Wait … Wait … RUSH!

Adoption in Ukraine is mostly a game of waiting around and then rushing around. We waited for our second SDA appointment on Monday by staying at our friend’s home. They were incredibly gracious hosts and we cannot thank them enough for their hospitality. We enjoyed our conversations with them, particularly learning more about Ukraine’s history and culture.

Our 2 p.m. appointment on Monday occurred without a hitch. We spent 5 minutes with the psychologist and were informed that our referral would be ready that afternoon. During this conversation, we were provided a little more detail into Olya’s past. Tickets had been secured for a 5:50 train, so we returned to gather our bags and make our way to the train. While we waiting on the train to depart, Yulia, our Kyiv manager, brought us the referral documents.

Following the 11½ hour train and 1½ hour taxi ride, we arrived in Berdyansk at 7 a.m. (We pushed the limit of how many people and bags could fit in a car…our friendly driver Vova met us at the station – but his trunk is 2/3 full with a propane tank – the alternate fuel system.) Fortunately, we were able to check into the hotel at that hour and we began to settle in while Sergey, our facilitator, went to work to garner the signatures required that would allow us to go to the orphanage and visit with Olya. It was initially thought this would take a couple of hours.

Finally at 4:30 pm, we received word that our documents were signed and we would be able to visit Olya. She was waiting for us in the director’s office…it was joyful re-union! It was so wonderful to see her, and all three girls together at last. With the local inspector looking over her shoulder, she quickly completed the document in which she requests permission for the court to permit her adoption by us, and to change her name: Elizabeth Olga Henry it is! The director and doctor gave us her background information and also informed us that she is confined to the infirmary for a few days while she gets over bronchitis. So, that means we cannot take her outside at all, but we will be allowed to do so soon. She is in very good spirits and is more than ready to join our family. We left her after a couple of hours, and then went food shopping.

Our motel is very nice (only drawback is the lack of nearby internet access) and is well situated – our room has a great view of the sea (over the roof of the hovel next door), and the weather is warming up. Today (Wednesday) Kate and Taylor did school work on our little balcony. We feel a lot more settled now that we have installed ourselves here. After a short cab ride and lunch downtown, we will return to the orphanage for a few hours with Olya.

Their have been some challenges with gathering the documents, but Sergey is doing a great job running down the issues. The biggest difficulty is that key officials are on vacation and that major national holidays are looming. Beginning next week, there are roughly 10 days of holidays. From April 29 through May 11th, government offices, banks, etc. will be closed with the exception of a couple of days, but even those work days are not fully defined as of now. It seems that holidays such as May day or Victory day require a couple of days pre- and post to celebrate. Some have suggested to us that the additional days are required as a form of “recovery”. Sergey is working diligently to manage around these holidays and in his best case scenario is hoping for a court date on May 3 or 4. Unfortunately, a key document from the SDA was not provided and Sergey is currently working to determine a way to proceed while they resolve that issue. This is the same document that went missing during our adoption of Kate – we hope for a quicker resolution of the issue this time around!

We have seen many people here! We saw Sharon Liddle in Kyiv, after she left Deb and Dale Richards in Kharkiv. We met the Stack family in Kyiv, and just saw them briefly here in Berdyansk along with the Sabatini family and someone else – possibly Romy from VA Beach. (We spied them from our balcony – we think they were checking out our motel and believe they will return to check in later today.) More families are here – the Hustons and others, and we’re sure our paths will cross. It’s nice to have the company!

Kate and Taylor wished to especially pass along their greetings to all, and are looking forward to writing a blog entry soon themselves. Kate is currently writing a book (!) and Taylor has finished reading all (10-12) of her books …so now she is re-reading them! Between school work, visiting Olya, and running around Berdyansk – we are keeping very busy!