John called around 12 Noon and they had made it to Chicago!! We are so glad that they are back in the United States, and that long flight over the ocean is over with. Praise God for keeping them all safe. Sounds like they only got a little bit of sleep...Lily slept the most and Joshua did pretty well but was fussy and had difficulty staying in that position...so John had to hold him. But they made it through the hardest part, and we are so thankful. They have a long layover now...
they are really looking forward to finally getting home.
One more flight!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
All ready to come home
They were able to get Lily and Joshua's visas at the Embassy today!! They are packing up and getting ready to fly out in the early morning. When I talked to them the girls were watching the little ones while their daddy took a nap, and when they are getting ready for bed, he will get up and take care of little ones and stay up until they have to get ready to go at 2:00 am. He was up alot last night and figured it would work better if he got a little rest in the afternoon and then just stayed up so they wouldn't oversleeep.
Please keep them in your prayers as they come home. They are concerned about Joshua on the long flight as he can cry unconsolably at times and is on a special medication (they called "nerve" medicine) that is supposed to help....we are keeping things the same (how he eats, his meds, etc) for him for now until we get home and he can see a doctor to know how to best meed his needs. It will be a long day for Lily too. Hopefully they will be able to sleep on the plane. They have an ergo carrier for Lily and a stroller for Joshua that they can check in at the gate, and they will have a carseat for Joshua on the plane (not an ideal one but atleast it should help to keep him supported some and strapped in, so JOhn won't have to hold him the whole way). They were able to get seats together for the long flight and the domestic flight but have to get seat assignments for the flight to FRankfort when they arrive at the airport.
Please pray that get seats together, that John and the girls will have enough rest and energy to care for them, that Haylee (who is allergic to wheat) will get her gluten-free meals ordered and have no food reactions, and that the little ones will have grace to bear the flights and all the stimulation of airports, and eat and drink sufficiently. THey connenct in Frankfort and Chicago and have long layovers but we prefer this to the anxiety of short ones...especially with kids to feed and diaper.
Guess what we at home are doing?.....
cleaning the house,
cleaning out the car,
getting Lily and Joshua's bed's ready
laundry,
grocery shopping,
laundry,
cleaning,
packing for our move....
(in addition to meals, potty training, and the every day stuff)
I think I'd rather be flying on a plane, just kidding-- I well remember how challenging that is! I am glad to do it and prepare for our family finally being together.
Hopefully we'll fit in some fun time too!
We are very excited here and so thankful they are actually, really, finally flying home tomorrow. Thank you for following our journey and praying.
Traci
Please keep them in your prayers as they come home. They are concerned about Joshua on the long flight as he can cry unconsolably at times and is on a special medication (they called "nerve" medicine) that is supposed to help....we are keeping things the same (how he eats, his meds, etc) for him for now until we get home and he can see a doctor to know how to best meed his needs. It will be a long day for Lily too. Hopefully they will be able to sleep on the plane. They have an ergo carrier for Lily and a stroller for Joshua that they can check in at the gate, and they will have a carseat for Joshua on the plane (not an ideal one but atleast it should help to keep him supported some and strapped in, so JOhn won't have to hold him the whole way). They were able to get seats together for the long flight and the domestic flight but have to get seat assignments for the flight to FRankfort when they arrive at the airport.
Please pray that get seats together, that John and the girls will have enough rest and energy to care for them, that Haylee (who is allergic to wheat) will get her gluten-free meals ordered and have no food reactions, and that the little ones will have grace to bear the flights and all the stimulation of airports, and eat and drink sufficiently. THey connenct in Frankfort and Chicago and have long layovers but we prefer this to the anxiety of short ones...especially with kids to feed and diaper.
Guess what we at home are doing?.....
cleaning the house,
cleaning out the car,
getting Lily and Joshua's bed's ready
laundry,
grocery shopping,
laundry,
cleaning,
packing for our move....
(in addition to meals, potty training, and the every day stuff)
I think I'd rather be flying on a plane, just kidding-- I well remember how challenging that is! I am glad to do it and prepare for our family finally being together.
Hopefully we'll fit in some fun time too!
We are very excited here and so thankful they are actually, really, finally flying home tomorrow. Thank you for following our journey and praying.
Traci
Sunday, August 29, 2010
-Upcoming Monday appt at the Embassy
JOhn and the kids have their 2nd appointment at the US Embassy Monday at 2 pm (5 in the morning our time)....we were told that they would process Joshua's passport and forms in the same day so both he and Lily can get their visas today. Please pray everything goes smoothly and that they do indeed get both visas!
Then they can fly home the next day on Tuesday!
We are so ready for them to come home....and they I think are even much more ready to come home!
Another Reeces Rainbow family is having their last Embassy appointment the same day and yet another is having their initial SDA appt. that morning....it just amazes me how much Reeces Rainbow ministry has grown, and it gives me great joy to know that there are many families who are bringing these precious children home and giving them the hope of a family and a home. You can read about families who are adopting, as well as see pictures of many waiting children at the website...
www.reecesrainbow.com. It sure changed our lives, and even more so, has changed Lily and Joshua and SEan (adopted last year)'s lives forever.
It would be neat if it works out for John and the kids to meet the other families and encourage one another!
Then they can fly home the next day on Tuesday!
We are so ready for them to come home....and they I think are even much more ready to come home!
Another Reeces Rainbow family is having their last Embassy appointment the same day and yet another is having their initial SDA appt. that morning....it just amazes me how much Reeces Rainbow ministry has grown, and it gives me great joy to know that there are many families who are bringing these precious children home and giving them the hope of a family and a home. You can read about families who are adopting, as well as see pictures of many waiting children at the website...
www.reecesrainbow.com. It sure changed our lives, and even more so, has changed Lily and Joshua and SEan (adopted last year)'s lives forever.
It would be neat if it works out for John and the kids to meet the other families and encourage one another!
More pictures from August 17th-18th...Enjoy!
Dear All,
Here are some more pictures from August 17th through 18th. Enjoy them :)
I might write more today...we will see. We are leaving on Tuesday! We are really looking forward to seeing our family...missing them so much! We went to the home-church that Mr. Yuri and his wife started with some other people. It went well. Lots of fellowship and lots of good studying. There was also some very good singing and music in Ukrainian that was wonderful, even though we couldn't understand it. There was one tune that we remembered, but we couldn't remember the name of the song.
And there were cookies and tea afterward. (I couldn't have the cookies, but the chai tea was good, but it tasted much different from mine) It was nice.
We are looking forward to leaving on Tuesday and seeing our family. Please pray for a safe journey!
Love,
Haylee
Friday, August 27, 2010
Update from August 17th-19th
Dear All,
I am sorry I haven't updated in a long time--we had computer problems! I wanted to blog so much though :) Well, here is a update with pictures from August 17th through 19th. I will post more pictures and updates very soon. :) Enjoy!!!
Haylee for the rest in the Ukraine
August 17th update
On Tuesday, we got up early and ate leftovers for breakfast and finished packing what we needed to. Miss. Irina, our translator and the cab driver picked us up around 7:30 to 8 am. We drove to Kiela, around 1 ½ to 2 hours from Izmail and waited about 5 hours to get Joshua’s birth certificate. The cab driver dropped us off, and we waited with our luggage for the blue van to come—a older man who drives a old blue van around Odessa, etc.
While we waited, we got some juice, water, popsicles for Naomi and I, cheese, crackers and chips for our lunch. We played outside with Lily, then when the van came, we rested in the van and ate lunch.
Finally, we got the birth certificate for Joshua around 2 pm., and headed for Odessa. (It took around 5 hours to get there). We stopped about a hour to Odessa and had a bathroom and food stop.
There was an apartment near the Black Sea that we had hoped to stay at, but the landlady rented it to people who were okay with paying more—we were sad and upset at first, because the landlady had promised us that we could stay in it, and broke her word, but it ended up turning out just fine!
We then went to a older apartment—the lady knew that there would be 4 kids and 1 adult beforehand, but she changed her mind when we got there—we think she changed her mind because she saw that we had 2 special needs kids with us…oh well.
We ended up having to stay at a hotel for the night…it was nice…it used to be a theater but they made it into a hotel. We ate at a café for dinner and had a good night.
August 18th update
In the morning, Naomi and I watched the little ones while Daddy went to the store to get something to eat for breakfast and to get some more minutes for his Ukrainian cell phone.
We ate our breakfast and at 10:00, we got in the van and drove to meet Miss. Irina to get Lily’s passport. It took a while because the driver got lost, but it ended up being okay because it did not affect getting the birth certificate at all. I went with Miss. Irina to do some things, while Daddy, Naomi and the little ones stayed in the car while a man re-did the ID number so we could get the passports that day.
Then, we drove to the passport place and Lily and Joshua got their pictures taken for the passports and the lady worked on them.
We then went to a Georgian café which I remembered I had liked last time, but they ended up not having the things I liked and it was expensive and we hardly eaten anything…we won’t eat there again! Then, we went back to the hotel and packed all our stuff up—we were going to go to a apartment in Odessa near the beach (another one). We drove there, and brought all our luggage there.
Then, we drove to the 777 B store—(nearby). We did our shopping for the week we will stay here at the apartment near the beach and went back to our apartment. Miss. Irina left to go back to her family until we leave for Kiev, and we settled into the apartment. It is very nice! It has 4 beds—2 big and 2 small and a kitchen, little porch and bathroom. There are 3 floors in this apartment, and we are on the 2nd floor.
Naomi likes the kitties that live near our apartment and played with them, but broke out in a rash from them, so she has been leaving them alone! We had beans and rice for dinner (one of my favorites) that I made and after the little ones were put to bed, Naomi and Daddy watched “Cars” movie while I blogged. Around 11:30 pm. to 12:00 pm, we went to bed.
August 19th update
We had a good sleep and woke up around 7:30-8:00 am.
We had breakfast, cleaned up, etc. We had a snack of yogurt, and headed to the Black Sea beach around lunch time (12:30 pm., maybe?)
We had a good time, except alot of people were un-appropriate which we were not comfortable with so we decided that we would come later in the day when we came again to avoid most of the people. Lily loved the water, and was with us older girls most of the time and got totally soaked.
Joshua did not like the water, and started crying when his feet touched the water. So Daddy and Joshua sat on the sand on a blanket and watched us. We had a fun time and walked home (it is about a 5-10 minute walk to the beach). We rested, watched “Benji (the first show), etc.
Naomi made rice noodles (I am allergic to wheat, so we eat rice noodles) and hamburger for dinner—Naomi cooked because I was not feeling good (I had some kind of stomach bug). It was good! Naomi and I watched “Benji off the leash” show, but Daddy went to bed early (around 8:30 pm….the little ones went to bed earlier) and after we watched the movie, it was around 10:30 pm. We went to bed and had a good nights sleep.
Passport
Just a quick note to update that Joshua's passport did arrive in Odessa and was mailed to the EMbassy in Kiev.... so it should be there Monday morning for their 2nd appointment where they are to get both children's visas.
Other good news--they finally have internet up and running, so hopefully my daughter Haylee our blog queen will update us with pictures in the morning!
Other good news--they finally have internet up and running, so hopefully my daughter Haylee our blog queen will update us with pictures in the morning!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sardines
Jonah and I were arranging carseats into a bigger van we bought that will fit our now nine children. It was so ridiculous trying to get those bulky seats into it that it was funny. Our van is very old and for some reason the air condition--which worked when we bought it used recently--has stopped working! We are praying it makes it across country to Virginia until we can hopefully find something else...we'll see. But for now, we need to have everything ready to pick up John and the children at the airport on Tuesday night...Lord willing! The kids have figured out how they want to arrange everybody...though a few alterations may need to be made so people can get to their seats! We're not sure how Joshua will fit into the car seat but we got one that would extend to above his weight, recline, and has padding for his head and body. Hopefully it will work. Anyway, the thought of lots of sardines squished together came to mind. Thankfully, the older sardines will help the younger ones, otherwise it would take us an hour to load and unload. I pray that we will remember that each one of these children are a blessing from the Lord. Still, I am looking forward to staying home as much as possible when John is working! I will have to put a picture on here with everybody in the van at last.
In Kiev again
John and the children and our translator Irina made it safely to Kiev on the overnight train around 8:00 am (Ukraine time). John was very tired after not getting any sleep between Joshua being next to him, and Lily falling out of bed a few times. They were able to get Lily and even Joshua's medical exam (even though they didn't have his passport yet) and start the paperwork process. They will return Monday afternoon to get the visas....we pray! They have the next 3 days to wait and will be staying at the guest house in Brovary again. The girls are going to go look for souvineers with Irina tomorrow morning....though this makes me a little bit nervous, I know they are in good hands and John says she fusses over them like a mommy (Irina has 2 daughters of her own). They should have internet access starting tomorrow morning....so hopefully there will soon be pictures on here and some catch up blog posts from Haylee in the Ukraine.
They are making progress...we thank God!
They are making progress...we thank God!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Bumps and blessings
We found out that Joshua's passport did not arrive with Lily's today at the passport office as promised....which presents a major bump in the road.
They contacted the US Embassy and they said that they could bring the paperwork and one visa in Thursday morning and then bring Joshua's passport on Monday and they will complete everything for the 2 visas Monday. A friend of Irina our translator will pick up and mail the passport to us, so Irina will be able to go with John and the kids to Kiev.
So, they won't be able to come home on the weekend as we'd hoped, but we are thankful that they will still be able to get done on Monday (if they'd required his passport to start the 2 day process, they would have had to push their flights out another day) and that Irina can stay with them, which will help immeasureably as they travel with the little ones.
When they went to get the bus tickets (with aircondition) they were sold out, and after seeing the options they thought they would have to take the most expensive train (around 500 dollars) but when they went to buy them, the lady said that other seats on the cheaper air conditioned train would be opening up if they waited a little bit ...and they did! This cost about a third the price of the other train, and half the price of the bus they were going to take. That was a blessing to my already discouraged husband and reminder that God was working things out for good.
THey will travel from midnight to early morning to Kiev, be picked up by our friend Yuri to go back to the guest house they stayed in on our first trip. Our facilitator Anatoly will take them to get medical exams and then to the Embassy Thursday morning. Then they will have 3 days to wait...hopefully they will be restful and I know the girls would like to sightsee a little bit and see our friend Taras there too and get a sourvineer.
I was so hoping they'd get home early -especially for John to have a day or two in the weekend to rest before returning to work-- but I will try to focus on the positive...and count our blessings....
John and the kids are all healthy and have not even needed to use the nebulizer or emergency asthma medicine or antibiotics...
The translator is with them, and people we know in Kiev, like Yuri and Taras and Anatoly will be there to help them....
The children are out and they are getting very close to coming home to a family....
The Embassy could have required them to come back Tuesday but they are working with us so they can still fly home Tuesday morning to arrive Tuesday night around 8:00 pm!
The kids here are doing well and for the moment everyone is healthy....
I will have 3 extra days to pack and organize before everyone is home....
For all these things, I give thanks to God, who is ultimately in control and who is loving and good.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whom does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1
(we've been memorizing this psalm and it is so precious to hear our 3 year-old Elsie say this verse) Its been a good reminder for us to put our trust in God during this challenging time for our family.
They contacted the US Embassy and they said that they could bring the paperwork and one visa in Thursday morning and then bring Joshua's passport on Monday and they will complete everything for the 2 visas Monday. A friend of Irina our translator will pick up and mail the passport to us, so Irina will be able to go with John and the kids to Kiev.
So, they won't be able to come home on the weekend as we'd hoped, but we are thankful that they will still be able to get done on Monday (if they'd required his passport to start the 2 day process, they would have had to push their flights out another day) and that Irina can stay with them, which will help immeasureably as they travel with the little ones.
When they went to get the bus tickets (with aircondition) they were sold out, and after seeing the options they thought they would have to take the most expensive train (around 500 dollars) but when they went to buy them, the lady said that other seats on the cheaper air conditioned train would be opening up if they waited a little bit ...and they did! This cost about a third the price of the other train, and half the price of the bus they were going to take. That was a blessing to my already discouraged husband and reminder that God was working things out for good.
THey will travel from midnight to early morning to Kiev, be picked up by our friend Yuri to go back to the guest house they stayed in on our first trip. Our facilitator Anatoly will take them to get medical exams and then to the Embassy Thursday morning. Then they will have 3 days to wait...hopefully they will be restful and I know the girls would like to sightsee a little bit and see our friend Taras there too and get a sourvineer.
I was so hoping they'd get home early -especially for John to have a day or two in the weekend to rest before returning to work-- but I will try to focus on the positive...and count our blessings....
John and the kids are all healthy and have not even needed to use the nebulizer or emergency asthma medicine or antibiotics...
The translator is with them, and people we know in Kiev, like Yuri and Taras and Anatoly will be there to help them....
The children are out and they are getting very close to coming home to a family....
The Embassy could have required them to come back Tuesday but they are working with us so they can still fly home Tuesday morning to arrive Tuesday night around 8:00 pm!
The kids here are doing well and for the moment everyone is healthy....
I will have 3 extra days to pack and organize before everyone is home....
For all these things, I give thanks to God, who is ultimately in control and who is loving and good.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whom does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1
(we've been memorizing this psalm and it is so precious to hear our 3 year-old Elsie say this verse) Its been a good reminder for us to put our trust in God during this challenging time for our family.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Pray our family home
Today was their last day waiting there in Odessa....tomorrow they are supposed to get the visas at 3 pm Ukraine time and start heading for Kiev by bus (the train was full). They've been delayed there a week waiting, due to the Ukraine holiday. They are all tired of being there (even the girls who couldn't wait to go to Ukraine) and very much looking forward to getting home.
The last step is getting medical exams and getting the visas at the US Embassy.
The Embassy is a 2 day process....first day they submit the paperwork and the 2nd day they interview and get the visas. Unfortunately, the 2nd day falls on the first Friday of the month, when the Embassy is closed, so they will be delayed until Monday to get the visas....
unless they would make an exception.
I don't know if they would consider our situation, but we are praying they will.
IT has been very challenging for John and the girls to care for the special needs of Lily and Joshua in a strange place without the usual special equipment any child, let alone a disabled child, needs.... cribs, highchairs, carseats, etc and without easy access to food and supplies. Joshua is 4 (disorder to the 18th chromosome affecting his brain and motor developement) and can not sit up on his own, and has special feeding issues--right now he eats from a bottle and is used to the same food every day--a porridge and a soup and milk...he has not liked the food too much so far that they've been able to give him. HE also has digestive issues requiring a laxative and on a "nerve medicine" which when he doesn't have it, he is very fussy. We're not exactly sure what that is about. We are anxious to get him medically evaluated here in the US so we can know how to best feed and position him and manage his many needs. Lily has not been drinking well and is just starting to eat some more, but needs close supervision as she is mobile. All the kids have mosquito bites all over them too.
We are so looking forward to them being out of there and here at home so they can begin to adjust to being in a family. Also, as you can imagine, being delayed now the 2nd time overseas is costing much more money....that we'd rather use on getting the children's medical and therapy and equipment needs met.
I don't know if they will be able to help us out or not, but we asked anyway and pray for God's will and perfect timing.
The last step is getting medical exams and getting the visas at the US Embassy.
The Embassy is a 2 day process....first day they submit the paperwork and the 2nd day they interview and get the visas. Unfortunately, the 2nd day falls on the first Friday of the month, when the Embassy is closed, so they will be delayed until Monday to get the visas....
unless they would make an exception.
I don't know if they would consider our situation, but we are praying they will.
IT has been very challenging for John and the girls to care for the special needs of Lily and Joshua in a strange place without the usual special equipment any child, let alone a disabled child, needs.... cribs, highchairs, carseats, etc and without easy access to food and supplies. Joshua is 4 (disorder to the 18th chromosome affecting his brain and motor developement) and can not sit up on his own, and has special feeding issues--right now he eats from a bottle and is used to the same food every day--a porridge and a soup and milk...he has not liked the food too much so far that they've been able to give him. HE also has digestive issues requiring a laxative and on a "nerve medicine" which when he doesn't have it, he is very fussy. We're not exactly sure what that is about. We are anxious to get him medically evaluated here in the US so we can know how to best feed and position him and manage his many needs. Lily has not been drinking well and is just starting to eat some more, but needs close supervision as she is mobile. All the kids have mosquito bites all over them too.
We are so looking forward to them being out of there and here at home so they can begin to adjust to being in a family. Also, as you can imagine, being delayed now the 2nd time overseas is costing much more money....that we'd rather use on getting the children's medical and therapy and equipment needs met.
I don't know if they will be able to help us out or not, but we asked anyway and pray for God's will and perfect timing.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Update from home
I am posting for them in the Ukraine, as they continue to have internet issues with the card they bought for the modem not working correctly. Hopefully they can get that figured out soon with the help of our translator on the phone.
It sounds like it is going pretty well. John had a pretty relaxing birthday with the kids...they took a walk later in the day along the beach, got an icecream,read books together, watched a movie, and the girls made him a cake...and got sung Happy Birthday via speaker phone. I wish so much we could skype them and see all of them.
It sounds like Lily is starting to eat a little better what is given her, but does not drink very much. Joshua had been doing pretty well with eating but has been acting more fussy with the eating lately. The girls seem to be doing pretty well...Haylee has been having a little bit of stomach upset so please pray for her to feel well. She is disappointed she can not blog but is putting her blog notes on the computer until she can post online again. I think they are beginning to be a little homesick...maybe because its slowed down and they are stuck there waiting for the passports. It wont take long for them to read all the books we packed. I pray that they can enjoy this special down time with their Daddy...well as much down time as you can have with two needy children! Oh, they had pizza today which they said tasted like pizza with ketchup and cheese--yuck! (actually our daughter Annabelle might just like it, as she loves ketchup) THe sauce there just is not the same.
Here at home we went to the library and watched a movie "Nim's Island"--it was a cute movie and very family friendly. Normally we don't watch very many movies...I guess it helps to pass the time while we are separated...which seems to be going so slowly. Today we also met a young lady who is interested in our collie Donner, whom we have to find a home before we move across the country (we're sad)...she has always dreamed of having a collie and he will obviously receive alot of love and attention. It is so hard to do stuff like this-and I wish John were here--but I do thank God for His provision of someone to love our dog. We will wait until the girls and John are home so they can see Donner before he leaves us.
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday--they get the passport and can finally do something toward coming home!
If they can get the passport early in the day, they can email the US Embassy to get their appointment the next day on Thursday...and the second appointment would be on Monday (as the US embassy is closed the last Friday of the month) to get the visa they need to come home. If they could get an early appointment Monday, they could possibly fly home Monday if there is a late flight....if we changed it....
alot of "IFs" right now so we'll just have to pray and see what the Lord has in store.
We so appreciate your prayers for all of us right now. Hopefully Haylee can post some pictures in the next few days.
It sounds like it is going pretty well. John had a pretty relaxing birthday with the kids...they took a walk later in the day along the beach, got an icecream,read books together, watched a movie, and the girls made him a cake...and got sung Happy Birthday via speaker phone. I wish so much we could skype them and see all of them.
It sounds like Lily is starting to eat a little better what is given her, but does not drink very much. Joshua had been doing pretty well with eating but has been acting more fussy with the eating lately. The girls seem to be doing pretty well...Haylee has been having a little bit of stomach upset so please pray for her to feel well. She is disappointed she can not blog but is putting her blog notes on the computer until she can post online again. I think they are beginning to be a little homesick...maybe because its slowed down and they are stuck there waiting for the passports. It wont take long for them to read all the books we packed. I pray that they can enjoy this special down time with their Daddy...well as much down time as you can have with two needy children! Oh, they had pizza today which they said tasted like pizza with ketchup and cheese--yuck! (actually our daughter Annabelle might just like it, as she loves ketchup) THe sauce there just is not the same.
Here at home we went to the library and watched a movie "Nim's Island"--it was a cute movie and very family friendly. Normally we don't watch very many movies...I guess it helps to pass the time while we are separated...which seems to be going so slowly. Today we also met a young lady who is interested in our collie Donner, whom we have to find a home before we move across the country (we're sad)...she has always dreamed of having a collie and he will obviously receive alot of love and attention. It is so hard to do stuff like this-and I wish John were here--but I do thank God for His provision of someone to love our dog. We will wait until the girls and John are home so they can see Donner before he leaves us.
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday--they get the passport and can finally do something toward coming home!
If they can get the passport early in the day, they can email the US Embassy to get their appointment the next day on Thursday...and the second appointment would be on Monday (as the US embassy is closed the last Friday of the month) to get the visa they need to come home. If they could get an early appointment Monday, they could possibly fly home Monday if there is a late flight....if we changed it....
alot of "IFs" right now so we'll just have to pray and see what the Lord has in store.
We so appreciate your prayers for all of us right now. Hopefully Haylee can post some pictures in the next few days.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
My Beloved is 42
Today is my beloved husband's 42nd Birthday! Yes, he and my daughter both are having their birthdays in the Ukraine.
I thank God for him and for the wonderful husband and father that he is to us.
I am so proud of him for being willing to give up his vacation (again...we adopted lsat year) and spend his birthday and about 6 weeks between the 2 trips...far away, ina place he'd rather not be, enduring countless trials....
inorder to obey the Lord and rescue 2 precious orphans.
I thank God for his attitude to see the best in each situation and person,
for his sacrificial love of all his children and making room for more,
his heart to simpify to make relationships primary,
his desire to glorify the Lord
and for his patience and encouragement he daily shows me.
Thanks honey, I miss you, love you and I'm praying for you! You're the BEST! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love,
Traci and the children
Internet problems
John said that they added more minutes on their modem there but something didn't work right as it was all used up within 30 minutes...so they may be offline for a while until they figure it out.
They were able to move to an apartment near the beach (the Black Sea I think) which is more comfortable and they can fix food there (they'd previously been in a hotel). There is no air condition but they said it is nice and breezy since they are near the water. John got very little sleep last night because someone was blarring Techno music, and Lily was up a few times too (taking her poopy diaper off). Poor Daddy...please keep him in your prayers.
They went to the beach and enjoyed the water (well, Joshua didn't like it) but it was very crowded and unfortunately, some very inappropriate beach outfits (or lack of) which is so very frustrating that they were exposed to that. IF they return again, it will be late in the day when most people aren't there. Makes me yearn even more for them to be out of there and back home.
Haylee said her tummy isn't feeling well so please keep her in your prayers too.
Lily continues to be very picky with eating but likes juice. Joshua is reported to be very easy going and happy usually, unless he is very hungry or if Lily is crying it causes him to cry too....aww!
I guess our translator tried hard to get the passports earlier when they applied but they said it was impossible. She has left town and is due back before next Wednesday. Perhaps God will change the plans but if not, I'm trying to work on being content while we wait...almost another 2 weeks--which seems so unbearably long. I know it is far harder on John having to deal with caring for the needs of our new chidren in a strange place where you don't know the language and feel without control, without cribs, highchairs, toys etc... but atleast now they can cook, and I thank God that our daughters are there to give physical help and encouragement. Naomi has been reminding her Daddy that we have been blessed in so many ways and Haylee encouraged me to find rest in Jesus, who will help us all through it. So precious. As John reminded me, it may not going as fast as we'd hoped, but it is going well...the kids are out of the orphanage, birth certificates have been obtained, passports applied for...we just await for them to come in so we can move on. So we're praying for patience while we wait, and need to make the most of it ....
them as they bond with and get to know the kids waiting there,
and me to enjoy the younger kids here and make the most of the time to pack for our move and prepare for what lies ahead.
We so appreciate your prayers for our family right now.
They were able to move to an apartment near the beach (the Black Sea I think) which is more comfortable and they can fix food there (they'd previously been in a hotel). There is no air condition but they said it is nice and breezy since they are near the water. John got very little sleep last night because someone was blarring Techno music, and Lily was up a few times too (taking her poopy diaper off). Poor Daddy...please keep him in your prayers.
They went to the beach and enjoyed the water (well, Joshua didn't like it) but it was very crowded and unfortunately, some very inappropriate beach outfits (or lack of) which is so very frustrating that they were exposed to that. IF they return again, it will be late in the day when most people aren't there. Makes me yearn even more for them to be out of there and back home.
Haylee said her tummy isn't feeling well so please keep her in your prayers too.
Lily continues to be very picky with eating but likes juice. Joshua is reported to be very easy going and happy usually, unless he is very hungry or if Lily is crying it causes him to cry too....aww!
I guess our translator tried hard to get the passports earlier when they applied but they said it was impossible. She has left town and is due back before next Wednesday. Perhaps God will change the plans but if not, I'm trying to work on being content while we wait...almost another 2 weeks--which seems so unbearably long. I know it is far harder on John having to deal with caring for the needs of our new chidren in a strange place where you don't know the language and feel without control, without cribs, highchairs, toys etc... but atleast now they can cook, and I thank God that our daughters are there to give physical help and encouragement. Naomi has been reminding her Daddy that we have been blessed in so many ways and Haylee encouraged me to find rest in Jesus, who will help us all through it. So precious. As John reminded me, it may not going as fast as we'd hoped, but it is going well...the kids are out of the orphanage, birth certificates have been obtained, passports applied for...we just await for them to come in so we can move on. So we're praying for patience while we wait, and need to make the most of it ....
them as they bond with and get to know the kids waiting there,
and me to enjoy the younger kids here and make the most of the time to pack for our move and prepare for what lies ahead.
We so appreciate your prayers for our family right now.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
More pictures from Gotcha Day!
Here are some more pictures from Gotcha day! I will post more soon. Enjoy!
Haylee
Passport delay....please pray
They were able to get Lily's birth certificate and apply for the passports today (Wed) but they were told they wouldn't be ready until next Wednesday because Monday is a Ukrainian holiday and they take Tuesday off too.
Please pray that God would do a miracle and move them to get it through by Friday...
if that happened they could come home about a week early. The girls are having fun but I know its really hard on John and of course, costing money each day (and days he isn't able to work) they are there. Not to mention we'd really love for them to be home.
God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine if it is His will.
Thanks!
Please pray that God would do a miracle and move them to get it through by Friday...
if that happened they could come home about a week early. The girls are having fun but I know its really hard on John and of course, costing money each day (and days he isn't able to work) they are there. Not to mention we'd really love for them to be home.
God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine if it is His will.
Thanks!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Prayer Request for our family in the Ukraine
Sounds like today was a rough day for them over there...
Lily (Lusa) is sick with fever and not eating and not drinking much, they got just a couple hours of sleep, had to wait a long time at Taras' birthplace for his birth certificate, had to drive about 7 hours Haylee said, and they had trouble finding an apartment to rent (the first one they were supposed to rent was rented out to someone who offered more money, and the second one she decided not to rent once she saw the children....even though she'd previously been told we had 4 children). So disheartening but that is the mindset they are up against there.
Please pray for them--
--that the process to get Lily's birth certificate and apply for passports will go smoothly tomorrow...and that they can get them back quickly!
--that Lily will recover from her illness (and the rest will stay healthy)
--for John to have wisdom in caring for the kids and for them to eat and sleep better
--that they can have the Lord's peace and joy during the challenges
Thanks and check below for the gotcha day pictures!!! Haylee promised to load more as soon as they have an opportunity.
Lily (Lusa) is sick with fever and not eating and not drinking much, they got just a couple hours of sleep, had to wait a long time at Taras' birthplace for his birth certificate, had to drive about 7 hours Haylee said, and they had trouble finding an apartment to rent (the first one they were supposed to rent was rented out to someone who offered more money, and the second one she decided not to rent once she saw the children....even though she'd previously been told we had 4 children). So disheartening but that is the mindset they are up against there.
Please pray for them--
--that the process to get Lily's birth certificate and apply for passports will go smoothly tomorrow...and that they can get them back quickly!
--that Lily will recover from her illness (and the rest will stay healthy)
--for John to have wisdom in caring for the kids and for them to eat and sleep better
--that they can have the Lord's peace and joy during the challenges
Thanks and check below for the gotcha day pictures!!! Haylee promised to load more as soon as they have an opportunity.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Pictures from us at Ukraine and "Gotcha day" update!
Hi Everybody!
We got safely to Izmail, Ukraine where the orphanage Lily and Joshua lived at is. We visited with them yesterday, and in the afternoon today, we had "Gotcha Day" where we bring them out of the orphanage to bring them home with us! We had a great day. In the morning, we ate breakfast, then met our translator (Miss. Irina) to drive to the orphanage. We met with the doctors and gave them their gifts and asked about a couple orphans at the orphanage. Then, we visited with Lily and Joshua. Lily was happy to be with us, and I am sure Joshua was too :) He likes being outside! Then, we went to the drug store to get some medicine for Lily and Joshua, and exchanged money. After that, we headed to our apartment, did a few things there and went to our friends, the Popova's for lunch and to get to see them before we left Izmail. We went home and got ready to go to the orphanage and the bank.
We drove to the bank, and Daddy signed the papers to give their bank accounts over to the orphanage. After that, we drove to the orphanage and got Joshua with his new outfit we had brought on. We gave animal cookies and bracelets to the groupa. Miss. Irina talked to the doctors and we got Lily and gave her groupa animal cookies and bracelets too. And, they got Lily dressed in her pretty dress we had bought her :) We said goodbye to the doctors and caregivers and headed out the doors to the gate. We headed home--Taras laughed the whole time--he seemed to like it alot! Lily liked to bend down and look around. When we got home, we gave Lily and Joshua their baths. They loved them! We showed Lily how to splash and she loved that and the ducky in the bath...she threw it to the other side of the bathtub and we would throw it back to her. Joshua liked lying down with support and laughed pretty much the whole time! He was a happy boy :) After that, Miss. Irina and I decorated my birthday cake--we made it the day before--and they sang happy birthday to me (belated birthday cake!) and we ate the cake. It was chocolate with vanilla icing and smashed lollipop for decoration--there is a attached picture of my cake!
We ate at the Potato House for dinner--Lily wouldn't eat anything--right now she has a fever--please pray for her that she will feel better tomorrow. Right now, Naomi and Lily are asleep, I am blogging, and Daddy was trying to feed Joshua, but he didn't seem hungry.
I have to go to sleep now--we have to get up early for the car ride to Joshua's region for the birth certificate.
Love,
Haylee
We got safely to Izmail, Ukraine where the orphanage Lily and Joshua lived at is. We visited with them yesterday, and in the afternoon today, we had "Gotcha Day" where we bring them out of the orphanage to bring them home with us! We had a great day. In the morning, we ate breakfast, then met our translator (Miss. Irina) to drive to the orphanage. We met with the doctors and gave them their gifts and asked about a couple orphans at the orphanage. Then, we visited with Lily and Joshua. Lily was happy to be with us, and I am sure Joshua was too :) He likes being outside! Then, we went to the drug store to get some medicine for Lily and Joshua, and exchanged money. After that, we headed to our apartment, did a few things there and went to our friends, the Popova's for lunch and to get to see them before we left Izmail. We went home and got ready to go to the orphanage and the bank.
We drove to the bank, and Daddy signed the papers to give their bank accounts over to the orphanage. After that, we drove to the orphanage and got Joshua with his new outfit we had brought on. We gave animal cookies and bracelets to the groupa. Miss. Irina talked to the doctors and we got Lily and gave her groupa animal cookies and bracelets too. And, they got Lily dressed in her pretty dress we had bought her :) We said goodbye to the doctors and caregivers and headed out the doors to the gate. We headed home--Taras laughed the whole time--he seemed to like it alot! Lily liked to bend down and look around. When we got home, we gave Lily and Joshua their baths. They loved them! We showed Lily how to splash and she loved that and the ducky in the bath...she threw it to the other side of the bathtub and we would throw it back to her. Joshua liked lying down with support and laughed pretty much the whole time! He was a happy boy :) After that, Miss. Irina and I decorated my birthday cake--we made it the day before--and they sang happy birthday to me (belated birthday cake!) and we ate the cake. It was chocolate with vanilla icing and smashed lollipop for decoration--there is a attached picture of my cake!
We ate at the Potato House for dinner--Lily wouldn't eat anything--right now she has a fever--please pray for her that she will feel better tomorrow. Right now, Naomi and Lily are asleep, I am blogging, and Daddy was trying to feed Joshua, but he didn't seem hungry.
I have to go to sleep now--we have to get up early for the car ride to Joshua's region for the birth certificate.
Love,
Haylee
Never again
Never again will Lily live in underwear, be broken out from heat rash and bug bites, and have shaved hair...
No longer will Taras sleep next to this window but never see what is outside of it...
No longer will they live within a big room behind their groupa door...
No longer will they see these long bare hallways leading to their rooms...
Never again will they only know what is within the orphanage gate (in the distance behind Taras)...
No longer will Lily be sentenced to sit in a stroller while other kids play around her...
... or sleep in this room full of cribs!
Never again will Taras have to get fed hanging out of an old stroller that doesn't fit him.
No longer will Taras spend his days laying in a bare crib!
BECAUSE.....they are out
My husband just called and told me they were walking out of the gates of the orphanage with Lily (Lacie) and Joshua (Taras)!!!....never to return! Praise God for literally saving their lives. This is the moment we've been waiting for and it is a very wonderful moment...even from afar!
I do wish I was there and can't wait to see pictures. I know they have their hands full evening as they take them back to the apartment in Izmail, feed, bathe and get ready for traveling tomorrow, so I thought I'd post. Hopefully Haylee can post more details and pictures soon. Tomorrow they will leave early to go to 2 birth cities to apply for and wait for birth certificates, ending up in Odessa where they will apply for passports.
It will not be easy...as they will not have carseats and John will need to hold Taras...in a taxi without air conditioning and it is very hot there (around 100 degrees) and Lusa may be difficult to sit still so long. Please pray for them, that it will go quickly and smoothly and maybe that the temperature will oool down some!ng
Sunday, August 15, 2010
They are in Izmail
John, Haylee and Naomi and Irina our translator arrived in Izmail Sunday morning after the overnight train and then a taxi ride. Sounds like they slept pretty well on the train but John forgot his glasses on the train! They got to see Lily (Lacie/Lusa) and Joshua (Taras)...when I asked what they thought, their answer was "we loved them!" They made a birthday cake for Haylee, organized their stuff there, relaxed and got ready for the big day tomorrow...Gotcha Day! I know Haylee will be putting details on the blog when she gets a chance, but it sounds like they haven't had a very good internet connection. I hope to see pictures soon!
On the homefront, we are doing pretty well...we had to take Elsie to the urgent care because she had a fever (and just recently had a bladder infection so we were advised to take her in)...well, she has an ear infection! So she's on antibiotics again. Not sure where that came from (she's never had an ear infection) but I'm glad we took her in.
On the homefront, we are doing pretty well...we had to take Elsie to the urgent care because she had a fever (and just recently had a bladder infection so we were advised to take her in)...well, she has an ear infection! So she's on antibiotics again. Not sure where that came from (she's never had an ear infection) but I'm glad we took her in.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Our 13 year-old blessing
We love you Haylee Elizabeth! Hope you enjoy these pictures of you through the years...
Today our oldest daughter --who is over in the Ukraine--turned 13 years-old!
It doesn't seem possible that she could already be a young lady. Seems just yesterday that she was welcomed into our world and made me a mommy for the first time. She is beautiful inside and out. God has given her a heart for special needs orphans --if you go back to one of earliest post of our adoption you can read how He worked through her and her siblings to bring us to adopt again! She also loves to read, cook, and take care of children, which is a blessing to her family. My friend Amy told me her mother always said that the secret to having younger children is....having older children! It is true... and my oldest Haylee is like my right hand. (I'm not sure how I will manage the next 19 days without her and Naomi...though our 6 year old Annabelle is very excited to have the responsibilities now of being the oldest girl!) Haylee is very happy to be in the Ukraine for her birthday as it is one of her favorite places since traveling there last year.
Wishing we were together today Haylee, but thanking God for all you are and hoping your birthday trip to the Ukraine will be memorable.
Today our oldest daughter --who is over in the Ukraine--turned 13 years-old!
It doesn't seem possible that she could already be a young lady. Seems just yesterday that she was welcomed into our world and made me a mommy for the first time. She is beautiful inside and out. God has given her a heart for special needs orphans --if you go back to one of earliest post of our adoption you can read how He worked through her and her siblings to bring us to adopt again! She also loves to read, cook, and take care of children, which is a blessing to her family. My friend Amy told me her mother always said that the secret to having younger children is....having older children! It is true... and my oldest Haylee is like my right hand. (I'm not sure how I will manage the next 19 days without her and Naomi...though our 6 year old Annabelle is very excited to have the responsibilities now of being the oldest girl!) Haylee is very happy to be in the Ukraine for her birthday as it is one of her favorite places since traveling there last year.
Wishing we were together today Haylee, but thanking God for all you are and hoping your birthday trip to the Ukraine will be memorable.
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