A nice weekend

We have had a nice weekend with Vicka. Saturday we went to the orphanage for the Valentine's Day party with Shane and Marilyn and the kids. We've been eating at the same restaurants we ate at last summer, mostly because we know how to order there. Sergey, our driver, has been acting as our translator when needed. He was also the one who drove us on that 4-hour round trip to Starribilsk last summer. He has an emotional stake in this adoption as well! Vicka is happy and at ease. We visited with Maxim some this weekend. His grandmother is always such a sweet hostess.

Still no interpol clearance. Hoping it will come by Wednesday.

Z

First Day in Lugansk

We got our referral yesterday. We arrived in Lugansk at 11:00 pm. We met with the inspector this morning and were at Bela by 10:00. All is well.

We had dinner with Shane and Marilyn and celebrated Vicka's 16th birthday which was the 6th.

SDA Appointment

The SDA appointment went well. We were asked how to explain how we knew Vicka and then we were read her file yet again. It was a good testimony to the girls in the SDA office to hear we were back after what happened last summer.


After the appointment, Gabe and I browsed the souvenirs. I was dying to have one of these Soviet style hats so Gabe obliged.


Then we had lunch with Sasha at Soho steakhouse and discussed what to do about Vitalik. We will pick up our referral tomorrow and take the 9:30 pm flight to Lugansk. We will be doing paperwork on Friday then decide at that point whether to wiat on the Interpol clearance here or at home.

SDA Appointment tomorrow

I made it to Kyiv with no trouble. Gabe and I enjoyed dinner at the Italian restaurant next to Fridays then walked around enjoying the snow. Its cold, but not unbearably.

I haven't seen Vitalik since arriving, but then again, neither has Gabe seen much of him. This has been the difficult part of this trip. The pull of the past on our son has been more than he could bear. Pray for him.

2nd Mission Finally Accomplished

The affidavit requesting the Interpol Clearance could only be filed on Monday. So it has been filed. Gabe said all the facilitators were there at the SDA waiting on clearances that had been promised this week for the families that are already there. The clearances were not yet available. It has been 2 weeks since they implemented this requirement so chances are we will not get our clearance within 2 weeks. Unless things improve, looks like we might be coming home to wait on the clearances and then going back for court.

First Mission Accomplished

Gabe and Vitalik made it to Kyiv. They flew through Atlanta and Paris. They say it is cold and snowing. They are staying across from the Mandarin Plaza as usual but in a different apartment. Gabe filed the I600 at the Embassy first thing. It had to be filed before Monday so we are good to go! Sasha will file the request for Interpol Clearance tomorrow.

The Journey has Begun

Gabe and Vitalik left today at noon. They will arrive in Kyiv tomorrow morning around 11:00. On Friday Sasha will file the affidavit requesting the Interpol clearance and Gabe will file the I600 at the Embassy. I will be leaving on Monday evening, arriving on Tuesday, to join them. Our SDA appointment is Wednesday morning. And I only have a million things to do before then! Prayers for Gabe and Vitalik this week will be GREATLY appreciated!