Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Chapter 10 - Trains, Trains,Trains!

We arrived in Kiev around 8:30am.  We went to our flat to unload and then straight to the SDA.  We followed Serge straight upstairs got the referrel for Dennis and swapped out all of the other photos as well with the ones the SDA had.  Much, MUCH more quiet and only around 10 minuetes!  We talked with Serge for only a little while because he had to catch a plane.  Serge talked to ken about the dog bite and said he didnt need to go to London they have that stuff here to take care of.  We really didnt want to tell Serge what Russia and London were saying about Ukraine medicine.  Also what the young man who drove Ken to the clinic, who spoke english, said.  In fact this young man spent a few years in the US.  Serge told us that everyone in Ukraine knows about Ken.  Now I'm not sure if thats because of the dog bite or because Ken travels allot for work and always needs to know where the money is going, so he questions why they always need more money from us after paying 1/2 of what we owe for all four kids?  The other 1/2 is being paid after each court date.   A little thing came up right before we boarded the train from Odessa to Kiev where they wanted 650 more griva which is about 80 US dollars.  Not for the train ticket and not for the driver we understand all of that.  It was for the running they did one day to get a paper we needed!?  So Ken was just confused why this wasn't included in the fee we payed Serge.  No one could really explaine it but we had to catch our train so we just paid it.  We told them that they have to tell us before we only have 10 minuets to leave and they also have to tell families this right away if they owe money and what it is for not days later!
The same thing happend with our flat in Odessa, right when we are ready to leave they want more money!  It was only a couple of bucks but when you are living on peanut butter sandwhiches and walking and taking the trolley, that couple of bucks IS SO much more than you would think!  Don't be afraid to ASK the whats and whys!
The SDA was going to give us the referral for Dennis the same day so we came back at 4 to pick it up.  By 5 we were told that the head lady was in a meeting at no one was sure if she would be back in time to sign the papers.  It was us and 3 other families.  Six came around and we were all told to go home it wasnt going to happen.  So now we are waiting to get a call to go get the referral and then to the train for the 15 hour ride to meet Dennis!  We did ask about renting a car because we have so much traveling to do between the two regions.  We have to go down to Dennis then back to Odessa for court on Monday, then Dennis, then pick up kids, then Dennis, then Kiev.  They thought we were Crazy!!!  We had different facilitators and drivers all gathered around us saying No, No, No.  Okay, we were just trying to save a buck but if everyone is so against it I guess the train it will be!  We can't wait to meet Dennis and see what he is like!  Hope he is happy with who was picked to be his family!!!!

8 comments:

  1. Hello Guys,
    We just missed you in Kiev. Maybe we'll get to see you in Simferopol. We are hoping to head down there on Friday night. If you can, snap a few photos of Misha for us. We haven't had recent ones in almost a year, so we'd LOVE to see what he looks like now. Safe travels:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't wait to see some photos of Dennis, too! I hope that he is well and that you fall in love with each other right away!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow. You guys are BUSY! Can't wait to see pics of Dennis :)
    I think about you all the time and wonder what you are doing over there....
    Wish I was there bringing you know who home :)

    J~

    ReplyDelete
  4. *wink*

    hiya!

    I look forward to reading this entire blog when I get home tonight... i hope to keep in better touch but know that even though you may not hear from me every day, you and your family are in my thoughts (and for what it's worth) and prayers, wishing you good luck!

    ~gypsy

    ReplyDelete
  5. hang on and rely on that deep down love to carry you through!

    ReplyDelete
  6. We are praying that the right things are happening right now. Don't be afraid. These children need you.
    Hope you got to love Dennis today.
    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can't wait for updates on you sweet little one! Hi, Dennis!

    ReplyDelete
  8. on pins and needles here waiting to see your latest cutie~~~ hope things are going good for you guys :)

    ReplyDelete

About Me

I married my high school sweetheart 26 years ago. Ken and I and have ten of the greatest kids from different parts of the world. We are hoping to bring a few more kiddos home! Throughout the years in our adoption journeys it has made us want to bring some kind of hope to these kids. This blog will hopefully allow us the opportunity to advocate for some of the orphans in the world. Join us in our journeys and the day to day happenings in raising 10 kids.....and counting.