Teresa has a birthday we're so Glad

Yes today is Teresa's birthday and she's how many years old? OUCH THAT HURT!

We got to spend three hours with the boys today. Even without a translator it was pretty good. One of our boys does really well with a perfect pout if he doesn't get his way. Another is always trying to trade for something we have. Little does he know that it is all his with parental supervision in a few days.

We are now on daylight savings time here. So we were an hour late for everything and overstayed our welcome at the orphanage. And unless it causes problems later we are not sorry. Bad Americans, and we still don't keep the boys bundled and zipped like it's winter. It was nearly 60 today, that would be t-shirt and shorts weather for Denver.

The guys now know how to work the Ipod, mp3 player, camera and so forth. Yes I posted the ipod picture twice. Teresa's crash up cars were a big hit. We are still not sure that we are allowed to post pictures of the guys so all you get this time is an unidentifiable picture.

Plus three makes five Sons

Teresa, here. The journey of Life takes so many twists and turns. It has now been three years since we decided to adopt children from Ukraine and we still don’t have children.

Our first trip to Ukraine was unsuccessful. We met and fell in love with three brothers. It seems a lifetime ago now. Just a few weeks ago we got a call from Ukraine saying the problem has been solved and the boys can be adopted now. What a roller coaster ride. Here we are back in a small town named, Kahovka. It is a place that brings back great joy and great pain all in one. It is very familiar as if nothing has changed but every thing has.

We first visited the inspector’s office. There we found out the orphanage director is sick with the flu. Oksana spent time talking to the inspector, Tatiana. When last I saw her she had tears in her eyes as I asked her how it is fair to the boys. She still has a red outfit on but it is not the red sweater we saw her in every day the last trip. Finally we were told we could see S and V in about 1 ½ hours. But that D would be Monday or Tuesday. At 1:30 pm we picked up Tatiana from her office and we are off to the orphanage.

My mind races as we get closer and closer to the orphanage. What have they been told? Will they be mad at us for just not coming back (even though we were not allowed to see them before we left)? I love them will they believe us since we left before? Will they be glad to see us? What do we tell them? There are hundreds of question and no answers.

As we waited in the orphanage computer room, I remember the last time we were here. Getting in trouble for getting off my mat to help the boys with something. I was brought back to reality as S comes running into the room. The joy I felt when S came running into my arms was overwhelming. He was happy to see us. Even V after a few minutes warmed up to us and we had a great visit. We gave them crash up cars as their Christmas present since we were unable to send them anything. They make noise. Lots of noise. Maybe the orphanage director will kick the boys out of the orphanage early to get peace in the orphanage.

I believed S and V missed us as we much as we missed them. Oksana was able to convince the orphanage director to let D come back to the orphanage tomorrow (Saturday)if we pay for the driver and nurse to pick him up. D was the one I was really worried about. The last time we saw him he really took his role as the oldest very seriously. We met with all three of the boys yesterday. We spent time explaining why back in December we didn’t come back and see them. It seems that every day for a month the boys asked why we had not come back and they were never give a reason. D comment was it really doesn’t matter why. The important thing is you are back. All three boys said they are ready to come home with us.

It will be Tuesday before we can start the paper work. I really hope and pray there are no more surprises as we work on the paper work. I am not sure I understand why everything happened the way it did but, God does have a plan for us all, we just have to trust.

Photograph of Oksana by Raymond S. Jensen

It doesn't matter!!! Oh yes it does!

Dennis is back at the orphanage. The nurse went and picked him up this morning. She said he was very excited to learn that we were back for him. We had Oksana our translator talk to him about why we suddenly quit coming to see them and He said "It doesn't matter they are back now" She asked whether anyone had told them about the situation and he said no. She tried to put it in terms that they could understand but I think all three of the boys were only listening half way.

It really does matter to us but at this point we are just happy to be back to the point where all of the boys say they want to come home with us. We won't be able to see the boys again for about 48 hours so there shouldn't be any major news for a few days.

I'm sure this trip will have it's moments but right now it seems like we are all picking up right where we left off.

Teresa's Dancing Eyes

We had a safe trip to Kherson. The train was actually pretty comfortable this time. Temperature was 70-72. We got our referrel from the State Department for Adoption and were allowed to meet with S & V today. V was a little hesitant but warmed up pretty quickly. S came running when he saw us. D is at a Sanitarium for precautionary measures and should be back at the orphanage tomorrow.

Teresa is as happy as I have seen her in months and it is good to see her sparkling/dancing eyes. All in all as good a reception as we could expect.

The inspector and many of the orphanage staff were very friendly and helpful. Two of them are even going with us on their day off so we can see all of the boys tomorrow.

Tired but safe

Just wanted you to know we are in our apartment in Kyiv. Need sleep and a shower.

2, 1, 0

We are now under two days. No not everything will get done. Kari and Heidi came by today with stuff for us and to take to some of the kids. It is amazing to me how quickly many of the adoptive families go from meeting each other to good friends. It's especially good to know there are family and friends praying for us and the boys.

We now have more family with more communication stuff. Wendell (Oldest son now has skype and webcam) and visited with us and Wayne (youngest son) today. Aunt Ruthie who was the first family member to contact us through skype with a webcam while we were in Ukraine called us today. She has inspired Mom & Dad to get high speed internet so maybe they will be able to see and talk with us this trip. Uncle Bud also called with good wishes.

We have also been collecting a small amount of stuff for some of the mission families that we are aware of in the area we are travelling to.

Anyway here we go again.

Never Give Up

We got word on Thursday morning that the boys little sister had been officially adopted by her foster family. As part of this process they had to get the kids officially seperated.

This means that the three boys who we visited in November and December are available for adoption. After waiting and waiting we are now in panic/rush mode. Our new appointment with the State Departement for Adoption (SDA) is March 26. We expect to be with the (our) boys again on the 27th.

We are concerned about what they may have been told when we were no longer allowed to see them without any explanation. Hopefully they still want to be adopted. We will still have the court date and the 10 day waiting period. Yes we are wary of the many problems that still could come up but...

Teresa can't wipe that big grin off her face.

Stay Tuned - Here we go again

We have survived closing the books for all four organizations we are involved with. And we got a call from our facilitator Valentine today. More news to come in a few days.