A Good Visit & A Good Plan

We went to the orphanage again to visit Karina and Victoria.  Again, they looked darling.  Victoria, particularly, looked adorable in a white blouse with silver sparkles and flouncy sleeves.  Their hair was freshly washed and when we noticed that Victoria had "new" braids with some of the new hairbands we had brought them, Karina told us they were American braids.  Friday on our first visit Karina had braided Victoria's hair to use the hair accessories we'd brought for them.  I was commenting that she did such a good job and that we called what she was doing "french braids" in the U.S.  She said she'd do American the next day.  Sure enough, she had!

We bought a bracelet decorating kit back in Kiev and it was a huge hit.  The girls went straight to town peeling off the many assorted "gems" and sticking them onto the included bracelets.  Then Blake mentioned that they could decorate their headbands, too, and that idea was very well-received.  He told them they looked like princesses with their special tiaras.  Very cute.  They are very artistic and neat, which you know I can appreciate! 

Then we painted nails!  I had brought my standard nail polishes that I use to give myself a french manicure and asked if anyone wanted one.  Both girls did.  Karina was sitting right next to me so I started with her.  She was very patient as I gave her the full french manicure.  I tried to do it as quickly as possible, but it took probably 10-12 minutes.  She was great, though.  She has very pretty hands and nails!  While I was painting Karina's nails, Victoria commented that she wouldn't be able to get the french manicure because her nails were too short.  I said, "that's okay, we'll just put the pink on"!  She also was so very sweet and patient and her manicure only took about five minutes.  Whew!

We each decorated another bracelet and then it was time to go.  We only have about an hour for each visit. 

We aren't able to go today because it's Sunday and the staff that oversees the visits is off.  We asked Karina and Victoria what they do on Sundays, if they went to church, and Karina said that someone comes to the orphanage to talk with them and give them a sermon.  I asked if they liked church and they both said yes, but, of course, they could just be saying that! ;)

It is weird not attending Mass today.  I have gone to Mass all over the world, in many different languages, but I was not able to locate a Roman Catholic church.  I was contemplating just going to an Orthodox service, but Blake and I were in an Orthodox church in Kiev when a service was going on and I could not follow it at all as the presiders were behind a wall.  I think I'll just say some extra prayers today! 

We are quite sure that we will be home for Easter.  Which brings me to the "A Good Plan" portion of this post.

Blake and I are amazed how adoptive parents can come over here and stay for 4 weeks + and then come back again for 10 days to complete the adoption.  I am so fortunate that my job is very flexible and allows for long stretches on and off.  Teachers and other professions can do that, too.  However, Blake's business and his position is not like that.  He has been able to keep up pretty well with email, but because of the cost can't really do calls, and he definitely notices being gone.  He works with fantastic people who are completely supportive of him and what we're doing, but regardless, he does not feel comfortable being gone for four weeks straight. 

After speaking more in depth with Irina, we realize that there are, in reality, two fairly long breaks (10-14 days) in-between court appearances.  I then remembered reading a while back that there are actually three travel options for an adoption from Ukraine: 1) one long trip of 7+ weeks, 2) two trips, the first for 3-4 weeks and the second, about two weeks later, for around 10 days, or 3) three trips, the first for about 2 weeks, then 10-14 days later, the second for 4-5 days, then 10-14 days after that, the third and final trip for about 4-5 days.  We have decided that, in light of our situation, if we are able to proceed with the adoption, we are choosing option #3.  It is not common for parents to do this option, mostly, I'm sure, because it is cost prohibitive for almost everyone-- everyone except those of us fortunate to work in the airline industry and/or have accummulated thousands of frequent-flier miles. Check. And check.

So, we now have our "framework" for the timing of our travel and that has given us a considerable amount of peace going forward.  And it also allows us to be home working and preparing for the girls full steam ahead whenever there are "long" breaks in this arduous process.

I'll write more later.  For now, we are off to explore Donetsk.  It is actually sunny here today!  Things are definitely looking brighter by the day ...

xoxo