Friday! Last day in Kiev
Friday morning we meet with Zhenia and the three other couples. We head to the medical clinic for check ups and blood work. We wait forever in a very crowded hall way. Then Anya, Tanya and I were called into a room where eye 'exams' were performed. They covered each eye and read three letters. It was marked they have 20/20 vision! Then Tanya gets an immunization and Anya gets blood drawn. Then we wait some more. Again we are called into another room and meet the doctor. Tanya cannot stop giggling and she can't look at the doctor because she is so shy! The doctor does an 'exam'. He tells me Tanya had her appendix removed. She had no scar when she removed her shirt. So confused? Then later he tells me she had a hernia operation. Not sure what to believe! After exams we go to the US Consulate to get their passports. After an agonizing 2 hour wait we are finished.
Outdoor Museum
This morning we meet with the other families, Veronica and Ira at 10am and head to the outdoor museum. It is at least 10 acres or more of village life in Ukraine. We first take the metro then a bus. It was about an hour and 15 minutes away. The day is partly cloudy and cool thankfully. Once there we had an issue with the lady at the counter. She did not believe us that all the kids were under 17! OMGoodness! So frustrating....anyway...
Once we pay more than we should have, we get a phone call from Zhenia saying he will be at our flat in 15 minutes to pick us up to take the girls for medical check ups and visas! What??? We told him where we were and we had just paid. I reminded him that he told us we would be doing this on Friday since the passports will not be ready until then. He said he got the passports on Wednesday. I asked why he did not let us know this so we could be prepared. Finally we come to an agreement we will enjoy the day and meet him at 8am on Friday.
We all get on a golf cart trolly and head out. It was amazing! The kids were not at interested but enjoyed the ride. Hopefully they will enjoy the pictures when they are older and realize this is there heritage. We saw houses inside and out with thatched roofs and the fireplace/oven in the middle to heat the entire house. We saw awesome windmills, beautiful flower gardens, fruit trees and vegatable gardens. We spent the entire day there. We loved it! The girls bought rings that had a Ukranian saying on them, I bought a handmade doll with traditional Ukrainian dress. She is so beautiful.
Once back and we get off the Metro we walk to a beautiful park with a restaurant in the middle. We enjoyed a nice dinner and then head for home. What a great day!
The Zoo!
Wednesday morning we get up early and meet Linda and her roommate. We head to the Metro aka subway. We meet Linda's friend Sasha there. The girls were in great moods and were happy to go! The Zoo was interesting. We saw animals we had never seen before and then some familiar ones. Linda got the Giraffe to stick his neck through the fence. The girls were so excited and tickled about this. Tanya was anxious to see the monkeys. We road the ferris wheel there. It was me and the girls together in one car and Linda and Alona, her roommate, in another. The view was amazing! As like every other place in Ukraine, fruit trees were all over the zoo. Plums, pears, apples and cherries. And just like every other tree, all the fruit was picked within reaching distance. Tanya was determined. The girl has an arm on her a
s good as any Texas Ranger! Wait! That's not saying much.....well the girl can throw! She pitched rocks into the trees and down came the apples. We make it to the monkeys which were all in cages. It was very sad sight to see. Especially the gorilla. Linda bit off pieces of the apples and through them into the cages. The girls were so amazed that the monkeys were sticking their hands out and catching the pieces! It was 6pm and the zoo was closing so we head home. Sasha drives us home in his newly acquired 1986 mini van. It was a fun ride! Linda, Alona and Sasha join us for pizza and fun! It was a really good day! Happy Girls!!!
Monday we got up late and just lazed around the flat. We get dressed and go for a bite to eat. We do some window shopping and walking around. We call Sue and Rebecca and go to their flat for a visit. We meet The Garvers from Alabama. They are here to adopt as well but just at the beginning stage. They are very nice and I have a nice chat with Terri! The kids are running all over silly as ever!!
We all walk over to TGI Friday's for dinner with everyone. It was a nice evening.
Tuesday is more of lazing around. We get dressed and head out. The girls were reluctant about going out but we encouraged them. We walk to the rainbow arch. I am sure it has a name but I dont know what it is. It over looks the river and the view is amazing. They have bumper cars there. We all hop on and Tanya gets so angry at Mark becaused he bumped her. She stops her car and refuses to go. Then she gives him a gesture! We get off and she is super angry. I told her she will apologize or we go home with no TV. All I can understand is "Zhenia" from both of them. When one gets angry they both get angry! I hand the phone to the both of them and told them they are welcome to call Zhenia if they want to. They both turn away and got quiet. I am so confused! I will be glad when we can communicate. Again I tell Tanya to say I'm sorry to Mark and I get no response. I know she understands what I am saying. Mark and I tell them we will go to the flat with no TV. They walk ahead of us all the way home. We get home and we are very hot. We all go into the kitchen and get a drink. The girls just stay in the kitchen. Zhenia had called us on the way back and said he would be over in 30 minutes. I tell the girls he will be over. Mark and I sit in the living room quietly. Mark starts pacing and said he is going in the kitchen to talk to Tanya. I stay in the living room. He comes back into the living room and tells me she said in English "I'm sorry"! ANNNNNDDDD gives him a hug! Wooo HOOOO!! "Houston, we have made contact!"
Zhenia comes over just to check on us. We have had problems with the A/C. Still doesn't work.
He stays for about 15 minutes.
We clean the flat a bit and prepare for the other two families to join us for a pancake feast. Mark makes the best pancakes so they brought fruit and jam to go along with them. We all watched iRobot.
After they all went home we go out for a walk to find a phone card for our phone. We ended up going on a nice long walk. The evenings are very cool and a nice break from the hot days. On our walk we meet a family from Washington DC who lives here in Kiev. They talked to us for quite a while. They told us of a few places the kids might enjoy doing. We will check with the other families tomorrow to see if they want to join us. Our walk was a good ending to a stressful day.
We all walk over to TGI Friday's for dinner with everyone. It was a nice evening.
Tuesday is more of lazing around. We get dressed and head out. The girls were reluctant about going out but we encouraged them. We walk to the rainbow arch. I am sure it has a name but I dont know what it is. It over looks the river and the view is amazing. They have bumper cars there. We all hop on and Tanya gets so angry at Mark becaused he bumped her. She stops her car and refuses to go. Then she gives him a gesture! We get off and she is super angry. I told her she will apologize or we go home with no TV. All I can understand is "Zhenia" from both of them. When one gets angry they both get angry! I hand the phone to the both of them and told them they are welcome to call Zhenia if they want to. They both turn away and got quiet. I am so confused! I will be glad when we can communicate. Again I tell Tanya to say I'm sorry to Mark and I get no response. I know she understands what I am saying. Mark and I tell them we will go to the flat with no TV. They walk ahead of us all the way home. We get home and we are very hot. We all go into the kitchen and get a drink. The girls just stay in the kitchen. Zhenia had called us on the way back and said he would be over in 30 minutes. I tell the girls he will be over. Mark and I sit in the living room quietly. Mark starts pacing and said he is going in the kitchen to talk to Tanya. I stay in the living room. He comes back into the living room and tells me she said in English "I'm sorry"! ANNNNNDDDD gives him a hug! Wooo HOOOO!! "Houston, we have made contact!"
Zhenia comes over just to check on us. We have had problems with the A/C. Still doesn't work.
He stays for about 15 minutes.
We clean the flat a bit and prepare for the other two families to join us for a pancake feast. Mark makes the best pancakes so they brought fruit and jam to go along with them. We all watched iRobot.
After they all went home we go out for a walk to find a phone card for our phone. We ended up going on a nice long walk. The evenings are very cool and a nice break from the hot days. On our walk we meet a family from Washington DC who lives here in Kiev. They talked to us for quite a while. They told us of a few places the kids might enjoy doing. We will check with the other families tomorrow to see if they want to join us. Our walk was a good ending to a stressful day.
First Time at Church as a family!
First things first. I cannot remember if I have blogged about this. So sorry if it is a repeat! Sometime while we were in Poltava, we were in a bus and Linda and Anya were talking. She told Linda to tell me she has decided to change her name to Annette! So once we get home and get their US birth certificates she will be officially Annette Grace Kapp.
Sunday morning we all get up. The girls are grumpy. I believe because they are in Kiev, not Poltava, one step closer to leaving Ukraine! It hurts to see their pain, anxiety and frustration. Anya wanted so badly to have a family. Reality is setting in and it's a very scary thing to the both of them. I wish I knew their thoughts and understood their emotions more. I also wish they knew how much we love them and we care about them!
We started getting ready for church. I was not about to make a fuss on what they chose to wear. Tanya picked out her fairly new shorts and shirt we bought her. I noticed she had a big rip in the bottom, so I showed it to her. She was upset they were ripped. She changed and appeared in a cute dress we bought her! I complimented how nice she looked and I got a smile! Anya dressed in nice jeans and a new t shirt we bought as well. They primped a bit longer than usual.
We meet Dara and she gets us to a taxi bus. We arrive at church. It's a very small congregation and very young. We meet two ladies from Austin Texas! There were two other American families as well. The service was very much like home. The music was nice and they played Wonderful Maker! It's nice to recognize something from home! All was in Russian. When the sermon started a young man sat behind us and the ladies from Texas and translated for us. It was a great sermon. He was teaching on the importance of a church family. I totally agree!! It was great to hear and to know what an awesome church family we have back home! We cannot endure this process without the love and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ!
As I sat there I realized this was the first time all four of us have been in church as an official
family! Very special day!
After the service was over we hung out a bit and met all of Dara and Katia's friends. Katia translated many phone calls for us. Sometimes when we called she was at church band practice. All the people at church knew about us from the phone calls! It was nice to put a face with the names! They invited us to hang out with them and have lunch and then tour a historical church.
We went home to change and met at the restaurant. The girls were excited because their were cute guys! Oh Boy! (We need a big baseball bat when we get home!) After lunch we walk to the Metro aka subway.
That was a neat experience! You get on an escalator that descends into the earth. Very steep and very fast. You cannot see the bottom from the top. If I had to guess, we descended at least 1/2 a mile or more. Then we wait on the subway. As it approaches it is going so fast. Katia warns us that as soon as the door opens you had better hop on quickly. All are on safely! It takes off like a speeding bullet!!! All I could think is were all gonna die!!!! AAAHHH! In a blink of an eye we are at our stop. Again we quickly exit.
We walk a good two miles to the church. This church was destroyed by the Russians who used it to store their artillary in it during WWII. It has been rebuilt. Inside the main church is part of the original church. The area is probably 10 acres in all and houses a monestary and catacomes as well. It over looks the left bank of the river and has an amazing rose garden. It was very
beautiful. Lots of steep hills covered with cobble stone. We spent a good two hours there.
Time to walk back. We pass a beautiful park with angel statues that are at the entrance. Ukraine has the most beautiful parks! The girls are super grumpy at this point because they are tired. We get back home and rest a bit then go out for dinner at McDonald's!!! It was a good day but we are soooo exhausted. We all go to bed early. (Before 11pm!)
Sunday morning we all get up. The girls are grumpy. I believe because they are in Kiev, not Poltava, one step closer to leaving Ukraine! It hurts to see their pain, anxiety and frustration. Anya wanted so badly to have a family. Reality is setting in and it's a very scary thing to the both of them. I wish I knew their thoughts and understood their emotions more. I also wish they knew how much we love them and we care about them!We started getting ready for church. I was not about to make a fuss on what they chose to wear. Tanya picked out her fairly new shorts and shirt we bought her. I noticed she had a big rip in the bottom, so I showed it to her. She was upset they were ripped. She changed and appeared in a cute dress we bought her! I complimented how nice she looked and I got a smile! Anya dressed in nice jeans and a new t shirt we bought as well. They primped a bit longer than usual.
We meet Dara and she gets us to a taxi bus. We arrive at church. It's a very small congregation and very young. We meet two ladies from Austin Texas! There were two other American families as well. The service was very much like home. The music was nice and they played Wonderful Maker! It's nice to recognize something from home! All was in Russian. When the sermon started a young man sat behind us and the ladies from Texas and translated for us. It was a great sermon. He was teaching on the importance of a church family. I totally agree!! It was great to hear and to know what an awesome church family we have back home! We cannot endure this process without the love and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ!
As I sat there I realized this was the first time all four of us have been in church as an official
family! Very special day!After the service was over we hung out a bit and met all of Dara and Katia's friends. Katia translated many phone calls for us. Sometimes when we called she was at church band practice. All the people at church knew about us from the phone calls! It was nice to put a face with the names! They invited us to hang out with them and have lunch and then tour a historical church.
We went home to change and met at the restaurant. The girls were excited because their were cute guys! Oh Boy! (We need a big baseball bat when we get home!) After lunch we walk to the Metro aka subway.
That was a neat experience! You get on an escalator that descends into the earth. Very steep and very fast. You cannot see the bottom from the top. If I had to guess, we descended at least 1/2 a mile or more. Then we wait on the subway. As it approaches it is going so fast. Katia warns us that as soon as the door opens you had better hop on quickly. All are on safely! It takes off like a speeding bullet!!! All I could think is were all gonna die!!!! AAAHHH! In a blink of an eye we are at our stop. Again we quickly exit.We walk a good two miles to the church. This church was destroyed by the Russians who used it to store their artillary in it during WWII. It has been rebuilt. Inside the main church is part of the original church. The area is probably 10 acres in all and houses a monestary and catacomes as well. It over looks the left bank of the river and has an amazing rose garden. It was very
beautiful. Lots of steep hills covered with cobble stone. We spent a good two hours there.Time to walk back. We pass a beautiful park with angel statues that are at the entrance. Ukraine has the most beautiful parks! The girls are super grumpy at this point because they are tired. We get back home and rest a bit then go out for dinner at McDonald's!!! It was a good day but we are soooo exhausted. We all go to bed early. (Before 11pm!)
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday!
Wednesday
Another day of hurry up and wait! We still have more documents to sign today for passports. We are to meet Zhenia at 3:30. Anthony and Mark really wanted to experience the out market. It is very much like a flea market or for those of you who know...Trader's Village. It was quite the experience! Rebecca, Artuem, Linda, Me and the girls plus their friends head to the clothes area while Mark and Anthony went to the food area. Tanya hangs a bit with me and finds a guitar shaped purse. She wants it really bad. She asks about it and finds that it is 265 grivna...about $34. Her eyes bugged out when the lady told her then she looked at me with defeat realizing it was too expensive. We continue on and see the same purse in other places. We have caught up with Linda while looking at the purse in another area. Linda haggles with the lady and we get 15 grivna off. Tanya again looks to me as if to say 'it's cheaper and I want it bad'. I smile and give her the grivna to buy it. She is so happy!!
Meanwhile, Anya is looking for flip flops! She finds a pair she likes and again she thinks it to be to much money. We go from area to area finding the same flip flops. Instead of looking to Linda to haggle with them, she does it herself! She went back and forth between two different areas and finally feels good about the price offered! Wow! I couldn't wait to tell Mark! I told her she is a true Kapp now! She knows how to bargin hunt! She laughs and smiles big!
We bought a few more things for the girls and each time they say 'spa-ce-ba balshoy' aka a big thank you! They always say thank you even when we buy them an ice cream! We met up with everyone and ate lunch then all of us went to the food market. It was like the farmer's market for us. Sweet babooshkas were selling homemade meat and vegtable fried pies. All the kids saw this and begged for one. Pies for everyone! Just after lunch! Wow these kids can eat! We bought some yummy peaches, dried fruit and lollipops for all!
We still had a couple of hours before we meet with Zhenia so all the kids, Linda and I went to the Concord Mall and watched the new Harry Potter Movie! It was a nice nap time for me! I couldn't understand anything except that Dombledorf dies! Oh No! Hope I didn't ruin the movie for anyone! LOL!
After the movie we briskly walk about 2 miles to our flat. Irene was there with Mark waiting on me. We had to be at the passport office at 4pm. It was only 3:37 and the passport office is 10 minute drive away. Mark said Zhenia was upset that we were late. ????? We totally make it on time only to wait some more! We sign the birth certificates and wait some more then sign some more documents!
Back at the flat the kids were hungry so it was pizza for all!!! We walk with Rebecca, Artuem, Linda, the girls and their three friends, Mark and I to the pizza place around the corner. I lost count at 7 pizzas. All were stuffed and it was back home for showers and yet another movie.
Thursday
It is Anthony's last day in Poltava! His time with us went so fast! We were to meet Zhenia again today at 4pm. We sat around the apartment and Louda and Anna, friends of Anya's, wanted me to make them over. It was fun! I tried to get Anya to let me make her over. No way she said! Mark left with Linda to go to the train station to get tickets for us to go to Kiev on Saturday. The kids plus Anthony were bored so all nine of us decided to take a walk to the orphanage. About a 1/4 of the way there we stopped for ice cream and soda. I called Zhenia at this point to check the time of our meeting and let him know where we are going. He said to enjoy! We continue our walk and I got to show Anthony the park where I spent the first day with the girls! We were then on the road that leads to the orphanage and Irene and Zhenia drive by in a taxi, waving and smiling. We arrive at the orphanage and look around a bit outside. We go inside and make it into the wash room when the kids say the director is here and wants to say hello. I say hi and introduce Anthony. She looks perplexed and very upset. We leave immediately. When just outside the gate the director pulls up in her car. Anthony and I are about 20 feet ahead of the kids. The director has the driver turn off the car and she chats with the kids and as she drives away I try to wave but she has a very upset look on her face. I am so confused. About 1/2 way back to the flat we get a frantic call from Zhenia telling us to immediately go back to the flat. Director is upset that so many kids are away from camp and with Americans. I feel bad that I have caused such a disturbance but had no clue of any issues with this! Apparently if the other kids are seen with us it would not be good for the director. Her job is still on the line regarding all the American adoptions. It makes no sense to me!
We meet with Zhenia, sign more papers then back to the flat. We send all the friends off to the camp via taxi and just our family goes to Khazachok Restaurant for a last meal with Anthony. The girls are funny and silly on our walk to the restaurant. At the restaurant, we were trying to remember the word for potatoe pancakes. The girls were trying to trick us into saying it the wrong way. The waiter was laughing at us! It was a nice dinner.
We walk back to the flat, get Anthony's things and meet with two taxi's and Linda to head to the train station. The girls want only Anthony to ride with them in one cab. They love him so much. I love that! We say our good byes.
Friday,
The girls begged to go back to camp the day before so we have decided to let them go on the train and they have agreed to be back at 4pm. The get up early and rush out the door but come back about 30 minutes later. They have missed the train. Luckily Linda was just about to leave to take Artuem to the camp so they got a ride with her. Mark and I packed and cleaned. 4:15 rolls around and no girls. Linda has arranged for paint ball for all the kids. We call the girls and cannot reach them. I have Sue's daughter call friends and they are still out at the camp. Zhenia was counting on them being back as well so he could get a photo of them for their documents. I called Zhenia to tell them there is no train to bring them back until 8pm. He agrees to go and get them by taxi. When the arrive Anya is very upset. She wanted to stay longer with her friends. We go with taxi driver and Zhenia to go eat and the mood lightened up after that. We get home and pack up the rest of our things and it is off to bed.
Saturday
6am we all get up and get ready to leave for Kiev. The landlord arrives at 6:30 to finalize our bill and collect the key. 7am taxi arrives and we are off to the train station. The girl's brother is meeting us there to say good bye. When we arrive he is there with an older woman and another man. It's their grandmother and their mother's brother. Wow! I was not expecting to meet them. I had asked Anya several times if she wanted us to meet them or her mother and she said no. She told Linda about her mother and did not want us to meet her. The grandmother is so sweet. She brought us apples for the trip. She cries as she hugs me and kisses me several times on the cheek. She is happy for the girls but sooo sad that they are leaving. I give her our address and promise to keep in touch. She talks to us a bit about their mom and apologizes for not being able to care for them. She tells us that the girls were very excited after they returned home at Christmas. They showed her all the pictures. She tells us she knows we are good people and will take good care of them. She hugs me and holds my hand the entire time while waiting on the train. It was a very difficult thing to endure. Part of me felt horrible for taking the girls from her. It was obvious she loves them very much but has no means to care for them.
The train arrives and it is time to board. All three families and allllll the endless luggage was quite an ordeal to load. All of our taxi drivers stayed with us to see us off. We had become good friends with them. They were all kind to help the guys load the luggage. One last hug to the grandmother then their brother hugged me tightly and kissed me on the cheek and said good luck in english. I was fighting back the intense lump in my throat at this point. We get all the luggage setteled in the train compartments and Mark and I sit alone. He held me while I let it out and cried!!! Linda came into our compartment and just sat with me and hugged me too! I told her I did not want the girls so see me so upset. About that time Tanya came around the corner and Linda got her and took her to another compartment. I finally dried my eyes, put on some make up and a happy face!
Several times Anya has said she wants to just stay in Poltava. Not meaning she doesn't want to be adopted. She is having a real hard time leaving her friends. Anger and defiance is how they both handle tough emotions. We arrive in Kiev and it is a huge hassle with many stairs to get to the taxi with all the dang luggage!! All the families are trying to get the kids to participate in helping and well....just isn't happening. We finally load the van and get to our flat. It's a very large flat. Older one, as most affordable ones are in Kiev. We are just across the street from McDonald's on Independence Square. The girls are very mopy, sad and tired. We get settled then meet the others for lunch and a walk in Kiev. We come across a haunted house and all the kids, Linda and Mark go in. Mommas stay outside and wait. They all come out and said it was very scary and then were laughing at Mark because he screamed so much. Pretty funny! We go back to the flat after a couple of hours of site seeing and all of us take a much needed nap. We get up late eat a bit and watch some tv, shower, then it was back to bed.
Sunday we plan to go to church with Katia and Dara!
Another day of hurry up and wait! We still have more documents to sign today for passports. We are to meet Zhenia at 3:30. Anthony and Mark really wanted to experience the out market. It is very much like a flea market or for those of you who know...Trader's Village. It was quite the experience! Rebecca, Artuem, Linda, Me and the girls plus their friends head to the clothes area while Mark and Anthony went to the food area. Tanya hangs a bit with me and finds a guitar shaped purse. She wants it really bad. She asks about it and finds that it is 265 grivna...about $34. Her eyes bugged out when the lady told her then she looked at me with defeat realizing it was too expensive. We continue on and see the same purse in other places. We have caught up with Linda while looking at the purse in another area. Linda haggles with the lady and we get 15 grivna off. Tanya again looks to me as if to say 'it's cheaper and I want it bad'. I smile and give her the grivna to buy it. She is so happy!!
Meanwhile, Anya is looking for flip flops! She finds a pair she likes and again she thinks it to be to much money. We go from area to area finding the same flip flops. Instead of looking to Linda to haggle with them, she does it herself! She went back and forth between two different areas and finally feels good about the price offered! Wow! I couldn't wait to tell Mark! I told her she is a true Kapp now! She knows how to bargin hunt! She laughs and smiles big!
We bought a few more things for the girls and each time they say 'spa-ce-ba balshoy' aka a big thank you! They always say thank you even when we buy them an ice cream! We met up with everyone and ate lunch then all of us went to the food market. It was like the farmer's market for us. Sweet babooshkas were selling homemade meat and vegtable fried pies. All the kids saw this and begged for one. Pies for everyone! Just after lunch! Wow these kids can eat! We bought some yummy peaches, dried fruit and lollipops for all!
We still had a couple of hours before we meet with Zhenia so all the kids, Linda and I went to the Concord Mall and watched the new Harry Potter Movie! It was a nice nap time for me! I couldn't understand anything except that Dombledorf dies! Oh No! Hope I didn't ruin the movie for anyone! LOL!
After the movie we briskly walk about 2 miles to our flat. Irene was there with Mark waiting on me. We had to be at the passport office at 4pm. It was only 3:37 and the passport office is 10 minute drive away. Mark said Zhenia was upset that we were late. ????? We totally make it on time only to wait some more! We sign the birth certificates and wait some more then sign some more documents!
Back at the flat the kids were hungry so it was pizza for all!!! We walk with Rebecca, Artuem, Linda, the girls and their three friends, Mark and I to the pizza place around the corner. I lost count at 7 pizzas. All were stuffed and it was back home for showers and yet another movie.
Thursday
It is Anthony's last day in Poltava! His time with us went so fast! We were to meet Zhenia again today at 4pm. We sat around the apartment and Louda and Anna, friends of Anya's, wanted me to make them over. It was fun! I tried to get Anya to let me make her over. No way she said! Mark left with Linda to go to the train station to get tickets for us to go to Kiev on Saturday. The kids plus Anthony were bored so all nine of us decided to take a walk to the orphanage. About a 1/4 of the way there we stopped for ice cream and soda. I called Zhenia at this point to check the time of our meeting and let him know where we are going. He said to enjoy! We continue our walk and I got to show Anthony the park where I spent the first day with the girls! We were then on the road that leads to the orphanage and Irene and Zhenia drive by in a taxi, waving and smiling. We arrive at the orphanage and look around a bit outside. We go inside and make it into the wash room when the kids say the director is here and wants to say hello. I say hi and introduce Anthony. She looks perplexed and very upset. We leave immediately. When just outside the gate the director pulls up in her car. Anthony and I are about 20 feet ahead of the kids. The director has the driver turn off the car and she chats with the kids and as she drives away I try to wave but she has a very upset look on her face. I am so confused. About 1/2 way back to the flat we get a frantic call from Zhenia telling us to immediately go back to the flat. Director is upset that so many kids are away from camp and with Americans. I feel bad that I have caused such a disturbance but had no clue of any issues with this! Apparently if the other kids are seen with us it would not be good for the director. Her job is still on the line regarding all the American adoptions. It makes no sense to me!
We meet with Zhenia, sign more papers then back to the flat. We send all the friends off to the camp via taxi and just our family goes to Khazachok Restaurant for a last meal with Anthony. The girls are funny and silly on our walk to the restaurant. At the restaurant, we were trying to remember the word for potatoe pancakes. The girls were trying to trick us into saying it the wrong way. The waiter was laughing at us! It was a nice dinner.
We walk back to the flat, get Anthony's things and meet with two taxi's and Linda to head to the train station. The girls want only Anthony to ride with them in one cab. They love him so much. I love that! We say our good byes.
Friday,
The girls begged to go back to camp the day before so we have decided to let them go on the train and they have agreed to be back at 4pm. The get up early and rush out the door but come back about 30 minutes later. They have missed the train. Luckily Linda was just about to leave to take Artuem to the camp so they got a ride with her. Mark and I packed and cleaned. 4:15 rolls around and no girls. Linda has arranged for paint ball for all the kids. We call the girls and cannot reach them. I have Sue's daughter call friends and they are still out at the camp. Zhenia was counting on them being back as well so he could get a photo of them for their documents. I called Zhenia to tell them there is no train to bring them back until 8pm. He agrees to go and get them by taxi. When the arrive Anya is very upset. She wanted to stay longer with her friends. We go with taxi driver and Zhenia to go eat and the mood lightened up after that. We get home and pack up the rest of our things and it is off to bed.
Saturday
6am we all get up and get ready to leave for Kiev. The landlord arrives at 6:30 to finalize our bill and collect the key. 7am taxi arrives and we are off to the train station. The girl's brother is meeting us there to say good bye. When we arrive he is there with an older woman and another man. It's their grandmother and their mother's brother. Wow! I was not expecting to meet them. I had asked Anya several times if she wanted us to meet them or her mother and she said no. She told Linda about her mother and did not want us to meet her. The grandmother is so sweet. She brought us apples for the trip. She cries as she hugs me and kisses me several times on the cheek. She is happy for the girls but sooo sad that they are leaving. I give her our address and promise to keep in touch. She talks to us a bit about their mom and apologizes for not being able to care for them. She tells us that the girls were very excited after they returned home at Christmas. They showed her all the pictures. She tells us she knows we are good people and will take good care of them. She hugs me and holds my hand the entire time while waiting on the train. It was a very difficult thing to endure. Part of me felt horrible for taking the girls from her. It was obvious she loves them very much but has no means to care for them.
The train arrives and it is time to board. All three families and allllll the endless luggage was quite an ordeal to load. All of our taxi drivers stayed with us to see us off. We had become good friends with them. They were all kind to help the guys load the luggage. One last hug to the grandmother then their brother hugged me tightly and kissed me on the cheek and said good luck in english. I was fighting back the intense lump in my throat at this point. We get all the luggage setteled in the train compartments and Mark and I sit alone. He held me while I let it out and cried!!! Linda came into our compartment and just sat with me and hugged me too! I told her I did not want the girls so see me so upset. About that time Tanya came around the corner and Linda got her and took her to another compartment. I finally dried my eyes, put on some make up and a happy face!
Several times Anya has said she wants to just stay in Poltava. Not meaning she doesn't want to be adopted. She is having a real hard time leaving her friends. Anger and defiance is how they both handle tough emotions. We arrive in Kiev and it is a huge hassle with many stairs to get to the taxi with all the dang luggage!! All the families are trying to get the kids to participate in helping and well....just isn't happening. We finally load the van and get to our flat. It's a very large flat. Older one, as most affordable ones are in Kiev. We are just across the street from McDonald's on Independence Square. The girls are very mopy, sad and tired. We get settled then meet the others for lunch and a walk in Kiev. We come across a haunted house and all the kids, Linda and Mark go in. Mommas stay outside and wait. They all come out and said it was very scary and then were laughing at Mark because he screamed so much. Pretty funny! We go back to the flat after a couple of hours of site seeing and all of us take a much needed nap. We get up late eat a bit and watch some tv, shower, then it was back to bed.
Sunday we plan to go to church with Katia and Dara!
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