Got the Call!!!

We got the call today ---- we are headed to Ukraine on Friday, August 10!! Our court date is scheduled for Monday, August 13th!  We are very excited, as you could imagine!  The plan is for me, Ted, Delaney, Mary Kate and my dad to travel on the 10th.  When all legalities are finalized, Ted will fly home with the girls while my dad and I will stay in the Ukraine with Valera until we are allowed to bring him home.  There are so many different feelings and emotions floating around our hearts, our conversations, our house. 

Delaney and Mary Kate have already pulled their own money together to buy Valera an IPOD.  I am so touched by their generosity....but I'm thinking my walkman doesn't stand a chance next to their IPOD. 

Valera....as the title of our blog states....LOVE IS ON THE WAY!  Just a little longer sweet boy.....

Our Sweet Boy

This is a picture of Valera when he came to visit in January.  Valera is 12 years old with a heartwarming smile and sweet spirit.  One of my favorite stories about our visit with Valera was when he got a hold of my "walkman".  (Valera didn't know how "behind the times" I was!)  At any rate, Valera put the headphones on and walked around the house for hours listening to whatever CD was in there at the time.  I figured it didn't really matter which CD it was considering he didn't understand English.  You can imagine how surprised we all were when one night, while walking around with the walkman on, we heard him singing in his Russian accent "Tonight gonna be a good good night, Tonight gonna be a good good night".  I was shocked!  If I had known that he was picking up on the lyrics, I would have put in a CD with "Jesus loves me this I know" on it!

I look forward to the day we see Valera again.  I plan on bringing the walkman and giving it to him that day.  Upon seeing his face, I will be the one singing "Tonight's gonna be a good good night.  Tonight's gonna be a good good night."

Still Waiting....

Well, we are still waiting to hear from the Ukrainian government as to when we need to be in Kiev, Ukraine. The 'SDA' - the part of the government that oversees adoptions, has had our completed dossier (fancy word for the adoption paperwork) since June 19 or so. They are suppossed to review the documents and issue a court date which is the day we'll have to be in Kiev.....we were hoping to hear something the first part of July, but it seems the SDA is intent on using most, if not all, of the 40 days they have to issue the court date. So, we sit.....and wait.......and pray....