Meeting Ivan & Snezhanna

We made it to the orphanage around eleven am before Ivan and Snezhanna arrived.

We took a few photo's...

James, Alex, Wendy & Hanna

Us with our Alex!

Overall our meeting went great! You can tell that Ivan & Snezhanna love and care about Alex. We’ve been quarantined to our room but we were told we could walk around upstairs if we wanted. The orphanage served us a nice lunch (again!) and then we played the longest UNO game ever-as we were playing by Lex’s rules and finally we switched to a Russian card game that James and I still have not figured out.

We talked and visited and saw pictures of Ivan & Snezhanan’s house they’re building. We talked about Alex’s life as a child but learned nothing more than his mother drank a lot and that he was picked up on the street and then put in the orphanage. Alex’s mother was married to Ivan’s Dad but never married Alex’s dad but lived with him for a few years. Poor Hannah had to translate and translate until she got a headache.
We talked about possibly visiting Ivan & Snezhanna next Sunday in Dnipropetrovsk. Alex told me with a big grin that I need to learn how to make Borscht from Snezhanna. If the weather is good we will try to go. I’m not sure how we’ll get there. I believe it’s about 40 minutes away by car and we’ll not have a translator by then but Snezhana’s English is pretty good. It certainly is better than my Russian. Even Ivan can speak a little English.
We haven’t seen any other children. The building we’re in has offices and class rooms but there isn’t any school on the weekends or for the whole next week as the orphanage has a holiday. We’re hoping we can see other children and deliver gifts this upcoming week. I know that some of the underwear we brought was delivered to Alex’s class as a gift from us. (Wow! I bet they were impressed with that!) The rest is being put away for other children. I told Naydia that more was coming with the Benson’s.
The apartment is starting to grow on me. It’s warm, it’s clean and for now, it’s home.
Alex spent time with our laptop and the Rosetta Stone CD. He mostly guessed but at least he tried. He also listened to my Ipod, ate the banana’s we brought and played cards with us. He has worn the same clothes each day. I just can’t wait to take him, get him showered and dressed in his new clothes. He is in good spirits, you can tell he’s uncomfortable being in the spotlight so much, but ever so often he’ll come lay his head on my shoulder, or give me a quick hug. I just want to pull him on to my lap and hold him but with so many people around I’m sure he would be very uncomfortable so I’m exercising my self control and just winking at him now and again.
We went back to the apartment and had a light dinner and ate cookies…again! So far we’ve done that each night, the milk here is very sweet and thick-of course I’m use to skim milk but this is supposedly 2.5% and James LOVES it! I love the yogurt, it’s very creamy and I’m sure full of fat but since I can’t read it, I don’t feel guilty.
We gave Hannah the Ukraine book of Mormon we brought but learned we should have brought a Russian one as everyone is speaking and reading and talking Russian. At her request, we talked for a few hours about the Church and James gave her the 1st discussion. She was very receptive and we told her we’d arrange for the missionary’s to visit her. She was so surprised that Mormon missionaries are here, in Ukraine. It was a sweet evening. Our Hanna is a very special girl.
We had made the couch into a bed for Oxana (our facilitator) who is arriving late tonight on the train and tomorrow we head to the city inspectors and then back to the “boarding” school (apparently it’s not called an orphanage?) where Alex will need to write down his desire to be adopted. I’m hoping for Internet access sometime tomorrow. Cross your fingers. I hope all is going well at home, I miAless my home grown children, my house, and my clothes dryer!

Alex wanted to take a picture of us....

We finally get to see Alex....

(Saturday the 21st)

Naydia, the orphanage directors husband met us in his car on the outskirts of town and lead us to the orphanage. Which was great because I doubt we would have ever found it!
The building we went in was large and red and rather clean and nice.

Naydia had prepared a nice spread for us of soup, meat over mashed potatoes, cucumbers with sour cream, pickles with onions, cheese and salami, bread, oranges slices, juice and water. It was set so nicely on China. She insisted we seat to eat and just as we did, in walked Alex! I had so wanted to video our meeting but we were not prepared. I didn’t even get to see his face when he first saw us but as soon as I realized he was in the room I jumped up and he ran towards me and threw his arms around my waist and I threw my arms around his head! So the pictures we have are posed but then James started videoing when I was hugging him for the second time-but I didn’t know it. Of course then we had to sit down and eat, Alex had already eaten so he sat on the couch and I just couldn’t eat anything, I just wanted to hold him and sit by him. I whispered to James he’d have to eat a lot to make up for my not eating. Finally, I felt I had eaten enough and went and sat with Lex! His director said he’s been asking everyday “When are my parents coming?” and that he was very excited.

You can tell I was a little excited can't you?


We visited for awhile and we’re told we could visit all weekend in this room but couldn’t visit outside of it as “technically” we were not suppose to see him until Monday. Something about the social worker witnessing the first visit?



We then had to go drop our luggage at our new apartment and so I told Alex we’d be back.
Dniprozerszhynk is it’s most positive light is….depressing. I will post video and you will see for yourself. (So far I have been unsuccessful in getting video!)
Our apartment belongs to Naydia’s daughter and son-in-law, Constantine. I feel like we’ve displaced them. They’ve just remodeled the bathroom and looks like they have new appliances in the kitchen too. It’s small and cramped and we feel a little weird with all their things here. They've cleaned out a closet for us and you can tell they've really tried to make it inviting and accommodating. I’ll just post video and let you see if for yourself.

(Constantine, Natasha & Alina)
Alec went home and we’re now being chauffeured by Constantine, Naydia’s son-in-law. He talks to us like we can understand him, but we can’t. He especially likes to talk to James and James just nods his head like he can understand. It's hilarious! (He's continually saying da,da,da and bobbing his head up and down-and we just keep nodding right along!)
I cannot say enough good things about Naydia’s hospitality as well as Natasha and Constantine. They are very kind and thoughtful. We are blessed to have such accommodating directors and staff.
We went to the grocery store which was about a 10 minute drive and bought a few staples and then found my curling iron upstairs in an appliance store!!
We came back, put the groceries away and went back to the orphanage despite the fact we were so very tired. I told Alex we were coming back and didn’t want to disappoint him. We brought the laptop but couldn’t get Internet so we just showed him pictures of our time in Kiev.
Then we played a few hands of UNO. I was able to ask a few questions about school, life at the orphanage but it was awkward with Constantine there and you could tell Lex was so excited but felt intimidated by all the adults in the room observing him. If it had been just James and I it would have been nicer but then we wouldn’t be able to communicate much.
Ivan and Snezhana are meeting us tomorrow at the orphanage. I’m nervous to meet them. I hope they like us and I hope my translator will keep us in the loop. I told Lex I got them a web cam but that we’d give it to them later when we visit at their house. He seemed pleased to give them a present. Oh….I hope this visit goes well.
Well, we’re back in our apartment, James is snoring on the bed next to me and I can barely keep my eyes open and it’s only 9pm. I’m hoping tonight we sleep through the night.
I’ve been told we’ll have Internet access on Monday so I’ll post all these entires in chronological order.

Random Ukraine Thoughts....

(Back side of "Mama Russia" when leaving Kiev!)

We are driving and driving and still driving so I thought I’d pull out the laptop and record some of our thoughts and experiences about this adventure. (Note: later that night I added more to this post!) Typing is difficult with all these pot holes and swerving but I will persist!

Mormons:

Right off Hannah brought up religion as she is very religious person and I told her we are members of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Later James said something about Mormon’s and she asked with wide eyes, “Are you Mormons?” “Yes” “But you don’t dress like Mormons with long dresses and braids?” Ha! She thought all Mormon’s were polygamists! Half way around the world and that’s what comes to mind when people hear about Mormons? We did some explaining…

This morning at breakfast, (we ate at this really cool place that reminded me of Gaston's house from Beauty and The Beast) on our way to Dniproderzhinsk. Alec, our driver and an attorney explained that when the director of our orphanage (Naydia) set up her children to be hosted someone asked her what State they were going to, when she told them Utah this person became very alarmed and told her, "Only Mormon’s live there and they are strange and awful people!" The facilitators had to calm the director down and talked her into just coming and seeing and making a judgment for herself as Mormons are just like any other people. She did and she came back with “two thumbs up” for Mormons. (Thank goodness!)
No church in Dniproderzhinsk. I guess it’s about a 30 minute drive? That’s okay, we’ll probably try to make it next week but tomorrow we’re just going to spend time at the orphanage with our little boy!
Cars:
As mentioned prior, James pointed out the tire low on air when we were picked up at the airport and Hanna dryly said “Welcome to Ukraine.”
There are many small cars here and some are very old but some are very nice and ALL are compact. In fact James continues to point out (with some contempt mind you) car models that are not even offered in the states. (I don’t really pay attention to makes and models.) We actually saw a car pulling a boat on our long drive here.
The driving here is CRAZY! No lines on the streets on double or triple lanes, no stop lights, parking on the sidewalks, going both ways on alleys that only accommodate one car width, the potholes are tremendous and today we were driving 160 kilometers an hour which is roughly 100 miles per hour! We were fortunate to have seat belts on our 5+ hour drive today but later when we were being chauffeured around Dniproderzhinsk James went to put on his seat belt and the director of the orphanage scoffed and told him he didn’t need to worry about it, like it was an offense to the driver to wear a seat belt. My seat belt in the back was tucked in so it was inoperable. Note to self: Pray for safety while driving….especially when not wearing our seat belts in order not to offend.
More about Bathrooms:
It seems I’m always writing about bathrooms but today we stopped for gas and to use the restroom and I’m happy to say there was a toilet with a seat AND toilet paper but the toilet paper would best be described as crepe paper. There is no perforation and it’s the same stretchy texture. Very interesting.
Language:
It’s a little disturbing that people talk for 10-15 sentences and you only get five in the translated version. AND Ukraine’s can talk for 5+ hours and never stop! Or meet people they’ve never met before and talk non-stop. Laughing and talking and you just sitting there, not understanding a thing. Tomorrow we’re meeting with Ivan & Snezhana and I asked my translator to please translate everything it drives me crazy to not know what is going on!
The Orphanage:
Is very clean and cheerful. (But does have a funny smell and Alex told me there’s mice!) Overall it is MUCH nicer than I had envisioned in my mind. We've only been in the main building but the grounds are relatively nice (compared to the surrounding neighborhood) and there are four other buildings where the children live, eat and attend school.
And last but not least:
I finally found a curling iron! There was only one option and I paid around $50 for it but I’m on day four without one and I really don’t care what it cost. It was funny as I did find one with separate attachments that looked sort of like a curling iron but sort of plastic like and I was informed it would only work for a few weeks. Well, I only need it for a few weeks! But I adopted for the better one, I’ll be happy to pass it on with the cell phone and hair dryer to those coming later.

Heading To Dniprozerzynsk...

We have had a rough time adjusting to the time change and woke up around 2:30 am and decided to watch a movie and then went back to sleep at 5:00 am.

We met the Kellers for a late breakfast/lunch around 11:30 and returned their adapter-we learned that we actually have an adapter here that will work-good grief!
Then we met Hannah and Irina at one. Irina took us in the car to the Lavra which is a very old church and underground caves were monks lived. I think my Dad would have had claustrophobia, the caves are just barely taller than me and maybe two people wide? (Depending on the size of the person!) We had to light candles although there were other candles lit and in-scents it was still very dark and a little spooky. We were forbidden to enter parts of the caves as Hannah and I did not have a skirt on. It's a sacred place of worship. It's a good thing they had exit signs or we would still be there!
All along the caves were little coffins with the remains of monks. They were very tiny men. I think they largest coffin was no more than 4 foot 5 inches. Their remains are preserved and covered with cloths so-no Austin-we didn't see any dead people.
We toured the beautiful church and really got our legs worked out on what I call "The Ukraine Stair Stepper" which was very steep cobblestone roads.
The biggest adventure was finding a WC (water closet) and James took video of me in the mud trying to cross the road. I wish however that I had the camera in the bathroom (but it was on the other side of the muddy road) as this was one of the toilets where you stand on either side of a hole in the floor. I'm pleased to say I made it through the experience but I hope to not experience it again!
Then we walked to an underground mall where I found Alex a Ukraine book of fables and one in English for Rylee. I also bought a Ukraine cookbook. I'm hoping I can figure out how to make these wonderful pancakes!
Irinia picked us up and we went to the SDA at 4:00. This time there were many more parents and facilitators there. We waited for about a 1/2 hour, were called into a room where a stack of papers were prepared for us and were asked to show our passports and sign and sent on our way. So we have our referral and tomorrow we're on our way to Alex!
Then we shopped....I won't tell what we bought as to keep it a surprise for our children but we had a lot of fun. It's colder today and we were shopping at these stalls outside the SDA on yet another "Ukraine Stair Stepper" road. I really hope I'm getting toned with all this up hill and down hill walking!
We had thought we had figured out the washing machine and put in a load of laundry before we left but when we came home it was dripping wet. We set it to spin again left for dinner.
We went with Hannah to dinner at the same yummy place she took us to yesterday only we let her pick out all our food. She did a good job. James and I had some kind of yummy chicken/turkey meatball, salmon, chicken, borscht (we've had it everyday so far) and of course my favorite...apple pancakes with sour cream and jam.
Our Hannah is a doll. She's traveling with us tomorrow but will be leaving and then coming back for court. We've had some great spiritual discussions with her-instigated by her-and she has asked for one of our Ukraine BofM's. Were hoping we can find a church on Sunday and that she'll come with us.
When we got back we couldn't get the lid to open to the washer and once James pushed enough buttons and unplugged and re-plugged it in, the clothes were just as wet as they were before. So, I rung them out by hand and now all our whites are dripping in the bathroom. I think we'll throw them in a plastic bag and try again in Dnipro, hopefully we can find some bleach because although they smell cleaner, the don't look any cleaner!
So tomorrow we say goodbye to Kiev and our little apartment with Internet access. We're told it will be harder to get online in Dnipro. and that we'll have to use an Internet cafe. So, don't be surprised if we don't post very often.
James had the camera today, so lot's of scenery pictures. But the Lavra is truly magnificent!



The sign below is important to understand....it says "Toilet".

This was me walking to the bathroom, the road was a muddy mess and obviously under construction. I didn't post the video of me trudging through the muck and the mud as it's just taking too long to download.
(Notice my hair....no curling iron!)

This is James entertaining us while shopping.

At one point I turned to ask James a question to who I thought was my husband in a black beany hat, but it was an Ukraine young man in a very similar black beany hat. He was very entertained at my mistaking him for my husband. (Good thing I didn't goose him or anything!) As soon as we walked off, he ran to tell his friends about it. I'm glad I'm bringing joy and laughter to at least one Ukraine today!
Our drive tomorrow is about 6-7 hours and I don't know if I'll get to see my Lex or not but I'm hoping so! Wish us luck!

Our first full day....

Wow! What a day.
We finally got back to sleep around three am this morning and slept until 9:30. We got dressed in our Sunday best to go the SDA. Hannah & Irinia picked us up at 10:45 am and drove us to our appointment. We went in this side door and guess who was there? The Kellers!! It was great to see a familiar face. But just as soon as we got there, they were whisked away. We met another nice couple adopting from Michigan. We sat for about 15 minutes and then were called upstairs. Hannah came with us to translate. It was a very simple interview in an office. The lady asked us how we met Alex. We explained through a hosting program. How long did he stay? Did we only host him once? Did we just host him and fall in love? Well, yes and then I got out my pictures to show how much Alex looks like us and belongs with us. She liked our pictures. At one point I told her that I had felt someone was missing in our family and this was before we even met him. She went over Alex's file with us. Said he was healthy, had no siblings (which we know is not true as he has a 1/2 brother but one thing I'm learning here is to just keep my mouth shut!) and then she showed us a picture of him at age four. What a cutie pie, he had this huge smile and missing teeth and she asked it that was our boy and we said yes. Then she said she'd prepare the paper work and we can pick it Friday at 4 pm.
That was it.
This is me in front of the SDA, the side door is the door we went in.



This is Irina and Hannah


We walked back to the apartment which is just a few blocks from the SDA and changed into more comfortable clothes and then we were off for sight seeing and shopping.
This is one of the many beautiful churches we saw today.

This is James in front of the MTC (teeheehee!) I explained to Hannah what the MTC (Missionary Training Center) is in Utah and she was very concerned, "But it is only a mobile phone store!" I then had to explain that it is just a joke, we know it is only a mobile phone store. (Humor here doesn't always translate correctly!)

This is Hannah's first time translating for Adoption Way. She took us to see the "gate" to Kiev. See the 2nd video at the bottom of this post for a look more.

Then as mentioned our transformer burnt out while blogging early this morning so we stopped at many stores asking for another. At one point we went into a mall and needed to use the restroom. We had to pay 2 grivnya's (which is about 20 cents) to use the bathroom and this is what we got! Notice the lack of toilet paper and seat! Yuck! Note to self: Always use the bathroom before leaving the apartment!

We were also looking for a curling iron and a calling card for our Ukraine phone. We found the calling card and Hannah after dropping us off at the apartment found us a transformer brought it back out and it didn't work. She is going to bring another tomorrow. She seemed very upset that the lady who sold her this somehow knew it wouldn't work. She is a very sweet girl, very smiling to us but stern and straight forward to all the sales people she was asking questions of. We talked about Ukraine's and their stern look and she told us that "Ukraine's have just forgot their smile." She would LOVE to live in America. I mentioned that I have three darling unmarried brothers but she whipped out her wallet to show me a picture of her boyfriend. Sorry, brothers...I tried!
Hannah took us to a wonderful place for lunch. I don't think I'm going to lose any weight here-as I planned. The food was yummy! But I am having troubles buying normal water. I keep getting seltzer water or as the Ukraine's call it "water with gas". I need to look for the light blue lids according to Hannah.
Meanwhile I wasn't sure what we were going to do back at the apartment. It was about four o'clock and we'd walked all over since our 11:00 appointment and without a power supply for the computer we couldn't check emails, blog, Skype or watch movies. We had Hannah call Irnina for the Keller's phone number before she left us and Irina text it to us and we called and made arrangements to meet them for dinner. Hurray! A double date with people we can talk too!
We left early to make sure we could figure out where we were meeting the Kellers and ended up walking the long way around the block to find our meeting place. (We sure paid better attention to where we were going and how to get back now that we were on our own!)
As mentioned I am looking for a curling iron and it has yet to be found. (Hence, all my flat hair pictures!) While James and I were walking, I stopped in a hair salon to ask if they sold curling iron's. Luckily one was sitting out so I was able to point it out. They don't sell them but gave me a card to call. I'll let Hannah call tomorrow. Although according to Hannah and Irina my hair looks fine straight. I don't think many women curl their hair here? Hannah can't remember what a curling iron is. She calls it an iron thing.
The weather here is very overcast and rains off and on. It's not as cold as I had thought it would be. However, I have given up on my tall black boots, I don't care if people know I'm American, I'm wearing my gym shoes with all this walking!
The other bizarre thing here is the parking. People park ON the sidewalk. See video #3 for a demonstration.

We went inside this church and it was very Gothic inside. Everything is very old and covered with gold and pictures of Christ on all the walls and ceilings. No pictures allowed inside. But I did take video of another simpler church that was right next to it. (See first video at the bottom of this post!)

The women here wear LOTS of fur and very short skirts. (Well, the skinny ones do!) The men wear fur collars on their jackets and yes, lots of black. But there were some colors here too. You don't see many babies or old people. However, I did see a woman sweeping with a broom that was the exact replica of the Wicked Witch of the West's broom on the Wizard of Oz. I wanted to take a picture, but didn't dare.
People look right in your eye's here but they do not smile or even acknowledge you.

This is a statue of Queen Olga. Some one killed her husband and in revenge she burned down an entire village. (See video #4 to view the square!) Not sure why they'd put up a statue of a woman that killed an entire village in Ukraine.

This is an important statue as it is the landmark where we arranged to meet the Keller's for dinner. While waiting for Keller's we called Snezhanna. I've been trying to call Alex but the number he gave me wasn't working. (Snezhana's parents gave him an old cell phone and incoming minutes are free in Ukraine.) I said hello to Snezhana, told her that we were in Kiev and told her we'd call again when we got to Dnipr and she gave me Alex's correct phone number. I was only off by one number!
Then we went with Kellers to this little downstairs restaurant just minutes from our apartment. They had been there before and knew it had wireless Internet and brought an adapter for us to use and charge up our laptop. The Internet was incredibly slow but we were able to check emails and read blog comments. We had a great time talking with the Kellers and they let us take their adapter home to use our apartment Internet connection-hence the reason I'm able to blog and upload video and pictures. Thanks Kellers!
(Note to those following: If I am understanding correctly, you need an adaptor for your computer as it will transform the correct voltage, but for other appliances you will need a transformer or they will blow up with just an adaptor.)

When we got back to the apartment, I called Alex. First time without a translator. It was good to hear his voice and he kept saying something in Ukraine and then "Mama" I told him we were in Kiev and would be there soon. He said hi to "Papa" and then I told him I love you and he said I love you and then we said goodbye. Good thing we can use sign language when we're together, the phone thing is rather hard. You could hear how excited he was that we called. Oh, I just can't wait to hug him!
My last video I took last night. It's our apartment. It's not very good and just ignore me in my pajamas in the reflection of the bathroom mirror.
Tomorrow we're going to meet Kellers for breakfast and return their adapter, then meeting Hannah and doing some souvenir shopping. Irinia will pick up our papers and we head out early to Dnipro Saturday morning. It's a five hour drive. I assured James that I'm sure no one would be offended if he offered to put air in the tires before we go. He's been a trooper and with his black hat and black leather coat he fits in here much better than I do. He's asleep now but I think we'll watch a movie on the laptop later after we Skype with home.
We're enjoying ourselves here but can't wait to bring Alex home. It is bleak here, I'm sure it's prettier in the spring but it's not just the weather, it's the feeling, the attitude, I don't know. It's hard to explain. We are very blessed to live in the United States.

We made it!

Yes, we lost one bag but it was the food bag. All documents made it here safe and sound. We have Internet in our little apartment but it's weird, it sort of flashes and although I'm plugged in, I keep getting a low battery balloon.
It's beeping now so I may just lose my connection.
Anyway, as mentioned we lost a bag so had to go to lost and found where a sweet pretty girl helped us and found our bag was still in Munich. She could have been Katie Dyson's Ukraine twin. (For those of you from the 28th ward!)
She helped me fill out the custom papers - the paper we filled out on the plane just gets you through the first check point-note to others following fill out top and bottom of this sheet even though it says arrival at top and departure at bottom-guys at this first desk not too patient, friendly or English speaking.
So the cute Katie looking girl took us to customs where a mean "Mr. Bean" looking guy asked us about our "gifts". Do we have any gifts? Well, yes the gifts of underwear for the orphanage. This obviously was a wrong answer as he had to see the gifts. He rifled through "mustard" (big yellow duffel bag) and then had to look through "ketchup" too-which was James and Alex's clothes. For some reason this bags looked suspicious? Finally after a bazillion questions about the gifts? How much they cost? Etc. he let us through....whew!
Outside we quickly found Hannah, our cute translator and Irina our facilitator with a sign holding our name. We went to the smallest little car (good thing one of our bags were missing as we would have never got it all inside!) and loaded up. James noticed her tire was low, when he pointed it out to Hannah she dryly said "Welcome To Ukraine."
We drove for quite awhile before reaching Kiev. There we stopped and exchanged money. Irinia parked right on the sidewalk and Hannah (I'm not sure if it's Hannah or Shanna-I'll try to clarify today) went with us to the "bank" which was just a window where we exchanged $500. I still can't say how the name of dollars here, I keep saying the word Gringots (from Harry Potter) but it's something like grieve-ness. Anyway 8.4 to our dollar. So when shopping things look WAY expensive.
The speed odometers are in kilometers not miles per hour so it looked like we were going 120 miles per hour down the freeway.
In getting to our hotel/apartment we went down this narrow alley way with other cars coming the opposite direction. Although I don't understand Ukrainian I know Irinia called the other car an idiot or something. We went to what appears to be a back door and loaded in our luggage. We're on the 2nd floor and our place is about 500 square feet with a studio bed/living room, kitchen, entry and bath. It's clean and relatively nice. We're paying $70 a night. I took video and will try to post.
We walked to this little market which made Lee Mart look plush! It is just about 40 steps from our apartment/hotel.
We did get our missing bag at about 1:30 am-it's about 2:30 am right now. We had our adapter in it and couldn't get online until we got our bag as the battery in our computer was dead.
We Skyped with our kids and that was awesome to see their cute faces and hear their voices. James and Dev & Rylee had fun making crazy faces at each other.
Our Ukraine phone is working and Hannah made it so it's in English and I can actually find the menu and what not. We can't call out (I tried to call Alex) as we need to buy some minutes but we'll work on that tomorrow.
When we went to bed (I think it's a double) there was a warm tiny comforter. James and I just couldn't fit under it. (I think it was twin size) anyway, after wrestling with it we realized it is TWO tiny twin comforters so we each have our own. We slept from about eight until the luggage came at 1:30.
I'm using an ironing board as my desk. I think James took a picture of that too. I keep saving my post and then going back to add more as I'm afraid I'm going to lose my connection.
Opps...looks like our adapter just burned out and now our battery is beeping again so I better go before the computer dies....

Our flights....

So, far we’ve made it on all our flights. We’re right now on our last flight from Munich to Kiev or Kyve as it’s spelled over here.

I’ve learned that my tall black boots are not the best thing to run through the airport in with a wad of money in your “money” sock. As it must have knocked my ankle out of alignment or something - my ankle is hurting - so now James is the designated money person.

When checking in to our flight to Munich everyone formed a HUGE line, which made no sense. I mean why not just board a few row’s at a time? Anyway, when in Rome….

So while standing in this line a little blond German gate attendant pulled us out of line and informed us that our carry on’s were too big. No, the weight was fine but they were too fat to fit in the bins so we went to a second line where the checked both our carry ons promising they’d arrive at our destination, it all happened so fast. While sitting on our eight hour flight I realized there are many important things in those bags that would have made our flight more enjoyable like our neck pillows and then to my dismay I realized all the documents, and Ukraine cell phone, and our clothes for court are in those bags which stresses me some as I’ve had luggage “lost” before. (According to the airlines it’s never lost just misplaced!) But since I’ve thought the worse and stewed about it, it’s bound to be there in Kiev? Right?

Time to fill out these customs forms and put the laptop away.

More later…..

All our bags are packed....

and we're just waiting to leave!
I've probably over packed. I tried to heed Carlin's advice but I just kept thinking of more things to bring. I'm not sure I want to see our facilitators face when we're picked up at the airport tomorrow. We have four bags just barely under 50 pounds each, 2 carry on's, a backpack and a very large "purse". Not to mention our coats!
I opted for comfy but still went with the "Mama Venda" black theme. Black knit flair-y Capri's, (I call them my "pirate pants") white shade shirt and a black and white checked comfy sweater. Of course to complete my ensemble I'll be wearing my black high heeled boots (as they're too big to pack) and they disguise my money sock. (I'm wearing it on the inside of my leg rather than the out as it looked like I had some sort of tumor or growth!) James is dressed comfy too and wearing the money belt as it makes me look fat. (Yes, I know I'm vain - I've come to terms with that!)
James also purged some of my packing and insisted I didn't need a entire bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Hey, you never know! He just might be sorry. I did talk him into the extra family sized tube of toothpaste. I mean, we will be there for a month!
Saying goodbye to our Rylee was rough. She is so tenderhearted. I reminded her that I have her picture in a locket around my neck and where ever I am, she'll be right by my heart. I told Lex the same thing when he left and true to my word, I've worn this locket everyday. (Except in the shower and at the gym!)
So, the weather is looking bleak....I see snow flakes right about the time we arrive in our region. James asked if I packed sunscreen and I laughed!
Today however, here is beautiful and I'm getting quite warm in my comfy sweater.
Thanks everyone for dropping by with hugs, phone calls, comments, emails and texts.
We're on our way!!
Happy St Patty's Day & Happy Anniversary to my sweet sis Kammy and her hubby Bill!
Brach: Just in case I don't have Internet service tomorrow HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Kam, Aug, Dev & Ry: We love you guys!

Giddy with Excitement!

Okay...I just can't hold still. Typing is even hard!
I've been feeling so guilty about being so happy when other parents are struggling with delays and awful and evil directors. A good friend of mine told me yesterday to just think of these other situations as "bad labor" stories and enjoy and rejoice in your own. So, that's what I'm going to do! (Please note my friends with issues, that does not mean you are not in my thoughts and prayers!)
So today I have a bazillion things to do! I've been weighing my bags and I had no idea how fast a bag can weigh 50 pounds! I think I've got everything sorted out now. Of course there's many things I cannot pack until I get ready Tuesday morning but for the most part, I'm packed.
(Don't worry if you haven't dropped off your package for you child yet, I still have four pounds left in one bag for you to fill!)
James got home a couple of hours ago, so I'm frantically doing laundry. We need to run to the bank, return library books, get James Rx filled, buy Q-tips (what an odd thing to run out of), I need to fill all my fact boxes, get Austin a B-day cake, and I won't bore you with the all the other minute details of my day.
Just got off the phone with my sweet friend Karen wishing me well. It's a good thing I'm surrounded by so many positive and uplifting people. Last night (yet again) a well meaning person told me horror stories of adoptions gone bad, not knowing I was heading out to adopt myself but did he stop his story once my Mom interrupted him to tell him I was adopting from the very same country that he's talking about? No, he continues on. Like I needed that! (Not to mention his own home grown children have had their share of troubles! But I was nice, I didn't bring that up!) If I were surrounded by people like that in my family or circle of friends, this would be very hard. But, I'm not-and thank heavens!
Thank you everyone for your well wishes, for following our blog, for dropping by with cards, books, DVD's, gifts for Alex, and offering to help with kids and dinners. My eyes are tearing up just thinking of the kindness that has been extended to us. We are so very blessed.
I promise to blog, every step of the way. I promise to be very nice and on my best behavior with the director at the orphanage to pave the way for those following me. And I promise to deliver hugs and packages and love to your children. If I can video and take pictures I'll do that too.
Tonight, we're going to have cake and celebrate Austin's upcoming 15th birthday as we'll be away for it. I'll post pictures later!
Well, I'm off! Happy Monday to you one and all!
Love,
Venda The Tough Ukraine Mama!

More of my scattered thoughts....

I feel so torn as I am so happy and excited and so many of my new found friends approaching the same adventure are in turmoil and despair over the situation at their orphanage. It just rips me up. We have friends there now that have gone to the orphanage to adopt their children and the children were afraid of them and wouldn't look up at them and told them "No, we do not want to be adopted outside of Ukraine." What kid says that? I can understand if they said

"No, I changed my mind.", "No, I'm too afraid to go to another country" but what kind of robot brain washed answer is "I do not want to be adopted outside of Ukraine."? Here is a copy of the post from another family planning to adopt out of the same orphanage:

The children had been manipulated and pressured into saying no to being adopted! Once the children say no, it puts an end to it.
In shock, we said, "But Bogdan won't say no. We have upwards of 20 letters asking us when we're coming. He is a strong-willed little boy. He won't say no." (We were told) the orphanage will find another way to block the adoption. By way of background, the regional woman over this orphanage is very anti-international adoption, pro-national adoption. She has been honored for keeping Ukrainian orphans in Ukraine. She has told the director of the Kremenchuk orphanage that if one more orphan leaves with an international family, he (the director) will be fired.

This is so sad. Besides the family currently there, we have three more families trying to adopt out of this orphanage. How very sad. It just breaks my heart for these families and these poor children trapped in Kremenchuk.

I saw these children with these families. I saw the joy and love and the sad goodbyes. I've followed their blogs and communication back and forth. I lunch with the moms & dads and I know of their love for these children. (One mom refuses to wash her children's finger prints off her walls because she misses them so much!)
I KNOW these children want to be adopted. Please pray for these children. Pray that the orphanage director, teachers, regional woman not only soften the hearts but change their hearts about international adoption. Pray that they will do what is best for these children and let go of this pride that will hold these children hostage and not allow them to be placed in loving families.
I have to remind myself that Heavenly Father is so much more powerful then these people. He has legions of angels, He can move mountains. We just need a small mountain moved in Kremchuck. Please pray for them!
As I approach this adventure I feel blessed that my Alex is under the care of a director that loves children and wants what is best for them. Here is a link to the post I wrote about having dinner with Alex's director when she came with the children in the fall. Little did I know she was such a blessing. I know that we may hit hurtles with our adoption, nothing is guaranteed, I of course hope it will be smooth sailing but until he's home here  - on American soil - I will not feel relief or peace. This is scary, to travel half way around the world and work with a system that seems to make up the rules as they see fit, to not speak the language, don't think these thoughts don't run through my mind when I wake up at four in the morning. But I remind myself, six months ago I would have never imagined myself to this point, so many miracles have happened to get us here. Our journey is a testament that God lives and loves his children. All his children. Now, I just need to breath....trust and breath....

Sleepless in Salt Lake

These butterfly feelings are waking me up in the morning. Usually around 4 am. Then I toss and turn and my mind starts running in circles. I don't think I've felt this way since I was a little girl on Christmas Eve.
I try to stay busy but each day feels like three days. Last night my sweet Jan's gave me a Bon-voyage party. It was fun and my friends gave me books, DVD's & some spending money to take on the trip. Ritva sent Ukraine candy and the Lyon's brought Lex matchbox cars that he will love!
While at the party people of course asked about the adoption process and as I'm talking to them telling them about my last phone call with Alex I thought, was that really only yesterday? It felt like so long ago....time is going so slow, yet I know Tuesday will be here before I know it. How can that be?
I'm pretty much packed. I feel like I'm packing for an extended funeral. Every blog I've read says that Ukraine's wear lots of black so I've packed just that.....BLACK! My safety strategy is to keep a low profile, blend in and keep my mouth shut, thus appearing to be a native Ukrainian?
I've been practicing my "bus face" which I read about on another blog. While in public you need a stanch - don't mess with me face. I realized that doesn't come natural for me. I smile at people and wink at babies and walking around with a grumpy, stanch face just isn't in my makeup. HOWEVER, I'm approaching this like an acting job, my character name is "Mama Venda" (Mama Wendy in Ukraine) she is one tough - don't mess with her - clothed in black and heels - Ukraine woman. When I get this character down, I'll post a picture.
Today we've got Austin's basketball tournament, watching my nephew Zach, Ry has a St Patricks Day party and Kambree has Spring Fling.
Last night Kammy brought over ingredients for me to pack so I can make fudge in Ukraine and a few chocolate bars to survive the trip. She then helped me move my living room furniture back in after having the carpets cleaned. What would I do without the love and support of my family and friends? Today I'm hoping to wash walls and load my camera software on the laptop. I'll have to practice posting some pictures.
Yesterday I stocked up on laundry soap, shampoo, things the kids will need while we're gone.

I also put the moose back together in Alex's room. Since he has Austin's old room with it's "forest-y" theme I have this wooden moose that holds a sign in his mouth that said "Austin's Room" so my friend Aleyce made me some vinyl that says "Alex's Room" and I repainted the plaque but in my zest and excitement, I put the vinyl words on upside down! (There are holes drilled at the top where you attached the plague) so I ran down to my Dad's and he drilled me two new holes! Whew! Thanks Dad! Seems like he just keeps bailing me out these days. He also came and fixed my sink yesterday as the garbage disposal had come loose and need new bolts. We had a power outage Thursday night and when putting back the candles I discovered water under the sink. Great. James is out of town so Dad to the rescue!
Anyway, I'm rambling....Seems like lately I start a story and then I ramble into a different subject and can't remember what my original subject was. I think this excitement of leaving and starting this adventure must be going to my brain!
Happy Saturday!

Travel plans & what not....

Today I felt was very productive, not only did I talk to my sweet Lex, I picked up an Ukraine cell phone from Ann C and I even have a phone number!
011-380-509-541-249
It won't work until we're in the Ukraine but I really appreciate this "hand around" phone. All we have to do is buy minutes and there may even be minutes left on it.
I spent some time with Lucinda M today and had a great conversation as she colored my roots and trimmed my ends. I've waited until the last possible moment in hopes that my "silvery" roots won't be too evident by the end of our trip!
I had a great lunch with my friend Amy and then I went shopping for necessity's for our trip.
I actually remembered to go to the elementary for Rylee's SEP.
I've changed and washed all the sheets on all the beds and tomorrow the carpet cleaners come so tonight after Devree's basketball tournament we'll be moving furniture and preparing for that. Whoopee.
I confirmed with our bank that they'll have "new and crisp" money for me to pick up on Monday and I still need to hook up with Jen M to borrow her Ukraine hair dryer.
There are definite benefits to going after others-all these shared appliances will be wonderful! Thanks everyone, I think all I'll need is to pick up a curling iron when I get there.
I also registered our trip with the US Embassy.
Less than five days....

New Pictures of Alex....

Ivan & Snezhana sent these to me via email... isn't he just so dang cute?

Last Phone Call To The Orphanage

I spoke with Alex this morning! I wanted to make sure he was well and back at the orphanage. He showed off his English skills by saying:
"I want to drink"
"I want to eat"
I want to TV"
So his week with Snezhana really paid off! I told him his English was wonderful and he asked how do you say liar in English to the translator and then he told me "Mama liar!" We laughed.
I thanked him for his cards and told him I had never had a National Women's Day card before. He was confused so the translator gave him a quick description of how we celebrate Mothers Day here.
I asked if he was still excited to come to America and before the translator could get the words out I got a very excited & happy "Da...Da....DA!!
I told him I had his room already and he said "YAHOO!" (In a Ukrainian way.)
He said he's very excited but wanted to know how he can stay in touch with his brother. I told him via the computer and telephone. I asked if Ivan was sad about Alex leaving and he said "net". I think Ivan must be a very loving brother to realize that being a member of our family will be best for Alex, even though they will be so far away. I assured Alex he would always be able to stay in contact with Ivan.
Snezhana's parents gave Alex an old cell phone and he gave me his phone number. I told him we'd call when we get into Kiev. He asked for my cell phone number and I gave it to him but explained it won't work when we're in the Ukraine but I'll call him when we get a temporary cell phone and give him our number.
He says he's excited and happy. I told him I love him and this time he said in English "I love Mama!" not "same" like he has in every other telephone call. My heart just soared.
And then building on his new English skills I said "I want to hug Alex!" and after a little help from the translator he told me in English. "I want to hug Mama!"

More Joy In My Mailbox Today!

I have no idea what it say's but it's so dang cute! And it's huge! (As you can see!)
I'll post translation when I get it!

Note from translator:

Dear Wendy,


It came out quite small so when I zoom up it it not clear, but I was able to make sense of most of it. He says


"Me dear mama, papa (and the name in English),


I wish you health and luck in everything.
I got your letter with lots of pictures (drawings?) and congratulations. I am good here, all is fine. You were worried if..... (seems like you asked him about something)
Do not worry, I am fully ..... (maybe something like taken care of?). Our director, Nadia Mihailivna, makes sure that we are warm in winter, eat good food, and we are not bored.
During the recesses and after the classes I play various games with my friends. I feel a bit sad that I will say good bye to all of them soon, but I am also sad that you are not here. You gave me lots of happy memories, and I feel happy that I will see you again.


Kiss, Olexy"

Joy In My Mailbox!

Yesterday, I got a handmade card from Alex. This is the front:

The back side (according to the translator) says:

Mommy, Kambree, Devree, Rylee!
I congratulate you with the 8th of March! [Happy Women’s Day!]

I wish you health, happiness, and the fulfillment of all your desires!


Kisses, Alex

Then he sent a little hand written note that when translated said:

Hi, my dear Dad, Mom, Kambree, Astin, Devree, Rylee!

Always I am joyous by the means of your letters.

Everything is good for me.

I’m studying hard, I play football with my friends on the weekends, occasionally visit the theater, and on holidays, receive presents.

I always reminisce/think about you, waiting for our meeting.

I kiss and hug you all.

Your Alex.

Until we meet…

The timing couldn't have been better as yesterday I received sad and scary news about another family in our group, in Ukraine that had a devastating experience. Apparently the director of their orphanage is very opposed to adopting children to families outside Ukraine and he scared their children and convinced them into saying they did not want to be adopted. And there is nothing the parents can do, they cannot adopt the children if the children will not agree to be adopted. (No, this is not our director or even in our region!) I won't go into much detail but I felt so awful for them as well as for a few more families who love and plan to adopt from the same orphanage. My heart just hurts for the parents and these terrified children who are being told who knows what....
I've also read some concerning news about the political situation in the Ukraine. I won't go into much detail on that either as I'm not exactly sure I understand all that is going on but it sounds like many Ukrainians are dissatisfied with the current government and are demanding change.

Note to Alex: Thanks Alex for your sweet letter, Mama really needed it yesterday! We're coming sweetheart, hang in there!

Things I love about today....

#1 I went back to bed after the kids went to school and caught up on my sleep.
#2 Dance was canceled so after running kids to the orthodontist and Costco we came home and can STAY home!
#3 I checked four things off my things to do list.
#4 Austin came in while I was working on the computer and talked with me awhile then sprawled out on the floor and fell asleep - I can hear him snoring.
#5 My girls are quietly doing their homework.
#6 It's almost 6:30 and still light outside
#7 Devree was voted "best 7th grade smile" for the yearbook (And this is BEFORE her braces!)
#8 We leave a week from tomorrow.

Hope you all had a great Monday too!

Do's and Don'ts....

I'm reading a recommended book titled "Culture Shock! Ukraine" and thought I'd share this list of "do's" and "don'ts"

DO...
Check your coat at the opera and at restaurants. Many places will not seat you if you insist on keeping your coat on.
(I always keep my coat because I'm always freezing!)
Avoid tap water
Remember the rule: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it
Bring small gifts when invited to people's homes
Remove your shoes when inside people's homes
(Hurray! I hate shoes!)
Avoid cabs when you see the driver accompanied with a friend. This could be a set up.
(Good to know!)

DON'T....
Admit smoking bothers you , if someone is kind enough to ask
(Yikes, I hate smoke-better pack the Visine!)
Shake hands over a threshold
Shake hands with gloves on
Whistle Indoors
(Apparently you'll whistle away your money)
Keep your hands in your pockets
Sit on steps or on the ground
(This is how you can catch a cold)
Sit at the corner of a dinning table
(Or a woman will not marry for seven years)
Give flowers in even numbers
(You bring even amounts of flowers to funerals and odd for everything else!)

I spoke with Elliana this morning and mentioned some of these and she said most were superstitions but that the flowers are bunched in odd numbers so not to worry about that.
She also told us she found a place in Denpro for $30 a night with a new washing machine! Whootwhoo! No Internet, so we have to go to an Internet cafe to post and check emails but that no Internet is pretty standard. I was thrilled with the price. And this is for a TWO bedroom unit with a living room and kitchen. Our facilitator, Oxona will be in the 2nd bedroom and that will be especially nice when James has to get back to work and I'm all by myself!
I actually talked to Elliana on Skype this morning. We didn't video conference-I was in my gym clothes and Elliana was in her robe-but our voices were clear and just as fast as if we were talking face to face and she's in Canada! This Skype thing....pretty amazing!
I really have a million things I should be doing to prepare to go and to pull off the Relief Society Birthday Social tomorrow night, but what am I doing? Posting and checking blogs!
Here's to outside whistling, glove-less handshakes and odd bunches of flowers!
Please feel free to comment with any other social rules of etiquette I might need to know!

Welcome to my "Private" Blog!

(Ohh....I feel so adultish!)
Thanks for going through the steps to get here. Please send me a comment so I know you made it!
As you know we leave on the 17th with our SDA appointment on the 19th. Depending on how fast the paperwork goes we hope to leave (via train?) to go to the region where our orphanage is on Saturday the 21st. However, I told Alex we should be there on Monday the 23rd just in case there's a hold up and because I think it would be great to surprise him! (Thanks Andreas-for this suggestion!)
Lex goes back to the orphanage on Monday. He's been with his half brother for the past week due to the quarantine. I'll be glad to know he's back because I don't have an address or anything for this half brother so basically I have no idea where he is. Due to all the warnings and advice from others that have gone (and my friend that continually tells me "You can't trust the Russians!") I can't help but be a little paranoid.
None of my great contacts have panned out as far as helping us secure housing. It boils down to the fact that Ukraine is a cash society and I can't simply call and hold an apartment with a credit card. Both my friend from Pilate's, Mariana and Snezhana (Alex's half sister in law) offered to help us find places when we get there but I don't want to show up with no where to go so we're having Adoption Way arrange our housing. I'm just hoping they find us a relatively low cost place to stay.
Also, I have not heard back from the Kiev mission president (a brother in law of my friends) or my neighbors friend that teaches English in the Ukraine. I was hoping they could at least tell us where we could go to church or if there was even a branch in our region.
We've been told to bring $8,000 in cash!! (I know, freaky scary to carry that much cash!) But I don't know why we need so much!? The adoption fee's (medicals, passports etc) with everything are about $700 and all the facilitator fees and "persuasive gifts" (bribe) fee's are included in the $16,000 we already paid Adoption Way.
We're bringing a 46 pound bag of brand new underwear, socks and undershirts to donate to the orphanage. (Thanks to my Stake Relief Society service project) and hoping that will suffice for our"donation to the orphanage" so hopefully no large sum of money needed there.
SO, why in the HECK would we need to bring so much money??!! We don't plan to stay at the Waldorf or anything. The money we bring is basically for housing, travel and food. (Can travel be that much?) Seriously, I don't think we'll bring that much!
Many thanks to Linda & Dan for the tips about traveling with money. They gave me socks with zipper compartments in them, told me to spread the money out, don't carry it all in one place. And the best advice, is to make a "dummy" wallet with old credit cards and a little money so if we get held up or anything we can give the robbers this wallet. Wow! I have so much to learn.
I'm stressing about how to hide the money in our apartment/hotel. Any suggestions?
Good grief, you can tell by the tone of the post that I feel so free having a private blog!
Anyway, again....thanks for coming!!

Funny Things My Kids Say....

I was complaining awhile back that my children don't say funny things anymore like they did when they were little. But now I have to take those words back.

Austin
We were reading scriptures the other night and about Lehi sending Nephi and his brothers to gather Ishmal and his family so the sons of Lehi could have wives to marry. In an attempt to stimulate conversation and get my children to actually think about the story I asked Austin (my 14 almost 15 year old) how he would feel if he had to find a family where he and Alex would marry the sisters and his sisters would marry the brothers, without a pause or a blink he says "Well, I hope that the men are good and the women are HOT!"



Rylee
Kambree, Austin and Rylee had an eye doctor appointment today. Rylee had never had her eyes dilated before. She brought her DS to entertain herself and then while waiting for the doctor to examine her dilated eyes she turned to me with a worried look and told me her DS must be broken, everything is all blurry!


Kambree
While sitting in with Kambree for her eye exam the doctor commented on her long lashes. Which reminded me of a funny story about Kambree. Two years ago Kambree had minor surgery to removed her impacted wisdom teeth. Right before going under the nurse jokingly told her she had such beautiful lashes that she was going to steal them while she was out. When Kambree came out of the anesthesia she came down weepy and started crying and with a mouth full of cotton asked me if she still had her lashes? I couldn't for the life of me understand-I thought she'd had some drug induced dream about having her lashes removed. I assured her that her lashes were still intact and then she just cried more. One of the nurses overheard and let me in on the situation. It's not as funny typed out as it is to picture this beautiful 15 year old pointing at her lashes and crying with a mouth full of soggy cotton concerned that her lashes had been stolen!


Devree
We had a major wind storm two days ago and my Devree came home and asked if we were going to have a hurricane? Austin burst out laughing! Hello? We live in Utah. Good thing Devree has tough skin, Austin would have had Rylee in tears with his good natured teasing about hurricanes in Utah.


Alex
I bet I'll have a lot of funny things to write about when we get Alex and he starts to learn English. Just imagine all the material I'll have! I'm hoping he's thick skinned too! Rylee unfortunately has enough tears for us all! Right now she's in her room trying to gather her emotions because she was playing Wii Fit and the Pilate's pose was just to hard! Good grief!!

And her are a few more photos' from our "Prom Dress" shopping trip....


Rylee could try on dresses all day long! She had a blast!





And the winner is.....