Ok so we went to see our little princess today and yes we still love her dearly and more and more every day as if that were even possible. However when we walked in to the baby house we quickly discovered that some IDIOT and yes I do mean IDIOT cut her hair and it is absolutely PATHETIC ----- why in the world would they do that this close to her leaving. I think they should make that part of the paperwork that once the child becomes YOURS and assumes YOUR NAME then they should play by our rules one of which was DON'T CUT HER HAIR!!!! Her hair had finally grown out enough to where she could have gotten a decent haircut to begin some type of style but now it is so gapped up and just horrible that I'm not sure if there are any miracles to be had. They of course, left the back long so now for sure she sports the "mullet" look. I'm just disgusted by that .... I know DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF but that's just aggravating. And of course whoever cuts it is just someone that picks up a pair of scissors and wacks it so you can just imagine.
Ok round two of frustration for our visit today. We have some careworkers in which we adore and you can really tell they care a lot not only for Ivanna but for the children, in general. Then there are maybe two that just seem to "have a job" if you know what I mean. One of them was on duty today. She discovered that we were feeding Ivanna yogurt and about had two heart attacks and a stroke to boot. I said (to myself of course) what in the world does it matter ---- in a few more days you will never see her again you old hagglett!!! But of course for the sake of others and the reputation of ourselves we hold all that inside just biding for our time to take her away from there so she can enjoy some time with her biological parents and start forming her life with her new mommy and daddy. In addition, this is the same woman who came after her when it was time for her to go eat lunch. Thank goodness one of our favorites took over and allowed her time to say her goodbyes so she wouldn't be upset when she left. At least we have comfort in knowing there are the good ones there that will for certain make sure that she is not upset and will do everything they can to calm her.
But there is some good to all of my venting today. Oleg stopped by and he is going to "try" with no promises to get our court document on Friday so there still may be a small chance that we can break her out on Saturday as opposed to Monday so all we can do is say our prayers and hope that she will be out of there two days earlier. But either way she is leaving there for good at least by Monday and mommy and daddy and mama and papa couldn't be happier.
Anyway - if you read this with sincere concern then thanks!!
Continue to pray for our families, for the workers, and for the orphans we leave behind and for all of the future parents coming behind us. May God continue to bless us all.
Love,
The Stratton Family
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
SIX Days Remaining
We are down to six more nights that Ivanna will spend in the orphanage. I'm sure she will be missed but yet everyone will be so happy to see her go. There are several things that need to be worked on and we will just have to take one/two at a time. But all will be good. I haven't posted in a while and wanted to write a few things down before I let them slip.
Saturday: We rode to the orphanage with our driver and rode home with Anna and Yuri. Enjoyed our visit and after our visit we had the most incredible lunch thanks to Anna and Yuri. They took us to the Ukranian Buffet --- well, you ask how was that different because we could actually ask what things were and Yuri could tell us and I AM HOOKED on Verneke - that stuff is WONDERFUL!! I had the potato and cherry and I think I have had the potato verneke everyday since then. Good stuff.
Then we went down to the square that evening and strolled through the Globus underground mall which is fantastic we still didn't see all of it. I stayed too long in guess which store - yep the baby stores :D. Even though she really isn't a baby she is still our baby.
Sunday: Anna and Yuri picked us up to go visit Ivanna. I'm not sure why this day's visit was very hard for me. I was trying to stay in the background and give Anna, Yuri and Igor some space to enjoy the visit because we just didn't want to interrupt what will serve to be special time and special memories to them. I also saw that it was a struggle for us to be referred to as Momma and Daddy and that's understandable too. But Ivanna had a great day with her momma (Anna) and papa (Yuri) and enjoyed being tossed and twirled in the air. Bitter sweet.
Monday: Well, the traffic was INCREDIBLY bad as they were paving the road on the way to vorzel and we all know what that is like. It took us over two hours to get to the orphanage so that only left us with a little less than an hour with the Princess :(. Wasn't so hard to get her to turn aloose this day because it was almost like the visit was over before it ever got started.
Today: This morning we were picked up at eight as opposed to nine and headed off. Luckily there was little to no traffic today so we were at the orphanage in less than 45 minutes. I was a little worried the workers may be upset since we were there so early but much to our surprise they greeted us with smiles and Ivanna had already spotted us and here she came a running!!! So very sweet when she does that. We spent a little time inside waiting on it to warm up a tad outside and then once she got wound up we moved our party for three outside. We did all sorts of things outside but the one thing that was quite funny today is that when we would take her for a walk we would try to go out the gate and to the right and she just WAS NOT going to go that way....we finally realized WHY!!!! She was afraid it was time for us to leave and by golly she just was not going that way. When it really was time to go daddy had to pick her up and carry her. Then she continually went back and forth between the both of us hugging and kissing until one of the workers finally had to take her by the hand as she was continuing to wave Paka!!! Next Monday baby girl - you will be waving Paka to the baby house and the next time you come back it will ONLY be for a visit!!!
Also the ballerina bear that she once would not have anything to do with she was finally snuggling to today and giving kisses. WOW imagine what she is going to think of all the baby dolls already on her bed and waiting for her????
Watching the changes she has made over the past couple of weeks may seems small to some but some of them are really huge to us and we can't imagine how much she will blossom when we get home. Our hope is to be able to leave here on September 16th and be home for our visitation with the boys on the 17th so they can meet their sister for the first time.
We are so looking forward to next Monday. There is not the slightest reservation between either of us and we know that Ivanna was the child that God chose for us and for our family.
We are looking forward to Lyndi coming tomorrow and Danielle, Ivan's mom (or you have heard me refer to him in my posts as Igor - as this is what he is called at the Orphanage) will be here next week. Ivan is going to be SO GLAD that the visits will be all about him.
There are other children in this baby house and others that truly need a forever family so if you have any questions, please ask or visit http://www.reecesrainbow.org/ and Andrea Roberts will be more than happy to answer questions for you.
I'll post pictures and videos soon but right now it's time for a nap before I have to get some "real work" done.
Take care and please continue to say prayers for us. Our current prayers are as follows:
He continue to guide us through the final adoption phase
He continue to watch over us during our return home
He be with Ivanna and bring calmness to her during her next six nights in the orphanage
He be with every family during their adoption in the present and the ones that will follow us
He do His will in finding each and everyone of these precious children their forever families and forever homes
He watch after our boys back home, our friends, and our families.
Amen!
Love to all,
The Stratton Family
Saturday: We rode to the orphanage with our driver and rode home with Anna and Yuri. Enjoyed our visit and after our visit we had the most incredible lunch thanks to Anna and Yuri. They took us to the Ukranian Buffet --- well, you ask how was that different because we could actually ask what things were and Yuri could tell us and I AM HOOKED on Verneke - that stuff is WONDERFUL!! I had the potato and cherry and I think I have had the potato verneke everyday since then. Good stuff.
Then we went down to the square that evening and strolled through the Globus underground mall which is fantastic we still didn't see all of it. I stayed too long in guess which store - yep the baby stores :D. Even though she really isn't a baby she is still our baby.
Sunday: Anna and Yuri picked us up to go visit Ivanna. I'm not sure why this day's visit was very hard for me. I was trying to stay in the background and give Anna, Yuri and Igor some space to enjoy the visit because we just didn't want to interrupt what will serve to be special time and special memories to them. I also saw that it was a struggle for us to be referred to as Momma and Daddy and that's understandable too. But Ivanna had a great day with her momma (Anna) and papa (Yuri) and enjoyed being tossed and twirled in the air. Bitter sweet.
Monday: Well, the traffic was INCREDIBLY bad as they were paving the road on the way to vorzel and we all know what that is like. It took us over two hours to get to the orphanage so that only left us with a little less than an hour with the Princess :(. Wasn't so hard to get her to turn aloose this day because it was almost like the visit was over before it ever got started.
Today: This morning we were picked up at eight as opposed to nine and headed off. Luckily there was little to no traffic today so we were at the orphanage in less than 45 minutes. I was a little worried the workers may be upset since we were there so early but much to our surprise they greeted us with smiles and Ivanna had already spotted us and here she came a running!!! So very sweet when she does that. We spent a little time inside waiting on it to warm up a tad outside and then once she got wound up we moved our party for three outside. We did all sorts of things outside but the one thing that was quite funny today is that when we would take her for a walk we would try to go out the gate and to the right and she just WAS NOT going to go that way....we finally realized WHY!!!! She was afraid it was time for us to leave and by golly she just was not going that way. When it really was time to go daddy had to pick her up and carry her. Then she continually went back and forth between the both of us hugging and kissing until one of the workers finally had to take her by the hand as she was continuing to wave Paka!!! Next Monday baby girl - you will be waving Paka to the baby house and the next time you come back it will ONLY be for a visit!!!
Also the ballerina bear that she once would not have anything to do with she was finally snuggling to today and giving kisses. WOW imagine what she is going to think of all the baby dolls already on her bed and waiting for her????
Watching the changes she has made over the past couple of weeks may seems small to some but some of them are really huge to us and we can't imagine how much she will blossom when we get home. Our hope is to be able to leave here on September 16th and be home for our visitation with the boys on the 17th so they can meet their sister for the first time.
We are so looking forward to next Monday. There is not the slightest reservation between either of us and we know that Ivanna was the child that God chose for us and for our family.
We are looking forward to Lyndi coming tomorrow and Danielle, Ivan's mom (or you have heard me refer to him in my posts as Igor - as this is what he is called at the Orphanage) will be here next week. Ivan is going to be SO GLAD that the visits will be all about him.
There are other children in this baby house and others that truly need a forever family so if you have any questions, please ask or visit http://www.reecesrainbow.org/ and Andrea Roberts will be more than happy to answer questions for you.
I'll post pictures and videos soon but right now it's time for a nap before I have to get some "real work" done.
Take care and please continue to say prayers for us. Our current prayers are as follows:
He continue to guide us through the final adoption phase
He continue to watch over us during our return home
He be with Ivanna and bring calmness to her during her next six nights in the orphanage
He be with every family during their adoption in the present and the ones that will follow us
He do His will in finding each and everyone of these precious children their forever families and forever homes
He watch after our boys back home, our friends, and our families.
Amen!
Love to all,
The Stratton Family
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Photos from 08/26 and 08/27
Here are the photos from our visit with the princess on 08/26 and 08/27. As you can see on 08/27 we are in the play room with the children. Enjoy!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Videos from 08/26 and 8/27
Well, here we are and all is going great which is highly unusual. Looks like GOTCHA day has now changed to Saturday, September 4th. If something happens to change it will be on Monday for sure. The workers were able to communicate with us again today that after we left yesterday and she realized we were gone after she took off looking for us she was crying again they are in total disbelief. So today when the worker came in to tell us it was time for Ivanna to go so she could eat lunch the worker had a really sad look on her face – she didn’t want to take her either because she knew what was going to happen. All I can say is prayers for our little girl and hope that she knows she only has to sleep there 8 more nights and then she leaves with mommy and daddy. I know her mama and papa are going to miss her greatly but they will at least have peace knowing that she has found a good home and we will do everything to our ability to keep them posted of her successes and we know there will be many.
We were able to play with her in the toy room today which I am guessing that not people get to experience. We had all three children in our care for a little while and boy WHAT A HANDFUL!!! We had the Princess, Igor and Leeza and buddy with all of them fighting to have the attention it was quite strenuous. Leeza would crawl up in daddy’s lap and Ivanna wanted no part of that – as soon as she caught a glimpse of that here she would come shoving Leeza out of the way and then assume HER throne!! What a little mess she is and I mean that in the funniest of ways!
She would get all bent out of shape that she would work so hard to build her train track out of blocks and then Igore or Leeza would kick pieces of it and get it out of order and she was not at all happy. Then we had the “screaming” session. This is when Igor decides he wants to be noticed (as if he wasn’t) and he stands over to the side and goes to screaming ---- well then what does that cause – that causes our little “mimic” to go do the same thing as soon as he is done. Oh boy!!! Everyday I have tried to take them all a snack of some sort. Today it was cookies and they are eager to tear in to them. I just give them to one of the workers and they distribute them. Such sweet ladies at this house – I have certainly been very pleased.
Well, after we were about to pull our hair out with all three of them in the room with just us and trying to keep them all rounded up and stop competing for attention one of the ladies came in just as Leeza had grabbed hubby’s glasses off his face and bent them. So, while I was getting him back in working order, she took Igor and Leeza with her to the front room. It was attempting to mist today so today was an inside visit which was fine with us but the three of them together is boy howdy a little too much :D.
Danielle!!!! Hurry up!!!! He’s waiting on Y-O-U!!!! Brush up on your Russian/Ukrainian too cause he babbles constantly. :D. When you get here, if you haven’t learned them already, we will teach you the VERY important words LOL!!!
Well, come to find out the pictures didn’t turn out well today because the camera had gotten switched to another setting :(. That’s what happens when little ones are around to constantly push buttons. Guess I need to put that on my list of “things to remember”….check settings before taking pictures. But…we did get some good videos though so guess that makes up for it.
Having a great time still….this evening we decided to go out for a quick dinner since I am working in the evenings. We LOVE the Italian Resteraunt that is close to us. GREAT Pizza and other things too but we have come to really love their pizza. When we left guess what? – it was pouring down rain. So off we go in the rain as my silly husband starts singing what song? “Singing in the Rain” and skipping and dancing!! I know, I know you all don’t believe this – but unfortunately I didn’t have the video camera to capture this but it happened. He is a NUT! So by the time we made it back to the apartment we were soaked but we had a nice dinner and once again, made the best of it.
Our goal is to be able to leave here on Thursday, 9/16 since we are supposed to have visitation with the boys on Friday, 9/17. That way they will get to see their new sister in a timely fashion since well…. So, let’s all pray that we can get everything done in that time frame and still allow her to get to spend some time with her biological parents before we go and that all goes smoothly and we can leave on this date.
Thanks for taking the time to read our lengthy posts and we look forward to seeing you all soon! Hope you enjoy the videos we are leaving you with.
And now that's it's Saturday morning where we are she presently only has seven more nights in her temporary home!
Love to all!
The Stratton Family
We were able to play with her in the toy room today which I am guessing that not people get to experience. We had all three children in our care for a little while and boy WHAT A HANDFUL!!! We had the Princess, Igor and Leeza and buddy with all of them fighting to have the attention it was quite strenuous. Leeza would crawl up in daddy’s lap and Ivanna wanted no part of that – as soon as she caught a glimpse of that here she would come shoving Leeza out of the way and then assume HER throne!! What a little mess she is and I mean that in the funniest of ways!
She would get all bent out of shape that she would work so hard to build her train track out of blocks and then Igore or Leeza would kick pieces of it and get it out of order and she was not at all happy. Then we had the “screaming” session. This is when Igor decides he wants to be noticed (as if he wasn’t) and he stands over to the side and goes to screaming ---- well then what does that cause – that causes our little “mimic” to go do the same thing as soon as he is done. Oh boy!!! Everyday I have tried to take them all a snack of some sort. Today it was cookies and they are eager to tear in to them. I just give them to one of the workers and they distribute them. Such sweet ladies at this house – I have certainly been very pleased.
Well, after we were about to pull our hair out with all three of them in the room with just us and trying to keep them all rounded up and stop competing for attention one of the ladies came in just as Leeza had grabbed hubby’s glasses off his face and bent them. So, while I was getting him back in working order, she took Igor and Leeza with her to the front room. It was attempting to mist today so today was an inside visit which was fine with us but the three of them together is boy howdy a little too much :D.
Danielle!!!! Hurry up!!!! He’s waiting on Y-O-U!!!! Brush up on your Russian/Ukrainian too cause he babbles constantly. :D. When you get here, if you haven’t learned them already, we will teach you the VERY important words LOL!!!
Well, come to find out the pictures didn’t turn out well today because the camera had gotten switched to another setting :(. That’s what happens when little ones are around to constantly push buttons. Guess I need to put that on my list of “things to remember”….check settings before taking pictures. But…we did get some good videos though so guess that makes up for it.
Having a great time still….this evening we decided to go out for a quick dinner since I am working in the evenings. We LOVE the Italian Resteraunt that is close to us. GREAT Pizza and other things too but we have come to really love their pizza. When we left guess what? – it was pouring down rain. So off we go in the rain as my silly husband starts singing what song? “Singing in the Rain” and skipping and dancing!! I know, I know you all don’t believe this – but unfortunately I didn’t have the video camera to capture this but it happened. He is a NUT! So by the time we made it back to the apartment we were soaked but we had a nice dinner and once again, made the best of it.
Our goal is to be able to leave here on Thursday, 9/16 since we are supposed to have visitation with the boys on Friday, 9/17. That way they will get to see their new sister in a timely fashion since well…. So, let’s all pray that we can get everything done in that time frame and still allow her to get to spend some time with her biological parents before we go and that all goes smoothly and we can leave on this date.
Thanks for taking the time to read our lengthy posts and we look forward to seeing you all soon! Hope you enjoy the videos we are leaving you with.
And now that's it's Saturday morning where we are she presently only has seven more nights in her temporary home!
Love to all!
The Stratton Family
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Court Day 08/25/2010
Well here you will see the building where court was conducted today and then our short visit with Ivanna after our court appearance today!! What a lively little Princess.
It's OFFICIAL!!!!
Today we welcome a bouncing baby girl in to our family via a paperwork pregnancy and what a pregnancy it was Momma and Daddy are worn out. We now can officially call Ivanna Patricia-Nan Stratton our daughter. So now we are a family of six.
So today our facilitator picked us up at 8:15 a.m. and we stopped to pick up our translator then headed off to court. Luckily the Judge was in a good mood as Nadiya had told us the day of the "L" families court she was not in a good mood at all. We had a judge, prosecutor, secretary, social worker, orphanage director, translator and (2) members of a "jury". WOW huh?!?! Well she just proceeded to read through our home study and asked questions mostly to Andy where he had to stand and give an answer to our translator basically asking if we were asking anything extra of the court and if we agreed with our petition and still wanted to follow through with our petition. Of course there was no hesitation from either of us and then she asked if I supported the decision of my husband and of course no hesitation there either. They continued to look through our photo albums, one of GCDSS and one of our family. Then they asked if I had any pictures of Ivanna and then they all chuckled when I pulled out another photo album, same size with photos of Ivanna in it. They then also saw pictures of the Princess room. They all agreed that she was a very lucky little girl. When in fact - we feel as though we are the lucky ones.
Then as they were reading her name and confirmed this in to order I had chills all over me. They congratulated us as her new mommy and daddy and I said "Baseba" and the Judge just looked at me and smiled and chuckled "probably thinking crazy American can't even pronounce it right!!".
Then we headed down to the baby house to visit Ivanna while the Translator and Facilitator went and handled some business at the Director's office and another baby house. Our visit was great of course - when we first got there it was trying to sprinkle outside so when we went in to where Ivanna was - the workers led us to another part of the house to have our visit. I took out a brush that we had just bought at a pharmacy to brush Ivanna's hair....surprisingly she let me brush and brush and brush her hair and even acted like she enjoyed it. Then Daddy told her to brush mine and she did then she was not giving up the brush after that - she brushed and fixed my hair and fixed it some more and then it was Daddy's turn :D. One of the workers brought what I think was a boiled apple in for Ivanna to eat - of course she loved it - I don't think there is anything she will turn down. THEN our little wild child slowly started coming out of her shell. As daddy started playing with her she got a little rambunctious and started throwing her shoes and such and yes you couldn't help but laugh at her which of course was making her worse but she will learn quickly what she is able to do and not do. So then our facilitator came in which meant it was time for us to wrap things up. As we were gathering up our things she took off running to the front door which she has never attempted to do before and started sreaming to the top of her lungs as I was trying to get her back inside. So then we managed to walk her to the back where the workers and other children were. Our facilitator began to tell the workers that we had court today and they were so excited. Then Ivanna kept grabbing our hands and we thought it was because she wanted to swing from our hands like she normally does well, it wasn't at all, it was because she wanted to go. So then we kissed her and said Paka and she waved and I noticed she had a strange look on her face then as I turned away I heard a worker have a strange voice and calling her name and then I heard Andy telling me she was crying --- when I turned around and her eyes were filled with tears my heart melted. The workers told our facilitator it was the first time they had EVER seen her cry even when she would get hurt. Broke my heart so I kissed the tears out of her eyes and they explained to her we would be back in the morning. They said that for the last few mornings she had been going to the window and saying mama and papa and pointing to outside. Sad but good that she is feeling a bond there.
We haven't seen her biological parents since last Saturday they had e-mailed on Monday to say they were sick. Hope they are feeling better.
We will bring Ivanna to the apartment with us on Monday, September 6 and then start our preparation to leave while also giving her biological parents a little time with her before we go as two families that will love her for a lifetime.
Will be posting pictures and videos soon but right now it's time for a rest as I am emotionally drained. :D Can't wait to see her tomorrow but I don't want her to be upset when we leave I want her to understand that we will be back and soon she will leave that place for ever.
What does make this very comforting is that the workers seem to treat her well and really care for her the best they can. I think they will miss her also as she is very smart and does things for them and to entertain them too. She is a MESS!! We think you all will love her just as we do.
Love you all,
The Stratton Family!
So today our facilitator picked us up at 8:15 a.m. and we stopped to pick up our translator then headed off to court. Luckily the Judge was in a good mood as Nadiya had told us the day of the "L" families court she was not in a good mood at all. We had a judge, prosecutor, secretary, social worker, orphanage director, translator and (2) members of a "jury". WOW huh?!?! Well she just proceeded to read through our home study and asked questions mostly to Andy where he had to stand and give an answer to our translator basically asking if we were asking anything extra of the court and if we agreed with our petition and still wanted to follow through with our petition. Of course there was no hesitation from either of us and then she asked if I supported the decision of my husband and of course no hesitation there either. They continued to look through our photo albums, one of GCDSS and one of our family. Then they asked if I had any pictures of Ivanna and then they all chuckled when I pulled out another photo album, same size with photos of Ivanna in it. They then also saw pictures of the Princess room. They all agreed that she was a very lucky little girl. When in fact - we feel as though we are the lucky ones.
Then as they were reading her name and confirmed this in to order I had chills all over me. They congratulated us as her new mommy and daddy and I said "Baseba" and the Judge just looked at me and smiled and chuckled "probably thinking crazy American can't even pronounce it right!!".
Then we headed down to the baby house to visit Ivanna while the Translator and Facilitator went and handled some business at the Director's office and another baby house. Our visit was great of course - when we first got there it was trying to sprinkle outside so when we went in to where Ivanna was - the workers led us to another part of the house to have our visit. I took out a brush that we had just bought at a pharmacy to brush Ivanna's hair....surprisingly she let me brush and brush and brush her hair and even acted like she enjoyed it. Then Daddy told her to brush mine and she did then she was not giving up the brush after that - she brushed and fixed my hair and fixed it some more and then it was Daddy's turn :D. One of the workers brought what I think was a boiled apple in for Ivanna to eat - of course she loved it - I don't think there is anything she will turn down. THEN our little wild child slowly started coming out of her shell. As daddy started playing with her she got a little rambunctious and started throwing her shoes and such and yes you couldn't help but laugh at her which of course was making her worse but she will learn quickly what she is able to do and not do. So then our facilitator came in which meant it was time for us to wrap things up. As we were gathering up our things she took off running to the front door which she has never attempted to do before and started sreaming to the top of her lungs as I was trying to get her back inside. So then we managed to walk her to the back where the workers and other children were. Our facilitator began to tell the workers that we had court today and they were so excited. Then Ivanna kept grabbing our hands and we thought it was because she wanted to swing from our hands like she normally does well, it wasn't at all, it was because she wanted to go. So then we kissed her and said Paka and she waved and I noticed she had a strange look on her face then as I turned away I heard a worker have a strange voice and calling her name and then I heard Andy telling me she was crying --- when I turned around and her eyes were filled with tears my heart melted. The workers told our facilitator it was the first time they had EVER seen her cry even when she would get hurt. Broke my heart so I kissed the tears out of her eyes and they explained to her we would be back in the morning. They said that for the last few mornings she had been going to the window and saying mama and papa and pointing to outside. Sad but good that she is feeling a bond there.
We haven't seen her biological parents since last Saturday they had e-mailed on Monday to say they were sick. Hope they are feeling better.
We will bring Ivanna to the apartment with us on Monday, September 6 and then start our preparation to leave while also giving her biological parents a little time with her before we go as two families that will love her for a lifetime.
Will be posting pictures and videos soon but right now it's time for a rest as I am emotionally drained. :D Can't wait to see her tomorrow but I don't want her to be upset when we leave I want her to understand that we will be back and soon she will leave that place for ever.
What does make this very comforting is that the workers seem to treat her well and really care for her the best they can. I think they will miss her also as she is very smart and does things for them and to entertain them too. She is a MESS!! We think you all will love her just as we do.
Love you all,
The Stratton Family!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Our Trip
Thought I would take just a few minutes to blog about our trip. We absolutely have fallen in love with Kiev. We love the fact that you can walk anywhere you want to go (well mostly). Tons of stores to go through - many varieties of foods to eat. We have certainly enjoyed learning more about the city as well and I must say we have had a wonderful teacher! (Thank Yuri). We still haven't toured as much as we want but the one thing we do want to do is visit some of the churches here. Once Ivanna is released we hope we can all go to the zoo. It will be a first for Ivanna and for Andy.
I never would have thought that we would have enjoyed being "out of our element" but we have been pleasenty surprised. The only thing we have really missed is being able to set the air conditoner on what we want (which is COLD) and having a clothes dryer and a LARGE washing machine - although funny how you learn to adapt and I honestly think that as for energy conservation we could probably learn a lot from these people. We have come in contact with many and surprisingly they all seem happy - you know how when you look at someone and you can say "worry" in their face ---- I don't see a lot of that here.
Tons of beautiful parks and now that the weather has cooled down it makes it much more pleasant to get out.
Well, need to run - not sure what we are going to do yet - we were supposed to go see baby girl but the driver wasn't able to make it :( and unfortunately Anna and Yuri are off to church and we certainly wish we could be too. We miss our church family!!! I still hope we get to see her today.
Love you all and take care. More pictures and videos coming this afternoon I'm sure.
I never would have thought that we would have enjoyed being "out of our element" but we have been pleasenty surprised. The only thing we have really missed is being able to set the air conditoner on what we want (which is COLD) and having a clothes dryer and a LARGE washing machine - although funny how you learn to adapt and I honestly think that as for energy conservation we could probably learn a lot from these people. We have come in contact with many and surprisingly they all seem happy - you know how when you look at someone and you can say "worry" in their face ---- I don't see a lot of that here.
Tons of beautiful parks and now that the weather has cooled down it makes it much more pleasant to get out.
Well, need to run - not sure what we are going to do yet - we were supposed to go see baby girl but the driver wasn't able to make it :( and unfortunately Anna and Yuri are off to church and we certainly wish we could be too. We miss our church family!!! I still hope we get to see her today.
Love you all and take care. More pictures and videos coming this afternoon I'm sure.
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