It's 7:45 a.m. Monday morning. Our facilitator will be here any minute to take us to our SDA appointment. That stands for State Department of Adoptions for those of you who aren't familiar with this whole process. We have waited many months for this day. This office will give us permission to go to the Dnipro orphanage, where we hope to locate the little boy/boys we feel should be part of our family.
As my luggage still has not been located, I am going "frump style," as my daughter would say. Michael's luggage was delivered to our apartment last night, but the delivery man had no knowledge of my luggage. We have done everything we can, and I am going to have to learn to live without my "things." I wore some of Michael's garments to bed last night and handwashed my one pair so I could have fresh underwear today, but I'm on my third day for my shirt and pants. Jen Benson loaned me a shirt, so tonight I will handwash my shirt and hope it's dry by morning. The people here don't have clothes dryers. Everything has to air dry.
So I have given myself a talking to this morning to improve my attitude. The things in my suitcase were only things, nothing too terribly important and life-threatening if I don't get them back. At lease I had my medication in my purse. When we opened Michael's suitcase last night, I was pleasantly surprised. My luggage was one pound overweight at the SLC airport, so we hurriedly grabbed some stuff out of mine and put it in Michael's. It included my deodorant, make-up, toothbruth, lotion, etc. Yeah! I have no clothes, but I can at least put on deodorant and brush my teeth.
Well, Sergei just rang from the outside door, so gotta go. More later.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Don't Worry
To the families we carried documents for: Don't worry. Your documents were being hand-carried by us, so don't let the last post scare you.
If Anything Can Go Wrong . . .
Well, we made it to Kiev. That's the good news. Unfortunately, our luggage did not, and no one seems to know where it is.
But let me go back. We were supposed to fly out Saturday morning at 8:35 a.m. However, the pilot was late. Whether this is because he slept in or he was on another flight, we don't know, but we didn't take off until about 9:45, which put us in a bit of a panic because we had a very short layover in New York. We arrived in New York and ran/walked very fast to our next terminal, only to find out they had changed the terminal our flight was leaving from. You would think they would have announced that as we were getting off the first flight, but no. So we ran/walked very fast back to the correct terminal and arrived just as they were starting to let stand-by passengers onto the plane! We rushed to our seats with a sigh of relief and took off a short FIVE HOURS later!
But let me go back. After boarding our flight at NYC, there were winds, apparently, at the airport, forcing all planes to the same runway. The pilot announced there were about thirty planes in line ahead of us, so we waited and waited. When there were only eight planes in line ahead of us, the pilot announced that there was something mechanically wrong with the airplane, something to do with the cooling fans, and that we needed to get out of line and taxi back to the terminal, which we did. We then waited for the mechanics to come and fix the problem. After that, we got back into line again. We finally took off at 9:10 p.m., a mere five hours late.
When we arrived in Kiev Sunday (five hours late), our luggage seemed to be missing. We watched and watched all the luggage going round and round, and after thirty minutes we went into the "lost luggage" office, where we had to fill out several very confusing forms. The woman said one of our pieces of luggage was in London; there is no record of our other piece of luggage; they will keep looking and notify us when they find it.
We then went through customs and found the Bensons, Irina, and Sergei, who had been waiting for us for two hours. The Bensons were scheduled to leave NYC well after us, but they arrived in Kiev well before us.
Vasilly then transported all of us to our apartment in Kiev, where we dropped off our luggage. Oh, yeah. We don't have any luggage. I mean where we dropped off the Bensons' luggage. Then we walked with Irina and Sergei to the little market and bought a few little items like milk, bread, some chicken things (not sure what they are, but Sergei recommended them), some smoked fish, and some milk. Only now we have discovered that the milk isn't really milk but some unidentifiable liquid that I'm sure could be used somehow but probably not for consumption.
We have checked twice with Delta since we got here; they don't know where one piece of our luggage is. The other piece is somewhere between London and Kiev. I know this is selfish, but please let the luggage they did find be MINE AND NOT MICHAEL'S! I have no underwear, no toothbrush, no shampoo, soap, socks, clothes other than what's on my back. I have NOTHING! Well, neither does Michael, but that's easier for him, right? I hope the SDA forgives me when I show up in Levis, white tennis shoes, and a three-day-old shirt.
The person at Delta speaks broken English, and we can't seem to make them understand our dire circumstances. We have attempted to call Irina, but the calls won't connect. Obviously we are doing something wrong. We have gone on line to check on the status of our baggage, but it keeps telling us our claim number is invalid. Aaargh!!!
The Bensons have now left to go on a walk; I'm sure we're probably driving them crazy. We are sitting here hoping either the phone or doorbell rings with news of our luggage.
I'm sure one day I might look back on this and laugh but not today.
But let me go back. We were supposed to fly out Saturday morning at 8:35 a.m. However, the pilot was late. Whether this is because he slept in or he was on another flight, we don't know, but we didn't take off until about 9:45, which put us in a bit of a panic because we had a very short layover in New York. We arrived in New York and ran/walked very fast to our next terminal, only to find out they had changed the terminal our flight was leaving from. You would think they would have announced that as we were getting off the first flight, but no. So we ran/walked very fast back to the correct terminal and arrived just as they were starting to let stand-by passengers onto the plane! We rushed to our seats with a sigh of relief and took off a short FIVE HOURS later!
But let me go back. After boarding our flight at NYC, there were winds, apparently, at the airport, forcing all planes to the same runway. The pilot announced there were about thirty planes in line ahead of us, so we waited and waited. When there were only eight planes in line ahead of us, the pilot announced that there was something mechanically wrong with the airplane, something to do with the cooling fans, and that we needed to get out of line and taxi back to the terminal, which we did. We then waited for the mechanics to come and fix the problem. After that, we got back into line again. We finally took off at 9:10 p.m., a mere five hours late.
When we arrived in Kiev Sunday (five hours late), our luggage seemed to be missing. We watched and watched all the luggage going round and round, and after thirty minutes we went into the "lost luggage" office, where we had to fill out several very confusing forms. The woman said one of our pieces of luggage was in London; there is no record of our other piece of luggage; they will keep looking and notify us when they find it.
We then went through customs and found the Bensons, Irina, and Sergei, who had been waiting for us for two hours. The Bensons were scheduled to leave NYC well after us, but they arrived in Kiev well before us.
Vasilly then transported all of us to our apartment in Kiev, where we dropped off our luggage. Oh, yeah. We don't have any luggage. I mean where we dropped off the Bensons' luggage. Then we walked with Irina and Sergei to the little market and bought a few little items like milk, bread, some chicken things (not sure what they are, but Sergei recommended them), some smoked fish, and some milk. Only now we have discovered that the milk isn't really milk but some unidentifiable liquid that I'm sure could be used somehow but probably not for consumption.
We have checked twice with Delta since we got here; they don't know where one piece of our luggage is. The other piece is somewhere between London and Kiev. I know this is selfish, but please let the luggage they did find be MINE AND NOT MICHAEL'S! I have no underwear, no toothbrush, no shampoo, soap, socks, clothes other than what's on my back. I have NOTHING! Well, neither does Michael, but that's easier for him, right? I hope the SDA forgives me when I show up in Levis, white tennis shoes, and a three-day-old shirt.
The person at Delta speaks broken English, and we can't seem to make them understand our dire circumstances. We have attempted to call Irina, but the calls won't connect. Obviously we are doing something wrong. We have gone on line to check on the status of our baggage, but it keeps telling us our claim number is invalid. Aaargh!!!
The Bensons have now left to go on a walk; I'm sure we're probably driving them crazy. We are sitting here hoping either the phone or doorbell rings with news of our luggage.
I'm sure one day I might look back on this and laugh but not today.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Month of Good-Byes (and a Hello or Two)
It seems like all we do these days is say good-bye to our children and watch our children say good-bye to each other. I hate good-byes, especially when they are for such a significant amount of time. We sent Eric off to Guam this morning. I wonder if I will ever not cry when I have to say good-bye to my children. Earlier in the week, we had to say good-bye to Gage as he left for Priesthood Leadership Conference, knowing he wouldn't be back before Eric left or we left for Ukraine. Then I had to watch Gage and Eric say good-bye to each other. They won't see each other for three years. Then I had to watch Quinn and Marissa both say good-bye to Eric. All of us have had our own individual melt-downs of sadness this week. I guess it's good that it hurts so much. We all know we love each other.
But in a few days, Michael and I will be saying hello to someone we don't know yet, someone that lives halfway around the world. If everything goes as planned, this "someone" will become as important to us as our other four children. I'm excited, scared, and nervous all at the same time. We fly out tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., stopping in New York City, and then on to Kiev. We will arrive in Kiev Sunday morning. My next post will be from Ukraine!
But in a few days, Michael and I will be saying hello to someone we don't know yet, someone that lives halfway around the world. If everything goes as planned, this "someone" will become as important to us as our other four children. I'm excited, scared, and nervous all at the same time. We fly out tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., stopping in New York City, and then on to Kiev. We will arrive in Kiev Sunday morning. My next post will be from Ukraine!
Christie and Denver's Wedding Day
Yesterday, June 11, my cute niece Christie Winder married Denver Bradbury in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a beautiful occasion but a very wet day. Here Nancy (my sister) hugs her daughter after she comes out of the temple, a joyous but also sad moment for Nancy, I'm sure.
Brian and Susan
Brian and Susan
Eric and Michael. How nice to be in the temple with your son the day before he departs for Guam for two years or more.
My newphew Ryan; Bruce and Janet. Bruce is my brother that summited Mt. Everest a few weeks ago.
Lori (me) and Eric
Christie and Denver
Winders and Tanners
Kennedy, Savannah, Derek, Grandma Parker, Daniel, George, and Ryan
Lori (me) and Eric
Christie and Denver
Winders and Tanners
Kennedy, Savannah, Derek, Grandma Parker, Daniel, George, and Ryan
The photo session ended abruptly when the dark clouds opened up and literally poured rain onto temple square. We all made a run for it. By the time we got indoors, we looked as if we had stepped into the shower with our clothes on. But, hey, I love "weather," and the quick soaking made this a memorable day. Congratulations, Christie and Denver. We love you.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Gage Graduates
Wow! We have three down and one (or more) to go! Gage graduated Friday, June 5, 2009, from Taylorsville High, along with 504 of his peers. We sent this picture out with his graduation announcements. Watching my children graduate from high school has always been kind of a bittersweet day for me, and this was no exception.
Here is the sea of blue and white caps and gowns. The ceremony was held in the Huntsman Center. We spotted Gage as soon as he entered, but he never could quite locate where we were seated. We kept waving our arms as he would look our direction, but he couldn't spot us.
The senior members of the Jazz Band performed. This was Gage's official last performance on the drums for Taylorsville High. It made me feel kind of sad. He is at the far right in the picture. It was funny to see these guys playing jazz music in their caps and gowns. They are a talented bunch.
Gage was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents in attendance. The ceremony itself is always a little long and boring. I can imagine how the grandparents must have felt about it! My mom mentioned that they only have three high school graduations left (or more depending on our Ukraine adventure). I hope they stick around for all of them. They'll be in their late nineties by the time Brayden graduates!
This was the third high school graduation this year for the Lawrence grandparents! If you think one is long, how about three? Camille and Tiffany also graduated this year.
Overall, it was a great day. We missed Marissa. She had to work and go to school. After the ceremony, we all ate dinner at our house. Gage went to his all-night party and got home about 6:00 a.m. this morning.
This morning Gage said he can't quite comprehend the idea that he's done at THS and
won't be going back next fall. I even think he was a little sad when he was talking about it. Who would have believed it?
Here is the sea of blue and white caps and gowns. The ceremony was held in the Huntsman Center. We spotted Gage as soon as he entered, but he never could quite locate where we were seated. We kept waving our arms as he would look our direction, but he couldn't spot us.
The senior members of the Jazz Band performed. This was Gage's official last performance on the drums for Taylorsville High. It made me feel kind of sad. He is at the far right in the picture. It was funny to see these guys playing jazz music in their caps and gowns. They are a talented bunch.
Gage was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents in attendance. The ceremony itself is always a little long and boring. I can imagine how the grandparents must have felt about it! My mom mentioned that they only have three high school graduations left (or more depending on our Ukraine adventure). I hope they stick around for all of them. They'll be in their late nineties by the time Brayden graduates!
This was the third high school graduation this year for the Lawrence grandparents! If you think one is long, how about three? Camille and Tiffany also graduated this year.
Overall, it was a great day. We missed Marissa. She had to work and go to school. After the ceremony, we all ate dinner at our house. Gage went to his all-night party and got home about 6:00 a.m. this morning. 
This morning Gage said he can't quite comprehend the idea that he's done at THS andwon't be going back next fall. I even think he was a little sad when he was talking about it. Who would have believed it?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Feeling Anxious
Another Sunday fading away. It was a good day, except that I'm feeling anxious. First the good part: Church was a lift for me today. Marissa had to do sharing time in Primary today, and it was great watching my daughter pull off a 25-minute portion of Primary with the children spellbound. She's so much more capable than I was at that age. Gage played the piano today for a stake priesthood meeting. It's nice to know all those hundreds of dollars I spent for lessons didn't go wasted. Eric is in Montana for a few days cleaning carpets at Brian and Susan's motel. He wanted to earn a little money while he was on leave. He'll be back to our house June 4th but leaves for Guam June 12th. The time is going by too quickly.
So why am I feeling anxious? We learned Friday that the Parliament in Ukraine will be voting this Tuesday, June 2, on a bill that proposes putting a moratorium on international adoption from Ukraine. I don't know if my heart can take this again. Our plane tickets are purchased, and we are supposed to be heading for Ukraine June 13. Our adoption agency tried to put our minds at ease, but I will not be at ease until I hear news from Ukraine on Tuesday.
My thoughts and prayers turn to the other families being affected and all of our children that are half a world away. Please pray that those people who have the fate of these children in their hands will be influenced for good and that the proper decisions will be made.
So why am I feeling anxious? We learned Friday that the Parliament in Ukraine will be voting this Tuesday, June 2, on a bill that proposes putting a moratorium on international adoption from Ukraine. I don't know if my heart can take this again. Our plane tickets are purchased, and we are supposed to be heading for Ukraine June 13. Our adoption agency tried to put our minds at ease, but I will not be at ease until I hear news from Ukraine on Tuesday.
My thoughts and prayers turn to the other families being affected and all of our children that are half a world away. Please pray that those people who have the fate of these children in their hands will be influenced for good and that the proper decisions will be made.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)