Monday, August 3, 2009

Getting Alex in the Morning!

Today was a busy day! We did tons of running around getting all of the necessary paperwork like the court decree, new birth certificate, and Alex's passport. We had to drive to Slovansk first to get the birth certificate, and then drove all the way to Donetsk which is an hour and a half long ride each way. Not only was the car ride hot and bumpy--- but we had to change two flat tires too! But everything got done-- praise the Lord and we all ate at McDonald's afterwards! What a treat that was! Still.... I couldn't bring myself to buy ketchup so my fries were a little dry. But I washed them down with ice cold coca-cola.

Here is where we had our first flat tire changed.



This is where our driver changed our second flat tire on the side of the road.

Yes, men carry purses in Ukraine-- especially in the bigger cities like Donetsk.

On our drive we saw miles and miles of sunflowers. It was hard to believe that any country could eat so many seeds. Later, I found it the sunflower seeds are squeezed for their oil--- there are no olive trees in Ukraine.
Here we are driving back into Kramatorsk.

By the time we got back to our apartment it was too late to go and sign the paperwork so we could pick-up Alex----- but it is on our to-do list first thing in the morning! I am so excited! This is the very last night he will have to sleep in the orphanage--- the last time he will go without hugs, kisses, and prayers as he is tucked into bed.


This is also our last night in Kramatorsk--- and believe it or not--- I think I am going to miss this place. I am going to miss seeing all of the Mama kitties on our walk to Antoshka. I am going to miss watching all of the children playing outside. I am going to miss being able to buy ice-cream on any street corner in any one of the many kiosks.

I am going to miss people watching---- I still don't get why so many women wear heels here. I am going to miss a more simpler life.

I have promised myself that life is going to be different when I get home. I want to take the time to walk more......... to get the mail.......... to walk to my kids' bus stop........ to go around my neighborhood and meet more people. I want to complain less. If I have to drive to the doctor's office-- so what. My car is air conditioned and I am pretty sure that I have enough tread on my tires so that I won't get a flat. If I have to wash my fifth load of clothes that day--- big whoop--- I won't have to hang up all of the clothes to dry. If my son falls in the mud--- at least I know I will have hot water to give him a bath. I want to take more time to just visit with friends and family. Back in America I was always so busy-- yet I don't know what I was doing. Probably too much computer, too much worrying, too much planning, making way too big of a deal about anything and everything.

Wouldn't that be nice?

----Goodnight!

25 comments:

MtnGirl said...

I can't wait til you get home and can post pictures! I'm so glad tonight is Alex's last night in the orphanage and soon he'll be home with all of his siblings! Yes, we all should live a simpler life!

Tina in CT said...

What a long ordeal it's all been but the end is in sight. So glad that you will be picking up Alex in the morning and then he starts his new life as a Reed and part of the family. Wait until he sees the rest of the family.

I live in CT and still hang out clothes (weather permitting) from April into November. I only use my dryer during those months for my cotton clothes so they don't stretch out or need ironing. I love the feel and smell of clothes hung out on the line.

I'd be sad seeing all the stray cats.

Where we used to live summers, I walked several times a day for long walks with the dog or friends around the Point. I should walk around neighborhood more with my dog as it's good for both of us. With your living in a warm climate, people must always be outside and it's a good way to meet neighbors.

When do you take the train to Kiev to finalize everything and when do the 3 of you fly home?

Taylor said...

I cannot wait to see pics of Alex being home with his family, where he belongs!! I am so happy for you all, God is so good. :)

Milena said...

Wonderful news! I bet you can hardly wait until tomorrow morning! Be sure to take photos - and please share with us later! I'm so happy for you!

Terri said...

So glad you are going to get to bathe little Alex and tuck him into bed. Can't wait to get the update that you are bringing him home. What a little blessing! Hugs to you all!

Anonymous said...

I have been reading both blogs for quite awhile but haven't commented. I pray too, that all goes without major complications for your family. I am a bit older than you, but if I had to do it again...(raising my kids) I would love to have adopted...many! I cannot, so I went back to school as an adult and now I teach school.
Your new goals when you return are very good ones and important to remember. Once you get back here, this fast-paced world will be knocking at your door. Thanks to God, you have this experience to remind you that you don't need to answer to the world's knock every time.
You have an awesome family and your an awesome Mom. I am praying that you are able to tuck Alex in tonight and forever.
Also, I am in the Cental Valley in CA, too!!!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME! Congratulations. Blessings to you all.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you got all this done, what a load off! We had Mary with us for all that running, and though we were thrilled to have her, it was a hard LONG day of car riding and more car riding... how welcome the train ride to Kiev was that night, to stretch out and sleep.

Praising with you & still praying, too

laurietw said...

Thank you so much for sharing your blog! I totally relate to your post here. We adopted our son from the Donetsk region in late 2004 and we are hoping to return soon to find him a sibling. It is truly a life changing experience in so many ways. I am a better person for having spent four weeks in my son's homeland. Thank you again and congratulations. Laurie

Julie said...

Looks like we passed each other today! We were in Kramatorsk today to start our paperwork for Daisy and you were in Slovansk which is where we are staying. I would have loved to meet you! Wish we could have connected up. I had no idea that we were that close.

Rachel said...

Praying for your safe return to the US. :)

Heather Mattern said...

Woo Hoo, our prayers are with you!

Anonymous said...

Hi mommy,julia and alex how is it going i really miss you. i can't wait till you come home I love you guys so much. I Can't wait to see alex.Mommy you don't have to worry about any thing daddy has every thing under controle. And julia i miss you to julia I miss sleeping in your cozy bed.I can't wait I can't wait till you come home I love you guys so much including alex. I miss eating with you guys. love anna.

Unknown said...

Yea! Your journey has been wonderful. It will be great to know that Alex is in your arms forever, and even better when he is at home with you!

Chelley said...

Oh you are sooooooooo CLOSE!!!

Mummy McTavish said...

How wonderful to now be heading home with your precious boy!

Washer Mom Val said...

God bless you in your final days there and safe travels to you all. Good post - amen to the changes you'd like to embrace...I can relate. Was refreshing to read them and take them to heart as well.

Sara said...

Excellent post!

So happy that you are soon to be picking up Alex...

I would miss the ice cream too :-)

Kim said...

The words you say make me think. you are my inspiration to be a better person to my myself, and my loved ones. Thank you for that.

Anonymous said...

Yay!! I'm so happy for Alexsey...what a blessing this is! I will pray for a safe trip home for you guys and i'm also going to follow your plan for when you get home!! I will start tonight ;)
Safe travels!!

mommytoalot said...

Amen

Mike & Tara said...

So true - I think we came back to the US with the same attitude - and lost it over the last year and a half - it's nice to read this and remind myself of how I felt when we left UA.

:o)

Congratulations on picking up Alex!! (I'm a few posts behind) this is a wonderful day!

Audrey said...

Oh AMEN Christine! I always feel that way when I come home from my mission trips and somehow I let that feeling fade. Maybe we need an accountability group for 'moms that WILL slow down and APPRECIATE our blessed lives'. :) I especially relate to the walking more part - I know exactly what you mean.

Praying for your trip home - I'm so happy that you are almost done and headed back to the rest of your family!

Annie said...

You bring back what I miss about Russia....the sense of community - that you absolutely don't get in a car, and not even in tidy neighborhoods (or untidy ones like mine) where everyone is so darned self-sufficient. Not even the pleasure of petting the stray dog. Oh, no! No dogs allowed to run loose. No one sitting outside because everyone has air conditioning. Can't find that sense of place here no matter how you try.... not in a suburb, anyway.

Unknown said...

Those "purses" were called chauffeur bags in Hungary when I first moved there! They are super handy to carry one's ID book, (Or in the case of Hungary, ID book/card, address card, Social Security card, tax card, driver's licence, car registration card, the car's green card,) public transportation pass, or spare glasses.