Our Journey

This blog stuff is new to me but thought I would give it a shot.
We traveled to Ukraine on November 27 to adopt our daughter. I have to say that I thought I was prepared for the trip but, boy, was I wrong!!!
First, are airplanes shrinking? I mean, I am fairly short but their didn't seem to be enough room for my legs. Just a thought. Also, the arrival in Kiev was a little scary for me. The customs agents scared me a little. They told us to fill out this form and every time we would give it to them they would give it back with a little "huff" and tell us it wasn't right. Little did they know that for almost a year,we had been working on paperwork to get us to this country in the first place and one little sheet of paper wasn't going to stop me now. Determination, people!!!! After getting through customs, we went through two double doors and spotted our names on a card being held by an older man. Next thing I know, we are practically at a running pace following this man to his car. That's when we realized our first and biggest mistake. Too much luggage!!! My husband's mother made the journey with us and we barely had enough room in the car for our luggage. We had three large suitcases, two small suitcases a laptop and two carry-ons. lol I didnt realize how brave I was until about halfway through the ride when I realized that I was in a car with a complete stranger in a foreign country and no idea where I was going. Either brave or stupid, but if you are adopting, then you know what I mean when I say nothing will stand in your way. So my first bit of advice for you if you are planning on traveling to adopt soon, pack light. We ended up shipping two large suitcases back home. You can make it on one small suitcase each. Trust me, when you are lugging those things through narrow aisles on the train at two in the morning, you will wish you had left those extra sweaters at home. Here is what I would take if I go again.
Three sweaters with a short sleeved shirt to wear underneath, two pair of pants, a couple pair of underwear and socks and one pair of pajamas. You can but detergent at the market and wash your clothes in the tub or sink. Trust me, you will have plenty of time on your hands so you will look forward to a few chores.
Sorry, I tend to ramble at times.
The apartment wasn't too bad. It was clean and had a comfortable bed. No american television but I could think of worse things. I was a little surprised to be dropped off at around 5:00 pm and told that we would be meeting our contact, who I will refer to as K, in two days. So here we are again, alone, with no food, water, maps, nothing. I couldn't believe it. We were exhausted but we bundled up and off we went in search of food. we stumbled upon a market and proceeded to try and buy water and bread. It wasn't easy. I don't speak Ukrainian. So here is my next bit of advice: make sure you ask for water with no gas. trust me on this one. Also, butter is masla and juice is solk. You can actually point to most of the things at the markets and they will get it for you. The food is really good and fresh. I do actually miss that. Their is also a great pizza place on the street that takes you to the NAC. The name of it is The Fish House. I promise, the pizza and calzones are to die for. Also, another italian restaraunt across the street and to the right from the NAC is delicious. Okay, enough about food.
We met with K and had our appointment. We were a little surprised to see only five children and were told that most were not healthy. But let me say this first, go with your heart not what they tell you. Everything we were told about our daughter wasn't true at all. We were not met with open arms, let me assure you of that. The children in this orphange were all healthy and lovely. But after arriving there we were told it was a home for special needs children. A little unclear of why that was said? I would have taken two other little girls home if they would have let me. Also, two italian couples and one american couple were there at the same time and everyone went home with healthy children. So, like I said, don't believe everything you're told.
We were able to visit our daughter everyday and she is so much like me that it amazes me daily. We have been home for three weeks now and everyday gets easier. She is learning english so fast. She is on more of a schedule now and seems to do better with that. She goes to bed around 7:45 and wakes around 7:00 or 7:30. She has gotten up two to three times the past few nights to go potty. I believe the reason she is getting up is to come and make sure we are still here. She still needs reassurance of this but it is getting less everyday. She is starting to try a few more foods now but I still wish she would eat something green besides a cucumber. Any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.
For anyone planning on adopting from the Ukraine, I would be happy to help with any questions that I can. Please keep us in your prayers and know that God will bring you to your child. BELIEVE!!!!