OMG! OMG! OMG! We have a date!!!!!!!

It is incredible how quickly things can change. In the blink of an eye my life went from a frustrating “hum drum” wait to “hurry up and get it done!”

Here is the scoop!

After a looooooonnng day at work I went to my friends house to prepare for my up coming yard sales this weekend to help pay for plane tickets. We were sorting everything out when my cell phone rang. It was my husband and he was blurting something that I could not understand. (I thought it was strange that I could not understand him. I knew it was his ring tone). When I asked him to repeat himself it took only a moment for me to figure out he was crying and saying “We have an appointment”. Stunned! I was completely STUNNED! I yelled to my friend Deb “We have an appointment!” Oh my God, thank you Lord we have an appointment!!!” Then I remembered to ask when??? John told me October 9th. WOW! There’s nothing like a little bit of warning, but I AM NOT complaining! We get to go get our son! I am SO EXCITED!

I was jumping up and down and hugging my friend Deb and trying to dry my tears (I DO NOT cry pretty!) and get a hold of myself. Special note: Let me share with you that my friend Deb has been with each time something big happened in my life. And consequently I have been present a few times in her events too…She was there when we got the news we would be adopting Aidan. She was there when we woke up to a call at 6 a.m. that Aidan’s birth mother was in labor (and took care of my kids AND the additional church kids we were hosting for a youth rally). And she was there when I got this call about Oleg. She says she is my ‘good luck charm’ :) I think I believe it!

I was so sure we would not be traveling until November! That darn paper getting lost was not allowing us an earlier appointment!

When I got control of myself I called my mom, then my boys Chris and Bryce, then my friend Mike, then the Copeland’s, then my friend Stephanie…and my boss! OMG! I cannot believe this is FINALLY happening! We will be a family in time for the Holidays!

So, here I am running around with butterflies in my tummy trying to buy airline tickets and get everything done at the last minute, including Aidan’s independent study while he stays with my friend Stephanie. Not to mention sorting out my desk at work and getting coverage…

Oh my goodness! We have to finish the barn, take down the pool, pack, get the tickets, organize the bills, make arrangements for Aidan, and on and on and on…I know I will miss something!

I can’t believe it! OMG! OMG! OMG! Thank you Lord, THANK YOU!

Delays...Delays...and more DELAYS!

The above says it all!

In the beginning of this adventure our friend Marie made a statement. Marie said that compared the Ukraine, the US form of bureaucracy will move like the speed of light---she was right!

I called our Facilitator yesterday to see how things were going, and to check on the status of the ‘possible’ known child appointments for the last two weeks of October as at this point there has been no news. Victoria could neither confirm of deny this rumor as all she knew was it was still being discussed…So, that is delay #1…

Delay #2…they have lost a valuable paper that is needed for Oleg to be considered a known child! The way I understand it, it goes like this: Step #1 is the orphanage Director is contacted by some office (not sure which one) and they confirm verbally that Oleg was indeed a known child, hosted, etc…and wants to be adopted (The children have a say that is point). Step #2 is the facilitator has to sign a form stating this info and the dates- blah, blah, blah - and send it to this contacting agency. Step #3 is that ‘said’ form has to be sent from that agency to another agency for verification. Step #4: ‘Said’ form then is forwarded to another office where is verified, signed and forward to the SDA…Here is where the ball stopped rolling. Our Facilitator was hot on the trail tracing the journey of ‘said’ letter to this point, at which time they told him “No worries, we have a whole pile of those”. Our Facilitator threatened to report them on not doing their job, etc. So, now he is trying to get the letter taken care of and delivered to the SDA asap. Victoria says it will be a couple more days before we hear anything on this matter. PLEASE pray that the red tape surrounding every adoption related office in the mess is cut and that can get the letter to the SDA! I have no choice but to sit back and wait for news on what is happening.

So, that leads me to delay #3. With all of this it would appear that we are not going travel in October…MAYBE, we will go in November, but not even that is assured. I know that God is good and all of this is in His hands, and we will go when we are suppose to go. BUT, I miss my son terribly and the maternal bond is strong regardless of where he is. I pray for him daily that he is okay and remains in good care. All we want is to bring HIM HOME!

Please, please, please pray for Oleg and us. We need all of them we can get. :(

A picture, A picture!!!!!!

Well, as I expected today was a challenging day. I had to go to the fore-mentioned coaches training, we had team pictures and a celebration of Johns birthday! Needless to say we were all pretty tired by the end of it all. After we arrived home I came in and found this pictiure waiting for me from Stephanie. Can you imagine my excitement? I was yelling at John "Get in here and look! It's a picture of Oleg!" Tears and more tears! And a new longing to have our son home! I introduce to you the most current picture of Oleg!

Our sweet Oleg and Stephanie Young...Look how tan he is!

Stephanie wrote in her note "Your son is AWESOME!"

He has been at 'summer camp' (If you can even call it that! Primative camping is more like it!) and I can't get over how much older he looks with the sun bleached hair and that tan! Don't you think he looks like a Califonian already? LOL...I don't think I've ever seen a tan Ukrainian before! I am anxiously waiting for the other pictures and video Stephanie will be sending me. What a great way to end the day huh? Adios!

It's all about Aidan this week :)

Aidan at Yosemite Bible Camp this past May! What a ham!

Aidan had his yearly heart checkup at Valley Children’s Hospital this week. I got a call at 4 p.m. on Wednesday informing me that there was a cancellation the next day (we were on a cancellation waiting list). So, I cleared the day off with my terrific boss and packed the bags to drive to Fresno that night. My ‘bestest’ buddy Stephanie lives there and I will take any excuse to go stay with her. After we were though we OF COURSE had to shop at my FAVORITE store…Home Goods...Ahhhhh...Good times!

So, as always I drive the short distance from Stephanie’s home to the hospital, I see the hospital upon the hill. It is large and impressive…and my heart still races each time I see it. I remember the dread of driving to that hospital so many years back. I still get the same feeling each time I take Aidan back there.

When we pulled up and started to walk in Aidan asked why we were there and I told him to have his heart checked. He then asked me “What of it is broken again?” at which I replied that I didn’t think it was, but if so, they would just fix it again. This seemed good enough for him and off we went. When we were in the first examination room waiting for the EKG, Aidan asked, “Mommy, when will I get to see the red and blue again?” Wow! He is so smart! He remembered that from the last time he was there…

Anyway, praise the Lord! Aidan got a clean bill of health! His little ‘hiccup’ or misfire heart rhythm that was there last year has corrected itself and was not at all evident this time around. Doc says he probably outgrew it. Aidan is always so good with the Echocardiogram and the EKG…he don’t move or anything. Just lays there like a good little boy and lets the Dr. do her thing. He didn’t care. He just wanted to watch Lilo and Stich on the TV overhead! We still have a few things to watch out for, but the prognosis is a full recovery and no impending problems! Praise God again!

After we are done we have a tradition of going to the gift shop and buying Aidan a T-shirt. Well, this time we bought both a T-shirt and a sweatshirt because we couldn’t make up our minds to which we liked better. The proceeds go back to the hospital and it’s the least that I can do – given that they saved my sons life. Also, we ate at the cafeteria. It is so cool! All the walls are panted like under the sea and you feel like you are swimming with the fishes. We had mini pizzas and Aidan had Strawberry milk…it was a good day.

Aidan had his fourth soccer game this morning. They did so well last week and totally bombed this week. The Mighty Red Dragons just didn’t have their acts together today. One good thing was that at least it was cooler today! Well, there is always next Saturday. I’m actually getting the hang of this coaching thingy…Oh ya, and I have to attend a MANDATORY three-hour coaching certification clinic tomorrow and THEN team pictures are at 3 p.m. AND, it is John’s birthday tomorrow…this should be very interesting :)

News with Oleg is the same – waiting to see if there are any appts. Scheduled for the last two weeks of October. Rumor mill says that they will be closed from the 20-31st to review documents – but it is still only a rumor till we hear other wise. FRUSTRATING! No sense in getting all worked over something that may not even be true. The bible says to trust in the Lord, and that is what I am doing…Psalms 20 – read it if you have a chance. Right now it is what I hang on to…See ya!

Updates...

I heard news today. I called my facilitator and she updated me on the ‘going’s on’ over there in the Ukraine. Apparently they have posted appointment dates for the month of October with dossier numbers in the 14000’s that have been waiting a long time (some up to 2 full years!) My facilitator also stated that the SDA had promised to get to some of the older known children that month, and that the additional list of those children would be finished on Thursday. As I have found out in the past there is no customer service in the Ukraine, and they are NEVER on schedule – so I’m cautiously holding my breath that we will end up on that list. As I said before we are slated for December…and will only be moved if they choose to move us. *sigh*…

So, I will wait till Thursday the call them again and see what they have found out. It is all I can do. Pray and wait. Pray and wait.

In other news, John and I spoke with Stephanie and we were able to discuss in depth a little more concerning her work at Olegs orphanage. First of all I have to crow! I am so proud of Oleg! It would seem that my little man has been paying attention in his English lessons and he is reading English! That’s right! He read my card and everything I wrote to him out loud to all of his friends! Can you believe it? Seven months and the child is now bilingual! I am such a proud mama!!! Stephanie also said that Oleg was very sweet and helpful with her. Apparently a lot of items come up ‘missing’ over there (I have been told that stealing does not have the negative condemnation it does here. It is only considered bad if you get caught – otherwise it is simply classified as survival). Well, when two balls that were essential to a few games they were learning to play came up missing, guess who brought them to her with out being asked? Oleg! He went and found them and made sure she had them. Just one of many stories she told us about. I should be getting the video soon…

Stephanie also told us about the hotel they stayed in. It is a four star hotel that has a restaurant, clean linens, NO BUGS (thank you God!) and is 30 minutes from the orphanage! They hired a driver to travel back and forth to the orphanage and best yet, the hotel is only $45 per night! She said it is four star per ‘American standards’, not Ukrainian – so I am counting my blessings now! The princess has a soft pillow and hot water! Hooray! THIS is GOOD news :)

Stephanie also told us of several projects that the Director is dreaming up for the improvement of the orphanage. One is a wrestling room (VERY big over there). He already has room designated and needs mats and dummies …another is bookshelves for the museum (it has allot of history of their small village, books of other families that have adopted children, etc. It really needs some work. And last but I believe the most important is the day camp the children go to for the summer. It is bout thirty minutes away and it is very rural. It has not plumbing (only rough out houses) and there is nothing for the children to do. The weather there is hot like it is here, and a pool would be great. The only problem is water is not good there…and who would maintain it? And there is the cost of chemicals, etc. Remember I wrote how Oleg LOVED the water? Well, it would appear it is that way for a lot of kids. I think we need to put our thinking caps on and find a way to make the camp more enjoyable for the children, along with a way to teach bible studies and such like my friend Trey does. John and Mike are pros at this and they really have no outline, timeline, or guidance. They are open to suggestions and would love to improve it. If we equip them with the tools of knowledge, they can do it themselves and teach others too. Stephanie’s group does teach bible studies while they are there and it is so popular. The children love to learn about God, and when they are through with the lessons the kids continue to ask questions! These children need to know that there is HOPE for them!

And finally, John has hired someone to start sheeting the outside of the barn next week, and our windows have been ordered and are on their way. So, it is very possible that the whole outside of it could be finished in a couple of weeks. This is good as John really does not want this to move into winter, and his plans are to have it finished before we go to get Oleg.

Tomorrow is another day…what will it bring?

Our Oleg is doing well!

O what a beautiful day! In the midst of the sadness on this - the 5th anniversay if 9/11 - I have found a ray of joy...

My day started out as usual – but changed quickly! While in status at work this morning I received the phone call that I was waiting for! It was Stephanie Young! The one I just wrote about on Sunday. Stephanie said she had made it home yesterday from the Ukraine and after she got some sleep, she knew she had to call me ASAP. I do believe she’s and Angel in disguise…She said, “Kym, your son is so awesome! He is the kindest, sweetest, and best little boy I have ever met! He knows you love him and believe me, he is ready TO COME HOME!” She said she took video of Oleg while he was opening his gifts and will send it to me as soon a she can find the cable needed to download it off her camera. Stephanie also stated that the Director (who is a very kind man) knows we are adopting Oleg and of course Oleg knows we are coming to get him as soon as we can. He really misses us and she said again “he is SO ready to come home!”

Well, it is pretty hard to discreetly stand in your corner of the office area on the phone crying in the middle of a status meeting. As she told me all the news on Oleg tears were rolling down my face and there were no Kleenexes to be found anywhere! I was so choked up I could hardly talk and all I could say was “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I finally pulled myself together as asked her for her phone number so I could call her later when I could get a hold of myself and talk. John and I tried to call her when I got home but her hubby said she had already gone to bed. (She’s pretty pooped after 27 hours traveling home) So, we will talk to her tomorrow.

I had asked her to talk to the Director about any projects we could do for the orphanage while we are waiting there. They have several and we will discuss these with her in depth. I will be trying to raise funds to pay for anything we can accomplish while hanging around waiting for Oleg’s adoption to finalize…it will feel good to help out!

Stephanie also researched the closet hotels, and other things we would need to know while there. Like I said, I think she’s an Angel! Thank God for putting this person in my path!

Information wise we of course are still waiting. I have found out from other helpful adopters that the list for October appointments has not yet been posted. Two families are there right now and they are posting their finding as soon as they can find internet access. Some things are the same as with the NAC, others have changed. If the current scenarios are correct, that would mean that the letters have not gone out yet – as the current rumor is they don’t post the dates until that (the letters being mailed) happens. People with dates close to the first of the month seem to get theirs per UPS, while others later in the month get theirs snail mail. So, I sit here with hope that we just might still be on that list for ‘Octoberish’ as we were told could happen.

Please pray for our little boy that he remains safe and sound until we can get to him, and for all the families who suffer from 9/11 and who will never see their daughters or sons again :(
God bless...

Meet "John"

"John" on a white screen before being inserted into a picture.

After Oleg went home we wanted to have a creative way to keep in touch with him. There is only so much you can write about concerning everyday life - Especially to a small Ukrainian boy who probably doesn’t know what you are talking about anyway! Our cleaver solution was this: we took Olegs dog, (that he made at Build A Bear at Disneyland - another great story for later) creatively named ‘John’ (By Oleg), and with the help of our computer guru friend Mike inserted him onto several pictures featuring far away places - and some not so far away.


Oleg dressing his bear...

Each time I sent a picture of ‘John’, I would tell Oleg about the places ‘John’ had been while Oleg was gone. For example, ‘John’ has been to the London Bridge, visited the great pyramids, see the California red wood trees, and attended the Super Bowl; just to name a few. ’Johns’ final trip will be with us to the Ukraine to pick up Oleg and bring him home…I can’t wait to reunite them!

Keeping in touch with Oleg

"You've Got Mail!"- I love that movie! Each time I see that a new e-mail has come in from a friend, family or acquaintance I get excited! Recently it was from Stephanie Young who works with the Fostering Hope team. She and several other great volunteers are working over in the Ukraine as I write at Olegs orphanage and later at another one in Novo Vodolaga.

Olegs orphanage...

I originally met Stephanie while viewing the blog of another family that adopted a pretty young lady from the same orphanage where Oleg lives. (They were both hosted through Ninel at US Global Exchange). Anyway, Oleg turns 12 on 9/20. We are going to miss his birthday :( When Stephanie wrote me that they were going to be traveling over there this month to build a sensory gym for the children I e-mailed Stephanie back and asked her if she could take a gift to Oleg for me. She was very thoughtful and agreed. I am SO grateful to her! I over-nighted them (Of course several presents and a card even a non speaking Ukrainian child could appreciate) to her (Fed Ex again – I give them lots of $$$) and she called to confirm that they got there in time. We talked on the phone for a while, sharing thoughts and ideas on how we can make a difference over there. I am so thankful to God for my new friend! She said when the Fed EX man brought her the box she told him what it was for and he was very touched. So, Oleg should have gotten his gifts by now! I am anxiously awaiting word from Stephanie on how the trip went. She said she would take pictures of Oleg for me and shower Oleg with extra TLC! So, C’mon mail!

On the same note I want to also give thanks to Slava and Polina live in Kharkiv and are so wonderful to us. Polina takes e-mailed letters I write to Oleg and translates them before forwarding them via snail mail to him. Slava is a minister and works with another friend Trey with RU4 Children. This ministry is solely devoted to the spiritual feeding of these children. (see link). Slava took time to visit Oleg for us and assisted us in buying him clothing and such. John took all the video clips from Olegs trip here and created a video movie for Oleg to see. Slava then played them for Oleg on his laptop. Slava said he watched it 3 times. Slava also took some pictures for us. Our little man is so hansom! Unfortunately our laptop was stolen and those photos were on it. These people have helped us keep in contact with Oleg and it means the world to us. Thanks you to my friends!

If you will, please remember to pray for us! According to the Dossier numbers posted, we are slated to go in December, but have been told there is a strong possibility that it could be October since Oleg is a known child. Please pray that with God’s good timing we can go get our son. And for Oleg that he remains in good health and that his well-being is cared for while he waits.

Staying busy...

Waiting and waiting and waiting...Each day is filled with beyond busy and normal everyday activities - then a blog and chat room search looking for any new news - then back to laundry, homework, cleaning and soccer practice etc.
That is my life.

Met some nice people on-line yesterday, and found some great 'what to take with you when you travel to Ukraine' advice. I told John he had better make room for that Charmin toilet paper in the suitcase :) But really, I have a list of over 30 items that have been suggested by many past travelers to bring, and each one makes sense. So, I will be working on that project this week. Here are some great suggestions for those in my shoes:

Rolaids (Fried foods)
Pepto (Viruses & more fried foods)
Flashlight (frequent power outages)
Toilet paper (No explaination needed there!)
Eurpean sized pillow case (apparently nothing that touches your head or bottom is soft over there:)
Hand sanitizer
Cold & diarrhea medicine (Viruses and maybe fried foods again?)
Umbrella (you walk everywhere, so it is handy in the winter/spring)
Safety pins,
Wet Ones
Flat drain stopper (for sinks and laundry)
Extension cord (small one for laptops, etc.)
Tylenol (for me that will be from all of the cigarette smoke - apparently they smoke a lot over there)
Travel sewing kit
Downy wrinkle releaser (strong chance we will have to wash our clothes in the tub)
Fabreeze (for when you CAN'T wash your clothes)
Chapstick, washcloths and/or hand towels
Band-Aids
Ziplock bags
Ambien or other sleep medication for in the trains and planes
A hot pot ( For Johns REAL coffee. I have heard countless time it is all instant over there, and anything else that requires hot water)
Check, check and check...I'm on it! ICan't live without my Chapstick and curling iron and Mary Kay - they are at the top of the pile - and anything else is roughing it for me :) John said it sounds like a camping checklist!

Our barn at the end of the first day. In the morming it was just a slab. Those guys sure worked fast!

John has his own brand of mind occupation. He spends his time working on our barn. As my role is clearly defined as to the domestic 'princess' (my close friends know what that means), I only have to help if it does not threaten to break a nail! LOL! He is quite an accomplished and talented man, my dear hubby. And we have a super bunch of friends and neighbors who each come over at different times to help him out. All in all, it is a labor of luv!

Well, Aidan has a soccer game at 9 a.m. and I'm the coach - off I to grab my whistle and go! Adios!

Our barn...about 75% done...This should keep John busy for a while...

Patiently waiting (or not???)

Today was one of those days where you try to concentrate on the project at hand as to not allow your mind to wander on depressing thoughts. I am fortunate to work for an excellent company with an equally excellent boss...and co-workers. My day is filled with the crazy non-stop world of staffing...enough to keep my mind constantly occupied. It is GOOD to be that busy! Thoughts of getting to see your sweet boys face light up at the first sight of you coming to get him make your stomach do flip flops and threaten tears. My fellow co-workers are seemingly understanding of my mood swings...but I'm confident they really don't have a clue as to what my heart and mind are going through right now. I can’t take this stuff to work with me, as professionally it needs to stay at home. But, I can use work as a tool to keep my mind occupied!

To try a paint the picture of how I feel I want to tell others that have children (or someone VERY close to your heart) to imagine if you will that person in your arms. You watch them sleep and pray over them. Perhaps he/she is dribbling a ball down the field in a game of soccer, or playing on the jungle gym at the park. You see their smile - feel it when it is shown in your direction. Then, someone of authority comes and says he/she must go away. They were only on loan, and you must let them live with another family far, far away to where it is impossible to see or touch them. But if you do everything the authorities tell you, fill out the paper work and pay the money needed, there will be a strong consideration on your part and they may give them back to you. And so you do it. Because you want nothing more to give them once again a life of peace. A future. A faith. A FAMILY! And then you wait. And you wait. And you wait. Life goes on. You cope, but do not forget. "Soon" they say. "You will travel at this and that day". Then, "Nope! Sorry! Change of plans!" Then "Okay, now you can go soon". "No, wait! They changed their minds!" Am I painting a picture you can hold on too?

So you see...my life (and Johns equally) is torn between loving the family I have...all the projects at hand that demand my full attention, and of course cherishing every busy day. Every thing on my daily agenda that points towards normalcy...just so I can hang on to the threads of hope that one day, SOON, we will go get OUR son; born from another person, who was meant to be with us for the rest of his life...

And so, with that being said it is now the 6th of September, and still no word as to when or where those darn appointment letters are gonna show up. I look at those big brown UPS trucks and wonder if one is driving towards my home to bring me the 'envelope of joy" or in other words; the letter containing Olegs appointment date. There are plenty of others waiting too...Wonderful families waiting for the chance to go get their child. Speculations and guessing abound on the posting boards. But in reality no body knows what is happening...and you know us Americans; we want results and we want them NOW! I have learned one important lesson out of all of this so far - patience! God had given me ways to cope. My friend Trey told me once a short time back that God's timing is perfect...and I know in my heart that is true. But the fact still remains that there is NO customer service where the Ukraine is concerned. Perhaps the Ukrainians need to experience life lessons concerning microwaves...they are speedy and reliable. Or perhaps better yet learn a thing or two about milk - something that is immediately gratifying, wholesome and good far ya, and it does a body and mind good!

*Sigh* Come on guys! Hurry! Hurry! HURRY UP! Will ya?!

Where Would We Be Without Our Friends?

Back row: John, Kym, Debra and David. Middle: Bryce, Oleg, Danielle, Chris, and Mike -Front: Taylor, Aidan, Delaney, Jacob and Teresa.

Have you ever had friends so dear to your heart that you would do anything for them? People that you look forward to seeing every day of your life? I know most of us all have family, and family always has a piece of your heart because - well, they're FAMILY :) And to see them is always good - But these other people I am talking about are the ones that catch you when you fall and your family is not close by to help. They pick you up when you need it, or look to you to do the same for them if need be. They treat your children like their own, and you plan trips and volunteer for projects just so you can share good times together!

Whether it be praising God, camping in the mountians or the beach, working at a church camp or other function, or the biggest of all 'raising a BARN!' LOL - John and I are blessed to have the best friends in the world! The Copelands, the Wolfs, the Steens, the Beasleys, the Beebe's and Mike Minton mean the WORLD to John and I both. Ever since we came together as a bible study group 7 year ago they have been there for us. When we brought Aidan home from the hospital they were honorary aunts and uncles - he adores them! When Aidan had open heart surgery they were there. When my older boys graduated from high school they were there. When my boys needed to make $MONEY$ they were given jobs with opportunity! And when Oleg came to visit they were here for him. Showering him with love (and of course gifts) they made him feels like part of a family, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. Oleg basked in the glow of their kindness and love! These people will forever be part of my childrens lives and I do not know where we would be without them! They are our support during all of this adoption process. Marie Beebe knows pretty much everything there is to know about the Ukraine and Stephanie and Greg Steen will take care of Aidan while we are gone and he will be loved and spoiled to death! Mike Minton spent hours assisting me with this blog so that John and I can stay in contact with them and our families while in the Ukraine. Teresa Copeland buys all sorts of 'goodies' for the orphans that we will take over with us when we travel. They all wrote personal letters for the nerve wracking home study which took a lot of time out of their days to complete - and they had to overnight most of them!..I love my friends! They all are the best! We could not be making this trip without them! THANK YOU GANG!

Adoption Time Line...

Hoping to assist others in the adoption process, I have tried my best to provide a time line of the progress in achieving our Dossier. A completed Dossier in 10 weeks is basically unheard of, but as we are a testimony to that effect it can be achieved! Perhaps it will serve to help guide others in the tedious collection of paper work etc. In addition I have added costs where available and I will continue to add as completed.

1/10/2005 - John meets with Victoria Katz. Pays $1000 facilitation fee and brings back application for adoption.
1/12/06 - Passports done and submitted. ($26 photos, $194 passports)
1/13/06 - On line request for 3 certified copies of Kym’s birth certificate. ($27)
1/18/06 - Copy of Johns birth certificate and our marriage license acquired ($54)
1/19/06 – With Victoria’s recommended list John finally locates an agency with an excellent reputation that will perform the Home Study right now and slips us in due to another families cancellation! Pay deposit fee ($350) and submit applications and paper work for it to begin.
1/20/06 – Homestudy payment to Adoption Options ($800)
1/20/06 - Received the letter of acceptance on I-600A ($755), and received additional M-349 form.
1/22/06 - Provided Homestudy with proof of insurance, education, financial stability etc.
1/23/06 - John and Bryce have Lives can fingerprinting done. ($114)
1/26/06 - Kym’s Live scan and finger printing done. ($89)
1/26/06 - Redo John and Bryce’s fingerprints - they are lost! ($84)
1/31/06 – Family physicals completed. ($90 co-pays, $50 paper processing fee)
1/31/06 – Final payment to Adoption Options ($1000)
2/02/06 - Medical reports and Dr. license notarized
2/03/06 - Hired Courier services in Pennsylvania to pick up Kym’s Birth Certificate and have it Apostilled. ($35)
2/14/06 - Dept. of Homeland Security sends letter-confirming acceptance of I-171H. Visas faxed on 2/24/06.
2/14/06 - Took forms to INS Application Support Center for fingerprinting of John and I ASAP!
2/21/06 - Notarized Adoption Options and social workers license.
2/21/06 - Homestudy complete!
3/3/06 - All paperwork and certificates Apostilled in Sacramento. ($310)
3/4/06 - Passports finally in - Dossier is now fully complete!
3/5/06 - Victoria mailed off Dossier to Alex (Our Ukrainian Facilitator) for translation and submission to the NAC.
3/18/2006 - Received official letter from the Consular Section Dept. of State stating that our Dossier has been translated and is being submitted the NAC. Alex is there trying to get us a date before they close!
3/27/06 – Victoria called us while out of town stating we needed to compose a letter explaining how we came to know Oleg and why we are choosing to adopt him. Since pre-selection is not allowed and in this case could be construed as such, the letter is necessary. Composed letter and e-mailed it to Victoria the same day.
4/2/06 – Received official letter stating our Dossier had been accepted. Now waiting on the NAC.
5/3/06 – Received the news that the NAC is officially dis-banned and transferring all dossiers to the new NSD. Darn! Darn! Darn!!!!!
6/13/06 - News form Victoria that the NSD will be re-opening on 7/3/06.
7/11/06 - Additional notary signatures on forms needing to be re-submitted to the new NSD affirming we still wish to adopt Oleg. ($20)
7/14/06 - resent forms stating we wish to continue the adoption process of Oleg.
8/21/06 – Received word form Victoria that our I- 171H was lost during the transition between the old NAC and new NSD – Resent copy to Victoria.
8/30/06 – Received word NAC has issued all dates for September. We are now hoping for October or November…

9/28/06 - Got word we have a date October 9th!

9/30/06 - Plane tickets $3200 (including the new $400 reticketing fee for John and Carrington (Oleg) to come home)

11/08/06 - Visa finished! Health exam finnished! Carrington is coming home!

11/11/06 - Experience finished! We are ALL home! Living expenses $4915. This included Visa, Health exam, taxis, trains, meals, apartment(s)/hotels(s), groceries, etc...John and Carrington were seriously delayed, so they had some expected apartment/hotel fees...

Misc. numbers:Total Adoption costs: $ 21189 to date...still adding up misc. receipts...
FedEx fees to date: $351.23 (maybe I should buy stock!)
Homestudy $2150
Facilitator deposit fee $1000 - total fee $10000

From the beginning Oleg and Aidan got along like they had known each other their whole lives. Oleg treated Aidan very well and often gave in to Aidan on the littlest things. Aidan has long sense been the center of the universe in our family and is by all rights a little (well, really allot!) spoiled. BUT, he did so well sharing his room, bed, and toys with Oleg! By day three of this little adventure we knew we were smitten and I had no idea how I was going to send this child home! Oleg was warm, loving and so well behaved. His caregivers obviously do a good job taking care of him. So, the day came when we put him on the phone with a third party translator and she asked him if he was having fun, and did he like us, etc. He said yes. (This was his first time ever using a phone - it was funny!) She then asked him if he would like to live with our family and he said YES! and dropped the phone and ran to John and hugged him tight with an ear-to-ear grin on his face! So now we knew the feeling was mutual! We spent our holiday doing what all Californians do. We went to Disneyland! Quite a thrill to a Ukrainian child who has never been in a car let alone on a roller coaster ride! All in all he did well. He did have a couple of meltdowns - but we were well prepared for that, as we knew this would be a huge over stimulation for him. He loved the pool at the hotel there, and we later found out they don't take baths so all the fresh clean water added up to 2 thirty minute baths each day...he loved it! Our family and friends showered him with gifts and love. Although he arrived with a backpack containing 3 each of socks, underwear and T-shirts (all girls clothes mind you!) Oleg went home with a huge suitcase full of clothes and toys - including gifts for his fellow orphans to pass out.
When Olegs caregiver Ludmyllia came to stay with us the last couple of days we enjoyed our time with her and we even got her on a horse! It was great! On her last day we took her to a restaurant as a family. Ludmyllia was soft-spoken and very sweet. If she spoke any English we never heard it! Oleg was all smiles as he ordered his favorite meal for breakfast - chicken nuggets! As we ate John was teasing him on his newly acquired pudgy belly. Oleg came to us sullen and pale with little color in his cheeks, and skinny (at 11 yrs he only wore a size 7). He was going home healthier and with a little more meat in his bones. As we joked Ludmyllia started to cry. I was alarmed! Oh GREAT! What had we done! Why was she crying! Not a good start for a meeting where you want to make a good impression on the only voice you have going back to the orphanage! I got on the phone immediately and called a translator - and after they spoke to her they were laughing when the told me 'She is crying happy tears. She has never seen Oleg so happy!" Phew! We all were relieved! I was getting a little worried there. But, it just confirmed even more that this little boy was a part of our lives and we had to make it stay that way! God was working with us and his plan was clearly spelled out!Now the sad part! When the time came for Oleg to return home I knew I could not do it. He stayed close to my side for the last day or two - prior to that it was all about John :) Women are for sure the authority over there in their eyes. John was more fun - I was the rule enforcer...As it came time for Oleg to leave my heart was broken. I don't think I have ever felt such a severe sense of loss and pain as I did at that moment. As he got in the car he was crying and I told him "I know you are sad. We are going to come get you - so don't cry. You have to be a good boy and listen to your teachers so they will let us come get you Oleg. We love you!" He still doesn't know English well, but I knew he understood what I was saying to him that evening. Oleg then told me "I love you mama! I love you!" and off they went. At one point when they were at the airport John said Oleg took the keys and said "Papa, let's go!" Let me share with you that my husband was severely temped to do just that. But at the risk of jeopardizing future visits for other children, he of course knew that he could not. So now you see how we came to love this little boy Oleg...I will continue the rest tomorrow...

How it All Began...

So, on with the long part... My name is Kym and my husband John and I have 3 terrific children. Christopher (age 20), Bryceton (age 18) and Aidan (age 5). We were blessed with Chris & Bryce biologically, and additionally blessed to adopt Aidan at birth. (That’s a whole other story in itself!) I work as a Staffing Manager for a large staffing firm, and John has worked 20+ years for the local city fire dept. We are happy, albeit busy Christian family currently on a mission to adopt a child from the Ukraine named Oleg. Unlike a majority of soon to be adoptees, we have actually met our child prior to submitting our dossier. Here is how it all began...

At the airport picking up Oleg


While attending church in November 2005 I heard an announcement concerning a Ukrainian hosting program taking place through the holiday season for approx. 3 weeks. A child that had been given the privilege to participate was in need of a sponsor family to assist with his travels. This was due to the original family having no choice but to back out at the last minute for unforeseen difficult financial reasons. (To this day I am grateful they did! You will see why as I write). That was God's first play in all this... Marie, another member of our congregation who was a past participant in this program - and who had recently adopted her son Velera from the Ukraine - was asked to assist in this search. She showed us the picture of Oleg - with this awesome grin on his face - and I knew we had to do this! We had to give this child a Christmas he would never soon forget. With the aid of our church we combined funds to complete Olegs sponsorship and awaited the day he would come to visit us. Oleg is 11 yrs old and from the Sakhnovschina boarding school (fancy way of saying orphanage!) in the Kharkiv region. As we waited at the San Francisco airport at midnight December 21st I had no idea how this adventure would change my life forever. As instructed by the hosting Director, we had sent Oleg a picture of our family and a letter from us welcoming him and telling him how happy we were to be meeting him. Armed with that and the knowledge of what we looked like, he locked eyes with my husband and raced towards us when he came down the tarmac. He embraced John, then saw me and hugged me tightly! Although he did not speak much (actually VERY, VERY, VERY little) English, but his smile and his face said a thousands words! He just kept hugging us and speaking Ukrainian. When we asked the hosting Director to interpret she said, "He is happy to be here, and wants to know where Chris, Bryce and Aidan are?" We laughed and had her explain it was midnight and they were at home in bed! Then he said something to her and she smiled as she said, "Oleg wants you to know he is happy to be here with his family." He then made a circle with his hands and said "family"...I think we were goners at that point - we knew he was a special boy! The ride home was 5 hours long. It was filled with Oleg showing John how he could say colors, numbers, and a few other choice words in English. As we made our way home he was amazed at first by all the cars, then Johns camera (he takes excellent pictures!) the houses, then as we walked through the door to our home, the beautiful Christmas tree all lit up to greet him. His eyes were big as saucers when he saw all the presents!

The Day God Introduced Oleg...

Hi there! Thanks for dropping in! Well, I'm EXCITIED! This 'blog thing' is new for me! I wish I had the knowledge 8 months ago that I do now on how handy blogs can be. Not only do they help keep family and friends up to speed on what is going on (we lead an incredibly busy life style - like many other Blue Blooded Americans do!), but to assist those in the future (like myself) on the adoption process and all that comes with it...So, in all fairness to those who may be spending countless hours surfing the net for stories like mine - and possibly meeting me and my family for the first time, I will attempt to bring our story 'up to speed' over the next few days. There is a long journey that took place just to get where we are right now- and with the grace of God we will finish with flying colors! But just to make it more clear where I am in the process - like many others we are currently in the hurry up and wait stage of our journey to bring our son home...