One day left

Today we had to move apartments, the one we were in was not available for Wed. so we hauled all our stuff to an apartment 2 buildings up and then Oleg and I went to the WW2 museum were we saw a pair of gloves made out of human skin, several tanks and planes and a statue that rivals the Statue of Libery.

Next we went to check out the caves at Lavra, not a good place for your resident claustraphobic. We went down and down and down in a single file line with many others all of holding candles to view several monks in glass coffens. It was a slow moving line as many people stopped to kiss each casket. For the most part the monks were respectfully covered head to toe with about 3 or 4 of them with exposed hands. Their was also one area that house several skulls in glass jars. The ceilings as you were walking grew shorter till I was bending to get thru as well as being very narrow and will all of us holding candles for light it was also very hot. I enjoyed the experiance and am glad I did it however once was enough. I just could stop thinking about how glad I was that Ukraine does not have earthquakes.

Visas in hand

Today I decided to take a break from the boys and go to TGIF for a cheesburger- the real kind. While I was waiting for it to open I ran into 4 women from the peace corps who invited me to join them for lunch.

After lunch the boys and I went to the embassy to recieve the visa's which I am happy to say are now in my hot little hands. America here we come!!

We then went to a pizza place for lunch- this was the pizza place that the boys didn't want to go to the first day because it was cheap pizza, now we go every day and thankfully its cheap pizza.

Oleg and I went to the arch and are now in the internet cafe, Oleksiy and Valik went to some fun house thing and were then going home.

The doctor at our physical actually said the America kids have to much freedom- she never met my Ukr. kids, they don't see boundries only opportunites.

See you all very soon

Back in Kiev

We then went to the office of our broker and collected our luggage and then hauled in by hand to our apartment, down the street, across the street, up a relativly steap incline and then up 9 flights of stairs, 7 of which we did get to use a 2x2 elevator for.

Today we took care of the medical and visa passports including fingerprinting for my 2 oldest and now we are hanging out in an internet cafe which is allowing me to post.

If all goes as planned and in Ukraine we used that term loosly we will be flighing home on Thursday.

Keep praying, through in a littel for my last day sanity.

things are starting to roll

WE finnally got the boys more updates to come...Please continue to keep everything in prayer.

Thank you and God Bless

and counting

Technically today is the 10 day mark but since the court is not open today I collect my boys on Monday. We made due today by having a going away BBQ for thier friends. It started to rain but the boys and their companions made a covering for us so we made it through.

Been doing a lot more driving with my friend but still avoid taxi drivers, as far as I am concerned they have the write away. My internet is still down so posts will come few and far between but I will update eveyone next week on paper work and when I hope we will be home. Pray that the passports come quickly.

Finally!!!!!!

Finally all the waiting had paid off! We after 4 ½ hours of court received the long awaited decision that our 3 boys will soon be the newest addition to the Barker family. The boys we at court and returned to the internate following the court decision and the next day returned to the camp. Richard, Randi and I left the next day after visiting the boys for Kiev to complete our documents prior to Richard and Randi leaving Friday morning at 5:30am. I originally was not planning on going but it turned out to be a good thing because we discovered that I needed additional paperwork that both Richard and I needed to sign together. My plan was to leave Thursday night but I was not able to get a ticket for the train , so we grabbed a hotel room and Richard and Randi left for the airport at 2:30am and I spent the day in Kiev. I was able to get a Kupe for the return trip on Friday. Saturday I was able to visit the boys, Sunday I was not able to get a ride but did go again on Monday which is a holiday, Constitution day. Next Monday I will be able to pick up the boys, they are supposed to be at the internate but I still need to get some clarification. Thank you all for your prayers and support, please continue to pray for rapid completion of paperwork and a safe trip home. Also please keep Richard in your prayers as he is again having issues with his back and now hip and leg- please pray for healing, direction and for clarification that the choices we need to make. Also prayer for integrating our 3 newest members of the family.

Just another day

I brought pizza today which was a big hit with the boys and their friends. I have become very popular at the camp. I would love to say its my winning personality but in reality its my toys. I brought a couple extra gameboys to share along with my ipod I am never alone.

After Pizza and some video games the boys and I walked into the village and bought some clothes and ice cream. Back at camp Alex made me some tea that we had bought each day I try a differnt tea and am asked my opinion on it which would be easier to give if there was a little less sugar.

After camp I spent the evening with friends and then back to the apartment. Richard and Randi arrived saftly in Kiev and will take the train to Chernivtsy tomorrow.