A Whirlwind of Paperwork & Gotcha Day!

Our 10 day waiting period was over on Mother's Day, May 8th.

Monday was a holiday here and then Tuesday we had an unexpected delay.

Wednesday we needed to start our paper chase at 8:30 am. Our first stop was to the courthouse to get 12 documents from the judge. Then our next stop was to get AJ's NEW birthcertificate. Thankfully we didn't have far to go because AJ was born very close to where we are staying. The third stop was where Sonya was born which was NOT close. We had to travel more than 340 kilometers round trip over VERY BUMPY roads. When we arrived the people in the office were on their lunch break for another 15 minutes. So we had to wait. After getting Sonya's NEW birthcertificate we had to hurry to the final stop for the day -back 170 kilometers from wence we came. We were praying that we would make it there before it closed at 5:00 pm. Prayer answered, we got there with only minutes to spare. Thank you, God! 

Thursday we had more documents to get notarized. Then we were off to get the children at the orphanage in order to get their passport and visa pictures taken.  Sonya and Dusty were very interested in figuring out what was going on - inside and outside of the car. It's a whole NEW world!  Dusty was out of his comfort zone and we tried reassure him.  It was helpful when we remembered to give him his favorite toy - the plastic monkey from big brother Johnny.  Sonya was happy and curious the entire time.  She was so busy in the car!  Here are some pictures of them on the ride back to the orphanage.  Sure wish we could have taken them back to the apartment instead!

Car ride - in Daddy's arms

It's a whole new world

Sonya's safety belt - Momma's arms

 Now fast forward to Monday, May 16th . Today is Gotcha Day!  This morning we all woke up to an announcement from our 5 year old son, Johnny, "TODAY IS THE DAY!  TODAY IS THE DAY!"  It was a great way to wake up!  Can you tell he is REALLY excited?

 A few nights ago Johnny prayed, "Dear God, Thank you for is wonderful trip to ________ so we can rescue the children."  Carolyn, our 20 month old keeps walking around asking in a sad voice, "Dusty? - Sonya?"  Then I ask her if she wants to see them and she says, "Pet!" and gives herself a hug.  I ask if she wants to hug them she shakes her head yes and says, "Uh huh!"   It is heart warming to see the love they have for Sonya and Dusty.

 John and I will be going to get Dusty and Sonya in a few minutes.  After that we will come back to our apartment to get Johnny, Carolyn and Grandma Brwee.  Then we will go to the train station.  We will be on a train for 6 hours.  We will arrive at our next destination around 10:30 pm.  It will be a LONG and EXCITING day!

We have an appointment at the US Embassy Tuesday morning to finish paperwork.  Then Wednesday afternoon we will get the children's visas.  Finally, Thursday - before the break of day we will go to the airport to fly HOME!!!!

We appreciate all of you. Thank you for your prayers and support- don't stop!  It's a long trip back to the states. 

Mother's Day - Part 2

Here is a video that I tried to post on Mother's Day.  It is when Johnny and Carolyn FIRST met their brother, Dusty.   A few days late, but it is worth the wait!

Here is a video of Johnny hard at work with his TWO sisters!  You will love this one too! 

A Wonderful Mother's Day With FOUR Of My Children!

 My heart is overflowing with JOY!  

 

Sisters

Brothers

PROUD & Helpful Johnny

Strolling Along

The Ladies

Mother's Day with My Loving Husband, My Wonderful Mom and My Beautiful Children

Loving Their New Siblings (and Grandchildren)

Paying Close Attention to Sonya and Dusty

Making Sure They are OK

Johnny LOVED all the Smiles from Sonya

BIG Brothers have BIG jobs

Weeeee!

Momma and Her Girls

Johnny and His Sister - Sonya

Dusty in Johnny's FAVORITE Hat

Johnny The BIG Brother

 Group Hug for Dusty

One Proud Momma of Her Two Boys!

Carolyn 1 1/2, Sonya 5 1/2, Johnny 5 & Dusty 6

Our FOUR Children

Happy to be Together

Momma & Her Chicks!

HAPPY Mother's/Grandmother's Day!

If You Give A Child A Cookie…

 Johnny and Carolyn love the story “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” by Laura Numeroff.  We look forward to reading it to Sonya and AJ!  Then perhaps we can work backward, making the connections with our days together at the orphanage.

It has been interesting to see how Sonya and AJ have reacted to a cookie.  Recently we’ve been spoiling them with one (or more) each time we visit.  Sonya reacts the same way each time she is offered a cookie.  BIG smiles!  AJ is getting used to these tasty treats and his reaction is beginning to change for the better.     

These are precious times that we pray are building bonds between us.  It is ironic the connections that a simple cookie can make; just a gesture of love that we pray leads to everlasting familial bonds and eventual connections with God who gives us everything!  This is our prayer, but for now, a cookie is a great place to start…   

A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

As you know, we have been named by the local courts as the proud parents of AJ and Sonya - so far, the pinnacle of our pilgrimage!  We have visited the orphanage twice since our court date, and the visits seem different now... we are becoming more bold with AJ and Sonya;  strolling farther, feeding them drinks and treats, asking  more about their routines and schedules.  Perhaps this is our way of preparing for what is ahead - the journey back to the States!  So far, we have heard several stories of trips home with adoptive children.  Some trips have gone smoothly; others, not so.  With all of the unknowns regarding diet, medications, sleep patterns, etc., it seems like the journey home with AJ and Sonya will be like a box of chocolates; we're not sure what we're going to get! (assist: Forrest Gump).  We are now over half-way through our pilgrimage, and we can indeed see the light at the end of the tunnel.  This is a good simile for our journey, for it does feel like a tunnel being here.  We get a limited view of this country - the same route to the orphanage every day; the same sights and sounds accessed via foot power.  This tunnel vision will inevitably result in an opening that will reveal so much more for AJ and Sonya, with the aid of Johnny, Carolyn, Momma, Daddy, extended family and friends.  We pray for growth, stimulation, and fulfillment for our newest family members.  While they are largely unaware of the tunnel or the light at the end of it, we trust in God that this journey with our entire family will bear fruit for them via the relationship and trust that we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; a relationship that the Lord will cultivate in our newest charges.  Trusting in His providence, John, Amy, & Family

New Life!



Corner shop near the orphanage 



Juice AKA "Suk" - for our little ones

AJ is NOT used to a straw!

Sonya Noel Hinz

I think she likes her NEW name!

YOU are MY SON!

Alexei Joseph Hinz

I think he likes his NEW name too!

Another stroll to the corner market for a cookie!

Waiting for a cookie!

What is hiding behind AJ?

Our Daughter!



Our Son!



Family of SIX!!!

It's a BOY and a GIRL! As of today, April 28 at 3:40 pm half way around the world John and I have been named the proud parents of Alexei Joseph Hinz and Sonya Noel Hinz. Yes, tears of joy were shed as they also were at the births of Johnny and Carolyn.

A little about their names...Before we were even married, John and I decided that we would name our first child AJ (for A-my & J-ohn).  Then when the time came, we decided our first born would be a junior. In God's timing, now our oldest child is our AJ.  Alexei Joseph is named after my brother, Andrew Joseph. We also like that Alexei shares his middle name with Jesus' ADOPTIVE Father. When we were naming Carolyn we were going back and forth between "Joy" and "Noel" for her middle name.  Sonya will have the other middle name that we loved.  Sonya Noel is our new daughter, "Noel" being a reminder of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  A little more about the childrens' names. We have chosen to keep their first names to maintain an idenity with their Ukrainian heritage.

Johnny is very excited to be the BIG brother - not the oldest - but the BIGGEST! Carolyn is excited in her own way too!  Johnny and Carolyn will probably continue to affectionately call AJ - Dusty!  

Now we have a ten day waiting period. We will stay here and continue to visit the children during this time. Then on day 11 we will be permitted to begin all paperwork in order to make it legal. We will probably be able to take the children out of the orphanage on May 16th. This day will be called our "Gotcha Day." If everything goes well we can then fly home on May 19.

Thank you for your prayers!  We are praising God for a successful court decision and for the honor of being new parents to Alexei Joseph Hinz and Sonya Noel Hinz.

Visit #12 Bath Day and Visit #13 "Happy" Cupcakes

Visit # 12  Tuesday, April 26, 2011 was another beautiful day, so we were hoping to take Sonya and Dusty outside.  We arrived to find out that today was bath day and the nannies thought it best to keep them inside.  

 Dusty’s hair was extra fuzzy and Sonya had to wear a cute little hat to keep her head warm. 

Visit # 13 Wednesday, April 27, 2011

There was some sort of celebration happening at the orphanage.  Amy asked someone and the only word she got was "Happy."   There was singing, dancing, and traditional cupcakes being eaten!

 Dusty watched intently - Sonya did not care for the celebration - We think she said her first word to us - "NYET!"

During our stroll we came to the end of the neighborhood and found a nice vista!

Dusty ate his cupcake like a champ.

 Sony was more ladylike with her cupcake - eating it in bits.

Just wait'n for lunch!

Today, Thursday, April 28, 2011 Amy and I will stand before a judge and ask to become the mother and father to Sonya and Dusty.  We thank you for your prayers and support!  Another post will come later today!