Hi all!
The court hearing went well thanks to Natasha. She's terrific. I cannot convey fully my admiration and gratitude about this woman for how well she has handled our adoption paperwork, our travel necessities and us. She's a Christian woman who prayed with us and handled our introduction to Ukrainian culture with humor and aplomb. Thanks Natasha.
The judge spent more time talking to me than to Nick. This is unfortunate because Nick is a better spokesman. They must recognize that I'll initially spend more time with the boys after the adoption. Then he went so far as to ask my thoughts about President Yuschenko? "He's been spending a lot of time in America lately, what do you think of that?" I smiled and told him i thought Ukrainian politics were confusing. Lutugino is only 20 miles from Russia and their politics here are very pro Russian. "No comment" sounded too crisp, so I went with the "confusing" statement.
Then our boys arrived. I will always remember the door opening and their shining faces. Valik remembered to keep his hands by his sides and Ruslan's behavior was one of importance. After the verdict was read we gathered in the front office and gave the boys hugs and swings, wished everyone a Happy New Year passed out chocolates and gum. Valik even went over to the judge and gave him some gum.
Next we had to take the boys back to the orphanage. This was a big event for them because we rode in a car!!! "WOW!" the boys kept saying as we put them in their seats. More "WOW!" as we started driving through Lutugino. They even waved occasionally out the window. Valik didn't want to put on the seatbelt but we eventually compromised with a lap belt. I have a lot of work ahead to help him become accustomed to American ways.
In Ukraine, the big Christmas time holiday is New Years. This is when children receive their presents. After court we gave the boys their big gifts: REMOTE CONTROL DANCING TRUCKS! I think Nick and I could have disappeared and fallen off the planet, because nothing else mattered to these boys for a long time. The trucks spin, race, pop wheelies, and make noise. Wow!
Colin and Claire were overjoyed with the news when we returned. I don't think they ever doubted we'd eventually be a family.
Last night was New Years Eve Lugansk style. People celebrate the new year with fireworks in their back yards. Not little ones, mind you, but the big up in the sky powerful ones. We looked out the window at midnight marveling at a sight we'd never get to see in Charlotte because of their ridiculous firework safety laws. (There, I made a political comment, but seriously they are stupid and rarely enforced.) While we watched, pieces of fireworks fell over the top of our apartment building and landed in the snowy driveway. I'm sure there are many people in Lugansk nursing hangovers today, but nevertheless, we plan on going out to enjoy a walk later.
Happy New Year
Nancy
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6 comments:
Although not posting any comments along the way, I have been following your story and God's plan as he unfolds it in your lives. What a blessing to have this process go so smoothly and then to see your happy family. The boys are darling! I will continue to pray for you and the boys and look forward to what God has in store for all of you. ~Cinda
Nancy, I know you did a marvelous job. Sounds like the Judge loved you and the whole family!! And that must be something.
The Ukrainian New Years Eve sounds like the German ones. They are so terrific and you are surrounded by fireworks (including your own) so it's especially thrilling.
Please give a phonetic pronounciation of how to say Ruslin and Valentin so that we can practice. You know we can't wait to meet the boys. Better give them fair warning on how many folks are waiting!!
Much love, Connie & Henry
I hope you are not going to be left out in the cold over there with Russia's cut-off of natural gas. There is an old saying from somewhere overthere: "It does no good to burn the front door for heat from the fire place."
Next a question or two. There are two Russian pronunciations for Valentin. The middle portion is either to be lyhen or leen. Which? And a subsidiary question. There are two last names. Answer now or later, why?
Button up your overcoats and DO keep warm.
This is a New Year you will never forget. How wonderful to start 2009 with your family intact. I cannot wait to see you and meet the boys when your return. God has certainly poured down his peace in the many long hours and days you have spent waiting. Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to his people. He blesses his people with peace.
Love to all of you! Nancy
FABULOUS!!!
So happy for you all. Can't wait to meet the new nephews and welcome them to the big family.
Reckon you have the waiting period to cool your heels in the Ukranian ice, what then? Make a beeline home? Or a few more errands, per4haps a stop elsewhere in Europe or what's on the agenda?
No doubt Colin and Claire have a ton of schoolin' to catch up on, mustn't neglect their book learnin'.
Have a safe and fun trip. again, congratulations.
Jenny is isolated at home with no internet until school starts back, but I'll share your announcements with her this evening.
love you guys!
Do you realize what you've accompished in a couple of weeks? It has just been two and a half weeks from your departure in Charlotte. Judging by other adoption sites, this must be some sort of world record.
Of course to us at home, and I'm sure to you, as we waited for a day or two at a time for the next results, it seemed slow, but couting back you have done a masterful job. I'm really impressed!
I don't think there is such a thing as overtime to God but it has been marvelously handled. Half his angels must have been camping there it Lugansk and Lutugeno; for which, Thanks.
These next few days are going to be much slower, but you have your camera with you so we are wishing for lots more pictures of the boys and of the surroundings.
You have given Ruslen and Valik the names of thier grandfathers. Thank you. By the way I was named for my grandfather and he was named for his grandfather. I wonder how far this goes back. Maybe to the Domesday book. Well, on the English side, but on the Scots side, they were still using patronyms until about a century and a half ago.
I hope at all goes well on the passports also. If not and you have to spend a short vacation there, why not at the Black Sea? Sevastapol or Odessa? I'm not sure in which but there somewhere is a Viking long ship raised up on a pier. I supect it is a restaurant. I have seen it on one of the other adoption sites. Maybe it won't be summer there but I am sure the temperature will be more to your liking. The weather map for Europe shows the middle and deeper blue completely across Scandinavia now and half way across France. Global warming? Bah, Humbug!
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