A feeble attempt at resonding...

Hey Everyone:
I realized that several of you have asked us questions and we have not responded. Your posts are like emails and we haven’t responded to them individually. Sorry about that, and for sure didn’t mean to leave your questions/comments hanging. So here is an attempt to respond to the last two days of posts.
Clint: Glad to hear Logan is growing and that his teeth are coming in. Hang in there, just 6 more weeks of school!
Sherri: Hey Babe! Love what you said about sublime and especially your phrase about being “fleshed out”. How’s TOF planning coming? I’ve been praying for all of the TOF gals. Sure wish I could be there to see those pretty tables.  I am praying for Jamie, too, and know she will do a terrific job! It’s your last “event”…how’s your heart? Hopefully feeling fully obedient and at the center of His will. Love ya! Kade misses you in SS too!
Daisy: Thanks sweet friend for your encouraging words and uplifting scripture reminder.
Ginny: Thanks so much for the prayers dear friend. The first day of sickness I was bummed. The next day I was mad. Today I surrendered. I’m not quite for sure of God’s will in this, but I’m sure there is some purpose. Maybe He will be gracious and let me know it. Are you packing yet? How are Cathy & Caitlin. How fun for you guys to be a new aunt, uncle & cousin. Love ya!
MJ: Thanks for the post. When we set this up, we thought we would be helping everyone keep tabs on us…you know cut down on the phone bills sort of thing. However, this has turned into a HUGE blessing for us. We look forward to checking out the blog everyday to see what friends & family are saying. So thanks!
Tony, Gayle and Abbey: Thank for all of your posts and for the sports update. I appreciate it. Do you think the new coach will be good for OU? I’m glad you liked the flatulence story. It was so funny and we need to remember funny times like that, because Anya had a sad day with a lot of crying yesterday. I think it is particularly hard on her for us to come and go everyday and not just be constant yet. So we are counting the days. Kayla made a calendar for them to cross off each day we come. Because they are both ready to leave the orphanage even though Dima is more vocal about it.
Mom:
Sure hope your dentist appt. went well. When we get back and get the kids added to insurance that will be one of the first stops we make. Dima has a tooth that does not look too good and makes me hurt for him. He doesn’t complain, but it still needs some major attention. Scott & I are debating whether it’s a permanent one or not. He lost one of his front teeth on Monday. It was so dangling and wiggly that I wanted to pull (pull really is too strong of a word) it on Sunday, but our facilitator told me not to do that before court because someone could misconstrue that as abuse. Well…that thought had not crossed my mind. So I just prayed that the poor child wouldn’t choke on it! It finally came out on Monday and he let Scott take a great picture of him without his tooth. I’m sure Scott will post it on the blog.
Regarding travel time, we really don’t have any idea yet. I am sure our plane tickets will have to be changed at least once. We knew that going into this, but had to book return flights home so we didn’t get stopped at every airport security checkpoint between OKC & Kiev.
Regarding their American names, we haven’t told them yet. They have a lot to deal with right now so the nicknames Anya & Dima will stick for a while and then we will integrate their new names on a more consistent basis when we get back. Before we leave, we will tell them they have American names, but we’ll still use their Ukrainian names until it’s best for them to switch over. Hannah, won’t be too hard and Nate, sounds totally different than Dima, so we may go with Nate Dima for a while. Whatever is best for them is what we’ll do. (Gayle I think that answers your question too!)
You asked also about court. Well, I don’t know if you remember me telling you that almost everything we did state side will have to be done here. So in regards to paperwork that is pretty much true, but we also have to go before a judge and officially adopt Anya & Dima. The court date has been changed to Monday, the 17th, which adds a few days to our stay. We figure, best guess, that we should be home sometime around the 5th or 6th of May. We hear court is not really too big of a deal. They ask you questions, you answer honestly, and then they impose the mandatory 10 day waiting period. So we hang here for 10 days. If it wasn’t so expensive, it would be nice to fly home and then come back at the end of 10 days. So to answer Dima’s question about when they get to leave with us, the answer: April 27th looks like it’s the big day.
PS: Tell Dad that we are so proud of him for posting. Miracles never cease… (tee hee)
Hey Corley Family:
We’re excited to hear about new neighbors. You keep telling us how pretty & green everything will be when we get back home, but I just keep imagining you looking out your window at what is now a small jungle that used to be formerly the Thompson’s yard. Let us know if things get too high and we can try to call a lawnmower person & get them to tackle it. Kade misses playing with David, too. He went to a big market yesterday and bought some more Kingdom Knight Legos. He is excited to play Legos with David when we get home.
Hey Amy:
Soooo glad to hear from you. A manicure when you come visit sounds great. So by the intent of a scrapbooking question, am I to assume you’ve started scrapbooking yourself? It would make this cousin mighty proud! Can’t wait to see ya this summer and thanks for your posts!
Addi:
Yes, I have learned Sudoku and I really enjoy it. Thanks! The smoke is still annoying me a little bit. I hope you don't get stung.
Hey Thompson Tribe:
We did check out your blog and love the pictures of you and your precious family at the beach. Your family is just beautiful!!!
Ginny:
Thanks dear friend for your encouraging words. Have you showed JD Kade’s picture on the computer? Kade sure misses him.
Preston:
That's great that you built the DeathStar, blew up Naboo, etc. May the force be with you at StarWars.com Tell Daroux hi!
Cathy:
I'm sad that I missed the Little Donkey's Easter Journey play. I can't wait to meet Kelly, but I won't see her long since I am going into 6th grade. Thanks for writing and tell Robbie & Zack hi.
Heather:
So glad that you are checking up on your big sis, isn’t that what little sisters are for? Glad to hear that Cady is doing well and thriving and that she was able to play with a friend. I know that is a big deal for you & her. I continue to pray for her and you & Anthony & the new baby. What are some names you have picked??? Can you send your home address to my email at home yeahGod@inetfamily.us Our computer crashed and I don’t have it anymore. Thanks! I totally understand about the bacon deal. When I was pregnant with Kade, all I craved were Wendy’s Big Bacon Classic Cheeseburgers with the onions & the pickles. Haven’t had one since December 95 when he was born, but I still remember how good they tasted. Something about the bacon! Yum-O During this “pregnancy” all I can think about is this restaurant at home called Ted’s. They have the best fajitas and I am missing them in a bad way! The food here is not too bad, but sends my stomach in a quiver when I think about eating something with which I’m not too familiar. Hence, the temporary restoration of our eating of McD’s, it at least tastes like home. Glad you are doing well. Keep rested and keep your feet up!
Boones:
Thanks for the prayers. How is Bill’s dad? How are you Florence Nightingale Boone of OKC?
Hey Oliphants:
Que’ Pasa??? Glad to hear you are alive and well in Mexico. Drowning victims, exercise on the beach, Mexican Wal-Mart and cliff divers…sounds pretty interesting to me. Hope you guys arrive home safely. I know the girls will be looking forward to seeing you. I have thought about Addi & Anya playing at the lake this summer. Wonder how they will communicate? Our new translator (thank God for her) keeps telling us that Anya is pretending to cook, or playing house, etc. I forgot what it was like to play like a girl. My world has been legos, magnets, tree climbing and Star Wars for the last 10 years. I will have to try to think wayyyy back to girly pretend to help foster her playtime. Thanks for the prayers, we miss you too. How is your aunt?
Allison:
You need to get to work and quit checking our blog when you are supposed to be working! Ha, just kidding dear friend. Miss you too. I have a couple of KK’s questions for you that I’ll email you privately. I have been thinking about your words of A&D running through the hall at home. Such a beautiful picture in my mind. Thanks for sharing that! How did your hand dr. appt go?
Susy W: How are you doing??? Have you been coming to scrapbooking on Tues. morning? How is your mom? In regards to the grandmother, we are not for sure. I have asked her to provide me with a list of important things that the children might want to know later, she seemed receptive to this, so I hope she provides something. But ongoing contact will really have to be discerned later. Whatever is best for A&D. Thanks for offering to help with clothes and the like. We really can’t gauge sizes as European sizes are different than American sizes. So we may just have to send their measurements. I am sick in bed again today, but am at least strong enough to type so that is my job for the day. Scott decided he would go back to the market today with measurements in hand and try to find these children something to wear when they leave the orphanage. What a man! So, I’ll have to let you know. And regarding having things in place when we return, I can’t think of anything at the moment, but will let you know if something pops into this brain of mine! Have a good day!
Kimmy:
Glad to hear that you are sharing the blog with the boys. You know me, I’m all about life learning, and this is definitely education at its best. Have you looked up Ukraine on the map with them yet? Ukraine wasn’t even its own country until 1991, when they separated (along with some other countries) from Russia. Where we are, they primarily speak Russian, but if you were to head west, they speak mostly Ukrainian. It’s a really interesting country. Glad to hear the store transitioned to Jenn well. I know that you are excited about all the new things she is going to do and I am excited as well. When I am well, I will be going back to that market and I will be looking for you the white mesh shirt. Don’t deny it…you secretly want it. Miss ya!
Molly:
Thanks for reporting on the TN cousins. I read Stephens blog right before we left and he had only one post. Sounds like that boy is having the adventure of his life! He is far more adventuresome than me! But his sense of adventure is definitely accredited to your family’s “mission spirit”, so that Stephen is able to have an international awareness that many his age don’t have. Sure can’t wait to see you guys this summer. Did you say you were coming in June or July? Do you have the dates nailed down yet? And I can’t wait to hear about the scrapbooking Moscow missionary. I have some product we can send her that might help her in her efforts. Do you have an address for her?
Norman children: Hope you guys are well. Thanks for the post. Joshaua, Kade should have answered your Europe vs. Asia question by now. Have you all looked Ukraine up on the map? You guys will have a good time getting to know your new cousins. God has prepared them since the beginning of time to be a part of our family. Happy Resurrection Sunday and Happy Spring.
Whew! Well that better be it for now. I know this isn’t responding to everyone, but I will continue to try my best. Know that we love ALL of you and continuously thank the Lord for each & everyone of you! I think it’s fun to see who has done this blog thing before and who is doing this for the first time. Hey Scott’s dad posted & I heard through email grapevine that my aunt & uncle in Tulsa even got online to check out this blog thing. This crazy internet really has changed the way we live & travel. Thanks for taking this journey with us!
PS: Here is my Ukrainian trivia for the day. Since I have not left the apartment (except for brief moments of stupidity) in the last few days due to my illness, this “trivia” happened a few days ago. Actually the same day as the white mesh shirt incident, but it is so good that I thought I would save it for today. Okay, here it is…
You know you are in Ukraine when…you are sitting in McD’s eating a Big Mac and you hear Diana Ross’s “Upside Down” (circa 1984) on the loudspeaker and look across to the kids party room and watch the McD’s worker lead the children in a lovely rendition of “The Chicken Dance” Did we really leave America???
PS: Alicia: you asked me if the bunny rabbit fingers in photographs were a universal goofy thing or if Kade taught Dima to do that. Well the answer is…Kade has carried the bunny rabbit fingers across the Atlantic to his brother. So now, future generations in our family will not be without the fine, long-standing tradition, of bunny rabbit fingers in their photographs. Kind of brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?

Yesterday, Anya had a tough day. She had a caretaker that kept instilling some fear about coming to America in her, right in front of us!!! Our translator finally told her that this was not appropriate. Why would you do that to a little girl?! Anya began to cry. Then she talked about how her Babushka promised to come visit for her birthday. Up until yesterday, the girl didn't even know when her birthday was! This must have weighed heavily on her heart throughout the night. I told her I was sorry that a promise to her had been broken. I told her we were going to do something special on her birthday, that her dad & I would keep our promise and then I had the translator ask if there was room in her heart to love Scott, Kade & I. She said yes. She let me comfort her a little yesterday, but it will take some time for her heart to heal. I don't know what is the right way to do this, but it just makes my heart hurt that this little girl remembers a promise made to her over a year ago! Kade barely remembers me telling him to brush his teeth from day to day. (JK) Her heart will heal with time, prayer and working through it. Pray for her today, please. Dima on the other hand is gung-ho and ready to let the doors hit him in the rear! He would go today if the documents and plane tickets were ready. Please pray for me, too. I am still not 100% and am wondeirng what is the purpose to all this. There is a small chance that court could be tomorrow, friday. We are praying. Also we are asking if we could spend some time with the kids this weekend to go shopping for them. Pray we are able to, it would be good for all of us.

Dahs Vedanya (Good-bye in Russian)