Back to Ukraine

I just wanted to update everyone on our return to Ukraine. Brian has his flight which will leave Denver on Saturday the 1st of November. He will get into Kiev around 1400 on the 2nd, and will catch a flight to Donetsk from Kiev. He will spend the night in Donetsk, and be ready to head to Mariupol on Monday morning to pick up Nastiya!! Nadya will be arriving in Mariupol on Friday the 31st and she will get all of the paperwork together, make sure everything is ready to go so that they can pick up Nastiya and travel back to Donetsk for her Visa. They will then all board the train and arrive back in Kiev on the 4th.

This is, of course, if everything goes smoothly. Brian and Nastiya have return flights to Denver leaving Kiev on the 7th of November, and they will arrive around 0730 AM on the 8th!! I will blog for Brian while he is over there and will keep everyone informed of the progress. The girls, Grandma, and I will hold down the fort until everyone is home. My plan is to go back to work the week after Nastiya's arrival. We appreciate everyone's prayers and good wishes on our adventure so far. All of this has only been possible because of God's answers to our prayers, and we give Him all of the glory!!

Anastasiya Taylor Fields!!!

From the soils of America...Tami and Brian write this new post!
As you are all aware, Tami and I arrived in Denver late last night and are struggling with the vast time change as travel was for over 24 hours straight yesterday-YIKES. However, the smiling faces (and tears) of Tate, Reaghan, and Kenzie last night at DIA made it all worth it! We can't express how grateful we are to be back in the US with the constant pit in our stomach of one of our children still being a half a world away from us, but only for another week!

Court on Monday was very successful and and Anastasiya officially became "Anastasiya Taylor Fields"! No one can truly appreciate the joy we experienced on that day unless you have personally experienced an international adoption. Again, IT IS ALL WORTH IT. Monday afternoon we were "allowed" to take our daughter for lunch, alone and celebrate. Nastiya was full of mixed emotions the entire day which was to be expected. We returned back to the orphanage at 3:00 to partake in Anya Garrett's going away party which was truly an emotional and heartbreaking experience as all of the kiddos were crying tears of joy and more than likely tears of "why not me" as Anya made her appearance and departure. Before the end of the ceremony, Nastiya began crying and through our interpreter, was asking "why were her Mama and Papa leaving her?" Of course, this was extremely hard to take. Nadiya assured her that either Mama or Papa would be back the first of November after the "wait" period to bring her to America. Nastiya, being a very strong individual, understood the reasons why we needed to leave but was still very emotional about our departure.

We caught an overnight train ride back to Kyiv and arrived Tuesday morning and immediately were wisked away by our driver straight to the US Embassy to begin our preliminary paperwork and to assure that only one of us needed to return to Ukraine to finalize the adoption. This went extremely smooth and it was a great pleasure to speak directly to an American. Everyone at the embassy was extremely helpful and considerate. Due to limited flights in and out of Kyiv, we had to stay an extra day before leaving for the US.

Now, we're in Colorado for one week before one of us returns back to Ukraine to finalize our "Ukrainian Adoption Adventure" and bring Our Nastiya Home! We'll continue to update our blog once our plans for return are finalized.

A very special THANK YOU to the Garrett's for keeping our blog as current as possible. We both appreciate all that you did for us and the great companionship in Ukraine as we experienced our journeys together. We can't wait until your arrival back in the States with your Anya!

For the Grandma, Grandpa, Oma, Opa and Aunts: Thanks for taking such great care of our kiddos while we were in Ukraine. No, the house isn't quite how we left it but the girls are happy and healthy and that is all that truly matters. We couldn't have gotten this far in our journey without your help. We truly love all of you!

For Heather Carlson...I was unable to read your comment until now but either Tami or I are traveling back to Mariupol in a little over a week and would be happy to have our interpreter find out as much information as possible. We are not clear which child you're inquiring about so send us as much information as possible and we'll do whatever we can to help another child in Ukraine find a permanent and loving home with you. Either respond to this blog or send us your e-mail address. We're happy to help!

IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK HOME!!!

On their way!!

It's the Garrett's here, again, this time from Kiev. For those who want to know and/or are following the Fields: received a call from Tami about 9AM. They were waiting at the airport for their flight home. All was well and by the time you read this they will be 1/2 way home. No other information available at this time. I could report a lot of misinformation or start rumors, but that would be wrong.....right?

Good luck, guys! See you soon.

Matt & Aimee

Latest update

On behalf of Brian and Tami, this is the Garrett's submitting a "saved" update from "Word" and also informing all that Brian and Tami left by train for Kiev on Monday evening for arrival in Kiev on Tuesday morning. They will be flying home on Thursday for the 10 day waiting period as their children, other family members and their work is making this the best course for them to take. Court went well on Monday, they attended a going away party for our Anya and then they were off to Donetsk. Below, you will find their last post. Internet access has been down for almost two days and came up this morning. We may see them in Kiev on Wednesday or Thursday and will try to let them use our computer to E-mail and "blog" as needed and as time will allow.

Brian and Tami's last entry:

Saturday in the Park
The girls (Nastiya and Anya’s) choice of activities of the day was an excursion to the Mariupol Park! After an interesting drive through another section of Mariupol, we arrived at the park which was not the typical park to our enjoyment. The first section was a pathway through various Ukrainian houses decorated with the typical painting on the outside of all of the structures. After spending a little time more time on the playground…off to bowling. Expecting a run-down bowling alley, we entered into one of the most modern building we’ve seen in Ukraine. Everyone had a great time and of course, Anya won!!! But the American’s gave it their best!
For lunch-you guessed it, McChicken Pizza at the request of Nastiya and Anya. If we never see a McChicken Pizza in this lifetime it will be too soon. We had to depart earlier than expected and take Nastiya back to the orphanage for some “parent-child discussion”. Fortunately, the remainder of the visit turned out well and another promise to come on Sunday.

Americans vs. Italians
Sunday was an early visit to the orphanage. Greeted with a big smile and big hugs by Nastiya, today promises to be a better day for all. After many conversations that neither of us fully understood, it was time for a good game of Soccer! After a brief warm-up, the Italian family that arrived a few days back joined us with their Nastiya. The “friendly” game quickly turned into which Country is better at soccer: America or Italy? Of course, the American’s (The Fields) gave it our all but as history has shown, Italy had some surprises up their sleeves…another Italian family. The game ended with a score of Italy: 3 and the US: 2. We promised to play again when either Tami or I return in two weeks as that family will still be in Mariupol awaiting their Court date.

As for COURT…we’re still being told that tomorrow is our Court date at 11:00!!! We’ll believe it when we see it but we’re counting on it as Tami and I purchased train tickets for tomorrow night (Monday) at 7:00 out of Donetsk with an arrival in Kiev around 7:00 am, Tuesday morning. Tami and I have both decided to come back to America as the delay in Court has prolonged the waiting time here in Ukraine. We attempted (at length) to arrange our change in flights on Saturday. After increasingly intense frustration ensued with Delta, and constant dropped calls after almost concluding a return flight, Tami called Valentin in Kiev and he reassured us that he’ll take us on Tuesday and arrange our return flights. With our complete trust in Valentin, we’re hoping we’ll have a flight home by this coming Wednesday.
Now…the return back to Ukraine to finally bring OUR NASTIYA HOME…Tami and I are still debating on who will be returning on November 1st for a final Ukrainian Adventure. We’ll decide once we’re back on US soil (and after a good night sleep in our own beds!!!).

To Tate, Reaghan and Kenzie…there is an end in sight to this Adventure that all three of you have been so understanding. Mommy and Daddy know this has been very hard on you and that is the main reason we’re working so hard to come home to you. Hopefully, we’ll be hugging all of you this Wednesday. We’ll call home tomorrow after Court to let you know what is going on. Just know that Mommy and Daddy love you so much and we want to be home with you more than you know.

We’ll try to blog tomorrow after Court if we have time as we have to travel to Donesk to catch our train to Kiev.

Quick Update

Today is Friday and not much has happened since Wednesday. We know that court will be on Monday, although we are not counting on anything. Brian and I have discussed with Nadya both of us coming home after court. We crunched some numbers and decided that with the extended stay, and rent food etc..it might be more efficient for me to come home, and then fly back around the first of November after the ten day wait is up. The way that the days fall now, we would be getting back into Kiev over a weekend, and couldn't get everything accomplished before the next week anyway. We will sleep on it, and see what Monday brings. We will also compare flight rates and see what they look like. Who wants to go to Ukraine in November, right??

Tomorrow, we have permission to take Nastiya out for a few hours, so we will do pizza again for lunch, and I told her I would bring her some of her clothes to wear. Aimee and I are wanting to see if we can trim their hair, while we are out, and then maybe some sight seeing. We will also try to stop by her Grandparents home this weekend to explain to them that we will be coming for goodbyes at a different time. That is really all that is new at this time....

To my girls, we miss you so much, and Reaghan we are so proud of you for being so brave. Tate, you will not be Freddie Kruger for Halloween, that is just not going to happen!! To Kumar, thank you so much for taking care of our lawn, and there had better not be any damage to Bailey!! Thanks also to all of our commenters, they are so great to read. Lisa, I am so sorry to hear your news, and you are absolutely right, we have so much to be thankful for!! Nastiya is doing well, and will be excited when court is over as well!!

No Court Today

We haven't blogged over the last few days on purpose this time-not internet issues BUT nothing really has changed until today...just the same, you wake up, drink coffee, get showered, go to the orphanage for of course a wonderful visit with our Nastiya, then back to the flat to sleep. If we're lucky, we'll throw in a meal at our favorite diner-the pizza parlor.

As for today...We arrived at the orphanage and brought Nastiya her Court clothes only to find out an hour later that Nastiya is "too young for Court". After Nastiya's tears dried up, we left for the Mariupol Court house (which is a hallway with a few chairs outiside the entrance to the "Court room" i.e. the judges chambers (office))-not the typical courthouse experience like that in America and the best is we didn't have to go through any detectors or the all invasive Douglas County live strip-show booth. After a few minutes waiting in the hallway, the Court Clerk came out and informed Nadya and the Attorney from the orphanage that the Judge was ill and would not hear our case today but possibly next Monday. I, after holding my feelings in, quickly advised Nadya how the Court process works in America and that we needed to find another Judge that would hear our case. Clearly that is NOT how it's done in Ukraine.

So, immediately we head to our attorney's office to plead our case with him. However, the attorney (who knows the judge personally) couldn't get through to him either. We're promised that everything is being done that can be done. Keep your fingers crossed for Court possibly this Friday and I (Brian) am trying to fly home ASAP. We (through the Garrett's) bought Nastiya some roses thinking that today she would be officially part of our family. Back to the orphanage to break the news to Nastiya who took it ok after Nadya explained to her that Tami and she will be leaving Mariupol around the 27th of October irregardless.

The orphanage allowed Nastiya to leave with us and the Garrett's for an afternoon of great Mariupol adventures! Nastiya, since it was her day, decided to go to McChicken and Pizza for lunch. After several pizza's and chicken and fries, off to one of the many local museums to learn more about the foundation of Mariupol and the Ukrainian/Soviet Union era's. Both Nastiya and Anya appeared to be having a good time. I think Nastiya was just excited be be able to leave the confines of the Orphanage gates. After learning more than we wanted to know, off to the photographers to get Nastiya's and Anya's passport photos. Nastiya asked Nadya if Tami and I would stay with her for a little while upon our return back to the Orphanage. How could we turn that down.

During all of this-the dreaded phone call back to the States. Tate's first question to me was "when are you coming home?" Of course, this kills me more than anything to inform our girls that now it is unknown when I'll be home. Promising to still try to make it this weekend Tate appeared to be okay with it. However, I know she was disappointed but not more than me.

To our Girls-Nastiya was hoping to be part of our family today but knows that we are doing everything possible to make this happen so that we can bring her home as soon as we can. Keep Praying that we get to Court soon so Nastiya will be in our family, finally!

To Tate-keep your chin up and Daddy is trying to get home as soon as I can;

To Reaghan-keep your cheerful attitude and big smile flowing as we all need that right now;

and To Kenzie-we hear you are doing wonderful in school and are happy all of the time and hope you know that we love you and miss you.

We're trying to get home as soon as possible. We love you!

As for watching the horror movies...girls...you know mommy and daddy do not let you watch those movies. Our rules are the same if we're there or not.

More pictures are added on the link to the left.

This is Tami now, today was a day of mixed emotions. We were very stressed, but excited about court this morning, and I had my mind set that my ten day period would start today. It was extremely disappointing to have that not happen and just minutes from when we thought it would be done. However, God has led us in this process from the beginning and He has His reason for everything. We may not understand what that is, but we will trust that the reason is good.

We then went on to have a nice lunch, and a good afternoon away from the Orphanage for a change. We enjoyed the museum and Brian took great delight in proving to Nadya that America actually won WWII, not Russia. We also found a wall dedicated to the Orphanage with pictures of Ludmilla from the 1980's. That was pretty interesting. We took our children to the wax museum, which was like a horror show in wax. I will post pictures also. There were figures of George Bush, Osama Bin Laden, and Hitler standing together. Hmmmmmm

After we left the museum, we saw a burnt out building next door that the boys decided had been bombed out and never rebuilt. The girls took pictures of themselves inside this building and chased the street animals around a bit. All in all, it was an okay day.

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.