More Sights and Sounds of Sumy

We had such a great trip. Can't wait to go back one more time! O.K., I'm not looking forward to the trip, but can't wait to bring Zhenya home!

We Made It Back!

We arrived safe and sound Saturday afternoon. It's so good to be back. Our plane arrived a half hour early, so there was no one there to meet us. It was sure great to see them when they did. Here are a few pictures from our last days in Sumy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I wanted the greatest family in the world for my birthday, and guess what? I GOT IT!!! I sure do love you guys. Thanks for taking care of each other while we've been gone. You are the best. You are all awesome, truly! Thanks so much for your love and support. We couldn't have done this without you. Not much longer and we will be complete.
Hey everyone this may be my last post until we get home. We had another fun day with Zhenya and Tanya yesterday. We moved apartments as the Straders left for Dnipro. We spent some time at the orphanage and downtown. We went bowling for a couple of hours. It was so much fun. The bowling alley consists of only two lanes and six balls to choose from. I have pictures, but gave the camera to Zhenya last night when we dropped him off so he could take pictures of the orphanage and his friends there. We will see him again this afternoon. Tomorrow we will do a little paperwork here in the morning, then get on the bus for Kiev. We will get there in the early evening and try and sleep before leaving for the airport at 3:00 a.m. We will arrive as scheduled on Saturday. I think the Keller's may be on the same flight. Not sure about that though. Because of the uncertainty of how things will play out in Russia, we felt it best to come home and let Vlad do his thing. Best case, I will return in two or three weeks. That's what we all need to pray for now. Zhenya wants so badly to come with us, but he is very understanding and accepting. You guys will love him! Can't wait to see all of you again. We love you.

"OF COURSE!"

Jesse and Brady, you can start celebrating now. There is officially another male member of the Evenson family! We did have our day in court after all. Things went really well. Lots of talking on my part and answering some questions. A few questions for Zhenya, but the most important one, "Do you want to be adopted by this family?" His reply, "Of course! This is just inside the court room with us and the judge. Afterwards, we all went to eat out at New York Pizza. Those of you who have been here will recognize some of the faces. I'm going to add a video even though after I viewed it, I realized it was quite shakey. Sorry about that.

VLAD TO THE RESCUE!!!

We had heard that Vlad was a miracle worker. It's true! After our bad luck of having the judge's mother die, Vlad was able to find another judge that was willing to squeeze us into her schedule and hear our case. It was a judge that had never heard an adoption case before. Not only did she get us, but the Straders as well. After a trip to the ever popular notary office, and some time waiting at the court, we had our cases heard. It couldn't have gone better. Thanks for the prayers.

Early Mother' Day for Missionary Moms!!

For the Ketchum and Moore families!

No News Is Good News!!!

Sorry I cut the last entry short. It is Tuesday morning as I sit here writing this. Court was supposed to be at 2:00 this afternoon. I just got a call that it has been postponed. The judge's mother passed away. We don't know yet when she will hear our case. They are saying maybe Friday. We won't be home Saturday for sure now. If we get a hearing Friday, the earliest we will come home would be Tuesday. Obviously, we will keep you posted. The Straders as well will have to wait. They were scheduled to have their hearing today also at 3:00. I feel badly for them. They have been here longer than we have and have a daughter waiting to be picked up in Dnipro. We are glad we have each other. Oh well, more time at the market for Ray-should have brought a bigger suit case! Does any one need me to pick them up something? More later when we find out what is going on.

Getting Ready for Court

After looking for an hour to find a place open, we were sucessful and Zhenya was able to get a hair cut. Too bad I didn't bring my hair cutting stuff. Natasha arrived late last night and has joined us at our apt. We sat up late playing cards with the Straders waiting for her. We had a blast. They are really fun. I think we are all way over tired, but it sure makes for a fun evening.

Easter Sunday

It was Easter Sunday here in Ukraine. Everything shut down. We went to the branch here in Sumy. What wonderful people. The Elders were happy to see us too. I miss Sunday dinners so much, we recruited a few extra people. We invited the Elders, our interpreters, strangers off the street-just kidding! It was fun. Today is a holiday too. Not much going on. Pretty much everything is closed down. Zhenya was hoping to go for a hair cut before our court date, but we can't find anything open yet. They have the randomest(I don't think that is a word)holidays around here. We played a bunch of games yesterday. Zhenya is coming out of his shell. We had a lot of fun. He and Tanya thought they would discuss how to beat me, so they were jabbering away in Ukrainian. I just laughed and told them I knew what they had said. I told them,and Tanya said, "You know way too much Ukrainian!"
Love you all. More tomorrow. I may wait until after court, so the post will be later.

Afternoon in Town

We were allowed to take Zhenya into town this afternoon. He wanted to go to the museum and see a travelling exhibit about the body etc. and some quirky birth defects. It was more like a Ripley's Believe it or Not. It is a travelling exhibit from St. Petersburg. Of course we had to stop at MacDonald's before we took him back. Ray was looking a little thin, so I even let him have some ice cream! Oh, by the way - Court date is Tuesday! We can then go to the Embassy on Wed. and come home on Thursday. We are scheduled to come home on Saturday. We are torn. Zhenya doesn't want us to go without him, but as you know, there is the 10 day waiting period and then we would have to go to Russia for his birth certificate. No one can predict what will happen there, or how long it will take. That is why we were planning on coming home, and making a second trip back. I tell you, it is heart wrenching. All he wants to do is come home. Any input would be appreciated. We will let you know what we decide. Love you ALL!!

Ray's New Diet is Working!!!!

Ray has been a little more serious about eating healthy and exercising lately. What do you think? I think he looks a lot thinner already. Must be something in the water!

The Mighty Hunter!!

We had another fun time with Zhenya yesterday. We played games and went on a nice walk. Ray couldn't hold back any longer and had to start looking for beetles. Zhenya and even Tanya joined in. Can't believe how nicely he will fit right in. Even with all our quirks, he still wants to come. He's such a great kid! We are hoping to get permission today to take him out with us around town. That will be a nice change for him. Claire, I'll try and get some video later today or tomorrow for you. Lori - Misha is Margie Jorgensens son whom they adopted from Sumy last year. The boy in the video is his friend who is still here.

For Misha!

He was sure happy to get the package. Cute boys!

More Pics!!

I don't know what happened to some of the pictures when I posted them. They got cut off some how. I'll try again. The one of the cops is for you Brady!

We're Having a Great Time!

This is a beautiful time of year here. Yesterday was our 31st Anniversary and next week is my birthday. Guess we won't forget these ones! Not a bad way to spend it! Things are going well for us. We continue to pray that things will go well with Zhenya's birth certificate. We have to go to Russia for that, but we are not to that point yet. We are having fun visiting the orphanage and getting to know him better. I know you really just want to see the pictures! Claire, the flowers are for you - it's springtime! We have a new translator. A cute little gal, her name is Tanya. Natasha and Vlad are taking care of business in Kiev. Tanya says hi to the Milnes, and Heiners, and I can't remember who else she said. Dave and Lee-Ann, a big hello to you, and big hug for Troy!
P.S. Lori - I will see what I can do for you.

For Soper's

Hey guys - Enjoy!

Pictures from Sumy!!

Here are a few pictures from yesterday. We haven't been to visit today, but will go later. I'll post those later. I should have some pictures for some of the other families when I deliver the packages today. Yesterday was our day with Zhenya. Did I tell you he's grown in the last four months. I swear he was shorter than me, now he is taller than I am. More later. Thanks to everyone for remembering us - we love you all.

SUNNY IN SUMY!!

I'll let you know right up front - Sorry no pictures. Hope you'll follow along anyway. The landlady didn't pay her internet bill in Kiev, so we lost our connection. Not to worry. We are now in Sumy. It has been a long and exhausting day. That's what happens when you start at 2:30 am. Margie and Ari, I wish you could have been here when we met Zhenya. I can't even begin to express how great that moment was. He had been waiting, and even though he believed we were coming, I think a little concern had crept in. He was soooo happy - a totally different demeanor. We got a lot of the paper work done. It couldn't have gone any better. Our one big hurdle will be trying to get his birth certificate from Russia, so please keep praying for us. Our next step is the court date. We will let you know. We haven't even unpacked yet,so I don't know where my flash drive is, or even if I packed it. I will look and then we can send pictures. We had a great time at the orphanage. The director was great. He showed us a room that had lots of memorabilia from an American/Russian colaboration on an american aircraft during the 2nd World War. It was neat and he was very proud of it. He took us to another room filled with lots of old tools, costumes, weavings, etc. mostly from the Sumy region. He apologized for not having enough time to spend with us and invited us back for a more detailed tour. Having my grandmother being from Ukraine was a big plus. He really likes us - a huge bonus for us. Can't wait to share the pictures. We will deliver all the packages, letters, etc. tomorrow. We are sharing an apt. in Sumy with Bill and Leslie Strader who hosted this last year. It was so great to visit with Zhenya. We were able to talk with him for a long time, and he still wants to come home with us!
The best part of the day - When Natasha asked Zhenya if he had anymore questions for us and he said "When do we go home." Love you all. More later.

LUCKY 13th

Our appointment with the SDA went very well today. They remembered us from last time-that was a good thing. They went over Zhenya's file with us, looked at some pictures, and wished us well. We will pick up the necessary paperwork tonight and head out for Sumy at 3:30am - who needs sleep anyway!! We once again checked out the little shops along "souvenir street" to kill some time.