Home for three weeks!

It hardly seems like we were ever in Ukraine. We have jumped right back into life, and boy has it been a whirlwind! Three weeks ago today, I was traveling on airplanes alone with Micah, having a breakdown in the London Heathrow baby changing room, and landing in Las Vegas to bring our new son home. Today, he's taking a nap, happy as ever, and such a wonderful addition to our family.

In the last three weeks, we have:
1) Made an offer on a house and are currently in escrow. We should be moving sometime in September (the sooner the better for Mom's taxi service and mileage on the guzzler). The house is pictured below. It sits on 2 1/2 acres. We absolutely love it! Lots of work will go into making some of the landscape green, but all in time. It was built in 1992 and is a repo, but is in really good shape. And I don't mind outdated country-chic for a while so we're all good!











2) Enrolled Gracie at the neighborhood school by our new house, so she can start there at the beginning of the year on August 11, and not have to transfer schools a month later (hence Mom's taxi service worry). The new house is 20 miles from our current house. Maybe homeschooling would have been a better option afterall :) Just kidding, it will all work out.
3) Enrolled Chloe in a preschool near our new house... with differing times than Gracie's schedule, of course :)
4) Enrolled myself back in school after a 6 month break (thankfully no driving is required for this one).
5) Started working on getting Micah into preschool as well, but we have to wait until next week to get the meetings and assessments going. A lot of phone calls have been made in the last three weeks.
6) Made doctors appointments... Micah's first dentist appointment is tomorrow, and his first physical with the pediatrician is August 19th (the doc is booked 2 months out; good thing I made the appointment before we brought him home)! We have to wait on the pediatrician appointment to make the opthamology, ENT, and podiatrist appointments (good 'ole HMO's and their referral process). Good thing he's healthy!!! :) :)
7) Had one meet-and-greet and one baby shower for Micah already! We are getting ready to travel to see my family in a few weeks for the big welcome home party; can't wait for that one!!!
8) Took the littles to Knott's Berry Farm. It was a very fun day.














So, basically our lives went full-fledge back into "normality" or reality. Things have been going very well. And other than the occasional meltdown for reasons I haven't figured out, Micah is doing awesome (I did figure out the one today though... he thought we were going outside when I was heading upstairs, and he was not having it! I realized this poor guy has spent the majority of his life outside from breakfast to lunch, and here we are going to put laundry away). He's a normal 3 yr old: lots of energy, appetite, and sleep. He loves to play, and he is ever-so silly... love this new son of ours!


I have also realized that we are one of the very lucky ones. Our adoption story had a big bump when we first got to Ukraine, but overall it was a picture-perfect story. We brought home a child when some go overseas and come back empty handed. We enjoyed our time in Micah's birth country. Sure there were quirks and irritations, and I was overjoyed to come home, but a part of my heart will always be in Kyiv. Someday we will go back and visit, and I look forward to it! The flights home were uneventful (except for the stowed-away stroller); I did not have to deal with puke or diaper blow-outs (sorry Joel and Rachel!) Our son, even with an extra chromosome, is so very healthy even when we thought he had a heart condition, he has none. He is happy, eats and sleeps well, and has adjusted and bonded very well and quickly to our family. These things don't happen to everyone.

If you want to pray for a dear friend of mine going through completely opposite emotions and experiences than I did, please read her blog post, http://bringingcarsonhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-saddness-you-need-to-know.html. Karrie and her family are arriving home today, and they all need the support and love that prayers can bring. And so do their dear, sweet new sons as they figure out what life is really supposed to be like with a REAL FAMILY. Oh Lord, please bless them all with comfort, wisdom, patience, and peace. Please especially bless Karrie in the important role as their mother.

Parents going through adoptions go through good, bad, and ugly. We had our share of all of these, and none can really be compared to anyone else's story, because they are all so different. The Lord knows what each of us can handle, and He knows our limits. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

I also ask for prayers for our dear friends, Robroy and Cecelia Quinn. They are in Taiwan right now waiting on the visa process to bring home their new baby girl. Cecelia and their 5 year old son, Robbie, have been in Taiwan since January. Although their adoption process was the same length of time as ours, she has spent all of it away from home, so it's seemed much much longer. Robroy joined her after the school year was over (he's a teacher), and they should be coming home in the next week or two. Please pray that the visa process goes smoothly, and that it even may be expedited, and that they all have safe travels home. Although it's possible for Robroy to get a substitute if he needs to, little Robbie starts 1st grade on August 11th! I pray for a miracle that they can get home quickly and have at least a week to recover. Our hearts are with them each day.

Well, that's about it I guess. So many adoptions going on... so many families to pray for... even ones who are waiting for a child placement here in the United States... I am thankful God has called adoption to so many hearts, since it is His divine plan that calls us to be adopted into His family. I am thankful and grateful for His love that sees us through all our experiences, good and bad. He is always there for us, and is just a prayer away.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

One week at home

I thought I would do a one week check-in since everybody else is :)

So far everything is going great! It seems like Micah has been a part of our family forever. The girls and Fischer love him so much. Annie is even saying "Micah" very clearly. They have a lot of fun together.

Micah sleeps and eats so well. We've had no problems with either. He is learning how to use a fork and spoon quite steadily! He likes everything we give him except vegetables, even cold foods (which I thought would take a while since he ate a lot of hot in the orphanage). He loves juice and water, but hates milk. He tends to eat so much that he spits up a little, so I have to watch his portions.

He plays great with all the toys around here, but his favorite is the toy electric guitar that makes lovely noisy music for hours! He also likes the plastic spatula from the bbq set ???

He cannot get enough hugs and kisses. He loves to be held. He is happy all day and is the best cuddler EVER (sorry Gracie).

Things have been so much easier since we've been home. I expected a harder transition, but really it has been almost nonexistent. It's one more child, one more mouth to feed, one more toothbrush, one more carseat, one more set of clothes to wash and put away... but in reality it's one more of God's precious children to love and bring love to the world. Micah is amazing. I am beyond blessed to be called his mother.

I still pinch myself when I look back and realize what it took to get to this point, and that we actually went through all of that! We, Barry and Shelly Ray, adopted a child! From a foreign country! We traveled to Kiev, Ukraine! We brought home a little boy! WHAT?! Seriously, it's so surreal. Going through it felt like a hard reality, and now it feels like a dream. Kinda backwards I think... has anyone else felt like that?

But it's all wonderful. We were very blessed to be gifted with such an amazing little boy. Sure, there are some things we are working on that he learned in the orphanage, like spitting and throwing things, but he is sweet and loving. He is not agressive at all. He is so happy. He loves us, and he knows how loved he is. He even likes Abby (our dog)! :)

So that's our one week update. I'll check in again soon.

A fun day

Yesterday was another good day. After naps, we went for a walk with all the littles... A few blocks and lots of uphill incline. It about killed me, but it felt good to get out and exercise some. When we got back, we decided to bring the back porch furniture back up (the deck was just rebuilt and stained) so the kids could play in their dollhouse. We also washed our patio furniture and took out the new Little Tikes picnic table. It was such a nice evening that we decided to eat dinner outside. The kids loved it!






























Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

First haircut

Well he's had his head shaved before, but a real haircut? I'm thinking not. When we were in Ukraine, I couldn't wait to get home to cut Micah's hair since it was so long. The day after we got home, I begged Barry to do his magic so I didn't have to take him to the salon. I'm so glad he knows what he's doing because if Micah had had this fit in public, I would have felt even worse. He hated the noise of the shears, and probably thought we were going to hurt him no matter how much I consoled him (while sneaking in priceless pictures), but oh how he looks so much better!






A good shaggy "before" picture.



































Notice Gracie's concern from the background.












After a bath to clean the loose hair... All better!






I'm so lucky Barry knows how to do a good standard military cut... This is how I like my boys to look :) And it's free! Even better.

One chapter ends, another begins

Our flights went well on Wednesday. We sat next to some great people on both legs, one guy from Ghana, and another from Las Vegas who just got home from 18 months in Saudi Arabia. The man from Ghana is going to school in Ukraine and knows Ukrainian, so he was able to talk to Micah some and was such a nice young man. I really enjoyed that leg with him, talking about his travels and going to medical school. Micah slept most of both flights and did great in between as well. In fact, he did better than me on the 2 hour layover.

I had a melt down in the London airport because when we got off the plane, his stroller wasn't there. I asked the British Airways lady where it was and she said no strollers were put in the cabin. I said I saw them put his stroller on the plane and she said in the hull? I said yes and then she said it would be in the baggage claim on the last flight. WHAT?!!!! I had to carry a 3 yr old and my carry ons through an unfamiliar airport. It was huge. I held it together through the walk to the long line to get to security, then upstairs to get to another line to security, waited for 10-15 mintues through security, went downstairs to the terminal area to find out where to go and lo and behold I had to take a tram to the part of the terminal I needed to be in. I went to customer service and asked if they had any strollers (the aforementioned BA lady said to go there to get one) and the very nice gentleman said they had no buggies. I did everything I could not to cry, but the tears came anyway. He asked if he walked. Yes, he walks, but he doesn't do well holding hands and listening while he walks (yet), so I have to carry him to avoid a struggle. He directed me to the tram and it sounded forever away. I found the nearest bathroom, changed Micah's diaper, and had my meltdown in the changing room. I pulled myself together and on we went. Down a hall to a "lift" (elevator), to the train/tram... two stops to gate C52 and there it was. The gate! They were already boarding, so we sat and waited for our row to show up on the screen. Once it did, the nice BA lady said, "Come with me through the short line" (someone finally acknowledged I had a baby!) LOL... I got on and the rest was cake.

Micah sat still pretty well, fell asleep, and slept most of the 9 1/2 hour last leg. When he did wake up, he was happy and easy. And the man next to us didn't mind the occassional swat by him either, ha! Once we landed in Las Vegas, it was a short walk to customs, a short line through customs, then we had to go to the immigration office in order for Micah to be accepted into the U.S. That took about 20 minutes, then I got my suitcase and out we went to greet our amazing family.

Barry had roses! If anyone knows my husband, they would know that this is a HUGE thing! He doesn't buy flowers, hardly ever... not even on Valentine's Day or my birthday. He thinks it's a waste of money for something that's going to die in a few days. I got over it a long time ago, but there he was with roses :) It melted my heart.

The girls and Fischer had welcome home signs for me and Micah. Chloe ran right up to him and said hi to him. He tried to kiss her, so I let her know she needed to kiss him. Annie was very quiet and shy towards me, and Gracie watched in the background. I hugged and kissed them all and Barry took Micah right away. Out we went to the car and the long 3 1/2 hour drive home. There wasn't any traffic, but after that ride, I realized how FAR we live from the main highway. We are really in the boonies up here. It was almost midnight before we got in bed. And we all slept, all night!

Thursday morning, Micah woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as usual. He still loves his morning cuddles, hugs, and kisses. Gracie had slept in our bed, so she got to bond with him early too. We went downstairs and made pancakes, and all the kids were happy. We spent the morning lounging, and then decided to go to Costco. All 7 of us. Why not? Two carts; two kids in each cart, and Barry, Fischer and I walking around. We got everything we needed and made it out alive. In fact, all the children were really good, especially Micah. We headed home, put everything away, the littles took their naps, and the day was great! We had another good night of sleep too.

Today, we all got up, had breakfast, then I took Chloe to gymnastics (first time in 7 weeks for her), she did awesome, then we came home and had lunch. Micah and Annie went down for their naps and Chloe pretended to. It's been another great day so far, and I imagine it will continue like this from here on out.

Micah loves having a mommy and daddy. And he likes to play with his sisters. He loves to run into Fischer's arms too. Security. Happiness. Love. What more could a little boy want? He has what every child deserves. A family with lots of love to give. The ending to our adoption story, and the beginning of a lifetime with our new son.

We sincerely thank everyone who helped give Micah the gift of a family, and who helped us be the ones to bring him home. We love you all and wish the best that life can bring. May the Lord bless each and every one of you.

Visa

Who knew that this four letter word was so important? I always heard visa and thought shopping or credit... Little did I know that word would change my life.

You grow up hearing about immigrants, legal and illegal, and the fact that they need visas to stay in America. Never did I think something like that would pertain to or affect my life, after all I was born in the land of milk and honey so why would it?

Then we fell in love with a foreign-born baby boy. We started the adoption process not really knowing too much about what it would require other than our love and devotion. Oh and time, money, tears, stress, fears, worries, prayers... Just like any other child right? Wrong. "If anyone tells you adoption is easy, they are wrong." Those were the words I spoke today as I accepted Micah's visa at the U.S. embassy this morning, with tears streaming down my face. This is it! The final piece. Finally. We can go HOME!

This process has most likely created my first gray hair(s). Was it worth it? Of course! All God's children are worth it. Would I do it again? Ask me again in a few years. For now, I am so relieved to be done with the red tape. I am glowing at my little man taking his last nap in his birth city. I am looking forward to boarding our plane in 24 hours and pray there are no delays and that our airplanes arrive safely and on time to their destinations.

Thank you for following our journey.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Independence Day

This year, Independence Day takes on a new meaning. Independence from life in an orphanage for Micah. Independence to be his mommy outside that orphanage for me. Even though we're still in Ukraine, we are enjoying our day, and he's wearing red, white, and blue proudly! Soon we'll be on American soil, and I will be so relieved to be home. Two more days!









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What I love

I love that Micah can sign "mama" "daddy" "more" "please" "thank you" and "sorry" in just a few weeks of working with him.

I love that after only two nights, he wakes up happy and ready to give lots of hugs and kisses.

I love that he dances to any music he hears and loves to be sung to.

I love that he eats almost everything!

I love that he knows I'm his mommy and wants me to be with him all the time.

I love that he lets me console him.

I love that he has no idea what is waiting for him at home. A brother and three sisters waiting to love on him.

I love that Chloe got that cutesy voice when talking to him last night, "Hi Micah boy!" She is only 5 months older than him. Of course, we'd been planning on a 2 year old all this time, lol.

I love that Fischer can't wait to meet Micah.

I love knowing that all is well at home because I married the most amazing man in the world.

I love having good friends who sacrificed their time and family to help ours. Thank you, Gina, Robert, Kristin and Bryan!

I miss my kids more than anyone can comprehend, but I love that I will see them again in three days and get to love on them and never stop.

I love that the Lord put us on this journey to adopt an orphan who never would have had the chance to have a family, and that he is an orphan no more!

I love that our real journey with Micah is about to begin in just a few short days.

It was the shower head!

I reluctantly gave Micah a bath this morning. After his scream fest the first night I wasn't really sure how it would go. Most of the bathtubs in Ukraine have a shower hose on them, so I used that the first night. This morning I just drew an old fashioned bath with bubbles. He was very nervous, so we just did one step at a time until he was calm. Finally I got him seated and he relaxed! I gave him a washcloth and he was all about it after that. It was like night and day... until I washed his hair and scrubbed behind his ears. I really wonder if this sweet boy has ever had a real bath. Then I calmed him down again and he played and played and played until he was wrinkled. He got so mad at me when I took him out. I've heard his sad whine, his painful cry, his scared cry, and now his mad cry. It didn't take him long to calm down with lots of hugs and kisses though.

























I would say he's adjusting quite well and he can't wait for his next bath!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Life with Micah, Day 1

This little boy has my heart. He is so awesome! I don't have pictures from today, but it will forever be molded into my mind.

He woke up disoriented and scared in the semi-dark room at 6:45am after sleeping ALL night. He looked around frantic and then recognized me by his side. He smiled and jumped in my arms. Perfect way to start the day. I made scrambled eggs and he ate them all. I was glad because he didn't eat so good last night and I was worried I'd have to find a recipe for porridge.

I got him dressed and he played around a bit being Mr. Detective... so curious! Opening every door and drawer, playing with cords and the tv, basically exploring everything he could. Today was supposed to rain all day so I didn't have high hopes to get out for long, but I took him down to the park right outside our front door at 8:45, and we walked around. And then we walked down to the main street near us, Basseina, and walked some more. I hadn't brought anything but the key and the phone, and it looked nice outside, so I went back to get the stroller, the umbrella, and cash and decided to see where the day would take us. The hour by hour forecast said scattered showers after 9am, so I was chancing it. But we have nothing to do in the apartment; no toys or tv or anything! So why not?

We left at 9:00. We walked up Basseina to Kreschatyk (the big main street) and realized it's Saturday! Yea! That means something is going on in the center and the road is closed to traffic. I got to Independence Square and saw there were 4x4's lined up for some kind of show, and a big stage with music. Loud and fun! Micah started dancing in his stroller. I crossed and went into the square with the intention of just going to the top and taking it all in. I found myself retracing steps from our first days here and got nostalgic. I really miss Barry. I passed the street of our first apartment and decided to go to Volodymirska Street and St. Andrew's Decent by the SDA. On the way, at St. Michael's Cathedral, I saw a group of people taking a picture and heard "ready?" I offered to take the whole group picture so nobody was missing and they paused and said, "You speak English!" I talked to this family for a while. There had to be about 20 people and most of them were from Georgia. Super nice! One couple had adopted a girl 6 years before from here and had her with them. They wanted a picture of me and Micah after hearing our story... Why not?

We continued on, me and my little buddy. We got to our old friends at the souvenir shops, and yes, I finally finished my purchases for real! Got a few breaks even, since I was a return customer ;)

Then we headed back. It had been sunshine up to this point, and I was so grateful, but clouds started hovering. I prayed, "Please don't let us get wet... Let it break just until we get home." We didn't feel a single drop all day, and even still!

We stopped at McDonald's for lunch and my little eater had half a fillet o fish sandwich, and half of the large fries. He loved dipping them in ketchup! He was so careful not to get messy. He kept scooting next to me and smiling. It was a great lunch break. He liked his Fanta, but the carbonation made his eyes water so he didn't have too much.

We continued home, and I decided to go down into the underground mall to shop since I haven't really done that yet. It was fun! I got Micah a backpack for his flight home. We headed back into the sunshine, toward our apartment, and stopped at the toy store on the opposite corner from our street. I bought two toys: mega blocks and an indoor soccer ball. That should get us through Wednesday :) This place was like a mini Toys 'r Us, but I had a store employee follow me (I am positive it was to make sure I wasn't stealing). They weren't very friendly and were over priced, but I smiled anyway and said, "Spaciba!"

Finally we got home at 12:45pm. Almost four hours in the sunshine! Thank you, Lord! Just when I thought I was out of favors. Micah is taking a nap now, and I'm catching up on my blog (this will be the new norm... Only when he's sleeping because I can't do both when he's awake). And back at home too with the girls!

I am so impressed and proud of my new little sweetheart and how well he did out in the world today. No fussing, just sweet and fun. I'm liking the way our new life with him looks! He's such a great boy. I'm glad I risked the weather to explore. It made for a relaxing and adventurous morning to places I didn't think I'd get to see again. I can't wait to get home, but I will always miss this place just a little.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Pressing on

The day started out about an hour later than I expected. I was anxious. Butterflies filled my tummy at the thought of taking Micah out of the orphanage forever. I knew it was a big day ahead. Lots had to be done in order for us to be able to go home Saturday, but the team was 100% confident all would go well. I knew there was a chance any one thing could hold us up, and although I worried, I was also very hopeful.

Sherry and I got to the orphanage and changed the kids into their new personal clothes. We signed documents to release them, said goodbye to the staff and the Goldens, and we were on our way! It was almost noon and the medicals had to be done by then, so we went there first. Technically that's a no-no, but it can be done. The clinic staff was amazing and quick. Micah was healthy, no heart murmur, and ready to go! We played in the toy room while we waited for the Whites to be done.

The we went to the passport office to pick up the printed and finished passports. They were done the day before and supposed to be there in the morning. The passport lady promised Niko we could pick them up at 1:00. We waited and waited and waited. If she had kept her promise, we'd be on a plane in 8 hours. I guess the Lord had other plans. It was 3:30 before we left the passport office. We were supposed to be at the embassy at 2:00 and we still had to go back to the clinic to get the medical envelopes. Since it's Friday, the clinic closed at 3:00.

But we pressed on! We went back to the clinic anyway, and the White's doctor was still there at 3:45! Niko begged her to help us so we could go home to our families in America and celebrate our big National holiday there. It worked. She put her doctor coat back on, called Micah's doctor back in, and away they went printing, signing, sealing, and copying. It took 45 minutes. I hugged Micah's doctor. It was 4:30 and I knew we wouldn't make it to the embassy before 5:00 and even if we had, there wouldn't be time to process the visa even if they rushed it.

Still, we pressed on. And got stuck in the most awful gridlock I've ever seen, and I used to commute from Turlock to Pleasanton! When it was 5:00, I surrendered. Embassy closed, computers off, no more hope. At 5:20, Niko told me to call. I knew it wouldn't help but I did. Amy answered. She said there was no way to get the visas done today, but still to drop off the paperwork with the guard.

So we kept moving forward. At 6:30, we dropped off the stack of papers with a note and said we'll be back Tuesday! Even though we're not in America, the U.S. Embassy closes on our holidays along with Ukrainian holidays, so unfortunately Monday is not an option.

And we returned to our apartments. WITH our beautiful children. And we are still moving forward. We will go back on Tuesday for the final piece, and we both fly out Wednesday. Micah and I land in Las Vegas at 6:45 pm. And we will finally be reunited with our family! I'm so glad we didn't tell the girls I was coming home tomorrow, but I know my sweet and wonderful husband is very disappointed and misses me so much. I miss him too. And I appreciate him more than he will ever know.

Micah is sleeping soundly and peacefully, and I'm going to go join my little boy for the first time! Thank you Heavenly Father for the miracle of this adoption, along with all the struggles, tears, and stress. It is all worth it for your glory. Please be with us the next few days as we find some fun things to do in rainy Kiev, and as we get to really know each other and bond in our own little element. And be with the Whites too. Let us all get home safely on Wednesday. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Gotcha Day

I don't think I've ever seen him so happy or antsy! Today was the much anticipated Gotcha Day! I broke Micah out of the orphanage. Sherry walked in before me and Micah ran to her to be held :) He loves his Aunt Sherry. Yes, we've adopted her too.











First thing's first! Even though he looked really cute today, the orphan couture came off, and on went his own clothes!











He was giving me kisses again today.



Old shoes












All dressed and ready to go!











Bye! Paka paka!











We got to hang out with the Golden's for a bit before the paperwork was ready to sign the kids out. Remember Micah and Jackson in their crib? No more!











Three littles in the same groups all going home! Jackson will be right behind the other two.











Mommas with their babies. Three busting out today!!











I'm gonna miss you Aunt Rachel! Yes, we adopted her too :)












Get me outta here already! Geez, Mom!











Gavin and Micah love Niko's car and wonder why they had to wait so long to get in.












Us with Dr. Sasha. The best director ever!











We were in such a hurry to get to the medical clinic that we couldn't get the pictures outside the gate I wanted, but here are some at the clinic toy room. He was Hulk Hogan for a minute.











He loved that room! Oh and he's very healthy as I suspected :)











Back in the car, he fell fast asleep.











Once we finally got to our apartment, I fed him, gave him a bath (well used a shower head with a wand), combed his hair, and brushed his teeth. He wasn't too excited about any of it, but worst of all was the bath. He SCREAMED through the whole thing. Better get used to it buddy, don't know how they did it there, but you smell great like J&J baby shampoo now! Mmmmmmmm.











Big ole pouter, lol! Poor Micah.











He wasn't so sure about sleeping here, but he had no trouble after bedtime songs, prayers, and kisses xoxo. love him so much!!










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad