Hey Everybody!
The day started around 8:30 AM I noticed Vitaly was still in the apartment. He had planned on going to the hospital for an ultrasound. It seems he’s developed kidney stones. He’s had to call the doctor (and a nurse) to our apartment twice for the pain that he has been experiencing. The doctors here make house calls. If they think you sick enough they take you to the hospital. On top of this there is no charge, unless you stay at the hospital. I’m sure glad we pay serious taxes for the crap we get. Anyway he said he was feeling better and didn’t need to go.
We had an interesting experience at the orphanage yesterday. Bart likes to hide small treats under his Bison hat. On this occasion he had sunflower seeds. (Roasted no salt or flavor) He was showing them off to some other kids when one of them grabbed a few and ran off. Bart took off after him as fast as he could applying a solid kick to the kids butt when in range. As he turned around the rest of the kids caught up, the hat went flying seeds were everywhere. Bart then gave another kid a swift dose of “don’t mess with me”. Just as Corrine & I and the orphanage nurse arrived, the nurse got there first (Ukraine doesn’t have any lame laws about spanking), and Bart learned not to kick other kids. The orphanage seems to have a pecking order among the kids similar to “The lord of the Flies”
I guess your wondering about court. Well we arrived in the court house a dingy building with paint peeling everywhere, loose wiring hanging from the ceiling and the linoleum lifting and torn around 10:30. All 3 required people even showed up on time! We went into the judges office, and she asked us a number of questions each in turn. Are you married? What year were you married? (I got that wrong again, remember the roses.) Can you afford to raise children? What do you do for a living? Do you have any family members in Canada? What’s your address? Do you have any bio children? Why don’t you have any of your own? They asked Corrine if she was prepared to raise kids. Who she had for emotional support? What kind of activities would be available? Then the orphanage director answered a few questions. She said Bart wanted us for his parents and couldn’t wait to go to Canada. They didn’t talk about Lisa (I think because of her age) It was over in 25 minutes. I guess I can tell you the kids real names now.
Fortunately this judge has been involved this since the district problems began so she allowed the weekends to count in the 10 day waiting period. She had originally said she wouldn’t so the wait is over Aug 3,07 instead of Aug 6,07. After that we get the birth certificates and passports and come home! The only snag left is that on July 1,07 Ukraine changed the way it does passports. I have read on different forums to expect a wait of anywhere from 10 days to 6 weeks. Vitaly is already on the case, and is confident we won’t wait even the 10 days. (I hope not)
We leave for Yalta tomorrow by train at 11:00AM, and will arrive in Simferopol at 9:00AM the next morning then only an hour by bus to Yalta. Originally We thought it was 12 hours I guess with all the other confusion we miss understood. This will be 22 hours of hell with no on board meals unless we bring them. (Some holiday) We make the same ride back Sat. Yeehaw! If we had heard this correctly we probably wouldn’t be going, but the break will be nice and I have a few Nytol’s to finish up.
Oh Yeah…… Bart is Mykola (Nicholas in English) Lisa is Tetyana (Tanya in English) We have to wait the 10 days to legally post pictures.
TTFN
R&C
8 comments:
Congratuations. Sounds like your ordeal is FINALLY coming to a happy ending. It is nice to know the real names of the children, but what are their ages?? A few of us have bets going here - we need an answer so we can exchange the money - or is that something you cannot post yet?
Looking forward to seeing the four of you back in Canada.
Roger, Gail, Megan and Lindsay
Waht a relief to hear that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter each day.
Can't wait to hear when you get back to Canada.
The Labelle's
CONGRATULATIONS to the whole family. We're so happy for all of you and we can hardly wait to meet Nikolas and Tanya. Fabulous news. Have a great holiday - a real Griswold family vacation!!
Cheers, (we're tipping a brewski to you now)
The Hilderman's
Congradulations A.C and U.R !!!
can't wait to meet the new cousins.
I miss you!
Jen the Rube Princess
A ten day countdown, quick flight, then home...are you ready for non-stop visitors and phonecalls? You thought Ukraine was trying, wait till you have all of us to deal with! :)
Congrats! We are hoping the end comes quickly for you so you can return as a happy family of 4.
Great to see Bart sticking up for himself in the playground, who knows Rob you might have a hockey player yet!
Take Care
Benji & Tannis
Congratulations on a successful court date. I have been reading on FRUA about the passport problems. Sounds like they are trying to make special considerations for children that have been adopted. I pray that you do not get delayed because of that. Keep us posted on how everything is going with the passports and getting home with the kids. On a side note I love the name Tetyana, I think it’s such a beautiful name.
How was the 22 hour train ride. You are brave souls.
Can’t wait to hear about your trip to Yalta. D says that it’s amazing there. She is very jealous, she has always wanted to go there. I checked the weather there today and it was 35, sounds like the same as here.
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Kim, Brad, Nadia & Stasik
p.s. I figured out the kids ages a long time ago, so I want in on the bet!
Hey Corrine and Rob. Congratulations. Looking forward to seeing the kids and Corrine. (Ha) Get some rest for the big soiree your throwing when you get back. I here it's a open bar!! So stock up on beer while your there. Seriously couldn't be happier for the two of you!! See ya soon. The Rupps' PS soiree means party Rob. (Ha ha).
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