Our Adoption From Ukraine

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

It's been a crazy 1 1/2 days. Y came in by train about 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday. She crashed on our sofa until about 7:30 and then took off just before 9 to pick up the court decree and start the paperwork. She called us just before 11 a.m. and at 11 a.m. we left Lugansk and went to the town that the kids were born in, not sure of the name, but it starts with a S, to get the kids new birth certificates. What I do know is that we are in Lugansk, which is about 50 km from Russia, the town is farther east and were we only about 5 km from Russia. It was poring rain out. Everyone here drives like a crazy person....and the cab driver that took us was no better. His wipers were not going fast enough and Y told him to make them go faster. He was passing on solid lines and Y even gave him heck about his driving a few times!!! I was so happy!!! The roads suck. It was a single lane highway. There is no shoulder and the sides of the road was crumbling so they like to drive down the middle of the 2 lanes. I was having a heart attack!!! The speed signs I saw said 45 km, and he was doing anywhere from 70km to 120km.....the best part....they do not have daylight running lights and they do not put their lights on!!!! Gotta love it.

We arrived there about 12:30. The ladies at the office we so nice. They took us next door to a cafe for lunch. We hung out there until just after 2 and went back to the office. They pretty much gave us the new birth certificates and we were out of there about 2:30. We arrived back in Lugansk at 3:40 p.m. I must have calmed down about the driving because I actually fell a sleep for a while. We had to go to this office to get new registration numbers, then to the notary, to 2 passport offices, local and regional. And no, I do not know why 2 passport offices. We were told that the kids new passports would be ready on Thursday morning, so much for flying out on Wednesday night. By the time we were done it was 6 and to late to go visit the kids. The air line office was also closed. We headed back to the hotel and went to the supermarket and got some supper. It was a long tiring day and we were crashed shortly after 9.

Y took off today about 8:30, the air line office was still closed....nothing here opens until 9 a.m.. At 9:30 she called us. There are only 5 flights left on the Thursday night flight. Holly crap, we need all five. She called a cab for us, we rushed over to the Rada office (Ukrainian parliament) and picked her up. We rushed to the travel agency and got the last 5 flights on the Thursday night flight. YAHHHHHHHHHHHH WHOOOOOOOO!!!!

Y took off and left us to get the tickets. We headed back to the hotel and just had time to use the washroom before we were on to the bank and passport office. We headed to the orphanage to make our donation and we were back at the hotel by 1 p.m. Y went home for the night. Her home town is about 1/2 an hour form here. Brad & I headed back to the grocery store to pick up some lunch, went to the internet for a few minutes and then walked back to the orphanage for 4 p.m. for our final visit.

The kids totally understand what is going on. We were not sure how much Stasi understood, but with P & P got there Stasi told P that we are leaving on the plane tomorrow and we are taking 4 planes. Which is true. The funny thing is P & P and their 2 kids and their facilitator are also on our plane. Only 2 flights to Kiev a day. 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.....and the plane only holds about 40 people...we are going to over run the plane.

After our visit we headed to our cafe with P & P so a late supper/snack. The last meal for the 4 of us before the influx of kids tomorrow.

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Enjoy your dinner tonight....after that,dinner is a whole new ball game. But a really good ball game!

I am sure the next few days will be a blur and you will be stepping off the plane in Winnipeg before you know it.

See ya Sunday!

Valerie

2:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes you guys are taking 1/4 of the plane. Is this the children's first plane ride? How exciting. They understand more than you think. Do you think anyone will be able to sleep the night before? See you soon. Lots of love Mom,Dad,Ben,Fred & Al.

3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish I could be there when you arrive home with your family!! I will be there is spirit. I can hardly wait to see pictures!

Have a fun trip home. The kids will be very excited. Enjoy!

Lesley

6:21 PM  
Blogger Gina Fortini said...

It's so nice to read about how well things are going for you all! I was also in Lugansk in April of this year to adopt our daughter. I wonder if you had the same driver as we did? His name was Leo or Leoned. He was about 50 years old and a very nice man. I Would love to compare notes about Lugansk. Take care and good luck on your flight to Canada.
Mamma.g. from FRUA

7:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey guys!

Fantastic! We're really happy for you guys! Have a very safe trip! We look forward to hearing from you when you get home!

Sincerely,
Lee, Treena, Kara and Nolan

1:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kim and Brad,
We adopted from Lugansk orphanage #2 in April 06 and Andrew (Andreii) had a total crush on a very cute young lady named Nadia who had a younger brother Stasi. We have pics on our blog! Would love to know if we're talking about the same kids and that they have found a great home. I think Stasi was in Andrew's groupa and they were pretty good friends.
www.spaces.msn.com/members/letterstobrooke

Robin

8:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Kim and Brad,

I was at HED the other day and saw a picture of the kids. They are so cute! Have a great trip home! Every one will be excited to have you back!

Chera

8:45 PM  

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