We Need Prayers!

July 20,2011
Today was very difficult because the judge did not give us our court decree-he just couldn't get to it again! So Anatoly tried to convince him to get it done and he said he would have it tomorrow. But we wanted to be sure so I went in to see the judge with Irina translating. It was very intense. We waited in a hot hallway for over an hour with many other upset people waiting their turn to see the judge. He finally called us in and I expressed my concerns about why I needed the court decree, and all the things I need to get back to at home etc. Anyway he said, as I told your representative this morning that I will have it ready tomorrow. I asked him if he could assure me that it would be ready tomorrow at 9 and he said that I should show up myself at 9am and come in and sign for it myself. So that's what we are going to do. Now he has been saying since monday come back tomorrow. So please pray that he will really have it ready tomorrow for us. Then we can start the journey to obtain their birth certificates in 2 different districts, get their ID numbers, close their bank accounts and finally apply for their passports. The passports will not be ready for 5 days after we apply. Anyway everything depends on us getting the court decree because we can't do anything else until we have that. once we have passports we have our embassy appointment to apply for their visas and their physical exams. So we still have a lot to do. At this point we will be here until at least next Saturday the 30th. So again please pray the decree is done tomorrow.
We had a great visit with girls today. Dianne loved them immediately and hugs and kisses. Many of the other girls in the orphanage began to hang out with us today and soon we had a huge crowd of them. They played ball with us, puzzles and we gave them snacks. They wanted kisses and hugs from all of us. Now some of these girls are older and let's just say hygeine is not a priority so the smells were not really pleasant but boy did they have a great time. Irina and I said Dianne had caused the chaos today. Really we had a lot of fun but Marina and Vika did not appreciate all the other girls butting in on their time. We probably won't be able to visit tomorrow since we plan on running all over Kiev doing paperwork.
Well again we feel amazingly blessed here but need some extra prayers to get us through and home to our families. God Bless from Kiev, ukraine.

Me and the Girls, No Court Decree and Dianne is here!

July 19,2011
First I would just love to thank my couple of faithful readers who post comments, they mean so much to me in this faraway land. It is over 2 weeks now that I am here and I miss my husband and kids so much. I love the time I have here with my girls but just to be home with all of them seems so far off yet. So knowing there are friends out there praying for us and following along with us just helps to make me feel better-so thank you for your comments I love reading them.

Well today I met Irina and we headed to the orphanage. Tola called to say that the court decree was still not ready and he was going to take care of the citizenship papers while we were at the orphanage. So we stopped at the little store near the orphanage to buy the "2 juice boxes and a snack". We arrived and had to wait for the girls to be brought out. They came out very excited to see us. Irina had a phone call so I headed outside with the girls. We found our spot on the bench and I gave them their purses. They both immediately opened them to get out their necklaces and bracelets and sunglasses. We played for a while then they asked for their juice and snack. They enjoyed these as usual. I got out the punch ball balloons that Terrie gave me and Marina loved these. Vika not so much. Marina and I played with one of them for what seemed like an hour. Vika preferred to sit on the bench and blow bubbles and color. She is so

much calmer. After playing ball we had another juice box and then told them it was time to clean up. Neither one of the wanted to get ready to go back in but we needed to leave an head to the airport to get Dianne. Today Marina was very jealous of any time I spent with Vika but I tried to explain that mama loves them both. I had to carry Marina into the orphanage. Vika wanted to be carried too but did not want to help pick up the garbage and toys. She can be very stubborn but she finally gave in and helped. I gave them both kisses and hugs which they returned then in they went to lunch (it still smelled awful).

At this point I was very hot and sweaty so we headed to the store to get us a drink and a snack before heading to the airport. There was not going to be a court decree again today-the judge just hasn't had time to get it ready. Anyway I was excited to be at the airport when Dianne arrived. Out she came. She was very happy to see a familiar face. We got to the car and Anatoly needed to take me to the notary to sign more paperwork and then he took us to the apartment. He left and Dianne, myself and Irina headed out on foot to get something to eat, exchange money and go to the store. Well Dianne didn't know what she was in for. When you head out on foot it is a long walk. Poor thing she had a blister on her toe from all the walking and she was fading fast--It was over 90 degrees today and she was very tired. We ate at the Ukranian kitchen and shopped then headed up the hill=a very long steep hill in the 90 degree heat. I thought Dianne was going to have a heart attack but she plugged along. So we get to the apartment which is hot as blazes. She took a cold shower and talked for a while but she couldn't stay awake so off to bed she went before 8pm.
Anyway the plan is to pack up in the morning and have all our luggage downstairs by 10am and wait for Irina and the taxi. We then take everything to the apartment with air conditioning, yea! Then off to the orphanage for a quick visit and then Tola picks us up for the long day of getting the birth certificates for each girl in their birth cities-expecting another long hot day.

Please pray we get the court decree in the morning and are able to successfully get both birth certificates. Then on Thursday it is ID numbers and closing their bank accounts and Friday applying for passports. Pray it all goes smoothly. It not lookning good to be able to head home on the 27th. Irina thinks more like the 29th or 30th. It is all in God's hands=pray for his perfect timing.
It feels good to have a dear friend sleeping in the next room. Thank you Jesus!

A Very Long Day But Finally The Girls Are Together Again!

July 18,2011
Well after a night of virtually no sleep fighting the mosquitos I got ready to go. I met Irina for cappucinos and then we walked up to the SDA to meet Tola. We drove to the court house to see if the court decree was ready because today was day 10 of the 10 day wait. But as things have been going the judge said he hadn't had time to get it ready yet and to come back tomorrow to get it. So we headed to the orphanage and visited with Marina for a while-she is as sweet as ever. The plan was to take little Yve to the summer camp in exchange for Vika so we headed off with Tola, Irina, the orphanage lawyer Yve and myself for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the summer camp. Yve is a precious little girl also with Down Syndrome. We had actually considered her when we were reviewing files after they told us about Anya. She is high functioning like Vika but a little younger. Anyway when they told her she was going she ran out and saw me waiting with Irina and she got all excited and yelled "my mama, my mama". She ran to me and jumped into my arms hugging and kissing me. Irina explained to her that she was going to camp and we would try to find her a mama of her own soon. So very very sad. She wants a mama so badly. Maybe one of you could be her mama. She is so precious. Unfortuately I forgot my camera today so I don't have a picture of her but I think she is listed with About a Child. Once at the summer camp Vika saw us and came running. She was excited and yelled "mama" but was actually looking for Tim. She loves her Papa. Irina explained it was just mama and she would see Papa soon. Once in the car we discovered that Vika is very afraid of the car. She clung to Irina and I for a while but soon settled down. She was very good. She talked on the "hello" and colored and looked at books. She loved her purse and jewelry. She said right away that she wanted to give one of her necklaces to Marina. This was without at suggestions from us. Once back at the orphanage another 1 1/2 hrs later she was very excited and gave all the caregivers big hugs and showed them all of her special things that mama had given her. They then brought out Marina and Vika and Marina ran into each others arms and hugged very excited and right away Vika gave Marina the necklace, so very sweet. They were given a snack and then we went outside. This was a challenge trying to keep up with both of them by myself. Irina helped but they both wanted my attention. Soon they had a cookie and shared a juice box so cute, taking turns as I instructed. Marina still loves to hug me and lay her head on me while she drinks/. I think she remembers being cuddled while taking a bottle or something. Very Very sweet, really. They blew bubbles and just ran and played. I was worn out by the end of our visit. We instructed them to clean up and get ready to see us out. They gave us a hug and kiss and said Paka Paka (good bye). As we were walking away Vika screamed "mama mama" and came running to me and clung to me crying mama mama with that Marina came running and she too cried "mama Mama". The caregivers came and took them and said I would be back in the morning. Marina instructed us to bring a snack and 2 juice boxes. We promised we would. Then Irina and I headed to the Metro. Next stop was to pick up a plug in mosquito repellent for the apartment. I then picked up so frozed raviolis for my supper and headed up the hill to my apartment. Talked with Tim on line and took a cold shower and now plan to relax with an episode of Grey's Anatomy on line. Please pray I can get some sleep tonight, pray we get the court decree tomorrow and can get their birth certificates so we can apply for passports on Wednesday. Pray for safe travel for Dianne-she arrives tomorrow at 1:15 Ukraine time. I can't wait. Sorry I forgot the camera today so I will post some old pics. Good night from Kiev!

more pics

Isn't she just beautiful!

Looking spiffy in iner jewelry and purse!

Me and my girl

She loves the shades and purse

Very hot and Tired

July 17,2011

Sorry about not blogging lately. I have been spending my days with Marina (Abby) and having a great time. It has been very hot here and humid. My apartment does not have air conditioning so it has been pretty miserable. I leave the windows and door to the patio open to let in any breeze I can get but that lets in the mosquitos and now I am eaten up with bites. Not only that there are some crazy bugs that make terrible buzzing noises right in my ear when I lay down and try to go to sleep. Needless to say I am getting no sleep. It is right now almost 2 in the morning and I am hot and itchy. I will be able to move to a different apartment on Wednesday that has air conditioning. Praise the Lord! Anyway Vika has still been away at the summer camp but tomorrow we can pick up the court decree and go get her and bring her back to the orphanage. I can't wait to see her again. Marina really knows and loves her mama. Today when I walked up on the grounds she saw me coming and ran toward me. She was yelling "mama, mama!" and jumped into my arms and gave me a big hug and kiss and then kept saying mama mama. She is very protective of her time with me. When any of the other girls come around she tells them to go away. I am a little worried about when Vika is back and she has to share her time with me. It will all work out. I have been bringing her a juice box and coookies when I come. The first time I brought the juice box it was so funny. She didn't know how to drink from a straw but soon figured it out. She loved the juice and drank and drank. She was so happy with the juice she hugged me while she drank it. Her favorite thing is the "hello" or toy phone. Vika's too. I only have one because they lost one so I need to get another one tomorrow. Marina loves the toy jewelry and little purse too. other than that she doesn't really play much with toys. It is kind of sad how all the kids here are outside but no toys. Mostly they just walk and walk around the grounds. There is a radio and sometimes they dance to the music. They love when we talk to them and touch them. They are starving for love and attachment. I have so many things to talk about. But I will save it for another post. I am emotionally drained right now. I have tried to post pictures but they won't download for some reason. I will try again tomorrow. Please continue to pray for us here. There is still so much to do to get the girls home. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. They are carrying me through this long time here. I miss my kids so much. I have been here 2 weeks and have almost 2 weeks to go. It is getting harder and harder. Good night and God bless!

Back in Kiev

July 15,2011
I am back here in Kiev after a very long 8 hour train ride in a very hot, unairconditioned train. I have showered and am settling in to my new apartment. I will post more tomorrow after I have seen the girls. I will also tell you a little about my trip to Lutsk with Irinna. I had a great time but I just want to finish everything up and get home. I miss my kids so bad! Less than 2 weeks to go hopefully. I am trusting Jesus to get me through these next couple of weeks and get me home to my completed family! Dianne arrives on Tuesday! Looking forward to that. I am praising my Lord and Savior tonight and listening to K-love on the computer! Have a blessed Friday everyone!

Pics from today of our Clara (Vika)

July 8,2011

Our precious Clara (Vika)