Initial game plan. Free day to run errands and prepare to leave capital city, then be ready to get picked up at 4:00 pm in order to go back to the SDA and formally sign our referrals! Then boarding a train by 8:30 pm to go to Shea’s region…a 15 hour overnight train.
Dan and I were again awake early, but I was thankful that I actually achieved 6 hours of sleep …. So so so much better than 2 ½! We went out on our own for some official errands like exchanging money, buying water for the train, and finding a pharmacy for some medicine. By the way google translator has been so very helpful!
We mozied back to our room by noonish, and were getting ohhhh sooo comfy by taking off our shoes and plopping on the bed in hopes a a catnap after all the walking in the hot sun when our phone rang! It was Niko….thank God we had started our duties early today. “Be ready in 15 min, new early appnt at SDA!, get packed too” We had most of our packing done already and were actually able to leave the suitcases in our apt until 2:30 so that was also a big help.
To those coming behind us…. Be ready for quick changes on a regular basis….they can usually be good….don’t let them ruffle your feathers….we’ve had a few happen already, but they were all positive ones so far….be flexible….I have happily left some of my type A in the US to survive this trip as a pleasant woman!
So off we went to the SDA… all in all we waited for about 45 min, they checked our passports this time and then had us each sign a ledger. We were then handed a thick thick stack of documents that would go to region with us.
Back to the apartment to quickly finish packing up, then by 2:30 we were being driven to a private notary. We spend almost 2 hours there and then rushed over the train station for our 5:50 train! Phew we made it!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
SDA - check! (still in the country's capital)
Our SDA appnt took a total of (drum roll please) 7 minutes from the time we started until we walked out the door. They asked us for our passports but didn't look at them. The only question they asked of us is what we did for a living...I guess being a youth director and and PT was good enough for them today bc that was the end of it! We each signed our name and were done. The staff and officials seemed very rushed today, which worked in our favor I think. We were told that Shea HAS NOT been transferred! Praises!
Shea also has a biological sister who was abandoned as well, we were told she is in the same orphanage. We wanted to know what to expect with all of this, so S called M in region. M said that his sister was born in 2009, and already adopted out of the orphanage by a ukranian couple. We feel sad that they are being seperated.... but relieved at the same time that we don't have to think about if WE would be the ones to split up siblings or not. S told us we will learn more about the biological parents and sister when we get to region. No info today on his parents or the abandonment. We were shown a younger picture of him, and we were able to swap it for a current one that I had in my photobook for a little bit of history. We did not learn anything new about his medical status that we hadn't already known.
So what's next? Tomorrow afternoon N will pick us up and we go back to SDA to pick up the referrals. We will move out of this apt and bring all of our luggage with us. Then the Senti's will head out by train a bit after 6, and we head out a bit after 8 pm. I'm told our train ride to Shea's region will be approx 13 -14 hours long on a sleeper train....about 200 US, but I think we have some change coming.
Please pray for the B family. They had an appnt today and expected to get a referral for 2 daughters who were siblings...but a problem has come up and only one is released....a difficult situation.
We have to wait a handful of days to find out when our court date with the judge is. Please continue to pray for a fast notification and a short wait between today and court.
In regards to non business "stuff"....jet lag and baby bump symptoms got the worst of me last night and I only slept between the hours of 1am and 3:30 am. I felt fine at the appnt, but on the way home started to feel very motion sick again. I came straight home and took a power nap for about an hour and a half...and bless his soul, my hubby is so supportive that he thought he should take a nap too! After waking I messed around on google translator and got prepared to take a taxi to the botanical gardens. Dan stayed back to get some groceries and stay cool...it's above 80 again. I had a nice time strolling liesurely through the gardens and resting in shade often. There are so many hills here...! I made it there and back with no problems and bartered until a driver gave me a price I liked. I bought Shea once of those expanding balls (like the one judy and vinny have) for shea from a street vendor. Tonight we plan on having Ukranian food for dinner rather than grocery store food. Wish us luck!
Thanks again to all who have been emailing, commenting etc.... it is a great support and in a way our form of entertainment when we are in the apartment.
Shea also has a biological sister who was abandoned as well, we were told she is in the same orphanage. We wanted to know what to expect with all of this, so S called M in region. M said that his sister was born in 2009, and already adopted out of the orphanage by a ukranian couple. We feel sad that they are being seperated.... but relieved at the same time that we don't have to think about if WE would be the ones to split up siblings or not. S told us we will learn more about the biological parents and sister when we get to region. No info today on his parents or the abandonment. We were shown a younger picture of him, and we were able to swap it for a current one that I had in my photobook for a little bit of history. We did not learn anything new about his medical status that we hadn't already known.
So what's next? Tomorrow afternoon N will pick us up and we go back to SDA to pick up the referrals. We will move out of this apt and bring all of our luggage with us. Then the Senti's will head out by train a bit after 6, and we head out a bit after 8 pm. I'm told our train ride to Shea's region will be approx 13 -14 hours long on a sleeper train....about 200 US, but I think we have some change coming.
Please pray for the B family. They had an appnt today and expected to get a referral for 2 daughters who were siblings...but a problem has come up and only one is released....a difficult situation.
We have to wait a handful of days to find out when our court date with the judge is. Please continue to pray for a fast notification and a short wait between today and court.
In regards to non business "stuff"....jet lag and baby bump symptoms got the worst of me last night and I only slept between the hours of 1am and 3:30 am. I felt fine at the appnt, but on the way home started to feel very motion sick again. I came straight home and took a power nap for about an hour and a half...and bless his soul, my hubby is so supportive that he thought he should take a nap too! After waking I messed around on google translator and got prepared to take a taxi to the botanical gardens. Dan stayed back to get some groceries and stay cool...it's above 80 again. I had a nice time strolling liesurely through the gardens and resting in shade often. There are so many hills here...! I made it there and back with no problems and bartered until a driver gave me a price I liked. I bought Shea once of those expanding balls (like the one judy and vinny have) for shea from a street vendor. Tonight we plan on having Ukranian food for dinner rather than grocery store food. Wish us luck!
Thanks again to all who have been emailing, commenting etc.... it is a great support and in a way our form of entertainment when we are in the apartment.
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| st andrews church, right next to sda |
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| statue right in front of sda...this was 9:57 ish and I was trying to keep calm... we were starting late! |
Monday, May 23, 2011
Chains rattle...
I've always been one to believe that when "good" is about to occur in our God's spiritual realm, that "bad" will not stand by and let things happen easily. When "good" has ever been about to happen in my life I seek confirmation of being on the well lighted path if things all of a sudden start to get very bumpy on the road I'm traveling. If the road is too smooth, with no ruts or detours I fear I have chosen the path that does not frighten the "bad" parts of the spiritual realm.
One of my favorite sermons ever that I replay over and over is by Wes Stafford. He eloquently tells that when good is about to happen to a forsaken child, satan and his cohorts are in agony bc this is one of the strongest ways to give glory to God. He describes how the demons rattle the cages, shake their chains and hiss out in defeat when a child is delivered out of persecution and God's angels triumph. I love that visual!
Looking back on the week or two that led up to departing for Shea's country, I could honestly say there were some major ruts in my road. (and praying friends these can all translate into prayer requests too...thank you )
**Bump number one. Until now I haven't mentioned it to many because I was taking time to process it all and didn't quite have time to breathe. Simon has officially finished his screening, and has been given a secondary diagnosis of autism in addition to his down syndrome. My mother's analytical thinking actually already knew this, hence the reason I signed him up for screening in the first place. However when I heard the doctors confirm this, and a moderate case...not borderline to boot I honestly struggled. It of course won't change who my little boy is, whom I love to the core of my soul. What is does change for me is the thought of what is future holds for him, and the types of challenges he will need to overcome. I have a wonderful support network, but know that I am still in an adjustment phase here. I felt that I didn't have time to properly settle in to this idea bc I was so overwhelmed with preparing to leave for this trip... I guess the fact that I am blogging at 3:30 in the morning means I am now doing some "processing"
**Bump number two. We had a fun day of cystodynamic testing with urology for simon as well. Praises that he doesn't show spasticity of the bladder or renal reflux which can cause long term detrimental effects! The outcome was that he was diagnosed after his catheder studies with a weak or insufficient bladder neck and sphinter. Long term...this means he will always have issues with bathroom control bc of his spinal abnormality. This diagnosis doesn't have a quick pharmacuetical fix, but is also less harmful to the inner anatomy. There is a chance of corrective surgery in the future when he is older and bigger. Yes this was all within 48 hours of leaving the country.
**Bump number three. Thursday I received a call from my obgyn stating there was an "issue" with my lab results from wednesday, and that I needed to complete 2 to 3 additional tests and have another obgyn appnt (this would be the third in 4 days) before I was cleared to leave, and later I learned it was IF I was cleared to leave on saturday morning for my trip. Sure...no problem, I have TONS of free time to get this all done in the 2 days before this major adoption project begins...let me at it right? I of course was working that day driving home to home for my PT homecare job and also had to get simon to strong for his tests....and they wanted me to collect a 24 hour urine specimin for them, chilled! So you can guess who ended up driving to the closest hospital in Newark and begging the lab for a large collection jug, as I did not have any time to get back to Thompson. Proceeded to drive home a bit later, load a cooler with ice and travel the rest of day with a chilled jug of urine in my trunk! NO LAUGHING.... a mom must do what a mom must do! Friday I learned that for some reason, probably a bad draw, that my platelet count was reading 80 when I usually sit above 200. By friday's retest I was back up to the high 100's....so I was given the doctors blessing to "get out of town". I do have to go back for more lab work and an appnt within 48 hours of being home....no problem...plenty of apare time in my life. By the way, baby is moving fine and thinking this is all quite hilarous, except for those airline descents which he/she consistantly hated.
**Bump number 4. On the tuesday before leaving there was a day of emotional rollercoaster in our home. Within an 8 hour time frame we thought Simon would have to be pulled out of his program at SHC for a different summer school option due to regulation issues. I was beside myself...and the SHC staff were as well. After a bazillion phone calls this issue was resolved in a way, and now our boy is back to SHC for the summer.
Bump number 5. Less than 24 hours after leaving, my mom who has the kids on weekend suffered through and incredible stomach bug that left her reeling.
So... I would say my dear Shea that we are one the well lit track, the "good" track, the track where glory to God will be found, and the fatherless will be given justice! Those chains are rattling, and a few hisses are being sounded bc the "bad" guys know they are about to be defeated! My bumps in the road are not easy...but they are confirmation. AMEN!
One of my favorite sermons ever that I replay over and over is by Wes Stafford. He eloquently tells that when good is about to happen to a forsaken child, satan and his cohorts are in agony bc this is one of the strongest ways to give glory to God. He describes how the demons rattle the cages, shake their chains and hiss out in defeat when a child is delivered out of persecution and God's angels triumph. I love that visual!
Looking back on the week or two that led up to departing for Shea's country, I could honestly say there were some major ruts in my road. (and praying friends these can all translate into prayer requests too...thank you )
**Bump number one. Until now I haven't mentioned it to many because I was taking time to process it all and didn't quite have time to breathe. Simon has officially finished his screening, and has been given a secondary diagnosis of autism in addition to his down syndrome. My mother's analytical thinking actually already knew this, hence the reason I signed him up for screening in the first place. However when I heard the doctors confirm this, and a moderate case...not borderline to boot I honestly struggled. It of course won't change who my little boy is, whom I love to the core of my soul. What is does change for me is the thought of what is future holds for him, and the types of challenges he will need to overcome. I have a wonderful support network, but know that I am still in an adjustment phase here. I felt that I didn't have time to properly settle in to this idea bc I was so overwhelmed with preparing to leave for this trip... I guess the fact that I am blogging at 3:30 in the morning means I am now doing some "processing"
**Bump number two. We had a fun day of cystodynamic testing with urology for simon as well. Praises that he doesn't show spasticity of the bladder or renal reflux which can cause long term detrimental effects! The outcome was that he was diagnosed after his catheder studies with a weak or insufficient bladder neck and sphinter. Long term...this means he will always have issues with bathroom control bc of his spinal abnormality. This diagnosis doesn't have a quick pharmacuetical fix, but is also less harmful to the inner anatomy. There is a chance of corrective surgery in the future when he is older and bigger. Yes this was all within 48 hours of leaving the country.
**Bump number three. Thursday I received a call from my obgyn stating there was an "issue" with my lab results from wednesday, and that I needed to complete 2 to 3 additional tests and have another obgyn appnt (this would be the third in 4 days) before I was cleared to leave, and later I learned it was IF I was cleared to leave on saturday morning for my trip. Sure...no problem, I have TONS of free time to get this all done in the 2 days before this major adoption project begins...let me at it right? I of course was working that day driving home to home for my PT homecare job and also had to get simon to strong for his tests....and they wanted me to collect a 24 hour urine specimin for them, chilled! So you can guess who ended up driving to the closest hospital in Newark and begging the lab for a large collection jug, as I did not have any time to get back to Thompson. Proceeded to drive home a bit later, load a cooler with ice and travel the rest of day with a chilled jug of urine in my trunk! NO LAUGHING.... a mom must do what a mom must do! Friday I learned that for some reason, probably a bad draw, that my platelet count was reading 80 when I usually sit above 200. By friday's retest I was back up to the high 100's....so I was given the doctors blessing to "get out of town". I do have to go back for more lab work and an appnt within 48 hours of being home....no problem...plenty of apare time in my life. By the way, baby is moving fine and thinking this is all quite hilarous, except for those airline descents which he/she consistantly hated.
**Bump number 4. On the tuesday before leaving there was a day of emotional rollercoaster in our home. Within an 8 hour time frame we thought Simon would have to be pulled out of his program at SHC for a different summer school option due to regulation issues. I was beside myself...and the SHC staff were as well. After a bazillion phone calls this issue was resolved in a way, and now our boy is back to SHC for the summer.
Bump number 5. Less than 24 hours after leaving, my mom who has the kids on weekend suffered through and incredible stomach bug that left her reeling.
So... I would say my dear Shea that we are one the well lit track, the "good" track, the track where glory to God will be found, and the fatherless will be given justice! Those chains are rattling, and a few hisses are being sounded bc the "bad" guys know they are about to be defeated! My bumps in the road are not easy...but they are confirmation. AMEN!
seeing pretty things and passing time... day 2
So we don't have any official business until tomorrow am. Today we "relax" and do some recovery from jetlag. This AM we awoke about 6, and headed out to find some breakfast. We wandered around our general vicinity for about an hour or so. By mid morning we met up with the senti family and went to the monestary to take in some architecture...hence the photos above... It was beautiful and the temp has reached 85 today. We contemplated moving on to another afternoon siteseeing trip....but we decided to be wise and lay low to prepare for the business of the next few days. I'm back in the apt with my feet up, as I've had the joy of experiencing my first bout of prego ankle swelling today....I'm sure it's from all the travel over the weekend, and then all the hills and stairs today....so we are being good and getting some rest. We also enjoyed a fun skype time with the kids today as they woke up, still in pj's and rubbing the sleepy's out of their eyes. Tonight we will be joining our friends for some dinner....and then tomorrow AM the "real" reason for the trip begins.
Here is a link for you...this page shows RR kids in Shea's orphanage who have not been matched with families....so their fate is questionable.... Again, i'm not 100% sure that Shea is still in the baby house. I think we will find out tomorrow. I'm hoping I might be able to love on some of the other kids while we're here....time will tell.
http://reecesrainbow.org/category/waitingbycountry/ee-1/orphanage-9Last night Dan and I got a chance to watch a dvd we brought with us from home. It was a sermon from a father / comedian with a son who has spina bifida....hitting home about the value of life. Wow, it was inspirational, and certainly a good pep talk / kick off for us after a long weekend of layovers and plane rides.
I'm also noticing how my previous travels have made the transition here quite a bit easier... for example I'm not shocked and I learn to dodge the lugies of passerby men on the sidewalk bc public spitting is definitely A- ok here :) The people on the streets are generally very serious, and don't smile easily...I have the giant urge to go up and tickle them to see if we can crack a smile! Also, the whole waiting in line thing doesn't really apply here as it does at home and you have to claim your spot with gusto to avoid 12 cutters...this skill has come back quickly. Lastly... mini skirts and chic dressing in the capital city is common for the young beautiful women...I do dare say my husband is enjoying this part! I just continue my waddle stroll, rub my growing belly and laugh! I did have to borrow a head / shoulder covering to enter the "cave sanctuary" below one of the churches today....my sleeveless shirt, although otherwise conservative did not meet the standards inside the sanctuary wall. Amazing how much difference a few miles can make.
On a closing note...please pray for our friend jeff w, as he is undergoing his open heart surgery back home today. Thanks guys...really appreciate the emails and blog comments, keep em coming.... until tomorrow....
Sunday, May 22, 2011
We've arrived in Shea's country...
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| stairs to our apt |
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| Alley to our apt |
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| entrance to apt |
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| teeny tiny elevator, thank God we don't have to use the stairs, we are on the 15th floor! |
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| Shea's bear had a long long flight...now he's taking in the view while waiting to meet his new owner... |
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| our building So we are here! We arrived about 1:30 in the afternoon and then took a half hour van ride with the Senti family to this region of town. About 5 minutes after settling into our apt I had the joy of a really fun and messy nose bleed! Then we needed a good nap, followed by a walk to the grocery store where dan and I bought water and a few groceries. We will be in this location until wednesday evening. We got a chance to skype with the kids, so that was wonderful. Please say a prayer for my mom, she has a nasty stomach bug today,...so good old grandpa steve took over for the day. Also a prayer for me, as last week my doc wasn't happy with my platelet count, but they had rebounded well by thurs and friday and he happily told me i was "cleared to hit the road". I just had to promise that I would get follow up labs within a day or two of getting home. Dan's sore leg is holding up fairly well so far....and we hope that it will continue. As for Shea...if all goes well we will ride the overnight train wed, and meet him on thursday.....MR Bear is anxious to meet him and finally get a real bear name from his owner :) |
Saturday, May 21, 2011
We've made it all the way to...... philly!
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| saying goodbye to our lovies in rochester.... |
Another learning experience: I have not flown since carrying the extra stow away if you know what I mean....hmmm i've noticed things like the merry go round with the kids have been making me get that green sea sick feeling....well multiply that by 10 for landing in philly w some turbulance...the stow away didn't care for it either and kicked kicked kicked downward the whole descent. I clung to my little white bag for dear life, but made it to the ground without having to use it ... phew!
We had a lovely morning with the kids, and mom and dad button, judy and katie saw us off at the airport....wow we are going to miss the kids....and are so grateful to our village at home for chipping in to care for them while we are gone. We love you guys...
Next we head to frankfort germany, a 5:40 flight which will be 7 hours long....then a lay over and on to EE....
Sunday, May 15, 2011
I wonder?
This week will be spent working and preparing to transfer patients over to other therapists, packing, double checking our documents and cash, preparing the kids for our time away....and taking deep breaths!
I'm not really 100% sure if Shea is still "safely" nestled in the baby house (relatively speaking), but if I had to rely on my gutt instincts (no fat pregancy jokes about my gutt people!) I have a sense that he has not been transfered yet.
I wonder if he has any idea that we are coming?? I wonder what he will think of us? I wonder if he will be scared? I wonder if he will understand why we can't take him home after the first trip?? AKA....these are all prayer requests please....
As for mommy... I wonder if he'll like to snuggle? I wonder if he'll try to test his limits? I wonder what his leg abilities will be? I wonder about the health of his bowels and bladder? I wonder if he'll like daddy more than me? I wonder how is shunt is. I wonder about the status of his clubbed feet after casting.
A really big prayer request for you all... our first trip could still fall within the estimated 2-3 week time frame...but due to procedural changes in judge selection some families are up to 4 wks. I am hoping we won't have to change our return flight date....that would just be more george washingtons we would have to come up with. Also....I really really really don't want a long first trip...I'm cutting it very close with the time I'm allowed off from work and this could cause big issues... I'm getting more pregnant with each passing week....I have wonderful people caring for my children...but the burden of 3-4 wks instead of 2-3 weeks??? and I will simply miss them terribly. So please God....we've had our share of bumps along the way...please remove this one from our road, pretty please.
Many other things have also been happening in the midst of all of the adoption hubba balloo....Danielle made us so proud participating in her first special olympics! Yeah Danielle...!!
Dan heads to Ohio for a few days very soon....another thing to squeeze into our crazy week....
I'm trying to get our veggie garden planted before we leave, so that we don't delay our harvest, but rain is forcasted all week long...bah!
Simon has more kidney screening and a cystogram test on his bladder which will require a cathederization on thursday...poor little man....please wish us luck and a plan of action. Grow little kidneys, grow....
So, as you can see a very busy month, and we covet your prayers... I will try to update often on our trip. Ta ta for now.
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