Happy Birthday V!!!

We finally got through and were able to talk to the girls today! It was really nice to hear their voices...it had been awhile. "V" answered the phone, and we got to wish her a Happy Birthday right away! We spoke to her for several minutes before she asked, "when are you coming to get us?" Its going to take a financial miracle, yet we told her we would try to do everything we possibly could do to get there soon. "V" seemed in good spirits, laughing and giggling at our attempts to speak Russian, and her own attempts to speak English. "V" told us that they are all doing well, that they won several more dance competitions, and that they recently returned from a three week summer camp in the mountains. We told "V" that we couldn't wait to see them dance someday!

In a slight commotion, the phone passed to "T," and we finally got to wish her a belated Happy Birthday! We couldn't get through to her on several occasions due to a "phone issue." I told "T" that on her next birthday, she will be old enough to drive a "machina!" Yikes. We explained our "status" to "T" and she asked if we'd be there in 2009 or 2010. We let the translator explain to her (again) that it is a long process, and that we are all hopeful for them to be home as soon as possible. I asked "T" if she had any good stories to tell from their trip to the mountains, but she only indicated that they had fun. She said the weather was nice (unlike last summer when it rained heavily), and that they did not see any animals. The background noise grew louder, and "I" took her turn on the phone.

"I" was very cute in telling us that she got to go to the mountains with her sisters for the first time! She, too, did not have any stories to tell but did mention that they saw a squirrel! We all laughed and recalled that "Squirrel" is "V's" nickname. I asked "I" what her nickname is, and she said she did not have one. So we called her "babatchka" (butterfly). "I" laughed and then told us that "T's" nickname is "Micky Mouse," which had us all laughing. I asked "I" if she had learned anymore English, and she replied (in English), "I am eleven."

We learned that our latest package did arrive, however (for some strange reason) they would not be getting the contents until September 1st. I'm still confused why that is, but we will call then to see how they like what we got them.

As I sit here tonight, I can only hope and dream that we can somehow figure out how to get them home. I really like those kids...they are good kids who really deserve a family. I know it is going to take an absolute miracle to get them here, but I really think now's the time to kick up our efforts and go for it.

I will post more later. Thank you all for reading :)

Happy Birthday "V"!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday T!

Happy Birthday T! We miss you and hope to talk to you soon! :)

"Santa Claus, Santa Claus."

I just spoke to the Girls! :)

Jen is traveling to Boston for work this week, but we felt it was important to call them asap to let them know we got their message. It was really nice to hear their voices, and on this call "I" stole the thunder and was quite the chatterbox!

T answered, and right away I asked how in the world she managed to call us the other night. She giggled and said she "just called from my phone." How thoughtful...i told her "Happy Holidays," and that she can call us anytime. When I asked how school is going, T replied she is doing well and that they are on vacation right now. School starts again on Monday. We asked T if she was learning English, and she said not too much, but that "I" is! The phone passed to "I."

"I" got on the phone and immediately said (in English), "Happy New Year!" We said 'hello,' "Happy New Year," and then "I" began telling us that it is snowy and cold where they are. She said she is doing well in school, even learning some English! "Dog, Cat, Fox, Boy, Girl, Dog." "I" continued to talk, and then she said that "her sisters" want to know "when are they coming?" The interpreter began to explain to her that we are in the process of completing paperwork and that we will be there ASAP. I told "I" than we will do everything we can to get there soon....hopefully by "Spring."

"I" continued to talk and laugh and demonstrate her "command" of her English vocabulary. I overheard "V" in the background "correcting" "I's" pronunciation of "boy," so "V" got on the phone and giggled when I told her not to worry too much about that word.

"V" sounded happy, and I told her that I saw photos of her from the other family that recently visited for their adoption. She remembered and said that "I" was in a few of the photos as well. We'll have to go back and take a closer look. "V" said she is doing well in school, but sometimes not so well studying after school. I told her to do her best. "V" told us they had a party for the holiday, and then they had another one "on their own." I asked if they danced and she said, "of course." "V" reminded us that they took first-place in a dance contest....i think that's the competition we already knew about, but we'll have to clarify that next week when we call.

The background noise then got loud, and "V" told me that "I" remembered what she wanted to tell me in English......"I" got back on the phone and began to sing (somewhat); "Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus is going to our town." It was pretty dang cute, especially the third or fourth rendition! :) Then, "I" said (in English): "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, 11. I can count to eleven." She "loosened up," and the English words continued to fly...."dog, cat. fox, girl, boy....." She was quite the character!

Finally, "T" got back on the phone and we explained our "paperwork status" to her, and that we will call again next week when Jen is home. I also mentioned that some "jeanseez" were on the way, and she giggled and said, "dah, dah dah!" I told "T" that we missed them and that we love them. I then passed along Jen's message to them, "ya teebeeahh loublu," and "T" said, "We love you too."

It was a very nice call, and I can't wait to "get the ball rolling."

The New Year Brings New Hope!

Happy New Year to All!

With so many uncertainties surrounding this adoption, I sat up late on New Year's day wondering how to proceed. Questions such as: How will we ever afford this adoption?, and: Would a Ukraine judge approve this adoption? ran through my head.

I asked GOD how we should proceed, knowing it is going to be an incredible financial challenge...among other things. I know it is going to take a miracle to bring the girls home, and it is going to be challenging once they finally get here, but I am confident they are worth all the effort! But how can we possibly even get the initial funding to do this? How can we even get the ball rolling? How can we get this done, especially in these difficult economic times? And at what point should we consider stopping....or could we ever stop?

I asked GOD for some guidance... for some sort of "sign."

"Give me a sign, Lord. What do we do? Guide us in the right direction," I asked outloud.

Nothing. I waited.

Nothing. I went to sleep.

The next morning I awoke and went to work. A few hours later, Jen called me and told me we got a phone message from last night. I recall, while I was asleep in "my chair" in front of the TV last night, the phone did ring and the answering machine pick up, but no one was there. I went to sleep for the night, but the next day Jen told me there was a message on the answering machine....and it was from the girls in Ukraine!!!!

When I got home from work, I immediately played the message. It was from either T or V (it was hard to tell). The cutest little voice on the other end said, "Hello Mama e Poppy, eta I..., V...., e T...." There was more greeting, a short message, and a cute "Bye" (in English).

The girls had called us!

We are so thrilled that they actually called us! How on earth they were able to manage an international call "home" I don't know, but getting that phone call and hearing that message was enough of a sign for me to never give up!

That evening we also went out for Chinese food...and as if we needed any more incentive, Jen's fortune cookie said something like "You Will Help Children In Need" and mine said something about soon taking "A Long Journey To A Distant Land."

New Year, New Hope, Same Dream.