Another Weekend In Kiev

If it were not for the fact that we are in Kiev the last few days would have been very much like we were at home (except for the food, bed, cars on the sidewalks and cigarette smoke everywhere). We have washed clothes, gone to the bank, eaten at McDonald's (conservatively 5 times in four days - we do not eat there that much at home despite what my family thinks), stocked up at the grocery store (pretty much all candy - Mounds (called "Bounty" here), yummy little cake rolls with jam inside and chocolate outside, gummi bears for Joe and the ever present Banaqua (no gas). We also did some randon shopping and took a hike through the city. Our walk was really nice. We went by Dynamo Stadium (local soccer team) who, as we were informed by a street vendor today are not very good, by Marinsky Palace (currently being restored and it was still beautiful), Parliament, a monstrous government building, the National Art Museum (spent a wonderful hour there for only two bucks) and finished up with a walk in the park overlooking the Dnipro River.

Now that I have read all my books and we are finishing up the last few crosswords I pulled out the Sudoku book and Joe (who claims not to like puzzles) was instantly addicted. Thank goodness mom gave us the Fast and Easy book because I am pretty sure we spent about 1 1/2 hours to do the first puzzle. I hope these get easier or our egos might be bruised.

Tomorrow we head back to Radamashel with our hopes of being home in the early single digits of May dashed. The new birth certificates and passports are going to slow us up. Here's where the schedule stands (I have only looked at the calendar about a million times in the last few days).

- Monday pick up papers from SDA (2:00 - very popular time to pick things up here)
- Tuesday court appointment 10:40
- Let the 10 days of waiting begin. - This is where the process really slows down. NO OTHER PAPERWORK CAN BE DONE DURING THIS TEN DAYS!!! Aaaaaargh!
- April 28th - adoption is almost official - take papers to get new birth certificates - 2-3 days
- New Passports 5-7 days
- Medical Appointment Kiev
- US Embassy - Kiev
- Get the heck out of dodge on the first plan out of here - not fast enough!!

Conservatively depending on how fast/slow the passports are we could be here 60 - 62 days.

On the good side, however, Joe will be coming home this Thursday, April 17th for about 10 days. Mom is trading places with him to keep me company while he is gone and see some of the sights. We are very excited that Joe will get to go home - food, bed, food, pets, food, couch, food... you get the picture.

He can also check out the decorating that our families did to the children's room's this weekend. Apparently there was a blitzkrieg on the rooms (Mom's (both Joe and Tonya), Wendy, Rachel, Tammy, assorted spouses and children). Rumor has it beds were assembeled, sheets and linens bought and some minor accessorizing done. It cannot be said enough the blessings a fantastic and loving family bring - not to mention plenty of manual labor. Thanks guys!

Random Toughts:
- One would think that with the advent of warmer weather that the knee/thigh high black stiletto boots would be tucked away, for your normal run of the mill stilettos, but no - who knew that they also look great with mini-skirts and shorts.

- I know some folks who would find this next bit welcome news but apparently no time of day (morning, noon or night) is a bad time to have a beer. We read that they are pretty much in the same category as soft drinks and you are allowed to drink them here on the street. We see people carrying a beer more often that soft drinks. Saw someone drinking one this morning about 9AM. We had a conversation about beer with one of our drivers and told him that in America the drinking age is 21. His question/comment was, "What do the children drink?!" We thought this was rather funny and telling.

Will turn blogging duties back over to Rachel for a few days. Thanks again for all the comments and well-wishes.

Tonya & Joe