Well, Clark and I started this journey touring Kyiv and enjoyed every minute of it. But now, we have our hands full with Jordan. He is wonderful and we are so thankful for him. We are also so thankful to finally be getting to come home. We are so ready. ALL paperwork is done and now we are just waiting on time to board the plane. JJ, it is time to “get out of the city”!! We leave Kyiv in the morning at 11:00 am.
Everything went well yesterday with Jordan’s medical exam. There was not much to it, but it had to be done in order to get his visa. We had hoped they would weigh him, but they didn’t. We believe he weighs more everyday. Let me just tell ya, the boy is solid.
After that we headed to the American Embassy. Wow, it was nice to be able to communicate with someone. We had a little incident while we were there. I took Jordan to the bathroom and turned away from him for just a minute. I looked back and the poor thing had fell into the commode. I couldn’t help but laugh. When something like that happens, he says “Oywee”, which means “Oh my”. He is so funny when he says it.
He is beginning to pick up a few English words. He hears us say something and he will repeat it. He has a little accent when he speaks English. It stand to reason that he would; I just never thought about it.
Yesterday PM was the first time since we have had him that we were able to spend time alone. All other time has been very busy chasing down paperwork and in the car on LONG rides. I guess everything is beginning to hit him. His personality is changing and we are beginning to see signs of stress in him. The Russian he hears is limited now and he is feeling somewhat isolated. We knew this would come and it is hard for him. It is hard for all of us. He jabbers all the time and some of it is real. We just cannot understand what he is saying, which causes us all to suffer.
This is probably going to get worse before it gets better. Once we can get home and he can get accustomed to the language, having a home, family, our dogs, etc., he will be just fine. However, we are going to need several days home alone with him. Folks in the adoption world has told us this from the beginning. I now completely understand. This is one reason I had hoped we could land in Birmingham at a reasonable time of day. Everyone would have an opportunity to see him, but this just didn’t work out. I would have loved to be 45 minutes from home when we landed, but we are thankful to have a motorhome for the ride back from Altanta. Thank you, C&S for picking us up.
I know several of you are wanting to have a “Welcome Home” party for Jordan. We think that is a great idea, however, we will need to wait a while. He would really enjoy that and we want you all to meet him. He just needs some time.
We would love to see everyone when we return, but this just is not possible right now. Jordan is having a hard time folks and we still need prayers. Just think about it, how hard it would be to leave the only secure place you have ever known with two people who have only visited for three weeks two hours a day. And, on top of that these two people do not speak my language.
I am still concerned about the plane ride. Nine hours to JFK and three more to Atlanta is a long time and as tired as Clark and I are, only God is going to be able to get us through that awfully long flight. SP, I know you are praying about this. You have been for quite a while now. Thank you!!
This journey had touched a lot of lives, some of which I will never know. Some of you are family, some are friends who have shared our ups and downs through the whole process. Some of you are currently trying to adopt and have followed our journey for the sake of information and knowing what to expect. There are others of you who are just curious and found it all to be interesting. Whatever your reason, I have prayed you might be touched though this adoption. I prayed before we left home that God use this website for the good of the people involved and for His glory. He has definitely done this. Also, thank you for telling us how much YOU have enjoyed the post. It would not have been possible without the help from Todd, Clark’s cousin. Todd, you have done a great job with this site and helping us call home. There have been days that going to the internet cafe’ has been the highlight of our day. Clark and I thank you all so much. We wish the best to those of you currently in this process. It is hard folks, I will not kid you. But, trust in the Lord. Take it one day at a time and lean on the grace He will provide daily. Karissa, Beth, J&T and others of you here right now, just know we are praying for you.
Thanking all of you and our Good Lord,
C, J & J