Well it is almost 11pm and what a day. We just got settled in our new place in Berdyansk but before I tell you about that lets review that last 24 hours.
After my last blog we were waiting on the court of Iliah's home town for them to decide if they would approve the breaking of the family.
We found out last night that we had an appointment with the Deputy Chief (like a deputy Mayor in the States) He must see and approve all potential adoptive parents before the can schedule any court proceedings.
We had an appointment with him @ 9am so we were up at 7am to be ready by 8:30am We were told to dress up since the Courts like well dressed people, so I wore a suit and Heidi a dress that made her look as pregnant as possible, and oh did it ever she was so beautiful and I was sweating to death in my wool suit. We got to the Chief's building by 9am and waited until 9:45 then were told he was busy and we would have to come back in an hour. By this time I have drenched my suit in a pool of salty sweat. If only we didn't need this guy I would have given him some good old American piece of mind!
Since we do need him we went to McDonald's and waited in the air conditioning.
When we finally got to see the Chief it lasted about ten min. He told us he was happy that a Ukraine child found parents and he hoped that the child would make a good American citizen. He only shook hands with the men and the Inspector who is a lady and outside of his presence is very strong and confident was meek and submissive in his office. It really showed you how much women are viewed as second class citizens.
The Chief said he would make the conclusion quick for us so we decided to wait. well Ukraine quick and USA quick are very different. After waiting for 2 hours Victor sent us back to the Apartment to pack up, which was no loss to Heidi who had seen a cockroach just that morning when she went to use the shower. Her mom also saw it and she said the funniest thing when
i asked how big it was she said it was big enough to saddle LOL!
So we went back to pack up and wait for the Driver ad the Lawyer who was bringing the petitions to the court for us to sign.
the petitions are to schedule a court date. We are suppose to wait until our papers are submitted to Kiev first but Victor is trying to save us time. He hopes we will have court date by Friday.
We signed the papers with the Lawyer and Victor got our conclusion. We got a mini van for the trip to berdyansk which was 10 times better for Heidi to ride in. The Trip to Berdyansk was 3 hours but we had to make a stop in Iliah's home town because we found out they approved the breaking of the family and all we had to do was pick up the papers.
When we got there they had messed up the papers so they had to redo them. Then they messed them up a second time and by this time the chief was gone so he could not sign them. So Victor has to go back there tomorrow after the Dipiazzos court appointment and get the right papers signed. The he will have everything ready to go to Kiev tomorrow night.
We then headed for Berdyansk, when we strolled into town the Dipiazzos were there to meet us. They rode around with us as we tried to find apartments and then we had dinner together. Even though dinner left something to be desired and I aged 10 years due to the speed of the service it was so great to see friends and to have a dinner conversation in ENGLISH! It was even nice to vent about the same frustrations, we try so hard to go with the flow and not to complain but it is nice to share time with people who know your pain.
Finding an apartment was a chore particularly after our last apartment. Heidi was adamant about cleanliness and a lack of critters. The first place we checked out was no good so we told victor we wanted to go to a hotel until an apartment at the church opened up. the hotel is clean and there are only three critters in this room(Heidi, Jackie and I). The room is much smaller then an American hotel room and it has 3 tiny beds. I feel like I am in Snow white and the 3 dwarfs. Also the check in process was crazy. I will share that another time but lets just say it wasn't Marriott quality:-)
It has been a long ten days, it is hard to explain the exhaustion of being here under these conditions, We really don't realize as Americans how great we have it. Socialism is not the way to go. If anybody wants to see what government run health care is like just ask victor. I asked him what there hospitals were like and he said like American jails. When his wife was pregnant she would lat in bed for an entire day without medical attention. Victor said you have to pay to visit your loved one in the hospital so he paid everyday to visit his wife. WOW!
Not to get on a soap box but anyone who wants socialism has not been to Ukraine.
My heart goes out to these people.
On a great note we will get to see Iliah on Friday!!!
After my last blog we were waiting on the court of Iliah's home town for them to decide if they would approve the breaking of the family.
We found out last night that we had an appointment with the Deputy Chief (like a deputy Mayor in the States) He must see and approve all potential adoptive parents before the can schedule any court proceedings.
We had an appointment with him @ 9am so we were up at 7am to be ready by 8:30am We were told to dress up since the Courts like well dressed people, so I wore a suit and Heidi a dress that made her look as pregnant as possible, and oh did it ever she was so beautiful and I was sweating to death in my wool suit. We got to the Chief's building by 9am and waited until 9:45 then were told he was busy and we would have to come back in an hour. By this time I have drenched my suit in a pool of salty sweat. If only we didn't need this guy I would have given him some good old American piece of mind!
Since we do need him we went to McDonald's and waited in the air conditioning.
When we finally got to see the Chief it lasted about ten min. He told us he was happy that a Ukraine child found parents and he hoped that the child would make a good American citizen. He only shook hands with the men and the Inspector who is a lady and outside of his presence is very strong and confident was meek and submissive in his office. It really showed you how much women are viewed as second class citizens.
The Chief said he would make the conclusion quick for us so we decided to wait. well Ukraine quick and USA quick are very different. After waiting for 2 hours Victor sent us back to the Apartment to pack up, which was no loss to Heidi who had seen a cockroach just that morning when she went to use the shower. Her mom also saw it and she said the funniest thing when
i asked how big it was she said it was big enough to saddle LOL!
So we went back to pack up and wait for the Driver ad the Lawyer who was bringing the petitions to the court for us to sign.
the petitions are to schedule a court date. We are suppose to wait until our papers are submitted to Kiev first but Victor is trying to save us time. He hopes we will have court date by Friday.
We signed the papers with the Lawyer and Victor got our conclusion. We got a mini van for the trip to berdyansk which was 10 times better for Heidi to ride in. The Trip to Berdyansk was 3 hours but we had to make a stop in Iliah's home town because we found out they approved the breaking of the family and all we had to do was pick up the papers.
When we got there they had messed up the papers so they had to redo them. Then they messed them up a second time and by this time the chief was gone so he could not sign them. So Victor has to go back there tomorrow after the Dipiazzos court appointment and get the right papers signed. The he will have everything ready to go to Kiev tomorrow night.
We then headed for Berdyansk, when we strolled into town the Dipiazzos were there to meet us. They rode around with us as we tried to find apartments and then we had dinner together. Even though dinner left something to be desired and I aged 10 years due to the speed of the service it was so great to see friends and to have a dinner conversation in ENGLISH! It was even nice to vent about the same frustrations, we try so hard to go with the flow and not to complain but it is nice to share time with people who know your pain.
Finding an apartment was a chore particularly after our last apartment. Heidi was adamant about cleanliness and a lack of critters. The first place we checked out was no good so we told victor we wanted to go to a hotel until an apartment at the church opened up. the hotel is clean and there are only three critters in this room(Heidi, Jackie and I). The room is much smaller then an American hotel room and it has 3 tiny beds. I feel like I am in Snow white and the 3 dwarfs. Also the check in process was crazy. I will share that another time but lets just say it wasn't Marriott quality:-)
It has been a long ten days, it is hard to explain the exhaustion of being here under these conditions, We really don't realize as Americans how great we have it. Socialism is not the way to go. If anybody wants to see what government run health care is like just ask victor. I asked him what there hospitals were like and he said like American jails. When his wife was pregnant she would lat in bed for an entire day without medical attention. Victor said you have to pay to visit your loved one in the hospital so he paid everyday to visit his wife. WOW!
Not to get on a soap box but anyone who wants socialism has not been to Ukraine.
My heart goes out to these people.
On a great note we will get to see Iliah on Friday!!!
Yeah for the minivan !! Some leg room and breathing space. It's amazing how much more you realize ,when you experience something instead of just reading about it. Socialism only looks good on paper...not in reality. Doesn't sound like much is air conditioned over there, can't imagine how miserable you have all been. Prime weather and conditions for bugs! You are really trying to keep it upbeat in your blog...you have turned so many experiences into laughter, I admire your stamina and overall optimism. On the other hand, I get Heidi's creepy feeling..one cockroach, oh no, hundreds more hiding !
ReplyDeleteHave a great time with Iliah on friday. Stay healthy, sounds like you don't want to end up in one of the hospitals. Sending good thoughts and extra prayers your way for successful and speedy return to the US. Take care, love, Celeste
wow! I totally admire you guys!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are doing a great job! It is so neat to be able to share your experience. We are praying for you and Heidi and Illiah. We saw London last night at Lisa's and she was all smiles. Misses you guys but excited about her new brother and baby. You will look back and laugh one day. Maybe not this day, but one day! Enjoy the journey!
ReplyDelete