Thursday, July 3, 2008

Introducing Dennis Jack Reed!!!

Today was apparently a good day. After all, we had our court date, and he's our son now. Our coordinator had even "won over" the heart of the judge and jury to waive our 10 days...
But this is never waived and has never been waived in Kramatorsk. Even now. The heart, or lack of such, of the prosecutor was not won over. He essentially said that if the judge ruled illegally to pursue with the "immediate decision", then we would be fighting the prosecutor for the next few MONTHS. He was against it the whole time and logic and reason and compassion was not going to pursuade him.
Nevertheless, Dennis is ours and we can show his pictures now and so here are a few...
As to what exactly the next few days and weeks look like, we aren't certain yet--we are waiting to see if tickets to Kiev are available, flight date changes, etc. But it is entirely possible that we are going to return immediately (as soon as practical that is) to home in California to relieve family and friends that have been holding down the fort as well as to get John back to work. John may have to take another week off mid July to return to Ukraine to get Dennis.
But none of this is certain yet and we'll keep options open and communicated later as known...

This is an early one of him and the balls from the ball pit that always made him smile.

This is a good one of the three of us...

Checking to hear Dad's heart beat...

Napping in mama's arms after a great long nature walk...

Ditto but dad's arms this time...

And the star of this blog!!!
--JR

63 comments:

Alice said...

Congratulations! He is perfect.

mommajeane said...

Glad to hear court is over... the rest will be soon as well. I so understand your feelings right now...managing the family back home, work and your desire to have Dennis with you now... I pray for your wisdom, your health and your spirits... may your joy be complete in the Lord's provision. What a blessing Dennis is.

Marlo said...

Aww, He is even more perfect now that we can see his sweet face! His journey as a Reed has already started, I can't wait for him to also be on american soil.

Now that you know his size, would it be possible for us to send you clothing, diapers, or toys to your home (or a delivery box) in the states? I know that you may not be comfortable giving out that info and if so I understand completely. I ask because I saw the cutest outfit yesterday for a little boy about his size. Just let us know!

Jane said...

Congratulations. I am not at all surprised at the 10 day wait. We were told that even if they waived the wait, the passport people in Donetsk would question it and not issue the passports anyway. Probably just a ruse, but not worth arguing over.....

Stefanie and Bill said...

Yeahhhhh, so great to finaly see your sweet precious boy!! It is wonderful to see him so relaxed with you guys! Can't imagine what he'll think with all his brothers and sisters! Congratulations on court and trusting God will work out all the final details.
Stefanie

Julie said...

He is so perfect!!! I hope everything continues to fall into place with your journey and you all three can come home soon!!!!

Stephanie said...

Darn that prosecutor!!! Ugh, Oh well, he's yours now regardless, YAY!!!!!!! He is so so so cute, even cuter than his RR picture :) Are both of you traveling back home?

Christina said...

Congratulations on your beautiful little boy!!! It has been so wonderful following your journey - I hope the rest of it goes smoothly!

Salzwedel Family said...

Praise God that court is done! Dennis looks so happy & relaxed with you both. He is absolutely precious & I can't wait to see how he grows & blossoms once he is actually home. Blessings to your entire family!

Kevin and Pam said...

Congratulations! It is great to see the process moving so well. I am sure you can't wait to be back in the comfort of your home and family complete. Thank you for sharing journey so faithfully.

Meredith said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a beautiful family you are! I'm sorry your wait wasn't waived. We were told the same about the 10 days and were concerned for Emma's health, but alas, we waited...

Thanks for the photos, wow, he looks cute with a smile on that face!!

Meredith

Doriana Gray said...

I just had tears running down my face looking at the beautiful photos of you snuggling with him. Congratulations!! and hope you are all home together soon so he can be loved on even more and start to really live his life! I have a feeling it is going to be some life too!

Renia

Martha said...

Congratulations on your newest family member! (Looks like it took about nine months...) He is beautiful!

Prayers continue as you make your plans.

Jeri said...

Woohoo, the newest Reed! The good news is that the prosecutor is the only baddy and the judge and jury showed you that MOST of the people have good hearts.

val said...

He is perfect!! I am so glad to "met" the newest Reed.

absees123s said...

I am a total stranger who found your blog through another, but have read faithfully, as well as prayed for your family and this precious gift. He is so precious and I am so thankful that he has found his perfect family to love and care for him. As I write this, I am sitting here just sobbing with joy as this precious child has been saved.

In HIS love,
Cindi Ellison
Knoxville, TN
ABSees123s@aol.com
(I'm a Kindergarten teacher of 26 years...)

Troy and Rachel said...

Congratulations on your newest bundle of joy!! I'm sorry the 10 days weren't waived, but the important thing is that he is still your son!!

amyl4 said...

He is beautiful!! Crying happy tears!! Congratulations!!
Amy

amyl4 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ArtworkByRuth said...

Woo Hoo! Although my heart aches that yet again another government official cannot understand the provision and practice for waiving the wait period for medical needs. God is still in control and we are praying his wisdom for you! God Bless your time with Dennis!

Debora Hoffmann said...

John and Christine, we are so thrilled for you guys, and we just wanted to congratulate you on your new "official" son! We praise God with you!

Bethany said...

Congratulations! I'm so confused though, if the 10 days was waived, why do you have to return to get him? I'm so happy for you guys!

Anonymous said...

YIPEEE! What excited news to wake up to this morning! We have been praying for sweet Dennis. He is going to be such a special addition to your already wonderful family. Thank you for sharing so openly about your journey. We can't wait for our turn :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I have loved following your blog! I was hoping and praying for your 10 days to be waived. He is yours and will fit in perfectly at home! Dennis is a darling little boy ~ so happy for your family!
~Donna D.
babies6 (frua)

Tanya and Don said...

Congratulations to all 13 Reeds! You are one awesome family! Dennis has no idea how truly blessed he is to become part of your family. He is so precious! It is too bad the prosecutor has a heart of stone. May God continue to bless each of you!

Rachel said...

Awesome! So happy you're court date went well! You have once again moved me to tears. What a precious little boy, and very blessed to have a new mommy and daddy. I can't wait until he's home!

Kelly said...

Congratulations, Glad all went well in court and he is officially yours. God bless you as you travel home. Just a little while longer 'till he is home for good. You are almost there. Keep plugging along.

Courtney said...

Congratulations!! :) :) :)

liesel said...

John and Christine,
I know it will be hard to leave him there for now but he will soon be HOME with all his brothers and sisters. I have so enjoyed following your journey to Dennis. What a sweetheart he is. I can't help but think of all he's been through, the pain of his eye, and how wonderful it will be for him when his pain is gone and he is loved by all these wonderful people who will teach him the love of Christ and that he is a child of God and he has tremendous value. It has been such a blessing to be a part of it all. Thank you!
Charissa

Laurel said...

WoooooooHoooooooo. Congratulations. Awesome news to wake up to. If I can help you with your travel arrangements, please call. If you need me today, I'll be on my old cell - 260-6206.
Laurel

Annie said...

He is the most lucky little boy on earth - and you, the most blessed family. This will be a challenging journey, no doubt, but one SO VERY worth it all.

No plan to enjoy a ten-day vacation? Would you have to stay where you are, or could you go to Kiev?

wvamom said...

I am so happy for you! I have followed Denis's story ever since before you accepted his referral. Congratulations to all of you!
Carolyn

Michelle said...

Congratulations!

Actually, I heard there is ONE judge in Kramatorsk that always waives the 10 days (I'm almost positive that's where this judge is). Anyway, there must be a plan for those 10 days. I pray they will be a beautiful time of bonding and love for all of you.

God bless!

debi9kids said...

I saw the title of you blog post on my blogroll and started crying immediately. It brought back such memories for me of the final court proceedings when the judge says, " This child will forever be known as _____."
I am so very happy for you, although sad about the procesecutor. :(
David is such a precius little boy and the pictures of all of you together are just so full of love and spirit. It is lovely to see.
XXOO Debi

Anonymous said...

Praise God!!! I had a feeling about your 10 day wait, apparently they NEVER waive it. We also flew home during our wait. We spent 28 days the first trip and couldn't stay away from our girls for 1 more minute let alone another couple of weeks. It's been good to be home, regroup,and prepare for life when Mason comes home. We are now ALL going back to Ukraine on Sunday for another couple of weeks to bring Mason home together, as a family. We will continue to pray for your family and for safe travels.

Karen Combes said...

What a lucky and blessed little boy! He looks so comfy and relaxed in the arms of his mama and papa. Congrats on the adoption of your new son!

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Congratulations, and goo luck with all the plans for the next few weeks. He is beautiful - love the pic of the three of you!

MyGirlElena said...

Woo! Hoo!
Dennis is a doll. It is so easy to look beyond his scar. He is a perfect baby boy and I know you are "touching heaven" at this very moment.
Congratulations!!

kim said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for ya'll. I know making decisions about the wait is difficult as you are torn between family being spread over two places. You must be overwhelmed with joy knowing Dennis is now part of your wonderful family and you will be able to now meet his emotional, physical and medical needs in the comfort and care of your home. Happy Independence Day!

Dolores said...

I'm so happy for you that he is now legally yours! Keep us posted how the rest of your journey for Dennis goes. He is so very precious!
Dolores

Christie M said...

Congratulations Reeds! He looks so relaxed and HAPPY! That smile and spark of love in him. You can see it already..... and that wonderful tummy picture.... :)

I had a friend in college who had a similar beginning to Dennis. The Cranial facial foundation worked with his family to reconstruct and create eye sockets and a nose. (he didn't even have a nose)

He was born without any face at all.
Not sure what they did, but it was nothing short of a miracle.

But back to Dennis Jack! He is perfect! It is WONDERFUL that he is going to a loving home.:)
Those prosecutors can be very rough.
The mindset is mind boggling.
We were asked questions like "why do you want this child?" (Erika as arthrogryposis) No 10 days waived here either. dang.....

Dennis is going to bless your family's socks off! I just know it. :)

Can't wait till he touches American Soil.

Anonymous said...

precious, oh he will do so well with reconstructive surgery, he even has all his eye lashes!! some resizing, a prosthetic eye and wow, he will be even cuter than he is now! I am so happy for you.

joeks said...

He's yours, and you are his!
Hooray!!!

Mamapierce said...

What a beautiful son of God he is! :o)

Anonymous said...

Hi mom! I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you back on Sunday. I so glad that your court went well. Andrew and i both have swimmers ear. Tell dad i said hi.

Sincerly,
Julia

Lulu said...

I've been praying for you Reeds. Praying now as you travel and praying for a smooth transition getting Dennis home.

What a doll! That smile simply lights up his face.

Thank you for sharing him and yourselves and your life as a symbol of hope and love for others!

max said...

Denis future started today. I can see his beauty shining through. I'm really excited and looking forwards to watching him blossom and grow with his new family.
The 14th will soon be here and Denis will be so happy with his new family and the amount of love awaiting him in his new home.Wow he has no idea whats to come :)

Ashley said...

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW SON!!! The 14th will be here before you know it and all of you will be together.

I prayed so much late last night and I am glad everything went well and Dennis is YOURS! Sorry about the 10 days not being waived. He WILL be home soon. I know the children are excited to see you in such a short amount of time.

I will pray for travel mercies! LOVE all the pictures! His smile just melts my heart. The ones of of him sleeping in both of your arms is just precious. And the last picture of the three of you is absolutely ADORABLE!

Rachel said...

I guess I missed something when I said that I was glad your court date went well. What I meant was that I was glad that he was now a Reed...your son legally. I'm sad about you having to leave him for 10 days, (sorry about that) but SO happy he's your's! What a cutie he is!

Rachel said...

Praise God. He is beautiful...

One Crowded House said...

He is a sweetie and I pray the days go by speedy quick until you can return to bring him home with you forever!!!!!!

Brent Monroe said...

What a beautiful child going to a beautiful family!
Conratulations!
Amy

Unknown said...

I have followed your blog for weeks and have prayed for you, Dennis and your family.
He is a beautiful addition to your loving family. It shows in the pictures how much joy he is bringing to you already.
I hope you have a very speedy, uneventful 10 day wait.
~Donna

Anonymous said...

Oh Christine. He's beautiful. There's something so appealing about that little face. No wonder you fell in love with him. I'm so happy everything is going relatively smooth and soon he'll be home.

Mama Seoul said...

Congratulations! Sorry you have to make another trip, but the end is in view and after it has been so long since you started the process, that has to feel great!

Michael, Deborah and Kendall Edwards said...

Christine, I finally figured out comments! We're so happy for you and your precious Dennis. We start our journey today. Perhaps we'll cross paths in UA yet. Keeping you in our thoughts as you tear yourself away.... Deborah and Mick Edwards

Anonymous said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

It is incredible to see him in your arms so content!!!!!!!! I am SO happy for you guys.

Matt and Carla Morgan said...

Congratulations, Christine!!! I am thrilled that court was successful and Dennis is now your sweet baby boy. I'm bummed, of course, that the 10 days was not waived (that would have been lovely!), but I do hope you enjoy the remainder of your trip. You will be home very soon.

cm

Connie said...

Hi! Wow! What a lovely surprise - we go away for a couple days and come back to an 'official' new nephew :-D So glad you had your court session go successfully. Sorry about the 10days, but again, I am glad to see the authorities over-protective of the children than under. Dennis is a sweetie!! He looks so content with you guys. He looks like a snuggle bug! :) Give him a snug from all of us too please! Love you!!

Brandi said...

Precious one, there is your sweet face! Yeah! congratulations and welcome to your sweet new family. They love you so much!!!

Brandi

Anonymous said...

Sincere apologies for my comment of July 3.
JEB

Kathy Cassel said...

Yay!

Kelli said...

I have been on vacation for a while, so I am catching up on your blog. I am so happy for you and to finally see Denise. YEAH. Bloggy hugs. (I am reading backwards from mid june or so)