Let's roll

Big brother Wayne came over and took care of the kids while Teresa & I went to a parenting seminar. He did a great job. This was the first time that we left the kids alone other than at school.

Friday the training wheels came off of Nadia and Alex bicycles. Look out world.

Two months home today

Two months home today. The kids have made great strides in just a short time. More English every week and the bonding/attachment is better than I expected at this point. The kids have been to the doctors several times. Most vaccinations need to be updated. We love doing stool samples. Okay the kids had great timing and I've only been home to do one of them. Yes the kids have some parasites that need treating/killing. The dentist should do just fine this year if she only has a couple more families like ours. In other words the kids teeth are in pretty bad shape. Luckily they are mainly baby teeth. We couldn't love the kids any more than we do. Call it the honeymoon period if you like.

... and a wedding!

Well Wendell asked Kelly so there will soon be a wedding. She is a really nice girl so we are excited. They are very good for each other.

This is starting to look like a pattern so be warned if you adopt three kids and have older kids you may get a wedding in the same year.

Veloseepead Budlaska

Well I didn't quite make it to post for the one month home anniversary. It's amazing how kids who haven't had one on one time with parents really seem to need alot of it. Okay I know that is not surprising at all.

We took Wayne's old bike and lowered the seat and handlebars. It was a pretty good fit for Ivan. Of course then I spent the rest of the day listening to the two younger ones beg for a veloseepaed budlaska (Bicycle, please, Pleeeeeaaseeee) We held out until about 4 pm. Then went and bought a couple of bikes with training wheels. They road until dark and then wanted the cars moved out of the garage. I figured fine a few minutes in the confines of the garage and they would be tired of it. Silly Dad. Except for supper they spent the rest of the evening until worship riding in the garage.

For worship we decided that at least until they understand more English that we would do videos. I figured Adventures in Odyssey would be good. They liked those but they really love the "Love Comes Softly" western series. They will cheer when the good guys do the right thing or when the bad guys get tripped up and caught. It surprised me that they liked the western. Maybe it helped that school took the kids to the National Western Stock Show. Proud Papa here, I have to add that Ivan got an award (ribbon) for being one of the fastest on the peddle tractor race. At the end of worship we have what the kids now call Heysuss, tank you, tank you. I know they are listening because that is pretty much how I always start prayer. Dear Jesus, thank you....

When we were raising Wendell and Wayne we would always rotate who had prayer that night. This round the kids think it is an election and they vote. I tried a few sentences in Ukrainian which they found terribly entertaining, probably because they were too informal or baby talk like. Anyway I am now elected 90% of the time. Ivan and Alex have each tried a time or two in Ukrainian, I'm not sure what was said but I am sure that there was someone who did and loved it even more than Teresa and I.

We went to the airport to meet Richard and Anastasia (Cindy had come back earlier.) Unlike our evening at the Roge's our kids were much more relaxed and interacted with other Ukrainian kids. We had eaten together with Richard, Cindy & Anastasia in Kyiv when we were all there. When I showed them pictures from church of all of us together they were very excited to go to the airport. Nadia wanted to hold the little bag with a small gift for Anastasia and be the one to give it to her.

There are challenges but I think we and the kids have done really well together. The damaged items list continues to grow but nothing as expensive as the first couple of weeks. We have key locks for the master bedroom, office and basement. We also invested in about a thousand paper plates and half that many paper cups. We won't win any environmental awards but it sure makes life easier.

We are still hoping and praying for Felix and others who are currently in Ukraine trying to complete adoptions. Ukraine has again changed the rules and now requires that prospective adoptive parents also get Interpol police clearances which may take up to 40 days to process.

Ukraine also completed their presidential election today. Victor Yanokovich won by about 4 or 5 percent. Interestingly he was the one who the Ukrainian courts ruled had fraudulently stolen the election five years ago. So it looks like Ukraine will probably drift back toward closer relations with Russia and will be unlikely to be looking for NATO membership. Ivan was very surprised when we were watching Internet TV from Ukraine. He said he didn't know many people in the part of Ukraine where he lived who would have voted that way. He gave thumbs down to Yanokovich and also to current president Yushenko.

Enough rambling for tonight.

Two weeks home

Well, well two whole weeks. Some of the newness is wearing off. School has gone well and all of the kids are adding more English words. Conversation is still 90% in Ukrainian. They are now challenging to find out where the limits are. In other words typical kids.

We ventured out for our first visit to another home on Friday. Heidi and Felix opened their home to many of the adoptive families. We were surprised that they did not seem more interested in some of the other kids who spoke Ukrainian. They clung to Mama for the first half hour or so. Then played chase/hide and seek with big Nadia. By the end of the evening they were climbing all over Jim V and Felix just like they do with Papa at home. These are great, safe guys, just something for us to watch and consider in other settings.

Sunday the kids enjoyed getting on Skype with Grandma and Grandpa J and also with big brother Wendell and Kelly. Also built a snow ramp with rocks for traction between the levels of the back patio to play with the remote control cars. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa B.

This weeks damage report. One DVD recorder, DVD's slammed in half way will break both the machine and the DVD. The old digital camara lens no longer will deploy even with new batteries. New lock for Mama's office door. The hole punch is very facinating no matter what documents are being punched. The 50 state quarter collections that Mama carefully put together from both the Denver and Philadelphia mint is scattered who knows where. Probably not damaged but certainly flatter than any gym or exercise program has been able to get Papa's stomach in years.

Two kids are sleeping in their own room, one is still sleeping with us in the master bedroom. That will change soon!!

Hey we love our kids, these are the problems we have worked so hard to have.

Please pray for Richard & Cindy and for Heidi & Felix. Both are adding to their families over the next few weeks. And remember there are many children who need parents and families.

Pictures Part 2

The first picture is Ivan in Ukrainian costume for his last class play.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures Part 1

Our kids from November and the best ad against drunk driving I've seen.

One week home & belated Thanks

We have now had the kids home for one full week. They are doing really well. English usage is increasing daily although still just a little bit. Nadia was helping with dishes and had a dish in one hand and a sponge in the other we have foaming soap at the sink and she said "Papa shampoo that" for me to put soap on her sponge. Alex shook the soda and then opened it three times in one day. He cried all the time he was helping wipe it up the third time. We also have implemented a food is only eaten in the kitchen rule. He regularly violates that one and when asked if he wanted us to throw out food he had taken out he said "No Thank You" Ivan's new words for today included Tennessee and France. Tennessee coming from his class studying the civil war. All of the kids can count to twelve now.

Today was the kids first day of school. Nadia who has usually been the most overwhelmed by things told the translator to tell me to go away she was a big girl. Ivan waived and said "It's okay Papa" Alex who is usually our most out going child cried when Mama left and Papa took about 30 minutes to ease him into his group. All in all no major blow ups or crisis and pretty good at getting to bed at a reasonable time.

We really do have a great host of friends who have supported us in this journey. Thanks Donna and Larry for looking after the house. Thank you Shawn & Yvette for getting the driveway and sidewalks shoveled. Thank you Darla and family for decorating the house for Christmas and the food and gifts. Thank you Kari for coordinating communication among the adoptive families with all our last minute changes. Thanks Heidi, Felix and family for the gifts, clothes, food, welcome stuff at the airport. Thanks to the Barretts, wow even a new vegetarian recipe. Yes Teresa and I are and we did okay in Ukraine. Some of the things at the airport I'm not sure we could tell who brought what but we do thank you also. Thanks Matt for the description of the whole gang following my family around the parking garage. It was only important to get to the airport who knew we would leave it. And whoever coordinated half my office showing up for the welcome home at the airport. And the gang from the church staff. I'm probably leaving someone out and for that I am sorry.

In the first week damage report: One garage door opener. The emergency release to operating it manually proved too tempting. Evidently trying to get it locked back in caused some type of binding. One chair with wheels rolled down the stairs. Plastic wheels do not survive the landing.

Most fascinating items around the house. The treadmill, Mama now holds the key so no kids operate it without supervision and fly off the back end. Mama's can opener. Papa using his electric shaver in the morning. And the nerf guns. Yes I've shot my kids already. Trust me I lost that battle.

It's great to be home. America has lots to offer each of us and our kids. Who knows I may even get some pictures up this weekend.

Wow

WOW! I'll say that backwards Wow. We had an amazing group of friends, family, coworkers and fellow adoptive families meet us at the airport. Thank YOU! Yes the kids are already into the clothes, toys and food. What awesome friends you all are.

Home!

Even made me (Jim) cry thinking about it all this morning.

If we are this excited to bring the kids to our home I can only imagine the celebration when God brings all of (us) his kids home.

Race to Freedom - Three new Americans

We are in America at Teresa's folks. Relieved to be out of Ukraine with our children. Teresa was able to sing I'll be home for Christmas with only minutes left. The kids were good on the flights. They went from orphans to spoiled Americans in less than a week. The final tally: 4 trips a total of 91 days in Ukraine over 14 months. Blessed with three wonderful kids.

Recognized Grandma and Grandpa from their pictures and took to them right away. Little slower when big brother and girlfriend arrived. We are managing pretty well with communication. Tomorrow in our own beds.

The idea of giving kids gum to help with take offs and landings should include the warning to take the gum in about twenty minutes. Sasha decided it should be saved for later by putting it in his hair.

If it weren't for bad luck....

I'd have no luck at all.

Another one day delay. Ukrainian passports are only allowed one western european city per flight. Ours had two. The travel agency says that they were aware of this just not the agent that booked ours. They will have us on a new flight tomorrow at no additional cost.

Almost Done

We have all our documentation. The kids are legally ours. Just in case we didn't think so they have been taking more than two hours each night to get to sleep. We will be able to fly soon but due to the holidays and the snow storms on the east coast we will only get to the US, home will still be a few more days. Teresa's folks will have all of us at their house for Christmas while we wait. They are excited. Just wait until we have a long bed time. The pictue is Alex (Sasha) he is the youngest and seven years old.

Plays well with others

All five of us had a very good tuesday and everyone was in good spirits/played well together. All of us but Teresa like being on the floor, Nadia and Sasha both think Papa makes a good pillow to lay on while watching videos. Can't wait to post some pictures, just waiting until it's official and we check them out of the orphanage. Each day now I am saying this will be the kids last Wednesday in an orphanage.

Please keep Richard and Cindy (another Colorado couple adopting in Ukraine) in your prayers. They are getting the court delay/run around just like we did. For more information you can check out their blog from the blogs I follow.

Some great lines that they have added to my adoptive parents lexicon.

Radiator Roulette-Drying your clothes after washing them in the bathroom sink.
Wheel of Torture-For the Ukrainian adoption process (We've all bought enough vowels, and I'd like to solve the puzzle)

We have seen the sun on two days this week. Not bad after two whole weeks without seeing it at all.

Music for a meltdown

Well both of us parents and at least one of the kids reached a mini-meltdown day. It just gets tiring. So this morning I decided it was music time. I started with some comfort/inspirational music. Some Amy Grant from 20 plus years ago. “Love will find a way.” (Which I do believe) “Angels” (Beyond the walls an endless prayer is being lifted for us) “In a little while” (We’ll be home) and “Ageless Melody.”

For no particular reason other than we like kids and cartoons I put Chris Rice’s “Cartoon Song” on (What if cartoons got saved)

Then I needed a little more irony. Yesterday for the first time in two weeks we saw the sun. Don’t worry, today it is cloudy again with a dusting of snow. So what could be more appropriate than John Denver’s “Sunshine on my shoulders.” And as long as we are playing Denver why not “Rocky Mountain High.” Sticking with the weather theme we moved on to America’s “Horse with no name” (It felt good to be out of the rain wandering the desert, the desert was also a good metaphor for our emotional feelings)

Then “Yellow submarine” never thought the song made much sense but then again we are in Ukraine. The Rolling Stones “Start me up” because, well nothing ever seems to get started around here. “Magic” by Kenny Chesney, we could use a little and hey I needed something other than Rock.

ELO’s “All over the World” because we are. Supertramp’s “Take the long way home” I think we made that choice when we picked Ukraine. And Chicago’s “One more day” (NOT)

And last, but not least, Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” since I will be the only one of the five of us when we get home that can say this.

Feel free to toss us some of your favorites.

3 1/2 hours in Court

Some families get through Ukrainian adoption court in 30-45 minutes. Ours lasted 3 1/2 hours.

We have three kids!! We are now starting our 10 day waiting period for the court decree to become official.

We still haven't seen the sun since 10 minutes before we landed last sunday. But it is about as bright a day as we have seen.

One (Last?) delay

Our court has been delayed another four hours. We will be in court at 3 pm tomorrow. (Tueday, December 8)

Teresa is feeling a little better but is still coughing and afraid she'll get kicked out of court.

Tomorrow with the kids, Monday in Court

Well we are on the move again. We will be able to see the kids late afternoon on Sunday and then we will be in Court Monday morning. Stay tuned. I think this has been one of the longest "paper pregnancy's." And I've told Teresa that the weight of the three kids in this case is about equal to hers. No numbers! my head is still recovering from the frying pan therapy (behavior modification.)

Waiting again

Well we are home for a little more than two weeks. Court is scheduled for November 30. While we are gone our facilitator has visited the kids and taken them care packages Teresa made for them.

Ukraine seems to be unwinding from the Swine Flu scare so in a few days we should be with the kids again.

It is giving us a chance to get caught up on work and do a few things around the house now that we have an idea of what the kids like.

Parenting, We asked for it.

Well our youngest is in the hospital with a fever of 101-102. Even the orphanage staff were not allowed to see him to take him some fruit. They are still letting us visit the older two kids even on the weekends. Today they finally let some of the kids friends join us. Our daughter showed some jealousy today. Kind of nice except for kicking & hitting her friends. Ahh parenting, what we've been waiting for.

As for finding a location with fast enough internet speed to use our skype webcam we are still unsuccessful.

We are lucky in our location to be in one of the few oblasts (states) in Ukraine where there have been no deaths reported from swine flu. Interestingly here they are referring to the strain of swine flu as the California strain.

Lights Out

Well our power is out not just for the motel but as far as we can see in all directions. Since we still have internet access I'm assuming somewhere nearby has power. So with battery powered laptops and windup flashlights we have another of those Ukrainian moments like internet access on the train where the toilet empties onto the tracks below. I guess it's about time to sleep anyway.

Do po bach ne ya (Goodbye)