You talkin' to me??

Only a week and a day to go and we are anxiously waiting for the day. Part of me is excited and part of me is worried about the unknown. With so much at stake and the uncertainty of it all, I have been praying for help. Then this message came...this was K-LOVE's scripture of the day, yesterday. Do you think he's talking to us?!! ~Felix~

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
~ Psalm 27:14, NLT ~

The Garrett's are home!

Aimee, Matt & Anya arrived last night from their long journey from Ukraine. Kari, Heidi and I met up with their family at the water fountain at Denver International Airport. The Barrett family attended as well. Aimee & Matt were supposed to fly ahead of Anya and wait for her on a later flight, but they were able to get everyone on board the same flight. Despite the fact that an elderly lady died 10 minutes into the flight to Chicago, they arrived at DEN early. I'll let them tell the story on their blog, listed to the side over there under "Our Friend's Links & Blogs". They all looked very tired and exhausted, but they were very happy to have the welcome committee. Anya was a joy to meet and talk with, she is very animated and Matt wasn't kidding when he said, "She's all drama", but in a good way! We hope to see more of them and the family as the years go by. For now, we will let them rest up.

Have duct tape, will travel!

Yesterday, I looked at all the things that my honey, Heidi, has planned to take on the trip. We will be packing light as we did back in April, so it's not a lot of "stuff". However, one of the items I saw was a roll of duct tape, or "Ukrainian Chrome" as I like to call it. Before I engaged my brain, I put my mouth in gear by saying, "What in the world do we need to take duct tape for?" Yes, guys, I let you down. My sweetie had already deduced that there are many needs for duct tape. You can make a hat, a broach, a shelter, a clothes line, a wallet, and many more useful things when you are too scared and intimidated to wander down to the Ukrainian version of Walmart, Foxmart! I was quickly reminded that with my Swiss-army knife, a leatherman, and a roll of duct tape...anything was possible. See, I'm not without skills!


Feel free to comment on your possible duct tape uses.

Getting ready for the Bureaucracy!

New Ad at the Denver Airport

I saw this on the web and did a little editing, just a little humor for those of us freaking out over the whole process of "slow down" then "speed up". It seems like it is feast or famine with the SDA and Ukrainian adoption sometimes feels like you are riding a mad horse through a burning barn. I am silently preparing myself for the silly bureaucracy of the whole thing so that that I don't have a heart attack or burst a blood vessel while there. Sure, we've been there before, but this is our first trip for adoption. I know I'll get stressed out once we jump into the frying pan.

There are many families here in Colorado making the trip to Ukraine this year for adoption. As many of you know, this is a big change from recent times when the SDA was back logged and their appointments were scarce. So far, the Barretts, and the Garretts have been to Ukraine. Following them will be us, The Volfs in December, perhaps the Carmens in November or December, and an Arvada couple we know a few days after our appointment. We are still praying for the Christophersons and the Hoffmans, two more Colorado families still in the process.

The Hoffmans sure could use your help. Please visit their blog, listed on this page to the right. They have made a promise to their little girl to come get her as soon as possible. It would be a blessing to bring one more Ukrainian Angel home to Colorado. If you're considering giving to a worthy cause this holiday season, or for end-of-year tax purposes, this is certainly a great option. After all, giving, IT'S SO EASY A CAVEMAN COULD DO IT!

The Barrett's are home!

Our friends, John & Twyla Barrett arrived home last night! Kari & Tatum Volf went with me to the airport. Heidi stayed home due to her illness. The kids, Mari & Misha (Michael), both are adorable! Mari wasn't quite as shy as she was when I saw her arrive for the FH hosting trip. Misha gave me a few "high-fives" as he warmed up to us. We are so happy for J&T! I didn't take a camera, so there are no pictures. The whole family looked great though, just tired from their weekend trip to get home. I won't steal any of their "thunder", so look up their blog listed under our friends listings as, The Barrett's Journey. I'm sure they will need some time to get organized and rested before they start blogging. Both John & Twyla both said the have lots more to blog about, so stay tuned.

John & Twyla, we hope to get to hang out with you more in the future while our Ukrainian Angels grow up. We look forward to many great years as your friends.

Felix & Heidi

Keeping Busy

Heidi and I have been keeping busy this week, hoping that the time will pass while we wait for the big day to arrive. Judging from our friend's blogs that are over there now, I know that I too will be ready to come home after a couple of weeks. We only spent 10 days in Ukraine last time, including 2 to 3 days traveling. But that's nothing compared to the 4-6 weeks of Ukrainian bureaucracy that we will face next month.

Some of the busy work I have been doing this week includes fertilizing the lawn, winterizing the sprinkler system and greasing the garage door tracks. I also found time to put new brakes on Heidi's "purse on wheels" (her car). I promptly increased her life insurance...just kidding, honey! I grew up working in my dad's shop, so I enjoy working on things. Besides, it scores me huge brownie points with Heidi!

Both Heidi and I have been battling a sinus infection for the past week. Today we went to the doctor, we definitely want to get better before the trip. Not being able to clear your sinuses and ears while on a plane can be painful. Also, we will be without familiar health care while there. We purchased medical evacuation insurance last time we went to Ukraine from Med Jet Assist. They are a reputable company and will deliver you directly to you home hospital wherever in the world you are. A yearly family policy is around $350 and well worth it if you have to be medically airlifted back to the states. Three-fifty is way better than thirty thousand per person! The only catch is that you have to be admitted for treatment. Does anyone else do this? I first heard of this insurance last year when we started our adoption. So, this is another busy task I worked on this week.

I've been busy tidying up my areas of the house for our house quests. Our friends, Aimee & John, will house and cat sit for us while we are gone. They are in between moves, so this mutually helps both parties. I wanted someone collecting the mail, using the house, and keeping things from freezing while we are gone. It also helps keep potential bandits at bay, not that we live in a bad neighborhood or city. I'm just taking away the opportunity.

Heidi has been busy too. She has a room of the house with all of our travel stuff. Her attention to detail and project managing abilities are nothing short of amazing. She is most concerned about the important dates like the SDA appointment and the court appearance and what to wear. I'm wearing the same coat, jacket, slacks and tie for both. Heidi is taking only one dress up outfit, too. She has found a nice jacket but she is still looking for a necklace or scarf. Ukrainian fashion being what it is, I reassured her that she will look fabulous...that got me brownie points, too!

Ukrainian Reunion

Another great thing about our upcoming trip to Ukraine is that we will be reunited with many friends that we have made over the last two years, most of them we consider our extended family. And that's good! (in my best Forest Gump voice). Most of them know that we are coming, so we will make good use of our down time and visit with them while we wait for our various adoption processes. Kherson is like a second home to us now and we both know how to get around the town fairly easily. While we will not be able to adopt Rimma and Zina this trip, we will get to see them again and we plan to celebrate Zina's birthday on the 22nd of November. Of course, we will check on their registration, too.

Heidi and I want to work with AGAPE in Kherson while we wait during the infamous "10 day holding pattern". Sasha was understaffed and in need of help when we were there last. We also would like to get over to Simferopol and see our friends there.

We've been dodging questions about the adoption and walking on egg shells when folks ask us, "Do you know who you will adopt?" The easy answer is that this is Ukraine, nothing is certain or guaranteed, and we are praying for guidance. We have petitioned the SDA for children that we have met on hosting trips here in the US. Nothing is for certain as is the case with Rima and Zina. Heidi and I want to withhold name(s) for now. We aren't trying to keep secrets or anything. This may not happen, so it's best not to get ours or anyone's hopes up on something so uncontrollable as Ukrainian adoption. In any case, we will get to see the kids that have been on the last two UOO hosting trips.

On another note, Matt, be thankful to be in Ukraine during this election season. Dude, I get at least 5 political ad phone calls a day! Most of them are recorded. I'm wondering, do they really think Americans stop and listen to these things. I Tivo most of our TV watching just to go past all of the campaign ads. A fun trick, though, is when you get a live person on the phone, tell them you are voting for the other guy. I love to hear them "tap dancing" on the other end of the line! Of course, I hear that the president of Ukraine wants to call for elections in December. So, we will get it all over again. I hope Ukrainian humor is the same when I answer that phone over there. "Hello, yes, I think (insert Ukrainian party official of opposing party here) would make a fine president, uhh, PM uhh, dictator, whatever!!"

"The Lie"

3 weeks and 4 days! But who's counting? I wish we could go today!

My favorite blog of the moment is written by a couple from Iowa currently in Ukraine adopting two teenage girls. Dr. David writes beautifully and has amazing insight on adoption issues. For a week now I've been pondering his entry about "the lie." I can't get it out of my mind. Please check it out at: http://doctordavid.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/the-lie/

Felix and I witnessed exactly what Dr. David described while we were in Ukraine in April. The orphanage directors and caretakers do the best they can to provide for the physical needs of the children - a roof over their heads, food, supervision?, clothing, etc. The children have everything they need, right? But they are missing out on so much - the love and security of a family, a warm bed, good nutrition, limitless opportunities for education and employment. We (adoptive parents) all dream that our children will be grateful for us going to crazy lengths and great expense to "save" them. The truth is, though, that our children may never be grateful because they see life through a different lens.

We also experienced "the lie" this summer when we hosted two children for the summer. At times the girls missed their friends, their teachers, Ukrainian food and Russian language. Part of me felt tremendous compassion for the girls because they had to grow up too fast and experienced tragedies in life that I will never fully understand. The other part of me wanted to ask, "How can this NOT be better than what you have in Ukraine?" Of course that's not an appropriate question to ask children...but Dr. David certainly helped me understand a little better.

Thanks, Dr. David, for helping me crack the code!

This one's for you, Matt!

Everybody, quick, go read comment 12 on our last entry and come back. Back yet? Good.

Matt, this one is for you, buddy! I'm glad to be a friend of yours and Aimee! I didn't know you were reading the "days of our lives" way over there in Ukraine. We have been hanging on you and Aimee's every word. Matt, you are cracking us up with each post. So, you are bored, huh. Heidi tells me that everyday. She is completely and utterly bored, having project managed as much of our trip as possible. Watching paint dry right now would be a highlight of our day.Uugh, the time is crawling by!

We go to Kohl's, Target, you name it and peruse the kids clothes isles like expectant parents. The only difference is that we will give "birth" to 50 lb needy kids. I keep telling myself that my opportunity to empty my wallet and roll my eyes at the latest "sale" will come. You know Matt, the ladies always point out how much they "saved" on the purchases! Kohl's Cash is intoxicating!

In closing, Matt, I have some bad news. There has been a bit of infidelity on our part. We've been seeing a new UPS guy since you have been gone! We're sorry buddy, please forgive us. Come back, Matt! Come back!

Over 10,000 served!

Don't ya just want to write something, no matter if it is important or not, when you're bored and waiting on the next big bit of adoption news to report. All we have to tell is that we bought our airline tickets yesterday.

So I'm sitting here with this blog page, just thinking up the next story when I notice that our counter will soon hit the 10,000 mark. To clarify, that only means that it has been viewed 10k times, not that we have 10k friends or that 10k of you viewed it only once and never came back.

In this period of downtime, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has came here and read our little life's adventures. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to find out what we are up to. A special "Whoo-Hoo" to those of you that have commented on our blog from time to time! I remember when I went through military basic training and then officer candidate school how important and exciting it was to get mail...from anyone. It made my day and brightened the worst of times. The same holds true today. When we get a comment notification, Heidi and I want to be the first to open and post it, kind of like Christmas morning gift opening! Little things like that make our day! Thank you and please continue!

To the lurkers, you know who you are, Thank you for being there, too! We appreciate you! Lurking is OK, Heidi and I do it on other sites. Sometimes you just want to shop or read without anyone bothering you. I understand.

I once thought it would be fun to do a "roll call" sort of thing. You know, ask everyone who comes here to write their first name at least, along with their city and state, or country if you don't live in the US. Kinda like the names you see at a visitor book at events like weddings, hotels, etc. But that might put too much pressure on the lurkers, and I want you to keep coming back.

So until the next update on our adoption, help us keep our "counter people" in business by increasing those numbers. We will be sure to let you know if we get more news.

~Felix~