Fourth Visit

Today we met with the kids without Zhenia.  He had to go back to Kiev yesterday for some paperwork (we're not clear if it was for us or for another family).  So we were a bit nervous about flying without a net (translator), but we did fine.  We remembered the backpack, so we had the coloring books, soccer ball, snacks, etc. Game Boy met us at the door with smiles and a hug for Cliff.  We went to the same open area as before.  We talked a bit waiting for Giggles to arrive - she always makes an entrance!

Once Giggles arrived, we got down to the business of playing.  Cliff and Game Boy wrestled a bit.  Game Boy went back to his room to get a toy truck to show us.  A friend came by with cookies for each child.  Giggles insisted on sharing with us (we are gluten free but decided to eat the tiny pieces that she wanted to share).  We all played Uno together (Giggles and I made a good team, but she doesn't quite get the rules yet).  We colored, did puzzles, and played soccer (until we got in "trouble").  Giggles did some more camera work.

We got a bit miffed about 30 min into the visit when Game Boy asked to call Zhenia.  We didn't know why but thought it couldn't hurt.  He had his conversation and came back to play.  Some friends stopped by and he sort of introduced us and showed off a bit.

For snacks we brought bananas, apples, and candy bars (forgot the juice).  Giggles likes bananas, and I gave her a Ukrainian chocolate covered wafer cookie.  She ended up with a chocolate ring around her mouth, but she thoroughly enjoyed it.  Game Boy (and Emma and Vivian) got Snickers.  I tried to collect the wrapper to throw away, but he said, "Not trash" and took it from me to show his friends later.

A few of their friends came and played with us, too.  Puzzles and coloring.  They seemed pleased to be included.

Toward the end of our visit, Game Boy asked to call Zhenia again (actually, I think he had the phone, had watched Cliff call before, and dialed Zhenia as he asked for permission).  They spoke briefly and then he passed the phone to me.  Zhenia told me that Game Boy asked when we were going to take them home with us.  I didn't know what to say.  I don't think it totally registered at first.  So I told Zhenia that he was in a better position to tell him when.  I passed the phone back to Game Boy.  They spoke a bit more.  He seemed satisfied and that was that.

When we got back to the flat, Zhenia called and talked with Cliff.  Apparently the first call from Game Boy was to ask Zhenia if we brought any gifts today (that is very important in orphan culture).  We left the Hot Wheels coloring book, the colored pencils, a Phineas and Ferb activity book, and the soccer ball with him, so I think we passed on that account.  Plus he had the Snickers wrapper.  The second call was as stated above.  Zhenia asked what we thought and should we proceed.  Cliff said proceed.

So now we have a lot of paperwork to get done tomorrow to make this adoption work.  Zhenia will be back tomorrow to get this done and then back on the train to Kiev to file the papers with the SDA on Wednesday and get their papers to register with the court.  They have 5 days to get back to us.  We hope to have the SDA papers on Monday and court on Tuesday.  Then we can come home.  We won't have the kids with us, but we can come home for the waiting period, Cliff can make it to his Board meeting, and we can start preparing our house for 3 new kids instead of 1.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers!