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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Goodbye Kramatorsk!

Okay...Kramatorsk was the city where we have spent the last month. We are no longer there...we are now back in Kiev. Also, as of today, Stephen, Candace and Alexandra are a family 24/7!
We woke up at 6:30 am, got ready, and were joined by a new facilitator at 7:30 am. We went to the court house to pick up the adoption decree, got a new birth certificate, and headed to the orphanage. When we went to Alexandra's room, all of her caregivers were there to see her off, and they started crying as they said good bye. Then Candace and I got caught up in the moment and became a bit teary-eyed. So eight adults were shaking hands and hugging with tears on their faces and Alexandra was left to wonder what the heck was going on.
We then left for Donestsk and arrived at noon. After having lunch, we were dropped off at the apartment of another couple from Manitoba. We stayed there while our facilitator went and did the paperwork necessary for Alexandra's passport. Our plane was scheduled to leave at 6:10 pm but an announcement was made saying that it would be delayed until 8:30 pm. Everyone seemed very upset by this with the exception of us and the American couple. We were still smiling because we had our children with us and were on our way back home finally. I believe things happen for a reason and I was actually glad the plane was delayed. You see, our friends, the Spanish couple, had a big problem with their paper work back in Kramatorsk and did not arrive at the airport until 6:45 pm. Had their been no delay they would not have been able to leave until tomorrow.
When we landed in Kiev at 9:00 pm, we were met by a driver who took us to our new apartment. It was a great place in a building adjacent to the American Embassy. It even had digital cable and a high speed internet connection. Too bad I did not bring a laptop. After a late supper, we tried to go to bed. It took Alexandra quite a while to get horizontal. I wouldn't say she was wound up per se...it was more that she had a really big day and had lots of new experiences. To be fair, even I had trouble sleeping. I spent some time watching my wife and daughter sleeping beside me before drifting off myself...I assume with a big smile on my face.

1 comment:

adoptedthree said...

Wow I wish we had known you were in Kramatorsk! I have spent many weeks there~

Enjoy your baby. It is such an exciting new time in your lives