The last week

Sorry we haven't posted in awhile. The UOO camp ended last Friday and we were recovering. The kids had a blast and they arrived safely at home. Needless to say, we miss them all.

This is the last week that Tanya & Luba will be with us. They leave for Mariupol next Thursday, the 28th. There have been some interesting developments with them over the past few weeks that we will discuss in future posts. Stay tuned for details. We will be sad to see them go home, too. Our nieces Shannon & Jessica and nephew Drew arrived Tuesday to visit us for the summer. Their mom and dad, Sally & Gary, arrive today (Thursday). The house is full again!

Zina called us this week. She borrowed a cell phone from a friend and dropped a call to us. Heidi returned the call to the phone number that came through and it was her! Heidi said that you could "hear tears of joy" from her. She is fine and she will return to the Kherson internat sometime at the end of next week, probably the 28th. It seems schools starts for all of the orphans Monday the 1st of September. We will call her next weekend when she gets back to the internat.

Our facilitator is holding our dossier after talking with the SDA. It is moving so that is good news. We hope to get submitted in early September.We haven't been forgotten after all!

All for now, enjoy the picture of me with Vasya, Vitalik and Zshenia at the airport last Friday. This was to be our last picture together, kudos to our friend Kari. We all three bonded during the camp like no others. I hope to see them all again soon when we next travel to Ukraine.

See the 9-news story about the 2008 UOO camp here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VBcqaDd4Ic

UOO Camp - More Happy Kids

Vitalic, Batman, Luba and Vasya


My buddy at the rodeo, Natasha at the birthday party, Luba taking a big swing


The Birthday Party, Ilona and Tatum at the Races, Vasya, Vova and Austin at the Races

UOO Camp Pix

UOO Camp Pix

Heidi with Vova (Volodymyr)


The four at the Rogé house, left to right are Vova (Volodymyr), Zshenia, Vasya, & Vitalia.

UOO Camp 2008 Day 1

The live version of John and Kate plus eight is here! All 8 kids for the UOO 2008 Summer Camp have arrived safely at 10 pm. We were forewarned that they were picked up from their Summer camp in Ukraine and were in the clothes that they had on at the time. They arrived with nothing, as most orphan kids do, and were happy that they were in the US. A few of the kids recognized me and came right to me for hugs and attention. After a few pictures and waiting for the chaperone's luggage, we loaded into the vehicles and headed off to home. In our house we have Vitalia, Zshenya, Vova, and Vasya. Four of the cutest little boys on the earth.

Once home the kids settled right in. We made sure they weren't hungry and then we gave them the tour of the house and where they would be sleeping. After pajamas time and brushing teeth, we attempted to get them into bed. All went well until I heard talking in the upstairs room. All four had grouped up there and were going through the welcome bags they had received. I spent half an hour or so before putting them back in bed. Hugs and love all around (a second time) were given and received. We got to bed again around 1 am. They boys were up this morning at 6:30!

I have heard Papi so many times that it makes me tear up a bit. All these children of Ukraine want is love, attention, and someone who cares. Please consider Ukraine adoption if adoption is on your mind or tugging at your heart. And PLEASE, consider the older children. They are as sweet and precious as any 4-6 year old. Most of these 10-12 year old seem to be that size and need love and parents, too!

~Felix~

Camp Rock!

Weekend camping trip in the Rockies, near home. The girls loved it, we had lots of fun!

Metamorphosis

You're probably wondering, "Where is he going with this one?", right about now. I've been reflecting on this blog and how it has shifted around and taken on different messages and forms. It has changed drastically over the last several months, but one thing remains the same...the TITLE! God's Plan: Adoption from Ukraine. He gave me the fortitude to get that one right. His plan has always been the same, it is us that have meandered and bounced along on this wonderful journey. You could say, God has made us undergo a metamorphosis!


We started off this blog with some information about who we are and our plans to adopt from Ukraine. Along the way we hosted kids from Ukraine through our mission organization, Ukraine Orphan Outreach (UOO) http://www.ukraineorphans.org/ and we journaled out week-long experience. We met and fell in love with Rimma and Zina. We showed you the dossier process and kept you up to date with our status. We documented our trip to Ukraine over the course of two weeks and introduced you to our new Ukrainian friends. Tanya & Luba came along and we have been keeping you up to date on our present experiences. In two weeks we will go to the airport to pick up the eight kids coming from Stara Zbrivka that will take part in out UOO 3-week camp. Fun times will surely follow...and will be posted here.


So you see, change is inevitable. I wanted to keep this all about our adoption journey. God laughs when I make plans. I wake up with eager anticipation of what he will show me everyday. It's been a fun ride so far! Blessings to each of you...I hope you like the butterfly.