Today marks our 24th day in Ukraine, it is also our 3rd day in our 10-day mandated waiting period - but who's counting? Each day is centered around our visits with Yan and each day we grow closer and closer. It is difficult to leave at the end of our visit and when we do, we talk about the day's visit on the ride back to the hotel, share observations (what went well - what didn't) and then talk about tomorrow's visit. Lately, we have been working on simple phrases and commands like "please hold my hand", "sit down", "are you hungry?", "go Birds", etc. It appears as though he is beginning to understand us or maybe it is the crude sign language system we've developed or a combination of the two. In any case, the three of us are really beginning to communicate which is really cool. You can't help but wonder what is going through his head. Every day we come to the Children's Home to visit. In addition to playing and getting lessons, we look at pictures of our home, dogs, family, and friends - but we always leave each night without him. He knows we are coming back but does he really understand that he will be leaving with us one of these days? It is impossible for us to know how he is interpreting all of this.
We are going to request a meeting with the Director of the Children's Home today to see if we can take Yan out to get him some clothes for our travel home. The children that are adopted literally leave the clothes on their backs behind them when they leave for other children to wear, and the adoptive parents understand that they are responsible for bringing a change of clothes for the child when they pick them up. The Director also promised to give us a name and a mailing address (in English) for the Children's Home. We will post it on the blog in the event any of you are interested in sending care packages of clothing. The Director indicated that they need shoes, pants and shirts of all sizes.
On another note, we want to thank Ford for his sports updates. Looks like the Pats are for real again this year. Let's hope the Birds get back to .500 tonight (they will). There is really nothing that I can say about Dallas that would be appropriate for this blog. And the Phils swept the Mets?! Ford did forget to mention one other important sports highlight from the weekend. The Marlton girl's Field Hockey team (8 year olds) beat a worthy opponent from Florence NJ. The final score was 1 - 0 and Maureen (one of the DGs) was the lone goal scorer. Way to go Mo - Mo!
It's good to see Yan's Babushkas are back and blogging.
Frank - Yan says "spaciba."
Maya - I didn't ever think I would get used to having cabbage at every meal. We also finally got our waitresses to give us coffee at the beginning of our meal even though it is traditionally served at the end of the meal in Ukraine.
Speed bumps are called "lying policeman"in Ukraine. Our driver (Alexander) loves the American term more and says the term "speed bump" and starts laughing every time he goes over one. There are a lot of fireworks set off at night. We miss real coffee and salads. Oh yea, and in case you haven't noticed, it is getting cold here - in the 40's at night!
We are hanging in there and can't wait to get home with Yan. Baka - K&M
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10 comments:
I am so glad to hear things are progressing. Mike , Ford wanted to know what you guys missed from home..Karen I will tell you Macy's is having a huge white sale, I have a 25% Coach from now until 9/23, and the Promenade will soon start to decorate for Christmas!! LOL- There is something for you!!
Really it sounds like parenthood is your focus, and it sounds like you are doing great with it! I love checking everyday, and hearing EVERY new thing Yan discovers, and you about him. Enjoy the rest of the time in Ukraine. Miss you and Love you- Eileen
Michael you are so good with words- truly- Chris and I were just talking about what Yan thinks when he goes tosleep at night. Chris said if he knew what a littery was, he woud know he was the jackpot winner with his new mom and dad- not to mention all his cousins!
40 degrees? Karen shopping? Just think Kar, your list is quite different this year and it is mid september! No worries though we can power shop like always.
Miss you and thinking of you always!
Karen and Mike,
Matthew saw the title of your post this morning and thought it was "Third down,and seven to go..." (He thinks you should fake the pass, and run a draw play.)
We were talking about Michael Yan at dinner last night. Colleen noted that, as exciting as it will be to begin his new life in America, he will probably miss his 'brothers and sisters' at the orphanage for awhile. Perhaps you could take pictures of them before you go, and he could write them letters from his new home?
Speaking of pictures... eh-hem. I agree that you guys are good with words, but have you ever heard the expression "a PICTURE is worth a thousand words?!" eh-hem... MORE PICURES PLEASE!!! (In Russian, I think the expression is "A lying policeman is worth a thousand cabbages.")
Come home soon,
The Lancaster Sheerins
Mike and Karen-
We can hardly believe you have been gone for 24 days!! We are sure it seems much longer to you than us. We are thrilled that your "communications" with Yan are getting better each day. Maya wants you to know that her daughter was six when they first came to the United States. Within six months, her English was just great - no problem. So know that easy communication with Yan is not so far away. Actually, Maya thinks it will be even faster for Yan because he will be surrounded by English all the time - whereas Maya's children were still speaking Russian at home.
We look forward to each update and think of you often.
Hiyas!! Yes it is Aunt Margie. I am sitting here checking my finances ( online no less} and thought I will write and possibly you will be able to read this. I had dinner at Maggie and Bobby's last night after a heartbreak loss of Danny's soccer team.{Great spaghetti and meatballs} anyway Maggie gave a blog lesson to Kate and me. You all are in my prayers everytime I think of you or talk about you I send a prayer up . The
pictures of Yan with you and Karen are tooo wonderful to behold and are on most refridgerators and computer screens. I can't wait to meet him and see him with both of you. Thank you Mike for my surprise birthday phone call,it ranks up there with my very best surprises. I was driving home from a weekend in Maryland with Aunt Sue and Wendy and new baby Ellis. Wendy and Wallid's new son was born on 9/5, so Sue drove up and I drove down.Please let Yan know that his G.reat A.unt M.argie works in a bakery so I can bring him lots of goodies. I can't believe you have been gone so long , all your blogs and pictures make the time so much shorter but now it seems like you all will never get here. by now you are thinking once G.A.M. gets on she doeas't stop. The short version I love you and miss you and am sooooooo excited and happy . Can't wait. Lots of love Aunt Margie
Karen and Mike:
I am glad things are moving smoothly. Today is Monday and I am at work, although it is busy, I always check email for updates. Yan must be thinking how lucky he is. He will learn very quickly as children are much faster than us. Today is was chilly in the morning and fall is here. By the time you return the trees will be changing. Enjoy the afternoon visits, the time should go quickly.
love,
susan and chris
Mike and Karen,
These will probably be the longest 7 days for the three of you. Yan sounds so excited, but I'm sure he has no idea how his life is going to change when you finally get to leave there with him.
I look forward to getting the address to the Children's Home so that I can send a care package. I can only imagine how happy the children will be to receive new clothing and shoes. To us it may seem like no big deal, but I have a feeling that they may feel a little differently about it.
Looking forward to the next update.
Take Care,
Julie
Hi from unseasonably chilly Marlton! So sorry, I taught mom and Margie "technical BLOG" but forgot the "BLOG etiquette" (25 lines or less! lol)follow-up class! She gives those Lancaster Sheerin's a run for the money! Who would've ever thought I WOULD be OUT-TALKED!!!
Anyway, We really love hearing all of the stories and updates, and Ned was right - LOVE the pictures!!! Don't know if they are harder to send, but we look forward to them. Although, we can't wait for the real thing! Hugs and kisses!
Timmins Gang
I am so glad that to hear that everything seems to be moving in the right direction. thank goodness. now that you have a 6 year old- you will be happ y to know that gymboree is having a 30% off sale and you get the gymbucks, (extra spending money for later on- I know how you like to have the extra spending $$$$$). Also, Talbots kids has some really cute clothes and Yan has Talbots written all over him! Auntie Laurie will be buying him a few outfits from there (once he becomes adjusted of course!)
anyway i miss you...
-pipes
the days must seem like months and you're so close to coming home with your child. we've yet to hear any word and all of our paperwork expires again for the 4th time soon. oh, this waiting is so painful, but your success is our hope.
all the best,
tracy and john
P.S. The Patriots...wasn't there some video camera thing? Maybe you didn't get that news in Ukraine ;-)
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