A jumping good time!

A good day…

I thought and thought for a catchy title but couldn’t come up with anything except “A good day.” Predictable and boring I am sure, but those three words summarize our day today.  While we are not happy about having to stay in Odessa longer than expected, we are super happy with our location and accomodations.  It has made the extra stay a bit more bearable.  The city of Odessa is fabolous and we are located in the heart of the tourism section with good restaurants, parks, and shops.   As you have already seen in the pictures the parks have been a big hit, especially the trampolines.  Today was no exception.

This morning we woke up and had some laid back time on the couch.  Anya was not able to use the computer yesterday due to getting in trouble and this morning she was very polite about asking before she sat down at the desk.  Today she was able to spend some time on the Barbie site, making her own magazine covers, and designing her own fashions.  She loves this and is actually quite good.  Meanwhile, Anastasia curled up in the chair and we watched cartoons together, while every once in a while I would hear a “Class” which means cool in English from the area of the computer followed by a come here Papa from Anya.  Unfortunately, Wendi wasn’t feeling well this morning so I was mister Mom today.  I took the girls to the park and the jumped on the trampolines and played on the slide and swings for a good two hours, until they were worn out and hungry.  It was time for lunch and then a nap which was had by all.

This afternoon, Wendi was feeling better and we went back to the park for another hour.  After which we went out to eat with both girls for the first time other than McDonalds.  We had planned on going to a Mexican restaurant, but when we got there it was’t open.  Anya was a bit disappointed as she was looking forward to chips and salsa.  Anastasia was excited that she got to ride in the taxi more and she thoroughly enjoyed sticking her head out the window as we whizzed down the narrow city streets.  We ended up having dinner at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.  Not sure the name, but we had an Atlantic pizza with shrimp, mussels, calamari, and cheese and sauce.  This was a bit of an accident as we guessed what was on the pizza by a picture since the menu was in Russian.  Surpisingly the girls seemed to like it for the most part.  The calamari and mussels didn’t make it off the plate, but a positive was that each girl tried one bite of it when we asked them to.  A big improvement from the other night and maybe an indication that the other night was worth it.

We are now back home, and the girls love bath time. They are having lots of fun as we speak and we will tuck them into bed shortly.  Wendii and I spend time together in the evening, but tonight we both have to work so our quality time will be spent staring at each other through the soft glow of the laptop screens. Romantic huh?  Keep the comments coming and we will let you know when we are coming home.  Hopefully next Saturday.

 

More new photos on Flickr

We have a lot of time on our hands so more photos are posted

Insurgents

So continuing from the battle theme, we started the day off with a small skirmish that was left over from last nights battle.  This morning as the girls woke up they were prompt in telling me they didn’t like me, and then Anya went over to the computer and asked if she could use it.  That was a big no, since last night I had told her that one of her consequences for the attitude was no computer today.  Funny how that was no big deal last night but this morning it was the end of the world.   We sat through breakfast with both girls declining to eat and so we at without them as they sat and watched.  After breakfast we wondered if we were in for a long day and then the wall was broken.  Anya walked over to Wendi and sheepishly said she was sorry.  It took a little more prodding to get her to apologize to me since I was the bain of her existence at that moment.  She did and Anastasia followed suit, seeing that there was no reason to hold back since the big sister had given in.  We then went on about our day and have had a good day together.

Adopting two has been and will continue to be interesting in moments like these. However, God was faithful, gave us wisdom, and proved to us that our parents were right about some things:)  Thanks for the encouragement and the laughs!

 

Victory at last

Even as I type this I am laughing.  An hour and forty five minutes later both girls have had there vegetables, followed by the reward of ice cream, and now are enjoying a bath together.  Who was the first to surrender?  Anastasia.  Wendi sat down and talked with her and she had her three bites and then smiled as if she had just gotten through the battle of the bulge.  She asked for ice cream and we gave it to her adding to the torture of her sister Anya as she sat and watched Anastasia enjoy her ice cream.  Poor Anastasia, she has such a tender heart and didn’t want to “betray her sister” but the ice cream and bath time sure sounded good so those three bites weren’t too bad

Anya sat  for another 30 minutes of temper tantrum, excessive crying, oh and they gave back to me the little gift I gave them today.  I guess it was supposed to be a dagger but it made me laugh, especially at the thought of them asking for it tomorrow I sat down with Anya and talked her through the logic of three bites of vegetables as opposed to ten bites of ice cream and a fun bath time with her sister.  Eventually that logic worked. She is smart and figured it out, especially when faced with the idea of vegetables tomorrow night as well.  Three bites later we were on to ice cream and bath time. 

Our parental flag is planted firmly on this first battle hill, but I am sure there are more ahead.  So tonight we sleep well having won the first of many confrontations.  It isn’t about winning necessarily as there will be some that we compromise on, but this one was about establishing our leadership in their lives and providing the discipline and stability that they subconsciously long for.  Well, I am off to get them ready for bed.  Heres to hoping that goes well tonight as I have a feeling they may make a paultry attempt at claiming the hill. May our flag wave high!

Battle in the trenches

Well it has begun. Our first true parenting moment.  Tonight we served vegetables for dinner and both girls declined to eat them.  We told them that they wouldn’t get ice cream if they didn’t eat the vegetables and so the battle started.  As I type they are sitting at the table very visibly upset and saying all sorts of things about us in Russian I am sure.  We told them three bites and Anastasia wants to comply but she is listening to big sister who keeps telling her not to do it. If she would do what her heart is telling her she would be having ice cream right now rather than sitting here listening to her sister throw a temper tantrum.  Alas we sit in the middle of the trenches over three bites of broccoli and carrots…Now both of them are sobbing:)  While it is hard to hear your girls cry, we can definitely tell the difference between these tears and others we have experienced. This will continue I am sure until bedtime.  Maybe there will be vegetables for breakfast

 

More new photos on Flickr

We just added some more new photos on Flickr of our time together on Mothers day. Enjoy.

Energizer bunny vs. Adoption in Ukraine

Which one will last longer?  My bet is on our adoption here in Ukraine. As you can tell by the title and the first sentence, we had another change of schedule today.  What a surprise!!!

We were in great shape this morning.  We got the girls up at 5:30am and were out the door at 6:30am to catch the 7am bus from Bilgorod to Odessa.  When we arrived in Odessa the document we needed from Kiev was on the train arriving in Odessa on time, so we were off to a great start.  Edward had to go to a government office and didn’t need us right away so we introduced the girls to McDonalds.  I know, I know, I can hear all of you groan and wonder if we are going to be yet another family that lives on the golden arches.  Well let me set your mind at ease and maybe mine as well.  We wont. However they speak English there and we know what things are so it is easy to order for us and the kids.  After an hour at McDonalds we were off to the passport office.  On schedule…

Then we hit the brakes causing squealing and smoking all the way through the passport office doorway.  As we walked out, I noticed the Energizer bunny was sitting on the side of the road with smoke coming from its wheels.  It had tried to keep going as long as our adoption journey but had finally given up the ghost.  You guessed it we hit another delay.  It seems that the passport process has changed and now it takes 6-7 days rather than the 1 or 2.  This means we wont be in Kiev until next week and I expect it may be Memorial day weekend before we get home.  SIGH….

So there you have it.  We are here a  little longer.  In all of this though God has been faithful through my complaining as usual.  We are now staying in Odessa at Odessa Executive Suites (which we were referred to by another Ukraine blogger)  So far we give it high marks.  It has full internet access, clean bathroom, kitchen, and washer.  Everything we could dream of. In addition right around the corner there is a grocery store and shopping center so we can spend more money

We love Ukraine but good grief, when you outlast the energizer bunny and every other adoption process we know of, it is time to come home!

The next few days

So to keep you posted here is a rundown of the next few days.  

Tomorrow morning we leave at 7am for Odessa.  We will check into an apartment there and will be working with the passport agency to get the passports for the girls.  This process on average takes 1 to 3 days based on what we have been told so we are hoping that maybe we will be there for two days and on our way.   It will be another chance for the girls to see another city in their country and so we will try and do a little site seeing should time allow.

If all goes well, we hope to be on a train to Kiev on Tuesday night and then will spend the next three days at the Embassy doing medical exams, interviews, etc.  After this is completed we come home!  We will keep you posted on how things are going but if all goes well we hope to be home this time next weekend!!! Yahoo! (is that phrase patented?) 

• Pray for quick processes at the passport agency in Odessa.  Anya has a passport so hopefully just changing here name etc should make the process a bit faster. 
• Pray for same day appointments in Kiev for the medical exam and interview. 
• Pray for new and cheap flight options.  As of right now getting home is going to be quite expensive.  If you are planning to adopt in the coming months, spend the extra few hundred on the adoption fares quoted by NWA or Delta.  They may seem like a few extra then, but I regret not following my gut on that one as the fares to get home are really high.  
• Pray for continued health for the whole family.
• Pray for safe travel home.

Thak you all for your support. Keep the comments coming because some day we will print all of this and build a book out of it for the girls to keep.  Happy Mothers Day!

Goodbye Bilgorod-dnistrovsky

After three months, tonight is our last night in Bilgorod-dnistrovsky.  We have stayed at a Christian Clinic here and the people have been amazing.  In fact, when they met our girls this weekend they poured attention and affection over them which both of them enjoyed thoroughly.  It made them both feel special and welcomed and we appreciated that. 

The city of Bilgorod-dnistrovsky is 2500 years old and the coming of Spring has made it incredibly beautiful.  The parks that were gray and dirty when we arrived have come to life with beautiful green trees, tulips, and many other flowers.  Add in several foutains and lots of kids and you have the makings of a picturesque city.  We would have loved to have already been home, but it has been good to see the city and country in spring time. 

If you know us at all, then what I am about to tell you wont surprise you a bit.  While here at the Clinic we have befriended the Clinic puppy.  She is a cute little one who’s original name was Julia, but we promptly named her Pillow as she reminded us of a soft furry throw pillow.  Ironically the name has stuck and we will miss the little puppy.  We thought about taking her home, but she has a good life at the clinic and they would miss her.  So goodbye sweet Pillow. You will be forever remembered in our photo books documenting our trip to Ukraine.  You might even get your own page!  Truthfully, they should start a dog adoption program as well as there are thousands of stray animals here and as we are animal lovers it is sad that they are not treated better because many of them are so sweet.

I am sure we will be back here some day, but until then asta la vista Bilgorod-dnistrovsky and hello Odessa!