Two weeks in...

Okay, so it's been a little longer than 2 weeks, but anyway, I thought I'd let you all know how things are going so far...

Daniel is starting to settle in and get comfortable.

He's sleeping 10 - 11 hours a night, and sometimes takes a 1 hour nap. And he LOVES the top bunk!

He can count to 10.

He understands and follows simple instructions.

He tells us - repeatedly - that he doesn't speak Russian. He tell us this in Russian, so it's quite comical. But in the past 24 hours (non-stop, I might add), he's been running around the house saying "I speank Engalish" (see video here: http://yfrog.us/69xxiz)

He went to the dentist. He was an angel, and thankfully, had no cavities! He was very excited about his new toothbrush. He's going to the pediatrician this coming week.

He and William are starting to play better together.

He loves playing in the sprinkler or going to the interactive fountains at the park.

He enjoys it when William reads to him.

He loves Daddy's shoes.

He was excited to get to feed ducks and fish at the lake.

He's getting more comfortable with us holding him, wrapping our arms around him, cuddling with him, etc.

And he's become a HUGE McDonalds fan (much to William's delight!).

And here are some of his current English words & phrases (and his pronunciation)...
Hi (hi)

Bye-bye (bye-bye)

Please (please)

Thank you (tank you)

Dear God (Dear Guy)

Thank you for our food (thanky fuhluh foo)
Help me be a good boy (hep me goo boy)

Amen (A-men)

Daddy (Daddy or Dally)

Mommy (Mommy)

William (Villiam)

Adie (Alie)

Dog (dog)

You're welcome (you welcon)

Pick me up (pink me uh)

Show me (show me)

Uh-oh (uh-oh)

All gone (all gone)

I speak English (I speank Engalish)

Daniel Dove (Daniel Dahf)

I love you

Good morning (goo mownee)

Night night (nigh-night)

Sorry (sahly)

Ouchy (ouchy)

Monkey (MUN-key)

Okay (okay)

Red (led)

Green (gleen)

Black (black)

Stop (top)

Let's go (let's go, with a bit of southern drawl)

eyes (eyes)

nose (nose)

mouth (mout)

ears (eee-rts)

Our God is greater!

Now that we're back and beginning to get settled, I'm trying to process all that happened on our trip. From time to time, I'll try to share some of our experiences and stories.

Today, I'd like to tell a little story about going to get the court decree...

We were told the court decree would be ready on Friday morning, July 9th. "L", our facilitator, checked more than once to verify this fact.

So we left our apartment around 7:45 to get to the courthouse when it opened at 8:00. At 8:05, "L" and I walked into the building. We went upstairs to one room. The lady there told us to go to another room. The lady in that room informed us that the judge was not in, but the decree was ready. She instructed us to go downstairs to Room 20 to retrieve our paperwork.

We walked down to the room. It was probably 10 x 20. One wall was solid windows. The other 3 were floor-to-ceiling book cases, stacked high with piles of papers and binders. The room contained 3 rickety desks. And the remainder of the floor was riddled with stacks of papers, each about 2 feet high.

One lady sat in the room, with a miserable scowl on her face. "L" asked for the court decree and Scowling Lady told us it wouldn't be ready until July 15. I think my jaw dropped. "L" explained that they were ready now, and somewhere in this room (at least, I think that's what she was saying). Scowling Lady didn't seem to agree.

I began to worry, and maybe panicked a little. So I prayed. I asked God to help us. Okay, I begged.

Scowling Lady began reluctantly looking at papers. Two other women made their way into the room and sat at their desks. "L" would periodically say something to Scowling Lady, who would mumble back at her.

Then, I changed how I was praying. I spoke to God, saying I knew with confidence He had already handled this situation, and I thanked Him in Jesus' name for what was about to happen.

At that EXACT moment (8:17 AM), one of the other ladies in the room stood up, walked over, and handed Scowling Lady our court decree - 10 official copies.

We thanked her, checked over everything, and left to continue our paper chase.

Why did I worry? Why was I anxious? Because I was trying to take control. But all along, God was in control. He always is.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

Last chance to bid on a Ukrainian Matryoshka set!!

Don't forget about the Matryoshka set we purchased on our trip to Ukraine and donated to the Ankerich family for the adoption fundraiser.

That auction ends today. Click HERE to bid, and know that 100% of the winning bid goes to their adoption fund. They are just a few weeks away from finding out their travel dates to go to China and get their daughter!

There have been quite a few bids on it, but I'd love to see the price go even higher before the auction closes at 9 PM ET tonight.

There are lots of other great items up for auction as well. Items include Brighton, Vera Bradley, personalized artwork, stationery, a market basket, insulated tumbler, and more. Click here to check out everything that's available!

Google Voice

When we upgraded our phone, we went with a voicemail service from Google Voice. It's pretty cool, it transcribes your voicemail and either emails it or texts it to you. The funny thing is, sometimes, it doesn't get it all right. Here are some of the emails we have received. We always get a good laugh out of reading them before we actually listen to them.

1. Hey Jennifer, ##### calling to catch up see how things are going Then call. Saragusa figured all had. They million people, calling and come on monster but the chicken parts are going away You know, and Casa called Doug, your house them but I want to get 37 anyway, give me a call when you get a chance bye.

2. Hey Jen, It's Joe, Just wanted to chat with you about tomorrow and I am good, not come in and I can just come to the door because actually I never had the chicken pox. I was exposed to them when I was John. You never got them talking from. You know what, but I'm gonna have those points with me. I don't want to bring over for tomorrow and I just want to check with you to make shh to see if you wanted something for tomorrow night or if you'd prefer something for your freezer, so just give me a call as soon as you can so I know what to get ready for tomorrow, and again, we'll just come to the door. I'll just go or even leave a voice in the car, we just want to get something over to you So you would just worry too much better. So, just gimme a call back home number #########thanks bye. (this one wasn't too funny, the lady speaks really clearly)

3. Hey Jess, Rush loop. How are you. Hey Chris, Just let me know. I guess act and I've some with the, so just trying to touch base see what you guys looking like for tonight. Just wanna make you know what the hell I don't know when next getting home more. What's best for us to give me a call back. Thanks.

4. Hi Jan. We just got the page and then the only look so cute. So. I'm glad it'll say dating good but is the Darren and, well, I'm sure he must the 8th of the put the keys Smelling with Israel syndromes applying for Griffin in it. We were We love you.

Just remember to speak slowly and clearly on our voicemail or you could end up on the blog.

Still here

Sorry we haven't been blogging much. We're all trying to get into the swing of things as a family of four, and it's been an adjustment. That's not to say it's been really bad or anything, just different and we're all learning.

Daniel is learning and growing in many ways. He's counting to 8 in English, picking up new words each day, and understanding a lot of what we're saying. We give him little tasks throughout the day (throw this in the trash, take your shoes to your room, etc.) and he's learning a lot that way as well.

He loves sleeping in his bed, playing with his big brother, trying all kinds of new foods, listening & dancing to music (especially Toby Mac), riding in the power wheel jeep with William, and working with play-do.

Please continue to pray for us as we work to teach Daniel what it means to be part of a family. This is all so very new to him, but we think he's starting to catch on!

Chicken Pox and All

Here we are, Chicken Pox and all. Does anyone know if Chicken Pox can also cause a heat rash? When we were in Ukraine, Daniel never got any sort of heat rash or anything. Now that he is getting over Chicken Pox, just a walk to the mailbox makes him break out in hives on his legs and back.

The Connected Child, by Karyn Purvis

Has anyone read this? Any comments, opinions, etc.?

Airport pics

Thanks to my dad for taking some pics. Honestly, I did not have my wits about me and was not thinking of getting out the camera.

And thanks to everyone who came to welcome us home!

Zack's Dad & Mom (Pop & Baba)

Zack's brother Josh

Jenn's Mom & step-dad (Gram & T'Daddy)

Jenn's Dad & step-mom (Pawpaw & Grandma)

Jenn's brother Joey & his family: Kristy, Anna, Alli, & Drew

Jenn's grandparents (Nana & D'Daddy)

Jenn's Aunt Bonnie

Our dear friends Carl & Brenda

Here are a few pics from our arrival...

Daniel Aaron Dove

We made it home safely yesterday, and Daniel Aaron Dove is now a US Citizen!

Sorry, no pics yet, but wanted to at least share his name with everyone.

In celebration of our homecoming and to help our dear friends as they prepare to meet their daughter in Ukraine, please visit THIS BLOG and bid on the matryoshka set (Ukrainian stacking dolls) that we bought for their auction blog. I'd love for this to be their best auction item yet in honor of Daniel joining our family, and in a show of support for the Ankerich family.

Thanks for everyone's comments, prayers, and support. Please keep it up - we are home, but now the next journey begins!

Will post more later, once we're settled, rested, and a little more into a routine!

Coming home soon!

Sorry it's been a while. To say we've been busy - and exhausted - since picking Elvis up from Graceland would be an extreme understatement.

Saturday was a long day. Left our apartment at 7:45 AM, arrived in Kyiv at our apartment just before 7 PM. LONG day. Elvis was extremely over-stimulated. Couldn't sit still. Couldn't contain his excitement. Couldn't stop talking. You cannot imagine how this boy talks. He doesn't care that we don't understand him. I think he might possibly have my niece Alli beaten for the most words spoken in a single day! We did have one 20-minute period where I convinced him to listen to my iPod (old Allies songs) and he almost fell asleep. But that was it.

Saturday night was rough. First bath was great - he'd probably take a bath every hour if we'd let him. Brushing teeth was also a big hit - he loves for mommy to help with the ones in the back. But he'd been in the car all day and didn't want to sleep. Was up early Sunday. We spent the morning at the park, hung around the apartment in the afternoon, and met the Loraines for dinner.

Sunday night was a little better. Sleep came a bit easier and lasted a bit longer.

Monday was even better. Went early for his medical exam - were there for about 1 1/2 hours. (There's a playroom there, yay!!!) Then to the embassy to apply for his visa - in & out in less than 20 minutes.

Monday lunch at McDonalds - the same McDonalds where William had his first Happy Meal experience! Elvis loved the french fries & ketchup, and tolerated 2 chicken nuggets.

Dinner at "Papa John" pizza - probably the best pizza we've had in Ukraine.

Tuesday has been our best day yet, overall. Morning walk to Independence Square. Visit from our facilitator, "S". Lunch at Puzhata Hata. Back to the embassy for 2 hours to get his visa. Shoppings for last minute souvenirs. Dinner with the Loraines and the Airharts at Il Patio.

The boys are in bed. L&L will be here in 3 1/2 hours to take us to the airport.

Wednesday will be a long day. Flight to Frankfurt, 5 hour layover, and @10 hour flight to Atlanta. Arriving in Atlant @4:30 PM!!!! Can't wait to be home.

Here are a few more pics from the last few days...

Matching pajamas

Hanging out at Independence Square

Standing outside the gates of the SDA, where we first laid eyes on each of them for the first time (well, their pictures anyway)

Kyiv Fire Department

At the playground

Mommy trying to entertain a boy who was feeling grumpy

Suds on his head helped, too!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis has left the building

Friday was a banner day! We got the court decree, the birth certificate, and the passport!

Today was an even better day!

So long, Solnitchko! Oh yeah, I don’t think I’d mentioned that funny ‘coincidence’ before, but the nickname I’d originally given our little one – Solnitchko, or Little Sunshine – is also the name of Elvis’ orphanage.

We officially took custody of our son this morning. Arrived at 7:50, and we were on the road by 8:15.

No more orphanage. No more Groupa #4. No more clothes labeled with #4. No more sandals that are two sizes too small. No more of having nothing of your own.

Today “Elvis” walked away from that place with His Daddy, His Mommy, and His big brother. He walked away wearing clothes that are His. He entered a machina (car) and found a backpack with His new name on it, filled with surprises picked out just for him. And he’ll go to sleep tonight wearing pajamas just like his big brother’s.

He is an orphan no longer. He is our son. We are his forever family. We love him, and we are ready to help him transition into his new life!

Please pray for our road trip to Kyiv (@ a 9-hr drive). We've been on the road almost 3 hours so far. He's doing well, but struggling a little with having to be in a confined space for so long. Thankfully, he hasn't been car sick so far :)

Pop

Today is my dad’s last day of work. Let me rephrase that. Today is my dad’s last day of work at MI Technologies. Wait, let me rephrase that. Today is my dad’s last day of work at MI Technologies as a full time employee. There, that is more accurate.

Remember in the movie Vacation with Chevy Chase? Clark W Griswold says about his wife’s cousin Eddie, “he couldn’t find a job in 8 years?” Ellen, his wife replies back, “Catherine says he’s been holding out for a management position.” While that is funny, one thing I can say about my dad is that he always taught me and my brother that you do whatever you have to do to support your family. Dad was always fortunate to have a good job that and we always have had food on the table and nice clothes and a nice home to live in. But there is no doubt that he would have gone anywhere he needed to go to flip burgers, mop floors or whatever he needed to do to take care of us.

Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t always have a pleasant day where he came in and his white dress shirt was barely dirty from sitting at a desk all day. No, he worked. Sometimes very hard in harsh conditions, sometimes not so hard in nice conditions. He traveled a lot, ate a lot of really nasty foods, slept on long intercontinental flights, slept in small beds, slept on hard floors and also stayed in some pretty nice places too.

I have no doubt that dad will enjoy retirement. He will get to spend a lot of time with William and Elvis. He has already planned several fishing trips with William in the hopes that he will like to fish more that me and Josh do. He has a place at the lake to go and chill when mom nags him too much. I will also not be too surprised if MI Technologies comes calling him to do some contract work here and there.

Congratulations to my dad and my friend. I want my boys to look back at me when I retire and say the same things about me, that I did what I had to do to support them and mold them into men who love God and love their families.

Now, we just have to get him to take up golf.

Pictures

Here are some random pictures from the last few days...

Snack time










Watching TV









I think we might have been playing our new little game "Spat... Dobreh Ootra" (Sleep.... Good morning). I hold him, he pretends to sleep, then I say Dobreh Ootra and he 'wakes up,' smiles, and says it back to me.









He was saying "Hi" in English here









Peek-a-boo!









William was talking him through the photo album









Zack now loves Kbac (kvass). It's this weird wheat beverage that's kind of fizzy (non-alcoholic). It's very popular here in the warm weather. I think it's disgusting.









Hey Brenda - check out my hat :)









William got some new sunglasses so Elvis could have the other ones. But Elvis just had to try on big brother's new glasses, too!









After our time together today, Elvis started walking us a different way around the building. We thought he was stalling, but turns out, he knew his groupa was out front playing in the pool. So glad our visit didn't mean he had to miss out on his turn!

World Cup

We've watched LOTS of World Cup action while we've been here, and are really enjoying it. We were of course disappointed when the U.S. failed to advance any further, but were proud of their effort.

Since our home team is no longer in, we are cheering for Germany to go all the way. I need to wash William's Deutschland jersey in case they make it to the final match (fingers crossed!).

We're watching the latest match right now - and William is enthusiastically cheering for "Your-a-goy," hoping they'll beat the "Nether-lings."

Orphan Care Ministry

If you live anywhere remotely close to Duluth, Georgia, I highly encourage you to attend Cross Pointe Church this Sunday.

(Read CP's blog entry about this HERE).

Johnny Carr is director of church partnerships for Bethany Christian Services and he will be preaching at Cross Pointe this Sunday, at both services (9:30 and 11:00).

This will also be the day that they officially announce the start of Cross Pointe's Orphan Care ministry. For the past few months, a team has been working diligently, seeking God's will for this ministry.

I'm disappointed that we can't be there this Sunday, but we're praying that God uses this as a catalyst for lots of great things to come.

There's also a free lunch afterwards with Johnny Carr & some of our church staff. Check out the following link for more info and to make reservations (http://www.crosspointechurch.com/missions/page_orphancare.htm).

Monday, Monday

We had a great visit with Elvis this morning!

We arrived and the caregivers had everyone outside playing games again today. After a weekend without visits, our boy seemed very happy to see us. He came and sat with us and asked if we could go to our usual play area. He refused to join in on a group picture - just wanted to be with us :)

It was really hot today. William took off his jersey, so Elvis tried it on. He also confiscated William's sunglasses (some that we bought at the market a week or two ago when William's went missing in the ocean).














Our two muscle men










What a cutie!










Like I've said before, William is a great helper. Well last night, we introduced him to hand-washing dishes.

So tonight as we finished dinner, Zack said, "I think William's washing dishes tonight," and waited for a reaction. William was so excited and couldn't wait to get started!















After dinner, we usually sign on to Skype and talk to some of our parents.









After our Skype calls tonight, God provided quite the light show for us!