Another day with Dennis. Each day he is more and more happy to see us. His poor eye was quite crusty and we know he cries when he has it cleaned out. I was not brave enough to be the one to do it. I better toughen up soon. Somehow I think that having warm water poured over his head in a nice bath will naturally clean out his eye. I have the feeling that they rarely bathe the kids here. 
This is a close up of the art on the walls of the orphanage. Yes, it is on styrofoam backing.
Here is a beautiful wood carving of a mother and child. 
On the walk home we passed this building.
Here is a close up of the first floor apartment.
This would be my mom's house if she lived in Ukraine. She loves plants and flowers.
Here is some cute sidewalk art drawn with chalk. I bet you didn't think they did that in Ukraine, did you?
And here is some not so nice graffiti art. Funny how it is all in English. 
We had leftover chicken that we were getting rid of so we thought the cats might like it.
We were right.
On one of our walks today we passed an old man sifting through trash for recyclables. We will definitely be saving our bottles until the next time we see him.
Forever Changed
16 years ago
23 comments:
Those poor animals will break your heart - but not as much as the kids will capture your heart. Hang in there- and we will pray for your court, but not at 2 am. God can hear us beforehand!
The Barbers in TX
As you mentioned, I'm sure that once Dennis is home, it won't be as painful to keep his eye healthy. Our health care, air quality, even normal sanitary practices will probably help ten fold.
Come home soon~
The orphanage looks like it has some great art. That is definitely strange that the graffiti is in English!
I have a question and I'm not sure if you have addressed this before you traveled or if you will address it later, but will they be able to do surgery on Dennis' eye here? Just curious what will happen. :)
Christine- Emma had a mass of gunk in her hair- probably snot- for 5 days before we wiped most of it out with wet ones. We witnessed Micah's "Bath" which involved running warm water over his tush and rubbing it around some after a BM. Neither of my kids' hair was ever washed the 4 weeks we were there. I was so happy to wash it my first night alone with them!! Although we LOVED having them at the orphanage, there's nothing like a clean sweet child with soft hair (ok, reality is, soap can only do so much and their hair is JUST NOW getting soft...) snuggled into bed in fresh PJ's. I hope your day for that is soon! I bet Denis' eye will be wonderful when he's home because he will get constant care for it-- not "oh, parents are here, better look at him again" care. I know they are doing well for the kids there, but they just aren't with the kids all the time. Emma's nose was always RED and she was crying most of the time because it would run and run and they'd only clean it when we got there. At home, we wiped it when it ran and it never got crusty and she never got sore... It's a whole different world, and Dennis will thrive in your care!
Thank you so much for sharing your blog. I have been reading it for awhile now. What an inspiration!!! I cant wait till you get Denis home. What a wonderful life he has ahead.
A highlight of my day - your post!!! What is the artwork itself done with? I like it! (THanks for the close-up, by the way!) Also, thanks for commenting on my blog - I feel really honored!!! You have so many more important things to do.
Thanks for all the photos. I loved the sidewalk drawings...."Gribi" - wouldn't you know?
I also noticed in Ivanovo that the nasty graffiti was in English. Nice thing we've imported. :(
EXPORTED. Sorry - that proves that I feel like I'm there with you.
Christine, have you ever said what happened to Denis' eye? I'm not sure if that is something you can't or prefer not to talk about? or something I just missed? (sorry to pry if it's the former)
Good luck at court this week!
LOVE all the details! You are doing others a favor by sharing exactly how things are - both good and not so good. Boy, your description of the halls of the apt. building brought back vivid memories. It's the stale garbarage mixed with urine smell - gag! You are so right that we are spoiled here in America! Spoiled, and lovin' it! I'll never forget the feeling I had on our first trip when we returned back to LAX. I went into the restroom and was tempted to bend down and kiss the clean floor, because I could!!!! The disgusting public bathrooms in Ukraine were the hardest thing for me to deal with - that and having no luggage for a week and no water for 2 weeks! :-)
John, love the video to your kids. I'm sure they loved it also.
Laurel
hi mom and dad , i love you mom and dad. mom and dad it looks like your having fun with Dennis.we loveyou guys.
mom the anonymous is from rachel
Hey! Those pieces of art with the styrofoam backing? Those are ceiling tiles! We bought a bunch of them to use on a basement ceiling. You can find them at home depot! LOL
Thanks for letting all of us follow along.
Joy
Cool pictures. . .I love seeing Ukraine through your eyes!
I can't wait to see that little one more closely!
Brandi
Thank you for sharing your heart in these posts. My husband and I cried as we read about your first meeting with Dennis. It's the love of God at work. The healing has begun! We rejoice to see His hands on you as you love and care for one of His precious ones. We're so thankful for you two and know that the Blessing of the Lord is on you and your family.
I am so humbled by your strength! My husband and I adopted our son, our first, from Russia last summer, so your journeys to build your family through adoption, particularly little Dennis, have touched my heart. I wish you all the best at your court hearing tomorrow, 7/1, (it must already be Monday there) and will be praying that the judge waives the 10 days.
Christine in Houston.
Hi Cousins! I'm so excited for you to bring home Dennis! I've loved reading this blog and hearing the amazing story. Your details about Ukraine are amazing and I've loved sharing your story to my friends. Wishing you safe travels and I'm glad you two have had this time to spend together alone too. I know God will continue to bless you and your wonderful children!
I love your heart, always looking for a way to help others. You are such a blessing.
It is so hard to watch your child in pain. So sorry.
It is just heartbreaking to know how many things we take for granted here in the US. Amazing how something so simple as recyclables and chicken can make a difference. Sad!
Love seeing the pictures of Dennis!
Also, I am sure you are right about his eye, plus the idea of having his Mommy doing it will also make it that much easier.
Hi sis, we are enjoying your posts everyday and love the pictures and stories. Nice to see the chalk drawings :-) I think writing on walls is a human instinct - we've seen graffiti centuries old in ancient sites as we've traveled. Started in the caves, and people are still driven to doodle today ;D
Only if you have the time... could you give us an idea of what happens after your court date???
We saw older people going through the garbage bins in Kiev for bottles. We also saw people with sacks full of bottles that had more than likely collected in Independence Square. They were going uphill and it was hard for them to carry all their bottles, so they took them in stages. Hauling one or two sacks up the hill, leaving them, then going back down to bring the others up.
what time is court on thursday?
please let us know and also in EASTERN time - i will be up to pray during court, even in the middle of the night. :-)
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