The City

 Our love for the city, grows each day and moment we experience it.  I was commenting to Andy  how every day we pass by our "landmarks" the sights and sounds are different, yet familiar.  We have our favorite coffee shop, our favorite desserts, and the yogurt is creamier than home.  "Our" beautiful buildings we are in awe. 

St. Vladimir's Cathedral:  Beautiful and Awestruck Inside

Opera House

Saint Sophia's Cathedral

Opera House

The traffic fascination, of which we sit with our mouths ajar. 

We see families, walking and laughing together. 

The university students milling about after class.

Holding hands waiting for the light to change.  No matter what language or culture, love is the same.  We all seek to love and be loved.

 I've noticed very few walk around with headphones in their ears.  I see some, but mostly I see talking, laughing, sharing with one another as they journey from one place to the next.  Living in the Moment...

Artistic statement?

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Archer Antics

1.  App Haphazard
No one, and I mean, no one prepares electronically for a trip better than Andy.  We have 3 phones, 2 computers, 4 cameras, routers, converters, power strips, cords...I could go on and on, but you get the picture.  He placed a language app, gps, and other useful ones on his phones to utilize.  He was prepared.  Surely, one phone would work throughout our city exploration and adventures.

Lo, and behold, Folks, neither work nor personal phones connect outside of our apartment without a wifi connection.

Note to self and others...
If you place apps on your phone to use over here, be very certain your phone will work, also!!  I'm going to look  for the old fashioned paper book of Russian/American dictionary and the cyrillic alphabet.  The reader in me needs to figure out what the signs are saying!!!

2.  It's not a purse, it's European.
Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Jerry is asked to wear the European bag from J. Peterman catalog, and he is reluctant?  I've seen multiple bags in all shapes and sizes here.

I brought a nice, cheery melon tote bag that will fit my camera, gifts, groceries, along with my necessary paperwork and items.  It works nicely for going from one place to the other. 

However, when walking around the city for 2-3 hours at a time, it can get heavy.  If you have exploring and adventurous personalities like ourselves, you may want to bring a cross-body bag or another hands-free bag.  Another purchase I may look for in the next city!

3.  British T.V.
There is one English channel in our apartment, so Sunday morning it was on.  A Learn How To Speak English program showed a young girl taking email questions from her followers.  The phrase for today(I"M NOT KIDDING!) was "What does it mean to Do Someone In?" Of all the English idioms and phrases to learn, she chose that one!?  And she went on to explain that it means to kill someone...  We both were laughing hysterically that morning.

4.  Flexibility and Readiness Always
Before our Skype session with the kids, we went walking around the city capturing the culture, and ate a leisurely lunch at a coffee shop.  We arrived back, setting up the computer, when the phone rang.  The SDA lost their power and Eugene was waiting in the parking lot to take us for our referral.  We'd only been back to the apartment for 10 minutes.  Scrambling to grab our paperwork, we hurried downstairs to go back to where we had walked earlier.  I'm sure we could have walked back, faster than we drove.

Always, Always be ready at a moments notice.

It is what you make it.

Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.
Oprah Winfrey

SDA and FAQ's

  Our State Department of Adoption appointment was first thing this morning.  We drove up, walked into a side door, and ushered into a small office.  Multiple times we were asked if we know what a child with Down syndrome needs, are we sure, and do we want to change our mind.  Yes, Yes, and No!!!

  We saw her infant picture, a round face with locks of brown hair spiked down the middle of her head. Andy and I remarked how similar it was to Addy when she was born.  There was no information about her siblings, but her mother stayed with her in the hospital for some time before her parents terminated their parental rights.  From her mother's history, I know in my heart she wanted Sarah.  She wanted her little girl. 

Colder and Windy!!!

      We were asked if we wanted to accept her, and decline other referrals and it was over.  Pulling out the photo I've used her multiple times(the one of her as an infant paired with her picture now), the SDA worker and our translator both smiled at how cute she looks.  Even though it was not the time to trade pictures, I was glad I laid it out.  It showed promise and hope for her.

  After that we immediately drove to the train station to purchase tickets to her city for the overnight train.  Our departure is late Tuesday and we arrive early Wednesday morning.  When I shared this with my students I was going on a train, they asked if it was like the Harry Potter train.  I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing not!!!  LOL

  Later that afternoon, we met the Whites at TGIF's for dinner.  I loved hearing their stories of last year's adoption.  I asked questions about the process and they shared their version.  We stayed there for 2 hours, chatting.   One thing to remember:  every family's adoption process differs.  We have yet to meet anyone but Niko.  All's well because everything is getting accomplished.

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FAQ's

1.  What country and city is Sarah from?
It has been advised not mention her city or country on blogs, Facebook, or any online forum.  For Sarah's protection, protecting our process, and the families who come behind us, we are being very respectful of what we post.  Feel free to email me any questions.  I will share that we are currently in the capital city of her country until tomorrow night, then we'll be in a beautiful city on the Black Sea for the duration.  Upon sharing our city with the locals, their eyes light up with how beautiful the city is!  Blessed!

2.  When will you see Sarah? 
Once we get to her city Wednesday, we need to pick up a local referral before going to the orphanage.  I've been told that we'll spend a lot of time driving around the city that day, gathering signatures and paperwork.  We may see her for a brief time on Wednesday, but absolutely Thursday.

3.  I've heard about the SDA changes.  How will that affect you?
We've been told that our process will continue as normal, as will those submitted.  Mind you, two different people told us two different things today.  Until we receive different directions, we're continuing on our path.

4.  How do you know when and what to do once in country?
We've been given a "Bat" phone with programmed numbers of all our contacts.  They call us, tell us when to be ready, and what to do.  We are also very adventurous people, so we've explored the city on our own.  We are adapting quite well and have only had a couple communication issues.  Mostly because the display on the cash register wasn't working and we didn't know what our total was.  Most menus have an English version.  I am loving every moment, breathing in all the nuance of the city, and living in the moment.
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Tomorrow's Teaser:

Traffic Patterns and Architecture

Saint Sophia's Cathedral Story tomorrow...

Keep Smiling!

Arrival

We’re here.   

Austin’s Reader’s Theatre was adorable, and he was so proud of being the narrator.  My kids’ wonderful teachers have been working since Tuesday to get Skype hooked up in their classroom, so we can skype into their classes.  Andy helped Austin’s teacher set up her account, and we’ll schedule a few sessions once we’re in region.  What a wonderful opportunity.  As we were leaving the school, teachers, staff, and parents were wishing us Godspeed and safe travels on our journey.

 

Our flights were uneventful, which is good.  The longest flight was 9 hours, but it was during the night.  I slept for a hour off and on, but not consecutive.  Once we landed in Germany, I was so thankful I packed a few essentials to freshen up.  I felt like a truck had run me over. 

Travel Tip #1:  Luggage- we checked one large duffel bag, and 1 rolling suitcase.  We carried on a backpack each, and 1 rolling carry-on.  That’s it for the duration.  It was easy to carry around the airports, and it fit easily in Niko’s car.(Your driver).  Once we got to Philly, we bought some “gifts”  at the duty free store, so we had that paper bag, also!

Travel Tip #2:  Pack Colgate wisps, cleansing facial wipes, makeup, etc, on the plane.  I’m telling you I felt like a new woman once I was able to freshen up after the long flight.  Food was plentiful on the flights, so don’t think you need to take a lot of snacks.  

Travel Tip #3:  Passport Control/Immigration- Once you arrive, you will be standing in a line to complete an Immigration Card.  You’ll need to use Yulia’s address to complete it.  We forgot about this, but luckily we had her address in our paperwork.

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Niko helped us exchange some money at the airport, and he helped a couple American girls in front of us who had difficulty communicating.  He brought us to our apartment, where a lady was finishing cleaning.  We dropped our luggage off, and he had to go pick up the White’s.  So,  Andy and I went to a yummy pizza place for a late lunch.   I didn’t have time to pack my purse, and I wished I would have taken the time!!

The big jug of water is for everything.

Travel Tip: #4:  Always take a roll of travel tp with you.  Our apartment has a lavatory, that I’m accustomed to, but the restaurant did not.  So, be prepared for any type.  I’m just sayin…

Instead of stopping at the market, we came straight back, called our parents, and crashed. 

Lisa, those cheesecake/ice cream on a stick are to die for. 

Hopefully the weather will warm up tomorrow morning, and my computer will work.  It will be a long stay if we have to Share technology!!!!

Keep Smiling,

The Final Chapter Begins

It's late in the evening and I should be packing, but I'm not.  Instead, my overwhelmed heart is bursting with gratitude, joy, love, peace, and faith.  I need to write, to compose words, and to provide a release for my tears.   Happy and joyous tears that are abundant from living in the moment today. 

My little girl, whom I've never met, was celebrated by my friends.  For who she is.  A little sprite, with chestnut hair and piercing, brown eyes.

 In late August, my closest friends were brought into my circle when I shared my adoption plans with them.  Their encouragement was needed, their friendship valued, and I knew they'd surround me at my time of need.  As the year progressed and each step completed, more began learning of our plans and joined along for the journey.  Asking how we're doing, lifting me up from the discouragement, and walking along beside me.  Celebrating the miracles.

This morning, I walked into a room that celebrated my girl, and my family.  I was unprepared for the outpouring of love shining in the room and I cried.  Tears of joy for my little girl, who was abandoned  and alone because of her diagnosis.  Words didn't come easily, amongst the tears.  But, I am grateful.  And forever blessed.

Her first stuffed animals, her comfort lovey, her backpack, books...all her own.  Cards written to her so that she knows she's loved.  Her very first of everything, all her own.  Sweet, Sarah is loved.

Our leap of faith is beginning the final chapter of Sarah's adoption.  We are ready to meet our little girl, born in our hearts.

The song we choose as our life is very important.  Perhaps even more important is the journey we take in our finding our song.  

Thanks for the quote Jenni, my glass is half-full, living in the moment, celebrating everything gal.

It was a beautiful day, and my song is singing loudly with love.

Love's Fairytale

Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.

We're living in a dream world, filled with Once Upon A Times, and everyone lives Happily Ever After.  My big girl chose to put her fear on a shelf for one night, take a risk, and put herself out there with a speaking part in her musical.  Her first response was a firm No, when she learned about them.  After talking it out like 2nd graders do, she said, a resounding "Yes" to speak.  Days of pondering and practicing her part, thinking of the perfect costume, curling her wavy hair, and  Voila, Miss Addy, AKA Snow White.

She spoke clearly, giggled at her front row cheering section of cameras, phones, and video capturing her moment in the spotlight.  I'm so proud of my girl for taking a risk, and trying something new.  She did it!

 

 I went into her class today to share the Red Thread, and as I was finished she said, "Mama, can I tell about the miracle where Daddy's company didn't pay him and now it'll be the amount to stay in a hotel in Sarah's city?"  And so she shared.  My little girl, growing out of her shell, to share her story with her friends.

  A proud Mama am I.

Our last family photo of four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.

Travel Tip #2  Packing
In my earlier post, I shared about entertainment and to go light on clothes.  Another tip is to double-check your kids' packing techniques.  Last evening, they were to lay out pants, shirts (short and long sleeves), socks, and more.  Your imagining neatly stacked pants, shirts, and more on the floor, waiting to be checked by the Packing Fairy?!!  Not so, this is Austin's idea of packing...

He laid full-length outfits around his room, like he was checking to see if they looked good together. 

This is my idea of packing for the month to Grandma's.  

 Essentials: buy travel sizes as much as you can.  They fit in any nook and cranny in your bags.  I scoured the travel aisles at all the big box stores to get what I could.  Travel TP, wet ones, Lysol, anti-bacterial, makeup, are better options than full-size bottles.  Some things do not come in travel sizes, so I'm putting them in my checked bag, and pouring a little in the travel size bottles for the plane ride over there and the first day. 

Clothing:  I'm habitually cold until it's 80 degrees, so I'm layering a lot.  Cardigans, scarves, long necklaces can dress up any black and grey ensemble.  Shoes are the one thing I've not figured out.  It's hard to find 3 pairs that you'll enjoy for the month we'll be over there.  I've got two more days to figure it out:)

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In a little more than a week, we'll meet the little girl born in our hearts. It's getting closer...