Friday, December 07, 2007

Hellooo!!

Hi to everyone! We are no longer in Kyiv, we're now in Gorlovka, after spending time in a few other cities. :)

So here's the scoop. Our SDA appt did not go well (Mark says it went "okay" :)). We really only had one choice that didn't even completely match our profile. Because of a lack of options, we decided to take the referral for two brothers, ages 4 and 5 in the Donetsk region. We got their referral papers on Wednesday evening and took a night train to their city, arriving about 9am the next morning. We were not able to meet with the social worker so we went straight to the orphanage. It was quite the experience, to be detailed later. ;) The boys were brought individually into the director's office for us to see them and the director had them draw and do a few little activities. After seeing both of them, we requested being able to see them in their groupas, as we felt they were a little overwhelmed by the number of adults in the room (us, our translator, the director, the speech pathologist, the doctor, and a couple others all in a 10'x10' room).
We came back that evening after much praying as to what to do. The boys are both delayed, but other than that there was nothing that would have discouraged us from adopting them. We were praying for some indication as to what God's plan was for us and the boys. When we went back to visit, we visited each of their rooms individually. While both of the boys were quite shy in the initial meeting and did not interact much with either of us, it was a little different seeing us for the second time in the same day. The older one came over to us and hung out with us as we sat on the couch in his groupa's room. Although he's not quite sure what to do with us, he became pretty possessive in telling the other kids that we were not their parents, although he didn't claim us for himself. ;) When we went to the younger boy's room, as soon as we walked in the room and he saw us he ran over and threw his arms around my legs in a big hug. I sat with his groupa for awhile as they watched a cartoon and Mark and our facilitator talked with the caretakers. When we left, I said goodbye to all of the kids, and an individual goodbye to our boy. As we left, he had his head down and was trying to wipe away tears without anyone seeing.
We went to the orphanage doctor's office and got their full medical history, and decided to adopt them. :) :) :)
As unexpected and completely different than we thought this would be, these are most definitely our sons. I have never felt such peace about a decision--no qualms, no afterthoughts, just peace. We have already chosen their new names and applied for permission to adopt them. We will meet with the judge on Monday to set a court date, which we anticipate being the following week (around Dec 16). Both boys will probably need some therapy and a lot of good nutrition, and of course all the love we can give them. Although I can't give you their full names yet, you can be praying for Alexander and Timothy and our progression towards becoming a family. There is still much to be done, and I know they don't understand why we left yesterday without them (we didn't even tell them we were coming back because we hadn't officially decided). Please pray for their tender hearts and that God would continue to knit us together as a family.
Everything is going phenomenally well and we are in VERY good hands. The first few days were very stressful with a lot of decision-making. Now we are much more relaxed although there is still a lot to go before we come home. Thank you all for your prayers--you have no idea how many have been answered in ways you wouldn't believe. We will do our best to post again soon, or send word through my mom (the internet cafe we were at kept shutting down internet explorer when I tried to post on blogger).

30 comments:

Jane said...

I am so, so excited for you. Where are you in the Donetsk region? Daniel and Maggie are from Kramatorsk, which is only an hour from Donetsk. Don't worry about them being delayed, all children are delayed in the orphanages as they do not get the individual love and attention that allows them to reach their potential. You will be so surprised as to how quickly they will change when you get home. Let's face it, you've got me to give you advice (asked for or not), since I've seen it all with our 3 kids!!!! I guess Maggie's clothes can go to Goodwill now....

Leslie said...

What a blessing to see God direct your paths to these two boys, your sons! Prays for you as you walk the rest of the way. Stay strong through the ups and downs of the process. At least now you know who you are fighting for!

Debora Hoffmann said...

Dear Mark and Courtney, I am overjoyed to hear that God has led you to your sons! Praise God! I'll pray for their hearts, and I can't wait to hear more about them. How precious that the younger one was so sad when you left--he must have been thrilled that you came back.

Big hugs from hoping-to-be-adoptive parents in Colorado,
Debbie

Kathy and Matt said...

I can feel your peace as I read your post. I'm so overjoyed at hearing about the 2 little boys you're adopting.

You will all be in our prayers as the process continues. We will be praying for your court date and also that God continue to bless your time with the boys.

Congratulations!

Diana said...

A big congratulations to your family! Reading your post brought back a flood of memories for me...and tears to my eyes as well. This past summer, we too were presented only one "real" option of 2 boys that were slightly outside our initial scope. All too well I know the feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, even after you meet the children...and I also know the feeling that comes when you KNOW that this is the path God meant for you all along and THESE are the children He had prepared for you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord in with all thine heart. Lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowlege him and he shall direct thy paths."

May your journey be blessed and your burdens be light as you carry forward.

Tonya said...

Oh I am so crying my eyes out. (((HUG)))

Anonymous said...

I am really pleased for you :)

Kate
http://aspecialfamily.wordpress.com

Tami said...

I'm so thrilled for you! They sound adorable. I can't wait to meet the little guys! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Praise the Lord! It's hard to type with the tears hitting the keys, but I wanted to let you know how excited we are for all four of you! I can't wait to hear about the first time your sons call you "Mama" and I'll try my hardest to understand. (wink wink)

God bless,
Kurt and Becky

ArtworkByRuth said...

Congratulations! Your boys will start to reveal their hearts and personalities as they begin to know and trust you! We continue to pray for your journey!

Anonymous said...

Courtney & Mark - So glad to know you have such peace. Amazing coincidence that you would end up in your facilitator's home town. (Well, probably not a coincidence.: ;o)

Will continue to pray for you and the boys and that your process goes very smoothly.

Anonymous said...

Found you through Tonya's blog...

What wonderful news!!! God is so good! Congratulations and praying the process goes smoothly :)

Anonymous said...

Courtney and Mark,

Your dad and I are on the phone to each other right now. We both have tears on our cheeks all the way down to our keyboards.

Love,
Cathy

Anonymous said...

Mark and Courtney,

I am so overjoyed for you both and am in tears as I type this. I am so excited for you and for your boys that you have finally found each other.

God is trully, trully awesome.

You are all in my prayers.

Julie said...

2 boys! I'm so excited! I can't stop crying tears of joy :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome Courtney and Mark! These little boys sound wonderful and would be a wonderful fit to your instant family. I'm sure it's not easy seeing all of the children in the orphange. I'm sure that once you get them into your home and they have a good stable environment filled with love they should quickly adapt and progress developmentally. We will keep the four of you in our prayers. Take plenty of pictures.

Best wishes

Mike Brown & Family

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so happy! I've been on pins and needles waiting to hear news - I check your blog before I check my own email! I'll continue praying for you all!

Natalia said...

Dear Mark and Courtney
Many congratulations - so, so exciting! (I'm here from the UKR list and also Tonya's blog).

About posting problems, Internet Explorer always crashes for me on blogger too. Safari does much better. Maybe you can find a cafe with a different browser? HTH.

Sincerely
Natalia

Erika said...

I am so happy for you. Good is so good!

We will continue to pray for you. Love from Omaha to Ukraine.

Anonymous said...

You know I have always heard that it takes a very special set of parents to have sons:) Perry and I are just so thrilled that everything seems to be going to HIS plan. I find such peace and love in your blog. We can't wait to see a picture of the boys and you as a family. Congratulations and GOD speed as you continue this journey to bring the boys home. Thinking of you often.
Prayers and many blessing,
Perry and Michelle Banta

adopting2fromUkraine said...

What wonderful news. I'm sure you are thrilled. The boys sound wonderful. It takes time for some children, but I'm sure they will open up quickly. Children always seem to be amazing that way.

Anonymous said...

Give Alexander and Timothy hugs and kisses from grandpa, grandma, and great-grandma. God Bless you and bring you home safely. Love dad and mom

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you!! I've been checking in every chance I get. Hugs and kisses for you all. The boys sound wonderful and I'm sure they will open up more emotionally once they are around you. They are young, so don't worry about any delay. Everything will be fine. Lots of prayers still comeing your way.

SB and family

adoptedthree said...

Congratulations on finding your sons! What fun you will have with two boys to keep you very busy and definitely help out with the remodeling project!

They sound adorable!

Shelley said...

Congratulations Mark & Courtney! I'm glad to hear that you have found your children & the peace that comes with knowing they're yours. We'll continue to follow your journey to bring them home.

PS. Our son is from the Dontesk region too :)

Sarah Halter said...

Wow, I am overcome with emotions that you've finally found your kids. Wow. I think it's amazing that the boys were born the same time that you started the journey trying to have kids and that God has seen all the pieces fitted together the whole time. From the beginning and through all the heartache, he's known these two boys were waiting for you in Ukraine.

On a lighter note, we had borscht this week in honor of you. I made a huge pot late this summer with beets, cabbage, dill and potatoes from the farmers' market and put the rest in the freezer for later. Nothing as good as the real thing in UA, but a good reminder none the less. Love you lots (all FOUR of you!)

Ken and Joy said...

YEAH! I am so happy for you guys. I know what you mean about the first few days being very stressful. But it sounds like things are great, and I hope all goes well with your court date!

Katie said...

Oh, there aren't words.
Praise God for your family - your WHOLE family. :)

Nataliya said...

What a wonderful news!!! It's so great that you feel a piece about your decision - it means your sons are meant to be yours!

You are in my thoughts and prayers as you are continuing the process and waiting for the court date!

junglemama said...

What an awesome story!

Love the names!