Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Wednesday in Kramatorsk


I took this picture bright and early this morning at the begining of our walk to the orphanage. Doesn't John fit right in with the locals in his shorts drinking his ice cold Pepsi? Nyet.

After our morning visit we walked about 1 1/2 miles to my favorite inexpensive place to eat, Premier. We were about 15 minutes early so we sat down on a bench to do our favorite thing in Ukraine besides visiting with Dennis------ people watching.

This gentleman rushed by us in his wheelchair and I thought cool---- it is awseome to see a disabled man out and about in this country. Since it really is a rarity to see anyone out and about if they have a disability, I asked John to take a picture. He had to run, and run, and run, to catch up to him. Don't let the wheelchair fool you----- he is fast as lightening. And no we didn't look rude taking his picture, I cropped it to look close up.

Here we are at the cafe. This picture kind of reminds me of pictures of our honeymoon almost 15 years ago.

I took this picture of John to show you the bright red haired woman to the left of him. Lots of woman find this hair color very fashionable here in Ukraine.

We ordered two awesome entrees. I had chicken and mushrooms over a bed of noodles all in a cream sauce (John ordered it the day before) and John had pork cutlets with a mustard garlic topping and mashed potato hush puppies in a plum barbecue sauce. Yummy.


On our second visit, John asked if we could feed Dennis his food. They said yes and gave him this bowl of food for us to feed our little guy. We think it is called zeppikanka------it had cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, and raisins baked to perfection in a sweet milk sauce. To Dennis it was delicious, to John who I dared to try it, it was the last bite he will ever have of this Ukrainian delight.

During one of our two visits, Dennis filled his pants. While under normal circumstances I wouldn't be so excited, I was this time because I had the opportunity to watch one of his caretakers change him (and see the rest of his body for the first time). She laid him on the changing table and turned on the faucet next to it. While the water was warming, she wiped his bottom with the rest of the diaper the best she could. Dennis patiently kept his legs in the air as to not mess up the changing table until the water was warm. The caretaker then took off his shoes and socks and proceeded to wash Dennis under the running water. She lathered up her hands and washed his whole lower body clean. And he loved it! And I got to help put on a fresh diaper---- a size two--- which was still a little too big.

Tomorrow is court and so we will update you then. Pray, pray, pray. Oh, and we'll post lots of pictures!

28 comments:

THE CAMPBELL FAMILY said...

GOOD LUCK IN COURT, PLEASE WAVE THAT 10 DAY WAIT.. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE PICTURES. YOU BOTH LOOK LIKE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR TRIP. LOVE ALL OF THE UPDATES. JODY

max said...

Prayers for great outcomes in court tomorrow and that Denis is home with the rest of his family asap.

Julie said...

Many prayers for a great outcome at Court tomorrow!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!!!!

Doriana Gray said...

Praying for you for tomorrow and so happy and excited for you, Dennis and your family. Sleep well!!

Renia in Munich.

adopting2fromUkraine said...

Will be praying for court tomorrow.

June

Connie said...

We are praying for tomorrow to go well! Lots of love!

Annie said...

Oh, so sweet! I like that routine. I'd wash my kids in the sink with warm water as often as possible at changing time, as they both had horrible diaper rash, otherwise... Which reminds me of the comment I intended to make about the diapers. Our pediatrician said it is far better NOT to diaper kids (well, he was referring to our children's rash issues.) Far better they are left undiapered, than left in wet ones for long periods of time!

amyl4 said...

Prayers for court to go smoothly and an extra prayer to waive the 10day waiting period.
I'm so excited for you!:)
Amy

Ashley said...

You are probably asleep right now (I hope) and getting rest for your courtdate tomorrow. I am praying and will keep praying that it goes well. Oh, it will be wonderful if they wave the 10 days! I know that would be a HUGE blessing to come home sooner! :)

Glad you got to see Dennis getting changed and were able to help put a fresh diaper on him.

That is also nice ya'll were able to help feed Dennis and too funny about John trying the food! I wish I could have seen his face when he tried it...hehe

The picture of you and John is adorable. :)

Kevin and Tammy said...

Our prayers will be with you tomorrow as you go to court. What a wonderful experience to be able to change his diaper. We do relish the simple things as mothers don't we.
Tammy

Kathy and Matt said...

We'll be praying that all goes smoothly and efficiently in court.

I laughed when I saw your photo of the red haired woman. We used to comment about the distinctive, never-before-seen color when we saw so much of it there.

Can't wait to read your next post following court!

Mama Seoul said...

Prayers for court!

6blessings said...

I've been gone at church camp so I'm just catching up with you. Glad you are having such a great time! I'll be praying about court. Keep enjoying your time there!

Michelle said...

Hello Reed Family! :)

I tried to comment a day or two ago but I don't know, I messed up or something because it disappeared. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I will continue to pray for you daily through this. I love reading your updates and fantasize what it will soon be like for us to go get "Hope".

God bless!

Stephanie said...

YAY!!! I can't wait to hear about how the 10 days have been waived!!!

Melissa said...

praying court waives the 10 days and that they are easy on you with the questions. I cant wait to see pics of the little guy

Tami said...

Praying for a very smooth court tomorrow...and for the 10 days to be waived!

kitzkazventure said...

Praying for a good court day!

WheresMyAngels said...

Prayers for a great day in court!

The food looks and sounds horrid!! lol

Thanks for the pic of the man in the wheelchair, that was fascinating, to see a wheelchair that looked like a manual be electric.

Nancy said...

Good luck in court! :)

The Flying Eagle said...

Christine!!!! It is almost here -- Dennis is ssssssooo close to being legally yours. Even though he has been yours in your heart for months, it will be so nice to be one step closer to bringing him home. I love your blog. We check everyday to see how you guys are doing. Take care! Monica

Kelly said...

You guys look so cute!! Good luck in Court!!! What happens next??
We on the sly, always tried the baby house food, too yuck!!

Anonymous said...

hi mom and dad ,the picture look good. we love you mom and dad. we are doing good.

debi9kids said...

Thinking of you and saying lots and lots of prayers.

joeks said...

Praying.

living4him5 said...

Lifting you all in my prayers tonight. I've been following your journey to Dennis and look forward to your updates. =)

We returned from China in Novemeber '07 with our daughter that waited a long time for a family so seeing Dennis (and your family) blessed makes my heart fill with joy.

Many blessings,
Amy

www.myadoptionwebsite.com/linzhi

Anonymous said...

We are praying for court to go smoothly for you today. Can't wait to see Dennis sweet little face. God bless you!

Christie M said...

Is John related to us? The black socks with sandals picture gave it away! :)