Sunday, January 27, 2008
Home at last!
Maury and Kol have been home for two days and it has been wonderful!!!!!!!!!
Maury said the flight went well. He said Kol toured the cockpit and really seemed to enjoy being away from the orphanage. All of the worrying and anticipation seemed to be for nothing. Hopefully, Maury will write more about his experience.
From my point of view, our friends and family gathered at the airport waiting for their arrival. My very good friend, Lynda, and her three boys braved the weather and ventured out at 8:30 on a Friday night. Along with their “K” “O” “L” signs, they joined all of the dive shop’s instructors and owners, Maury’s mom, my mother, sister, niece, aunt and grandmother (she is 94), my other great friend Melanie, Kyle and Karmon. We had a total of 18 people there to welcome Kol and Maury home. We also had red, white and blue balloons and signs. Lynda’s son Mitchell gave us the minute to minute count down to their arrival. Finally, after everyone else walked past us and ten minutes after they landed, Maury and Kol walked around the corner. I wanted to run as fast as I could to them but the security guard would not let me. Kol ran to me and I kissed and hugged him and introduced him to our family and friends. I think Maury was overwhelmed with the number of people there to welcome him home (he only expected me and his mom). After visiting for a few minutes, we left for home. We drove up to our house and in our front yard was a huge stork with (IT’S A BOY). Kol explored every inch his new home (doma). Kyle, Karmon, Maury, Kol and I visited until 12:30 at night. A flight attendant gave Maury a bottle of champagne – so we all toasted to our new addition in our family.
The first day in America had to be a great one… and it was!!! We woke up and got dressed for the Mardi Gras parade. Karmon was dressed in her crown and beautiful dress. I was dressed as a Star Trek person (pretty goofy looking). Poor kid, what could he have been thinking? We arrived at the float staging area (imagine floats, people in costumes, loud music) and went straight to Karmon’s float. He was able to get on our float and Karmon’s float. Several of our friends came up to meet Kol. Also, Monsignor Provenza stopped the blessing of the floats to say hello to Kol and acknowledge his new residency. Kyle, Kol, Maury and Adrienne (Kyle’s girlfriend) watched the parade and waited for Karmon and me to get off our floats. Before we made it back to the float staging area, Kol was sound a sleep. We all had an amazing, amazing day!!!!
Today, we were visited by both babushkas (grandmothers). Kyle and Karmon have to go back to school so they spent a lot of time with Kol trying to get to know him. We have already had several wonderful moments with Kol. A few of my favorites are watching him look at a Southern Living book and rubbing his tummy saying “yum, yum, yum”. Or this morning when he put on Maury’s aftershave, then hair gel, then lifted his underarm and ask Maury to put on deodorant. Or watching him enjoy and swim in his first bath. Or watching him at the grocery store amazed at all of the food. Or trying to eat the plastic apples that are decorations on my table. Or watching him kiss all of the cars on his sheets. I could go on and on and it has only been two days – two amazing days!
We will continue to keep the blog up-to-date for a while and post the updates on Kol’s new life. Thank you all for welcoming him home!
Maury said the flight went well. He said Kol toured the cockpit and really seemed to enjoy being away from the orphanage. All of the worrying and anticipation seemed to be for nothing. Hopefully, Maury will write more about his experience.
From my point of view, our friends and family gathered at the airport waiting for their arrival. My very good friend, Lynda, and her three boys braved the weather and ventured out at 8:30 on a Friday night. Along with their “K” “O” “L” signs, they joined all of the dive shop’s instructors and owners, Maury’s mom, my mother, sister, niece, aunt and grandmother (she is 94), my other great friend Melanie, Kyle and Karmon. We had a total of 18 people there to welcome Kol and Maury home. We also had red, white and blue balloons and signs. Lynda’s son Mitchell gave us the minute to minute count down to their arrival. Finally, after everyone else walked past us and ten minutes after they landed, Maury and Kol walked around the corner. I wanted to run as fast as I could to them but the security guard would not let me. Kol ran to me and I kissed and hugged him and introduced him to our family and friends. I think Maury was overwhelmed with the number of people there to welcome him home (he only expected me and his mom). After visiting for a few minutes, we left for home. We drove up to our house and in our front yard was a huge stork with (IT’S A BOY). Kol explored every inch his new home (doma). Kyle, Karmon, Maury, Kol and I visited until 12:30 at night. A flight attendant gave Maury a bottle of champagne – so we all toasted to our new addition in our family.
The first day in America had to be a great one… and it was!!! We woke up and got dressed for the Mardi Gras parade. Karmon was dressed in her crown and beautiful dress. I was dressed as a Star Trek person (pretty goofy looking). Poor kid, what could he have been thinking? We arrived at the float staging area (imagine floats, people in costumes, loud music) and went straight to Karmon’s float. He was able to get on our float and Karmon’s float. Several of our friends came up to meet Kol. Also, Monsignor Provenza stopped the blessing of the floats to say hello to Kol and acknowledge his new residency. Kyle, Kol, Maury and Adrienne (Kyle’s girlfriend) watched the parade and waited for Karmon and me to get off our floats. Before we made it back to the float staging area, Kol was sound a sleep. We all had an amazing, amazing day!!!!
Today, we were visited by both babushkas (grandmothers). Kyle and Karmon have to go back to school so they spent a lot of time with Kol trying to get to know him. We have already had several wonderful moments with Kol. A few of my favorites are watching him look at a Southern Living book and rubbing his tummy saying “yum, yum, yum”. Or this morning when he put on Maury’s aftershave, then hair gel, then lifted his underarm and ask Maury to put on deodorant. Or watching him enjoy and swim in his first bath. Or watching him at the grocery store amazed at all of the food. Or trying to eat the plastic apples that are decorations on my table. Or watching him kiss all of the cars on his sheets. I could go on and on and it has only been two days – two amazing days!
We will continue to keep the blog up-to-date for a while and post the updates on Kol’s new life. Thank you all for welcoming him home!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Just a few more hours....
I spoke with Maury this morning as they drove to the US embassy. He told me that the office had approved his Visa in one day instead of two. I am not sure how he accomplished that but assume they could see the desperation in his eyes. That means, at 2:30 am in the Ukraine, they will leave for the airport. After 16 hours in the air, their flight will arrive in Shreveport at 8:47 pm tomorrow night!! Praise God!!!!
We have been in this process for so long, I can not believe the time is finally here. It is like the anticipation of delivering a child. You know what is about to happen but when it really does, it feels like a miracle.
Please continue to pray for Maury and Kol’s safe trip home. Please pray for Maury’s sanity as he tries to keep Kol entertained on an airplane for 16 hours >smile<. Pray for our family - Maury, Kim, Kyle, Karmon and Kol.
We have been in this process for so long, I can not believe the time is finally here. It is like the anticipation of delivering a child. You know what is about to happen but when it really does, it feels like a miracle.
Please continue to pray for Maury and Kol’s safe trip home. Please pray for Maury’s sanity as he tries to keep Kol entertained on an airplane for 16 hours >smile<. Pray for our family - Maury, Kim, Kyle, Karmon and Kol.
On the way to Kiev
The day is finally here. Maury and Kol said their goodbyes to all of the children (Alousha, Dema, Anina, Natasha, etc…) and Kol’s caregivers. Maury said that Vera was sad but so excited to know that Kol was on his way to a wonderful life. Maury said he was so ready to get out of Sumy, that the good bye was short. He said Kol kept opening the door saying ‘good bye’ to all of the kids. I can not imagine what must be going through his little mind.
Soooo, on the road again…. la la la la la I can’t believe it. After waiting at the passport office for four hours, the only person in Sumy that can approve the passport finally arrived. Maury made one more quick trip to McDonalds. He said Kol could care less about the toy and went straight for the food. Can you imagine how that will change in a few months? We have decided that he will be as big as a house in a few weeks!
The driver, translator, Kol and Maury left for Kiev about 5:00 pm Sumy time. They should arrive around 10:00 or 11:00. He said Kol is looking around at everything just taking it all in. This is probably the longest he has ever been in a car. Arriving in Kiev will be like arriving in New York for him. He is from a small village and Sumy isn’t the thriving metroplex of the Ukraine. I would love to see his face when he sees the big buildings, all of the cars (machina) and the lights. I am sure he will be amazed.
I called Maury to check on the journey. In the background, I could hear Kol saying “America Mama, America”. I can not explain the joy I feel knowing he understands that he is on his way to a better life.
Tomorrow, they will visit the US embassy and try to convince them to complete all of the paper work in one day instead of two. Based on our experience, I am sure it will be a two day process if not more. Their flight is scheduled to leave Friday morning (3:30 in the morning) and arrive in Shreveport at 9:00 pm. If they can not get the paperwork completed in one day, they will have to leave Saturday (the same schedule).
Of course, we are in full Mardi Gras swing in Louisiana. Maury and I are supposed to ride in a Mardi Gras parade this Saturday. It doesn’t look like that is going to be an option for us. Karmon is a Princess, so she will ride on the King’s float. He will arrive in the US and step right into a Mardi Gras parade and festivities. We will give him a good Louisiana welcome!!!
Soooo, on the road again…. la la la la la I can’t believe it. After waiting at the passport office for four hours, the only person in Sumy that can approve the passport finally arrived. Maury made one more quick trip to McDonalds. He said Kol could care less about the toy and went straight for the food. Can you imagine how that will change in a few months? We have decided that he will be as big as a house in a few weeks!
The driver, translator, Kol and Maury left for Kiev about 5:00 pm Sumy time. They should arrive around 10:00 or 11:00. He said Kol is looking around at everything just taking it all in. This is probably the longest he has ever been in a car. Arriving in Kiev will be like arriving in New York for him. He is from a small village and Sumy isn’t the thriving metroplex of the Ukraine. I would love to see his face when he sees the big buildings, all of the cars (machina) and the lights. I am sure he will be amazed.
I called Maury to check on the journey. In the background, I could hear Kol saying “America Mama, America”. I can not explain the joy I feel knowing he understands that he is on his way to a better life.
Tomorrow, they will visit the US embassy and try to convince them to complete all of the paper work in one day instead of two. Based on our experience, I am sure it will be a two day process if not more. Their flight is scheduled to leave Friday morning (3:30 in the morning) and arrive in Shreveport at 9:00 pm. If they can not get the paperwork completed in one day, they will have to leave Saturday (the same schedule).
Of course, we are in full Mardi Gras swing in Louisiana. Maury and I are supposed to ride in a Mardi Gras parade this Saturday. It doesn’t look like that is going to be an option for us. Karmon is a Princess, so she will ride on the King’s float. He will arrive in the US and step right into a Mardi Gras parade and festivities. We will give him a good Louisiana welcome!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Maybe My Last Day.....
We spoke to the passport office Monday afternoon. We're looking for the passport now either this afternoon or Wednesday morning. I'm trying not to get too excited but just knowing I MAY me leaving tomorrow absolutely thills me!!! The snow is melting today and it's very pleasant outside. As you see in the pics today, there was actually a river not frozen over.....and a couple kayakers enjoying the moment.
I didn't go to the orphanage this morning. I layed in bed, drank a pot of coffee and watched the one english speaking channel I can get....BBC. I'm going to have a little "Maury" time this morning and walk around....I might even go to McDonalds (What a treat)
Later this afternoon I'll go see the kids and I'm going to have a long talk with Vera and her daughter. I'd like Vera to "lay the law down" to Kol so he won't act up on trip home. The closer I get to going home, the more worried I am about making the flight with a 6yr old that doesn't understand what I'm saying. Someone up there is getting back at me for raising all that hell when I was a kid.
So, if everything goes well I should be leaving Kiev to return home on Friday. Please wish me luck.
I didn't go to the orphanage this morning. I layed in bed, drank a pot of coffee and watched the one english speaking channel I can get....BBC. I'm going to have a little "Maury" time this morning and walk around....I might even go to McDonalds (What a treat)
Later this afternoon I'll go see the kids and I'm going to have a long talk with Vera and her daughter. I'd like Vera to "lay the law down" to Kol so he won't act up on trip home. The closer I get to going home, the more worried I am about making the flight with a 6yr old that doesn't understand what I'm saying. Someone up there is getting back at me for raising all that hell when I was a kid.
So, if everything goes well I should be leaving Kiev to return home on Friday. Please wish me luck.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Let The Countdown Begin
The final day is getting closer. Hopefully we'll see the passport tomorrow and if so, we'll say our goodbyes then head to Kiev. I have a feeling there will be some issue....there always seems to be, but I'll remain confident and please say a prayer that all works out fine.
There has been a lot of snow in the past couple days and the roads are not icey but slippery. Beside me here at the internet cafe the cars' tires are spinning trying to get up the hill causing a bit of a traffic jam. I hope the road from Kiev to Sumy is passable as Kol's passport has to be driven from there. The roads are bad enough when dry muchless all this snow.
At the orphanage, the kids all headed outside to play. The temperature really has dropped and along with the snow, the wind picked up. Nothing stops the kids though and they still laugh, wrestle, pull and ride sleds. It was honestly too cold for me and I tried to huddle out of the wind but still froze. A few of the women gave me a bad time but I didn't care, it was self-survival. They actually love this kind of weather.....give me the sun and palm trees any day.
I can't believe it's getting so close to us coming home. There are some things I'll always remember about Sumy. What an adventure this has been. I hope though, I can live the rest of my life and never hear russian rap music again or see a russian guy with cornrowed hair and blingbling around his neck shooting some hand signs. Trust me, the first couple times it's hilarious but they love their music videos here and it's become a nightmare!!! At least I have a new Halloween costume....
There has been a lot of snow in the past couple days and the roads are not icey but slippery. Beside me here at the internet cafe the cars' tires are spinning trying to get up the hill causing a bit of a traffic jam. I hope the road from Kiev to Sumy is passable as Kol's passport has to be driven from there. The roads are bad enough when dry muchless all this snow.
At the orphanage, the kids all headed outside to play. The temperature really has dropped and along with the snow, the wind picked up. Nothing stops the kids though and they still laugh, wrestle, pull and ride sleds. It was honestly too cold for me and I tried to huddle out of the wind but still froze. A few of the women gave me a bad time but I didn't care, it was self-survival. They actually love this kind of weather.....give me the sun and palm trees any day.
I can't believe it's getting so close to us coming home. There are some things I'll always remember about Sumy. What an adventure this has been. I hope though, I can live the rest of my life and never hear russian rap music again or see a russian guy with cornrowed hair and blingbling around his neck shooting some hand signs. Trust me, the first couple times it's hilarious but they love their music videos here and it's become a nightmare!!! At least I have a new Halloween costume....
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday - Bath Day!!!!
I awoke this morning to a beautiful snowfall. While there was little traffic, I walked a block away to see some of the scenery covered in snow. It's really nice because the snow covers the potholes and fith, then you get a chance to see what the city SHOULD look like. It really doesn't seem to feel as cold as yesterday and I feel like a kid running around a making a fool of myself in the snow.
As I walked up to the orphanage I see most of the kids outside playing on their sleds and continuously laughing. Of course as Papa approaches I'm pelted with snowballs!!!! I had to be the horse and pull all the sleds as fast as I could until the horse almost had a heart attack. They always have so much fun and it's great to hear the laughing.
Vera is absolutely incredible with these children, she's more than a caregiver to them as I see how the caregivers act around the kids. Vera is the mother they don't have. They also listen to everything she tells them as they know what they can get away with when someone else watches them.
So Vera rounded them all up, brushed the snow off of clothes and everyone marched upstairs and started shedding clothes......BATH TIME!!!!! It only comes once a week and trust me, when Saturday arrives they smell like little skunks. The only thing that seems to slip by is the kids brushing their teeth. You see many of the kids with filthy teeth or some with rotted baby teeth. Their breath makes you want to Yak. I can only stay on Kol to get him to brush his and I brought a battery operated Spiderman toothbrush for him when I finally get him permanately....I can't wait!!!!
As I walked up to the orphanage I see most of the kids outside playing on their sleds and continuously laughing. Of course as Papa approaches I'm pelted with snowballs!!!! I had to be the horse and pull all the sleds as fast as I could until the horse almost had a heart attack. They always have so much fun and it's great to hear the laughing.
Vera is absolutely incredible with these children, she's more than a caregiver to them as I see how the caregivers act around the kids. Vera is the mother they don't have. They also listen to everything she tells them as they know what they can get away with when someone else watches them.
So Vera rounded them all up, brushed the snow off of clothes and everyone marched upstairs and started shedding clothes......BATH TIME!!!!! It only comes once a week and trust me, when Saturday arrives they smell like little skunks. The only thing that seems to slip by is the kids brushing their teeth. You see many of the kids with filthy teeth or some with rotted baby teeth. Their breath makes you want to Yak. I can only stay on Kol to get him to brush his and I brought a battery operated Spiderman toothbrush for him when I finally get him permanately....I can't wait!!!!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
And Now Ve Vait.....
Sorry I didn't write in the blog yesterday but it was a "hair-raising " day all day. We were told the tax number would finally be ready that morning and it wasn't. After 6 days of hearing "And Now VE Vait" I thought I was going to lose it. We waited until about 3:00 and were finally told it's ready. We rushed to the office, then to the orphanage to grab Kol, and finally to the passport office. It really felt like we had just reached a milestone even though there's still a wait for the actual passport. They told us originally to wait 10 business days but we slid them some money under the table and hopefully we'll see it Tuesday. So "And Now Ve Vait".
I visited the orphanage this morning in hopes of taking Kol to McDonalds for a Happy Meal and Maury something other than Borsht. Unfortunately, the caregiver working today wouldn't allow me to take Kol and she didn't speak English nor I Russian so I stayed there. The kids were a bit wild this morning and I really couldn't get any "quality" time with Kol. There were a few of the children that just returned from being hosted in Italy and it was great to see them again. I haven't seen them since Kim and I were here in early December. It's funny because they've picked up a little Itallian while gone. Little Anina says "Ciao" when I leave now....too cute!!!
As I was on my way to the Internet cafe I see throngs of people walking towards the river. Of course I had to go see what they were doing and I stood on a bridge looking over the festivities. It turned out there was a Mass held and a blessing of the water. People take water home with them and it cures whatever ails them. I stood there for 30 minutes waiting until I couldn't feel my feet any more. As I walked off I looked like one of "Jerry's Kids" because my legs wouldn't work. I don't remember ever being so cold!!!!!
I'm so ready to come home I can't believe it. I had bought a large bottle of Tobasco for the trip and left it at home. That really hurt, I was looking forward to spicing up the food here. The good thing is I'm losing weight....
And Now Ve Vait.....
I visited the orphanage this morning in hopes of taking Kol to McDonalds for a Happy Meal and Maury something other than Borsht. Unfortunately, the caregiver working today wouldn't allow me to take Kol and she didn't speak English nor I Russian so I stayed there. The kids were a bit wild this morning and I really couldn't get any "quality" time with Kol. There were a few of the children that just returned from being hosted in Italy and it was great to see them again. I haven't seen them since Kim and I were here in early December. It's funny because they've picked up a little Itallian while gone. Little Anina says "Ciao" when I leave now....too cute!!!
As I was on my way to the Internet cafe I see throngs of people walking towards the river. Of course I had to go see what they were doing and I stood on a bridge looking over the festivities. It turned out there was a Mass held and a blessing of the water. People take water home with them and it cures whatever ails them. I stood there for 30 minutes waiting until I couldn't feel my feet any more. As I walked off I looked like one of "Jerry's Kids" because my legs wouldn't work. I don't remember ever being so cold!!!!!
I'm so ready to come home I can't believe it. I had bought a large bottle of Tobasco for the trip and left it at home. That really hurt, I was looking forward to spicing up the food here. The good thing is I'm losing weight....
And Now Ve Vait.....
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Playing The Game
Not much new here to post today. It's Thursday morning and still no tax number. There's always some excuse and even bribes don't work.....believe me I've tried!!!! It shouldn't be too much longer and then we finish at the passport office. We were able to at least get started at the passprt office yesterday because they DO accept bribes!!!! I should know something today....have I said that before?
I've missed my visits to the orphanage yesterday and today because of running all over Sumy but I'm supposed to go to a play at a church tonight and will bring Kol with me. Elizabeth (Vera's daughter that speaks english) invited me and it gives me an excuse to get out.
Dos Vidanya.....
I've missed my visits to the orphanage yesterday and today because of running all over Sumy but I'm supposed to go to a play at a church tonight and will bring Kol with me. Elizabeth (Vera's daughter that speaks english) invited me and it gives me an excuse to get out.
Dos Vidanya.....
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
After visiting the orphanage time and time again, sometimes it's the little things you tend to notice and these are burned into your memory like a branding iron. I watched the boys yesterday being fed their afternoon meal of 3 slimey cheeseballs and warm milk. While the caregiver isn't looking they are trading the cheese for milk around the table of 5 kids. As they finish the cheese, they are literally licking the plate clean. All this is done while looking back at me and smiling. Then that night they are served Porridge (sp?). Personally I don't know what the hell porridge is, but this was a white soup served with a slice of buttered bread and when asked if they each wanted an extra peice of cheese on their bread they all jumped up and down with joy. A small peice of bread accidentally fell onto the floor and it was like a school pf pirahna attacking it's prey.
If only the kids in the states could witness such acts.....would it make them appreciate things more? Would they take things for granted? Who knows, but it sure has had an effect on me.
Well, it's wednesday morning here and I'm waiting for my translator to arrive from Kiev, then we get this show on the road again. Hopefully things will go smoothly and the passport info can be sent off. It seems when you're in a hurry, no one else is.....
If only the kids in the states could witness such acts.....would it make them appreciate things more? Would they take things for granted? Who knows, but it sure has had an effect on me.
Well, it's wednesday morning here and I'm waiting for my translator to arrive from Kiev, then we get this show on the road again. Hopefully things will go smoothly and the passport info can be sent off. It seems when you're in a hurry, no one else is.....
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tuesday In Sumy
Today I hopefully will hear on wheather or not we have Kol's tax number yet. I'm not holding my breath but it should be ready at least by tomorrow morning. Then I understand we can pay a little extra to have the passport expidited. I'm hoping we'll be home by summer.....
This trip has been a little different for me though. There's something about traveling by yourself where you tend to meet people and really "feel" what life is like in that particular country. I did it years ago in Europe and I never thought I'd say this but I'll kinda miss this place. Don't get me wrong, Id kill for some Mexican food right now but crepes with caviar are awesome!!!
I took my i-pod and speakers to the orphanage today and the kids got a dose of Elvis and some Blues. They danced like in the movie Pulp Fiction with two fingers over their eyes.....where did they learn that!!!! It was hilarious and I'm so glad to have these memories. Kol was the only kid that really didn't dance, I couldn't tell if he was being shy or not but little does he know he's about to be part of a crazy coonass family!!!
This trip has been a little different for me though. There's something about traveling by yourself where you tend to meet people and really "feel" what life is like in that particular country. I did it years ago in Europe and I never thought I'd say this but I'll kinda miss this place. Don't get me wrong, Id kill for some Mexican food right now but crepes with caviar are awesome!!!
I took my i-pod and speakers to the orphanage today and the kids got a dose of Elvis and some Blues. They danced like in the movie Pulp Fiction with two fingers over their eyes.....where did they learn that!!!! It was hilarious and I'm so glad to have these memories. Kol was the only kid that really didn't dance, I couldn't tell if he was being shy or not but little does he know he's about to be part of a crazy coonass family!!!
The Eye Opener
Sunday night the Ukrainians celebrate the "Late New Year" and I was invited to Vera's house along with 5 kids from the orphanage (including Kol). We feasted upon some local favorites, mashed potatoes of course, and a meat dish covered in a gel. It looked scary and sure enough she piled it on my plate. I kept thinking of the guy on TV that travels around the globe eating disgusting food and how he always loves what he eats. So, what the heck, I started gobbling it down and concentrated on every swallow to make sure it stayed down. Vera's like a typical mother so she spooned more on my plate 3 times!!!! YUM!!!
After dinner we dressed up to go caroling. Vera's husband was Santa, I was a nurse (a good looking one I must say) and Vera was a Babushka. The kids also were just adorable. After a long walk we arrived at someones' house where the kids each sang a song and were treated with food. The adults went into the kitchen and shot vodka.
The next house we walked to was a relative and the kids sang again along with a couple women that stopped by. Again, the kids got food while the adults went into the kitchen and shot vodka. This time was different though. We sat around the table with a spread of different foods. They insisted I eat because of the vodka so they gave me some different sausages that didn't look just right. I peeled a white gel-like casing off and bit into the most disgusting fermented meat. I could only think of the guy on TV again and then try to chase it with vodka. What was really nice though was our conversation.....interpreted through Vera's daughter. They wanted to know all about how much people make in the U.S. and what we pay for bills etc. They also wanted to know about me and why I was adopting. They were what we would think of as poor but they had so much more that what money could buy. We had many laughs and honestly I could have stayed there all night talking.
On the long walk back to the orphanage we walked along a rarely lit street amongst houses in a section of town that we would be afraid to drive through in the states. We were stopped by people walking and the kids would sing while the people gave them coins. Everyone loved the kids and I honestly hated the night had to end.
Kim and I didn't see this side of the people on our first visit and I hate that. Even though the people are poor, they are so proud and so honest. There is no crime and you see older people walking at night along dark streets in no fear. What a concept.
After dinner we dressed up to go caroling. Vera's husband was Santa, I was a nurse (a good looking one I must say) and Vera was a Babushka. The kids also were just adorable. After a long walk we arrived at someones' house where the kids each sang a song and were treated with food. The adults went into the kitchen and shot vodka.
The next house we walked to was a relative and the kids sang again along with a couple women that stopped by. Again, the kids got food while the adults went into the kitchen and shot vodka. This time was different though. We sat around the table with a spread of different foods. They insisted I eat because of the vodka so they gave me some different sausages that didn't look just right. I peeled a white gel-like casing off and bit into the most disgusting fermented meat. I could only think of the guy on TV again and then try to chase it with vodka. What was really nice though was our conversation.....interpreted through Vera's daughter. They wanted to know all about how much people make in the U.S. and what we pay for bills etc. They also wanted to know about me and why I was adopting. They were what we would think of as poor but they had so much more that what money could buy. We had many laughs and honestly I could have stayed there all night talking.
On the long walk back to the orphanage we walked along a rarely lit street amongst houses in a section of town that we would be afraid to drive through in the states. We were stopped by people walking and the kids would sing while the people gave them coins. Everyone loved the kids and I honestly hated the night had to end.
Kim and I didn't see this side of the people on our first visit and I hate that. Even though the people are poor, they are so proud and so honest. There is no crime and you see older people walking at night along dark streets in no fear. What a concept.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Back In Sumy
Well, friends and family, here I sit in Sumy on a Saturday night at the internet cafe. After two hard days of running all over the countryside to not only get the proper paperwork but make sure everything is spelled correctly with absolutely no mistakes.....thank goodness for my interpretor, he's really a god-send. Today we found out we have to wait until Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning before Kol has a registered tax number (similar to our SS#) then we apply for his passport which should take 3-10 days. So it's hurry up and wait!!!!
Yesterday will be a day I'll never forget. Anton the interpretor, the driver Alexi and I set off to the town Kol was born in to change his birth certificate. About half way there Alexi's car starts overheating. After a few miles of us adding water via a hand pump on the side of the road, the car can go no more. Well, it's cold outside. Just a bone-chilling cold this old boy from Louisiana has never experienced. Thank goodness we flagged down a car and he was able to pull us to the next village. In the meantime, Anton just wouldn't give up and called the birth certificate office to plead for them to stay late on a Friday night, which they did.....(imagine that). Anton and I hitched a ride with someone to the next town where we find a taxi that takes us to the NEXT town and the certificate office. A lady finally gets our paperwork finished and we're on our way!
We get the taxi driver to bring us back to the town Alexi is in and we pull up to a garage behind a house where they still are working on the car. We finally are on our way again but the car is either running too cold or too hot. We make numerous stops on the side of the road as we travel back to Sumy that night but we finally make it!!!! Friends, you just can't imagine how bad the roads are and you'll be tooling down the road in the middle of the night with dim headlights and all of a sudden someone on a bicycle crosses the road in front of you. I just can't believe there is no "human road kill" on the sides of the road.
Sometimes I think I am going through the pregnancy on this one!!!!
Even though it was a day never to forget, I did see things we just never see at home. The truly simple lives of the country folks riding down the side of the road in a horse pulled wagon carrying hay with the riders sitting up on top of the hay in the extreme cold. Or rivers frozen over and people ice-fishing in fur coats!!! The people are very poor but also very proud, and honest as the day is long.
I visited with Kol this afternoon and was re-assured I am truly a very lucky man. He's really a great little boy.
Yesterday will be a day I'll never forget. Anton the interpretor, the driver Alexi and I set off to the town Kol was born in to change his birth certificate. About half way there Alexi's car starts overheating. After a few miles of us adding water via a hand pump on the side of the road, the car can go no more. Well, it's cold outside. Just a bone-chilling cold this old boy from Louisiana has never experienced. Thank goodness we flagged down a car and he was able to pull us to the next village. In the meantime, Anton just wouldn't give up and called the birth certificate office to plead for them to stay late on a Friday night, which they did.....(imagine that). Anton and I hitched a ride with someone to the next town where we find a taxi that takes us to the NEXT town and the certificate office. A lady finally gets our paperwork finished and we're on our way!
We get the taxi driver to bring us back to the town Alexi is in and we pull up to a garage behind a house where they still are working on the car. We finally are on our way again but the car is either running too cold or too hot. We make numerous stops on the side of the road as we travel back to Sumy that night but we finally make it!!!! Friends, you just can't imagine how bad the roads are and you'll be tooling down the road in the middle of the night with dim headlights and all of a sudden someone on a bicycle crosses the road in front of you. I just can't believe there is no "human road kill" on the sides of the road.
Sometimes I think I am going through the pregnancy on this one!!!!
Even though it was a day never to forget, I did see things we just never see at home. The truly simple lives of the country folks riding down the side of the road in a horse pulled wagon carrying hay with the riders sitting up on top of the hay in the extreme cold. Or rivers frozen over and people ice-fishing in fur coats!!! The people are very poor but also very proud, and honest as the day is long.
I visited with Kol this afternoon and was re-assured I am truly a very lucky man. He's really a great little boy.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Headin' Back
Today is January 8 and life is great - LSU won the National Championship and Maury is on his way back to pickup Kol.
This trip home lasted much longer than we expected. The US Embassy did not open until today. Going back after our 10 day wait would have caused Maury to stay in Sumy through Christmas and the New Year. With all tragic events in our family the past year, the thought of him not being here was too much. Thank goodness we were able to call Elizabeth and let Kol know that we were delayed. Elizabeth told us that they had several events planned for the kids and Kol would be able to participate. Everything worked out.
Maury's flight is in a few hours. After 16 hours in the air and a 4 - 5 hour car ride, he should arrive in Sumy. When he arrives in Sumy, after he falls out, I am sure he will stop by and see Kol and the rest of the kids in the orphanage. Maury has a bag full of toys, clothes and gifts for all the children, Vera, Elizabeth and several other people associated with Kol's life. I hope they enjoy them.
After the visit, Maury and the translator will travel 5 hours to the town where Kol was born. They will visit with the local agency and change his birth certificate to our names as his parents (that makes me smile just visualizing that entire process). Then he will go back to Sumy and apply for the passport and visa. The application has to go to Kiev and then back to Sumy after it has been completed. When they receive all of the paperwork, they will travel to Kiev for two days at the US Embassy. Then....... a 16 hour flight home to LOUISIANA!!!!!
Okay, so that is the plan - if the plan works, Maury and Kol should be on their way home on the 18th.
I explained how to update the blog and upload images. Hopefully Maury will remember (although everything is in Ukrainian and it is really up to remembering where the buttons are what should be entered). If he can not post, I will do it for him.
We are all so excited for Maury to leave (sounded funny huh)... We are excited for the reason he is leaving. I can not wait until they both get home. While they are gone, I have a lot of work cut out for me. Karmon has a Mardi Gra bal (she is a Princess) and I have to clean out Kyle's old room, paint (with help from friends), purchase furniture, decorate and prepare for a trip to Little Rock next week. Good thing I have decided to start smoking crack! (just kidding Mom).
So many people told us they read the blog during our last trip. It was nice that so many of you cared enough to see what was going on.
Take care, Maury will update you in a few days
Kim
This trip home lasted much longer than we expected. The US Embassy did not open until today. Going back after our 10 day wait would have caused Maury to stay in Sumy through Christmas and the New Year. With all tragic events in our family the past year, the thought of him not being here was too much. Thank goodness we were able to call Elizabeth and let Kol know that we were delayed. Elizabeth told us that they had several events planned for the kids and Kol would be able to participate. Everything worked out.
Maury's flight is in a few hours. After 16 hours in the air and a 4 - 5 hour car ride, he should arrive in Sumy. When he arrives in Sumy, after he falls out, I am sure he will stop by and see Kol and the rest of the kids in the orphanage. Maury has a bag full of toys, clothes and gifts for all the children, Vera, Elizabeth and several other people associated with Kol's life. I hope they enjoy them.
After the visit, Maury and the translator will travel 5 hours to the town where Kol was born. They will visit with the local agency and change his birth certificate to our names as his parents (that makes me smile just visualizing that entire process). Then he will go back to Sumy and apply for the passport and visa. The application has to go to Kiev and then back to Sumy after it has been completed. When they receive all of the paperwork, they will travel to Kiev for two days at the US Embassy. Then....... a 16 hour flight home to LOUISIANA!!!!!
Okay, so that is the plan - if the plan works, Maury and Kol should be on their way home on the 18th.
I explained how to update the blog and upload images. Hopefully Maury will remember (although everything is in Ukrainian and it is really up to remembering where the buttons are what should be entered). If he can not post, I will do it for him.
We are all so excited for Maury to leave (sounded funny huh)... We are excited for the reason he is leaving. I can not wait until they both get home. While they are gone, I have a lot of work cut out for me. Karmon has a Mardi Gra bal (she is a Princess) and I have to clean out Kyle's old room, paint (with help from friends), purchase furniture, decorate and prepare for a trip to Little Rock next week. Good thing I have decided to start smoking crack! (just kidding Mom).
So many people told us they read the blog during our last trip. It was nice that so many of you cared enough to see what was going on.
Take care, Maury will update you in a few days
Kim
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