Thursday, May 24, 2007

We're Here!!!!

Hi everyone... well we made it... all of the flights were wonderful.... great for someone who is a little hesitant to jump on an airplane. When we arrived in the Ukraine yesterday we were met by Galya who will be our facilitator... She is an amazing woman... she has a great wit and knows just how to keep me in check! We found out we were going to be able to stay the first night in an apartment with another couple from Louisville (Anita and Tom)who are also adopting and have been here a week... it was great to be able to talk with someone about the process for a while. Then Anita, Tonya (Anita and Tom's facilitator) and I went for a walk... a good stress relieving, work up a sweat kind of walk. Kenny and Tom stayed back and actually watched Ukranian TV...

We went to bed early to prepare for this morning... our appointment ended up being at 11 am Ukranian time, which would be 4 am Louisville time. I was nervous (and Kenny says he was a little bit nervous too!)as we got ready to go in but just decided to let go and trust a higher power. We were greeted by Tatiyana the translater who took us in to meet with Zarena the psycologist... we showed them the photo album we put together and they asked lots of questions and looked at every page... (Thank goodness Charlie and Todd's pictures were not in there!) then they asked us what type of child we were looking for... Zarena then said she had a child's file she had just gotten and she wanted to make a few calls to see if the child was at the orphanage as it stated.... after a few minutes, and lots of conversations we did not understand they explained they were going to start by showing us one file but if we wanted to see more we just had to ask... They then mentioned that the little BOY they were going to show us was about 4 1/2 years old... and that they thought he looked like Jake... they talked some more about him and his situation and then showed us his picture... and he DOES look like Jake... now the picture was taken 2 years ago... so who knows what he looks like now.... if all goes well we will meet him tomorrow to see if everything checks out... there might be some red tape around his situation, we will have more information in the next 24 hours or so... Keep the prayers up... they are working!!!!!! We are not sure where we will be staying yet... the orphanage is about 2 hours from Kiev... and we hear there might not be an internet cafe in that region.... but hope to be able to post again soon. Keep the messages and posts coming... we love hearing from you! All our love, K & S

22 comments:

Beaven said...

Hey I just checked the blog and it there was no word from you then I decided to find out what time it was in the Ukraine and it said about 3 pm and 86 degrees....hey maybe you all could lay out and get a tan!!!anyway...then it took me back to your blog and the new message appeared and I was so excited to hear you were safe and sound and were having a pretty good travel so far... So keep us posted as much as possible because everyone here is praying for you and thinking about you a ll constantly...love you guys Beaven

Theresa said...

Good morning and Shannon and Kenny! Just read your email Paige sent out. Glad to hear you are there safe and sound. How exciting about the little boy, I hope things go well with that. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Theresa

Dave and Mary Beth said...

Glad you made it! Sounds like everything is going well. We will keep Dad posted on your progress. We're looking forward to having Jake stay with us Saturday after the graduation party! Take care, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Dave and Mary Beth

paige fitzhugh said...

I am so glad to hear from you! I was worried! It sounds like all our hard work Monday paid off! The photo albumn led them to the perfect child for you guys....but if for some reason he's not the one (which I think he might be) he or she is there just waiting for parents as wonderful as you will be. I can't wait to hear what's next! Hugs and kisses Paige

jane said...

SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU MADE IT SAFE AND SOUND. YOUR MOM WAS A WRECK WONDERING ABOUT YOU, NOW SHE CAN REST EASY. GOOD LUCK IN FINDING JUST THE RIGHT CHILD FOR YOU AND KENNY,AND JAKE.
WE WILL BE KEEPING YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS AND EAGERLY AWAITING YOUR SAFE RETURN. LOVE YOU BOTH, NANNIE AND PAPA

Angie said...

Hey guys! Glad to hear that you have made it and everything is going smooth so far. Theresa and I will still work on getting you that picture of Todd and Charlie :) We are all thinking about you and can't wait to read what's next.

Phyllis said...

Tom & I are so excited.Really glad to finally have heard that you both were safe first off but a little boy that looks like Jake is GREAT.Tom and I will keep you both in our prayers and look forward to seeing you come home. Love Phyllis

Krista and Keith said...

Hey Shannon and Kenny. Was reading one of Paige's emails. Even though you can't have Olivia just wanted you to know that the little boy has the same birthday as Olivia, so maybe this was meant to be!!! You can call him Oliver!!! ha ha You are in our thoughts prayers!! Be safe!

Heather said...

Hey KZ & Shay Z! Glad to hear you guys have such great news to share! We will keep praying that everything continues to run as smoothly as the first two days. Can't wait to meet the new "Z" you bring home...hmm, guess I will have to start thinking up a nickname! Thinking of the Todd/Charlie picture, you know I could always email you a picture of JV doing the belly dance! I am sure that will REALLY impress the people of Kiev! Take care!! XXOO HV & JV

DP & Laura said...

What wonderful news about the little boy!! We are so glad you made it safe and sound. We are sure you will come home with the perfect child(ren - lol) be it a boy or girl. Relax/go with the flow and try not to get an ulcer. We are praying for you every day.
Love,
Danny & Laura

Melanie said...

i seriously got chills reading about your experience thus far and the possibility of bringing a new little boy home.

you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Suzanne Stewart said...

Hey guys,
I was glad Paige passed along this information. I have been thinking about you all since Tuesday. I will keep praying for you and checking in on the blog. Good luck! I am sure you all are on an emotional roller coaster. Hang in there!!!
Suzanne Stewart

Jennifer said...

I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes when I read your story! I am so excited and proud of you both for taking this journey together! Rick and I wish you luck. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Jen

tara said...

I am so glad you all are arrived safe and sound. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Can't wait to hear your updates. We hope things are going smoothly for you guys. Good luck!
Tara Gittings

Leslie & Shaune said...

shannon. thinking of you guys and excited for you. :) love reading about your journey. you are in my thoughts!

Leslie

Joanna Bolick said...

So glad you're there!! We're thinking of you!

Dona said...

So glad all is going well. Looking forward to all of your news. Be safe!
Dona Konermann

The Blake Family said...

Shannon and Kenny, Glad you made it there safe, got some rest, and are able to jump right into the process. Keep the Faith and know that God is watching over
you. He would not have led you on this journey if He didn't already have something in mind for you. Keep the faith. You will find a great child! You are in our prayers continously.

David, Suzanne, Austin and Aaron

candice said...

So glad that things are going well so far! I'm so excited for you. How amazing would it be to find a little boy that looks like Jake! Good luck to you!

Candice

Emily and Neil said...

ok I read this post the first day you arrived...but it has taken me this long to figure out how to respond, gotta get back to the real world. Anyway, so excited, I know this is going to work out. We are all having good feelings and thoughts. Stay safe and we love you!

melissa diekema said...

So glad you got there safely... hope everything is continuing to go well!!

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