A big step closer to America

This morning we made our way back to the US consulate. After a short wait in a waiting room which had a few toys, we were called up and the man who processed our case told us that all the documents we'd left were in order. He reviewed the forms I'd filled in overnight, had me sign them and told us the visas would be ready in about 20 minutes. Less than 20 minutes later, we had the visas and were on our way. Again, we were impressed with how helpful and kind the consulate staff is to families involved in international adoptions.
A colleague and good friend from CBN-CIS, Vitaly Stebenev, then drove us to an outdoor military museum in a majestic setting overlooking the Dnieper River (the same river that flows through the boys' hometown, Kherson). We all had a great time. The boys got to climb into a combat helicopter, on top of a tank, and into the cockpit of a MIG fighter that boasted a top speed of 2,500 k.p.h! We spent almost an hour there and were begining to get a bit cold in the "springtime" weather (it actually snowed a bit this AM). I suggested having a bite to eat before we went back to the Weber's home and our ofice. The boys actually remembered the name of the restaurant we'd been to yesterday and begged to go back. It was NOT McDonald's but rather a Ukrainian buffet-stype place with a great variety. I was glad to go too as I think Ukrainian food is great and, in general, quite healthy.

Upon returning to the office, I called Northwest one time to see if I could get us seats this weekend. None were available on the direct Delta flight to JFK tomorrow nor any other flights going through Europe. So, we will be on the Delta flight on Monday, March 30. We leave Kiev at 10:50 AM arrive New York at 2:15, then don't leave for Norfolk until 8:00 PM (arriving at 10 PM. There will be a few more formalities then usual to process the boys' paperwork when we arrive in New York but it will still be a looong wait. The man at the consulate told me the boys actually become US citizens when they arrive on US soil which was a pleasant surpirse as I thought it wouldn't be for six months or so.

A Long Wait

On Saturday we all went with the Weber's to the new home in the country, about 30 minutes outside Kiev. It was wonderful being with them (and a whole group of Logan's sophomore classmates). Sasha tried his had at biking while I walked with him to hold the bike steady. We decided he needed either training wheels or a less bumpy road, or both, to get going on his own. While I was inside, he did attempt one more ride. This time it was down the hill, straight for a barrier with a pond on the other side. Luckily, the Webers saw him and yelled hard enough that he managed to stop before crashing into the barrier and flying into the pond.

Sunday morning we drove back into Kiev to attend the international church the Webers go to. This kind of service had to be new to the boys even though both were confirmed in the Orthodox church. They were rambunctious during worship but enjoyed Sunday School. In fact, after the service Sasha asked if he could come back again tomorrow! Later that afternoon, we returned for one more night in the country.

A big highlight for the boys happened on Wednesday afternoon when Oksana took them to the circus. They absolutely loved it and also the toys and snacks they got there. Otherwise, they continued to enjoy playing and talking late into the evening and continuing where they left off in the mornings. On Monday night I took Oleg with me to the grocery store and he did pretty well in the sense that he did not run around like a chircken with his head cut off or insist that "Papa" buy everything in site. So it was with a modicum of confidence that I took both boys to the store the next night after going to a shwarma restaurant for dinner and walking through evey puddle of rain water they could find. Unfortunately, the two of them together created different dynamics in the store. Both of them went crazy. FInally, I had to carry Oleg and my grocery basket in one hand and pull Sasha with the other to the checkout stand.

Yesterday was the big day in whihc we hoped to find out if the boys' passports had made it back to Kherson. Olga was back down in Kherson and went to the government office. Around 3:00 PM Natasha called with a good news/bad news scenario. The passports had been received but could not be released without the signature of someone who was out. Finally he or she showed up around 5:40 PM, just before government offices close at 6:00. Olga planned to take the overnight train to Kiev with passports in hand. Unfortunately, the train was completely sold out, likely because this week is spring break. But, there was one seat left on a train from Odessa. So she took a bus from Kherson to the next big city, Mikolaiv, then waited for a bus from there to Odessa. The waiting and a big snow storm made her late to Odessa and she missed her train. Not to fear, there was still the night bus which actually got her to Kiev before the train. I so appreciated her efforts to get the boys' passports and other documents to Kiev by this morning.

For the first time, the boys were still sleeping when they needed to be up. I literally had to pull Sasha from the bed a couple times. He somehow couldn't see the relationship between getting up early and going to America, which he is still very excited about. We made it out of the house only 10 minutes later than planned and by 9:00 we were in the health clinic with Olga. The US requires a health exam before granting adopted orphans an immigrant visa and this may only be done once the children have passports. The doctor who examined them was very nice. She did have to have Sasha get a chect x-ray as he had once been diagnosed with TB. This diagnosis was later reveresed but, because it was on his record, she needed to see the film. Fortunately, his lungs were in perfect health.

We needed to get to the US embassy by 12 noon. We finished the exam and paid by around 10 AM and just needed for the clinic to put together the various papers and hand them over to us. An hour and a half later, we were still waiting. I kept thinking that it would be such a waste for Olga to have made all that effort to get the passports to us only to not make it to the embassy today, forcing the 2-day visa process to go into next week. Finally, at 11:38, we got the documents and went to our car. We did not get tot he embassy until around 12:10 but the guard let us in (I think we were the last so allowed). The lady who attended us in the adoption section was very friendly and helpful. After reviewing our documents, asking me some questions, then making sure I had paid the $800 for the two visas, she scheduled our second interview for tomorrow between 9 and 10 AM.

My wish during this process was that we could get their visas by tomorrow (Friday) and fly on Saturday. The reservations I had made for safety's sake, was on Wednesday of next week as we calculated our process could go on until Tuesday of next week. As soon as I was back in the office this afternoon, I tried to change our reservations. Unfortunately, no seats were available either Saturday or Sunday. We were able to change to Monday and are now scheduled to arrive Norfolk 10 PM Monday. This was a disappointment but I will still try again tomorrow. I am so ready to go home, as are the boys (albeit for different reasons!).

Taking the Metro to McDonalds

The boys slept all night long (as far as I know) and got up around 7 AM. They had a great day with Oksana and then with John and Andre when they came home for school. At 6:30 I told them to get their coats and shoes on and we would go to a restauarant. We walked a bit to a place where I could change money then took the metro. The boys have probably never been on an escalator and certainly never on the metro. The escalator was very itimidating at first (especially as the subways are very, very deep in the ground in the former Soviet cities I've been in. Little Oleg almost fell getting on so taking no chances I picked him up as we got off. As I'd always walked to the restuarant I wanted to go to (a buffet-type place where language doesn't come in to play unless you really need to know what is in the mystery meat) so didn't know which entrance to go out. We wandered for a second and then both boys made me understand that there would be dire consequnces if we didn't locate a toilet right then. So we quickly retraced our steps to the McDonals at the metro entrance. I reached my saturation point on McDonalds meals many years ago but I suppose it is a mandatory visit for our two little future American citizens. They might even require previous knowledge of McDonalds to get their US visas for all I know. So in we went. They really enjoyed it but barely got through their french fries without even getting to the cheeseburger. I begrudgingly helped finish oen extra burger off. The metro ride back saw the boys gaining escalator navigation skills, with Sasha leading the way passing people on left and right. We finished the excursion off with a visit to the supermarket for Sasha to buy a new toothbrush as he had managed to lose his in less than 48 hours. The supermarket didn't seem to be a foreign environment to them so perhaps they had been in one before they went into the orphanage. They were pretty good about pestering me for unneeded items - except for ice cream. The night ended with another long bath/swimming session in the local bathtub.

A Day - and Night - of Firsts

Last night we arrived at the train station for the 8:20 PM train to Kiev. Little did I know that it would be one of my longest train journeys and I have been on lots of trains. Olga and Natasha came with me to the train station and we got the boys into SPIDERMAN pijamas (a very important detail) and their beds made up. Even before the train left they were already going crazy, jumping from bed to bed, climbing to the top bunks, turning lights off, going to the the nice, clean train bathroom then drinking more water to ensure another visit soon, laughing talking, etc etc. I enjoyed watching them and playing with them until about 11.

I kept thinking that they had to be wearing themselves down. But how wrong I was! They were only wearing me down. I pulled the toys aways and even held Oleg to try to get him to calm down. I thought this worked as he got quiet and was crying softly (at the tragic loss of his cars). So I tucked him into bed. Next thing I knew the lights were back on and the jack-in-the-box had popped up once again. Of course, we also had very meaningful conversations about their need to get rest. He understood my English as well as I his Russian.

Sasha finally conked out after 12:30 and Oleg about 1 AM. I went right to sleep but wouldn't you know it, I had to get up at 1:30 for the bathroom then took forever to get back to sleep. No matter, I thought, we don't arrive in Kiev until 9:20 AM so lots of time to sleep in. Yeah right. Sasha woke up just after 5 AM to go the bathroom and decided he'd had enough rest. Soon Oleg also awoke and joined the fun. By 7:30 AM they were getting bored and asking if the little towns or the forests we passed were Kiev. Around 8 AM I made the mistake of indicating Kiev was close. On came there overcoats and backpacks (even though the train was so hot I was sweating in a T-shirt with the door wide open) and there was no way they would take them off.

After we finally arrived Kiev, we came to the Weber's house. They still did not surrender and were not interested in breakfast. Luckily, it was no longer my problem as I left them in the hands of Oksana, the Weber's part-time helper who mercifully agrred to also work for me and help take care of the kids. I finally got to sleep and heard them also laying down for a nap as I was getting ready to go in for a half-day of work. Oksana said that they did great and are really wonderful kids. I too feel really blessed. Last night was tough but, at the same time, it was so nice to see the kids' excitement at all the new experiences!

In the afternoon, I got to chat a little with Dan Reany, a colleague who is also over here adopting. In fact, he and his wife are adopting the little boy Segei from ivankiv that we had asked about but was not yet available. We are happy for them!

In the evening the kids played with John, the Weber's youngest boy who was also adopted from Kherson. We then ate a spaghetti dinner Kristi made and which the boys (all three of us) really enjoyed. The highlight of the evening though was surely a loon bubble bath. Unlike last night, they went to sleep (or at least their room is quiet) as soon as we switched off the lights.

The Big Day!

I picked up the two boys this AM. Before leaving they had to change into their new clothes packed in backpacks Maggie had chosen for them. Unfortunately, she had only found one Spiderman backpack which Oleg got and Sasha had a plain Puma backpack. So Sasha made sure I knew that he wanted a different backpack when he goes to his new school in the fall. They said a few goodbyes to the director (pictured above) and other staff who had been so good to them. The rest of the morning was filled with paperwork. The last stop before lunch was at the passport office. Sasha needed to go to the bathroom so bad but Olga wouldn't let him as they did not have a public bathroom in the government office and she did now want us to lose our place in line. Luckily he got his photo without incident then Olga took him to a toilet in a nearby park while Oleg got his photo.

We stopped by an Italian place for lunch. The boys were so excited about all the new things they're experiencing that eating was not too high a priority. They each had a piece of pizza and Oleg also had a bowl of soup. Both enjoyed pizza but had not interest in eating more as they wanted to play with the matchbox cars we had also packed for them.

This evening we are to take the train to Kiev. Olga is supposed to go with us but she said that a supervisor was absent today at the passport office so she was not able to complete all her paperwork and may need to return tomorrow. Her abscence would just make the train ride that much more interesting, I'm sure!

Getting Closer!

I (Kim) arrived back in Kiev on Sunday afternoon. Monday evening I met Natasha and Olga and we took a night train (with one other mystery traveler in our compartment) to Kherson. We arrived at 5:45 and went to the house Eric and Natasha Jones (a couple from Seattle who is also here to adopt) for a few moments. Before 8 AM we left to start processing papers. We weaved a trail through Kherson, through many dark and - very - cold waiting rooms in banks and government offices. We processed birth certificates and adoption decrees and tax numbers for the boys. Now they are officially Alexander Carroll Mitchell and Oleg David Mitchell and we have the papers to prove it.

Finally, at 4 PM we made it to the orphanage and after a short meeting with the director to sign yet more papers, we got to spend a few minutes with the boys. They'll spend one last night in the orphanage and I'm to show up bright and early tomorrow with their new clothes. We'll need to go right away to apply for Ukrainian passports for them. Then we will take the overnight train to Kiev and begin the wait for the passports to be issued and American visa to be obtained.

They are both so excited. Excited about their first train ride (even though they may be in for a letdown as Sasha said he was looking forward to the stewardesses serving him on the train - I had to explain that the train we are to take is not quite that luxurious), their first time in Kiev, their first plane ride and, of course, their first time to America. But they are most excited to meet their new big sister Renee. At their insistence, we actually called Maggie for a few moments so she could say hi to them. All in all, it has been a tiring day but we accomplished all we needed to. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Home Sweet Home

Kim left Kiev around noon last Saturday, March 7, and I, at 5:25 pm, the same day. I used mileage ticket which had lots of limitations, including my having to spend the night in Amsterdam. Nevertheless, we both arrived home safely, though separately. It was  great to see Renee again. Kim and I were both amazed at her maturity in how she handled our long separation. We all think she is ready to be a big sister. Her major concern right now is when mommy is going to get a bunk bed so she can share a room with her brothers. Renee does have her own room, but wants to enjoy her brother's company to the max.  We'll see how long it will take for her to move back her own room.

Kim has plunged into his work right away as usual. I have started visiting Kim's mom, Joyce, and taking care of her things. Mom just moved into an assisted living place three weeks ago. Of course, another urgent thing for me to do is to get clothing for Sasha and Oleg. Kim is returning to Kiev this Saturday and will take the boys' clothing with him. The boys must leave everything they have in the orphanage, including underwear! Kim needs to put clothes on them before they can leave. There are still lots of documents and procedures to accomplish before the boys can come home. We are looking at two week's - or more - time to get all these done.

Please remember Sasha and Oleg in your prayers for they are VERY anxious to come home. March 8 is Women's Day which Ukrainians celebrate. Monday was a holiday because of that. Sasha asked his caregiver to call our facilitator and translator, Olga. He wanted Olga to tell me that he wished me a happy Women's Day and to please come quickly to bring him home. These 10 days of waiting, required by law, must feel like an eternity for the boys! "Patience, my boys, patience!"

Finally!

Natasha, our caseworker, came in this morning. When she saw me she gave me a big hug saying, “This is it! We are going to the court!” Praise God! Kim and I later prayed together to thank God for this long awaited moment, and to intercede for another two couples who are going through what we had gone through three weeks. Both wives cried after the first appointment with SDA, so did I. We could totally identify with their helpless feelings and disappointment.

The court process went smoothly. It was sweet not only because the judge granted us parental rights, but also the judge looked at me and said, “You are beautiful!” No, the judge was not a man, but a lady. I curtsied and thanked her.

After lunch we went to the notary to get more paper work done and will see the boys two hours from now. Sasha’s full name is Alexander Carroll Mitchell (Sasha is a common nickname for Alexander). Oleg’s is Oleg David Mitchell. We will get a pizza for them (they never had pizza before!) to celebrate. We are now officially their mom and dad, so they will address us “mama and papa.” I made two photo albums for them to ease the “hardship” of waiting to come home. There are still tons of paper work needed to be done before they can board the plane to come to the US.

We will board the overnight train back to Kiev tonight and literally hit the ground running to do more paper work at the US Embassy. Kim will fly back to the US on Saturday noon, and I, the same day in the afternoon. We couldn’t get on the same flight.

Thank you all for your faithfulness in praying for us in this adoption. Let’s continue this prayer journey for our adoption is not final until Sasha and Oleg come home.

Missing You

“Tomorrow” did come, but the same situation happened again. We were told not to go! I tried to convince our translator, Olga, that we could just say hi to the boys and leave. However, she thought we should comply and forget about the visit. “It’s not a tragedy, Maggie, only a few days.” (We would be away for the weekend.) Olga said. “Well, it could be a tragedy to Sasha.” I answered.

On the way back to Kherson yesterday, Kim called Olga to see whether we could visit the boys in the late afternoon. We were so happy that she later told us that yes, we could go see the boys.

Sasha came to see us first. He was grinning. “Are you happy to see us?” I asked. “Da!” said, Shasha. “ I had stood by the window to see whether you would come. One day, I cried and a care taker told me you went to prepare documents.” “Do you know why we needed to prepare documents?” I asked. “So that you can take us home,” Sasha said.

Oleg came to join us. He was a bit shy to see us, but nevertheless was happy. “Did you miss us?” Oleg nodded. “So did we! While we were away I found something for you both.” I took out two Spiderman masks. The boys were overjoyed! They put on the masks and played Spiderman.

We played with the boys some. When it was almost 6 pm we told Sasha that it was time for them to go back to their group. “So soon! I don’t want to go back to my group.” We gave them another 10 minutes, then said the same thing. They did not want to go. Finally Olga told them that it was getting dark outside and she didn’t like being in the dark. Sasha checked the window and found it was dark outside, indeed. “OK, you go!”

It was so encouraging to see the boys bonding with us and anxious to go home with us. We are excited that, we hope, the formalities will soon be completed for this.

“Yes, we are going home, Sasha and Oleg! We will be home,” with a thankful heart, I prayed.