Ground Hog Days

One of our new friends who is adopting from the same orphanage termed the days waiting for your court appointment as "Ground Hog Days".  This was a movie with Bill Murray several years ago where everyday was the same for him and it happened to be ground hog day.  Our days are not quite that monotonous, but close enough the analogy is fitting!  Thank you Dave Funk for warning us!

We spent the morning Monday shopping at "Air-Mart".  This market was far bigger than we thought on our last visit.  You can buy anything from shoes, clothes, hardware, toys, bikes and anything Wal-mart might carry...but they only typically have one size or just one of each! 

Our trip to the orphanage was another frustrating one.  The language barrier continues to be 90% of our issue.  Maria's caretaker (who is great but new to the job) was having Maria complete her homework.  Kelly and I tried to stay out of the way until she was done, but Maria had no interest in completing it...so we sat and waited in the staircase outside the rooms during most our visit.  We finally left...her frustrated...we were frustrated... the caretaker frustrated.  We called Tanya and she explained that while we were there, the children are told they can spend time with "Mama and Papa" and do not have to do homework.  We think the new caretaker did not understand this process.  It wasn't until we left already that we fully understood Maria's frustration...she was told by her main caretaker that she did not have to do homework while we were there and we were making her complete it.  Tanya said she would go today, Wednesday, with us to straighten it out.  We are praying for a better day with her today.

We ate dinner last night with two other couples that are in town going through adoptions from the same orphanage.   We spent several hours talking and enjoying each other's stories.  It was a much needed break and pseudo therapy for all of us I think!  The United States never seemed so small as three couples who live in three different parts of the states felt like neighbors!

We did not hear from our kids at home until night time as they did not get a chance to call before school.  Brooke and Nicholas talked to us via skype right after school while Mark and Jake called the cell phone after Cross Country practice...they ran 2.8 miles yesterday!  Great job boys...sorry Mom and Dad were half asleep when we talked!

Today, Wednesday, September 14, would have been my oldest brother Ray's 52nd birthday.  The Lord took him unexpectedly last year.  My sister-in-law Patti, my nephews and my parents are in my prayers today.  We all miss my brother terribly and I am sad that he is not here with us to experience this journey.  Ray loved family and Maria will miss knowing Uncle Ray the way the other kids did.  We love you Bro and this day is for you!

Back to explore Air-Mart's offerings...

"where are the bling bling jeans??"

Maria took out the bubbles that we sent back with her during the summer...

Enough pictures Daddy!

Waiting on the stair case for homework to be completed

Trapped, delirious, and still waiting...

Still waiting...Kelly driven to drink from a bag...

Work out whenever, where ever...dips to kill time while still waiting...

Dinner with Kevin, Stephanie, Darci and Dave... Great fellowship eating unknown food!

We finalized our return trip home last night.  We fly back on Tuesday, 9/20 and arrive back into Atlanta at 4:05pm.  We will go straight to dinner to celebrate Mark's and Sandy's birthday.  Kelly will return to Ukraine on 9/27, if all goes as planned. to pick up Maria and have her home one week later.  God continues to work...