One Month Anniversary.....

Hello, we have officially been home one month today. This first month has been wonderful. I can't believe how far along the children have come with their English. We started school and they LOVE school. They love the school bus and the fact that Casey is always waiting to greet them when they come home. Fortunately, I was able to switch my work hours so I am here to get them on the bus and I'm off and waiting by the time the bus brings them home. We have started swimming lessons at the Y and they LOVE playing basketball while I'm working out. Rose is a natural at basketball.

Isaak has been asked by the Kewanee Library to teach an 'Oragami for Kids' class, and he proudly accepted.

I'll post a few pictures of decorating the Christmas tree and our 'routine' around here. We gear up (insulated bibs, camoflaged coats, headlamps and whatever it takes to endure the weather) and head out every evening after homework to walk Casey. They enjoy 'tracking deer' and we hit the woods and follow deer paths and photograph deer when we see them or lay in the tall grass and listen to the Canada Geese fly overhead or sometimes they like to stop and listen to the wind in the pines as we hike deep in the woods with our headlamps lighting the trail. These children are 'nature lovers'!!! I know we will make many memories hiking mountain trails, camping in backcountry campsites, fishing for trout on alpine lakes - they are already wanting to know when we are going to go 'backpacking'! Rose is our photographer, Isaak is our leader when we get lost (as he always knows the route to get us home, even the nights we forget our headlamps and darkness sneaks up on us)!, Grace is our scout as she has an eye for wildlife and is always the first to whisper "look big buck!" or "look two does". hee hee They are eager to 'hunt' so everyone will be getting pellet rifles for Christmas and next fall will find them in Hunter Safety Course and the DNR Wingshoot Clinic here at the park. We should be afield in time for Dove and Squirrel season in September!

Saturday evenings are pizza and movie night for us - at least this our winter routine. They enjoy going to the library to get movies and by 6pm we are all cuddled up on the sofa with pillows and blankets watching a good movie. Yes, that is Annie Cat on me and Grizz on Grace and down below Casey boy lays at our feet. Isaak wanted to take this picture, but yes, this is our Winter Saturday Night Special! lol

I can't begin to tell you how great these children are. Every day is a thrill to them. Today we took sleds and headed to the local ski hill - wow, are they fearless!! They run and plunge down the hills head first and giggle all the way down. Of course, I'm behind them, feet first, dragging my hands, heels and anything else I can to slow my descent!

They are eating good and gaining weight. I think everyone is up about 5 pounds since we arrived. They love chicken stir-fry (this is good!), salad with any kind of meat in it, bortsch of course, pasta, rice and chicken, fried chicken, cheeseburgers on the grill, omelets, bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches, oatmeal and yogurt etc... You name it and they like it. When we grocery shop, they fill the cart with raisins, apples, grapes, walnuts, peanuts, pears, strawberries, yogurt, apple sauce, etc.... I'm thrilled that they love 'healthy' snacks. At least for now they do.

I know quite a few folks have 'challenges' their first month home but I couldn't be more honest when I say that this has been a great month and the kids are 'good children' and they have warm, loving spirits. Yes, it's busy of course and I don't have much time for myself - any single parent of three knows this! - but "I" am the fortunate one and am thankful for every busy day. If I can just used to 7 hours of sleep, I'll be okay! :) (for those of you who know me, I'm a 9-10 hour sleeper!!) These snowy winter mornings, find me waking at 4:30 to plow open the park roads so I can be home by 6 am to make breakfast as the school bus comes at 7 am. So we have early mornings around here.

For those of you waiting to adopt, I can only share that although the time ticks by painfully as you wait, you forget all of that once they are home!

Home One Week!!!! :)

We have had a great first week! The kids are all doing great. Not only have I been blessed with three beautiful children but they are very caring, respectful and have good personalities. We joined the YMCA and they were thrilled to begin swimming lessons! We received library cards and learned how to use the library and what the cards are for. :) All three of the children went to the eye doctor and all three have glasses coming soon.... :( We went to the dentist yesterday. NO CAVITIES!!!! yipppeee Of course, they did not have sugar at the orphanage, thus no cavities. However, little Grace has about 6 teeth in the front and 4 molars that do not have enamel on them and will never have enamel. It is due to poor nutrition when the teeth were developing. We have an appointment with a pediatric dentist next Monday for caps and crowns, etc...

The children have LOVED learning to ride bicycles and Isaak and Rose are riding GREAT. Grace pretty much leans over to one side and rides along with one training wheel firmly planted to the ground! hee hee They all have daily chores and LOVE doing them. We only had a couple of 'time outs' and of course they are always because of the girls disagreeing or talking and not sleeping after 2-3 warnings at night. Nothing serious though just usually talking and giggling long after they are supposed to be asleep. Isaak is good as gold and is the first one up and has his hair slicked down and is dressed with bed made etc... before my feet hit the floor. He loves the fact that Annie cat has taken up residence on his bed at night. Grace is right behind Isaak in the mornings and gets right up and brushes her teeth and hair and makes her bed. Rose is another story. She would stay in her pajamas until noon I believe. She moves pretty slow in the mornings - smiling and happy as a lark - but slowwwww... hee heee

We visited our school one day and had Cousin Katie up for the weekend and went to the Imax for a 3D movie. WOW, you should have seen the smiles and heard the 'oooohhhs' at the Imax!

The children are so happy and very respectful and I tell myself every single day how fortunate I am. I would have NEVER guessed it would work out soooo perfect. These children could not be a better fit for me nor I for them. What a wonderful journey this has been.....

There are so many firsts from this week I can't begin to recall them all....We plan on starting school next week.

Happy Trails...

Melinda, Isaak, Rose and Grace

Court!

I must apologize for not posting lately. It has been a busy couple of weeks. First of all Grace came down with a low grade fever (100.6) and I received a call at 8pm that they rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance! I was told I could only visit between the hours of 10 am - 4pm so there was nothing I could do that evening. The next morning 10 am found me knocking on the hospital's door. Grace still had her 'very' minor temperature and probably had a bad cold or a touch of the flu. She asked me to get her some warm clothes because it was very cold there at night and that she needed soap, tooth brush, towels, food etc... She also shared that she was getting 2 shots a day and that they hurt. :(
Long story short, she was in the hospital for 7 days, receiving 2 shots a day for this low grade fever that passed by the 2nd day.
I also changed apartments two weeks ago. I had a run in with 3 large german shepherds on more than one occassion while trying to walk to/from the apartment and said this is enough. Moved into a place right next to Lenin Square MUCH closer to everything and the best part - no dogs!
I visit the children daily and - although I'm sure I am biased - they are absolutely wonderful children. In the month I have been visiting them, I have not seen one fight, one struggle or cross words between them. They share everything - willingingly! - and I can tell they really look out for one another. I wish I had a larger home as I would bring back at least 2 more children. I breaks my heart seeing the other children and knowing I cannot help them. There are 'several' others I would take without 2nd thought. The orphanage director does an 'excellent' job with these children. She has taught them manners, how to play with one another and obviously shown them love. They are all happy, loving children.
After a very long wait, I was given a court date of 10/22. The children were there as well. After what I thought was a long court - 2 hours of questioning - I must have convinced the judge that I will take care of these three children and be a good mother because that was her main concern, and obviously so! The children each had to stand and answer questions - I was very proud of them! They said they had never had anyone that loved 'them' and that they wanted a 'mother' and wanted someone to love them. They said they were willing to move to America and were happy. The wonderful orphanage director also spoke. She broke into tears as she explained how the children were her favorites and that she would miss them dearly and that she knew I was a good mother. She was crying too when she told the judge the terrible conditions that the children had come from. They have been in the orphanage for 9 years with only one visit from their paternal grandmother who said she did not want the children.... One of the main focuses the judge took was about my living in the Park Residence. As Park Supt. for the State, I am required to live in the park residence. Which has it's ups and downs but right now it was a HUGE downer for me. She asked what would become of the children if I lost my job because then I would loose my home and she feared the children would be on the streets. It took a long time to convince her that I would always have a home and it would never be a problem to provide for the children because I am extremely qualified in my field and could replace my position in a day! She explained that jobs in Ukraine are difficult to find and if a single mother of three lost her job they would be out on the streets and she did not want to see these children in this position. Idid my best explaining that the park residence is a financial benefit for my position and that I have worked since I was 13 and would ALWAYS be able to find a job. Right now, I was angry at the fact that I worked and lived where I did because the mere fact that my house was part of my job's benefit package seemed to bother her greatly and at this point in the process, I did not want something ridiculous like this to be an obstacle. I shared with her that I had owned several homes and just bought one last year and that it is not a problem for me to buy a home if I chose to or had to. Whew! - the focus on my house FINALLY moved to legitimate areas of concern. Would I welcome the children in my home after they were 18 and would I always do my best to support them etc...etc.... The judge explained that she too was a mother and knew the challenges I would have and that she was concerned first and foremost for the children. I told her we shared that priority. The judge took a 30 min. recess and returned to tell me my request to adopt was granted! The emotions that flooded my heart were undescribably. Except that this was meant to be my path and I was on the right journey - God's journey. I know full well, this is where I am supposed to be going and what I am meant to be doing.
I am awaiting the 10 day appeal period and the children are SO excited they can hardly sit still. I will share a few photos but will update more details once the children and I return.
For those of youwaiting - I know you hear this - but HANG IN THERE. Somewhere in Ukraine, there are wonderful children waiting for you! My children are absolutely perfect and exactly the right match for me and I for them. They think they are so lucky but it is 'I' who is the fortunate one. I am so fortunate to be able to do this and to have such a wonderful opportunity....
Happy Trails... Melinda, Isaak, Rose & Grace and Casey boy, Grizz and Annie cat :)
as my sister shared 'My nest is full' !

Day 22

Hello,
Thank you to everyone who sends comments as it's great to hear from you! I'm not posting daily because nothing is changing. As I posted. We waited 2 weeks to ask for a court date. The small town the orphanage is in only has court on Mondays and Fridays. When we went in last Friday, we were told to come back this Friday and they would assign me a date. I really was hoping to have been assigned a court date last Friday as I haven't heard of others having to wait a week like this and coming back. :( So.... this Friday we have an appt. and I hope to be given a court date for next week. (fingers crossed!)
I switched apartments this morning to one that is more cheery and bright as I've been holed up in a bedroom without windows for 15 days! I'm serious. I couldn't take it any longer. No tv, nothing. I gave the living room and tv to my translator. This apt. has a tv in the living room and bedroom so I'm living in the living room and even though I don't watch much TV can't wait to get home this evening and watch television - we have BBC here so it will be in English! :) I'm also close to Lenin Square and will be able to step out in the evenings for a glass of wine or a snack if I choose to. Where thу last apartment was a mile or more away down dark residential streets that I kept off of after dark.
Took the children to the iceskating rink again this Saturday and they have taken to ice skating like fish take to water. lol They love it. This week, we had gloves on and socks on all of their feet so we were much better prepared. Those of you planning on traveling I haven't seen an MP3 player on the packing lists but will share that I WILL be returning with one on my 2nd trip. I don't listen to them at home nor am I a music fanatic but unless you like loud disco music, I'd recommend one. I'll be loading mine up with classical music so as I ride in the car to/from the orphanage or just walk through the malls or streets, I'll be able to have a peaceful environment of wonderful classical tunes instead of the loud blaring disco music that is everywhere. I'm sure many of you enjoy it but I'm just not into what they call disco and really don't listen to loud music period. lol Other than that and warmer clothes, the packing lists well prepared me. I wouldn't bring all the T.P. again as the TP here is easily available at every store and the brown Ukrainian paper isn't that bad to be honest.
The children are happy to see me each day and I'm unsure who looks forward to the visits most, me or them! :) I'll let you know Friday (let's hope this time!) when my court date is and thus, when I'll be returning home. :)

Treading Water...

Greetings!
I want to thank each of you for the comments and the phone calls - thank you! It appears the court period has 4 'new' days in it so this could be a while... I am going to get out of the city this weekend. Going to have the driver take me to a national park and do some hiking I hope. Also picked up a schedule for the opera/theatre and hope to take in a show now that I am officially just treating water for a while. Nothing more I can do for the time being.
I'll keep you posted!
Happy Trails...
Melinda

Routine Days....

My Petition to Adopt finally made it on the train last night. That's a full 10 days after arriving in Donetsk. Hard to believe but the elections delayed the process. I hope to move forward from here and should begin to see some progress. Thank you for everyone who comments and e-mails. I would recommend to anyone traveling to take a Blackberry! It has been one of the most valuable articles I have brought and am glad to have it. What a difference it has made and seems to work everywhere!
Happy Trails...
Melinda

Tuesday

My days have fallen into the routine of going to the market or store then walking to the internet cafe (maybe 4 miles away?) just for something to do and then grabbing lunch before heading home to visit the children each afternoon. Nothing new to post but I'll be sure to post when I hear of my court date. Thank you for all of your comments and please understand I will post more details when I arrive home. I am keeping this blog as generic as possible but I know some of you enjoy following along so I'll continue to submit where I'm at in the process. Hope you understand.