Rounding the Final Turn Down the Backstretch!

This morning we went to pick up the girls passports. The last thing we needed before we head to Kiev. We will leave in the morning and should be able to do the necessary paperwork at the Embassy on Monday and Tuesday. That means we can fly home on WEDNESDAY!!! Haven't gotten the final word as to what our flights will be, but it will be the same as some of the other families I think. We should arrive around 6:35p.m. We fly Kiev-Frankfurt-Denver-Salt Lake. I will let you know for sure. This afternoon we spent packing up and tonight had fun with some of the hats that Ray couldn't resist at the market. The girls had fun on the computer with Jesse and Claire and Elle. Thanks for the video guys! Natasha says we will have a couple of very busy days. We are so close now. Can't wait. Hopefully we will have internet in Kiev. It is going to take a while adjusting to life without Jeff and Ann. They have been terrific. It is a little bittersweet leaving them behind. We hope they won't be too far behind.

Great Day in Sumy!

Well, we finally made it to Sumy and were able to deliver the packages that were sent with us. The kids were so happy to get them. Some of them sent letters back with us. Ray decided that we ought to take the bus out there. It wasn't until after we bought the tickets that we found out that it was a 4 1/2 hour ride. The ride back was only 3 1/2 hours. Enough said! For those who are wondering, yes we were able to meet with Zhenia, and it went great. Too much to write here, but it was a happy time for all of us. Margie and Arri, you can stop crying now. Can't wait to go back in May. Special thanks to Jeff and Ann for entertaining our girls so we could make the trip.

The Director, Iryna, etc....

You guessed it - more!

More Still

More from the Orphanage

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

Today was a great day. We were so busy, I didn't even miss Thanksgiving. We went back to the orphanage for the last time. We needed to thank the director and let the girls say goodbye to all their friends and classmates. First we met with the director. She is a wonderful lady who cares deeply about all the children there. She herself was raised in an orphanage. She is a huge help to the families that wish to adopt. She would like all of her children to belong to loving families. I think I will post lots of pictures. I now more fully realize why those who have gone before us have said they wish they could bring all the kids home! If your family isn't at the top of your list of things to be thankful for, it ought to be. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. By the way family - We love you. Your at the top of my list.

Saying Good bye

Today we met and also said good bye to the girls brother. He has not been a part of their lives since they have been in the orphanage. Even the people at the orphanage didn't know about him. As with many things around here, that's another story.

DIZZY,MY HEAD IS SPINNING!!!

Hey everyone, just a quick update. Some of the kids were asking what was left for us to do. Well, this morning, we went to the third and final passport office. All the information from the other two comes here. Today I signed their passports, and the girls had their pictures taken. Then they put everything together virtually on the computer, and send it to Kiev. Someone there looks at it, stamps it and sends it back to Poltava via armored security truck so they can put their stamp on it here in Poltava. Once we have that, we are ready to go to the Embassy in Kiev. The passport thing is suppose to take ten days, but not to worry. Sometimes they can do things faster. Once in Kiev, the Embassy process is usually two days. The first day you go and fill out all the documents. They send the information to the U.S.. Because of the time difference, you get to come back the next day to the Embassy in the afternoon and pick up all the visas etc. that you need to come home. So, long story - short, it won't be long now. We are hoping to travel to Sumy on Friday or Saturday. That should be a nice diversion.

HERE TO STAY!!!

I spent from 8:30 this morning until 5:00 tonight running around taking care of new social security numbers, birth certificates, and passports. The girls home village is not too far from Poltava. The ride out there reminded me very much of the drive from Whitby to Lindsay in Canada. There is still much to do. More of the same tomorrow. As far as we can tell, we are still on schedule. We made a quick stop at the City Inspector's office. She was a very helpful and supportive lady and we were very appreciative of all that she did for us. She wished me the best. The best part of the day, I missed because I was with Natasha running from one office to another. We made a quick stop at the orphanage where she arranged for the girls release. She called a taxi to take them home to Ray - for good. When I got home at the end of the day, I was so glad to see everyone at home. You could just feel their joy. It was bittersweet when we had to send Ruslan back alone. His turn will be soon. Oh, while I was gone, Ray couldn't resist running to the market to find me the perfect hat. What do you think?

Slip Sliding Away

We took the kids to go skating and play at the arcade. Tonia was eager to try and Angelina wanted to until we got there. We tried to convince her to go, but she declined. I told her I would go if she did,but that didn't work either. Frankly I breathed a big sigh of relief since I haven't been on skates for more than 30 years! Jeff did an excellent job and spent most of his time on the ice helping Tonia. I think we'll be able to talk Angelina into it once we're home.

Church in Poltava

Today everyone was at church, and all the kids arrived on time. The members there are so happy to see us each week. One of the missionaries sits behind us to interpret. Today we had to laugh though because two out of the three speakers gave their talk in Ukrainian instead of Russian. The missionairies are taught Russian. I know it sounds funny, but that is the way it is. So our missionary would say something like, "she said faith, something something something", and then would apologize. It was cute. We decided that three hours was too long for the kids. They don't have YM/YW, just Sunday School and RS/Priesthood. So after sacrament meeting we decided to have our own private class taught by the missionairies. It was great.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY ELLE!!!!

Happy Birthday Elle,

Grandma and grandpa are sorry we missed your birthday. Don't worry, we will have a big hug and kiss for you when we get back. We love you so much.

Another Walk around Town

The Carr's and us decided to take a walk around while waiting for the kids. It was overcast as usual, and windy, but the temperature was about 50. We stopped in a couple of stores and then went to the market for some fruit and vegetables. We got caught in the rain, but were prepared with our umbrellas. A must here in Ukraine. Natasha arrived back today and said it was snowing in Kiev. I can hardly wait - NOT!. I think the nice weather is over. The girls are good at UNO, and today we taught Natasha how to play. She soon discovered that Angelina cheats. The rest of us just put up with it, but Natasha wasn't letting her get away with anything. It was funny to watch the two of them go at it. Ray was able to sneek a couple of pictures of Tonia and hide the camera well enough that she couldn't find it. We look forward to visiting the Poltava branch again tomorrow. Our 10 day wait will soon be over - Yipeeee!