We're finally coming home! Tomorrow is the big day. The boys and I are so excited (not to mention my Mom, who is also thrilled). Please pray for safe travel for us. We have a LONG trip, including a 6 hour drive home from DC in the middle of the night. Then, we'll have lots of adjustment once we get home, but for now we are excited to show the boys around our house and town. And, of course, we cannot wait for them to meet all our awesome friends and family!
On another note, I just want to say that I have an awesome, awesome husband. The poor guy has been home alone with Charlie and Andrew for 17 days, shuttling them all over town to friends' houses while also trying to work hard (especially after having missed 3 1/2 weeks of work while in Ukraine). He is exhausted. He has also fed them, clothed them, taken them to their evening activites, taken them out in the boat, camped in the backyard with them, taken care of the yard, and last (but DEFINITELY not least) he and the boys spent much of the weekend cleaning the house for me. God certainly blessed me with an awesome husband. What an awesome example he is going to set for all four of our boys. It brings tears to my eyes to think that Taras and Bohdan are going from being "fatherless" to having one of the best earthly fathers I know. Rick is truly a superb dad. All four of our boys are truly blessed beyond measure to have him in their life. As am I.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
It's been a while...
I must apologize for my complacency in updating the blog. I will attribute it to my lack of sleep, though I'm not sure that accurately explains it. Regardless, I cannot wait to get home to my very comfortable bed!
Bohdan is back. He has been wonderful. Children are always challenging, but he has been no more challenging than any other child, and actually I would say he has been less challenging than most over this past week. He's been extremely helpful and kind. One of his best qualities is that he is extremely considerate. He gets up and makes tea for himself first thing every morning. He makes one glass and then offers it to everyone else before he takes a sip. Often Taras will say he would like the glass, so Bohdan graciously gives him the glass and then heads back into the kitchen to start the next glass. It's very cute. Also, he is extremely expressive! When he's angry you know it, but when he's happy you know it too, and it's very cute. He reminds me of an Italian man. (He actually resembles a southern Italian in many ways!) We are down to the three day countdown now, and he is getting very excited. He truly wants to come to America, and he can't wait to get there! I have drawn out our house a couple of times for him so he can see where he is sleeping, etc. They know our house is three stories, and they are very intrigued to understand exactly what rooms occupy each story. This morning, Bohdan came in and said (in not so many words) that he should have the "single" room, while Taras, Charlie and Andrew share the other room. I laughed. He smiled and said (in a very exagerrated manner), "Yes, Mommy, YES!!" Like I said, he's very cute.
Taras is acting more like a typical teenager (and man, in general). We went to the dentist a few days ago, and found out Taras has seven cavities that need filling while Bohdan needs 4 teeth extracted (none permanent) and had 4 cavities. Well, we went to the dentist a couple of days ago, and Bohdan had half of his work done, as did Taras. (As a side note, you are probably thinking, "YOU ARE TAKING THEM TO A DENTIST IN UKRAINE! ARE YOU INSANE?!" However, this is the dentist that the US Embassy workers and their children frequent. It looks exactly like an office in America, except for the fact that all the magazines lying around are written in Russian. Oh, and the price is 1/3 of an American dentist. For those of you who know my husband at all, you now completely understand why we are seeing a dentist our last week in Ukraine.) ; ) Anyway, one of Taras' cavities was rather large. The dentist said he might have slight pain for a couple of days. He did not even recommend Motrin or anything. Regardless, I started administering Motrin immediately. 600 mg every six hours. Regardless, he has been complaining NON-STOP about his tooth pain. MEN! You would think his mouth had been run over by a truck. Seriously. Anyway, I suppose he's feeling better this morning, because he is actually smiling. Little does he know that we return for the second half tomorrow. If I have realized nothing else on this trip, I have realized that sometimes it's very convenient to speak a different language than your children.
We are off to the US Embassy now to complete our Visa work. This is the last step in the adoption process. It's been a trip, and we are all finally ready for last leg - flying home!
Love to all and again, countless thanks for your amazing prayers and support!
Bohdan is back. He has been wonderful. Children are always challenging, but he has been no more challenging than any other child, and actually I would say he has been less challenging than most over this past week. He's been extremely helpful and kind. One of his best qualities is that he is extremely considerate. He gets up and makes tea for himself first thing every morning. He makes one glass and then offers it to everyone else before he takes a sip. Often Taras will say he would like the glass, so Bohdan graciously gives him the glass and then heads back into the kitchen to start the next glass. It's very cute. Also, he is extremely expressive! When he's angry you know it, but when he's happy you know it too, and it's very cute. He reminds me of an Italian man. (He actually resembles a southern Italian in many ways!) We are down to the three day countdown now, and he is getting very excited. He truly wants to come to America, and he can't wait to get there! I have drawn out our house a couple of times for him so he can see where he is sleeping, etc. They know our house is three stories, and they are very intrigued to understand exactly what rooms occupy each story. This morning, Bohdan came in and said (in not so many words) that he should have the "single" room, while Taras, Charlie and Andrew share the other room. I laughed. He smiled and said (in a very exagerrated manner), "Yes, Mommy, YES!!" Like I said, he's very cute.
Taras is acting more like a typical teenager (and man, in general). We went to the dentist a few days ago, and found out Taras has seven cavities that need filling while Bohdan needs 4 teeth extracted (none permanent) and had 4 cavities. Well, we went to the dentist a couple of days ago, and Bohdan had half of his work done, as did Taras. (As a side note, you are probably thinking, "YOU ARE TAKING THEM TO A DENTIST IN UKRAINE! ARE YOU INSANE?!" However, this is the dentist that the US Embassy workers and their children frequent. It looks exactly like an office in America, except for the fact that all the magazines lying around are written in Russian. Oh, and the price is 1/3 of an American dentist. For those of you who know my husband at all, you now completely understand why we are seeing a dentist our last week in Ukraine.) ; ) Anyway, one of Taras' cavities was rather large. The dentist said he might have slight pain for a couple of days. He did not even recommend Motrin or anything. Regardless, I started administering Motrin immediately. 600 mg every six hours. Regardless, he has been complaining NON-STOP about his tooth pain. MEN! You would think his mouth had been run over by a truck. Seriously. Anyway, I suppose he's feeling better this morning, because he is actually smiling. Little does he know that we return for the second half tomorrow. If I have realized nothing else on this trip, I have realized that sometimes it's very convenient to speak a different language than your children.
We are off to the US Embassy now to complete our Visa work. This is the last step in the adoption process. It's been a trip, and we are all finally ready for last leg - flying home!
Love to all and again, countless thanks for your amazing prayers and support!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Perseverance
I have not written much about Taras except that he is a great kid and he fits perfectly into our family. Truly, there is so much more to tell. I am inspired and in awe of Taras. I had no idea how hard his life had been until we met with the head caretaker at the orphanage who told us much about his past. Out of respect for Taras, I will not divulge the details at this time. There may be a day when they can be told, but it is his story, not mine, to tell. What I can tell you, is that he is a boy/man to be admired; he truly is "great". Greatness is born by perseverance in the face of adversity. As Calvin Coolidge wrote: "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." Or as Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ." Taras has persevered in the face of much adversity. He is mature and able. He is courageous and kind. He is trustworthy and respectful. He is joyful and affectionate. He has overcome more than I could ever even imagine in this life, and yet, he has become much more than I could ever hope to become. Jesus Christ has strengthened him and equipped him and I have such great hopes for him. My hopes for him do not include success as defined by the world, but rather, succeeding in holiness, as defined by Christ. My prayer is that Rick and I may now be equipped to "let [Taras] live up to what [he] has already attained". (Phil 3:16)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Hard Day
This has certainly been an odd and emotional day to say the least. This morning, after a nice breakfast of pastries and tea at a local patisserie, Bohdan told me he did not want to go to America. After much conversation between Taras, Bohdan and I, he was insistent that he does not want to go. I think this was a test, because I have a child who tests me often already, so I am very familiar with being tested and having to stand firm, and I am 80% confident that was his motive. I asked him if he wanted to go back to Nikolai (the orphanage director) and he said "yes". So, I made a few phone calls, we drove for 1 1/2 hours and I left him at the orphanage with Nikolai. He will be there at least 5 days. Nikolai is having him to hard labor for those 5 days (the orphanage is on a farm, and so there is a LOT of manual labor to be done, and it is VERY hot here right now). According to our facilitator, it is Nikolai's plan to ask Bohdan, "Do you want to go to America where you can go to a University and earn your degree and work in an office, or do you want to stay in Ukraine where you will do labor like this for the rest of your life? It is your choice." Obviously, he is also going to talk to him about family and why it is best to have a family to support and love you. But, he knows Bohdan best, and he thinks the hard labor will make a strong point with him. I have no idea what is going to happen, but I am honestly not very worried.
Taras is adamant that he IS coming to America and he keeps telling me Bohdan is crazy/stupid. The fact that Taras is so adament and was so upset with Bohdan today definitely put me more at ease with the situation. Now I am just praying that God will guide Bohdan according to His will. I want what God wants, whatever that is. Please pray for Taras during these 5 days with just my Mom and I (kind of boring for an almost-14-year-old boy). We already decided to see a Ukrainian museum tomorrow that covers the history of Ukraine starting from 3,000 B.C. That should be fun. So, in three days, I have gone from 4 kids in the apartment to just one. Kind of weird and quiet.
Thank you God for giving me peace in the midst of turmoil. Please give Taras that same peace, and help us to have a fun and happy 5 days of bonding together. The good news is, Taras is going to learn English especially quickly now!
Love to all, and as always, thank you for your prayers...
Taras is adamant that he IS coming to America and he keeps telling me Bohdan is crazy/stupid. The fact that Taras is so adament and was so upset with Bohdan today definitely put me more at ease with the situation. Now I am just praying that God will guide Bohdan according to His will. I want what God wants, whatever that is. Please pray for Taras during these 5 days with just my Mom and I (kind of boring for an almost-14-year-old boy). We already decided to see a Ukrainian museum tomorrow that covers the history of Ukraine starting from 3,000 B.C. That should be fun. So, in three days, I have gone from 4 kids in the apartment to just one. Kind of weird and quiet.
Thank you God for giving me peace in the midst of turmoil. Please give Taras that same peace, and help us to have a fun and happy 5 days of bonding together. The good news is, Taras is going to learn English especially quickly now!
Love to all, and as always, thank you for your prayers...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Well, today as I said good-bye to 3/5 of my boys, tears flowed freely and heavily down my face. I am so thankful my Mom is coming today so I have that to look forward to. Not just her coming, but introducing her to our new boys and showing her around Kiev together.
Thanks to all who have been praying. Please pray especially now that our process would continue to go smoothly, but that also it would be extremely efficient. We all LONG to fly home July 30th.
Thank you, Lord, for this process. It has humbled and grown us. Thank you for increasing our family; for adding arrows to our quiver. We pray for safe and quick travel for Rick, Charlie and Andrew. We also pray that Mama's trip would continue to go smoothly and that she would get a lot of sleep on the planes. Lastly, for our time here, we pray that you would move among us, bonding us, and helping us to grow in faith and love. Please expedite our process, Lord, that we may be re-united as a family very soon.
Thanks to all who have been praying. Please pray especially now that our process would continue to go smoothly, but that also it would be extremely efficient. We all LONG to fly home July 30th.
Thank you, Lord, for this process. It has humbled and grown us. Thank you for increasing our family; for adding arrows to our quiver. We pray for safe and quick travel for Rick, Charlie and Andrew. We also pray that Mama's trip would continue to go smoothly and that she would get a lot of sleep on the planes. Lastly, for our time here, we pray that you would move among us, bonding us, and helping us to grow in faith and love. Please expedite our process, Lord, that we may be re-united as a family very soon.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Saying Good-bye
Today is the sad day that prefaces the very sad day, tomorrow, when I have to say good-bye to Rick, Charlie and Andrew. And, I won't be saying good-bye for a week or even two weeks, but rather anywhere between 17 and 23 days. My heart is burdened as I prepare to say good-bye. Please pray for me.
Also, today Charlie made an analogy to his new life that astounded me. He asked Rick and me, "Why do I now have to be your whipping boy?" If you know anything about fifteenth century England, you know about whipping boys. Unfortunately, Charlie's analogy rings partially true in our new life. Bohdan often does things to Charlie that should elicit punishment, but instead of punishing Bohdan (which we indubitably would do with either Charlie or Andrew), we have been trying to deal with him in love and understanding (as instructed by all of the adoption books I read before we came). Charlie, in his own understanding, takes this to mean he is bearing the punishment when Bohdan hits him, yells at him, etc. He is right. However, Jesus was the ultimate Whipping Boy, and are we not to follow His example? This will be a lesson in humility, sacrifice and depth-of-love for all of us. Please pray for all four boys and their relationship.
Our hope and prayer now is that the Lord would grant Rick, Charlie and Andrew safe passage to America, and that he would allow the rest of us to return July 30th. Thank you for supporting us in prayer, love and support.
Also, today Charlie made an analogy to his new life that astounded me. He asked Rick and me, "Why do I now have to be your whipping boy?" If you know anything about fifteenth century England, you know about whipping boys. Unfortunately, Charlie's analogy rings partially true in our new life. Bohdan often does things to Charlie that should elicit punishment, but instead of punishing Bohdan (which we indubitably would do with either Charlie or Andrew), we have been trying to deal with him in love and understanding (as instructed by all of the adoption books I read before we came). Charlie, in his own understanding, takes this to mean he is bearing the punishment when Bohdan hits him, yells at him, etc. He is right. However, Jesus was the ultimate Whipping Boy, and are we not to follow His example? This will be a lesson in humility, sacrifice and depth-of-love for all of us. Please pray for all four boys and their relationship.
Our hope and prayer now is that the Lord would grant Rick, Charlie and Andrew safe passage to America, and that he would allow the rest of us to return July 30th. Thank you for supporting us in prayer, love and support.
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