All is well here in the Ukraine. We’ve had a good week visiting with the children, going to the beach, and getting to know Cherkassay better. This morning, we joined our children’s orphanage group on an “excursion” to a local park near the Neper River. The park was really interesting in that it appeared to be an old amusement park with ancient looking ferris wheels and other similar rides. These were rusted and overgrown with brush. Today, the park has hiking trails and open fields that appear to be used for a variety of activities. There is also a horse track, and there just happened to be a young rider on his horse using the track while we there on our visit. All of the kids loved it. It was also fun imagining what the amusement park was like there in the 60’s or 70’s when the rides were likely last in operation.
Well, our latest milestone is that we reached the end of the 10-day waiting period today. On Tuesday morning, bright and early, we go to the kid’s hometown of Smila, Ukraine (about 30 km away from here) to pick up their birth certificates and any other pertinent documents. Unfortunately, we can’t do this on Monday, because this Monday was declared a federal holiday here this past week which means that all government offices will be closed. Tuesday afternoon, we will then return to the orphanage to pick up the kids and then head north to Kiev. From there, the kids are required to have a medical exam from an American clinic in Kiev, and visas from the U.S. embassy. We then head home as a family (at last) to the good ole USA!
Our scheduled flight out of Kiev is Saturday, June 21 at 5:35 a.m. (ouch! It’s a long story, but that’s the best we can get using the adoption package from the airline). We have one layover in Frankfurt, Germany for 3.5 hours (ouch again!) and then arrive at Dulles airport at around 2 p.m. We will probably take a couple of hours to get out of the airport (customs, baggage retrieval, etc.) before heading home.
Well, that is all for now!
We promise to post more pictures tomorrow. God bless you all!!
June 13, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Yeah!!! One more week and then you all will be home at last. It must feel good that you now have a day and time that you can come home. I am sure this time with your children on their “turf” has been good for them as they get to know their mommy and daddy. Looking forward to meeting them on their new “turf”- their home in VA!!!
June 13, 2008 at 7:41 pm
just over a week, congrats and blessings on your journeys!
June 14, 2008 at 3:10 am
Would you like to be welcomed at Dulles? It might take less than 2 hours. It depends on the lines at customs.
Sometimes families want privacy but if you want people there, people will be there to greet you.
Polly, one thing Terri wanted about 6 or 7 years old was a Korean Doll. It took me a while to find one. I don’t know whether or not Anna is a dooly girl, but it was important to Terri to have something from her country. She still treasures that doll today.Just a thought.
You have had an incredible journey with the Lord. God Bless !
We’ll see you on this side!
Sue
June 14, 2008 at 9:49 am
I forgot to mention something. Frankfot airport isn’t bad! We’ve had a layover there. It’s clean and organized as I remember.(At least it’s Germany! There are worse airports over there!) Your children have never seen an airport so to them it might be like going to an amusement park. When James was Anna’s age, we went to Austria and all he wanted to do was watch the planes taxi in and out. He stood by that window for a good two hours watching those planes.
The air pressure inside the plane on take off and landing might be the hardest. If they know what gum is …. I don’t know…. We just had him drink….Our experience was that the stewards and other travelers on the plane will take a great interest in your children. You’ll have plenty of help.
God Bless,
Sue
June 14, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I am so glad everything is going so well for you guys. We are all anxious to meet your new family. One more week. I am sure you will be sooooo happy to get back to your home. I think about you guys daily. It is such a miracle for you both to have found these children. See you soon.
June 15, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hey Sue,
Thanks for the advice. Our connecting flight to Kiev was in Frankfurt, so we are familiar. Though our connection wasn’t far from our arrival gate, we have heard about others having to run to their connection even with an hour between flights because the airport is so big and you have to walk to get from one end to the other. Since we have 3 hours to kill, we won’t have a problem.
I heard about the pressure thing. We’ll just have to make sure we’ve got something for them to drink. They are too young for gum – except for maybe Anna – but I don’t think she is familiar with it.
We are open to people meeting us at the airport if they wish. Anyone in my WG will probably organize it.
June 18, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Nick, I can’t believe the process is almost finished. You guys are doing great. We miss you here. Hurry home. Gaylord gives you hugs and kisses, too.