Today after the Embassy we went to the Moscow Zoo and had a great time in the 70+ degree weather...the kids had a blast and so did we (Amy, the mom from Indiana and I).
Thursday, April 28, 2011
WE HAVE A VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today after the Embassy we went to the Moscow Zoo and had a great time in the 70+ degree weather...the kids had a blast and so did we (Amy, the mom from Indiana and I).
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Arrived, left, arrived, left, arrived, left and now I have now idea if we are here...there...or anywhere (well anywhere at least).
Dan here,
After 3 flights and 2 of them being exit row (horray!) I have made it to Russia once again. Who knew that Minnesota was on the way to Russia...but it was and after a brief stop in the Big Apple I made it to Moscow (even after the flight left an hour late we made it 1/2 hour early).
Upon arrival at the "Gypsy Flat" (Marina's, the director of the Russian sides flat) I took a nap and a shower before getting on the overnight 15 hour (longer this time) train ride to the Chuvashia region. Then I had a short stay (a few hours) at Luda's (the homestay in the region where we had court the first trip) before her son Sergie took me on the 1.5 hour trip to the orphanage to pick up Zack.
Uppon arrival there, I met up with the orphanage director to take care of some paper work, ate a mostly delicous meal (had to force myself to choke down a mysterious red substance (beets perhaps?)) and then after about 5-10 minutes of goodbuys between Zack and his friends it was departure time once again! Then the reverse trip back to Chubucksary (however you spell it) and a few more death defying, pothole the size of a bus' sidesteping at 80-150 kph we were back at Luda's flat.
Also at Luda's flat was Amy and Julia (pronounced Ulia) a mother daughter combo from Indiana (soon for Julia anyway). Amy and her husband Matt went through court with us and are adopting Julia (13) and her 11 year old brother (whom before court they knew existed but were told he was not availible for adoption).
We hung out there for about a 1/2 hour before it was time to head out on the train once again (back to Moscow if you have not kept up to this point :) ). We had a number of stops (ranging from 3 minutes to 1 hour), one of which I played a 1/2 hour long game of tag with a pair of 13 year olds...thus learning that I can outrun both of them...but they have not complained about any sore muscles from the game (me thinks I am getting old). After staying up untill 2 am talking to the other people traveling with us about adoption and other things, I slept for a few hours before our 6:20 am arrival in Moscow.
Then it was off to the "Gypsy Flat" for a quick shower (2 days without...felt GREAT) and some breakfast. We (Zack, Amy, Julia and myself) were off to the kids medicals. That went well and the doctor (Boris) spoke excellent english and was great with the kids. The rest of the day was spent napping for a few hours, going for a walk to some pollution filled pond in a "park" filled with trash to "feed" the ducks (they apparently were full as they did not eat our bread). We saw lots of Moscow "nature"...a few men passed out laying in the dirt...a mentally challenged and apparently homeless man eying our bread (upon offering our bread to him he said nyet (no) and asked for a cigarette)...drug paraphenalia...oh, and pleanty of empty bottles of booze (quite empty as there was a man going aroung and checking them all)! All this while families were out and about with pets and children enjoying the beautiful 60 degree weather. The two 13 year olds also went rollerblading with "Little Fox" (4 years old and speak decent english), Marina's niece who lives with her (along with her parents, as mentioned above) as Amy and I watched as they nearly fell MANY times...apparently there was not a whole lot of rollerblading at their orphanages...who woulda thunk?!
Well, time for bed now...Good night!
After 3 flights and 2 of them being exit row (horray!) I have made it to Russia once again. Who knew that Minnesota was on the way to Russia...but it was and after a brief stop in the Big Apple I made it to Moscow (even after the flight left an hour late we made it 1/2 hour early).
Upon arrival at the "Gypsy Flat" (Marina's, the director of the Russian sides flat) I took a nap and a shower before getting on the overnight 15 hour (longer this time) train ride to the Chuvashia region. Then I had a short stay (a few hours) at Luda's (the homestay in the region where we had court the first trip) before her son Sergie took me on the 1.5 hour trip to the orphanage to pick up Zack.
Uppon arrival there, I met up with the orphanage director to take care of some paper work, ate a mostly delicous meal (had to force myself to choke down a mysterious red substance (beets perhaps?)) and then after about 5-10 minutes of goodbuys between Zack and his friends it was departure time once again! Then the reverse trip back to Chubucksary (however you spell it) and a few more death defying, pothole the size of a bus' sidesteping at 80-150 kph we were back at Luda's flat.
Also at Luda's flat was Amy and Julia (pronounced Ulia) a mother daughter combo from Indiana (soon for Julia anyway). Amy and her husband Matt went through court with us and are adopting Julia (13) and her 11 year old brother (whom before court they knew existed but were told he was not availible for adoption).
We hung out there for about a 1/2 hour before it was time to head out on the train once again (back to Moscow if you have not kept up to this point :) ). We had a number of stops (ranging from 3 minutes to 1 hour), one of which I played a 1/2 hour long game of tag with a pair of 13 year olds...thus learning that I can outrun both of them...but they have not complained about any sore muscles from the game (me thinks I am getting old). After staying up untill 2 am talking to the other people traveling with us about adoption and other things, I slept for a few hours before our 6:20 am arrival in Moscow.
Then it was off to the "Gypsy Flat" for a quick shower (2 days without...felt GREAT) and some breakfast. We (Zack, Amy, Julia and myself) were off to the kids medicals. That went well and the doctor (Boris) spoke excellent english and was great with the kids. The rest of the day was spent napping for a few hours, going for a walk to some pollution filled pond in a "park" filled with trash to "feed" the ducks (they apparently were full as they did not eat our bread). We saw lots of Moscow "nature"...a few men passed out laying in the dirt...a mentally challenged and apparently homeless man eying our bread (upon offering our bread to him he said nyet (no) and asked for a cigarette)...drug paraphenalia...oh, and pleanty of empty bottles of booze (quite empty as there was a man going aroung and checking them all)! All this while families were out and about with pets and children enjoying the beautiful 60 degree weather. The two 13 year olds also went rollerblading with "Little Fox" (4 years old and speak decent english), Marina's niece who lives with her (along with her parents, as mentioned above) as Amy and I watched as they nearly fell MANY times...apparently there was not a whole lot of rollerblading at their orphanages...who woulda thunk?!
Well, time for bed now...Good night!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Going Back
We have received the travel dates and booked Dan's tickets as well as Zack's. Dan will be leaving here Saturday morning, the 23rd and returning with Zack on Monday, May 2. Their flight will be coming in to the Gerald R Ford airport around 10:45 Monday night. Anyone is welcome to be part of the 'welcoming crew'. :) We'll have more details later, and Dan will continue to update the blog while he's there.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Reflections
Patti here...
On the plane ride there, we experienced some turbulence during the night. For me, not a frequent flyer, it made me nervous. It was dark, and the plane was shaky. The plane soon smoothed out, and I felt much better. Later, I watched the sun rise above the clouds. As I was looking out the window, I started thinking about this whole adoption journey, and how there were times when it felt as though we were in the dark night, experiencing plenty of 'turbulence' with the many problems we've encountered along the way. But God is always faithful. "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion', says my soul, therefore I hope in Him." Lamentations 3:22-24
On the plane ride there, we experienced some turbulence during the night. For me, not a frequent flyer, it made me nervous. It was dark, and the plane was shaky. The plane soon smoothed out, and I felt much better. Later, I watched the sun rise above the clouds. As I was looking out the window, I started thinking about this whole adoption journey, and how there were times when it felt as though we were in the dark night, experiencing plenty of 'turbulence' with the many problems we've encountered along the way. But God is always faithful. "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion', says my soul, therefore I hope in Him." Lamentations 3:22-24
Sunday, April 10, 2011
We made it home!
Home at last! While we are still one member short here at home, it still feels great to be home.
After 4 separate flights totaling about 25 hours, 24 hours on a train and a good deal of time spent riding in various cars (to and from O'hare and numerous car rides around Moscow and Chuvashia)...we are back home again!
My greatest "high" of the trip was right after court when Zack gave us each a HUGE hug and called me Papa, Patti, Mama and pointed to himself and said "Zack".
Dan
After 4 separate flights totaling about 25 hours, 24 hours on a train and a good deal of time spent riding in various cars (to and from O'hare and numerous car rides around Moscow and Chuvashia)...we are back home again!
My greatest "high" of the trip was right after court when Zack gave us each a HUGE hug and called me Papa, Patti, Mama and pointed to himself and said "Zack".
Dan
Thursday, April 7, 2011
A picture of our Zack
IT IS NOW OFFICIAL!!!
Dan here (Patti is sleeping...VERY little sleep last night) Court went great and it is official according to the Russian government! His name is now Zack James Vannette. A one day court is FANTASTIC according to how things are currently going with adoptions here and in fact there is a family here from Indiana who is hoping to finish in court tomorrow afternoon and they started this morning at the same time we did (different judge). The internet is sketchy here and as we were Skyping (or however you say it) my parents, Jenna, Jack and Kate the connection died and it was not untill a bit ago (some 4 hours later) that it has resumed working. It has been hard not being able to call our loved ones and update this blog as our phone card was not working either. The plan at this point is that we will be traveling by car (an 1.5 hr ride) to Zack's orphanage to visit with his teacher and other staff as well as to see where his has lived these last few years. Then we will take the 13 hour train ride back to Moscow and our 2 incredibly painfull (downside of being 6'6") plane rides home. After the 10 day waiting period (still unsure if that started today or will this Saturday) I will be returning here to finish paperwork and take him home! We did learn today that he in fact did NOT enter his first orphanage untill the age of 5 and his only childhood memory is that he was cold, hungry and wet...it was all we could do to not break into tears in the courtroom upon hearing this...that should NEVER be the memory of a childhood. Patti says a child should remember the relentless torment of siblings (you will have to ask her about HER childhood memories :) ). Anyway, enough for tonight as it is after 9 and time to get ready for bed. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS...THE LORD HAS ANSWERED AND SHOWERED HIS FAVOR UPON US!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)