Saturday, Day 37

Not much excitement today. Both Natalie and Benjamin are sick with a cold. This has slowed them down a little. We stayed in until around 1:00. We went to exchange money and walk to the bazaar. It was really hot today. All I have are long sleeve shirts and it was hot. The bazaar was a little walk from us. It is outside, so no relief from the heat. We picked up some tennis shoes for Natalie, as hers are worn out. Benjamin and Natalie also wanted a play telephone. Benjamin really likes his. Natalie wants a real one and I guess she thought it would substitute well. She thinks it's fun, but lost interest quickly. We walked to the market afterwards then came back home.

We spent the evening playing games, talking, eating and watching movies. Does this sound familiar? Everyday, I get the opportunity to get more information from Natalie about her and Benjamin's past. I am so thankful that she shares and look forward to when we can really communicate, so that I can get to know them more closely. All of our children are getting along pretty good. There is the occasional outburst, but all is good.

Jacob and Caleb found out today that they will make their Route 66 party on the first Sunday after we return and they are really psyched about it. This is a party at the end of the year held by our church's children's ministry. Any child who has said all 66 books of the bible may attend. They accomplished this last year, but are able to go again this year. It's alot of fun and they have been looking forward to it for some time now. So, I am glad they will not miss it. They had to miss Cub Scout camp and this was a real disappointment for them.

Benjamin and Natalie are excited about going home and talk about it often. What will we do there? When do we get there? Tell me about my room again? Can I get my hair cut there? Will we go shopping. Those last two are from Natalie, she is all girl. Today, she showed me all of her pink things and said she really likes pink. This is good, so do I. Her new shoes today were pink.

Zhenia says we should get our passports on Tuesday, then we will all head to Kiev. He said that Wednesday will be a very busy day. Please continue to pray that all gets done in Kiev to allow us to fly out on Thursday evening.

Home soon

The past few days have been busy. We have been learning more about our children- all of them. We see happiness, fears, joy, uncertainity, so many mixes of emotions. This is true of the parents, as well! We know we must lean on God alone, as He alone will equip us daily to parent our children.

Thursday, we went ice skating with friends and then to eat. It was a large group and alot of fun. In the evening, we played around at home. On Friday, we went to the Last Bell ceremony at the orphanage. This is the last day of school where everyone graduates to the next grade. It was an elaborate celebration and I am thankful I was able to watch. Afterwards, we spent a few hours at the amusement park with friends. It was alot of fun. The last few days have really helped with our homesickness and giving us that extra spark we needed to keep going.

We found out later in the day that our passports should be here on Tuesday. So, our plan is to travel to Kiev on Tuesday, finish up the rest of the paperwork and fly back home on Thursday. We will spend the night in the airport in Paris, but I am up for anything to get back home. Please pray that our paperwork in Kiev will be completed in one day, Wednesday.

Beautiful day

Today was the first day we had the kids all day. Last night, David brought Natalie and Benjamin home around 7:45. They were really wound up and were so excited to be here. We got so many hugs and kisses from them. I think Benjamin would have jumped around all night. Natalie had already brought her belongings throughout the week and Benjamin carried a small bag of clothes- most of them we bought for him earlier in the year. We all got baths and were in bed by 11:00. It took a while to get them to sleep, but after I laid down with them, out they went.

Today, we woke early and hung around the flat. Benjamin is running a small fever and has a cold. About 11:30, we went to sign papers at the passport office. This is the beginning of getting our passports. Next, off the play then to the market. Back to the flat. After a bit, Benjamin wanted to go to the internat to get the rest of his clothes. So we walked there. Most of his things were too small, so we left them, but he did bring home his backpack. We walked back to the flat. Had a quiet night and got the kids to sleep around 10:00.

Tomorrow, we are getting some documents scanned for the passports and should know a date to fly home so that we can start to plan our flight. Also hoping to connect with the Hall family, here to adopt, and our friend, Cathy.

Please pray that we will find out that our passports will be ready by the first of next week. Also, pray for our family's adjustment- especially Jacob and Caleb.

Paperwork update

David just called and they were able to get both sets of birth certificates and the tax papers today! Heading to pick up Natalie and Benjamin for good tonight.

Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Update- Day 33

Well, we have had some eventful times these last couple of days!

Yesterday, started great. I met our friend for a girl's breakfast at a wonderful cafe. It was a really nice time and a special treat! When I returned, we had our daily walk to the market. Then we went to the internat to pick the kids up. The kids and the guards know us now, so when we walk in we get alot of "hellos" which is nice. The kids always give us smiles and waves and will usually run to get Natalie. We picked them up and walked back to in flat. This is where ir gets interesting.

As David starts unlocking the door to the flat he realizes he can't open the lock. He tries for a while, then calls our trusty Zhenia. He calls the flat manager who comes out to check it out - 30 minutes later. The flat manager calls a lock-smith (he calls himself this, but we have our doubts). While the waiting around is going on, I walk all the kids to the market for a snack. When we return, David tells us he is leaving to get another key made and will be back in about 30 minutes. An hour later, no David. He calls and says it is taking longer than expected and he is not sure what we should do. It is now about 3 hours later. It is misting outside and cool. I tell him I am walking the kids to the market for some supper and ask him to call us a taxi. Then....my cell phone dies. Great!! So, I tell the kids we are going. You can imagine all of their attitudes at this time. Little Benjamin starts crying because he has not been inside yet and wants to know where Poppy is. I try to explain to him what is happening and Natalie helps me. We get to the market and I get Natalie and Benjamin some food and ask Caleb and Jacob to wait, as I am running out of money. I can't talk with David so I have no idea if he is calling a taxi. I decide not to chance it as it is getting close to the time I have to return them. So, we walk back. Halfway back, my cell phone rings!! It's David telling me he is on the way and I tell him I am walking them back...then it dies again.

I drop the kids off with lots of hugs, kisses and tell them I am sorry for the day. They have already been told we would not see them on Tues because of paper work. Benjamin is really sad and I feel so bad that they didn't get a real supper or get cleaned up! Me and the boys head back. When we return the flat, David is outside waiting on the locksmith. We are still locked out. The locksmith gets here and tries for about 30 minutes to get the door unlocked. Can't do it. He says he is going to cut the lock. He will be back in 5 minutes. So, an hour and half later he returns!!! We have been sitting in the hall, boys are starving and have to go to the bathroom. The door gets cut open and the lock comes off. It is now 9:00 and we get into the apt. The whole thing took 6 hours!!!! We then get the news that WE owe over 450 grievna for all of this and still owe more for a new lock that will be installed today. I really can't say anything nice about this news, so I will just move on from here.....

So...today (Tues) we went to an office to sign for new birth certificates for Natalie and Benjamin in Poltava and then David headed off with the internat lawyer to get another set in the region of their birth. We are praying that they are also able to get the tax papers they need. If so, we will be able to start processing the passports and looks like we can be home by the 5th!!! If they can't get the tax papers, it will be the first of the following week. Please pray that they will be able to get the needed tax papers today!!!

The best news is that we are moving Natalie and Benjamin in with us tonight once David returns. So, I am getting a few things ready and starting today, we will have all 4 of our children with us! Praise God!!!

Coming up on Day 10 of our wait!!

Today was a good day. Last night, Natalie and Benjamin spent the night with us. This morning, we got up, had some breakfast, got dressed and headed out about 10:00. We were picking Natalie's friend, N, up at the internat around 10:00. We could not locate a taxi driver, so we walked to the internat in hopes that we would have a driver to the mall. After picking up N, who was looking so cute, we headed out. Both girls were really excited about the planned day and I couldn't help but get emotional in the car ride over. We had talked with our friend, Cathy, earlier and she was meeting us at the mall with her friend and D. We did eventually get 2 taxis to take us to the mall. We met up with Cathy and her crew. It was so good to hear a southern accent!!! (She's from Kentucky)

We got all the kids set up to ice skate and we caught up with Cathy over some coffee and juice. The kids had so much fun skating together. D is pretty good at it and our 4 are getting better each time we go. Caleb now wants ice skating lessons "in case he is invited to an ice skating birthday party!" From there, we headed to the arcade for a little time on the games. All of the kids got along great and it was fun to watch them all interact.

After this we went to McDonalds for some food and ice cream. At this point, we split up. Cathy and her friend volunteered to take all the boys with them to the park and David and I took Natalie and N to our flat- which is where they wanted to go. At the flat, the girls took a bath, played outside a little, ate some snacks, watched the movie Spirit, and I painted their nails. N is really a sweet and quiet girl. She has visited the States before and Cathy knew her.

We called Cathy to check on our 3 boys and found out that Jacob had fallen and scraped up his hand and elbow pretty good. Cathy was prepared and took care of him. If I haven't said this before, I will say it now. I pray that Jacob and Caleb come home healthy and without too many cuts and scrapes!!!!

It was time to go and pick up our sons and we found them at Cathy's watching a video. We walked all the kids back to the internat and it started to rain lightly. Benjamin was a little sad and after talking to him, I feel pretty sure it was because he was heading back to the internat and not our flat. I walked him back to his room and as I was leaving, he called out to me "Mom!" I looked back and he was smiling and waving bye! Sweet thing! We went back to Cathy's to chat and pick up some chocolates she brought for us from home to give as gifts. Then headed home for showers and bed.

Tomorrow is day 10 of our 10 day wait!!!! Tuesday is a big day for paperwork. Please pray that we will get all documents that need to be completed on Tuesday done, which will allow us to start processing the kids' passports on Wednesday. This is so heavy on my heart, but I do know that God works all things for good and I pray that I will rest in His sovereignty.

Closer still

As I write this, our 4 children are sleeping in our flat! We received permission to allow Natalie and Benjamin sleep over tonight. They are really happy to be here. It was a rowdy "time to sleep" time, but they are all finally down. Tomorrow, we are taking Natalie's friend ice skating. She has been talking about that alot and we hope it brings them both joy!

Many ways God is showing us that He loves us these days and is in the small things in our life - Our friend, Cathy, called tonight. She is in Poltava. We are hoping to get with her tomorrow, as well. Another friend called us from the States. It was wonderful to hear her voice! Our facilitator is bringing us peanut butter!!

We mostly have been hanging out, playing, eating, etc.. We did try to go to the circus today, but it fell through. We didn't know where it was and it started to rain. Hoping to do that next week.

Not alot new, of course. Looking forward to Tuesday so that we can get this process moving forward. Please pray that God will allow us many working hours in our day on Tuesday to complete birth certificates and tax papers and favor with all the people we encounter on Tuesday. We really need both of these completed on Tuesday in order to get home at the earliest date we have estimated.