Days 26, 27, 28 and 29...the week in review.

I am back..my children reminded me the other day that I have now been here 30 days, not the 26 that I thought. I started my blog on the third of October, but we technically did leave on the 1st, so I have skipped a few days in the blog. Well, what a week. It has been exhausting, rewarding, exciting and sad all rolled into one...in a nutshell I traveled to Dnipropetrovsk and went to an amazing museum with a few of the missionaries serving in this area. Traveled all over the southern part of Ukraine getting birth certificates, and ending the longest 10 waiting period which culminated in me FINALLY getting he boys. (We did it Dave, they are ours). Monday we head back to Dnipropetrovsk to get passport photos of the boys and then we are are told it will take 3 working days for those to be completed, if ALL goes well. We are waiting for a background check to be done on Bogdan now, because he is over the age of 14 he needs this done under his old name of Bogdan Bohen and then under his new name of Bogdan Joshua Moore, go figure. Then once we receive the passports we will go back to Kyiv for medical checkups, paperwork to be finished at the American Embassy and then HOME!!! For those who have done this before, does that sound about right? Am I forgetting anything? We were able to get so much done on Friday and Saturday that Oksana thinks we may have shaved 5 days off our stay, perhaps we will be able to head home around the 7th or so. I am hopeful, but not expecting too much, things can and do change daily around here. The boys were officially ours yesterday morning. I was told to pack some food for them because the sanatorium wasn't going to feed them if they were going to be leaving...so sad. Anna, the orphanage lawyer picked them up for me. Bogdan arrived with a small bag consisting of a pair of pants, two shirts, a sweater, one pair of shoes, his school work and one stuffed dog. Ruslan just had the clothes on his back, it sure was not a whole lot for being 12 and 14 years of age. When we arrived home last night they were so hungry, they are constantly wanting to eat. I'm worried they are going to make themselves sick...I'm needing to really watch what and how much they eat. Earlier today Constantine brought over a tv and DVD player for the boys, and as I type this I can hear them in their room laughing at Tom and Jerry I brought from home, it's the best sound ever. Bogdan acts as if he has just come out of a 14 year coma, he touches and is amazed by everything and about every 20 minutes or so, and I'm not exaggerating, he asks me, "No sanatorium, home mommy?" I reply, "Home, no sanatorium." He still can't believe he is actually with me...

When they woke up this morning I had them scrub themselves raw and when they got out of the shower instead of putting on the nice CLEAN clothes I brought from home, they put their old filthy clothes back on, I told them I needed to wash their clothes and to change, but they still don't look any better. The clothes I brought simply drown them, but hey, at least they are clean and they smell so good.

Today we went back to the sanatorium because they wanted to "present" some little gifts they had for their friends, yesterday they were not able to really say goodbye. I will have to post about what happened, because I get so teary eyed thinking about it. I cried the whole time. These children love each other so much and they were saying goodbye to "family", it was more then I could handle....I'll write more later

Christy, after having the boys with me now for a good 24 hours, I think you now need to start a blog entitled, "Is this normal when...?" Boy do I have so many questions...any advice from you moms and dads who have done this before would be so greatly appreciated at this time. THANKS!!

Tonight when I tucked the boys into bed and kissed them goodnight, Bogdan asked me again, "Mommy, no sanatorium?" No, Bogdan you are ours...no sanatorium.

Loves and kisses xoxo

Pictures from the museum.

This is a picture of the wall in the "Dark Room". Notice in 1939, alone,over 1,340,000 Ukrainians were killed. Actually during WWII over 20 million were killed and that number doesn't even include the ones that died during the famine and in prison.

A few of those that were killed...

In the "Dark Room".

Yura, Sister Hardy, Elder and Sister Roach...love them.

This is my little Arturo. This day I taught them the fine art of playing baseball. They found this piece of wood for the bat, it actually worked wonderfully. I know I slaughtered the rules David, but they will never know.

Facilitator Oksansa and Constantine. He is the owner of the house we are renting and he was also our driver for the day. We are eating at McDonald's. They wanted American food and I wanted Ukrainian...I was out voted 2 to 1.

The boys receiving their birth certificates with their new names. Bogdan Joshua Moore and Ruslan Edward Moore, they sure have nice ring to them, don't they?

Skyping David and the kids our first night together. I tell you...I think I know what we need to get Bogdan for Christmas, a camera.

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Day 22

Today was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! Where do I even begin? I woke up this morning feeling quite homesick, just wanting this to be over with and to finally be able to go home. I miss everyone!! I miss home!! I even put my most favorite shoes on today, hoping they would help, no such luck.



I had a quiet morning and then it was time to get ready for my daily visit with the boys. My bus trips to the Left Bank are now becoming moments of absolute anxiety. The bus drivers are awful. Every single time I board their buses they get so frustrated and angry with me. And no matter how s...l...o...w or how LOUD they talk to me, I STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND!! Once again, today was no different. After I gave the driver my 2 grivna he turned to me and tried to engage in converstation with me. I told him, "American, no Ukraine," and then I started to go to the back of the bus, but this time the driver grabbed my arm and then pointed to a sign. It looked something like this:

Ukridnne

20-10-2010

2.50

Rifhsibwzy

Ahhh, ooops. Apparently the bus fare went up .50. No wonder I have been yelled and cursed at since last week. How was I to know? Do I know how to READ Ukraine, ummm no. Oh, if I had only known this back on the 20th, my bus rides would have been so much more enjoyable. Well, I was still pretty upset, it took me forever to find .50, I haven't got the coins down yet, so I was fumbling in my pockets, my change purse, while the passengers were staring away at the tall, awkward American before them and while I was trying to figure out which coin was .50 the bus driver was tapping his fingers and huffing and puffing in my general direction. Why wouldn't anyone come to my rescue? There had to be someone on that bus that knew enough English to help me, but no. I wasn't able to find the right coin, so I just grabbed 20 grivna and handed it to him, this frustrated the driver even more, he now how to find me the correct change. When he handed me the money I turned around to find a seat and to my horror the only one available was right by the door. For those of you who have been here, this bus was not one of the larger ones that look and smell like they've been around for 50 years, but one of the smaller passenger vans. I sat down and the then the driver turned around and yelled something at me again. DID HE NOT REMEMBER WHAT JUST HAPPENED? I DO NOT SPEAK UKRAINE!!! He said it to me again and then waited, I did nothing and then finally a gentleman from the back of the bus stood up and came and closed the door for me, ahhhh he wanted me to close the door. Well, by this time my eyes were starting to fill with tears, so I took out my Ipod, thanks Wendy for the suggestion, and simply stared out the window. At the next stop, each person that got on or off tripped over my long legs because I was sitting right in there way. I couldn't tuck my legs anywhere and the bus was full so I wasn't able to move to a different seat, this continued to happened at each and every stop for the next 45 $%#!!*@ minutes. (Sorry Mom for swearing). Finally just as we were rounding the corner to my stop I leaned my head up against the window, relieved to finally get off the bus. I know the driver did this on purpose...he drove right over a pothole, which made me bump my head good and hard against the window. I glared at him and he glared right back. Now I have the biggest goose egg on the side of my head. Ohhh, these Ukrainian bus drivers....

I made it to the sanatorium and my day only continued to go downhill. When I walked through the doors I found Bogdan waiting for me, he ran over and gave me a big hug. He went to get Ruslan, but at that moment my most favorite nurse, actually this one really is my most favorite, and she actually has a gold tooth right in the very front, but she is not only kind to me, but the children as well. She came over to where I was standing and you guessed it...she started talking to me. Again, I DO NOT SPEAK UKRAINE! She told me the same thing over and over and poor Ruslan was having a difficult time translating, and then I had a brilliant idea...I called translator Oksana in Kyiv. Apparently the sanatorium had to do a head count of all the children, they were having an inspection by the state done that day and the children needed to be present during the inspection. The inspection was to only take about 15 minutes and they asked me to wait downstairs and the boys would be able to join me in just a bit. Well, you know how I feel about the smell inside, so I decided to wait outside until they were done. It was a beautiful day and just as I sat down our little dog that we feed hot dogs to came and sat with me while I waited. I waited for a good hour or so and then Ruslan finally walked out the door. He had tears running down his cheeks and he wouldn't look at me. He came over to where I was sitting and said, "Mommy home, Bogdan, me sanatorium." I didn't quite know what he meant, so I continued to wait. The friendly nurse came out, we called Oksana again and she explained to me that the state inspector hadn't arrived yet and it would be best if I just went home for the day. I then handed the phone to Ruslan, Oksana wanted to explain everything to him. Bogdan leaned his little ear up to the phone also, when they heard I was going to go back home, they both just started to cry and cry. Ruslan couldn't even talk and Bogdan ran to the other side of the courtyard and continued to cry. The nurse was trying to console Ruslan while I ran over to Bogdan and held him. They were so upset...Ruslan handed me the phone back and then quickly ran into the sanatorium. Oksana then told me that Ruslan didn't think it was right that he had to stay, he now had a mom and dad and he should be with them, not in the sanatorium. He told her he was going to run away later, he just wanted to be with his mom...me. They all left me standing there. I returned back to the bus stop and for the first time in a week the bus driver didn't yell at me, I had given him the correct fare this time. It was a long ride home...

Tomorrow I'm going to spend the day with Elder and Sister Hardy. David and I met them our first Sunday here. I am torn, I feel like I should go and see the boys, but the Hardys received special permission from their mission president to spend the day with me. Also, they found a translator for us who can only do the museum tour tomorrow. The boys know I will not be there, but I still feel awful.

After the sanatorium I returned home, skyped my family and now I've been crying ever since. To those of you who have done this before, hats off to you. I know I'll make it...but today was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. One bright spot, I did find out about the bus fare increase...

Loves and kisses.

(I only took one picture today, maybe tomorrow)

Days 20 and 21

Well, what to post tonight? I took a lot different pictures around the neighborhood and the apartment, but apparently I am only able to upload so many at a time, I will post the rest of them on another day.
Yesterday with it being Saturday and a beautiful one at that, I decided to venture out...oooooh.
I went to the thrift store and found some fun little items to purchase, nothing big. I was headed to the grocery store afterwards and on my way I passed two little babushka's selling items on the side of the road. One had socks, booties, books and an apron for sale. I stopped to look at the socks and I could not believe the price she was asking, 12 grivna, basically a $1,50 for the adult pair. They were handmade for goodness sake. I motioned that I would like to purchase them, I gave her 20 grivna, about $2.50, and then I motioned for her to keep the change. She was so grateful. After the grocery store I noticed they were still there, so I stopped by again, she had another smaller pair of socks that I had not noticed before and a set of the cutest little slippers. She wanted 15 grivna for both, so I gave her 50 and then she started to cry. She came over and hugged me and then of course I got teary eyed. I had basically only given her less then 9 dollars. She then gave me the apron she had for sale and a book also for the 50 grivna. You can probably guess I will never take the socks off and I will use the apron everyday. I was trying to ask her to make more for me, but she is not quite understanding what I want, so I will go back and see her each morning and hopefully she will have more for me to purchase. I have worn the socks ever since, they are sooo cozy and warm and yes, I did take them off when I showered today, but I put them right back on.

Afterwards I caught the bus to visit the boys. I took pictures for you Jenny inside the sanatorium, I didn't turn the flash on because I wanted you to get an idea of how dark it is in some places. It is a cold, dark building. I have learned to breathe through my mouth while inside, the smell really does over power you sometimes, but I am getting use to it. You see, when you hug the children and kiss their little heads, you smell the sanatorium. I can't wait to get them back here to the apartment to scrub their little bodies down and brush their teeth.

I have been fore warned that this would be coming and yesterday it happened. The pouting and shutting down when they don't get their way. Ruslan wanted me to buy him a sim card for his cell phone, which was MIRACULOUSLY found the day we arrived in the Ukraine, go figure. I told him no, he did need a sim card for his cell phone, when he will be with me in just a few days. I really believe a couple of the older boys, which I don't trust at all, put him up to it. They wanted the card for THEIR phones, Ruslan gave his away after they returned it to him, so why did he need a new card. Well, after I told him no, he pouted and ignored me the rest of the afternoon. The problem is, he doesn't know this is NOT my first time around dealing with pouty children. I actually found it to be quiet funny...he would sit right where he knew I would see him. If I went somewhere else, he followed, but stayed far enough away where he could pretend like he couldn't hear me when I talked to him. Bogdan and I had a great time playing baseball with the other kids, Ruslan wouldn't join us...his loss. Eventually my lovely nurse came outside and started her routine of yelling and grabbing children. She usually leaves the boys and I alone, but not that day. She came over to me and started yelling at me, why I had no idea and then she started in on the boys and then the boys started yelling at her, it was pure craziness. I just stood there not knowing what to say or do. Oh and by the way, Christy, she had on a mask covering her mouth, I think your theory about her having a crooked gold tooth or something along those lines just might have some truth to it. Anyway, the yelling went on for a good few minutes, I could tell she wanted those boys inside, so I just packed up my things and headed out for the day. Bogdan felt terrible about the nurse and Ruslan ignoring me, he was really upset with Ruslan and he told him so....I could hear him say, "sdjfkasd;flsuihi mama wiereoiious mama and pappa asdifuosifusoi mama, Ruslan." I tried to convey to him that it was no skin off my nose how Ruslan was acting, I know this won't be the last time either, but it was a bit hard for him to understand me. Bogdan snuck out of the sanatorium and followed me all they way to the bus stop, I could see him hiding in the bushes across the street as I was leaving. When the bus pulled away I saw him run quickly back home. Ruslan did not say a word when I left.

Today I was able to go to church. It was a nice and much needed break. I had a young girl sit behind me and translate the meetings for me. She is approximately 20 years old and is the only member in her family. In fact, her family doesn't even know she has joined the church. She hasn't missed once since she was baptized in June of this year. She was a cutie. Now I am home and bored. I brought 6 books with me and I have already read 5. I am trying to make the last one last a bit longer. This week I am going to do a couple of things with Elder and Sister Hardy. They are the most adorable couple missionary from Colorado. I am looking forward to having looooong conversations with them.

Love you all!!
Kisses!!

This gentlman sits here pretty much every morning. I asked for his picutre yesterday, afterwards he motioned me over to sit with him. He held my hand and he chatted with me for a good 15 minutes. I never understood one word, he was bit intoxicated so I don't think he even noticed or cared.

A closer view of my new friend.

My dear sweet Babushkas that sold me the socks. The one on the right is the one who actually made them.

The socks I purchased along with the slippers.

The book and apron she gave me.

This is the open area right before the sanatorim. The fence we crawl through is at the end of the lane and just to the right.

The tunnel just before the open area.

This is where we say goodbye to the boys each day.

Inside the sanatorium. This is such a long hall with about 8 to 10 lights and the only light ever on is the one at the very end.

This is where we wait for the boys each day.

Taking a picure of us all in the mirror. These pictures are taken around 2pm so you can see it is quite dark inside.

A few of the boys' friends.

This mural is on the wall just as they enter the "dining room".

The...grocery....store....we....go....to...everyday. Can you tell I'm getting so tired of visiting this place.

This...is...the...view...I....see...everyday while sitting inside the store I am so tired of going to, everyday.

Ruslan pouting...