Saturday, June 13, 2009

Okay, I'll Admit It.......

I am a big baby when I think about having to travel alone to Ukraine to pick up Alexsey after the 10 day wait. John went last time to get Dennis so I told him I would go this time. Anyone interested in joining me?

Or, can I least get a pep talk from other Moms who have traveled alone to bring home their child?

Thanks!

36 comments:

sylsumida said...

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you on your journey to get your precious boy.

Stephanie @ Ralphcrew said...

Oh what an adventure! You will be fine. I remember reading Dennis's blog last year and wondering how on earth you could NOT be there to bring him home. LOL

I've been looking for an excuse to travel to Ukraine and I'd go in a heartbeat if Ruby was not still so tiny! I'll be covering you in prayer as you complete your journey to Alexsey.

Shari said...

I wish I could join you. Oh, how I wish I could. I will pray the Lord raises somebody up to go with you and if not we know that He is with you 100% of the time and will see you through! I am getting so excited for you!

Lyndi said...

I can't say that I will go with you, and I haven't gone yet myself, however, I am staying the whole time (making it one trip)and my husband is leaving after court. I've never travelled anywhere before, so if I can do it, you can do it!! Don't worry, you'll do great!

Michelle said...

i'm going steady medically at the moment... want me to ask my Mom if i can go?

Charissa said...

Maybe I shouldn't rub it in that my second trip got waived??? ha

Michelle said...

emailed you ;-)

Stephanie said...

If our Davis isn't home yet - and I had an extra plane ticket, I would totally go with you!!

But I'm sure you'll do just fine.

And whether you go by yourself or someone goes with you, you won't be TrUlY alone. Our prayers and a host of angels will be going with you! :-)

Jen said...

Oh, I sure wish I could go with you...not that you know me! haha. But you know what--you will do GREAT if you have to go alone--and on the way back, you sure won't be alone! When you go there the first time, notice anything that you might need help with and then you guys can figure out how to do it or how to get help--because you go first with John, right?

Sarah xoxo said...

I'd totally join you if I could! I absolutely LOVE Ukraine. The whole country, especially its orphans have totally stolen my heart from my trip in April and I just want to be back there ASAP.

I know you will be fine on your own though. What a great opportunity for you to bond with little Aleksey as you bring him home.

Anonymous said...

It will be okay. I have traveled to Russia 7 times during my adoption trips - and alone 5 of those times. It was scary every time, but at least you will be familiar with the area and with some of the people and ...honestly, that last trip is mostly tiring! It also is a great time for individual bonding with your child.

Molly said...

Oh man, if I didn't have work starting June 29th I would SO go with you!!!! seriously. that would basically make my year. lol

Anonymous said...

My husband would never let me go alone... Too dangerous.. Why don't you at lease take Rachel...

Denise

Erica H said...

I would so love to go!! I have been to Russia 4 times to pick up our kiddos but never to Ukraine..I miss the culture and all that comes with it!

I was in Russia for 28 days picking up our son...17 of those were by myself as my husband had to go home and take care of our other 3 children..I felt strong for doing it but having someone to share the adventure with would have been nice for sure. I think I would have got out and explored more.

erica

mason's mom said...

I was in Kazakhstan for 42 days by myself and, although I was homesick, I made it. You will do fine. Is taking Rachel back for the pick up out of the question?

Anonymous said...

Don't be afraid. Just be prepared. You can do some reading about how to handle travel alone as a woman. you are not the first to do it. And you CAN do it.
here is a blog with a lot of good info:
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/

can't wait to read about your adventure to get Aleksy!

Tina in CT said...

Anon,

Surprised at your comment about your husband's not "letting" you go alone. This is 2009.

I traveled around Europe by myself in 1970, the spring after I graduated from college.

Christine,

You will become familiar with the area when you and John go on your first trip and that will really be beneficial for when you go back. Once you have your son with you, the alone time for the two of you to get to know each other and bond will be wonderful and time will quickly pass.

Is it at all a possibility that your mother or MIL could go along with you?

Hope the time between now and your first trip is brief.

Tina

Unknown said...

it's possible that the Taborns will be going the same time you are, to Antoshka for Simon?

I've been "homesick" for Ukraine since our friends were here... we're talking about the possibility of a family trip next summer. Sounds impossible, but then so did going to get Mary in the first place and here she is. :)

praying for you & Aleksey

Leslie G said...

Christine,
I traveled back alone two summers ago to get our two children. I didn't really want to go by myself, but that's how it worked out. I was very nervous and scared at first, but ended up totally enjoying my trip. I was familiar with the area when I went back. The time alone with my children was good also.
I was really tired at the end of the trip. I left my money belt in my carry on luggage when I checked it into the airport on teh trip home. A VERY nice lady found my luggage for me. That was the worst thing that happened.
You will be fine. For some reason, the Lord knows this is what you need.....why? who knows. Rejoice and jump in with two feet. You will have a great time! :-) It's a growing opportunity.

Mary said...

I'd go with you in an instant, if I only had the money (I love Ukrainian folk music) :-) It'll probably be fine, though I do understand the hesitation to travel alone. Then again, you may find that "alone time" to be every relaxing :-D

Think of it this way: you get to go to a foreign country TWICE this year!

Missy said...

My fiance said he would love for me to go. If only I knew exactly when so I could get leave from work...I would say "TAKE ME...TAKE ME!!!"

MtnGirl said...

Christine, you are such a "strong" woman that I have NO doubt you will do great and enjoy your bonding time with Alexsey. I can't wait to hear all about your trips!

Shelley said...

I brought Xander home all on my own. This time, I'll be going on both trips to Bulgaria alone...unless someone volunteers to come along. I think that you'll find that it won't be as hard as you think. You're already familiar with the area and the whole adoption process.
Personally, I treasure the memories of those first few days of just me and Xander. I wasn't there when he was born, but I was there the day that he really got to start living his life. Walking out the orphanage gate with him is a moment I will always treasure. The fact that it's something that just he and I shared made it even sweeter.

Blessed Mom of Four AND More said...

I haven't travelled alone, but I can be praying! I am so excited that you are soon to be united with Alexsey. I love the photo of him in your last post, so precious.

I remember the anxious waiting for our Ellie, going through the summer at the beach, at the pool, at Walt Disney World, and missing her so bad it ached.

I pray he is soon in your arms,
Robbie

Carol G said...

Christine, You won't be travelling alone. Jesus will be with you totally every minute. He will sustain you and give you strength. Get all the information you need on your first trip...know where it might be easy or hard, pray, and let God do the rest. Also, you will have all of us praying for you every day and doing our part to help bring Alexsey home!!

Laurel said...

It will be outstanding bonding time for you and Alexsy! Plus, you'll have your facilitator with you most of the time. Being alone in Ukraine did not bother me (but being in Ukraine for so long did!!!) It's a growing experience. We always seem to experience God so much more when we step outside our comfort zone, and traveling there by yourself is certainly outside your normal comfort zone! You'll do great. Can't wait!!!

Missy said...

I've been to Russia four times alone to adopt. It's not so bad, and you've done this before and are familiar with it all. You can do it!!

(Plus, we might be there at the same time anyway!!)

Amy said...

Hey Christine....
If you were going in September-ish... I think that I would SOOOO go with you in a heartbeat! Keep me posted!

I just need a really good excuse to go back - at least my husband would have no problems since I could not bring home a child with me... he might question the reeeeeallly large suitcase with extra airholes... hehe!

Hugs!

Renata said...

I'll be praying for you. It's so exciting to think that you should have this precious boy in your arms soon!!!

Meredith said...

I agree, you'll be just fine! I was in Kramatorsk for 3 weeks on my own and brought the kids back to Kiev and a few of their appointments on my own. I didn't do the international flight solo, though... My dad joined me at that point. Not sure how I'd have managed 2 'infants' and the diaper bag/adoption paperwork/ stroller on my own through 3 flights. But I'm sure you'll do just fine with you and Aleksey, and who knows, maybe God has a plan already for you to have company! :)

adoptedthree said...

Hey Christine

I stayed in UA alone and traveled back alone. It was a great bonding experience for me and O! Tiring..check. Adventure..check
stroller needed..check
bringing home a new little boy worth every smile and tear...check

You will do great!

ashleyjnc said...

I thought one of your girls has saved to go? Wasn't that the purpose of the scarfs, bibs, etc?

junglemama said...

Hi Ashley,

Yes my daughter is going with us, but only on the first trip.

ashleyjnc said...

oh, yuck, don't blame you for wanting to be alone.

June Berger said...

I went to Vietnam alone. I had no experience with the language, country or culture and I did fine! I have no doubt you will have very little difficulties. All I did was use common sense and listened to my "gut feelings", I didn't have any problems. I of course had a wonderful facilitator and the hotel staff was always very helpful if I had questions or asked advice. You won't be alone, God will always be with you and all of your on line friends will be with you in prayer and spirit. It will be a good time of bonding for you two, it was for Anah and I.

Elena's Mom said...

You'll be fine, especially since you've been there before.
There are tons of single moms who stay in Kaz for 3 months at a time.
The hardest part is the flight home, but since Aleksey is an "older" child he will probably not scream the entire flight (like my daughter did :)
Good Luck!