Artem's Adventure

Getting Back in the Swing

2011-04-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

How long can you go without writing on your blog... That was a test. A long time I think. The longer you stay away from it the harder it is to begin writing again. We have been overwhelmed with love and support in this short time Artem has been home. And Artem has already grown and changed so much, mostly for the better. We have been home seven weeks today from Ukraine. This time has been a crazy time of getting to know each other, doctor's appointments, play groups, development assessments, more paperwork, ohh and then just learning how to be parents. Artem has been quite the trooper through it all and continues to amaze us everyday. We have all gone back to work, so life has gotten a little busy, but Artem is doing great in his Mother's Day Out class and with his Grammy and Papaw, who he loves.
Last night he got a tissue out of the tissue box and started blowing his nose and laughing. He really is amazing and catches on to everything so quickly. The First Steps coordinator came to our house this week to do Artem's assessment, and he just amazed us one developmental toy after another. He may only be eligible for speech...
Today we made our first trip to the playground for a picnic and some sliding. Artem has no fear. He wants to go down all the slides, even the huge ones and he will do it himself.

We had some family pictures taken, which was fun. That was the first time we had done that with a 2 year old. But they turned out great. Its really hard for Artem to not look cute, so I knew they would.

A Home for Andrey S. (14)

2011-03-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

Artem and I are going to try to find Andrey's family. We know they are out there somewhere...
This blog is also advocating for him, check it out.

http://psalmsixtyeight.blogspot.com

Home Sweet Home!

2011-02-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

We finally made it home! I know everyone may have been thinking that we were lost somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, but we made it. Artem is the best plane partner. He sat on the plane and giggled for hour after hour. It was amazing. The stewardess thought he was amazing. He is doing great. He eats everything, he is drinking juice and water great, and sleeping like a champ. Its like he has always been here. He went to church on Sunday, sat through the service with us and did great.
He has conquered the bathtub with the help of his cousin Brayden who was here over the weekend. Brayden got in and started playing and that was all it took. Now Artem is crazy about the bath. He wants in it all the time. We have to keep the bathroom door closed or he will try to turn the water on.
He made his first visit to Down Syndrome of Louisville today for a toddler play group. He did really well. I was a proud Mommy.
We haven't started doctors appointments yet, but hope to next week. We started making appointments yesterday. I don't think it is going to be his favorite part of his journey, but we will do our best.
He doesn't love a car seat, but we are getting there.
These pictures are in backward order. with the first ones taken most recently:

Day 31: Settled In

2011-02-13T04:53:00.000-08:00

Our journey is coming to a close. Which we are very excited about, but it is also bittersweet. We have had such an exciting time here, and learned so much. The last month has most definitely been a gift from God. Our apartment in Kiev is very nice. The best one we have been in so far. Artem might think we are going to be staying here, because he is getting very comfortable here. He knows what is in every drawer, and behind every door that he wants to drag out. He know how to work all the light switches and to use the remote. So he is quite at home here. And he is the sweetest baby. He has definitely turned into quite the cuddlier.
We have only been out with him a couple of times to eat and to the grocery. Every time we put his coat and hat on he is asleep before we are out the door. Its hilarious. He does well at restaurants. Partly because he loves to watch people, but mostly because he loves to eat. When he woke up this afternoon and we were in a restaurant he started smiling and laughing.
So the plan from here is to go to the US Embassy for the next 2 days. Then we are hoping to fly out early Wednesday morning. Wow, finally.
And the most important part, pictures and videos.

Love Her!

2011-02-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

The Heart of our God

2011-02-10T23:45:00.001-08:00

Christian Alliance for Orphans from New Vision Productions on Vimeo.

A long day for us, an even longer day for Artem.

2011-02-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

GOTCHA DAY has come and gone. YAY! It was along day for all us. We had to make some changes to our plans, which made it even longer. Our original plan included lunch with Artem at the orphanage, then getting him ready to go, a car ride 2 hours away to the passport office, and finally the express train back to the capital city. But Tuesday night we learned that the passport office would be closing their computer system down at 1pm, which meant we needed to rework the schedule. On top of that, our facilitator had to head back to the capitol, so we would be on our own.
So, we got up early, finished cleaning the apartment, got in touch with our fabulous landlord, and headed to the orphanage early. Our trusty driver was taking care of some paperwork for us, while we worked on getting Artem ready to go, and we all met to begin the journey at 10am.
The car ride went well. He was terrified at first and did alittle crying but before we are even out of the parking lot he was asleep. We made it to the passport office with enough time to take care of everything, praise the Lord. He totally charmed everyone there, from the people in the waiting room to the ladies that took his picture, they were all loving him.
Then the train station.... Whoa. First of all, we have WAY to much stuff. And I thought we packed lite. I am really starting to hate all of our junk. I feel like we packed more than the average Ukrainian owns. I think Paris Hilton would have brought less. So poor Brandon has been dealing with our luggage everywhere we go, while I wrestle with Artem. And due to the changes in the day, our train didn't leave until 5pm, which ment we waited in the train station for 4 hours, way too long for Artem. So our wonderful driver and facilitator for the day Igor said goodbye and good luck. Ohh man was I afraid to let him go. And I think he was very afraid to leave us as well.
People kept trying to help us, and talk to us, until they realized we spoke English, then they would give up. Citizens here are very opinionated at times. They think they can tell you what to do, like put more clothes on your child, get your kid off the floor, or let him... So everyone had an opinion.
He was really tired too, as he was late for his nap time. So Brandon wrestled him to sleep, not without someone's lip being bloodied. He only slept for like 45 minutes, and then there was more wrestling. We finally made it to the train at 5pm. We were not in a sleepier this time because it was the express train. We were in a car with individual rooms of 6 seats. 3 facing 3. Brandon worked magic hiding all of our luggage, again. And off we go. The journey started with one young girl, who didn't seem to mind all the noise Artem was making. She got off, and then a young guy, who was a lawyer, got on. He handled it really well, especially since Artem decided they should be best friends. He thinks everyone needs to play with him.
He did really well considering his situation. I was very proud of him. He did fight off sleeping until after 9:30 and eventually just laid down on the floor of the train and fell asleep. It wasn't until we had to wake him up at 11pm that he really got mad. He was not happy to be awake, and back in his coat.
But I have never been happier to see someone as Niko our driver who meet us when I stepped off the train. I am sure Brandon was happy too, because he helped with the bags. Artem continued to scream until we got in the car, and the minute I sat down in the car, he was out again, dead to the world. He was out the whole rest of the journey.
So we made it to our apartment. Niko helped us with where to get food and how to work everything. He is excellent help. And Artem woke up a very happy kid this morning and has been eating everything in site ever since. He doesn't love bath time, but he really enjoys the Aveeno lotion massage and cuddling that follows. And now he is fast asleep. Beautiful.

This is Artem and Papa at the passport office.

Napping at the train station.

This is Artem fighting his sleepiness. He just wouldn't let it go.

And he finally sleeps, the end of a long day.

Day 26: Its the beginning of the end of the beginning.

2011-02-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

Ohh my goodness. We thought we had cabin fever from being in the apartment too long, today we have a new kind of fever from being left in the car too long. It was good though, I am sure we got lots of stuff done that we don't even know about.
It started this morning at the orphanage where we meet Yulia. She picked up the court decree and started the paperwork for the changes to Artem's birth certificate before we meet with her. When we got to the orphanage they did more paper work for us to sign, I don't know what it all was, but some of it had to do with us being able to pick up Artem tomorrow. Then we went to another office to work on Artem's birth certificate. We waited there for like an hour because a computer was down or something. Then we went to pick up the orphanage attorney who went with us to 3 other offices and the bank to take care of any accounts that where in Artem's name (that money goes to the orphanage). Then we drove for a long time to some place else to get all of the necessary paperwork to apply for Artem's passport tomorrow. Most of this adventure we waited in the car. I was starting to feel like a kid who had gotten in trouble. But Yulia knows what she is doing, and thank goodness, because I have no idea what is going on. She is very efficiant. Anyway, Brandon can't be left in the car too long, or he starts losing it... I was able to get a few pictures/video of it...

And when we got home, guess who needed to come out...

So tomorrow is GOTCHA Day! We will be meeting our driver at the orphanage tomorrow to pick up Artem, then we will take him to another city about 2 hours away to apply for his passport. After that we will catch the train back to Kiev, at least that is the plan. Please pray that it all goes smoothly.

And a few pictures of Artem to hold you over...

Day 25: Wow thats a lot of days!

2011-02-07T09:11:00.001-08:00

We had a great day today visiting Artem at the orphanage because it will be the last of our GroundHog Days. I just talked to Yulia our facilitator and we are going to meet her in the morning after she picks up the Court Decree! You heard right, we will have the court decree. Super exciting!

Day 23: Brandon's Observations

2011-02-05T12:48:00.002-08:00

So it is me again. Laura's husband Brandon. I don't really get into this blog thing that often, but Laura wanted to put my "flair" into it today. Also, I think she was just a little tired of it just being her. I was going to do it yesterday, but I wasn't feeling to well. I kinda felt nauseous from the butter I cooked with last night. Just so you all know I made a sausage and cheese omelet and fresh hash browns. I think I might have used too much butter. Anyway back to the blog. I use to have a blog on Xanga called TTF (Top Ten Friday). It was kinda like David Letterman's Top Ten, but I made it up myself. One of them was Top Ten Things I Am Still Trying To Get Use To With Being Married. So to commemorate that time in my life I have come up with The Top Ten Friday special edition TTS (Top Ten Saturday).

Top Ten Observations I have had on our Adoption Adventure.

10) They only have instant coffee here. Don't get me wrong the coffee shop we went to had pretty good coffee. However, it wasn't until we went to the store a couple of times, and watched some television that I noticed they only sell instant coffee.

9) Going to a place where you don't speak the language, and can't read/pronounce the words is a great place to loose weight. If you can't tell the person what you want to eat, or if your not able to point to the item that is a great diet plan. Now for those that have been concerned about our nutrition or just started after reading this don't be we are fine.

8) There are a lot of wild animals. Really just a lot of stay dogs and cats. The dogs travel around in packs, but they are friendly. I think people may feed them so that could be why they are nice. You do have to be aware of where you walk. They do leave behind...presents.

7) One of the most interesting things I have seen is people walking around with sleds. They are not just children, but adults too. First let me say most people where we are walk not drive. So when it snows they take a sled with them to transport items be it groceries or a child. Some have backs on them for little children so they don't have to walk, and the parents just pull the sled behind them. It is a pretty cool situation.

6) Today I saw a man washing a car. Now I am not talking about going to a car wash. I am talking about a man got a bucket of water, soap, and cloth and was washing a car (it's not like he was washing the salt off of it, because they don't salt the streets). If you don't know about the climate we are in, there is snow on the ground. Come to think of it, it was snowing while he was washing the car. Later when we came back for our second visit the car looked very good. Along the same lines people take their area rugs outside in the snow and clean/beat them. I also observed a couple lay the rug on the snow put snow on the rug, pick it up then beat the snow off of it. I am sure there is a perfectly logical reason behind it, but it is kind of curious to observe.

5) Women walking in high heel boots. When Laura and I first arrived all women of all ages wear high heel boots with leggings or skinny jeans. I thought to myself, "It is trendy here too." Then the snow came. I saw women in the same things. Boots with high heels. They have a functional purpose: snow does not get into your shoes. However, these women are really talented. They walk effortlessly on ice, snow, and uneven terrain in high heels without falling. Kudos to them.

4) Their chocolate and juice here is wonderful. First the chocolate. I think it is sweeter and smoother. We eat a different candy bar every few days just to taste the different ones, and my favorite brand is Roshen. It is made here in Eastern Europe. Don't worry we will be taking some on the road/tracks/air. Second the juice. I can't read the labels, but I don't think it is made from concentrate. There is "pulp" in it. It doesn't matter what kind, orange, mixed fruit, mango, cranberry apple. Our most favorite is probably mango and pineapple (so far). We try different flavors every few days.

3) There are stuffed animals everywhere. You know the kind that you would get at the fair or a prize at a carnival. Everywhere I turn I feel like there is a stuffed animal staring at me. There are nine in arms length of me right now. Even our web cam that we use is a stuffed animal. I feel like I am in a claw machine at Chuck E. Cheese.

2) Not many people smile here. I always feel awkward when I smile at somebody, because they usually don't smile back. It must be cultural. Please don't get me wrong they are nice, but whenever you see somebody back in the states usually you say hello and smile at them. Here they just say hello.

1) Laura and I have spent way to much time together, we are turning into one person. It is not a bad thing, but it sure does make the days interesting. For example: there are three people in the room with me right now. Me, Laura, and Laura's reflection. I asked Laura a question and she told me I had to refer all questions to her secretary. When I asked who that was she pointed to herself in the mirror. That is a comment that I would have probably made. We are definitely getting cabin fever.

Day 22: I find my rest in You.

2011-02-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

Today is Friday, which brings us to the end of the last week of our lives without having Artem with us. It has been a hard week for me. It has felt a little like being held hostage at times.
Tonight, when it was time to give Artem back, we didn't get our usual goodbye. We usually get to walk him up the stairs, hug and kiss all over him, and say paka-paka. But tonight, a girl I had never seen before came and pick him up off the carpet and just walked away. Wow, I thought. I wanted to say, "He is mine, give him back." But I cannot. I just have to say okay, and leave.
Because a stranger is going to feed him dinner, and put him to bed. Will she be sweet and kind? Will she rub his back? Probably not, but neither can I. What if he is scared? What if his belly hurts?

I come to rest in You, to abide in You, to dwell with You for You are gentle and humble and You are where I find my rest. My rest is in You.

Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him. Psalm 37

God, hear my cry;
pay attention to my prayer.
I call to You from the ends of the earth (Eastern Europe)
when my heart is without strength.
Lead me to a rock that is high above me,
for You have been a refuge for me,
a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
I will live in Your tent forever
and will take refuge under the shelter of Your wings. Psalm 61

I must Rest in the One who started this from the beginning.
I must Rest in the One who created his sweet face, knows him more intimately than I ever will, and loves him more than I ever could.
I must Rest in the One who has provided and protected him from his conception.
I must Rest in the One who so carefully brought us here and worked out every detail.
I must Rest in the One who so graciously allowed us to be a part of this story.
I must Rest...

Day 21: The Longest Week Ever

2011-02-03T03:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry that we have gone silent for few days. The mundane daily activity of our lives this week did not seem blog worthy, and then I remember that we were in Eastern Europe adopting the most awesome kid ever and realized that was definitely blog worthy. We have made it to the seventh day of the waiting period here. It is going well. I say it is the longest week of our lives, but Brandon and I are so thankful for this restful time to just be together, catch up on sleep and reading, and spend quality time letting Artem get to know us in his comfort zone.
Every visit with him is better than the day before. He is the happiest kid on earth, and if that can be accomplished in a sad place like his orphanage, what in the world is he going to be like when he realizes he is part of a family. He may explode from giggling.
He has started saying "Mama" and "Papa", we aren't quite sure if he referring to us, or just repeating us, either way, I'm good. He did however look at Brandon today, said "Papa" and climbed up into his lap. And I can't explain how happy it makes Brandon when Artem climbs into his lap, he was beaming.
We bought Artem a Sip Cup so we could start giving him something to drink. Bless his heart he can't figure out how to suck on it. So we do much better just taking the top off and letting him drink from the cup, until Brandon got involved and spilled the entire cup of water down his overalls. Ahhh Dad... Luckily he never felt it, for the three to four layers of clothing they always put on him.
He is walking on his own now about 10 steps at a time, which has been so fun to watch. He can't walk and giggle though, so if you make him laugh, he is done. So really that means you can't hardly even look at him, because most of the time that is all it takes to make him laugh.
We got a chance to Skype with the youth from our church last night during their Wednesday night worship service, which was a joy. I can't wait to get home and share the joy Artem brings with all of them. He is so contagious.
Our one and only English speaking friend left on Wednesday for home. It was sad to see her go. Sad because we will miss her, and sad because of all the attention she alone gives so many precious babies here. It has blessed me so much to watch her love on so many that never get kissed, never get held, never hear a kind word. God sent her to them, and to Artem before we could get here. Please pray that she safely makes it home, and for her future as she prays for what God has for her next. You can follow her at http://ambassadoroflove.blogspot.com
Brandon and I successfully ordered lunch at a restaurant yesterday with no translator, or english speaking staff. It may have taken several attempts but we were able to eat lunch. We had Borscht (the traditional soup), a calzone, and some Coca Cola, which thankfully is the same in every language. CocaCola is hard to mess up.

As for the question on everyone minds: When do get to have Artem with us? That is an excellent question.
We are in the middle of the 10 day appeal process. The 10 wait will be over on Sunday and we could pick up our court decree on Monday. But, the office of vital statistics isn't open on Monday, on, and, on and so forth. To make a long story short. Artem's gotcha day is planned for Wednesday Feb. 9th. I can't wait to say "Paka Paka Baby House, give me my baby." Please be praying for us as we work on paper work Tuesday-Wednesday and that Artem handles everything well. I told him this morning that he only had 5 full days left and that he better start saying his goodbyes.
And now a few pictures of his beautiful face...

And a few videos so you can hear him laugh...

Day 15: Gifts

2011-01-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

I am reading a beautiful book that was given to us by the woman at the SDA office here. It is called Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives. It is amazing. It is short story after story about incredible families who find their children with Down Syndrome to be an such blessing. They talk about how wonderfully they have changed their lives and all the things they have learned. It makes me feel so blessed that God brought Artem to us and that we have been chosen to be his family. I am so excited to watch him grow and see how God uses him in the lives of everyone he meets. I think he is going to be the most incredible person. And I can't believe I have been given the precious gift of the chance to watch it happen.
He already amazes me and to think of how God wrote this beautiful story of his adoption leaves me in awe of my Creator.

Day 15: The New and Improved Priest Family

2011-01-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

We made it! Court was yesterday. It had some stressful moments but we made it through. Our facilitator was awesome. She did a great job and we were so pumped to get out of there. After court was over we went to get Artem and took him to get passport pictures taken, which are absolutely adorable. I hope I get to keep one of them. And then went to do some other paperwork. I am never exactly sure what all we are signing...
We are so grateful to everyone who is praying for us and supporting us. We feel it here and know that God has very careful provided for us and had His hand in every inch of this process. We are so blessed.
Today we celebrated our court success by learning how to use the bus system with Andrea and going out for pizza, which was very good. It was a fun afternoon and then of course we topped it off with our evening visit with Artem.

WHAT YOU DIDN'T HEAR?

SUPRISE I'M ARTEM HENRY PRIEST

Day 13: Tomorrow, Tomorrow

2011-01-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Court Day. We will be meeting our facilitator at the Baby House at 9am and court is at 10am. We are nervous and excited. We are praying that God gives us the words to answer the questions and an opportunity to show His love and light to the people of this country. He has brought us so far, and we have faith He will bring us through tomorrow as well.
Hope to have good news for everyone tomorrow afternoon! When you wake up, it will be over!

Day 12: Not a fan of the PopCorn

2011-01-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

Today was the same as usual. Up and to the baby house, home for lunch, a nap, and a little Skype. Then back to the baby house. Tonight we thought we would try a new treat with Artem. We were sure that at this point there may not be a food that he doesn't love and try to bite your finger off to get to. I was just sure he would love popcorn. But I was wrong. He spit it out. He was over it. There was no talking him into it. So we went back to the usual- animal crackers, which he will bite your finger off for.

He is getting more and more use to us. Happier to see us everyday. Today he even smiled when he came down the stairs and saw us. I think tomorrow we will try to go outside again. Babysteps. Until then, here are a few more glimpses of his precious face.

Day 10: Get Your Church On.. Cause thats what we did

2011-01-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

I must say that we got much more than we were expecting this morning. Our experience with church here up to now has been beautiful buildings that serve a purpose of a museum more than a church. But this morning we were pleasantly surprised and felt very blessed to witness and be apart of what seemed like genuine worship. Oh course we don't know for sure because we couldn't understand any of what they were saying, but still enjoyable. Our dear friend serving here in Artem's city attends this church and invited us to join her this morning. We are very grateful. A few clips from worship....

Since we were at church this morning we missed our morning visit with Artem. So we were pretty excited to see him tonight. We cut up an orange to feed him tonight and got ready. We walked over to the baby house to find the doors locked. I guess there is no visiting on Sundays. Big disappointment. We will be even more ready to see him in the morning. So we took a few pictures of the outside of his baby house and the buildings around where we are staying. It snowed again this morning. It seems to snow an inch or two everyday.

Artem's Baby House from the front.

Day 9: Progress is progess.

2011-01-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

This is the part of the trip that people refer to as Groundhog's Day. Where you wake up and do the same thing over and over. We are there. We sleep alittle bit late, go to the baby house at 10-11:30. Come home, eat, nap. Go back to the baby house, come home, get on the internet, eat, and sleep some more. It really is a pretty relaxing vaca, if we weren't in such a hurry to spring the little guy outta there.
It snowed this morning, but it has not been as cold as we were expecting which is good.
Artem is definetly starting to soften to us. He will let us touch him, and hold him some times. He doesn't turn his back to us like he was doing. And he is starting to realize just how funny his Papa really is. We tried to take him outside yesterday morning and that did not go well at all. I think he thought we are taking off with him. So we abandon the idea, and went back into the "hall". We have also started bringing snacks. The way to Artem's heart is definitly through his stomach. He is very responsive to food, and will do just about anything to get it.
Today he let us start to see his sweet side and we got to see him smile alot more. I think he is fabulous. He is going to be so much fun when we get him home!

Day 7: The Long Awaited Meeting

2011-01-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

I didn't know that when I got dressed Tuesday morning that I would find myself in the same clothes on Wednesday night, which makes for a long day. So we have now been by plane, train, and automobile to get to Artem.

Getting ready for our train ride.

The train station is very beautiful

So after an exciting overnight train ride, we found ourselves in Artem's city being quickly escorted around and then we are given the chance to see him. He is beautiful. We get to spend several hours a day in the morning and evening playing with him. He is not very interested or impressed with us right now. He is very busy and usually working to get away from us. But we will keep trying. We are still strangers.
Our facilitator has been wonderful and working very hard to get what she needs done. So hopefully soon we will get to introduce him as a Priest!

His favorite toy, the Flip Video. Oh Well

Day 4: We finally made it out!

2011-01-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

We are still working on sleeping during the night instead of the day, but I think we were more successful today. The first milestone of our adventure came and went today without a hitch. We were picked up at our apartment by our facilitator for our appointment. It went well. We accepted Artem's referral today. We get to pick it up tomorrow and then head by over night train to his city.
After all the important stuff was out of the way, we got brave and decided to walk around the city. We enjoyed getting lost and finding our way around. On a warmer day this would be a wonderful place to explore.
We found the under ground "mall". We shopped through a childrens toy store. Took pictures of lots of old buildings. Stopped for coffee and soups for lunch (Brandon got to eat Borsch). Only had to have someone point at our map for us one time. We found the opera house and lots of church buildings. We got dinner at this deli/grocery place where we could point at what we wanted. That makes in easier, kind of...
Pictures of the day:

THE OPERA HOUSE

Day 3: getting horizonal

2011-01-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

I don't remember where yesterday ended, and today began. All I remember about yesterday is that I wanted to get horizontal after sitting upright for many many hours. After getting a good evening/nights rest we tried to get on the internet, but we fell asleep again. After awaking for the second time. I thought I figured out how to get the internet to work, but I was wrong. I looked at the wires and saw the cable was not connected to the wall. Then success (obviously). So Laura has been online updating and talking to people online. While she was doing that I have been watching tv and fixing meals. I saw a Weird Al video (It smells like Nirvana) and I also saw and infomercial with Mr. T in it. We were going to go out and explore, but then time got away from us between falling asleep and contacting people back home. So basically all day we have been laying in bed. -Brandon

Day 2: January 15th Looks Like We Made It!

2011-01-16T08:21:00.001-08:00

Wow! I guess I am not as young as I thought I was, because me+sleeping on a plane= not as awesome as I remember.
So we had a good flight from Philly to Germany. There was a ton of turbulance for hours though. I kept waking up thinking we were falling out of the sky. There must of been a big storm or something. I was praying, "God, I know you are holding onto this plane, but could you please hold it a little tighter..." Lufthansa is a great airline. They feed us twice on the flight and we had lots of movies and tv to chose from.

I watched Despicable Me and Eat, Pray, Love. Which on a side note is not a very good movie. I can tell you in about 30 seconds whats wrong with her, she didn't need to spend a year of her life on it, but that is besides the point. Germany was a quick stop, the plane was delayed though, we had to wait for it to arrive and be refueled. Then we took a bus from our gate over to the plan and got to climb the steps. I just kept thinking, "Don't fall like Hilary Clinton, please." It was another quick flight to our destination in EE. Very exciting we are meet by a man named Niko who was literally holding a sign that said "PRIEST" He loaded us up along with another ReecesRainbow family. They are here for there second trip and hope to be picking up their boys soon. www.noknots.blogspot.com. We dropped them off at the train station, exchanged some money, and Niko gave us a quick tour. Then we went to a grocery store for some food to hold us over, and he hooked us up with a phone so our team can stay in touch with us. Our apartment is small, but great.

Day 1: January 14th

2011-01-16T07:33:00.001-08:00

Today started with a blessing. I felt really calm and excited this morning as we did all the last minute things. Like the last load of laundry, cleaning the bathroom, finishing with all the packing. And Brandon had a great time running around and thinking of funny things to put on sticking notes and post all over our house for the girls staying there. Sorry ladies...
But we made it to the airport with plenty of time, thank you mom and dad. No frisking or getting felt up needed, no matter what Brandon tries to tell you.
The flight from Louisville to Philadelphia was quick and exciting because we were both still awake mostly. Preparing to start the long leg of the journey... across the ocean.
Here are the pictures of the day!

This is a picture of a lego Liberty Bell that we thought Will might like!

Preparation and Thoughtfulness: January 13th, 2011

2011-01-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

Even though I know we have been preparing for this week since June, it is still crazy. It will soon come to an end because whether we are ready or not we will have to leave for the airport. We are so grateful to the beautiful ladies who will be staying at our house while we are gone.
We have been talking about Artem and praying for him for so long that I am starting to get tired of the conversation. People at my work think this has been years in the making instead of months, because we have talked about it for so long. But through God's most beautiful Providence for us I can turn around and be thankful for all the things He has taught Brandon and I through this time and for all the preparation He has put us through. Just think how prayed over Artem is and the country he was born in, it has been saturated in prayer for the last six months.
From Romans 5:" We rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
We have produced much endurance through this time. Brandon and I often look at each other and wonder, who does this? and not just that but how did we get here. Look how we have endured. And the only answer is our mighty God brought us through this long and frustrating journey. He held us in the moments we thought we would never make it to the end or when things popped up we felt would bring it all to a halt. He held us together when we felt the other was not in the same place about something. And he held every piece of paper as it crossed the ocean. Endurance....
Though endurance proven character something I pray we are developing and continue to. Something we will continue to need as we walk the hardest stretch of this road on the other side of the world.
And our character produces much needed hope. It gives us the hope we need to fill our bags with clothes and toys for a little boy we have never meet. It will give us the hope we need to climb on a plane, and the hope we need to continue on the journey, the part of the journey that isn't written on a checklist I can follow, or with a schedule I can hold everyone to. Just an adventure that we will be praying through, and hoping in our Lord, who's Love has already been poured out into our hearts.

The thoughtfulness of our friends and family is also a gift from God. One of my favorite gifts has been a prayer calendar that Erin (my sister-in-law) put together so that there will be someone praying for us everyday we are here. Amazing. What an incredible gift. We are so thankful for all the people on that list and everyone who goes to God on our behalf.

2011-01-04T09:02:00.001-08:00

10 days and counting... What emotion....

2010-12-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

One Less by Matthew West (The Story Behind The Song) from emicmg on Vimeo.

Plane Tickets!

2010-12-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

We have plane tickets today! They have been bought, that makes it offical right?
It made me a little nervous, but it is done.
Please be in prayer for us as we try to continue to fundraise for these last few weeks. We are still alittle bit shy of our goal and would love to see our FSP reach $5000.00 before we leave. That is our goal, and God is good so we are trusting He has this one.

2010-12-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

We got an extra special gift today while we wait. Videos of Artem on the move! He is walking!

2010-12-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

2010-12-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

We got NEWS today!

2010-11-24T16:31:00.000-08:00

Our SDA appointment!
We will be on our way to EE in several short weeks!
On January 17th, 2011 we will have the pleasure of receiving Artem's referral.
I am full of emotion today. On one hand I was hoping to be there sooner, but am also so thankful that we simply have a date. We are so excited. I was hoping to not be hear for Christmas and just skip it all together, but I guess I better get Christmas shopping!
Artem here we come!

As my Heart aches...

2010-11-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

The waiting for the day when we can hold the child God so carefully choose for our family is horrendous. Brandon and I talk often of ways to cope and kill the time. So we started running everyday, we work on Artem's room (painting and shopping for furniture, etc.), and busy ourselves with the other parts of our life, trying only to think of him when I have to.
But, today I sat home alone thinking only of him, and calling out to our God to bring him home. I thought, "Is this the longing you had for me God? Is this the longing you have for your children." Because my heart breaks for the day Artem no longer has to be alone, and for a time he will know the love are family is waiting to share with him. Is this the heart break our Father in heaven has for us? Does he long for us and wait for a time when we will no longer walk alone, and a time when we can feel the love of our creator, and Father?
The words of Chris Rice so carefully explain my feelings today:
Cause I just want to be with you,
I just want this waiting to be over.
Cause I just want to be with you,
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer.
Every minute takes an hour,
Every inch feels like a mile.
Till I won't have to imagine,
And I finally get to see you smile!

Submitted!

2010-11-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

We were submitted today! It is a great day!
Thank God! We are ready to go get Artem! Just waiting for our date!

Arrival!

2010-11-04T06:58:00.000-07:00

Our Dossier was delivered to our facilitator Yulia on Monday by the UPS man! Thank you God. I was so nervous handing it over to the guy at the UPS store. I felt like I needed to threaten his life a little. But it made it. Now we are praying that it is found withough error, quickly translated and accepted by the SDA. We are hoping for submission next Thursday if everything on our paperwork looks ok. Until then... I have new pics from Andrea of our handsome guy! Doesn't he look amazing! I am so glad she is there to love on him for us. I can't wait to get my hands on him, he looks like so much fun!

Golden Ticket Day!

2010-10-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

'Cause I've got a golden ticket
I've got a golden twinkle in my eye

I never had a chance to shine
Never a happy song to sing
But suddenly half the world is mine
What an amazing thing

'Cause I've got a golden ticket

I never dreamed that I would climb
Over the moon in ecstasy
But nevertheless, it's there that I'm
Shortly about to be

'Cause I've got a golden ticket
I've got a golden chance to make my way
And with a golden ticket, it's a golden day

Yay! We got our immigration approval in the mail on Monday morning. I was at the dentist when it arrived, so Brandon got to have this experience on his own, but I got it in a text.
So we worked all day yesterday getting our dossier ready to mail. Now it is all faxed, signed, notarized, certified, and appostilled! We have it in a box, and we are just waiting to hear back from our team with the go-ahead and the address and the beast will be off!
I can't wait to get it out of our house, and to Artem's side of the world!
Be in prayer that it happens quickly!

Updates!

2010-10-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

So many exciting things have happened recently! We had a wonderful dinner and silent auction. It was a huge success thanks to so many people that helped out, donated, and bid on items. We were able to raise $32OO for Artem's adoption. It was so much fun to spend time with everyone who is supporting and loving us through this process and just get to talk about Artem all night. We were blessed to have Diana Merzweiler as our guest from Down Syndrome of Louisville who came to talk about what they do there and all the things Artem will get to be involved in! Her support has been priceless.
We are getting so close to our goal. We are shy just a few thousand dollars and we would love to see our FSP reach $5000 before we travel. So head on over to www.reecesrainbow.org/artem-for-the-priest-family-mt-washington-ky to donate to our FSP.
We continue to wait for our USCIS approval. Our congressman has agreed to help us move closer to this goal. I was really hoping we would have it by today. We are really getting close to the November deadline and it is making me super nervous, so we continue to pray and wait and call out to God for this "Golden Ticket". It would be great to just finish this already.
AND I recieved the most wonderful gift this week while we wait. Updated pictures of Artem from a wonderful girl serving at his baby house! So I will share this gift with you...

These pictures are bitter sweet due to loving getting to see him. But they also make me much more impatient to get to him. How I want nothing more than to hold him and touch him myself. Who knew I could love someone so much without ever even touching him. Who knew we could be capable and called to such a journey as this. We are blessed....

Reece's Rainbow New Website

2010-10-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

Very excited to announce that Reece's Rainbow has a new and improved website!
www.reecesrainbow.org!
It is more user friendly and you can use the search engine to find our family!
Or you can go to www.reecesrainbow.org/artem-for-the-priest-mt-washington-ky
Go check it out!

Fundraiser Weekend!

2010-10-14T21:52:00.001-07:00

This Saturday we will be hosting a Dinner and Silent Auction at FBC Mt. Washington in hopes that it can end our fundraising efforts. Please be in prayer that many will come out and support us, and bid on our items!

Flanagan's Fund Day!

2010-09-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Monday night Flanagan's Ale House hosted a fund day event for us! It was a lot of fun and we really appreciate everyone who came out to support us. We raised $1000!
Thanks for everyone's support!

2010-09-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

USCIS Fingersprinting completed today!
What a blessing. I really needed some encouragement on the adoption front. I was starting to feel this was an impossible task and something that I could not handle. But my God can move mountains and today He moved a large one. I cried out to Him all weekend and on the first business day after He moved a mountain for us. Now we just wait. 5 small documents from a complete Dossier and about 6 weeks to get in mailed. Everything is possible.

Artem' s Birthday!

2010-09-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Artem's Birthday! He will be 2 years old.
And we are finding out the Eastern Europe may be closing to new adoptions. So please be in prayer for Artem tomorrow, that he will have a happy birthday. Also please pray that our I600a will hurry so we can quickly get our Dossier submitted before November.
All in His time.
Happy Birthday Artem!

HomeStudy Complete, and what I would do to get it...

2010-09-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

I recieved a phone call Tuesday morning from our wonderful social worker Sarah, informing us that she had completed our homestudy and that it had been reviewed, signed, and notarized for us and that I could come and pick it up! Amazing! That is what I have been waiting for!
She informed me that she had to leave in about 30 mins for an out of town appt., but she could wait until I got there, if I could make it fast.
I had called in sick on Tuesday because Monday I had been spiking a temp all day and was feeling like I had the flu (achy, cold chills, wearing lots of layers of clothing, etc.) So when I recieved this call, I had yet to attempt to move my body, and was hoping I wouldn't have to try. But alas, our homestudy was complete, so my body was forgotten momentarily.
My car had also started having some issues over the weekend and was still being worked on, so I had no vehicle, but that detail was also forgotten as I jumped out of bed and quickly found a t-shirt and some jeans. I just deodarized and brushed my teeth, and put my hair in a pony-tail. Done, ready, stink-my car was missing.
So I started calling people, first my husband, twice. No answer. Then my dad, at home, and on his cell. No answer. Dude. Then my mom. Score, she answered, but how could she help me, she was watching a room full of 2 year olds at work.
She told me to call a friend and if that didn't work, to call her back and she would find someone to stay in her room while she brought me her car. Well, that didn't work. At this point, out of desperation, I just took off on foot. Me, my flipflops, my big bag, and a ragging fever. I was going to run to church, just over a mile, right? Get her car and make it to Hurstbourne Ln. Ha. Its been awhile since I have run. But luckly before I made it out of my neighborhood, here comes my mother to pick me up. A miracle, or God's sense of humor, he wanted to see me run.
So the homestudy and our I600A application safely made it to the UPS store and were overnighted to Texas.
In conclusion, there may be nothing at this point I may not do, don't test me.

FBI fingerprints

2010-08-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

Our FBI fingerprints are being processed and will be sent out no later that tomorrow! This is a miracle considering last week they told us it could take up to 4 more weeks. I am thrilled! So we are getting the package ready to send our USCIS out, and hopefully that will come back quicker than expected too. YAY!

Dinner and Silent Auction!

2010-08-18T09:38:00.001-07:00

We have begun to prepare for our Dinner and Silent Auction! We are planning for it to take place on Saturday October 16th at 6pm at First Baptist Church Mt. Washington. We are looking for donations for the silent auction and people to be in attendance. Soo invite your friends and let us know if you want to help us get donations for the silent auction or would like to put together a basket to auction. Thank you for your help! Its is going to be fun!

Art-y Quilts For Sale!

2010-08-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

My wonderful mother and Aunt Peggy have been working so hard to be crafty! They have made several beautiful Art-y quilts that we will be selling/auctioning off to raise money for Artem. They are "biscuit" quilts and they are beautiful. I only have four right now. If you are interested or know anyone who is interested let me know. Lets raise some money to get him home.

Progress

2010-08-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

We had our first home visit today with our social worker. It was wonderful. She is fabulous and I really feel like she is going to do her best to help us along in the process. Keep your fingers crossed that we will be homestudy ready in a few weeks!

Bake Sale!

2010-08-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

Huge thanks to my friends at University Hospital for an awesome bake sale today. We had sooo many great donations and goodies to sale and a great turn out. Special thanks to Tara Beam, Jennifer Goldman, and Debbie for working so hard to organize it all. We are really grateful. We made $403.17. Yay!

2010-07-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Apparently Eastern Europe closes to new dossier submissions from November 1st to February 1st. So we must hurry to get our dossier submitted before November 1st. AHHHH! Things are getting a little hairy. I am going to work to get out house homestudy ready today and get the paper work together for our social worker. Please pray for a smooth completion of our homestudy so that we can get our I600A going.

More Waiting...

2010-07-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

Good News today! I just learned that our homestudy Packet 2 has been reviewed and approved by Love Basket Inc. That is wonderful because that was a lot of paper work, and I am thrilled their were no snags in that packet. Thank you Jesus.
But, we are not going to get to start our home study visits until the first or second week of August . I was hoping to be done with our homestudy by August. But it gives us more time to complete our dossier documents, get that all ready to go, and to fundraise, I guess. (Trying to look on the bright side.)
So please be in prayer for us as we continue to wait and prepare. Each piece of paper for our dossier is a speedbump or a hurdle and we are working through them slowly.
Another small success, I got my passport in the mail today! Yay! I had to get it updated and that was slowing us down alittle as the information needed to go on several of our documents. So we are moving ahead alittle at a time.

2010-07-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Good News this morning! Our first set of papers have been recieved by our facilitator in Eastern Europe. Thank you UPS for their safe arrival. I feel like we are starting to make some progress today. Someone over there now knows we what to bring Artem home. And we have now given them permission to speak on our behalf. Now we are praying for our homestudy to be quickly completed!

YardSale Tomorrow

2010-07-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

We are having a Yard Sale again tomorrow. Please be in prayer that we will get rid of lots of stuff, and raise alot of support for our adoption.

Here we go apostilling...

2010-07-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

Wow, how difficult can we make this process. Today I feel like that is the name of the game. Its not that I don't understand the necessity, because I think I do, it is just making my life really difficult.
Every form I have filled out, and trust me there are many, I have to get it notarized. Then I have to take the form to the county clerk's office to have the notary certified. Then once the notary is certified I must take that to Frankfort to the Secretary of State to have it Apostilled. Lots of fun. Please pray for us as we work through all the forms, and rules and scrutiny of each piece of paper we fill out. I am struggling with it all.

Adoption EveryWhere

2010-07-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome back, Brandon and I just returned home from spending an amazing week with the teenagers from our church at Crossings Camp. You'll never guess what the theme of the week was? Adoption! It is a running theme through our lives right now. It was incredible to spend the week learning about, and talking about Adoption. Even more amazing to spend the week listening to God's voice and hearing His heart for adoption. At the center of creation and the center of His plan for the world is the idea of adoption. The idea that He adopts each one of us into His family and makes us heirs to everything, to His throne. I can't wait to learn how deep my love for Artem will run and be able to better understand the love God has for me. What a beautiful picture of His salvation.
Someone made the comment about all the people they know that are adopting and how "trendy" it is becoming. At first my thought was, "its not trendy, it was God's plan before the creation of the world." But as I look around, I see it is becoming more and more popular and to that I say, what is God up to? What is he doing, I think this a grand plan, an awakening of His people, and I am thrilled to be apart of it. I believe He is bringing the orphans of the world into His family through adoption and reaching the corners of the earth. What an incredible God we serve.

2010-06-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

We are leaving in a few minutes to head to the lake with some friends for some much needed down time, aways from apposilles, paper work. But I feel guilty not working on it every moment I have. Its weird. I feel like Artem is waiting on us, so I need to hurry up. But I am going anyway. Maybe at least I can get our books read this weekend. That is something on the "to-do" list.
We recieved our packet from Reeces Rainbow yesterday that was filled with more goodies that need to be notarized. Moving on, more to be overwhelmed with. If I just had a big "To Do" list to work down. I think that would help. That is how I think. I need to check things off.

2010-06-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

Whew... Packet 2 for our homestudy is off! One more doctor's appt. and everything on our end will be complete for our homestudy. I am so afraid of the USPS. As I was handing the postal worker the package, I thought,"This better not get lost." I don't know what I will do if it disappears. I guess do it all again. So we have been finger printed, consented, notarized, read books, doing online courses, created a photo essay, autobiographies, accounted for all of our money, birth certif., marriage cert., all criminal background history addressed, everything I can think of. If there are anymore questions, I think I am out of answers....

Ohh and my mom and I were shopping today and bought Artem some really cute PJ's. Is it bad that I have started buying him things? I have to start sometime, right?

Are we the disabled ones?

2010-06-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

I believe that God made man in His image and that His will is perfect. I have often thought that the disability labels we give people are problems with the way we see things, not always problems with them. I was once given the opportunity and blessing to spend a summer serving at Cerebral Palsy of North East Florida and meet many amazing people with different "disabilites". I left that summer knowing that each and every one of those people was perfect, exactly who God made them to be. If any one of them was any different we wouldn't be learning from them, and have perfect experiences with them.
So I ask, who is disablied here, them or us? We give them this term because they don't fit inside the culture we have created, not because there is something wrong with them.
Brandon and I were talking about how awesome some of our friends with Down Syndrome were and how we wish we could see the world like them, and be more like them. We thought, "wouldn't it be funny if we got to heaven and our heavenly bodies had down syndrome?" That we have it all wrong. Not them and not God. So why is it we are trying to wipe out an entire group of people that God has perfectly sewn together? People that teach us so much about how to see the world, how to love others so freely, and how to forgive so quickly...

Push for Human Perfection?

2010-06-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Mohler: 80-90% of Down syndrome babies killed in push for ‘human perfection’

Posted on Jan 27, 2006 | by Jeff Robinson
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Recent statistics show that as many as 80-90 percent of all babies found to have Down syndrome through pre-term testing are aborted, an alarming reality demonstrating contemporary culture’s fixation with human perfection and consumer choice, R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Jan. 22 on the “Coral Ridge Hour” television program.

The very fact that such pre-term testing is offered to expectant parents under the guise of “making informed choices” insinuates that they really only have only one choice to make: whether or not to abort, said Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

The Coral Ridge Hour is a syndicated weekly program featuring the teaching and cultural analysis of D. James Kennedy, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“Parents are being offered these genetic tests in order that they can ‘make the right decision,’” Mohler said. “What decision is there to make? The only decision that is implied is a decision to abort. Once we are confronted with a test that will identify whether an unborn baby is carrying the mark of the Down syndrome, there is no treatment. The only choice is whether or not to abort.”

The number of abortions performed on children with Down syndrome is especially disconcerting because of the consumerist mentality that drives the decisions, Mohler said. Parents are now choosing life or death for their unborn children, he said, based on the perceived “quality” of the child developing in the womb.

“We really have entered that brave new world of medicine where all things apparently are becoming possible,” Mohler said. “Right now these parents are having tests done on their unborn children and even in the embryonic stage in order to determine whether these kids meet their expectations.”

The broadcast also featured the story of Bob and Laura Reisert of Miami and their 7-year-old son David who was born with Down syndrome. Bob Reisert said watching his son learn and grow has made him realize that young David is not merely a boy who suffers from a severe handicap but a viable person whom God has fashioned in His own image.

David participates vigorously and joyfully in worship both in the church and home along with his older sister and younger brother, Bob Reisert said, noting that David provides his family with a perpetual illustration of the sanctity of human life.

“David’s spiritual life is wonderful,” the father said. “It is very difficult to know with him being mostly non-verbal right now exactly where he is in his walk and relationship with God and just how much he does understand.

“But you can see through his eyes when we are in the church service and a hymn or worship song comes on, David springs to his feet with his hands up in the air. You kind of get a sense that there is a special spiritual connection going on—that God understands his weakness and is communicating with David in a way that David can understand.”

Many in the contemporary culture, Mohler lamented, do not share the Reiserts’ high view of life but hold a radically different understanding of children who, through prenatal testing, are diagnosed with maladies such as Down syndrome.

“I think we in this culture have bought into the idea of human perfection,” Mohler said. “We have bought in also to the idea that we should have consumer choice in all things. And let’s face it: Most parents would be praying for a child that is physically perfect in every way. But we live in a fallen world in which that is simply not going to be the case for many of us. There are babies born with all kinds of genetic issues.”

Mohler alluded to several recent stories in national newspapers celebrating the fact that fewer babies than ever are being born with Down syndrome.

These shrinking numbers are hardly a cause for celebration because they can only be caused by one thing, he said. “I want to ask a question: Is that [fewer Down syndrome babies] good news or bad news? It would be good news if something were being done to help these babies overcome some genetic difficulty, but that’s not at all what’s being talked about.

“Instead, there are fewer babies being born with Down syndrome because at least 80 and as many as 90 percent of these babies are being aborted before they are ever born,” Mohler said.

Leigh Byers, director of the children’s ministry at Wayside Baptist Church in Miami, the Reiserts’ home church, said she is thankful that David’s parents are among the 10-20 percent who have chosen life.

“Children with Down syndrome have a life worth living,” Byers said. “They are very special. They are human beings and ... I don’t believe any child is conceived by accident.

“God knows every child and He knows them by name and He has a purpose for them,” she said. “Regardless of the difficulties, regardless of the struggles or challenges of the child or the parents, God has a purpose for that life just like He does for every life.”

Fundraising quilt

2010-06-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

So I decided to make a quilt or what i thought would be quilts to auction off, or sell to raise money to bring Artem home. Ha! I had no idea, this is my first quilt. In the process of cutting like 150+ squares, I realized that someone was going to have to pay like $1000 to get this quilt out of my hands. I will post some pics of this quilt learning process, and if you know anyone who wants to spend $1000 on a quilt just let me know.

And if anyone has any better fundraising ideas, I am open to suggestions.

Artem's family found him!

2010-06-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.reecesrainbow.org/myfamilyfoundme.html

The My Family Found Me page! Artem (14) made the page, because we found him! We are going to be his family! Swing by and take a look at his sweet face. We can't wait to hold him!

2010-06-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Yay! Our homestudy application has been reviewed and approved! Which really just means we get to begin the homestudy. But this is exciting, its a step, however small.

I also get a lot of questions about why adoption cost so much. It is hard to explain but today I found a breakdown of the cost:
App. Fee-- $90
Donation to org.--$275
Home study--$1250
Passport renewal ($75 ea)--$150
I-600A--$830
Marriage license--$55
MO background checks--$66
Medicals--$48
Apostilles--$200
Shipping dossier to UA--$28
Facilitator fee--$10500
Travel to/from Ukraine #1--$4000
Lodging in Ukraine #1--$360
Travel to/from region #1--$250
Lodging in region #1--$475
Travel to/from Ukraine #2--$2315
Travel to/from region #2--$120
Lodging in region #2--$105
Lodging in Kyiv #2--$210
Kids medicals--$220
Kids visas--$800
Kids flights--$1170
Follow Up Study--$900
Food while in country-- $250
= $24,642
This is a very rough estimate that is obviously subject to cost of airfare, ect. But helps explain where all the money goes.

HomeStudy

2010-06-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

We have applied for our home study through Love Basket, Inc.
It is such a waiting game. Now we wait to hear back. We hope to update you with a picture of our little man as soon as we can commit to him. Can't wait!

Here We Go!

2010-06-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

This is the start. We are beginning a journey to grow our family. This journey we felt started long ago, for each of us seperately. God began a love in each of us many years ago; for the world, for adoption, and for special, perfect people that just happen to have down syndrome.

God grew Brandon's heart many years ago through a relationship with our dear friend Mitchell. Brandon and Mitchell are best friends and this relationship developed a passion in Brandon for special education and for people with down syndome.

God grew my heart through a tiny person named Toni and others in a program called Special Friends. And then gave me a passion for the world and ministry. Together we found ourselves with a common passion which began our search for ways to adopt a child with Down Syndrome. This search lead us to an organization called Reeces Rainbow. For months we have prayed over and loved each child pictured. We have waited for God to call us to the children he has created us to be the parents of.

This is a long and expensive process and we believe that God will provide through each and every step. We feel so honored and loved by God to be chosen for this task. Please be in prayer for us as we begin to walk through the home study and fundraising efforts.