On Monday night our translator spoke with us about what we would be asked in court. He said Kevan would be asked most of the questions if not all the questions. He said there were five or six answers he should have in his head.
Tuesday morning, Our Day in Court!
We are not due in court until 1:00 so we had a very easy morning. We got up made coffee, checked outside the window to see what dogs were in front of the chicken store. I got us all packed and eventually our time to leave for court was here. We just need to put our coats on and walk down to our driver. We can't unlock the door! Kevan gives it several tries with and with out the key. I do the same then Kevan takes his coat off and tries some more, then he is on one knee at the level of the lock, IT WON'T OPEN! The doors are different, they are like fire doors, thick and heavy. We can hear it lock and unlock. NO GO this door will not open! We know our translator is in court with the other family and we cant think of what to do other than to call our translator. We are on the 4th floor and the front door is the only way out. We didn't come all this way to miss our court appointment by a door lock. Well by now Kevan is busting out in a stress sweat and starting to kick the door. We phone our translator says don't worry. The driver comes up stairs and unlocks the door first try. The driver giggles and it all works out. We get to the court in plenty of time for our appointment. The court looks at our passports and we are allowed to go up stairs. It is well past the other family's appointment time, hope everything We walk past an open door and see the other family waiting in the court room. It's well after their appointment time of 12:00. We hope everything is okay. We patiently wait in the hall watching aids walk back and forth. Finally about 1:10 the judge shows up. He goes into the room for the other family and their hearing starts. Then about 20 minutes later they all exit the court room and then we are ushered in. It's a small room where the judge sits in the front at a long table with an aide by his side. He is a big Ukrainian man. Then on the left of the room there are about 5 people whom have an interest in this adoption. Kevan and I sit with our translator facing the Judge. The judge reads us our rights then a bunch of other formal stuff. Next, the translator ask Kevan to stand up and tell the court what his asking, he reply, "To become V's parents, keep his place and date of birth the same, the things our translator went over the night before. As we are sitting there I think to myself, "This is all Kevan. They won't talk to me." Ginger please stand. I do and I'm nervous. I know what to say but I was still nervous. It's not understanding the language then having to answer the question the translator whispers. We got through it. Next, we were ushered out to wait in the hall next to the judges chambers. The judge gave us his decision in his office. That was it! We are the parents of V. We took off and stopped by the notary then to the orphanage.
The orphanage had a New Year's dance in the morning and with the quarantine of the orphanage there was no party so we only stayed to see V. for about 20 minutes. We gave him his New Year's gift. The New Years gift is like a Christmas gift for us. Then we jammed back to the apartment and grabbed our luggage and drove to the train. We had first class sleeper cars. Don't think you'll sleep in the sleeping car! It's worst than an all night flight. There are many stops and the train is heated with coal so it's very toasty all night.
Once we got settled into our car we opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate with the other couple and our translator. We opened some munchies, drank champagne and shared stories of our trip.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
eye on the goal
Although things seem the same everyday, we just have to remember what the goal is. Adoption
Today is Monday. We woke up had coffee, showered, threw in a load of laundry. We left for the orphanage and it was raining outside. We spent some time with V. then left and went for lunch. We ate with the other family and our translator. It was an upscale pasta place with electronic menus. There is a touch screen at the end of the booth. We touched the English button and for all the items listed there was a picture. Oh my gosh, not only could you see what the dish looked like but, also made it difficult to decide. Once you knew what you wanted you tap that item and it adds it to the order sheet and sends it to the kitchen. In a short time your food appears. Might not be so good for the servers back in the states as it does cut down on the staff.
After dinner we went with the other couple to a local artist house. The woman hand paints the nesting dolls ( I don't know the correct name for them) and they were beautiful. She told us the story behind some of the dolls she painted. We bought a few as souvenirs. It was nice to go to home and to meet her and her family. She had a Dalmatian dog named William and a cat named Tony. She and her husband were so nice. Next we went to get V. a gift for New Years as this is the Ukraine's big holiday celebration. After that we got ice cream and a coffee then went home. It was a nice night. Tomorrow is court.
Today is Monday. We woke up had coffee, showered, threw in a load of laundry. We left for the orphanage and it was raining outside. We spent some time with V. then left and went for lunch. We ate with the other family and our translator. It was an upscale pasta place with electronic menus. There is a touch screen at the end of the booth. We touched the English button and for all the items listed there was a picture. Oh my gosh, not only could you see what the dish looked like but, also made it difficult to decide. Once you knew what you wanted you tap that item and it adds it to the order sheet and sends it to the kitchen. In a short time your food appears. Might not be so good for the servers back in the states as it does cut down on the staff.
After dinner we went with the other couple to a local artist house. The woman hand paints the nesting dolls ( I don't know the correct name for them) and they were beautiful. She told us the story behind some of the dolls she painted. We bought a few as souvenirs. It was nice to go to home and to meet her and her family. She had a Dalmatian dog named William and a cat named Tony. She and her husband were so nice. Next we went to get V. a gift for New Years as this is the Ukraine's big holiday celebration. After that we got ice cream and a coffee then went home. It was a nice night. Tomorrow is court.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Our last Sunday in Mariupol
Today is Sunday, I have to remind myself what day it is because it feels like it's hours between days. They just seem to blend into one another and it gets dark by 4pm.
This morning we got up about 9:30 and made coffee. We tried to be quiet because our translator was asleep in the living room. After checking the blackberry to see if there was any action while we slept, Kevan took a shower then I took mine. The shower in this apartment is a giant tub that is raised off the ground with no shower curtain. There is a faucet with hot and cold and a hand held shower. You stand there wait for the hot to heat up then add in the cold and hope the tempture that is good will hold before it runs cold again. The hot water heater is on the wall in the bathroom and I turned it up all the way. By no means is it an american standards hot water heater, ready to shower. After our showers Kevan got Sprint TV on the blackberry and we watched a little of the Today show. Soon our translator woke up and shortly after that we left for the orphanage. It's Sunday and so very quiet there. V. came down stairs to see us. He gave us both big hugs and a bright smile. He brought some of his math homework with him. Kevan helped him do some subtraction the it was on to the computer game that we bought last night, the on that consumed Kevan and or translator for half the night. It was a little too challenging for V. After an hour or so V. had to go so we said good bye.
We drove back to the apartment and walked from there with our translator through the town. After a while Kevan and I were on our own. We walked through an open market that sells everything and I mean everything from trinkets to salted fish, bread, meat, fur coats, lumber supplies including wood doors, it's all there. Next we got a coffee and made our way to the Billa grocery store and got a few sweets for V. And some things we needed. When we were checking out I noticed a Billa shopping bag that I had to have. Kevan said, "will you use it?" Yes, it's my Ukrainian bag. I carried our groceries in it and I felt like a local! We made dinner with the leftover chicken and made one of Kevan's favorite, Deviled eggs. Our translator had never had them. He said he enjoyed the new dish. We watched a few episodes of 24 then went to sleep.
This morning we got up about 9:30 and made coffee. We tried to be quiet because our translator was asleep in the living room. After checking the blackberry to see if there was any action while we slept, Kevan took a shower then I took mine. The shower in this apartment is a giant tub that is raised off the ground with no shower curtain. There is a faucet with hot and cold and a hand held shower. You stand there wait for the hot to heat up then add in the cold and hope the tempture that is good will hold before it runs cold again. The hot water heater is on the wall in the bathroom and I turned it up all the way. By no means is it an american standards hot water heater, ready to shower. After our showers Kevan got Sprint TV on the blackberry and we watched a little of the Today show. Soon our translator woke up and shortly after that we left for the orphanage. It's Sunday and so very quiet there. V. came down stairs to see us. He gave us both big hugs and a bright smile. He brought some of his math homework with him. Kevan helped him do some subtraction the it was on to the computer game that we bought last night, the on that consumed Kevan and or translator for half the night. It was a little too challenging for V. After an hour or so V. had to go so we said good bye.
We drove back to the apartment and walked from there with our translator through the town. After a while Kevan and I were on our own. We walked through an open market that sells everything and I mean everything from trinkets to salted fish, bread, meat, fur coats, lumber supplies including wood doors, it's all there. Next we got a coffee and made our way to the Billa grocery store and got a few sweets for V. And some things we needed. When we were checking out I noticed a Billa shopping bag that I had to have. Kevan said, "will you use it?" Yes, it's my Ukrainian bag. I carried our groceries in it and I felt like a local! We made dinner with the leftover chicken and made one of Kevan's favorite, Deviled eggs. Our translator had never had them. He said he enjoyed the new dish. We watched a few episodes of 24 then went to sleep.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday
Saturday
This morning we tossed and turned in the early hours then slept really hard only to hear the doorbell ring. It was our translator who returned from Kiev. We got up made coffee, showered the drove over to the orphanage. No one is around on the weekends. All the officials who are running all through the place during the week are gone so it was very quiet. We visited with V. for about two hours. We did a Sponge Bob puzzle, practiced the abc's and played games on the computer. Our time was up so we said our good byes. Our translator took us for lunch down by the sea. We had a great lunch of mutton and pork kabobs. Our translator loves his mutton! The beach is skinny and the sea is half frozen. It has been raining all day and the snow is melting. Next we went by the mall for the free WiFi connection. There was a toy store so we went in looking for a game that Kevan and V. Can play on the computer tomorrow. We needed our translator to help us download it on our computer. So for the last hour Kevan and our translator have been playing this computer game, they can't seem to put it down. Soon we will call it a night, but not till after a few episodes of 24
This morning we tossed and turned in the early hours then slept really hard only to hear the doorbell ring. It was our translator who returned from Kiev. We got up made coffee, showered the drove over to the orphanage. No one is around on the weekends. All the officials who are running all through the place during the week are gone so it was very quiet. We visited with V. for about two hours. We did a Sponge Bob puzzle, practiced the abc's and played games on the computer. Our time was up so we said our good byes. Our translator took us for lunch down by the sea. We had a great lunch of mutton and pork kabobs. Our translator loves his mutton! The beach is skinny and the sea is half frozen. It has been raining all day and the snow is melting. Next we went by the mall for the free WiFi connection. There was a toy store so we went in looking for a game that Kevan and V. Can play on the computer tomorrow. We needed our translator to help us download it on our computer. So for the last hour Kevan and our translator have been playing this computer game, they can't seem to put it down. Soon we will call it a night, but not till after a few episodes of 24
Meeting the Aunt
Friday morning we got up and made coffee. Checked the Blackberry to see it any messages came through while we were sleeping.( We are 10 hours ahead of LA time and I know I'm off on the days I'm writing about.) So, after coffee we left for the orphanage with the gift we got at the toy store the night before. The first day we were here we found out he has an aunt. She has cared for him and if she had the capacity to raise him she would. She loves him very much. Today is the day she wants to meet us and see who we are. We are all in the room waiting for her to arrive. In she comes caring a small bag with some apples, cookies and a few little toys for V. He gives her a big hug, we greet her and we all sit to exchange information about V. She is a very humble woman who wants to know what it will be like for V. Back in the states. What is our home like, school and his new older brother. She wants to know how he is doing from time to time and for us to send pictures back to her. Next we all go into the directors office to be asked a few questions and what our plans are for his life with us back in the states. This is all translated back to the aunt. We go back into the big room and the aunt pulls some photos out from the albums that V. Brought back with him from the states this summer. She hangs out for a while longer visiting with V. then she says she is leaving and we take some photos so we will always have a good memory of her. We hung out a while longer then it was time to go. Since there is a quarantine going on and the kids have not been going to school. The contact with V. and seeing any of the other kids and visiting has been very limited. The first day we saw V. we were required to wear mask because V. was not feeling well and we were told all our visits all week would be limited to one hour everyday. After we left the orphanage we went to the free WiFi mall area we discovered (it's the photo of me with a ponytail) and tried to catch up on the blog. I have so much to say but when I have to write fast I forget all the details! After that we had our driver take us to the really big grocery store.
It's like a Target. When you first walk through the doors there is a big coffee place on the left, a book store on the right then a store like Best Buys for cameras and phones. When you go to get a shopping cart they are locked on to each other. When you insert a fifty cent coin in it unlocks the small chain that attaches to the next cart. We finally figured it out and got a cart. We started shopping. The market is very big, bright and clean. The food is very fresh. We bought a fresh chicken, fresh bread, coffee, milk, chocolate and Vodka. The store doesn't give grocery bags but they will sell them to you to bag your groceries. I brought a fold away bag that I carry in my purse and it has come in handy many times. We bagged our purchase then found our driver in the parking lot and drove back to the apartment. Once home we changed into our comfy clothes and made dinner. Kevan got a movie going, Wedding Crashers, while dinner was cooking. We made a roast chicken in the oven and it was so good. It was a nice night with a hot meal, a movie with each other.
It's like a Target. When you first walk through the doors there is a big coffee place on the left, a book store on the right then a store like Best Buys for cameras and phones. When you go to get a shopping cart they are locked on to each other. When you insert a fifty cent coin in it unlocks the small chain that attaches to the next cart. We finally figured it out and got a cart. We started shopping. The market is very big, bright and clean. The food is very fresh. We bought a fresh chicken, fresh bread, coffee, milk, chocolate and Vodka. The store doesn't give grocery bags but they will sell them to you to bag your groceries. I brought a fold away bag that I carry in my purse and it has come in handy many times. We bagged our purchase then found our driver in the parking lot and drove back to the apartment. Once home we changed into our comfy clothes and made dinner. Kevan got a movie going, Wedding Crashers, while dinner was cooking. We made a roast chicken in the oven and it was so good. It was a nice night with a hot meal, a movie with each other.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Day The same but different
Well, we have not posted a blog in a few days. The internet is not an easy thing to come by. The last few days have been the same: get up, get out and walk, get coffee and go to orphanage then back to the apartment.
Yesterday was Thursday, Christmas Eve. We got up, made coffee, took showers and headed out. We walked half way across town and ended up at a mall that has free WiFi. Yes! We got WiFi for a minute then our driver called and said she was picking us up in front of the mall to take us to the orphanage. Off we went to see our guy. We had fun with him while he can't seem to get enough time with Kevan and the video games on the computer. Not online games, because there is no internet! We left the orphanage with the other family that is here and drove back to the apartment. It was Christmas Eve so decided to have a nice dinner together. We went across the street to a local hotel that serves really good food in american size portions. Most restaurants serve small size portions. We ordered too much food but it was nice to be that full. It was nice to share dinner with the other family and with the translator. We went back to the apartment and called home and talked to Evan about going to sleep early. Because Santa stops at the houses first where the kids are asleep! He said he woke himself up early on the morning of Christmas Eve so he would be really tired before Santa came. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Yesterday was Thursday, Christmas Eve. We got up, made coffee, took showers and headed out. We walked half way across town and ended up at a mall that has free WiFi. Yes! We got WiFi for a minute then our driver called and said she was picking us up in front of the mall to take us to the orphanage. Off we went to see our guy. We had fun with him while he can't seem to get enough time with Kevan and the video games on the computer. Not online games, because there is no internet! We left the orphanage with the other family that is here and drove back to the apartment. It was Christmas Eve so decided to have a nice dinner together. We went across the street to a local hotel that serves really good food in american size portions. Most restaurants serve small size portions. We ordered too much food but it was nice to be that full. It was nice to share dinner with the other family and with the translator. We went back to the apartment and called home and talked to Evan about going to sleep early. Because Santa stops at the houses first where the kids are asleep! He said he woke himself up early on the morning of Christmas Eve so he would be really tired before Santa came. Merry Christmas Everyone!
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