You Scream I Scream...

...for ICE CREAM!!


MMMMMMMMM!


CHOCOLATE!


Sorry for post delay, we had to switch to another apartment just for Saturday night and it was definitely a "last resort" flat. It was not as "new" as some of the other units and the phone line was apparently dead so no internet. We have moved back to our regular stomping grounds @ 19 Baseina Street for the rest of our stay.It is my third move this trip and Olya's second but it gives her a chance to ride in a car so all is good.
Yesterday after settling in our new digs we hiked to Kreshchatyk St. to take n the huge Saturday crowd and get some dinner. We went to Fridays and Olya had chicken fingers and fries, YUMMY. Afterward we got an ice cream from one of the vendors on Kreshchatyk and sat on the curb to enjoy (see pics). Then the uphill trek with toddler and backback in tow to the apartment. Today is very rainy so we are taking in our new NICE apartment. It has an all window balcony with views of the the cars and people and Olya loves it! Hopefully rain will settle long enough for a quick market run for water. Then tomorrow, hopefully, we will get passport news or the passport and start the 2-3 day dash to get everything done and a flight HOME.

Another Day Closer?

We are officially one step closer to coming home! We went to the passport office today for Olya's picture and paperwork to get her passport on it's way. So the question is WHEN will we be home?? I understand that everyone wants an answer to this question, and believe me I want that date etched in stone more than anyone! However, and please understand, I will not know the exact date we can leave until her passport is in our hands and this usually takes 2-3 days but can take up to five. As soon as the passport is here I can pin down the day we come home but not until then. So if you are wondering, SO AM I! We have had another good day. Olya loves to ride in the car! Today on the way back from the passport office she spent the whole time sitting on my lap looking out the window chatting to herself, it was way too cute! It looked like rain so chef Papa whipped up some grub in the apartment and got the lil miss a good bath and now it looks like she is about ready for bed (we missed nap due to passport office trip :)) Please enjoy this little video and pray for a quick passport turn around, then a safe delay/ cancellation free route home!

Cab Chatter


-Joe

FYI her birthday is 7-7-07

Had to put this video up. The toy store was a big hit after a nice little Ukranian dinner. I can't put words to how absolutely fantabulous this day was. I may have to stay here to keep her to myself!



Please remember our house is only so big LOL!

JOE

GOTCHA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After basically 3 days of cancelled flights, delayed flights, changed flights I made it back to Kiev late Wed. evening. Sorta settled in, slept like a hammer and awoke to beautiful Ukraine sunshine and the knowledge that today would be Olya's last day (morning) in the orphanage. To quote David Crowder "OHHHH, Happiness!" Oleg picked me up at 9:00, we then picked up Nadya and off we went to Vorzel. All said it was very quick and painless! I signed a few papers, then played with Olya until the papers were wrapped up, then a change of clothes and a few pics and the sweetest words "PAKA PAKA Vorzel." Olya has been a dream to be with thus far. She is so inquisitive, she watches and takes in everything she can. So far she has had passport pics taken, a visit to Ukraine "Grandmother" ( a story that can't fit on a blog page lol), a car ride with Oleg :),an apartment change, a trip to the market, and confinement with me without a tear YAYYYYYYYYYY! I could ramble on and on, what a joyous, blessed day. My cup truly runneth over. However, I know everyone wants some pics so here ya go...

















Posted by one Happy PaPa!!
Joe

He made it!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Joe made it safe and sound, after many delays and changes in his flight.

He will blog soon about his journey and new pics of sweet little Olga!!!!

Thanks for all the prayers!!!!

LeaAnn

Have I Ever Told You How Much I Love Volcanos!!!!!

Ok, that was a lie!

Who would of ever thought last November when we started this journey that a volcano would be a stumbling block!!

Joe was all packed and ready to leave this morning, when we saw that his long flight to Germany had been cancelled due to the ash from the volcano reaking havic once again.;(

Thanks to our trusty travel agent, he will be leaving, with our fingers crossed, in the morning. He will fly out around 11am and arrive in Kiev Wednesday afternoon.

This does add a bit of changes to getting Olga. The orphanage does not allow children to leave in the afternoon, catch me in about a two weeks and I will fill you in on my reaction to this!!:) He will be able to get her on Thursday, which will be such a blessing to check the blog and see the photos of the two of them together!!! I can not wait!

Oleg gave us a possible return home date of next Tuesday or Wednesday. So please keep praying that round 2 in Ukraine goes smoothly and Olga's transition time with her daddy is filled with fun, laughter and cuddle time.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.


I will update on Joe's arrival in Kiev.
Thanks for everyones support!!!!!

He is Headed Back!!!!

We heard today that Oleg wants Joe to come back next Wednesday!!!

Soo exciting!!! I have so much to do between now and then. Help Joe pack for himself and for her!!! I cant wait to start packing her clothes, shoes and socks!!! Everything little and tiny and PINK!!!! Joe had said this morning, "if we do not hear from them today..Im just going back first thing next week and will get her out of the orphanage!" I know he is so eager to walk out those doors with her in his arms.

I will be trying to get him a flight out Monday or Tuesday at the latest. That way he is there for sure on Wednesday and will be ready first thing that morning to break her out.

We are praying that he will bring her home the end of next week or that weekend. With how our time over there has been, it might be early that next week. But we are fine with that. The more time she can spend with Joe over there will help him create that bond with him that he has been dying to have.

I can not wait to see him coming through the airport with her. To see the look on the kids faces when they see their sissy and if anyone knows Joe and how he has been with this adoption I know he will be a crying mess!!!

She is almost home!!!!!!!