Athletics in Ukraine

First, we apologize for the vast delay in our "daily blogs". Our wireless internet is not connecting at the internet cafe's so the Garrett's are gracious enough to allow us to monopolize their computer in their flat for us to communicate to the world outside of Mariupol. (Is there any such thing? The longer we're here, the more we believe the outside world as we know it is gone).

To our girls...each day it gets harder and harder to be away from you. Mommy wakes up first thing every morning wanting to call you. I have to remind her it's midnight back home and our girls need their rest. Yes, for all you mathematicians, we get out of bed around 9:00 am Ukraine time each day and we still feel tired all day. (that's because we have forgotten what fresh air is!)

Tate, Reaghan and Kenzie-please know that we are always thinking of you and can't wait until we can hold you in our arms and give you lots of kisses. When we look at the sky-we know you're looking at the same stars from America and know you're with us in our hearts!

As for the never-ending "Groundhog day" it just keeps going and going like the energizer bunny with a few little sporatic changes.

Thursday was yet another day spent at the orphanage with the good times and the long inevitable good-byes. Nastiya and papa have a lot in common-they're both very stubborn and are determined in their ways. Mama keeps saying "let Nastiya adjust then she'll begin listening to us". I, being the skeptic, question the adjustment but Tami always knows best. (Do you like that, Tami?) After the orphanage, the Garrett's and Tami and I went to the Russian Ballet "Swan Lake"-truly a once in a life time event-had to take advantage of seeing a Russian Ballet in a former Russian territory! It truly was amazing, but it never seemed to end!!! At the end, all of the little future ballerina's stormed the stage to give the ballerina's all sorts of flower arrangements!-Only in Ukraine!

Ukrainian version of "American Road-Rage". As most of you who have been following our blogs, and our families that have experienced the Ukrainian version of obeying the laws of the road-I was fortunate to see Mariupol road range from the luxury of our balcony in our Flat. There was an older vehicle stopped in the one-lane entrance to our complex and a vehicle pulled directly behind him and began to gently "lay on the horn". Ok, that didn't work. So...he gets out of his vehicle, approaches the stopped vehicle, goes up to the door, and a pleasant exchange of Russian 4-letter words were heard. Thought that would do it, didn't you? NO-the second driver goes back to his car, starts the car, and begins to pull towards the vehicle refusing to move.-BOOM, well not quite a boom, but definitely struck the car, pushed the stopped vehicle into the hill, and drove past him with a very satisfied look on his face. I had to ask Nadya, our interpreter, if this was normal. With a hardy laugh it was clear that this type of road rage in Normal. I'll have to try this version of road rage upon return to America and see what type of response I get!

Friday, October 10 was the Garrett's court date-Anya is officially their child. A cause for celebration! After court, we met with the Garrett's and went to a nice little Ukrainian sea-side restaurant. Good company, good occassion, good food (for the most part), but horrible service. Two hours plus just to receive all of our food. I guess the food is brought out as it is prepared therefore one patron could be completely finished with their food while the others are "patiently" waiting their order to arrive. Ukrainian time... Nadya left for Kyiv around 5:00 therefore the four of us are fending for ourselves, and being somewhat successful navigating this Ukrainian village without our sole source of "English-Russian" comfort. So far, so good!

After the sea experience, back to the orphanage. Tami and I arrived around snack time so Nastiya greeted us, then fell into the abyss, known as the second story of the orphanage. Several visits were occuring so Tami and I went into the library to await Nastiya's return. After 30 or so minutes, we felt compelled to go back into the hallway to try to see what was taking Nastiya so long. About that time, we heard crying upstairs not knowing who was crying. Well, it was our Nastiya. The Psychologist brought her down to us. Come to find out, Nastiya thought we had left the orphanage and clearly this upset her. Of course, our hearts immediately fell to the ground and in our version of Russian, we tried to explain to her that we would never leave her without saying good-bye, and would always wait for her. Goes to show just how much experience these kiddos have with people who they thought loved them, to only abandon them. After a hardy game of soccer, basketball, volleyball, and any other sport you can use with a soccer ball, our visitation came to an end. With the promise, in Russian, we told Nastiya we'd return on Saturday for a 3 hour visit---Thanks Ludmilla!

Saturday October 11. It's beginning to feel a lot more like Winter here in Ukraine. For the Caviness'-bring your winter clothes in November-you're going to need them. Okay, this is Tami now, for some reason Brian thinks he needs to start my day to blog!! As Nadya would say, it should state in our homestudy that we have a small male child as well!! Today we actually had to set our alarm clock and get out of bed to be at the Orphanage by 10:oo. We are on Ukrainian time, so of course we were a little late. We brought a puzzle for the girls today, which did not interest them at all. We gave it to the Matthews Nastiya, who poked her head in to say hello, as she does each day.

We tried to interest them in a movie inside, as it is starting to be colder outside, but they would have none of that either. It finally came down to frisbee, and a tennis type game outside. They jumped up and down when we finally agreed to go outside, so this is definitely their preference. I did feed Precious Pirate again today, I hadn't seen her for a couple of days, and I was getting worried. Today, as soon as I saw her, she came running meowing, and got her morning meal.

Matt, Aimee, Brian and I then caught a taxi back up to the flat, and went to the safe pizza place for lunch. Matt and Aimee headed out for a shopping excursion, and Brian and I have stolen their flat to blog. Brian is pretty done with the shopping, and it is really not as comfortable to be walking as it was. Tonight the plan is to curl up in our flat and try to keep warm without a heater. Hopefully our landlord will at some point bring us one. We also saw a couple of Harley motorcycle guys on our way over, and interestingly enough, they were listening to American country music very loudly! Brian began to sing along at the top of his voice, just kidding!!

Saturday also seems to be the wedding day, as we saw at least 4 brides in the park this weekend, and about 9 of them last weekend. They put flowers and tulle all over their cars, and drive all over the city taking pictures at different spots. Obviously central park is one of their favorite spots. We also see a man with several electric kids cars, and you can pay for a ride around the park. There are also pony rides, and a carriage cart available.

We have a definite court date of October 15th at 11:30 AM. We are very excited about that, and we should be headed out of Mariupol on the 27th. We are still trying to figure out what will work best for the ten day wait period, and I am trying to work out the week that I would be here alone. We will let everyone know when we have a decision. Also to all of our friends who comment, we appreciate them so much!! In many ways it is our only communication with home.