Birthday Wishes

Little "Edward", know that our thoughts are constantly with you and your sister "Elizabeth". Please know that Friday was the last time you'll spend a birthday without a family that loves you and cherishes everything about you. Aunt Mary actually called Friday morning because she was thinking of you as well. There are so many people here waiting to be a part of both of your lives, so many blessings we can't wait to share, your Mom and I can hardly contain ourselves. Justin and Jacob are just as excited, their sense of humor and the way they enjoy life is infectious and they can't wait to have a little brother and sister to share it (and conspire) with.

We should have all the documents that we had to update (7 total) back this week from being Apostilled. Then, they're off to Kostya, hopefully the last Fedex we need to send to him. Please pray for him as he is truly doing God's work, spending so much time away from his own family enabling other families to "grow".

We have 5 weeks til we go back. It will be a busy time as we get their room ready, the boys start football, and we'll be getting them ready for school for when we're gone. Some new pictures have been added and, as always, we thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Til next time...JJjj

Family Beach Week 2005!

What a special family we have! 2005 at the beach has had so much more meaning to us. As we watched the little ones run up and down - some were not so sure about the water and waves - some liked to wrestle in them (you know who you are!). The water balloons splashing, and splashing, (and splashing) as we read a good book saved for a special time as this. Jeff and I feel so bitter sweet. Sweet because Sally is her precocious, loving, crazy Sally self. Oh how we relish in teasing her and hearing all the crazy stuff she tells our kids to share with us when she leaves so we will make a trip to Texas. Our Life Book will never be the same when we add the "Sally page" that she will create (okay, now that we have published that you have to send your pics!)!!!! We love to hear about her year and all the travels she has made! I hope you know Sally that Jacob has aleady asked at least 100+ times "when are we going to TEXAS!" We love you so, so, so much, (DUDE). And Clark and Beth and the girls - we just love to hear all about the latest trends and neat stuff you all do each year. I know I married into this - and it is such an awesome pleasure and privelege. All of you have a special precious place in all of our hearts. Our boys have told us a million times today how much they love you and miss you. Wanda - I hope we did not keep you up too late on Thursday! It was our pleasure though to take you out and have such a great time!

The lazy crazy days of the "one" week at the beach with Jeff's family..... There is no way to quantify it - however, the quality of seeing my children, my husband and my niece and nephew just soak you in is so very special. Everyone of you is a treasure in our hearts. Each one of you a shiny gem with your own sparkles and sweetness.

The only part we would share that was a bit "bitter" would be the fact that two little lambs that you all have already enfolded under your wings (as have our family and friends here) are waiting and prayerfully being prepared for a life filled with lasting love and many people who will share wonderful things and many awesome memories!

We love you all so, so, much!!! We hope your trip home was safe and filled with peace! We cannot wait to share with everyone our travels in September and SALLY'S beach page!! : ) God bless you and hugs and kisses!!!
JJJJ&jeje

Trip Home

20 hours of traveling and we are officially jet lagged. A lot of checking baggage, a body search pat down and drudging through 3 airports - we finally made it home. We had no idea of the state of things with the world until we woke up today. What a difference a day makes! Yes, we are home. As we flew from Ukraine to Frankfurt I could not turn off the tears. Every time the thought of Edward and Elizabeth came to mind I felt my heart break in a million pieces. We never really slept Tuesday night. I know Jeff has posted and you all have gotten the feeling of our experience. I will try not to be redundant. As he shared, we truly knew immediately that this was it. The hair stood up on my arms, my heart was beating out of my chest. We had almost given up. Sweet precious gift from God after sweet precious gift from God, not quite feeling it until then and we knew. Then we rushed to get tickets, we rushed to eat, we rushed to say good bye to our family and friends who were still in the city and packed - four hours later we headed to the airport.

It sounds so cliche but as I looked out the window of the plane - that is when it all set in. There are two little lambs out there. Do they know we are dying to see them? Will God some how let them know they have a family now? The tears came in buckets. I am sure the people must have wondered what the heck was going on between Jeff and I. The night before I "what if'd" our facilitator to death. Of course he could not answer with that certain surety I was aiming for. Ultimately, he said there is no surety in life. That was not exactly what I wanted to hear. But they are questions that He already knows. I have to put my faith in that - and I do most times - but this is such a fragile thing. I finally have to just resolve myself to the fact that He does want us to have His best. It is only 2 months away for a lifetime together.

Please keep us in your prayers. And please pray for children's mother. This will sound crazy but after all of the children who we looked at and read their bio's - we do not remember what the circumstance was with the children being given up. But I cannot imagine what she must have felt when she signed her heart away.

Please keep up the prayers for us. We need them now more than ever. We have felt them to and thank you all so much. Thanks too for the encouraging posts. How did we ever deserve such a wonderful family and friends. We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams!
Jen

Appointment Day!

Appointment Day! Not much sleep last night, too excited of course. We knew our appointment was at 12:30, but we had to go to the NAC with Kostya early because he had a meeting at 9:50. We waited for him and watched several families go in and out, emotional and anxious are understatements! When he was done, we walked to the mall (we walked A LOT) to get something to drink…and wait.

We went back at 12:30, and as we guessed, they were ready to go to lunch, so we had to come back at 2:00, more waiting. We came back and went right in, it was a long hallway adorned with pictures of adopted children and their happy families. Our hearts were pounding as we entered the “room”. It had tables for about four families to look at pictures of orphaned children, and in the back was our table. We sat down and introduced ourselves to the counselor. She asked us what we were looking for and we kinda stumbled through our answer, knowing God would show us. As we looked through many stacks and books, region after region, our hearts sank as we saw child after child knowing they would probably never be adopted. Our hearts grew heavier still because after an hour, we had not found our lamb, and the realization we may leave without her began to sink in.

The Director came in (I guess wondering what was taking us so long) and asked Kostya what exactly we were looking for, he explained and she in turn sent her counselor to her desk to retrieve the information for a little boy (who turns 2 on July 22nd) that just came into the databank that day. As soon as we saw it, we knew the Lord was working, it had a little yellow sticky attached that had the name “Elizabeth”, he had a sister! I knew exactly what Jennie was thinking and she knew I felt the same way. We said we wanted the little boy AND his sister. The only issue was, he is immediately available for adoption, but she was not until September (paperwork I’m sure).

The Lord is so good, just when our hearts cried out, He faithfully showed us the next step in His plan. This was about 3:30, and we were just getting started, we now had to rely on Kostya and weigh our options. Initially, we thought it was possible to go get the boy and return in September for her (she turned 3 on June 21st). So we and Kostya sat down and handwrote a document to request an appointment date in Sep and promise to return, he translated it and had it notarized. As Kostya was running back and forth trying to figure out the next step, my mind was racing with questions, we knew nothing about this girl, how healthy was she, etc?

Jennie and I prayed right there in the hallway for wisdom and direction. We were then informed that the Director actually wanted to talk to us, which is highly unusual. Our hearts and minds raced again as we went in to see her, she asked us if we understood the circumstances and if this was what we wanted, we did not hesitate to answer yes…and then it happened…they showed us the picture of her…a beautiful curly blonde doll baby of a girl! You could hear our hearts melt, the Lord had saved His best. Neither child had any major health issues other than common developmental issues from being in an orphanage. But because they will not separate siblings, we had to wait til September 1st.

Now we have to plan another trip to Kiev and then to their region of Donetsk, but we have seen their pictures, and we know! It’s heartbreaking to leave without them, but God’s timing is absolutely perfect and He will watch over them. Many more details than space, but I hope this update conveys just how special this day was!

1st Day in Kiev

Independence Day in America. The first ever we have missed with our own family. But let me take a moment to describe the hospitality that was shared with Jeff and me. We arrived after many hours of traveling. Our necks hurt a bit from wobbling on our necks as we fell asleep so much on the plane. Anna, Andre and Dennis met us at the airport waving an American flag. They had a sign painted by friends and gave us flowers. We drove through the city and they checked us into our apartment. It reminds me very much of our cottage days in Harrison on the inside. Very conducive to sleep once our heads hit the pillow around 10:00 Ukraine time.


Once in side a champaign toast and off to the country for dinner with Dennis’ parents and family. They told us they were taking us to their house in the country. Believe me, that was like being on an old country road in West Virginia. It was absolutely beautiful. A house built by Sasha and his wife Tatiana with gardens every where. They were all surrounded by rock and slate and some ornate tiles. One garden was fashioned after Stonehenge. Then we sat down to dinner. We toasted a lot and Lena, (babooshka) Sasha’s mother in law was very taken with Jeff. We did not understand until later when she shared through interpretation that he looked very much like her son who had paased away not too long ago. She was very sweet. Before she left she brought us each a very personal and special gift while blessing us. We arrived back here and slept till 9:00am today.

Today Anna, Andre and Lena came to visit before Kostya arrived. We finally feel “normal” today and it was nice to just relax and not feel like we had to get up and go somewhere immediately. I tried to make some tea that was here – it turned out tasting and looking more like spinach. Thank God for Anna – a saint who brought some coffee, water and snickers!!

When Kostya came we left our friends and family and went to the National Adoption Center to give our receipt from the Embassy. We got a peek at the Director and tried to act cool, calm, and collect. We were not fooling anyone – they all knew we were Americans. After that we went running around and did some errands. We actually had the opportunity to meet another family today and have lunch.

Last, we went through the train station to deliver a package to another family and get Kostya’s bag from the lockers. We returned and then found out the time for our appointment. It is at 12:30 tomorrow. Please pray for us – this is not a bad thing – but it means that 6 families will be ahead of us. God is in charge – I have to keep thinking that and keeping it in our hearts. Once we meet with the officials there we will know after choosing a child where and when we are going. Kostya thinks that we will leave Kiev most likely on Wednesday.

Kostya has been a great friend, too. We have been so fortunate to have family and him here with us. We know we have seen parts of the city and enjoyed wonderful hospitality that others do not. You can see from the pictures all the fun and sights we have seen. We pray that all is well with you all. We are setting up internet now and will have a phone number you can reach us at in the next few minutes (10:15 Ukraine time, 4:15 your time). We will miss all the festivities back home. Not to mention our two sons. It is not the same without you guys! But believe me, the walking and the many, many, stairs would be a reminder of Diamond Head in Hawaii – they don’t sell ukuleles here! (I am amazed that almost all women wear tiny high heal shoes with everything and can walk faster than we can!) We love you all! We miss you! I will try to update each day. Can’t wait to hear from you all. Paka!

Enroute to Kiev

Whew! We sit in DC waiting for our next plane ride to Frankfurt and then Kiev. What a bitter sweet departure we had yesterday. Left the dog at the kennel and I cried and cried. Then, we left both boys at my brother’s with a very teary and emotional departure. Hugs from mom and her husband and on to Raleigh. It was much harder than either Jeff and I ever imagined. Char, just so you know, my luggage was “just at the limit!” Thankfully, we did not have to unload any of Jeff’s extra stuff! How ironic!

I want to thank each of you for every thing you have done for Jeff and me and our family. When we began this journey we had no idea how many details would be taken care of by our family and friends. Thank you Mom and John and Dad and Sondra for all of your love and support. Thanks Rob and Olga for watching our precious treasures Justin and Jacob. And my sweet boys, how much our hearts miss you, yet thank you, too, for your excitement and anticipation of the future. We thank Char and Andy for all that you will take on in the future, and your desire to help us so much. Mary and Jason, we know the last couple weeks have been so difficult, despite it all, you have been so wonderful and supportive. Thank you, thank you! We have such treasures in our family tree. Every one of you we hold so very dear!

And for my dear friends who held such a thoughtful luncheon in honor of our journey. I hope that I was able to convey how very humbled I was at your well wishes, prayers and support. It was amazing and somewhat surreal to be the guest of honor at such a special occasion. Yet I know your thoughts were also set on the fact that we were embarking on something that He has in store for us.

Jeff and I both send our most sincere and genuine thanks to all of you. The phone calls and quick drop by’s in order to wish us well left us feeling so amazingly filled with exactly what we need for such a time as this. If we could only convey the enormous amount of gratitude we have. You all are in our thoughts and prayers – we ask the same! We love you! Xxxxxxooooo
We’ll update as soon as we can.