Friday, June 8, 2012

Officially Our Child and In my Possession!

Today I signed Anya out of the orphanage.  I thought I may have some trouble with the director once again.  I can not take her out until he signs yet another form.  She is legally my child, but he still has to sign her out to me.  I told our facilitator that Anya really wanted to leave with me today and she said no problem.  However at 1pm we still had not gotten the call that we could meet with the director.  Our facilitator said he wasn't answering his phone.  I was going to be really mad if he put us off until Monday.  Anya had been texting me all morning asking when I was coming.  My final text from her translated like this:  I had to laugh it was so funny, as I'm sure it is not what she said, but the way google translated it....


Shortly after this text we got the call from Tonya (our every so helpful facilitator) that the director said he would meet with us in a half an hour.  So I was to take a taxi to the orphanage.  I did not ask, but assumed that she would be meeting me there.  When I arrived I called her to ask where she was.  She said she was home sick still.  Don't I know the flu takes 3 days to recover from?   She told Anya to take me to his office.  So we went, and when we were finally welcomed into the office, the director was there, he started speaking to me in Russian as if I fully understood him, even though he knows very well that I do not speak Russian.  So I said in my best Russian, "Nyet Padruski" meaning no russian.  The director shrugged his shoulders and said, "No English", I shrugged my shoulders as well.  So then the director started talking to Anya as if she would interpret, lol!  yeah she doesn't speak English either!  Finally some documents were put in front of me by the lawyer and I was handed a pen and told to sign my name, then Todd's name on several different documents (all in Russian).  I had no idea what they said, and hoped it was the assumed documents to sign her out.  Then I handed the director a card with my "donation" and then the director pushed a blank piece of paper and pen in front of me and instructed me (in Russian) to write something.  Obviously I didn't understand.  So I phoned my ever so helpful facilitator to interpret.  Apparently I was to write why I was giving the donation and what it was intended for.  So I graciously wrote out "I Lori C******** would like to give $1000 USD to Anya's orphanage so that they may purchase some new needed windows for the school.  This donation is my way of thanking the school for taking such good care of Anya over the past 2 years."
Everyone seemed pleased and the meeting was apparently over.  Before I left, I reached into my purse and gave him a C******** Farms T-Shirt!  I Told him what it said, and he seemed surprised it was for him!  I assured him it was, and he thanked me and smiled.  I think he was genuinely surprised and pleased.  He asked Anya to be sure and say good bye before leaving Kherson City for good.  At that we left to go get her belongings.

All of her possessions she chose to keep were packed and ready to go.  Most of her the things I had bought her over the past year she gave to her friends.  Sasha was the only one with us at the time, so it was a very anti-climatic exit.  Although we will return for a party on Sunday, where I'm sure it may be a little sad for Anya.
Sasha got permission to leave with us, and we decided to go do something fun.  These kids have to be begged to do anything.  I told them where we were going, they replied "too expensive", I said were going anyway.  (expensive to them is not expensive by the way).  We went to Fabrika which is a mall with arcades and G0-Carts.  We Rode Co-Carts, watched a 4D movie, played some arcade games and then had dinner.   I insisted before they ordered dinner that they order a big meal or I would be mad!  They did as I asked!








Eating the "big" meal I insisted on
Playing on their iPods while waiting for dinner (just like American kids)

Outside of Fabrika fighting over the french fries

Sasha had to be back to the orphanage by 7pm, so we caught a taxi just in time to get him back.  Then Anya wanted to go to the apartment to watch TV and I met up with Nathan and Christina at the John Howard for our habitual meeting/rehashing of the day.



Tomorrow we have no plans, but Sasha will meet us at 10am and spend the day with us.  Maybe we will go to find the town where Anya's step sister lives.  She says it is 55 km away.  Her step sister is 11 years old.  Anya has not seen her since she entered the orphanage.  She has no phone number to call, but knows how to get there, so we will take a chance that 1. they will be there, and 2. her step father will allow her to see her half sister.  Either way, I think its worth a shot.  

Now I'm going to get off the computer and hang out with my daughter!  


15 comments:

PrincessGreen17 said...

I'm so excited for y'all! I hope Anya flourishes in America. I'm glad you're able to have some fun over there too.

Tina in CT said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tina in CT said...

A great day!

I hope her step sister is there tomorrow so that she can see her before leaving the country.

I'm sure you enjoyed your time today and now that she is with you!

Anonymous said...

This is what Anya texted you:
Mama, the director is now walking into the school, why are you not talking to him that you are coming to pick me up???
BTW: Your Anya is adressing you in a very formal way in Russian.
I have been following your blog for a while now - congratulations to you and your family and Anya - today is a very special day for all of you!
Sibylle

Lori said...

Thank you for translating the text whomever you are. BTW what do you mean she is addressing me in a formal way? She always starts every text with мама. But sometimes google translates it as mommy, mom or mother.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lori, addressing someone in a formal way is something that can be done in Russian but not in modern English. From the grammar point of view she is adressing you in the third person plural and not in the second person singular which would be expected from a child to a parent. She is adressing you very politely and in an "olden day" style. Once she will communicate with you in English it won't make a difference at all. Mama is the common and affectionate way of addressing ones mother in Russian and I would always translate it into mom or mommy. I did not want to worry you, I simply mentioned it because I saw it in her Russian text. Enjoy the day with your beautiful girl!
Sibylle (I am a mom from Germany)

Sandy said...

Congrats!! That us just wonderful!!!

I sure hope that you actually keep Anya for longer than a few months. There are sooooo many starry eyed families adopting Ukrainian teens who end up disrupting (like the Longs did a whopping 35 days after he got home with their new 15 yr old daughter, and had the temerity to claim it was the Lord's will on their blog at http://followinghiscall.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/taken-hostage-or-testing-our-love/)
or living to regret it in very short order (like the Merritt family who adopted max at 14 after falling in love with him during a hosting summer and hosting him 3 more times for a total of 20 weeks, http://merrittfamilyadoption.blogspot.ca/2012/03/wonder.html?m=0)

Hopefully you won't dump your darling girl when the going gets tough ... just like soooo many well-intentioned families!!!!

Elle J said...

I love your last sentence!! Thinking of you and your beautiful daughter - praying for a great day. =)

Allison L said...

What the heck Sandy. Take your agenda elsewhere.


So excited for your family. Many wishes for a smooth transition for Anya. :)

A Room to Grow said...

Congratulations! So happy for you, Anya and the entire family!

Natalie said...

Allison-nice. I laughed out loud at your comment:) Sandy, its not like you can return them! I don't think it's even an option. Seriously, that's crazy talk.

Tina in CT said...

Sandy,

Your comments are way out of whack and you must not be a friend of Lori and her family! Why would you even leave such a bitter comment to Lori? If you don't have something positive to add to her joy, then keep your comments to yourself.

Jake said...

Sandy, deal with your own issues first before offering your great advice to others. You clearly have many issues that need dealing with.

PrincessGreen17 said...

Sandy is "soooo" out of line!

steph said...

I tried to not say anything, but it isn't working. It is quite evident that 'Sandy' has a boulder on her shoulder. It is unfortunate that there are people who feel it necessary to pass judgment on a walk they have no experience with. The examples 'Sandy' cited are poor references to adoptive families 'dumping their darlings' when the going got tough. The first family mentioned, the Longs, in fact desperately wanted for their daughters to stay with them and when it became clear that this was not what those daughters were willing to be a part of, they had enough love for them to accept that they were not what these girls wanted or needed, and then found them a family with whom they could feel a part of, begin to heal, and be safe. Those girls remain in their prayers and will forever be a part of their lives. The Long's have also suffered loss, not just their adoptive children. The second family, the Merritts, have NOT disrupted and continue to push forward, having faith and confidence that someday their son may heal enough to be an active part of their family. This mother chooses to be honest with her situation, which is actually helpful and enlightening to those who are considering international, older child adoption. She is allowing others to see what life may potentially be like so that others may be prepared to endure the difficult circumstances they are currently living through. When a family adopts certainly they are aware that things will be difficult, however it is impossible to know exactly what problems you may be facing. Just as a person may take an employment position with excitement and eagerness, this does not mean they are agreeing to skip to work each day and whistle a happy tune for eight hours. The trenches of the adoption of an older child can be and often are difficult to make your way through. So, 'Sandy,' thanks for your less than helpful and encouraging, judgmental, ignorant advice, but keep it to yourself next time and every time after. The world needs fewer like you and more like the Merritt's and the Long's who are willing to take a risk for a child that may never love, or even be civil in return, simply because they know that the worth of each soul is great in the sight of our God. A lesson worth looking into, 'Sandy.' Sincerely, Stephanie, the mom of an 8 year old kicking, biting, ODD, RAD, ADHD, hitting, swearing, raging, manipulative, scared, lost, desperate, darling and sweet when hosted, wanted and dearly loved, though difficult, boy.