I think I forgot this picture last time. Tate dries his hands on his towel for the last time.
Leaving the apartment. Our favorite taxi driver took us. He is the one who got us the train tickets. Tate has on his new backback. He was proud as could be. Poppa brought them back from home. They are filled with goodies to make the train ride easier. Worked like a charm. The kids loved them and everything in them. They were so excited to have their own things, They even slept with several of the things inside.
They loved playing with the suitcases while we waited for our train.
Looking out the window as the train started to leave the station. I was taking video and told the kids to say "paka" (goodbye) to Lugansk. Alina yelled, "Gooed-bye Lugansk Oblast" out the window. It was pretty funny.
They spent the first couple hours staring out the windows. They all loved the train ride. They liked eating on it, playing in it, coloring, and watching out the windows. Poppa and Julian slept in the compartment next to us and Kostya in the one on the other side (he joined us in Donetsk as a surprise). Tate fell off the bed once and woke up crying, Kevin said Julian fell off the bed too but he isn't sure he even woke up, and Lily cried for maybe a half hour when she woke up in the middle of the night. It was very hot on the train and I don't think I got more than maybe 3 or 4 hours of sleep. The kids did great though. They loved it. It was a huge adventure for them. I can't believe how long ago it seems.
Uh! The WIFI is running so slow it isn't letting me upload any more pictures. Probably for the best since I am falling asleep here at the computer desk anyway. Tomorrow is Kevin's first day back at work. Boo. :( Hope to catch up on emails, blogging, and thank you's soon. Just so busy settling in and enjoying this time with the kids. We had a wonderful day today. Hopefully I will make it to Kiev and then home in my blogging to I can get to it in pictures. :)
11 comments:
The answer to your title question is a resounding NO! :-) We only adopted 2 and it took us 6 months to get caught up on ur blog! I still haven't caught up on the dishes, the laundry is a never-ending battle, I gave up a long time ago trying to keep my kitchen floor (and the rest of my house) clean, and my yard is still full of weeds. But my children are healing and happy and we're a family!
Please do keep blogging, though. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to hear how the adustment process goes. As any of us who've been there and done that know, your time in Ukraine is only the beginning of your journey.
I love the pictures! The train ride is definitely a highlight isn't it? So exciting to watch the kids get excited at new things.
I can't wait to see and hear about the rest of your journey!
I'm so excited to see you guys at home! I know it's rough, but try to keep us posted and post any post-adoption questions you may have. Other adoptive parents have been a God-send for me, even if it's not for answers but just to know that someone else understands!!
WELCOME HOME!!!! I hope you are running on adrenaline right now. It always got me through those first few weeks home with any new arrival. You need it- times 4!:)
We are thinking about you guys and praying for you... so glad you are home with YOUR KIDS!! God is SO GOOD!! :) It is so much fun reading your blog... we feel like we know them, yet we are so far away. We are just so happy for you...
p.s. you gotta get us updated on "home"... I am sure their rooms are adorable... you have been dreaming about this for so long, it is so awesome to watch your dreams come true!! :)
Welcome Home! I am so so so happy for you all!
What awesome pictures! :) The kids are so sweet. I would second the motion to keep blogging. I know it was a big help to me before we traveled. I hope I'm half the help to others. Besides...it's cathartic.
Kevin and Krista-
We tood adopted 4, 3 daughters and a son, back in 2004. We expected one, hoped for 2 and were amazed at God's goodness in providing 4 siblings to complete our family.
The one thing I regret is that we didn't take more video of them when they first got home chattering away in Russian. At the time they were 7,6,5 and 4, and were so small and emphatic in whatever it was they were saying. Now, they love to watch the 4 short videos we have, and they can hardly believe that they spoke Russian, etc. So, take lots of video, even if it isn't anything exciting just normal everyday life.
God bless you on your bonding as a family and settling into your glorious new life.
Loved the pics! And welcome home, hope you get a chance to rest and recoup! Keep blogging as a journal (and for us) so you don't forget those first weeks home as they will be a blur later! God Bless!
I suggest just slapping the remainder of the pictures on shutterfly or something with no blog explanations, and that you pick up blogging where you are NOW. :) Otherwise I don't see how you'd ever catch up, and we'd love to hear how the home adjustments are going.
No pressure, of course! :) :)
Krista, I am so happy for you and Kevin. I can not begin to express how happy I am for you both and YOUR kids. I love seeing your pictures and I wish you all the best transition possible.
-Kennedy
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