We Have Visas!

What a day! We started out early after breakfast to get to the Embassy right after they opened. When we got there, there were long lines outside. We went to the end of the line and were told after a few minutes that we didn’t have to wait in those lines because we were Americans, we could just go right in. So, we passed everyone up and went inside. The people waiting in lines were there for their appointment to try and get visas to America.
We went in and they took our backpack, scanned it and then we passed through metal detectors and then were wanded by security. We had told the boys that this was a very serious place and that they needed to be on their best behavior. They looked a little nervous when they had to hold out their arms and be checked by security.

Then we walked outside and into the main building and down to the area for adoptions. The nicest lady greeted us. While I was going over the paperwork with her, she told Lance that he could take them to another waiting room where they had some toys for them to play with. When we finished going through the paperwork we had, she gave me some other forms that I needed to fill out. Luckily, we found out a few days ago that we might need more tax information, so Lance was able to email our CPA and get a copy of last year’s tax return. It was a good thing, because we needed to turn that in too. We got our final interview appointment for 2:00 and she said we could just bring the paperwork back then. We decided to stay there and complete it in case we had any questions or messed up on the forms. It is a good thing we did, because we had both questions and messed up on one form. So, I went back to the window and got the answers and new form I needed. The boys were fabulous while we did all of this. They had all kinds of toys there for them to play with and they were loving it. They had large transformer toys, etch a sketches that they drew the most amazing pictures on and lots of other fun things to keep them occupied. Lance said they were so good while I was in the other room. While I was in the playroom with them, I couldn’t believe how good they were while we were completing paperwork.

By the time it we finished the paperwork, it was time for lunch. We called the taxi back and he took us to a McDonalds that was somewhat close by. Of course, the boys wanted McDonalds. We told them to enjoy it as much as they could here, because we don’t eat at McDonalds at home. Of course, they may have to change a little bit with kids in the house now.

McDonalds had wi-fi, but we couldn’t get it to work. I wanted to update the blog, but wasn’t able to connect. We are behind on the blog, because since we left Zaporozhye, we haven’t had Internet access. I know people are wanting to know what is going on, so I asked Lance to at least post a small update yesterday when he went to check on tickets. It is nice to know that so many people are interested in what’s going on in this process and are reading the blog, but it also makes it frustrating when we can’t get access to post. Plus, we love checking the comments because it makes our day to read what our friends post and be encouraged by their love and support.

Once it was time to go, we got back in the taxi and headed to the Embassy once again. We went through the same procedures and the boys didn’t seem as nervous this time. We were a little early so we let the boys play a little while we waited. They went right to the etch a sketches so we let them take them to the room we needed to wait in. It didn’t take them long though to get bored with those and start to be silly! We tried to keep them somewhat calm, but we knew they were just excited because they knew this was the last step in the process before we could go home. They entertained themselves with the water dispenser. We had to teach them how to take a cup from the bottom, as they wanted to open the top and get one from there. When they realized the red nozzle dispensed hot water, oh my! After about three cups of water each, we had to tell them that was enough. We were the only family in the room at this time, so at least we weren’t disturbing anyone.

Finally, they called us to the window for our interview. Again the most hospitable lady greeted us with a very kind and helpful demeanor. She went over some of the paperwork, asked us a few questions and asked the boys some questions in Russian. She even called Texas, “God’s Country” as the boys told her where they were going to live. I knew I liked this lady! She told us what the process for printing the visas and said she couldn’t promise anything, and might have to send paperwork to Washington before printing. If they had to do that, then we would get the visas tomorrow. She said she would update us on the process in about 30-40 minutes. So, we went back to the playroom to wait and let the boys expend some of their silly energy. When we left the window, they made sure to tell the lady thank you for her help.

It was probably about 20-30 minutes that they called me to the window. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She showed me the boys’ passports and inside of them were their visas! Slava Bogu! She explained that we would need to register the boys with the Ukrainian Embassy upon arrival in the US and that we would need to send them a report yearly about the boys and how they were adapting to life in a family and in America. We of course, promised to this. This is very important, because it makes it easier for other Americans to adopt from Ukraine if those that have keep the Ukrainian Embassy updated. She then gave me two sealed packets of information that we are to give to the USCIS upon arrival in America. The paperwork said that it could take up to two hours to finish the process we need to go through at immigration. So what! We will be in America and what is another two hours in this whole drawn out ordeal. But, of course, it is all worth it!

Once I went over to the boys and showed them their visas, they were so excited. Even more excited than Lance and I were. I think we were in shock that we got the visas today! They cheered and had to inspect their visas and then got up to give us huge hugs! Then, this is the amazing part, Dima looked at us and said, “God helped us!” You are right son, God has helped us, more than any of us realize!

They just could not contain their excitement and were looking in every window we passed and telling people thank you very much! Once outside, the cheering and jumping up and down continued. It was so great to watch their excitement! While we waited on the taxi again, they played in the ice and snow. They would move the snow off of the ice and then slide down the ice. Lance and I tried as hard as we could not to slide on the ice, but they tried as hard as they could to slide on it! It was fun watching them and helped me take my mind off the bitter cold!

We got back to the apartment and wanted to be ready to go as soon as we could. So, Lance took his computer and went to a local café to get Internet access so that he could check on flights. I stayed home and began to pack up everything. I had the boys take out two days of clothes in case we were able to get out tomorrow. We are all ready to go home and were so hopeful! We had laundry sorted in the apartment, but had forgotten to buy detergent, so we weren’t able to do laundry. So what, we will need to rewash everything once we get home as when you dry it on the radiators here (no dryers) they all get stiff and crusty. So, one bag is all of our dirty clothes. I packed our few clean clothes in another suitcase and another bag of clothes in case we stayed overnight in London.

They boys were again very good. The plan was for them to watch a movie while I worked. Well, they weren’t interested in TV or a movie. In a way this is good. We don’t want them sitting around watching TV all the time. They instead were very interested in the technology. They played with cells phone we had until the battery ran down. They played with mp3 players, the computer and anything else they could find that plugged in. They were not happy that we didn’t have the cables to charge my American cell phone. However, they played well together. I only had to remind them to share once or twice, which was good for the several hours it took Lance to try and get us flights. I took a break once and Dima and I played a game. We had a lot of fun. It was a dice game where you keep score according to the color of dice you roll. We played this on the train and it was a lot of fun. We kept score on paper this time and Dima was winning, then I was winning and back and forth. He was a good sport when he was winning and when he was loosing. This was something we thought we might have to work with them on as it is sometimes a problem in the orphanage, but luckily, so far, they have done well with winning and loosing.

Then he and Tolic traded places on the computer and Tolic and I played a game of cards where you had to build sandwiches with the cards. Tolic of course did a much better job than I did. About the time were starting a second game, Lance came home.

We were all hungry and headed to the Ukrainian café that was close by that the Houghtons had taken us too back in December. We went there yesterday and the boys really enjoyed it, especially the borsch. It was a cold walk, but worth it with the great tasting food. Again, the boy’s excitement turned to silliness and we had to tell them to calm down a few times. We will definitely have to teach them some skills to use when in public. Dima decided he wanted more drink, so he just called out for the lady. Luckily, she didn’t hear him and neither did the others around us, we think. Tolic was playing with a toothpick and flicked it into the booth next to us and onto a lady sitting there. Oh my!! Finally, when the food came, they calmed down some. It was a good thing. Of course, we know they are very excited and can only hold their excitement for so long! I asked them why they were calm in the morning and at the apartment and were acting like little monkeys right now. They didn’t really have an answer. They are so cute when they are excited, but in public, oh my. I’m sure it is not the first time they will need to be calmed down in public.

Lance explained the mess he had gone through trying to get us tickets. Since we have been without Internet or American TV, we didn’t know all the weather problems that were going on in America. We didn’t know about the delays at the airports. Lance tried several options to get us home. One of the problems is that if we use American Airline miles, we have to layover in London. The boys are not yet US citizens, therefore, they would need a visa to stay overnight in London. We have been told both that yes, they can stay overnight and no they cannot without a visa. When we came through London in January, we asked about it at customs. The agent told us that it would all depend on the agent and what kind of mood they were in. Lance could get us tickets using miles leaving on Sunday, but we weren’t sure if we wanted to chance the boys not being able to get into the country or not. Considering some of the issues we have had with this adoption, we didn’t think it was something we should chance. So, we decided to go with tickets that the travel agent found for us going through Frankfurt and getting to Dallas all in one day. Pray for entertainment on the plane! The flight to Frankfurt is about 2.5 hours. The flight from there to Dallas is a 12 hours flight! If there is not entertainment on the plane, I have no idea how we will contain their excitement cooped up for that long. Pray for entertainment!

Since we made that decision, Lance went back to McDonalds to email the travel agent that we would take those tickets. I guess paying $3,200 for all of us to get home is not that bad considering that we had only spent $500 or so on flights thus far because used our American Airline miles.

While Lance was gone, the boys showered, then we read our Bible together and decided to wait to pray until Papa came home. The boys then played some more and Lance was home. We prayed together and then all settled down in our bed to watch Kung Fu Panda in Russian. There is just something funny about animated characters speaking Russian! I was thinking the boys would fall asleep during the movie, but uh, no that didn’t happen. After the movie, we passed hugs all around and the boys went to bed.

I don’t know how long it was after this, but eventually, Dima came to sleep with us in our bed. And because they roll all over the place, it wasn’t long before I was hanging over the edge of the bed. I decided I would get a better nights sleep if I went to the bed were Tolic was. He was sprawled all across the bed, but I managed to move his legs over and crawl in next to him. I don’t know how they move all over the bed considering that the beds they are used to sleeping in at the orphanage are so small.

Finally, sleep!