Our Ukrainian Adoption Journies

2011-01-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

We have a new blog to follow for Nikki's adoption:
http://ourpreciousladybug.blogspot.com/

2010-09-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here's the list of games I have for sale... How about $5.00 each

Game boy advance/ Nintendo ds (not dsi)
Cartoons
Dora the explorer volume 1;3 episodes (in box w/instructions)
The adventures of Jimmy Neutron boy genius volume 1 ;4 episodes (in box w/instructions)
The Fairly Odd Parents volume 2; 4 episodes(in box w/instructions)
Nicktoons collections volume 1; 3 shows: all grown up, spongebob, the fairly oddparents

Games for game boy advance & Nintendo ds (not dsi)
Atv:quad racing (in box w/ instructions)
Frogger’s Adventure (in box w/instructions)
Mighty Beanz Pocket Puzzles (in box w/instructions)
Yu-gi-oh! World championship tournament (no box or instructions)
Megamin Zero (no box or instructions)
Turok evolution (no box or instructions)
Need for speed carbon own the city (no box or instructions)
Ghost rider (no box or instructions)
David Becham soccer (no box or instructions)
Tony Hawk’s pro skater2 (no box or instructions)

DSI or DS games (small square games)
Brain age 1 (no box or instructions)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour (in box w/instructions)

email or text me if you want any of these norbycj@hotmail.com 712-301-8930

2010-04-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here she is! My new niece, Nora Jean, was born yesterday 4/28/10 by C-section. She weighed 6 lbs 6 oz, 17.5 inches long!

2010-03-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas at my sister Holly's house.

2010-03-10T07:49:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2009

Here it is already March and I am just getting around to posting about Christmas. In my defense we have had a terrible winter. Blizzard after Blizzard, and I can't update the blog from home because we only have dial-up and it doesn't work. We had a huge blizzard on Christmas-we never left home-we couldn't get out, which was nice. We finally made it to my sister Holly's house on the day after Christmas, then to Jeff's mom's the next day. We had another blizzard on New Years'.

2009-12-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Jeff and Matthew replacing the bathroom faucet.

Otis hoping that someone will put a dirty plate in the dishwasher.

Matthew decorating spritz cookies-right before he fell off the counter.

Alex frosting a cookie.

Matthew eating the frosting.

Matthew frosting a cookie.

Snow Dayor Mess Day (also my sister Holly's birthday)
Yesterday we had a blizzard -a medium sized blizzard according to Matthew-he is still holding out for a big one though. Jeff was able to make it to work but it was a snow day from school. I stayed home from work and cleaned up messes all day long. Matthew wanted to frost sugar cookies (always a messy job no matter what age you are). I cleaned up his mess when he was done and then Alex decided he wanted to do it, so then I cleaned up another mess. Later on Matthew and I decided we should make some different Christmas cookies-the cream cheese spritz kind-yep another huge mess. Matthew manage to fall off the counter and take a pan of decorated uncooked cookies with him-he was ok but you guessed it another mess. Plus Otis (the dog) must of got a couple of the uncooked cookies and threw-up twice-so I had two more messes to clean up. Then Matthew wanted a glass of juice ( have no idea why since he isn't allow to have juice because it causes instant diarhea) but he managed to drop the jug of juice in some partially set up jello which splashed all over him and the fridge-bright red jello. So Matthew got a bath and I cleaned up the mess in the fridge and the mess from him taking a bath. For some reason, this boy (who was deathly afraid of bathes when we first adopted him) thinks the tub is a pool. I also had to get Matthew dressed in snow clothes four times because it was too cold to stay out for very long. I was exhausted by the time we put the boys to bed.

Even thought the day was lots of work I am thankful for the memories we made playing in the snow and making Christmas cookies together.
Today they are back at school but it was negative 12.5 when they got on the bus. I must be a southern soul stuck in a northern climate because I just hate the cold.

2009-12-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Update!
Matthew is now 6. He weighs around 35 lbs and is 3'8" tall. He has grown a lot lately. He loves school, playing outside, being read too, watching Alex play the wii and is learning to read. He also learned to ride a bike with no training wheels.
Alex is 11.5. He weighs around 95 lbs and is 4'10" tall. He has also grown a lot lately. He was wearing a 10 when we adopted him last year and a size 5 shoe. He now wears a 14 and a size 7.5 shoe. He loves sports, following Jeff around the farm, and playing with Caleb.

2009-12-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

New Photos

Katie and Grandma-My grandma moved to assisted living. They are having a door decorating contest for Christmas. Family member have to decorate the residents doors, so Katie picked the idea and we decorated with her help.
This was almost our Christmas picture

Matthew in his Christmas concert outfit.

Levi is wearing an outfit Matthew wore when he was three. Levi is 18 months. I didn't think Matthew was ever this small. (Levi looks mad but I think I startled him)

More concert pictures-you can't really tell but he is wearing cowboy boots.

Matthew's Thanksgiving paper for school. I am thankful for the cake my mom makes.

Another sleeping Matthew photo---I think he is adorable!

Alex working on his science fair project. He made a fruit clock. He didn't place but he got a 98%.

The boys in the go cart.

Matthew and Alex passed their fall swimming lessons!

Yes, another sleeping Matthew!

2009-11-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

Look what Otis did!

He likes to lay on my PJ's while I shower. He climbed inside of my sleeve and got stuck.

I felt bad for him but couldn't stop laughing. It took Jeff and I both to get him unstuck!

2009-11-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

Look how sweet my two little boys are cuddled up sleeping in my bed.
Matthew may shoot me for this one someday, but isn't he cute!

Matthew was sick last week but he looked so cute napping with Teddy!

My nephew Cody trying to get the door open on Halloween. We were all watching him because he can't walk yet, but he pulled himself up, then turned to us all and said what sounded like

"See Ya"

2009-11-16T11:31:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2009

Grandma Audrey and the boys
My Grandma Myrtle and the boys

My Grandma Eileen and the boys

My Aunt Diane and Larry?

John John and the boys

(Matthew calls him John John because he is hard of hearing and everyone has to say his name twice to get his attention so Matthew thinks that is his name) =)

Matthew is a bat. I made the costume for my nephew Caleb a few years ago and Alex is a evil tree-NO that's what he looked like but he was a transformer. I know I am out of touch with boys superheros.

Matthew's Halloween art.

Luke (neighbor), my neice Emma and Matthew showing off their Halloween crafts they made before going trick or treating.

Otis doing what he loves to do..... lay next to my dresser because there is a heat vent under it.

2009-11-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

Fall 2009

(why is the toilet in the picture you may ask--it is the only room where it is totally dark so you can see the jack-o-lantern)

Alex's

Matthew's

Alex was a bit confused-he had never heard of pumpkin carving before.

Jeff gave up trying to carve this huge pumpkin and stuck plastic pieces in instead!

Ginny loves laying in the leaves!

2009-10-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Matthew's 6th Birthday!I can't believe he is six years old-wasn't he just two?

Baby Cody

Baby Levi

Only on your birthday can you get away with this!

Cousin Tory

2009-10-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

2009 TRIP TO A PUMPKIN PATCH

This year we went to a huge pumpkin patch outside of Gretna, Nebraska. It cost way to much to get in but the place was huge and had all sorts of activities.

Caleb and Alex
The three middle ones (as we call them: we have three big ones, three middles ones and the babies) jumping on a huge balloon.

Pumpkin express

2009-10-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

More pumpkin patch photos

2009-10-22T12:49:00.001-07:00

My baby is turning six on Sunday! Here's a picture from Nov 2005 when we first met him in Odessa at his orphanage and one from last summer (09). He has changed so much!

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

2009-10-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Melvin's birthday at my sister Holly's new house on moving day!

My sister got a new job, new house and found out she is pregnant all in the same few weeks.

My Grandmas-I love them soooooo much!
My dad and all the kids-I think Holly should have a girl-the boys are really outnumbering the girls.

2009-10-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

More homecoming photos

Otis at the football game

Caleb is the boy holding the sign with the kid in the football jersey.

Ben is the one in the cowboy hat next to the high school girl in the gray t-shirt with white sleeves.

My cousin Ryan walking with the third graders

Emma

Katie

Alex in the camo pants

2009-10-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

EPJ Homecoming 2009

Levi waiting for the parade
Matthew walking in the parade-he is the one on the far left.

Matthew and Cody

My Grandma Olson and Otis.

Matthew's new alarm clock!

2009-10-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is Otis our new miniture datchshound. He is a wonderfully little guy!

Matthew and Grandpa getting ready to combine, Matthew could sit in there all day and "help."
A beautiful South Dakota sunset.

Grandma Eileen and Levi watching football.

2009-10-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

My sister Angie, our friend Maggie and I walked in a cancer race at Adam's nature center. It is beautiful there.

Cooking hot dogs and brats for supper on our fire-pit.

This is what the boys have been up too. My uncle gave them an old go-cart, they fixed it up and have been cruising around the farm.

2009-10-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

We went to Denver over labor day to see my cousin(but I forgot to take pictures), Jeff's brother and his family and some friends of Alex's from Ukraine. We had a blast. We met some wonderful people and saw some beautiful mountains.

Jeff's niece-she is such a sweetheart!

Looking for treasures.

Matthew loves road signs!

An old steam shovel-like the one in the book Mike Mulligan and his steamshovel MaryAnne.

2009-10-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

More Labor Day photos!Alex is braiding Mikayla's hair-he learned how to do this in his orphanage.
Alex playing thumb wars with Roland.

Matthew loves Aunt Jennifer's tub-he talks about it all the time. He was so happy to "swim" in it with Gabby & Mikayla.

Another sleeping photo of Matthew-doesn't he look so sweet.

Here is Alex with his two best friends from his orphanage, Era and Ola-or Sara and Jordan as they are now known. They were adopted right before we got to Ukraine. He has been talking to them on the phone but we finally got to visit them. They are two of the sweetest girls ever.

Jeff's brother Troy is a fireman-so Matthew was happy to climb all over the equipment with Gabby.

2009-10-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SUMMER!(sorry it took so long) The boys and Kagey the canary at a canaries game in Sioux Falls. Alex loves baseball-Matthew tolerates being there if I bring things for him to do.

Matthew loves the tub-he is wearing his toy dog's goggles.

Alex is playing tackle football -he is the one closest with the blue helmet. Again Alex loves it-Matthew and I tolerate watching.

2009-09-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite blogs, smiles and trials. This entry is a great recipe that feeds lots:
http://smilesandtrials.blogspot.com/2009/09/shrimp-and-veggie-pasta.html.

2009-09-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

First Day of school

Jeff waited at the end of the drive-way to watch the boys get on the bus.

Matthew and his teacher Mrs. Hall

Alex started 5th grade and Matthew started Kindergarten. It didn't bother me when we left him at school the first day, probably because he went to the headstart in the same building last year. But I had to choke back the tears when I watched his tiny little body climb into the school bus the next morning. He really likes the bus and school.

2009-09-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Alex scissorhands (trumpet-vine flowers)

2009-09-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

Camping and prairie crafts at the state park

2009-09-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

2009-09-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

The canoe finally made it into some water other than the pool!

2009-09-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

Baby Cody & Baby Levi's 1st Birthday party. Cody loved the cake, Levi hated it.

2009-09-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

Boating fun

Gabby & Matthew

My skinny little boy

Jeff's brother Troy kneeboarding

Alex learning to kneeboard

2009-09-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Kira kneeboarding

Alex and Mikayla tubing

Gabby

This is how Matthew wants me to cut his toenails-at least all the clippings go in the sink!

2009-09-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

All the Norby grandkids except Tory (who isn't a kid anymore)

Alex on cousin Jacob's dirt bike (don't worry it runs on a battery so it can't go very fast)
Kira on the dirt bike

The canoe right before they sank it

2009-09-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Jeff's neices came from Denver to spend some time with us in July.

Alex and his friend Dillion at the beach.

Canoe -still in the pool

Matthew and cousin Gabby pretending that the pool hose is a snake. They were force

feeding him his medicine.

Alex and Kira

2009-09-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Can you tell Matthew is in there too?

Matthew loves RR crossing signs (sorry I couldn't turn it)

2009-09-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

After golfing we went next door to Arnold's Park. It is a small amusement park-you don't have to wait in line but it has lots of rides. Sorry there aren't too many pictures of Alex-I was watching the younger kids (Emma, Ben and Matthew) while the older ones rode the bigger rides.

2009-09-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

The golf course had a pirate theme

2009-09-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

More golfing

The scenary at the miniture golf place made for some nice pictures.

Most of my family miniture golfed

Matthew and Alex's first time miniture golfing

Another trip in the pool

2009-09-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

The canoe takes another trip in the pool.

My neices and nephews love playing in our dress up box-they also love dressing up the babies.

Here's baby Cody aka Harry Potter
Super Baby Levi

A well dressed pioneer woman and baby, and an M& M

a tiny M& M with Katie and Caleb

2009-09-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Jeff, Alex and baby Cody taking it easy on a hot day.

Jeff bought a canoe off craig's list-they couldn't wait to take it to the lake so into the pool they went.

Ginny thinks this is her chair

Alex's first roasted marshmellow

2009-09-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Geo-caching at a state park. If you haven't been geo-caching, here's a short explanation: Someone (in this case-the state park) hide objects and then we pick up a list of longitudes and

latitudes to use with our GPS. We then go biking through the park until we get close to the location-then hike into the area and try to find the prize. When you find the box, you write your

name on a notebook inside then take a prize and leave a prize for the next person. This time

our prize was a sticker.

It was lots of fun, hopefully we will do it again soon.

You can't see the box in the picture but it is under the log behind the sticks.

Here I am, No one else would go into the long grass and wooded area because they had on shorts, so I found the first prize alone-and tried to take my own picture with it.

2009-08-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

REECE'S RAINBOW www.reecesrainbow.org

"There are children all over the world in need of a family, love, and basic care. Many of these children have disabilities and are placed in mental institutions at the age of 4 or 5. In these places the children rarely live past the age of 10 and most die within the first year. Will you help to spread the word to raise funds and families for orphans with disabilities? Please visit Reece's Rainbow and see how your donation- however large or small- can help a child find a family. Look a little harder and you just might find the calling for one of them to be your own. If finances aren't a way you can help, please look across their photos and say a prayer that each one will find their forever family soon. Reece's Rainbow is an International Down Syndrome Orphan Ministry which also advocates for orphans with other disabilites across the globe.

I have to admit a little one who is three days older than Matthew has caught my eye, I am praying for Berkely http://reecesrainbow.org/angelolderchild.htm (picture above). I would love to add her to our family, but I don't think we are ready.

2009-07-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

I took the boys and my nieces to my Aunt's house for a couple of days. She lives on a lake we had a great time-Thanks Sharon and Pat!

2009-07-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from the science center in Sioux Falls

My boys and my neices showing off their Mulberry smoothies

Mulberries we picked in our grove!

Jeff and the boys at the science center in sioux falls

Matthew riding the bucking bull at the 150th celebration of our town

Buddy the hampster in a semi truck

2009-07-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

At the hot air ballon show in Sioux Falls, It was really neat to watch all 37 balloons in the air at once.

My nephew Ben on first base

My neice Emma on first base

Our cat Fluffy and her kittens (anyone want one?)

We took Alex camping in June for the first time, he didn't want to go but loved it once we got there. We went fishing, hiking, biking and toured the fish hatchery.

2009-05-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

My baby lost his first tooth-at a church dinner(5-23-09) and he swallowed it.

goofy kids

Levi watching Caleb and Alex's ball game

Alex pitching- he did a pretty good job!

2009-05-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

My neice Emma's 7th Birthday party. Poor Thing- the next day she had her tonsils and adnoids out. Then on Saturday she had to go back to the hospital because she was dehydrated and vomitting. She is starting to do better now.

Levi in a bag

Cody with wrapping paper

2009-05-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

Our cat Fluffy-she thinks she is a dog. She goes for walks with us and isn't afraid of our dogs. She just had kittens if anyone wants one.
Alex is learning to mow, he has done a pretty good job so far. He even stopped the mower instead of running over the dog poop

Matthew wanted to help with the yard work- the spreader is empty but he thinks he was helping.

Alex scored 92% on his science test, before he had been getting 20-30 % on them. Science has

to be one of the hardest classes because of all the new vocabulary-especially for someone who is learning english.

Matthew in the tub with his new puppy toy. Grandma Lynne gave him the dog for his Pre-School Graduation.

2009-05-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE A DR IN THE FAMILY!!!

My sister Holly graduated this weekend as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We are very proud of her.

Holly and my grandmothers

2009-05-11T08:19:00.000-07:00

Matthew's preschool graduation
Matthew and Murphy (a good friend's daughter)

Jeff's brother was married in April, Here is the new family.

2009-05-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

Easter!

Baby Cody and Baby Levi watching the big kids look for Easter Eggs outside.

2009-05-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

Alex was baptised at the Easter Vigil, Jeff joined the church, they both made their first communion, and Jeff was confirmed.

Ben asleep at church

Alex and his Godparents, my sister Angie and her husband Scott.

2009-05-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention this in my last post but I want to thank everyone who has given the boys clothes, bikes etc. Alex's foot has grown from a size 4.5 to a 7 since we came home six months ago. So we really appreciate all of the hand-me-downs we have gotten. He is outgrowing his size ten clothes quickly-especially jeans and pants. So if anyone has any 12's laying around we would really appreciate it. We could really use a couple of baseball gloves also so we can play catch with the boys. I hate to go out and buy new ones for just playing catch. Thank you!

2009-05-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS!
It has been over 6 months since we came home from Ukraine! It seems like we were just there.

Matthew only has two days of preschool left and Alex will be done next week. Alex started hunter safety class last night, baseball tonight and both boys are taking two weeks of swimming lessons starting Monday.

My sister Holly is graduating as a Doctor of Physical Therapy on Saturday, Congratulations!

2009-05-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

I have been procrastinating about posting because I wasn't sure how to say this. In the beginning of April Jack moved to Virginia to live with another family. It became clear to us that Jack and Alex should not live together, they both have many "past hurts" from their lives in Ukraine that need to heal. They can not heal when they are together. I know most of you won't understand this, but our social worker and other families who have adopted older siblings will. Jack hated living in the country and his new home is in the city. He is doing well, he calls us frequently and seems to like his new home and school. Since he left I have noticed a lot of positive things happening for both Alex and Matthew. Jack picked on them and impeded bonding, etc. We are starting to feel like a family now. There are many other reasons but I don't feel comfortable posting them on our blog for everyone to see.

2009-05-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg decorating, Alex's first time to do this. He did a pretty good job and he loved to eat the eggs-so does Matthew.

Caleb slimed his baby brother!
Levi wasn't too sure about the slime.

Katie's 10th birthday-one week after Alex's!

2009-05-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Another picture of Teddy, Matthew put Teddy here while he took his bath. I like how he propped Teddy on a package of wipes.

Alex's Birthday party

2009-05-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Alex's 11th Birthday!!!!!

I couldn't get the picture with Jack in it to rotate so I didn't post it.

2009-05-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

Baby Cody wasn't freaked out by the bunny.

Alex, Matthew and Cody with the Easter Bunny-Emma refused to be in the picture.

She says "the Easter Bunny FREAKS me out!"

Alex won an easter basket at the hunt too-they drew names for each age group.

Alex and his eggs, He really found a lot. The egg hunt is for 0-10 year olds and Alex turned

11 the day after the hunt.

Mattthew and his easter eggs at the prairie estates nursing home egg hunt.

One of my Dad's cow's had a calf but couldn't produce enough milk to feed it. So we have been helping out by bottle feeding it. We enjoy watching how fast a calf grows, his name is Socks because he looks like he is wearing white socks on his feet.

2009-05-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

In March my whole family stayed in a hotel to celebrate the March birthdays-there are quite a few: Alex, Eric, my mom, & Scott. The second picture down is the birthday crew (minus the baby).

The first picture is all the grandkids on the slide (minus the two little girls in the background).

Alex and Ben swimming, Alex swam for about 7 hours straight!

Scott with the babies. They were born last summer, 6 days apart. Cody is on the right, Levi on the left. (not twins, cousins)

2009-03-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

GREAT NEWS!!!!! THE BOYS' SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FINALLY CAME!
I CAN DO MY TAXES NOW!

Words of Advice for parents of internationally adopted children: Make sure you tell your child where you can pinch someone who isn't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day BEFORE they go to school! (We told them before they got on the school bus, I can just imagine the phone calls we would have gotten).

Matthew knocked on the bathroom door while I was in there a couple nights ago. I said "What is it?" He replied "I need some privacy here!" and I was the one in the bathroom.

Alex used the word "Actually" in a sentence the other day. His English is pretty good, in fact sometimes he talks so fast we have to stop him and tell him to slow down.

2009-03-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

The truck is tied to the wagon and the wagon tied to the bike for a train.

Alex and Matthew had lots of fun playing outside yesterday in the mud. It was about 55 degrees and they were outside for most of the day. They both had to have baths afterwards

2009-03-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Alex with his second place trouphy for wrestling at South Sioux. Check out his glasses!

Jack got the same trophy but wouldn't let me take the picture.

All 9 Donnelly Grandkids together for Ben's (center front) 6th birthday!

Matthew loves to watch the coffee drip.

I left my empty bed to go wake up Jack and Alex for school and this is what I found when I came back. (That's my pillow!)

Doesn't he look sweet all cuddled up with Puffy the whale.

Jeff, Alex, Matthew and Ginny the dog made a snowman yesterday. Ginny kept chewing off the sticks they put in for arms.

Alex making the head of the snowman.

Alex placed 4th in Youth district wrestling, my nephew Ben placed second. They get to move on to regions next weekend.

Funny story.

Matthew and I went to Sioux City on Friday to go to the Social Security Office (not the funny part but hopefully three months after I applied I should get the boys' SS# so I can file our taxes) and the eye glass store. I need glasses for driving and watching tv-not reading (yet). So Matthew and I went into Eye Mart -the same place where I got Alex's glasses. I told Matthew "make sure I don't pick out the same ones as Alex has." Guess what we did anyhow, so now we match.

Matthew wanted to get a pair of pink ones-he hasn't stopped talking about it since he tried them on.

2009-03-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

HOME 16 Weeks, 4 Long Cold Months.

It has been a long four months, partly because it has been so cold and we have all been trapped inside. Yesterday was nice and we were able to be outside, I am getting spring fever, I want to start working on the garden. I need to expand it this year because the boys love cucumbers and tomatoes.

Alex is really starting to come around behaviorly. He is also starting to understand slang and seems to be playing with kids at school-hopefully making friends soon. Hopefully these better behaviors become habit and he doesn't fall back into his old ways. Alex started CCD on Wednesday afternoons. He seems to like it. I would like for Jack to start going, but I don't know if his English is good enough yet and I don't want him to start hating church.

Jack just can't seem to understand that rules are rules, he thinks they pertain to everyone but him. He has gone two weeks without tv because of his yelling at us, talking bad to us and doing things he shouldn't. Last week he decided to ride his bike 7 miles to town without telling anyone. We were able to figure out where he went with help from several people who saw him. He rode home in the dark wearing a black sweatshirt and black pants-not very smart considering it is a pretty busy road. We printed out (in English and Russian) what needs to be done in order for him to watch tv. He was at least trying for a couple of days. The problem is all he does is watch tv-even when it is nice out-the more tv he watches the moodier he gets. He doesn't play games with us or even want to go out side.
Jack and Alex wrestled in a tournament in South Sioux City last weekend. They both got second place and they received huge trophies. I will try to upload a picture soon. Jack is done wrestling now but Alex will wrestle at youth wrestling districts this weekend. If he does well he will go on to regions. My nephew Ben will also wrestle this weekend. I love to watch the tiny kids wrestle they are so cute. Hopefully Matthew will want to participate next year.
We are trying to get Jack to go out for track. He is pretty fast and I think he would do well if he would try.
Matthew's vocabulary has exploded, he uses all sorts of words and frequently I have to explain them to Alex. Some of the words have been: disgusting, ingrediant, oh and he explained how fog is made this morning. He is a funny little guy. He is getting his 6 year molars and has two loose teeth.

Remember the little girl I posted about last, well if anyone wants to adopt her (I would still love to) the shriners have an orthopedic hospital in St. Paul and would most likely pay for most of her treatment.

Thanks to those who posted advice about the boys, I have read those books (some more than once) and used quite a bit of it in parenting. The problem being is that Jack has had so much independance that he can't accept any of the boundaries that are set in the books and when everything is taken away he lashed out at us and starts harassing his brothers. The things work ok with Alex.

2009-02-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

This is Annie. She is a waiting child from Ukraine (isn't she sweet).

She is listed at http://www.reecesrainbow.org/angelgirls.htm

This is an organization that tries to find homes for special needs children, This is what her file says:
Girl, Born December 12, 2005
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Look at this princess of a little girl! Platinum ringlets and striking blue eyes! She is an orphanage favorite, and much loved by her caregivers. She just turned 3. Annie was born with arthrogryposis, and is not able to walk at this time. She kind of "drags" herself around like a little monkey. She is VERY VERY smart, and doesn't let her condition slow her down.
Annie is at serious risk, and is blessed to still be at the baby house. If she is not adopted soon, she may end up bedridden for life. Please give her the chance to really live her life!!

Anyone out there interested? I would love to adopt this little angel, but we have no funds and have only been home with the boys for 3.5 months. You can also donate money to her adoption at the reece's rainbow website. Please pray for this little one!

2009-02-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

HOME 14.5 WEEKS

We are still alive-just barely.

It has been really rough, but hopefully we are starting to see the sun after the storm. (hopefully)

The boys have learned English pretty quickly, they are both speaking it pretty well. They are also writing in English and starting to read it.

Alex has had some problems with not following rules at home and at school. He has also had problems with bullying little boys- never girls. We have to watch him every second that he is around Matthew. The school has also had problems with this. He is starting counseling with the school counselor for this. He can be disrespectful as well, especially to women so we are working on this.
Alex got glasses to protect his good eye-there is not prescription in the lenses. He must wear them all the time so that nothing happens to his left eye, if something did he would be basically blind. He looks handsome in his glasses although he doesn't like them. It helps that my nephew Caleb (9)just got glasses and my neice Katie (she is in fourth grade with Alex) has them too.
Alex had three cavities fill and two chipped teeth fixed. He has two large cavities left but they are in baby teeth and the dentist hopes they fall out soon.
Alex won first place in a wrestling tournament a couple weeks ago. He pinned all his guys and was very excited about it.
Alex is in fourth grade, and that means South Dakota scrapbook time in Social Studies. He has done pretty well completing all those pages. We only have a few left to go. Poor Katie has quite a few left.

Now on to Jack.......
For the most part Jack has a very even temperment, but watch out when he is in a bad mood. Jack of course has issues dealing with women. laziness, and also with authority. We expected some of this because he has been able to do what ever he wanted for most of his life. If he didn't like what the orphanage told him to do or their rules he left and went to his grandparent's house, if he didn't like it there he went to his aunts'. Jack can be extremely disrespectful and now that he knows some English he can cuss me out in English then he switches to Russian and finishes the job. He looses his tv priviledges for weeks at a time for this.
Jack seems to enjoy school and wrestling but really wants nothing to do with family life. I think he is pouting because of the loss of his freedom.
Jack had 4 cavities filled and one chipped tooth fixed. He has 5 cavities left but he won't brush his teeth so we aren't fixing them until he starts taking care of them. He also won't change his clothes or shower very often. Jack also needs a lot of work on his table manners-he basically has none and won't correct them no matter what we say. He needs a girlfriend--isn't that how most young men finally acquire table manners???? =)

Matthew-What can I say about Matthew?
Matthew has reverted back to several of his orphanage behaviors due to the extra stress at our house. He is afraid of being hit, kicked and teased. We keep Matthew near one of us anytime Jack or Alex is around.
Matthew has picked up quite a few bad habits from the older boys so we are constantly working on correcting those. He is such a smart and funny little boy!

It has been pretty rough and miserable, so much so that I just couldn't bring myself to blog. But hopefully it will continue to get better. I will update with some pictures next week. Keep the prayers coming we need them and Thanks.

2009-01-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

He wanted a bank he could lock-this is all we could find.

Jack's birthday

This is Teddy-Matthew's best friend. I found about 20 pictures of Teddy on my camera.

2009-01-14T11:38:00.001-08:00

Home 9 weeks (tomorrow)

We have been home now for nine weeks. I can tell you it has been hard, but the boys are starting to learn the rules. They have stopped fighting as much and their English has improved a lot.

Yesterday was Jack's 15th birthday. I think he enjoyed it except for the fact that he sprained his ankle really bad last saturday at a wrestling match. He is hobbling around because his crutches hurt his arms. Last night we had cake, ice cream and presents. He was all smiles. I have some pictures but I have a cold and am too tired to post them right now.

Jack didn't finish wrestling because of his ankle but Alex got third and my Nephew Ben (who is 5) got first.

Monday I took Alex to his eye specialist appointment in Omaha-the weather was not good. But my Dad drove us (me, Alex, Matthew, my sister Angie and two of her boys who had appointments in Omaha also) down and back. There isn't anything they can do for Alex's right eye. He is to old so we are getting him so glasses without a prescription in order to protect his good eye. If something happened to his good eye he would be basically blind. Next Monday all three boys go to the dentist-that should be an adventure.

2009-01-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

2009-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

Matthew's abc's-he put the entire alphabet in order on the fridge

2009-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning
Ryan and Diane

Ryan and Baby Cody

Jeff, Alex and Matthew fixing a computer

Matthew at his Christmas program

2009-01-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

This wasn't what I forgot. But Matthew just came into the room and said
"Mom when Alex gets grown up and lives somewhere else, I will miss him Mom."

How sweet is that?

2009-01-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

We had a nice New Years Eve. We went to our good friends Randy and Trish's. They have a grown daughter and two daughters around Jack's age. They are sweet hearts! We took my two neices (9 &6) and my nephew (5 months)along with us. We had lots of fun-even though it is getting hard to stay up past ten o'clock-but we made it until one.
On Saturday Jack and Alex wrestled in a Pee Wee wrestling meet. Jack will be to old for these next week when he turns 15 but it is good practice for him. Matthew was supposed to wrestle too but he refused. In fact we pulled him out of wrestling practice too, he doesn't like practice but maybe next year when he is in Kindergarten. Jack wrestled the same guy three times, the kid weighed 12 pounds more than Jack but noone else his age showed up. Jack won once so he got second. Alex wrestled five times, he never got pinned. He got fifth place, he is really strong but needs to learn a few moves. He is wrestling kids who have been wrestling for 4 or 5 years. I love to watch the little guys wrestling-the 5 and six year olds. They are so cute! My nephew Ben and our neighbor boy Luke are adorable to watch. Ben got second and Luke got first.
The boys started back to school today, I was happy. I was able to finally get back to my work. Matthew will start a new babysitter on Wednesday so I will be able to work full days instead of half days while he is in Preschool.
Matthew said a couple of cute things, maybe I can remember them..................
We made Cinnamon rolls (you know the kind from the can) Matthew called the boys to eat " Boys the casserolls are ready!"
I know there was one more I wanted to remember..........Oh well maybe tomorrow!

2008-12-31T07:56:00.001-08:00

Home 7 weeks
Sorry for the long break in posts, I got sick on Christmas Eve and the boys have been been on Christmas break. I caught a bad cold or maybe it was the flu-I don’t know but it has been a week and I still don’t feel back to normal.
We had a nice Christmas-no major issues. Holidays tend to cause some emotional set backs for some adopted children but we got through without anything major. We went to church on Christmas Eve-Matthew was a handful. It was longer than usual and I imagine the excitement of Christmas was too much for him. After church we went to my Aunt and Uncles house, we had lots of nice food and each person got to open one present.
On Christmas day we slept until about 8:30. Jack was the first one up. We opened stockings and presents and had cinnamon rolls. We watched Home Alone 3 and 4-they aren’t near the quality of the first two. Around 4 we headed to my parents new house-they now live about three miles from us. We opened some presents and had lasagna. My entire family was there but most of us were under the weather. We watched the kids play the Wii.
We haven’t been doing much since then. Jack has had wrestling practice every morning this week and we are going to some friend’s for New Year’s Eve.
The last 7 weeks haven’t been easy, we are all adjusting. Our biggest issue has been fighting between the boys-especially between Jack and Alex. At first there was some between Alex and Matthew but they have gotten better. Another issue we have had is that Jack can’t be left alone, he is almost 15 but behaves more like 6. He starts fights when left in the room with just the other boys. He is getting better but it is frustrating for us to find someone to babysit a almost 15 year old just so I can go to work during Christmas break. We also think he is relying on Alex for his English-so we have asked Alex to speak English to Jack when he know the words. But Jack gets a bit hostile and hits Alex. It has been hard to adjust our thinking to deal with Jack, but this is a very common problem. Older adopted kids tend to be very immature. Any suggestions from other adoptive families on how to deal with this?
Jeff took Jack and Alex sledding, they had a lot of fun even though most of the snow had melted and was refrozen as ice. I stayed home with Matthew who had a fever.
I will post some pictures when I get to a different computer. (sorry I am to tired to proofread)

2008-12-15T11:34:00.000-08:00

This is my kitchen window. I have a small statue of Joseph and one of Mary and baby Jesus sitting on the window sil. This appeared last night during the blizzard, the frost is on the outside of my window. I thought it was beautiful! It reminds me of Jesus carrying his cross up Calvary. If he can do that I can bear my cross and get through some of the more difficult things with the boys.

Our Christmas photo

2008-12-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Jack and Jeff's snowman (like the shorts?)
Jack wrestling. Jack is in the blue.

Right Before the pin!

Grandpa Melvin and Alex scooping snow.

Jack, Alex and a crazy smiling b-day boy Caleb!

2008-12-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

Grandma Eileen and baby Cody
Matthew, Jeff and Alex trying to fix Grandma's vacuum.

Watching tv

Alex at his Christmas Concert

Jack getting ready to wrestle his first match.

Jack wrestling.

2008-12-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

The Results are in.............
from the stool samples, I know that is what you are waiting for.
Alex has two parasites and apparently they tell you on a scale how many of each kind because he has a moderate amount of them. Jack has one parasite but not the same kind as Alex, and he only has a few. So more prescriptions for them, it is a good thing that they can both swallow pills.
Matthew and Alex went to wrestling last night. Alex seemed to enjoy it and Matthew did his own thing. When everyone sat and listened to the coach Matthew ran around, when everyone was running Matthew was laying on the floor-hopefully he will get the hang of it. After it was over Matthew said I need a shower I am all sweaty! What a ham!

2008-12-11T06:36:00.000-08:00

FOUR WEEKS HOME: Smoke Alarms, Socks and Snow
It doesn’t seem that we have been home four weeks already. In some ways it seems like we have been home longer and in other ways it seems that we have only been home for a couple of days.
Last Friday we took Jack and Alex to the doctor for initial exams. It was quite an ordeal. I had a list of things that the International Adoption Clinic at Boys Town e-mailed me. The list is what needs to be done for older children from Eastern Europe, if anyone wants me to e-mail the list to them let me know. Each boy was weighed and measured. Jack is 5’1/2” and 113 pounds. Alex is 4’7” and 89 pounds. They had to read the eye chart, Alex has one eye that doesn’t see all that well. We knew he had trouble with it, it is the same condition that Matthew has in one eye. We have an appointment at the eye Dr next Tuesday. They had four vials of blood drawn, flu and hepatitis A shots. Jack had a TB test, and Alex had a chest x-ray (because he previously tested TB positive) and a back x-ray for scoliosis. Both x-rays were fine, no TB and very minimal scoliosis that he will probably outgrow. Jack’s TB test came back positive so he needed a chest x-ray on Monday, but it was fine too. Most kids from Slavic countries (Ukraine, Russia etc) test positive for TB with the skin test, I think it had to do with a vaccination they receive when younger. We also had to do stool samples over the weekend to check for parasites which are very common. I was really dreading it but Jeff took care of it. Jack has an infection in his ankle from a cut he got last summer, so the doctor gave him an antibiotic that should take care of it.
Alex pulled the fire alarm at school last week as well. He is fascinated with all buttons, switches and anything electronic or mechanical, so I am sure the fascination to see what the fire alarm did was too much for him.
Alex has started Social studies, Science and Math in the fourth grade classroom instead of the ESL room. I am not sure he gets the concepts but the exposure to the English is good for him. He had his Christmas concert last Thursday, he doesn’t like vocal. He sang the first couple lines of Jingle bells and then just stood there. Oh well at least he didn’t cause trouble.
Jack wrestled JV on Tuesday night. He got his first pin! He was pretty excited and it was the perfect time to do it, he has a full crowd of family members there to watch him.
They aren’t fighting as much and their English is growing. Jack is a teenager so he doesn’t speak much to me, but he talks a lot to Jeff on their way home from wrestling. Alex talks my ear off and he doesn’t care if it makes sense or not.
At school on Tuesday, someone took Alex’s socks during PE. My guess is someone got their socks mixed up with Alex’s because there was a pair left there. He refused to put on someone else’s socks (I don’t blame him) and went the rest of the day without socks. We both thought it was pretty funny and Alex called several people to tell the story.
We had a snow and ice on Monday night so Alex and Matthew’s pee-wee wrestling was postponed until tonight. Alex is very excited-I don’t think Matthew is.
Last night at supper Matthew took a bite of something and said very seriously "very tastey." He is a funny little guy. He still hasn't adjusted to not getting a nap because his preschool is in the afternoon. He is very hard to deal with at night, I hope he gets used to it soon.
Keep the prayers coming for our adjustment and bonding as a family. This is the hard part of adoption-learning to live and love like a family. It takes lots of patience, prayers and time.

2008-12-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

Home Three weeks

We have been home three weeks now. Things are going just like we expected: some great days, some rough days.
Alex’s English has exploded, he has been placed back in the fourth grade classroom for Math, Science and Social Studies (instead of working on English all day). He likes PE but hates music. He has had fewer and fewer temper tantrums and has learned to play nicely with Matthew. He has gotten in trouble for hitting and pulling hair a couple times-but he understands he can’t do it here-that is how they lived in Ukraine-lots of rough play and the toughest gets the best.
Jack is a teenager-a good mood one day, grouchy the next. He seems to really like school and wrestling. He wrestled JV on Tuesday night, he was pinned but took it well and had fun. He is still with one teacher most of the day learning English. He tends to cause fights and screaming with Matthew and Alex but we are working on that. He is understanding a lot more English and when he is in a good mood even tries tell us things in English.
We went ice skating last weekend-all three boys had a lot of fun. Matthew had never been ice skating before, he used a little walker thing and was all over the rink. We also went swimming at a hotel for my sisters’ birthdays. They all three swam until exhaustion. We have been to church twice, Alex doesn’t like all the standing up and sitting down-just wait until he has to start kneeling.
We have also have the normal things to deal with that come with international adoption of older children. Jack doesn’t understand the concept of changing your clothes or dressing up-not wearing sweats to church. Alex thinks the girls at school are crazy because they talk nonstop. He also isn’t sure about teachers- he doesn’t understand why they are nice instead of yelling nonstop.
They aren’t picky eaters, they will eat just about anything. They really like summer sausage, potatoes, fruit and milk. It is amazing how much they go through.
Sorry for the long gap in posts, our laptop quit working. I have lots of pictures to post soon also.

2008-11-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

Matthew and Emma dancing at the wedding
Jack on the airplane home

Alex on the airplane home

another airplane picture (this was the first flight the pictures above were the last flights)

Alex and my nephew Levi

Sasha and his snowman

The first day of school

When we first got home

2008-11-24T06:05:00.000-08:00

Home One Week (a week and a half by the time I got this posted)
We have been home one week already. The boys started school on Wednesday, I wanted them to wait until after Thanksgiving but they wanted to go sooner. The school has been great with them. Jack is in seventh grade and Alex is in fourth. They spend most of their time with a very nice teacher who is working on English with them. Jack goes to PE, art and music with his class and Alex goes to PE, music, art and recess with his class. I don’t think it will be long before Alex is put into some classes as his English is improving very rapidly. Jack started wrestling with the 7-12 grade wrestlers, he is really enjoying it. He didn’t even know what wrestling was before Wednesday. He is pretty good at basketball but that doesn’t start for a few weeks. (Plus my family and Jeff’s are all wrestlers). He can try basketball when it starts and choose between the two. They will start riding the bus to school on Monday. Matthew will start preschool at the school on Monday afternoon and go every afternoon except Friday. He did go to Speech yesterday, they taught him how to make the F sound, and he remembers to use it(most of the time).
We have had a few challenges and I am sure there will be more. Fighting between the boys was the first big one. Alex likes to “dish it out” but he can’t take it. Jack tends to antagonize both Alex and Matthew, but he is doing less of it. Alex has a temper and is a pouter. The first day home something set him off and he stomped off to his bed and refused to come down. We didn’t cater to him, when supper was ready I told him if he didn’t come down to eat there would be nothing later. He didn’t come down until the next morning. The next day he had the same pouty fit and I told him the same thing. Two minutes later he was at the table with a smile. He has had less pouty fits since then. Jack doesn’t listen overly well either, but we are working on it. I am sure it will take some time to break all the old habits they have learned.
We went to church last night and the boys were fine-except Matthew who has always had problems with being quiet in church. Then we went to my Cousin Kelly’s wedding reception. It was very nice. I think the boys had fun. Alex even won a couple of dollars in Rock, Paper, Scissors.
The boys have liked everything I have cooked with the exception of pancakes. They ate spagetti, tacos, and macaroni and cheese-three things I have heard that they probably wouldn't like. I don't really like pancakes that much either. They didn't like the syrup at all- Matthew doesn't either, he likes peanut butter on his pancakes. Jack and Alex don't like peanut butter, but I can't blame them. They love milk, I may need to get a dairy cow. =) They also love sausage-especially summer sausage. They both eat a ton of food, but so did Matthew when he first came home.
It snowed on Friday night and both of the boys were excited to get outside and play. They threw snowballs at each other. Jeff and Alex made a small snowman. I will try and get pictures posted soon, it takes forever on our dial-up.
The boys just got on the bus for school for the first time with the help of the neighbor girls. They were excited.

2008-11-20T11:12:00.001-08:00

The Trip Home
We waited in line at the airport for 45 minutes or so. When we got to the front the lady behind the counter needed the boys' adoption decree. I gave it to her and she printed out our airline tickets. It is easy to get into a country but alway hard to get out. We first headed through security-you know the deal: laptops taken out, belts and coats off-the US is the only place where I have had to take off my shoes. Then we go through Customs: are you taking anything out of the country like art, antiques etc. Then passport control, show your passports, adoption decree, new birth certificates. She stamps our passports and we go get in line to board the airplane. The first flight lasts three hours, from Kiev to Amsterdam. They served us an omelet and some fruit, Jack and I ate ours, Sasha only at the candy bar they gave us. The boys slept most of the way right on top of me, I couldn't even get my arm out to scratch my nose. When we landed everyone applauded, that's a Ukrainian thing. We meandered our way through the Amsterdam airport to our gate for another security check and more passport controls. This second plane was huge. The flight lasted almost ten hours, the boys were a bit antsy. I watched 3.5 movies-more than what I normally watch in a year. Sasha refused to watch the movies because I told him no rated R. He pouted most of the way. We sat next to a very nice man who worked for Polaris in Minneapolis ( or Many apples as Sasha called it). They fed us an interesting spread of food-of which Sasha ate none except the cake and ice cream. I spoke to a lady who was on her way home from adopting two cute little ones from Ukraine. I guess they were at the embassy when we were, but in the playroom area. She said Jack helped her fetch her daughter out of the men's room when she ran in. We landed in Minneapolis and were pretty tired, none of us slept at all on the long flight. We had to go through Immigration which can take a long time. We handed over the brown envelopes from the embassy, both boys were fingerprinted and declared new citizens of the USA. I think they missed the significance of the event. Then we had to get our luggage and recheck it-something that has to do with Homeland security I think, or maybe customs because they check you for food or agricultural items. We had to go through customs and security again, then we headed for our gate with a stop for a slice of pizza on the way. We were able to use my cell phone so we talked to Jeff, Laura and my Mom. The last flight was an hour, the boys slept the entire time. We landed and were so happy to see Jeff and Matthew. Matthew's first words to me were "Why did you take to LONG?" We talked about staying in a hotel, but Jack and Sasha didn't want to. So we started the two hour drive home. Jack and Sasha slept most of the way, I ran into the grocery store for a few things. That was a mistake, I was so tired I couldn't remember what I was in there for and I felt drunk. When we got home the boys ran all over the house, played with some toys, had a snack and we all went to bed. It was great to be home!

2008-11-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

The Embassy
We needed to leave the apartment by 8 am so that we could be first in line at the embassy. Neither boy wanted to get up until I told them that they wouldn’t be able to fly home unless they went to the embassy. They both hopped out of bed and got dressed. Then we had our nutritious breakfast: Cherry pies from McDonalds. I had walked all around the area but couldn’t find a grocery store. So Cherry pies it was. The part I love about the embassy is that Americans can go right in, they don’t wait in line. There are lines of people everywhere. We had to go through the metal detectors then we were able to go into the embassy. I had filled in all the papers ahead of time so all I had to do is give them to the lady. She asked me to sit down and wait. After a while she told me to go pay the bill: eight hundred American dollars for two visas-which I gladly paid. Then she needed to electronically fingerprint Jack because he is 14. This is very funny-they fingerprint him in order to run a check to see if he has a criminal record in the US. He has never been to the US why would he have a record??? On our way out of the embassy they stopped us and told us to go back in. Apparently the lady did something wrong and Jack needed to be fingerprinted again. After the fingerprints we left the embassy and were dropped off at our apartment.
I had a list of things I wanted to do in Kiev and things I wanted the boys to see. So at 10 we started walking. We went to the Metro and rode the escalators down to the subway-these things go underground a very long ways. Then we looked at the trains and headed back up the escalators. We walked to Independence Square and took some pictures. We went under the square to the mall-it is amazing –there is a huge mall under the street in Kiev. We got some food-more McDonald’s for the boys and some rice and chicken for me. Then we started walking to see St. Sophia’s, St, Michael’s and St. Andrew’s. They are beautiful churches. Then to Andrewsky Spusk—it is a street where vendors sell souvenirs. I had a list of things I wanted to pick up. Jack got a Ukrainian soccer jersey and a stocking hat. I got a beautiful hand painted wooden egg and a couple of hand painted boxes for all three boys and one for Jeff. I tried to talk Sasha into getting something but he didn’t want anything. I did get him a key chain and stocking hat that says Ukraine. I also got a t-shirt and a canvas bag that says Ukraine. We didn’t have much time-we needed to be back at the apartment at 1:30 for our ride to the embassy for our exit interview -hopefully the visas would be ready. We made it just in time.
The exit interview sounds serious but it generally isn’t. How much did you spend? How much time have you spent with the boys? Are you aware that you need to fill in post placement reports until the boys turn 18? The man knew we had previously adopted so he skipped most of the questions. He said that they would print the visas soon and we could be on the plane tomorrow. We waited for about a half hour. While we waited we helped a family with their new kids. They were 2, 3, and 4, two girls and a boy-cute! The parents were trying to fill out the stacks of paperwork and watch the kids. The boys helped with the kids while I helped the mother with the tricky questions. The man brought out the two visas and the big brown envelopes for immigration. You can’t open the envelopes, you give them to the officials at the first place your plane lands in The United States. We were very happy.
We went back to the apartment and I started packing. Vanya called and we decided to go to my favorite pizza place for supper. It was just across the street and through an archway-if I had known that we would have been eating more pizza and less McDonald’s. Sasha was very tired and pouting so he refused to eat. We just ignored him and enjoyed our pizza. Vanya gave the boys a talking to about fighting and about staying close to me in the airports. We will sure miss Vanya! He walked us back to the apartment and went to meet his fiancé-she works just down the street. I washed the boys clothes-they each only had one pair of pants so I hung them on the radiators and prayed that they would dry by 4:30 am when the driver came to take us to the airport (they were). We went to sleep early but I never sleep when I have to get up that early. We showered and headed to the airport. Jack was very excited, but Sasha just wanted to sleep. We arrived at the airport just in time to get in line to check in.
Sorry I’ve got to stop there for now… I need to put Sasha and Matthew to bed and Jack needs the computer to practice his English. My mom got the Rosetta Stone, it really works.

2008-11-14T03:33:00.000-08:00

Novemer 14th, 2008
We made it home! We are exhausted but home! More later!

2008-11-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

I talked to Cara this morning, her and the boys got everything completed at the embassy today! They have their visas and will be arriving in the US tomorrow, late afternoon. Matthew and I will be traveling to pick them up at the airport. I will be so happy when our family is finally together once and for all.
Cara had time to show the boys around Kiev today. They took in the popular sites, shopped for souvenirs and toured the metro system (subway). To top the day off Cara and the boys, along with Vanya our facilitator ate at her favorite pizza place, Cilintinos. To her surprise the restaurant was just a half block away from their flat. She wishes she knew this a couple days ago, they have been eating at a nearby McDonalds for almost every meal since being in Kiev and she is sick of it. You can bet Cara will not want to be eating at McDonalds in the states for a long time to come. No offense Melvin. :)

All for now and stay tuned.

Jeff (papa x 3)

2008-11-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

Hello From Kiev, We are two steps closer to coming home. The train ride to Kiev was fine. The boys were pretty excited on the train. They slept on the top bunks and I had one of the bottom bunks. We bought the entire compartment so it was just us. It was a little smokey though, so my head has been hurting today. I slept some but Sasha didn't sleep much. Their grandfather bought him a pepsi before we left. I am sure he hasn't had caffine for a long time if ever, so of coarse he didn't sleep much. He played his gameboy until the battery died. Then kept me awake by looking down at me.
We got there medicals taken care of today. They have to have physicals in order to get their visas. Jack needed two shots and Sasha needed one. The embassy wasn't open today because it is veterans day-or so the guard told me. So we will go back first thing in the morning and beg them to process the visa in one day.
We went back to the apartment and rested before we ventured out to find food. That's when I bumped into this internet cafe. Oh, the boys are done at the arcade so I had better go. If we get the visa we will fly home on Thursday.

2008-11-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

We have the passports and train tickets to Kiev tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So tomorrow morning we go to the embassy medical exam then to the embassy. The boys may need blood work so it could take an extra day to get the visas. But we should be home by the weekend.

2008-11-10T04:44:00.000-08:00

I've got Sasha! We picked him up around 12:30. He started feeling sick in the car, but some french fries from Mc Donalds cheered him up. The passports are in Odessa but we two more peoples permission before we can pick them up.

2008-11-09T22:26:00.000-08:00

I'm off to the train station to meet Vanya. I am more than ready to get things finished here in Odessa. Odessa is a beautiful city with kind people and wonderful architecture. I don't think I would mind living here, but visiting for weeks and weeks is just too long. Please pray that the passports are here, that we get everything done today and can get tickets for the train to Kiev tonight. Also please pray for the Wolffs they are in just about the same spot as us as far as the process and they want to go home just as badly.

2008-11-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

Ukraine Adoption Journey #2 Trip #2 day #13 November 9

I didn't do much today, I cleaned out the suitcases, worked on some embassy paperwork and convinced Jack to let me wash his clothes. It can be hard for newly adopted kids to get used to having more than one outfit. He has worn the same thing since Tuesday, but I talked him into washing it today. Then I sent him off to visit his Grandfather and his Aunt in case we don't have time to do it tomorrow. We will hopefully be leaving on the train tomorrow night-that is if the passports are in Odessa and we can get the deregistering thing taken care of. We also need to get Sasha checked out of no.9. I visited him today, he beat me at checkers. We also need to look into some savings account that Jack has. Hopefully, we will get everything done tomorrow. I am meeting Vanya at the train station at 9:17, that's the time he told me. So pray that everything gets done tomorrow and that the passports are here.

2008-11-09T02:38:00.000-08:00

November 9th-Three years ago today we met Matthew! He was so little and cute! His name then was Dema (Dmitri) Kaplin. I can't believe it has been three years already. Back then he didn't really speak, was unstable on his feet and had troubles eating solid food, now he talks non-stop, is all over the place and eats anything in sight (just like his brother Jack). If you want to go back and read about it click on November 2005 on the left side of the blog. I miss you Matthew!

2008-11-09T00:02:00.000-08:00

Ukraine Adoption Journey #2 Trip #2 day #12 Nov 8
We didn't do much today. Jack went and visited his friends at school and then visited his cousin. I went and saw Sasha. He wasn't mad that he was still there, the director had explained why we couldn't get him. She didn't tell him why I didn't come to see him though. I tried to tell him about the document we got and the new apartment. He had been sleeping so they didn't want him outside. We sat on a chair in the entry way and looked through pictures on my camera. He is so ready to go. He was telling me what to do on the airplane; buckle my seatbelt, turn off my phone, camera, games etc. It is funny he remembered all of that, I don't know when he was hosted-maybe two summers ago. I haven't heard anything from his host family, I thought they might want to maintain contact with him. Maybe they are embarassed about all the hassle they caused. I am also very ready to go home, it has gotten colder here-as it has at home but the boys don't have very warm clothes. Jeff you will need to bring their winter coats to the airport, they are upstairs on the bed. Did you find Matthew's winter coat in his closet-the blue and red one? I just fixed Jack his first American breakfast (it's Sunday morning) scrambled eggs, toast, apple slices and milk. He seemed to like it. They don't eat special foods here for breakfast, it is just like any other meal.

2008-11-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

If I counted right there are 47 days until Christmas............................

2008-11-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

Go here http://pretreadoptionblog.blogspot.com/ and read their post for Nov. 2 "From Caring Comes Courage." It will leave an impression on you.

2008-11-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

Some Pictures from Matthew's fifth birthday-How can my baby be five already?????

Doesn't he look sweet in the birthday outfit my mom gave him, There is a five on the race car for his age! He is standing in front of the door to our upstairs-the same door my parents always took pictures of my sisters and I in front of.

My sister bought these pajamas to take on our trip to Ukraine to adopt Matthew. Before we met him I prayed that we would find a child small enough to fit in them-at the time (and even now) the SDA isn't giving many referrals for young children. God answered my prayers, almost three years later Matthew has just grown into them.

2008-11-08T01:45:00.000-08:00

2008-11-08T01:38:00.000-08:00

2008-11-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

Here’s what happened yesterday.

I woke up, showered and started packing to move to our new apartment. I was about half done what Vanya called and said that something weird happened. The lady from the city building who had told us we had to wait until Thursday to get the document we needed to deregister the boys from their apartment called. She told him that she would process our documents today if we could get their by 11. I thought that is great but Vanya is not here, I can understand some Russian, I can only say a few things and this is a huge city how will I find this building. Vanya decided I should call Julia to translate for me, but she didn’t answer. So Lisa called Sonia, whom I have never met but can translate. He told me to be there is 45 minutes. I remembered the bus number to take, but had no idea where to get off. I figured if I got lost I could just take the same bus the opposite direction back to the apartment. But I found the building, met Sonia and we went inside and waited. The thing with adoptions is that from start to finish you hurry up and then wait, hurry up and wait, over and over. When the lady showed up, she gave us piece of paper to take to the bank. We found the bank and the woman didn’t know how to process the fee since I do not have a tax ID code, after calling a few people she figured out that she could enter my passport number. Then I needed to pay the fee, but I didn’t have enough grivna and guess what she can’t change my dollars for grivna. So we go to the next window, wait in line, exchange the money and go back to the first woman. She gives us a receipt and we head back to the city building. We give the lady the receipt and she tells us to come back at 3:30 for the document.
I went back to the apartment finished packing, had Vasya get his stuff ready, we ate some lunch and Michelle got us a cab. Our new apartment is nice but a little quiet without Michelle, Lisa and Leanna. We got our stuff into the apartment and I had to leave to get the document, I was really unsure how to get to that building from the center. Michelle told me where the bus left from I wasn’t really sure how to get there. I knew the general direction and found it. I was even at the building 15 minutes early. When I walked in I found David who lives near us at home http://doctordavid.wordpress.com/ sitting there. He had gotten the same phone call from the lady. We sat there for 2.5 hours before the lady showed up. She told us to wait a little longer. We followed her downstairs to a notary, we signed the little book and left. God is so great! He moved this mountain for both of us, I don’t think David and I could have been any happier. I was supposed to wait until Thursday for the paper, and he was told he might not get it. I think Cindie was surprised to see us together and with the document. She fed us, we all played games and it was a great night.
Now on Monday, Vanya will come back to take this document to another office who should deregister the boys and give us another document that will allow us to get the stamp we need in their passports. This stamp says something like: This person is cleared to leave Ukraine for permanent residence in the United States.
I finally discovered what the whole register/deregister thing is about. When a baby is born the parents are supposed to register the baby in the place they live. It is kind of like giving them an address but much more. I am told it takes a lot of documents to get them registered. Everyone has to be registered somewhere. So if a baby is abandoned or found on the street they are registered at the orphanage they live in. When they age out of the orphanage the orphanage people try to get the child registered somewhere else, like with a distant relative. I don’t know what they do for children who have no one. So when someone adopts a child registered at the orphanage has to get a “document of origin” paper to deregister them from the orphanage. Matthew would have had one of these but I guess three years ago they didn’t enforce this rule. Now Vasya and Sasha are registered in the apartment where they lived with their mom. There are seven people registered there, two aunts, three cousins (all minors) and them. Their aunt Tonya had all the documents proving that they were registered and that the apartment had been paid for years ago. She and Vanya took all these to the lady who originally said we needed to wait until next Thursday to go before some board and get their approval to change their names on the register thing. The lady says she is protecting the children by just changing their names on the register to their new names so if or when they decide to come back to Odessa to live they will have a place to live. Now I am thinking, they are hear now and even though their names are on the apartment they still don’t have a place to live. Boys have to do mandatory military service. I am told that the army here is worse than living in prison and many of the boys die just in training. So do you think my boys are going to want to come back for that?
So now the plan is to get the last document so we can get the stamp (hopefully the woman works on Monday), get Sasha, pick up the passports (hopefully they are in Odessa, they get sent from Kiev), say their goodbyes and get on the train to Kiev on Monday night, Tuesday night at the latest. In Kiev the boys need embassy physicals, I need to turn in a lot of paperwork at the embassy and pay the fees, the next day I have to do a short interview with an embassy official and pick up their visas. If we can find a flight home we could be home by the weekend.
I remember the interview with the official when we adopted Matthew. They asked: Did you bribe any one? Did you encounter anyone doing illegal things? Are you capable of caring for this child? Is there a risk that you will abandon him? But I have heard people being asked things like: who is your favorite football team? Why Ukraine? Etc. It usually lasts about ten minutes.

This apartment has a huge Jacuzzi tube with a shower. It took me 20 minutes to figure out how to turn it on. It has a remote, that didn’t do anything, I turned all the knobs, pulled and pushed everything, looked all around it. Finally I figured out that one knob goes up diagonally and that turns the water on. Now if I could just figure out the TV.