The Wheels on the Bus....

Well surprise surprise. It was raining today when we got up. What a great way to start a Saturday. I decided I was still going to run so off I went sloshing along through the puddles. There were not too many people out this Saturday morning, first I suspect since it was early Saturday morning and second because it was RAINING! Anyway, all went well until I ventured to close to what looked like an old junkyard. I sensed someone was following me and turned just in time to see a large German, uh maybe Ukrainian, Shepherd closing on me bent on making my right calf his next meal. Now it is always amazing how you react to these types of situations. I could have run faster, well maybe not much faster, but still. I could have panicked, which I think I did to some degree, but I just stopped, turned, and yelled "NO, NO" but not in English, in my best Ukrainian. The dog began to bark and I began to walk away very slowly. Natasha told me I had to worry about the drivers and the drunks when I ran, I guess she forgot about the dogs.



Anyway, I have to tell the Ann-on-the-bus story. Two days ago, we were headed to the city center and the Evensons wanted to take the bus. Ann and I were game so we ventured out to the main street. As the bus approached you could see it was jammed packed with people. The bus stopped and a few people got off. We were towards the front of the line, if you could call it a line, and we were soon stepping onto the bus. There was no way all of us were going to get on the bus, that was clear. We hesitated a little and weren't sure what to do. We were on the steps and there was no room on the bus. Just then, a old lady pushed Ann right in the back and it dropped Ann to her knees. The woman was saying something, who knows what. It became quite apparent there was a bus protocol we were not aware of. The protocol demanded that you push yourself with all your might until all that wished to ride were on board. Let's just say we got to know a few Ukrainians better than we would have liked. Kris and Cort, you got your wish. We rode the bus!

Day Two of the Waiting Game

Just for Maggie, a cute street dog that followed us for a while

Ruslan trying on Ann's scarf. He looks a little like a cross between his new Grandmothers

Ruslan and Max outside the orphanage

Sight-seeing at local monument

Visit the Chocolate Factory...ymmmm!!

Well it is very wet here today and Ann and I decided to stay inside today. Natasha had to travel to her home town this morning and she left very early. She may not be back until tomorrow. The Evensons left this morning for a morning walk and returned a little while later and pretty soaked. Natasha arranged for the children to be brought to us around 3:00pm.

Ruslan had enjoyed the PSP that my mother loaned to us. Thanks Mom! He even brought a game from one of the boys at the orphanage that had been given a PSP by the Howick family. We also worked on English tonight for a while. I thought I would include a few photos that we hadn't had a chance to share. Yesterday we did do some exploring and Natasha showed us some sites. We went to a chocolate factory and a museum and a few other sites. The next eight days are going to be quite long I am afraid. We plan on seeing Sergei again sometime this weekend.

The Waiting Game - Part 2

Ruslan wanted to say hi to the family!

The Waiting Game

Not sure what to talk about today since everything we were working towards is done, at least for the next 10 days anyway. So we borrowed the Evenson's digital camera that has a video capability and recorded a couple of short videos. We weren't sure what to say as we were discussing it and Ruslan said "Hi, my name is Ruslan and I don't speak English." We laughed so hard we had to record it for everyone. The video you saw was the first take with the video running and as you can tell he could hardly get it out before cracking up. We are having a great time getting to know him better. With his sense of humor, he is going to fit in real well. Enjoy.

Here Comes the Judge

Louise and Ann with celebration rose


Ireyna and Natasha at restaurant

First picture of Ruslan Matthew Carr and his parents

Today was court. Natasha told us this morning that the fax had not returned from the SDA which was needed to actually schedule the court time. She was concerned we would not be in court today. Around noon, Natasha called and told us to prepare for court and to be ready within the hour. We were excited and apprehensive about it at the same time. She called us a little later and said our court time was actually going to be at 3:00pm. She sent the taxi to the apartment and it arrived with a smiling Ruslan in the front seat. He was dressed in the same suit he had on for the interview with the city. When we arrived at the courthouse I was a little surprised. It is rather a small building and very old inside. We were delayed and were still sitting waiting to see the judge at 6:00pm. I really feared that he would cancel the hearing and ask us to come back tomorrow. Luckily for us, the judge agreed to hear the case even though everyone had left the courthouse except those associated with the case and two police officers who sat out front of the courtroom. The hearing itself was rather short, maybe 30 minutes or so with Ann and I testifying then Ruslan, and the City of Poltava, and the Orphanage (Ireyna). Sorry folks, no pictures here, it is strictly forbidden and can result in arrest. They simply don't allow it. Soon the judge pronounced that Ruslan's name would be changed and ordered his birth certificate changed and it was done. Ann was crying and so was I. Ruslan seemed relaxed and had a smile on his face, probably knowing the hardest part was over. A few hugs later we were headed to a celebratory dinner at a very nice local restaurant, Zefir, with Natasha and Ireyna. Ruslan will be officially part of our family after the 10 waiting period which starts tomorrow. Unbelievable! Louise and Ray Evenson and the girls were kind enough to purchase a rose for us to congratulate us on our new family member. Very thoughtful.

Men in Black

Thanks Jenny for the white board

Ann waiting in line, Jeff getting in trouble

Natasha arranging for transportation of documents

Poltava Train Station

Our crew with the landlady's muscle, The men in black

Today was the first day I decided to go for a run since I have been in the Ukraine. Interesting. I was a bit of a point of interest to people on the street. I was the the only one out running that I saw on a very chilly morning. But I can now say I have run on three continents, adding Europe and Australia. Anyway, today we signed up for another week in the apartment (options were really limited) besides we have now lost all sense of smell so it doesn't really matter any more. The landlady is a very nice woman and she had her cleaning lady here cleaning the apartment and we were asked to leave for an hour. She said "the boys" would be by after to collect the rent, very nice young men we met last week and affectionately call our "men in black."

While we were waiting for the apartment to be cleaned we headed out with Natasha to the train station to deliver more documents that needed to be taken to Kiev. We also stopped at a grocery store by the train station. It was a large market with a lot of variety. They have security at some of the grocery stores. You have to check your bags in lockers prior to entering. They also don't allow photographs in most stores, depending on the owner. Jeff accidentally took a picture and got in trouble. He really wasn't trying to cause any problems.

Anyway, we returned to the apartment with our grocery sacks in tow. The apartment actually smelled clean when we entered. We are really beginning to love this place. No really!

I went with Natasha to pick up passport and visa photos of the children and then we were dropped at the orphanage. We got pizza tonight from a place within a couple of blocks of the apartment so we got take-out. Ruslan did a nice job of ordering. I couldn't see the cash register amount and of course I couldn't understand the cashier, so Ruslan showed me his phone and dialed 118 indicating the amount I needed to pay. I love this kid and he is quick on his feet.

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY

Ruslan's pre-school

Natasha picking up kids at orphanage

Shopping area, complete with cobblestone street

On the way to find souvenirs

Neighborhood market

Well today was rainy but what are you going to do. We decided we would venture into town and do some souvenir shopping today while we waited for the next step in the adoption process. We walked in the rain to the city center, to a very nice area, kind of a tourist stop, and found a shop that Ann just had to visit.

When we returned to the apartment we took the opportunity to photograph some buildings including the market we frequent. The other night as we came out of the market Ruslan pointed across the street and I said "your school?" as it appeared to be an elementary or pre-school with playground equipment out front. He said "baby" and pointed to himself. I wasn't sure if it was a school or an apartment. Natasha later told us that he apparently lived in this neighborhood when he was younger and she indicated the building was a pre-school.

Natasha took me to the notary later to sign a power of attorney for some documents that were sent to Kiev by train last night and would need to be picked up and processed. We had hoped to have our court date tomorrow but were advised it will probably be Wednesday now. There always seems to be some type of delay.

After Natasha and I left the notary, we picked up the kids at the orphanage and returned to the apartment. We talked with Ruslan tonight about possible options for returning home for a week or so and then returning. He told Natasha he would rather have us stay but understood if we had to go home and then return. Natasha also told us that since Ruslan was born in the "city" of Poltava, it could cause a problem with the issuance of the new birth certificate if both parents are not present, since the law requires it. In short, after a lot of soul searching we are probably going to stick it out and stay. We don't want a problem when it comes time to issue the new birth certificate after our court date and waiting period. Fun huh! Well, hopefully our waiting period (ten days) will start some time this week.