First Full Day in Ukraine

Kelly and I made it through our first full day here and kept pretty busy after a slow start!  The time change made it tough to sleep and even harder to wake up this morning.  We had breakfast and lunch in the apartment before going to our first appointment at the State Department of Adoptions.  The 2pm appointment went by rather quickly as Nastia, our translator, explained the documents we went through discussing Maria's history.  We then signed a sheet saying what our intentions are going forward so they can create a release for us to go to her orphanage.  After we finished with that, we walked around the area where many street vendors were selling arts, crafts and relics from the past.  The weather was fantastic today... in the low 80's and sunny making it a great day to walk through the city. 

After we returned to the apartment, we met up with another family that just finished the adoption process.  Patty, the Mom, is staying in the same apartment building as us tonight.  She just returned to Kiev with her two new twin daughters who are 15.  Patty joined us for dinner and gave us advise on different areas to visit in the city.  She stayed through the entire process and has been in Ukraine for five weeks - the last few alone as her husband had to fly back.  She actually speaks Russian and was very helpful to us ordering dinner!  It was great spending time with someone on the same journey and who has the same calling!  As happens many times in life, you realize that you are not alone in your motivations, fears and expectations!

 Picture #1 - Jamie and Nastia waiting outside the gates of the SDA.

 Picture #2 - St. Andrews - cathedral next to SDA building

 Picture #3 - Street vendors around SDA building

 Picture #4 - Kelly walking through the vendor area

 Picture #5 - View from top of street - typical buildings we have seen so far

Picture #6 - Kelly standing outside one of several outdoor cafe's.  We had a fruit juice box here...distributed by Pepsi!

We travel to Kherson by train (12 hours over night) to the orphanage tomorrow night.  We will start the process over there on Friday. 

We are missing our kids so much and are sending our love, hugs and kisses to them across the ocean.  We are so grateful for such wonderful friends who are staying at our house and taking great care of them.