Hello Everyone! We arrived back in Kiev the evening before last. We haven’t had an internet connection for a few days now, so there’s alot to catch up on. Well, I thought the miracles were over; however, they keep on coming. First, we got the kid’s passports in less than 24 hours (yesterday), which is absolutely unheard of. Two couples we know here waited at least 10 days for theirs. This is the one hurdle that’s been on my mind off and on the entire trip! But we have them!!! Thank you God!
Second, today we received the children’s visas in 4 hours. The Ukrainian adoption agency that is partnering with ours in the U.S. was shocked that I was able to get them so quickly. Usually, one has to come the next day after applying to pick up the Visas. It was really funny to see the puzzled look on our adoption facilitator’s face. “Connections” are important here in Ukraine if you want to get things done quickly and smoothly (or at all, for that matter). I could see by the look on her face and the questions she was asking me that she was trying to figure out what sort of “connection” I had with the consulate to get the visas so quickly. Of course, we all know what that connection is!!!
As a side note, I was alone this afternoon while picking up the Visas at the U.S. consulate. While I was waiting in the waiting area for the visas, I realized I was sitting next to a large American flag on a post in the room. I was so grateful to see it, that I………….. hugged it!!!! There was no one in the waiting area, thank God, but I’m sure the security cameras caught it. The guards probably got quite a laugh out of it. But, I couldn’t help it – I miss home something terrible!!!!
With everything in hand late this afternoon, we briefly entertained thoughts of returning home tomorrow (Friday) instead of Saturday; however, we have alot of stuff to pack, and besides, I’m just plain exhausted with all the running around, not to mention chasing around 3 little kids who don’t speak English <sigh>.
So, we will return Saturday afternoon as planned. It’ll be nice also to more casually say goodbye tomorrow to a land that’s been our home for 6 weeks (and for the kids, their entire lives of course). See you all soon!
Running on fumes,
Nick
Okay my turn– Sorry those of you that have emailed me– for some reason, I have not been able to respond – the reply emails are not being sent according to a message that has come up after I hit ’send.’ I don’t have the time to check into it now. One more day & we’ll be back home!
The kids are great! I think they think they are on a vacation of all fun & freedom…we are working really hard at getting them to take us seriously(esp. because of the language issue). I guess we made it too fun during our visits. But they are catching on and I think we are making headway.
TO MY WG: If you didn’t get my itinerary, please email Susan Holovaty. She can get a message to us thru Orest. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!!
I better go outside to see how Nick is doing with the kids.
Polly
June 19, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Best of luck on your plane ride home. It remains one of the most memorable aspects of our adoption.
Nick, soon after you return, but before you return to work on July 1, you need to sneak in town for a lunch so we can hear all about the experience. Just tell Polly you need to make a dipaer run to Babys R Us and she’ll never know (of wait, she can read this, can’t she).
Best of luck to you all!
Mike
June 19, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Nick and Polly – we can’t wait to see you and the kids! Have a safe journey. We’re praying that it will go smoothly. The kids will no doubt be excited about getting on an airplane. You might want to get something they can chew in case the change in pressure hurts their ears (probably not gum for the younger 2 given that they will want to swallow it! Tootsie rolls or something like that might be better).
God bless!
Dave
June 19, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Great news. God bless your trip back home. Lord, give the kids room to relax and sleep on the return flight! See you soon.
June 20, 2008 at 1:44 am
Enjoy your last day!! Try to get some family photos in the Ukraine before coming home and of course we would love for you to share them. I will be praying for your trip home.
June 20, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The finish line is in sight and God has handled all the details! We won’t be able to meet you at the airport but sure hope you have the energy for the branch meeting on Sun….joy all around!
June 20, 2008 at 4:08 pm
“Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow, you’re only a day away !”
Hopefully we’ll see you tomorrow…. How many hours diffence? Say 8? so it’ll be 8 to 9pm your time.
Hopefully you can stay uo to get readjusted. Congratulations or as one of our priests would say,”God is good all the time, all the time , God is good.”
Sue
June 20, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Congratulations on finishing everything! I’m sure you will be glad to be home.
The one thing that makes being away from home in a foreign country so bearable is to be able to see God’s hand and know this is how He wanted things to be.
Best wishes,
June
June 23, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I just found your site today. Congrats on the expansion of your family – your children are beautiful! We, too, adopted from Ukraine – a then-5-year-old boy in Mariupol, Donetsk. His given name, like one of your boys, was Stanislav (he was called Stasik or Stas by most of his friends & caregivers). Home almost 7 months, he is now William, and recently celebrated his 6th birthday. He is such a joy!
You guys are in for quite an adventure – those first few weeks & months are exciting, exhausting, challenging, frustrating, and full of blessings. God is good… all the time!
Jennifer in Georgia
June 25, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hi Jennifer in Georgia!
Thanks for your comment. You’re right about the first few weeks so far…we’re hoping that all the time we spent with them while in the Ukraine will make the transition for them a little easier.
I’m so happy for you & congrats on your adoption! I’m glad to hear that all is well.
Polly