College!

It's 11:30 here and I'm finally packed for college! I've been running around all day trying to get stuff and packing it away. I really couldn't have done it without Misty and Jeffy. They've helped so much and reassured me that I'm not packing too much when I promise you I am. For some odd reason they keep trying to convince me that my clothes are like barbie doll clothes.. Not sure where they got that since Funks are no where near small and short. Anyways, I really did miss you guys today but I'm more happy that you're there. Here's some pictures!

Not sure if you can see it but I've finally put my Roanoke College sticker on my car!

And they say this isn't a lot..

There's plenty of room for Stas now!

Also, I figured out yesterday that I have been wearing a size small rainbow flip flop on my right foot and a size medium rainbow flip flop on my left foot. I'm not sure if I should embrace it or look like an idiot returning them after wearing them for a few days. Can't trust anyone these days!

I'll set my MacBook up in my dorm tomorrow so you can watch us assemble it! Love you guys and wish  you were here.. kinda :)

Ukraine Independence Day

Another awesome day by the sea... spent the morning once again walking the boardwalk looking for more shoes and snickers bars for the kids. We showed up at the sea camp as instant celebrities with our sandles and our snickers. Hung around for about an hour and then the "Celebration" started. We kept waiting for the Director of the Orphanage to show up and finally he did and the production started. Dancing, singing, etc and here are some more pictures...

Stas spent the morning hunting a mouse and finally caught it. So proud of his new pet and wanted to show us

He named the mouse Ashley

Hello Ashley

Independence day in Ukraine. The camp invited us to the "Celebration" which was some folk dancing, singing and other Ukrainian stuff we didn't understand

This is Stas's care group that we've become very close with

This little guy captured my heart... His name is Vova and he can't hear and seems to get special attention from everyone. He jumped up onto my lapand stayed there for the duration of the celebration. We had an instant bond because neither of us understodd what was going on but we were able to communicate just by looking at each other, nodding, pointing, etc. He had a constant smile on his face...

Vova's sister is to the left and they would come as a pair. Both beautiful children.

This was the group of orphans that were pre-schoolers or younger

Vova after he finished his performance

Dianna was recently hosted and is in the middle of the adoption proceedings. She was desperate for us to contact her "American Mommy" to tell her hello. She was so excited to be coming to America...

singing..

dancing

Ukraine Planking...

Camp Director on the left who brought in a Russian Actor for the "Celebration." We were told he was a policeman on a show like CSI Miami. All the kids knew who he was but we certainly didn't.

Stas and Dianna after the "Celebration"

The actor and my soccer buddy Kola. The actor and I had a brief conversation about all the Russian Hockey players playing in the NHL and what teams they were on. I pretended to know who they were and what teams they played on.

Stas and Vova...  the next soccer studs going thru Cave Spring

After a long day, we couldn't find a restaurant so we went to grocery store and picked up some bread, cheese, grapes, olives and beer...  

There has been an Italian family here this week who is in the hosting program and they are very much loved by the orphanage. We talked to the mom of that group who teaches english in Italy... finally someone to talk to. Their government won't allow them to adopt so all they can do is host but like us, they fall in love with the kids. So they took their summer vacation to the Black Sea just to see the kids who they have hosted in the past. Two of their past kids have been adopted by American families and they keep in touch via Facebook.

Checking out of Skadovsk today and heading back to the orphanage and then to Kherson. Before we go, we need to go pick up our stash of snickers again. The kids kids kept coming up to me and saying sneekers and I thought they were asking for some shoes...

Travel Plans

We finally have our court date for next Wednesday at 2:00 pm. Once court is set, we can start our journey home as we wait for the 10 day waiting period. Jump on the train overnight and arrive in Kiev at 7:00 am unfortunately the plane leaves at 6:30am so we have to spend the day/night in Kiev and fly out the next day. We looked at alternatives to get back to Kiev sooner to get on that flight but non of them were acceptable. So we leave Kiev Friday morning 6:30am arrive in Charlotte 3:30pm. and then drive to the Roke and arrive around 7:00pm.

About 10 days later, one of goes back to the "U" for a week and we bring our boy home.

For Parents and Now Kay :)

Hello! George had his first game tonight! I must say he did pretty good, Abby said he got a block so I'm assuming that is great news. He got a lot of playing time although I did notice he had more contact with his feet rather than his hands. Geo kicked off the game and every other time they scored! It looked like he liked it but he's not home yet so I'm not positive yet. Here are some pictures!

Wore this to school. Still really not into smiling. Promise he's happy though!

He's the one bending over getting that ball ready

Kick off!

He's the one leaning over on the far left.

As for me, I am currently packing for college! This is the strangest feeling, I'm not sure how I should feel and I feel like I may be packing way too much but I did get rid of a lot of clothes.

Can't wait to talk to yall bring and early tomorrow at 7! Love you lots :)

Young Life Sea Camp - Pictures!!!

What an awesome day we had. We had some quiet one on one time with Stas and then we got to hang out with the rest of the kids the rest of the day. This camp is definitely a nice camp and all the full time care takers attend just to be able to have a little vaca by the sea. The kids are incredibly polite, kind and sweet. When we bring in Snicker bars, they offer a piece to the others before they take a piece themselves.

Stas and Darc heading out to the deeper waters

Stas talked me into doing a little net fishing for some minnows and shrimp

He thinks he found something...

More fishing... as usual, I caught nothing

No Fear Stas playing with a jelly fish

This was awesome... three 15/16 year olds found us and asked me if I wanted to play soccer with them. They were just feeling me out before they really started trying hard.

The black kid is named Eli, short for Elijah and is being adopted by a family in Atlanta. He speaks pretty good English and was able to do a little translating for us. Kind, kind  sweet kid... he was one of the older ones and although he was more talented, he made sure all the kids got the ball and everyone was included.

This is Roberto. He has not been to America yet but has been hosted by an Italian family for the last 5 years.He kept trying to "nutmeg" me and every time he did, he would laugh at me. I was only able to do it to him a few times to the many times he did it to me. Great kid... laughing and smiling all the time

Ok... by this time, I'm looking for a sub or a water break... sweating like crazy and these kids are just getting warmed up. I think God gave me my soccer skills for this moment. It finally broke the language barrier..

SUB!!

This was Kola (second Kola we met) was hosted by a family in Cincinnati. I tried to share my obsession of being a Buckeye but he didn't quite get that. 

Finally!!! I talked them into a break. After this, they asked me if I played ping pong and we went a played a very fun game of around the world with the four of us. They were very easy on me but seemed to really enjoy it.

Male bonding at it's best. I don't think they get many adult males that just want to hang with them... I felt very honored

Sub? Water? Black was not a good color for me today...

Am I the only one sweating?

Cola once again taking the camera and doing his thing... We want him in Roanoke... any takers?

We finally got to hang out with Vova today. He's a pretty good Goalie

Stas and Vova - Soon to be class mates at Back Creek - Can't wait

Finished the day as usual in the hotel lobby jammin to some Ukraine disco rap with a few Lady Gaga and JayLo thrown in. A greek salad and we finally figured out they had french fries!!!

God is Good and we are blessed!!!