Thursday, October 30, 2008

Kiev!!! And Almost Home!!!


Here in Kiev tonight after dinner On the way a few nights ago...they were so cute!!
Today we finally got to meet our great friends (via blog for the past 6 months) Kevin and Pam. They are on their way to their region tonight! Great to finally meet you in person guys - in Kiev no less!!
Yummy desserts tonight!

We made it to Kiev late on Wednesday night. There was some crazy running around in Zhytomyr to get passports finished. Basically we waited ALL day and had yet one more tearful goodbye from the orphanage... We kept thinking that any minute it would be time to pick up the passport. Then all the sudden it was time and we had to rush, rush, rush!!! Basically Ukraine seems to have two speeds - whirlwind fast or wait, wait, wait! You think you are waiting forever and then all the sudden you want to beg to slooooow down just enough to catch your breath! After the slow long wait of the past 10 to 14 days, the last three days have been nonstop - therefore no time until now to post!

We got to Kiev at 10:30 Wed. night, had our medical yesterday morning and then barely slipped into the Embassy before it closed. My hand ached from all the forms I had to fill out :) The Embassy is closed technically today but they are reopenning for us so that they could process the girls' visas! How nice - we were very impressed with the service that they gave to us. So after many more hours of sitting at the Embassy today (which we were more than happy to do) - we walked out with visas in hand!!! Wooo-hoooo!!! America here we come!!!

We are so thankful for all the people who have worked overtime to pull all this together with such a tight timeframe to get us on that plane Sunday. Not the least of which is our facilitator. Thank you N!!!!

We are settled in a nice apartment in Kiev and are actually sleeping good now!!! How nice to be in an actual bed!!! And while Kiev is about triple in prices, we don't even care - it is so great to be here. One more day in Ukraine and we come home!!! We plan to do some sightseeing tomorrow, some souvenier shopping, and maybe go to Hillsong Kiev church service tomorrow night.

We will practically not sleep tomorrow night since we have to be at the airport by 4:00 am which means we have to leave by like 3:00 am. Who needs sleep anyways?!? We can sleep on the plane and hope the girls will too!

9 comments:

adopting2fromUkraine said...

You can sleep when you get home;)

Yaaayy! The Embassy is a breath of fresh air after all the other things you have to do. You are so right. It's either stand still or run as hard as you can. lol

Have a safe trip home.

Can't wait to see those 'after' pictures:)

June

Kari said...

You guys made it through the whole process amazingly fast! Praying for a safe journey home for you all.

Tami said...

YEA!!! Isn't the embassy wonderful. After all the headaches and hurry up and wait that you endure during a Ukranian adoption, the embassy is like an oasis of sanity. ;)
Enjoy your last day in Kiev. Can't wait to hear you're home safely.

Kevin and Pam said...

Yea!!! You get to go home. You wouldn't believe the train ride an experience you shouldn't miss out on. We got here safe and are in cultural shock! We are staying at a missionary clinic with our friends the Clarks. The fellowship will be nice to have and the place is quiet and clean. Stay in touch. We don't have internet access on our computer so we are using the clinics.

Anonymous said...

By the time you get this comment you will be HOME! I am so happy for you! God bless you on your journey. We will keep you in our prayers. Safe Travels.
Cindie

jeri said...

i am now counting the hours!!! i miss you so so much. but the time has flown by having your precious babies with me. as hectic as it has been, i will miss having each of them to wake up to and go to bed with. they are each one so special. but hey, you are right next door now and i can come get those hugs now anytime i want them, plus two more!!!!!!!! God be with each of you til i hold you in my arms. look for welcome home banners and tears when you arrive in sa. we all miss you so. love, mommie

Colleen said...

Congratulations! We're all looking forward to your first post from home! God is good, and HIS love has been evident through your entire journey.
I'm so happy for all of you!
Yeah!
Colleen

Connie said...

Oh my! Almost home!!!! Praying for you!!!!

Joel and Amy said...

Stephanee, Zach and family--
We've been praying for you and are so happy that your family is together now and HOME!! :)
Congratulations and God Bless!!
--Amy N