Day 25 (Thurs March 3rd) Dnepro - Woman's Day Program (Day 2)

Yesterday was AWESOME!  We were asked to show up to the orphanage at about 2 so we took the 11:20 bus instead of our usual 10:30 bus.  The weather actually resembled something pleasant.  It was cold, for sure, but not bitter cold.  We walked to the orphanage in relative comfort. :)  It was actually the first time I got to look around a little as well, since every other time I've walked I've been fighting the wind and/or watching my feet so as not to slip.

This is the road the orphanage is on

I thought it was hilarious that chickens were just out wondering in this yard

Some random field

Playground equipment at the orphanage

More playground equipment

When we got there, there was a bustle of activity as final preparations were made for the Woman's Day program.  Even though the actual holiday isn't until next Tuesday they celebrated it yesterday.  The usual workers have it off so they won't be there the actual holiday.  We waited while everything was finished up.  The director said I can take pictures and videos now.  Yea!  I was a little worried about Ira because she knew we were there, but wasn't coming out to say hi or anything.  When she did though, she was all smiles and luckily feeling better.

The program was ADORABLE!  And, since I can take pictures, I have lots. :)  The links are to YouTube videos.

These took part in the program

Some cross stitches 

The banner says something that doesn't translate well.  As close as Masha could get was Little Spring.

Little Ira

Little Masha

The Masha's

The director began the program and it was very nice.  There were judges (the older girls had a "competition") and they all got introduced.  I believe she told who a couple of the other people were and then she started talking about us.  We weren't guests.  We were part of the orphanage because we were Ira's family.  I was very touched.

The Director making announcements

The director had asked Husband to do a little speech congratulating all the women and girls on Women's Day.  He was kinda quiet so sorry. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMG5d4gSBoQ

The little kids reciting.  Unfortunately, I missed Little Ira's part on the video. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXhAH58biSs

Here are the littles singing a couple of songs.  They weren't actually sung together, but I'm going to put them together on here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzWEQbLry8w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6kS2khj-00

Next the older girls introduced themselves for the competition.  I love these guys!

I have no idea how to spell her name, so just know that I know it. :)  For those in the hosting program, she stayed with Faber's.  SUCH a sweet girl!

Olga (She and Little Masha stayed with Jorgensen's)

Nastia

Shnirzana (she was very nervous!)

Nadia

Nadia

One of the things they had to do was count the peas in the shoes with their toes.

Next the little ones did a dance.  The older boy in the middle there (not part of the dance) is Kola.  LOVE him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRUVCLUSxAU

Here is them singing and dancing again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=272dA8kFQ84

Here is Little Ira and little boy singing together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yPanCjDoo

The painter kind of intro-ed Ira's part

Ira and Vika reciting something

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3It4j7fiITw

Both Ira's watching

The each got a team together and did a relay race to make the girls beautiful by adding freckles until the music stopped.

The girls a freckeled up

While all that was going on, the judges were judging.  This was seeing how they did sewing on a button.

This was how well they made a sandwich

Then the contestants did a dance as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEAY1nIPN6A

After that we were each given a flower like the ones they had on and were to pick our favorite girl to win.  How could I pick??  I needed 6 flowers!  After the winners were announced they all got a stuffed animal of some kind.  So fun to watch!  I loved the program and wish they were doing another similar thing before we leave again.

After that, the little kids (since we are now allowed to see them and wonder the orphanage) were begging us to come see their area and play.

This is the room where they all sleep and yes, there are 16 beds in there

This little girl REALLY wanted to play with Little One so they played tag.  So cute!

I SOOO want to take this little girl home.  Talk about melt your heart!  She has a sis and bro too that I'd be happy to have as well. :)

Her sis is the one looking at Masha and her brother is as well...in the white shirt.  I really, really want to take them....

Isn't she ADORABLE?!  Masha was showing them where Utah is in relation to Ukraine.

Here she and her brother are with Husband.  Little Masha is there with her back to me.  They were showing him English books and wanting him to read/help...I'm not really sure what.

This is the little girl that loves Little One.  It was the cutest thing watching them play together.

 We got all ready to go and as we were leaving we came across the people that are teaching them English.  They are all from Poland, but live in Dnepro.  They speak very good English.  The guy offered us a ride and I thought he just meant to the bus station, but he meant all the way back to Dnepro!  We went ahead and waited for them, watching the class and visiting.  Kola came and enjoyed being able to talk to us finally as well.  Especially with someone there (Masha is usually surrounded by the girls) that could help us talk to each other.  He's really the only one of the boys that has shown much interest in us.  At least outwardly.  SUCH a sweet kid.  I'd take him home too, honestly.  I'm not exactly old enough to be his mom, but hey. LOL

English class - review for a test

Look at all those cuties learning English!

We had a very nice ride back to Dnepro with them.  Such good people!  I'm so glad we've gotten to know them, if even for a little bit!  We heard a little more about some of the kids and just had a very nice visit.  We talked about Mormon things and they had very kind things to say about the few LDS people they've met.

Ah...such a wonderful day!  Part of me worries for tomorrow since Ira seems to go from hot to cold each time we see her.  Since we had such a good day yesterday, what will tomorrow be like?? LOL  Na...I'm thinking it will be just fine.  We get to take her and Kristina with us to Dnepro for the holiday weekend and we're very much looking forward to that.  I'm actually very, very glad I didn't go home.  I think these last few days here are going to be the best, by far.

Day 24 (Wed March 2nd) Dnepro - Rest Day (Day 1)

Yes, I did write about the court yesterday.  Scroll down to see. :)

Today we were pretty lazy.  We did go get Husband's train ticket back to Kiev.  I must say, I'm jealous.  I wish we were already buying our tickets back!  Soon enough though.  We stopped by a store and picked up a few more things we can't get at the one by the apartment.

By the way, we've pretty much decided Little One's bites are from bed bugs.  Between the research we've done and the things we've been told (like by Sis. Nielsen) that has to be what it is.  We might be moving apartments again once Husband leaves.  She is doing well though.  She is still my little leopard, but they are getting better.

Other than that, we're going to bed again now.  We called Ira and she has a fever, poor girl.  They gave her something and she was going to bed.  We're headed over there tomorrow to see the program they're having for Woman's Day.  That should be fun.  I hope Ira is feeling better by then!

Day 23 (Tues March 1st) Dnepro - Court Day

Talk about stressful!  Holy cow!  We got picked up in the morning and headed over to the notary office to get some paperwork done.  We got something with the passport paperwork started and then also a power of attorney from Husband to me for while he is away.  We arrived at the orphanage to go to the bathroom and to let me change into my skirt.  Husband saw Ira, but she didn't look at him and Masha said she was already crying.

We got to the courthouse and our driver went back to get Ira, the director and the assistant director.  Once they got there too, Ira smiled at me and gave me a hug, but that was it.  From them on she wouldn't look at us.  I wasn't sure that was a good thing. LOL

We were taken into the courtroom and waited for the judge to come in.  Once she did, we began.  There were the three of us, Masha, Luba, the director, assistant director, Ira, the inspector, the prosecutor, the court assistant, the judge, and on either side of her sat two women of the jury.  We had our preliminary hearing and it went well, except that Ira cried the whole time.  We were asked just a couple of things.  The director and inspector talked a little and spoke very kindly of us.  After the conclusion was read for the preliminary hearing, we had a short break and then the main hearing began.

Surprisingly, I was asked most of the questions, rather than Husband.  It really wasn't a big deal though.  I was nervous, but mostly because I had no idea what Ira was going to say rather than because of the questions I was being asked.  The questions were just as we'd expected and I could tell they were out of concern for Ira and her welfare.  Especially the couple asked us from the director and inspector.  The judge was very kind and even smiled at me as she was asking questions.

When it was Ira's turn she was very firm in her, "yes."  Even though she cried the whole time there was no hesitation at all.  The judge even asked her, "Then why are you crying."  She didn't have an answer for that. LOL

In the end, the judge granted the petition.  Pending the 10 day waiting period, that is.  My stress is down quite a bit, though not at all over.  It will be much better once our 10 days is up, 12 if you count the extra weekend we have to wait for, and I have that paper in my hand and know that no one can do anything about it.

I was hoping for a picture of us all outside the courthouse, but Ira didn't want her picture taken.  Especially after having been crying so much and all.  Masha took one of the three of us though.

After the court

We went back to the orphanage to change again before we left.  We gave the director our donation and that went really well.  I really like her. :)  We had to go find Ira to say goodbye.  She had a headache, and so did I. 

Once we got back to Dnepro we had our driver drop us off at TGIFriday's to eat.  I got fajitas, which were quite yummy.  Masha asked me if they were the same as in America and I had to say that I've never actually ordered fajitas in America before! LOL  I was just craving Mexican since we have that often at home and I haven't had any the entire trip here.  It was yummy though!

They had the sign in English too, but I thought this was more fun. :)

A Star Wars poster!  Yea!

I have no idea why Little One decided to make such a funny face, but hey.

Best dessert EVER!  We all loved the apple crisp and Masha and I are planning to go back for dessert one of these nights!

Little One with her yummy ice cream too

After that we went home and crashed.  It was a super stressful, but good, day.

A Quick Update

I know everyone is dying to know what happened today.  I am absolutely exhausted and so will have to upload pictures (though not what you'd expect) and give a bit more info tomorrow.  Right now, suffice it to say it went well all in all.  There was even a yes from her in all those tears. :)  Actually, the "yes" was very firm and sure.  It was just hard to tell through the crying, poor girl.

I'm off to bed and not intending to wake up until sometime LATE morning. LOL  That's still middle of the night for y'all though so I suppose it doesn't matter.  'Night!  Let the countdown begin!

Day 22 (Mon Feb 28th) - Dnepro - Rest Day

Well, today was the last rest day before the "big" day.  We went a few blocks down the road for to check out a bigger store.  We found some pork chops and did them for dinner tonight.  Yummy!  Just like home. :)  We found some of the shelf milk Sis. Nielsen's and even got some strawberry to try. :)  On our way back we hit McDonald's.  It was super loud in there, but ah...familiar fast food. LOL

Other than that we prepped a bit for court tomorrow.  We're all a little nervous, but I'm sure we will be just fine. We called Ira as well and she seemed fine again.  She has picked out what she will wear for tomorrow.  We could use your prayers for tomorrow.  We'll be in court in the middle of the night for you guys so don't worry about waking up to pray at the actual time. :)

Wish us luck!

Day 21 (Sun Feb 27) Dnepropetrovsk - Visit Ira

We were on our usual 10:30 bus this morning.  We tried to call our smelly car guy a few times but with no luck so we had to walk from the bus station to the orphanage.  It was particularly windy and, of course, we have to walk into the wind.

Something very interesting happened.  The director came in and with her was our judge.  They took Ira off to talk to her.  Later Masha asked what they'd talked about.  If they'd told her how to act and such.  Ira said they told her to answer how she wants.  Masha asked if she has decided how she will answer and she said she will go with us.  Masha asked if she wanted to come with us for the waiting period or if she wanted to stay at the orphanage and she said she wants to stay.  No surprise there.  I don't think she has a choice anyway, but before we ask it's good to know she wouldn't want to anyway.

We had a very nice game of Phase 10 going before we had to leave.

I heard back from Sis. Nielsen.  They will be back today.  We'll go see her tomorrow morning.

We got back and Masha told us that as we were getting dressed to leave the orphanage she asked Ira one more time if her answer is yes.  Guess what  she said?  Her famous answer.  I don't know.  Man, this girl is going to drive us to an early grave before we ever get her.  IF we ever get her.

Days 19 and 20 (Fri and Sat Feb 25th and 26th) Dnepro - Rest Days

Our "rest days" are actually pretty boring.  Little One and I watched a couple of Next Generation episodes yesterday.  We've been playing Oregon Trail on my iPod. LOL

One thing I forgot to mention is about when Husband got his plane ticket switched.  He just casually mentioned that we were doing an adoption and things had taken a little longer than we'd planned on.  The lady said, "Oh, you're doing an adoption?  I'll wave the change fee then."  I guess for adoptions, they do that and they will do that for mine and Little One's tickets as well when we change them.  It only ended up costing him $270 for the difference in fare instead of $520 (for that plus the $250 change fee.)  Delta is awesome. :^)  Keep that in mind when you guys start buying tickets!

Little One is about the same.  No new bites/hives/whatever they are, that we can tell, but not really any better either.  We started worrying that maybe it was chickenpox, but after looking at pictures of chickenpox on WebMD that isn't what it is.  Thank goodness because Masha hasn't had them and I bet the kids in the orphanage wouldn't have appreciated that either.  It looks like it might be flea or bed bug bites, but it could also be hives.  If it's bites we have no idea why just her and not the rest of us.  We're in very close quarters here and while none of the rest of us have slept on this chair, we've all been sitting on it LOTS.

We didn't hear anything from the director, who had told us she'd call if there was a change in plans and Ira didn't come to Dnepro, so we called this morning to find out what the plan was.  Where to meet, etc....  Well, come to find out that Ira didn't go after all.  We don't know why for sure, but hey.  And, it was too late to take the bus over there.  We had planned on seeing her today and then not again until our court on Tuesday.  Now we're not quite sure what to do.  We can skip church tomorrow, which Husband really wants to do.  I really need that recharge, even when I can't understand anything.  I'm sure I won't get it though and we'll be going to the orphanage.  It will make 3 of the last 4 weeks that I've missed.  That's life, I suppose.  We'll go Tuesday and Wednesday both, since Husband will need Thursday to pack and be on the train to Kiev and he really wants to see her as much as possible before he goes home.

So, here we sit. :)  I'm going to go ahead and count this as my post for the day since I'm sure we won't be doing anything exciting the rest of the day.  If, for some reason, we do, I will add it to this post later.  TTFN!

*Update*

We did call Ira.  She was disappointed she didn't get to go.  Understandable.  She, over her own accord even, said she missed us and loves us.  I think we stand a good chance of our court going well. :^)