Adjustment

So, we have been home now for four days.  They have gone relatively smoothly; just a couple of bumps in the road with adjusting to schedules and boundaries.  It has been GREAT having Daron home to help with some of the coaching.  Tomorrow he goes back to work, so keep us in your prayers as I will be doing this alone.  

We did a little school today with some success.  They liked the classroom and it was short enough to keep them from getting overwhelmed.  We will take everything slowly and see how they do with new things.

Thanks to the families who have brought over meals.  They are a HUGE blessing to us.  It is amazing how fast a day can go. Not having to think about another meal has really helped to focus on the children and what they need at the moment.  

We feel so blessed to be in this place of loving Paxton and Phoebe.  We know that God has given us what we need for every day.  Sometimes we need more of Him, and He has always shown up.  We feel Him and trust Him to give us wisdom in abundance as we learn how to love and train His children.  Please keep us in your prayers; we love you and miss you.  Looking forward to the time when we can talk and catch up.  It is killing me that I have not seen more of my dear friends, but 5 children is definitely more work than 3.  If you are ever in the area, please drop in; this seems to have worked for the families who have already visited.  

This is us after our court date.  The kids will be ours in 10 days!

This is Phoebe and her teachers.  This was my last visit with her before taking her home for good.

We are now in Kiev.  This is outside the embassy.  The kids were bored and drove Jamie and I a little batty. 

We found a great cafe that used pictures on their menus and some waiters spoke English... we went there for every meal in Kiev.  We needed one easy thing in our day. (Aren't they CUTE?)

Phoebe loves to help in the kitchen.  She wanted to help make tea for us in Kiev.  

Home at Last!!

The kids and I arrived home last night safe and tired. It was a long day with 3 flights and a lot of sitting, but the kids did amazingly well. We were greeted by Daron and our 3 at home as well as the Olivers and Tarrs. SOOOOO great to see familiar faces and be HOME. We headed home, ate a quick bite and went to bed. Paxton and Phoebe were thrilled with all of the houses amenities: clean indoor toilets, lights in every room and their own beds. Everyone was exhausted so bedtime was easy (thank you Jesus!)

I want to thank you all for your prayers; they were felt and needed daily. There were some bleak days with bad news and complications, but I always felt God's peace and strength through it because of His faithfulness and the prayers of His people. Also, the phone calls from Lydia, Kathy, Deanna and Molly were a tremendous blessing. These women have been to Ukraine adopting children and could relate to the difficulties that came our way. God was so present in every way. I think we learned that to go down this adopting path one must have His guidance and strength, people to encourage and pray and a good sense of humor. Even with all the drama and stress, we laughed a LOT. It helped having the Cashions with us. They have become dear friends and the experience has knitted our hearts.

Paxton is happy to finally be home. He had seen pictures of the kids and house and was excited to get on the plane and begin this new life. For Phoebe everything was new. She just met her brother for the first time 2 days prior to our departure. She has never left her orphanage, so everything from the car, apartment, light switches and beds were things to explore. Today the kids are exploring the house and every nook and cranny. Paxton learned how to ride a bike this morning and has stopped only for lunch and an occasional potty break. He loves having a brother and is not far from Lukas or Daron. Phoebe likes the house and all the electronics: washer and dryer, clock, dish washer, etc. She helped to make tea for us and is a sweetie. She struggled going to bed in the beginning, but thankfully today nap time was great! She loves being read to and mimics the words with giggles. Berkeley, Lukas and Isabelle and so thrilled to have their new siblings home. Everyone is getting acquainted. Please continue to pray for all of us as we adjust to one another.

I will write more soon. Thank you again and we look forward to the day when we can see you and acquaint you with our new family.
Love and Blessings,

Last Day in Ukraine

Susan and the kids are leaving Ukraine early in the morning and will be back in the states Thursday night. The kids are pretty tired of sitting around in cars and government buildings, so it's nice to have a down day before traveling again. Phoebe was a little bit anxious on Tues. night. The reality of not going back to the school seems to be setting in, but after some sleep she is doing better today.

Paxton and Phoebe...together again

Susan was able to pick-up Phoebe from school today. Paxton gave Phoebe a big hug then she wanted to lead him through a tour of her school. She said good-bye to her teachers and classmates through a small cookies and juice party; then without much looking back she jumped in the car with Susan.

The whole group arrived in Kiev a few hours later. The driver was willing to take them all the way Kiev for a reasonable price; so they were able to avoid the whole over night train adventure. We're very grateful for this change in plans as it will give them time to get acquainted in a more comfortable space.

There was lots of giggling and excitement in the car between all the kids...a good sign. We're praying the mood endures. At the apartment in Kiev, Phoebe was delighted to play with the light switches, faucets, etc. and dig through everyone's luggage.

They will be in Kiev until they head home on Thursday. Susan and Jamie are looking forward to some more Americanized food in Kiev, but the kids are still not quite willing to try McDonald's again. They found it a little below their standards :-)

It's Official

Good news, Our ten day waiting period is up ( and so are some pictures :-). Susan has the last round of paperwork done. She was able to "pick-up" Paxton today ( Saturday ) and will travel again to pick up Phoebe on Monday. Then from there, it's a train ride to Kiev for final embassy work and medicals. Susan, Jamie and all three kids should be home Thursday night.

Paxton's first whole day with mom started with a half hour bath and ended with bedtime stories ( about seven... in English..but he didn't seem to mind). In the meantime, he and Andrew enjoyed the games some of you sent along.

Pray for Sunday as they rest together before the big trip home and say good-bye to all their new friends at the hotel. Sounds like the Italians will be leaving soon too with their new son.

Hopefully Phoebe will enjoy seeing her brother again. We know Paxton is excited to see her, as he has been asking about her every day. Pray for peaceful transitions here as it will be right from school to train for her.

The kids ( and Dad ) back in the states are about ready to bust out of their skins in anticipation of having the whole family together for the first time.

Best Birthday Gift

This is Susan and I am doing well in Ukraine! Today is Karen and my birthday and I received the best gifts:2 amazing children that I will be able to pick up for good tomorrow and Saturday and some lovely notes from the children at the orphanage. Daron and my kids at home called while I was enjoying some tea and cake that our host bought in honor of my birthday. Jamie, I and our children are well taken care of by the staff at our lovely hotel. On the night the guys headed home to the states, Jamie and I were a little sad. We came home to an amazing meal, some special chocolate and a comfy place on the couch. They made us feel a little better.

P is getting anxious to leave. We get to be together every day for about two hours and then a little more on the weekends. Everyday it gets harder and harder to head back to school; but after Saturday morning, he should be able to stay with me which will make us all happy.

Jamie is giving everyone new hairstyles here including our facilitator who now looks like a whole new person. P was especially proud of his haircut and spent a long time primping in the mirror afterward.
He wrote me a note in school the other day that when translated expresses his gratitude over having a family and a new life. Sometimes these long waits are difficult, but the unique bonding time we have has is irreplaceable.

I'm enjoying getting to know some of the other kids at the school too. They call out my name when I walk on campus. Several of them have congratulated us over P and they seem to be genuinely happy for him. There are some great kids here, I wish we had enough room to take them all home. There is one boy who like to give a shopping list to our driver every day. It started with gum, then chocolate, and is now up to soccer shoes :-).

Friday morning I'm heading back to see Z who is four hours away. Hopefully this will be the last round of paperwork in this town and we might be able to bring her back to the hotel with us. It would be great to have a few days to get to know each other better before we travel home. If all goes well, we could be traveling home next Thurs.