In Sevastpol

Hi this is C posting for Mom and Dad. We have been in regions for three days. All is going well. We have met the girls and taken them out around the city. We have a really nice apartment for cheap US dollars. First day we saw O we got the biggest hug ever. It is warm out here. The sea is very beautiful.
Keep prayers coming , Dad has a touch of something. Mom says don't forget to give them hugs for us.
Love you all, good bye

SDA and photos

Another Kyiv Street

Souvenir Street

Street SDA is on.

Church next to the SDA

We recieved our referral for two girls,ages 12. We had our appointment at 11 am. It was very fast. We were asked to join our faciltator upstairs in a back room. Where we went over the girls files. The whole appointment lasted about 15 minutes. The psychologist was very detailed on what she did know about the girls. We will find out the rest when we get to the orphanage. The translator and psychologist were very nice. They did ask,why not a boy?We told them we had 3 great guys at home. :) They smiled.

The appointment was over and we were asked to return the next day to pick up the referral.

So today we picked up all the necessary documents to travel to region. We are praying to see the girls on Thursday. I cannot wait to see O face. She is going to be smiling ear to ear. I will post when we can. We will have to find a internet cafe there. Sp packed and headed south.

We did take some more pictures, while out and about in Kyiv. So here they are.

Thanks for all the prayers. Things are moving quite fast. Praise be to God.

Love to all of you back home. Please give our kids a big hug from us. We miss them so much. We just keep getting praise reports,that they are doing well.

Next post from region.

Keep praying. God is answering.

Love

Mike and Gail

Kyiv Photos

First 2 pictures are from our flat. The second one is what is seen from the other side of the street. If you walk the whole thing it is about 3 miles. It is beautiful out there. You can see people walking their dogs, their children, or just enjoying the sights. I will post more pictures as we take them.

In Ukraine

Greeting from Ukraine.

We love you C,J,T,J. Call us anytime.
We are enjoying our time here. The flight over was great. It went faster than expected. Mike was actually able to get some sleep on the ride over from the JFK airport. Our facilitator was at the airport in Kiev ready and waiting for us as well as a friend of ours. After arriving we went to our friends house/flat where we are able to stay and relax. They made an awesome lunch for us ( Pelmeni) Chicken dumplings with potato, parsley and carrot. Later on we went to some friends of theirs for dinner which was great and some wonderful conversation with some missionaries. We look forward to finding out what time our appointment is. We should find out on Monday. Hopefully the paperwork will all be in order so that we can go to Sevestopol on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Talked with Mike's mom today. She is doing fine and had some news for us from the home front. Our oldest daughter tried out for cheerleading and made the squad (Yiipppeee!!) on Friday the day we left. Meanwhile our youngest son performed exceptionally well while playing for his flag football team. Grandma says she screamed her head off as he scored touch downs.

Please give our kids big hugs for us when you see them.
Prayer requests
That we will get our referral paperwork for O and ? same day as appointment.
We will get court date quick.
Judge will waive 10 day wait.

Well, thats all for today. We will update after Tuesday our appointment.

Paka (bye in Russian)
Love you all, love us.

Last post from the good old USA.

It's 1:00am and we are still awake trying to tie up the last few loose ends. Please remember us in your prayers as we leave our family behind. The next time you hear from us will be on Ukrainian soil.

tickets

Ok, We finally have made arrangements to fly with Delta. They had the best deal for return flights for our daughter/s

It was a few hectic days trying to figure this all out. I was going so crazy that I thought we are not going to find tickets. God knew who we would fly with. I just forgot to ask. Once I did it fell right into place. Praise God. So glad to have this crossed off my list.

Blessing #2

Yesterday we recieved and email from some friends we met while they were visiting the states. They are missionaries in Ukraine, working with Ywam. They have offered us to stay with them while in Kyiv. We will stay in Kyiv for 5 days then head to our region, be there for a least 3-4 weeks. Then back to Kyiv, where we will stay with them again. What a blessing. It will save us quite a bit of money. Thank you Lord for taking care of our needs once again.

10 days till we leave

Ok it is 10 days till we leave. I still have a few things left on my list to do. Like get a massage. :) Get my nails done. LOL.... I need to relax before I go. It is stressful leaving the country.


The hubby has been working. No days off. He will be off Wed and Thus. He has his list started all by himself. Clean the pool filter's, get computer downstairs to work, take a sample of pool water in. We have been having a hard time keeping that thing Blue this year. I guess because it has been so STINKIN HOT!!!

We are tying to figure out how to keep our luggage to a few pieces. I need some help.... Any ideas. I checked the weather is has been in the 70's PERFECT.... I know it will get a little colder though. So we need to pack for 2 seasons. :) At least there will not be snow. For me a Cali girl. I might freeze. At least I hope there is no snow. When the wind blows, I am freezing. LOL...

Well, as you can see. I am posting way past my bedtime.
Thanks for following are journey. :)

Now Adoption feelings

It is still 14 days until we leave. How do we feel. Still very excited. Have a million and one things on the to do list. I think I have then almost all scratched off. I am glad that we will have 5 weeks of down time. To recover from getting ready to go. Well, really I do not know how much down time we actually will have. Grandma comes in 1 week. The kids are getting really excited that she will be here. Our oldest leaves to go back to school. I have been printing out a bunch of pictures to take. I just know the kids will grow so much while we are gone. I have never been away from any of my children this long. I guess this is how it will be when they are all grown and gone. Unless we keep adopting. Then they will always be here. :) I guess I need Mike to jump on that band wagon too. :) Well, it is late I need to try and get some rest. What is that?? My wheels are turning even when I am sleeping. I am excited, to bring our daughter home. We will get to spend her birthday with her. What a blessing. Well. I hope you are all enjoying my rambling. Hope to hear from you. So I know that you are out there. :)
Good Night

A Proud Moment

Certificate time

Getting ready

Giving it all to the Lord

Making a Stand for Christ.

Playing the drums. He has been playing since he was 9.

The Group

After 10 months, ready to hurt someone. JK LOL.....

The biggest smile

The boys

This is what happens when you are a brat to 2 sisters. (brat is Russian for brother)

Handsome young men.

Look at them now

Our beautiful girls

First Family Photo

Our First Family Photo

Wow! Where did the time go? 16 months ago we brought our beautiful daughters home. Boy! Have they changed. We are so blessed.

They keep us busy....

This was a trip we took to pick up our oldest from school. We stopped somewhere in Washington. I cannot remember the name. LOL..... I love pictures. They get tired of me asking them to pose. They do though. Aren't they the cutest??? My dad emailed me and said the name of the falls is Snoqualimie Falls, in North Bend WA. Thanks dad. :)

One bag down

I have the suitcase packed for Olya. Also a little extra for surprise #2.
I hope that I have all the right size clothes.
Olya is so little for her age. She is 12 and wore a size 8 when she was with us last summer for hosting. I am so excited to get ready to go. :)