just waiting for everyone to do what needs to be done. We headed back to the orphanage and when we got there Madison was at the hospital already. She spends her time reading. She completed the book and started another one. I asked her if she ate today and she responded "DAH" (yes). I asked her if she wanted me to take her new outfit and wash it for her and she said she already washed it herself. That impressed Jeff. We told her we would be there tomorrow early and maybe we could bring her back to the apartment she said ok. She also said bye mom and papa in English. It is supposed to get very hot the next few days...we are not looking forward to that but thats life. We had the driver drop us off at the supermarket and we bought some eggplant and squash and came home and made a little dish we were served the other night and it was delicious. Then started watch a movie...ofcourse we fell asleep but the good thing is these movies will last us forever because it takes us 3 days to get through 1. The phone rang at 315 and it was Zach he just wanted to tell us about his day so that is why I am up at this time of the morning...they havent gotten used to the difference in time zones....the disadvantage is as thier mother I answer when they call me thinking something could be wrong...when I call them early...they ignore me...ha....so I am going to try to lay back down before the sun comes up.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Tuesday July 21, 2009 Happy bday Zach
Hi,
We started our day off bright and early. Today was hard because it is Zach's 17 bday and we have never missed one. He is ok and understands but it is hard on dad and I. We have managed to make the other 16. Our family and his brothers spent the evening with him and we left a card for him for Trevor to give him, thats the best we can do. We will celebrate when we get back. We had to go pick up Madison's sister and then head to the town she is in school in that is 100KM away. The roads here are crazy..they beat you to death or not good shocks on the cars...or both ...I really cant decide. Anyway we had to go to the inspector there and she sent us to the school and the principal there is old school and believes no one should leave the country, so he was very difficult and sent us back empty handed. So pretty much we got nothing accomplished after a whole day of trying. We didnt get back to the orphanage to see Madison until late but we were able to take her to dinner before she had to be back at 730. We make sure we are punctional so we can hopefully have her for extended period of time soon with her. When we go eat she always gets a salad of some kind and eats it all. Jeff has made friends with a little boy who broke his sunglasses and spent a hour trying to find a little screw on the ground...finally Jeff told him if he could have the glasses. I saw Jeff putting his foot up beside the boys foot and asked me what size I thought it was. So we discussed it and Jeff said he was going to buy him a pair of sandals because there were holes in the soles of the heel and ball of the foot plus his toes were hanging off the end. We left and came back to the apartment and took showers and watched a movie. We have been trying to watch the same movie for many consecutive nights but we are so exhausted from the day we just fall asleep...UNTIL the dogs start barking...they are awful...I almost stood at the window the other night at 3 am and screamed at them but then I realized they wouldnt understand me but all our neighbors would know it was me because we are the only Americans in a 100 sq mile radius. So I just put the pillow over my head and went back to sleep until 5 when the sun is up and shining in the window...ha...thats all my complaining and it dont matter what elements we have to deal with....she is worth it.
Love
Jeff and Donna
We started our day off bright and early. Today was hard because it is Zach's 17 bday and we have never missed one. He is ok and understands but it is hard on dad and I. We have managed to make the other 16. Our family and his brothers spent the evening with him and we left a card for him for Trevor to give him, thats the best we can do. We will celebrate when we get back. We had to go pick up Madison's sister and then head to the town she is in school in that is 100KM away. The roads here are crazy..they beat you to death or not good shocks on the cars...or both ...I really cant decide. Anyway we had to go to the inspector there and she sent us to the school and the principal there is old school and believes no one should leave the country, so he was very difficult and sent us back empty handed. So pretty much we got nothing accomplished after a whole day of trying. We didnt get back to the orphanage to see Madison until late but we were able to take her to dinner before she had to be back at 730. We make sure we are punctional so we can hopefully have her for extended period of time soon with her. When we go eat she always gets a salad of some kind and eats it all. Jeff has made friends with a little boy who broke his sunglasses and spent a hour trying to find a little screw on the ground...finally Jeff told him if he could have the glasses. I saw Jeff putting his foot up beside the boys foot and asked me what size I thought it was. So we discussed it and Jeff said he was going to buy him a pair of sandals because there were holes in the soles of the heel and ball of the foot plus his toes were hanging off the end. We left and came back to the apartment and took showers and watched a movie. We have been trying to watch the same movie for many consecutive nights but we are so exhausted from the day we just fall asleep...UNTIL the dogs start barking...they are awful...I almost stood at the window the other night at 3 am and screamed at them but then I realized they wouldnt understand me but all our neighbors would know it was me because we are the only Americans in a 100 sq mile radius. So I just put the pillow over my head and went back to sleep until 5 when the sun is up and shining in the window...ha...thats all my complaining and it dont matter what elements we have to deal with....she is worth it.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday continued
Well we have had a great day....we were picked up at the apartment and we went to see Madison...(thats real weird for us) when we got their we were allowed to take her with us till 730 so we got about 3 hours with her. We took her to eat and we have no idea what we are ordering or her but it turned out when it came out her and Jeff got the same thing...some salad with a bunch of seafood with heads on them and she ATE it all...it was cute....then we ordered ice cream and just sat outside...then we played tic tac toe....Jeff is a sap, me not so much...I have to remeber to not be so competitive....anyway that was fun..then we had work to do so we took her with us and then we brought her to the apartment to show her the goodies we brought and she picked out an outfit to wear back and I told her I would wash her clothes and we could exchange tomorrow. She was asked about what she is doing in her spare time she said she is reading a book called Blessed Saviour. She says she know much about Orthodox church but nothing about Catholic...She chooses to go to church every Sunday and enjoys it..We showed her the blog and she responded to Luda's comment and then we told her bye and she gave us huge hugs and kisses and she left a happy little girl.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Love
Jeff and Donna
From Madison ( Nina)
Hi Madison is at the apartment and she is going to say something: Luda wrote Nina a letter and she is responding....on the blog
Luda thank you for writing me the note. I am doing fine. I also hope to see you soon. I want to say my parents are very good.
Love
Madison ( Nina)
Luda thank you for writing me the note. I am doing fine. I also hope to see you soon. I want to say my parents are very good.
Love
Madison ( Nina)
Sunday July 19th
Hi,
It is so hot today...the worse yet...we were picked up by the driver and taken to the orphanage to see Nina. We got there and had about an hour and a half before she returns to have lunch. We brought a puzzle and we all laid on the blanket and worked it...she is so smart...she also told me her A B C's and 1,2,3's in English along with colors in English and the appropriate color for each one. She also picked her name...Nina Madison Dziedzic. She wants to be called Madison...so get used to it...we cant its hard...she has been our Nina for so long....she is so pretty and she is very proper and has an athletic build about her. She has a bright smile but a certain shyness about her still...she always greets us and tells us bye with a huge hug and kiss....When she left for lunch we also took a lunch break and Aloyna helped us with the menu and get on the bus to get back. Galya arrived at the train station sunburnt but pretty and her and Jeff went to the transition home as Aloyna and I waited for Nina to visit with her. When Jeff and Galya returned the caretakers said we could have Nina for 2 hours so we took them to dinner and then Galya had to be at the train station to head back to Kiev. We walked Nina back said goodbye to her and Aloyna then headed to the apartment. With still no INTERNET....but we could see a soccer game from our apartment so that wasnt to bad....
Love
Jeff and Donna
It is so hot today...the worse yet...we were picked up by the driver and taken to the orphanage to see Nina. We got there and had about an hour and a half before she returns to have lunch. We brought a puzzle and we all laid on the blanket and worked it...she is so smart...she also told me her A B C's and 1,2,3's in English along with colors in English and the appropriate color for each one. She also picked her name...Nina Madison Dziedzic. She wants to be called Madison...so get used to it...we cant its hard...she has been our Nina for so long....she is so pretty and she is very proper and has an athletic build about her. She has a bright smile but a certain shyness about her still...she always greets us and tells us bye with a huge hug and kiss....When she left for lunch we also took a lunch break and Aloyna helped us with the menu and get on the bus to get back. Galya arrived at the train station sunburnt but pretty and her and Jeff went to the transition home as Aloyna and I waited for Nina to visit with her. When Jeff and Galya returned the caretakers said we could have Nina for 2 hours so we took them to dinner and then Galya had to be at the train station to head back to Kiev. We walked Nina back said goodbye to her and Aloyna then headed to the apartment. With still no INTERNET....but we could see a soccer game from our apartment so that wasnt to bad....
Love
Jeff and Donna
Saturday July 18th
Hi,
We started our morning off at the market to pick up candy, chocolate and drinks for the kids at the orphange. They just huddle around when new people come all eager to see what you have brought. We got there and Nina passed it all out for them and then we were granted permission to take Nina for 1 1/2 hours to the park across the street. We brought a blanket and computer and sat and showed her pic's of our family and friends and dogs and cars and vacations. Then she discovered how to take pictures and she loved that. She also loves pringles...We had to have back at 12:30 and she wouldnt return to the orphanage till Sunday and we were invited by friends we have met to have dinner at their summer home. So we went...we also invited Aloyna (Nina's sister). The meal was wonderful it was traditional Ukrainan meal which consisted of all fresh veggies, meats and fellowship. It was a very relaxing evening we ate dinner under grapevines in the garden and you couldn't tell it was 90 degrees. We left and took Aloyna home and went back to the apartment and crashed as we had no INTERNET still. The internet is a vital link to our family and friends and it is no fun without it.
Love
Jeff and Donna
We started our morning off at the market to pick up candy, chocolate and drinks for the kids at the orphange. They just huddle around when new people come all eager to see what you have brought. We got there and Nina passed it all out for them and then we were granted permission to take Nina for 1 1/2 hours to the park across the street. We brought a blanket and computer and sat and showed her pic's of our family and friends and dogs and cars and vacations. Then she discovered how to take pictures and she loved that. She also loves pringles...We had to have back at 12:30 and she wouldnt return to the orphanage till Sunday and we were invited by friends we have met to have dinner at their summer home. So we went...we also invited Aloyna (Nina's sister). The meal was wonderful it was traditional Ukrainan meal which consisted of all fresh veggies, meats and fellowship. It was a very relaxing evening we ate dinner under grapevines in the garden and you couldn't tell it was 90 degrees. We left and took Aloyna home and went back to the apartment and crashed as we had no INTERNET still. The internet is a vital link to our family and friends and it is no fun without it.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Friday July 17
As we pulled up to the orphanage Nina was coming across the road from the hospital. She recognized our car and started running up the long driveway. We had a suprise we had asked her sister to join us to see her. She was so suprised as it has been a couple of months since she last seen her. She gave us a big hug and Jeff went and got us all McDonalds to eat. We had to wait for the inspector to come to the orphanage to meet with us and the girls about the adoption. She asked a few questions and then gave us her approval to proceed with the petition for adoption. We then told Nina bye and had to go to do more paperwork. Overall it was a very good day.
Love Jeff and Donna
Love Jeff and Donna
Thursday July 16, 2009
Hi everyone,
We apologize for the delay in posting we lost internet Friday and just got it back today...and if anyone thinks it is hard to deal with insight try having no internet in the Ukraine and cant speak the language...AGHHH..
So Thursday started out slow we waited till 1pm and then we heard from our facilitator and she said we had to go to the town which Nina was born in order to do a seperation from her siblings as the brothers ran away from the orphanage and we now dont have their signatures. She also informed us that Nina's sister called her the night before and wanted to make certain she did her part on Nina's adoption to ensure her a better life. So we have been traveling from town to town getting the paperwork we need for the seperation.
We didnt get to see Nina on Thursday because they did not get back in town from camp until late but we were there first thing Friday morning.
We apologize for the delay in posting we lost internet Friday and just got it back today...and if anyone thinks it is hard to deal with insight try having no internet in the Ukraine and cant speak the language...AGHHH..
So Thursday started out slow we waited till 1pm and then we heard from our facilitator and she said we had to go to the town which Nina was born in order to do a seperation from her siblings as the brothers ran away from the orphanage and we now dont have their signatures. She also informed us that Nina's sister called her the night before and wanted to make certain she did her part on Nina's adoption to ensure her a better life. So we have been traveling from town to town getting the paperwork we need for the seperation.
We didnt get to see Nina on Thursday because they did not get back in town from camp until late but we were there first thing Friday morning.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The BIG Day
Hi everyone,
Sorry it has been a few days we just got internet in our apartment. Which I must say is nice. We have 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath with cable and internet.
So since we last posted I will pick up with leaving Kiev and heading to Simferopol. We decided to take the train and I must say it was great. We boarded the train at 8:41pm We did do first class so we didnt have to share with anyone and it was only a few dollars more. It was airconditioned and I actually got cold but we slept very well as it rained the whole way down. Galya was in the cabin next to us and she actually got to share with a Ukrainian opera singer who signed her latest CD. They had nice conversation and I think it made her trip nice.
We arrived in Simferopol at 11:30 am the next day. We were met by Oksanna (very sweet). She hurried us to the taxi as we only had 30 minutes to get to the inspectors office to meet with her before she headed to court. We made it. We met with her and she asked us questions about our marriage, family and occupation and then she gave us our referal to go see the director of the orphanage. We also had to hurry there as the director was leaving at 1:30 for the day. We made it there and she spoke to us for about 30 minutes and confirmed to us that Nina is a very good girl and wonderul, obiendent child and good student. She said she has wanted her to have a family for a long time she deserves it. The director then gave us permission to travel to summer camp to see her. This is 1 1/2 hours down the road. We grabbed a lunch to go and off we went.
The trip down to the Black Sea was beautiful and the roads were lined with orchards, vineards, mountains and large fields of sunflowers. ( Occasional stray cow that unfortuantely on the way back was being skinned on the side of the road. Didnt make across).
As we pulled up to the camp we were greeted by many curious children asking who we were there to see. It turns out Nina was at the beach already. So we followed a group of children and counselor to the beach. Some must have ran ahead because as we parked the car we saw this group of children pointing at us and this beautiful blonde hair little girl watching. When we got our of the cab she came right over to us and gave both of us warm, strong and loving hugs. She is as sweet as we thought she would be. I truly believe I saw Jeff's heart melt right there on the beach. We took a walk on the beach with her and bought her a popcicle. It was awesome we asked her questions about her favorites and she now has the job of picking her middle name as we have to have that for Friday. We had to leave but before we did we took some pictures and told her we would be in Simferopol waiting when she gets back on Thursday and she said. OK.
Sorry it has been a few days we just got internet in our apartment. Which I must say is nice. We have 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath with cable and internet.
So since we last posted I will pick up with leaving Kiev and heading to Simferopol. We decided to take the train and I must say it was great. We boarded the train at 8:41pm We did do first class so we didnt have to share with anyone and it was only a few dollars more. It was airconditioned and I actually got cold but we slept very well as it rained the whole way down. Galya was in the cabin next to us and she actually got to share with a Ukrainian opera singer who signed her latest CD. They had nice conversation and I think it made her trip nice.
We arrived in Simferopol at 11:30 am the next day. We were met by Oksanna (very sweet). She hurried us to the taxi as we only had 30 minutes to get to the inspectors office to meet with her before she headed to court. We made it. We met with her and she asked us questions about our marriage, family and occupation and then she gave us our referal to go see the director of the orphanage. We also had to hurry there as the director was leaving at 1:30 for the day. We made it there and she spoke to us for about 30 minutes and confirmed to us that Nina is a very good girl and wonderul, obiendent child and good student. She said she has wanted her to have a family for a long time she deserves it. The director then gave us permission to travel to summer camp to see her. This is 1 1/2 hours down the road. We grabbed a lunch to go and off we went.
The trip down to the Black Sea was beautiful and the roads were lined with orchards, vineards, mountains and large fields of sunflowers. ( Occasional stray cow that unfortuantely on the way back was being skinned on the side of the road. Didnt make across).
As we pulled up to the camp we were greeted by many curious children asking who we were there to see. It turns out Nina was at the beach already. So we followed a group of children and counselor to the beach. Some must have ran ahead because as we parked the car we saw this group of children pointing at us and this beautiful blonde hair little girl watching. When we got our of the cab she came right over to us and gave both of us warm, strong and loving hugs. She is as sweet as we thought she would be. I truly believe I saw Jeff's heart melt right there on the beach. We took a walk on the beach with her and bought her a popcicle. It was awesome we asked her questions about her favorites and she now has the job of picking her middle name as we have to have that for Friday. We had to leave but before we did we took some pictures and told her we would be in Simferopol waiting when she gets back on Thursday and she said. OK.
At the very bottom of the page is a couple of pictures from the beach.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Monday, July 13, 2009
SDA Appointment
Well we made it through our interview this morning all went very good , just waiting to hear when we will get our paperwork to travel south. I have adjusted to the time change so far but Donna still struggles a little. The weather is very nice, the city of Kiev is beautiful! The subway is quite a experience. For those of you who know Galya she is doing fine and we are really enjoying our time with her. We will try to update later today on our travels.
Love Jeff & Donna
Love Jeff & Donna
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Arrival in Ukraine
Hi everyone,
Well its been a long 2 days...We finally got our bags at the right weight limit in Louisville and the rest of the trip went very smoothly. No delays or missed flights. We sat together on all legs except the last where we were seperated from Paris to Kiev. Wow the airport in Kiev was not what I expected and the passport line took right about 1 hour but Galya was waiting for us as soon as we got our bags. We have a very nice flat close to the market and today we have found a mall that has a very nice coffee shop that we can use the internet and eat Cheesecake... We have found the people to be nice and very helpful as we try to speak their language. I think it is the uncertainy of punciation that makes it awkward to try. We slept alot today to try to get caught up and we are going to church tomorrow and sight seeing. It is very different to not be able to speak on the phone. We have watched to movies and the only English on TV in BBC and Discovery channel..which Jeff enjoys..I fell (imagine that) very typical of me on vacation I must always injure myself this time it was my buttocks. ha. We went to market and managed to buy fruits, beef, veggies and coke. We will post again tomorrow now that we have found internet.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Well its been a long 2 days...We finally got our bags at the right weight limit in Louisville and the rest of the trip went very smoothly. No delays or missed flights. We sat together on all legs except the last where we were seperated from Paris to Kiev. Wow the airport in Kiev was not what I expected and the passport line took right about 1 hour but Galya was waiting for us as soon as we got our bags. We have a very nice flat close to the market and today we have found a mall that has a very nice coffee shop that we can use the internet and eat Cheesecake... We have found the people to be nice and very helpful as we try to speak their language. I think it is the uncertainy of punciation that makes it awkward to try. We slept alot today to try to get caught up and we are going to church tomorrow and sight seeing. It is very different to not be able to speak on the phone. We have watched to movies and the only English on TV in BBC and Discovery channel..which Jeff enjoys..I fell (imagine that) very typical of me on vacation I must always injure myself this time it was my buttocks. ha. We went to market and managed to buy fruits, beef, veggies and coke. We will post again tomorrow now that we have found internet.
Love
Jeff and Donna
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Travel Day
Hi everyone,
Well we had planned on sleeping in and then just having a nice restful, relaxing day..ha...now let me tell you how it is really going to go...We finally went to sleep around 3:30 and up at 7. Jeff and the boys have some last minute yard and honey do's, I will be getting our sheets changed and bathroom clean for its new tendants, then it is off to the bank to sign Zach over to a few people (LOL), lunch with the kids downtown, see a couple of friends, hopefully my nails, back to the house to meet my parents to go with us to the airport, first flight at 548 into Atlanta, 840 PM into Paris at 1130 am...long night, then arrive in Kiev at 440 pm!!! We will be exhausted and stinky...Ok so thanks for the prayers and continue for us, Nina and the ones we are leaving here. I will post when we can
Love
Jeff and Donna
Well we had planned on sleeping in and then just having a nice restful, relaxing day..ha...now let me tell you how it is really going to go...We finally went to sleep around 3:30 and up at 7. Jeff and the boys have some last minute yard and honey do's, I will be getting our sheets changed and bathroom clean for its new tendants, then it is off to the bank to sign Zach over to a few people (LOL), lunch with the kids downtown, see a couple of friends, hopefully my nails, back to the house to meet my parents to go with us to the airport, first flight at 548 into Atlanta, 840 PM into Paris at 1130 am...long night, then arrive in Kiev at 440 pm!!! We will be exhausted and stinky...Ok so thanks for the prayers and continue for us, Nina and the ones we are leaving here. I will post when we can
Love
Jeff and Donna
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Need to Pack
Hi all,
Well I guess we should pack..........LOL...honestly it is like I have writers block..only travelers block..I pack every week and it takes me about 3.6 sec..now I just stare at the 2 huge bags and think I need to fit everything we own in here...then I also have to pack for alittle girl...thats a challenge in its self...with boys as long as they have underwear, t-shirts and shorts they are happy...I want to make sure I take her anything that she might need also...Jeff has is list looking good....he has to go to the dr today, bank and pay the rest of the bills. We have confinded the kids to us for the next 36 hours and they are good with that...My stomach feels upset this morning just nerves I guess....We plan on getting everything done today so we can just relax tomorrow. Josh and Allison got the results from all the tests on the baby and it is perfectly healthy so thats wonderful to hear....I find myself praying everytime I turn around I find/remember something/someone else that I need to ask God to take in his hands and give me peace..Will post again soon.
Donna
Well I guess we should pack..........LOL...honestly it is like I have writers block..only travelers block..I pack every week and it takes me about 3.6 sec..now I just stare at the 2 huge bags and think I need to fit everything we own in here...then I also have to pack for alittle girl...thats a challenge in its self...with boys as long as they have underwear, t-shirts and shorts they are happy...I want to make sure I take her anything that she might need also...Jeff has is list looking good....he has to go to the dr today, bank and pay the rest of the bills. We have confinded the kids to us for the next 36 hours and they are good with that...My stomach feels upset this morning just nerves I guess....We plan on getting everything done today so we can just relax tomorrow. Josh and Allison got the results from all the tests on the baby and it is perfectly healthy so thats wonderful to hear....I find myself praying everytime I turn around I find/remember something/someone else that I need to ask God to take in his hands and give me peace..Will post again soon.
Donna
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
2 Days before departure
It is early Tuesday morning and I didn't sleep well it seems like as soon as you get quiet your mind starts racing of the million things that need to be done or just the unknowns of the trip. I am struggling with leaving the kids even though I know between all our parents and Josh/Allison they will be probably better taken care of it is so hard to walk away from those you spend their whole life caring, nuturing, laughing, yelling and loving for. Anyway that is constantly in your thoughts. As far as packing...I am in Il so poor Jeff is running around like a chicken with his head cutoff trying to tie up the loose ends. But if you know my husband he will get his "honey do" list complete.
Love
Jeff and Donna
PS. Dont forget to sign up as a follower it makes us happy to see!!
Love
Jeff and Donna
PS. Dont forget to sign up as a follower it makes us happy to see!!
Monday, July 6, 2009
3 Days and Counting
OK,
So last night we had my parents, Joann and the kids over for dinner and to have a pow wow. I feel alot better about the plan...Josh and Allie will be at the house pretty much full time as Josh works at night and will be there in the day and Allie works during the day. Between mom, Joann and Karlen there is going to be atleast 5 dinners each evening for them. Thats more than they are used to now. The boys are so excited for us to get her they are finally full of questions now that we are leaving. When they seen her room after the shower Trevor said " this is so weird and exciting all this pink stuff it just isnt normal we have never had pink stuff", but they all went through everything she got and really took it all in...Jeff and I arent sleeping great as there are so many loose ends to tie up but we will get it done and then be able to relax and just enjoy this special time in our marriage and family. We want to focus everything on getting this done as fast as possible and getting home to our love ones and friends. Again thanks to everyone who joined us on Friday night it was truly a wonderful suprise and we wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Love to all
Jeff and Donna
So last night we had my parents, Joann and the kids over for dinner and to have a pow wow. I feel alot better about the plan...Josh and Allie will be at the house pretty much full time as Josh works at night and will be there in the day and Allie works during the day. Between mom, Joann and Karlen there is going to be atleast 5 dinners each evening for them. Thats more than they are used to now. The boys are so excited for us to get her they are finally full of questions now that we are leaving. When they seen her room after the shower Trevor said " this is so weird and exciting all this pink stuff it just isnt normal we have never had pink stuff", but they all went through everything she got and really took it all in...Jeff and I arent sleeping great as there are so many loose ends to tie up but we will get it done and then be able to relax and just enjoy this special time in our marriage and family. We want to focus everything on getting this done as fast as possible and getting home to our love ones and friends. Again thanks to everyone who joined us on Friday night it was truly a wonderful suprise and we wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Love to all
Jeff and Donna
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Well 4 days and counting until we leave!! We had a GREAT time at our surprise party Friday night , we really were surprised. Thank You MJ(mama Jo) & Marie for the party and everyone who worked on it, it was a blast. We will keep the blog updated as often as we can while gone.
Our biggest concern is leaving the boys and Allison behind, we have never been away from them
this long.Well I guess our next update will be Thursday before we leave.
Our biggest concern is leaving the boys and Allison behind, we have never been away from them
this long.Well I guess our next update will be Thursday before we leave.
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