---
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, or at least it is getting closer to it. One week from today, are you ready? Barb & I have been busy decorating the apartment, putting up the tree, hanging our stockings by the chimney, buying and wrapping presents….oh, those are just visions of Christmas dancing in our head. It will be a pretty “undecorated” Christmas this year.
---
Several of you have asked about the Ukrainian Christmas customs. Their calendar time table is different than the U.S. This country celebrates New Years on January 1st, and then Christmas on January 7th. January 7th is the traditional day of the Epiphany; although the western influence has crept into the country, and some celebrations will be held on Dec. 25th. Most people live in apartments in Donetsk, and the homes that we have seen do not spend money on outside decorations. The commercial businesses have lights up, inflatable snowmen, and Santa Claus on their advertisements just like you would see in the U.S. The city squares and public spaces do put up Christmas trees and lights that hang across the streets in some areas. We have not seen any nativity scenes at this time, I don’t know if they will appear closer to Jan. 7th or not. All we really know about Christmas this year is that we will receive a beautiful gift the Monday prior when our adoption becomes official.
---
So “what’s been goin’ on?” you ask.
Monday, Dec. 15th
It was a usual morning…breakfast, e-mail, and packing to go to the orphanage. We had a fun day playing with our son; the big event was taking his photo to prepare for his passport. On the way home, we stopped at the Williamson’s and had a fun evening out. We were treated to James’ Monday night Kentucky Chicken Fajitas. It was fun to join in their Monday night tradition, and enjoy a great meal at the same time. After our meal, they took us to a baby clothing store in a mall next to their apartment. An English speaking lady was a lot of help and we made our first baby clothes purchases. We found about 3 cute outfits and a few misc. pieces to get us started for next week. We hopped a taxi about 7:30pm and headed home. Barb spent some time researching on the internet, and I headed to the market to get a few things.
---
Tuesday, Dec. 16th
As we headed to the orphanage today we packed a sampling of last nights clothing purchases to try on for sizing. Our son was in an extremely playful mood, and very affectionate too. We decided to tackle the “fashion show” before he got fussy or banana all over himself.
---
We stripped off his layer of shirts and tried on the 3 new ones. He didn’t mind a bit. Then came the 3 pairs of pants, he just lay on his back and stuck his legs in the air; Just like he had been changed a thousand times before. It was fast, easy and everything fit. Yeah, no returns!
---
It was really a bubble day, for about 20 minutes and wouldn’t let me stop. The orphanage had put up a Christmas tree we found upon our arrival today. It hadn’t been “fluffed” yet or decorated. I was nervous about our son’s arrival and what he would do with it. When he came into the room, he came right up to it, and shook his finger at it. “No, No” were the words he spoke. I assume they may have one upstairs in his area and he’s heard those words before. After his banana break at 2pm, he got into a mellow “rock-me, hug-me” mood. He started to fall asleep several times on my shoulder but as people would walk through or doors would slam, he had to sit up and see everything.
---
After the nurse carried him upstairs, Barb & I decided to be helpful with the Christmas tree. We fluffed all the branches out to aide the staff in their decorating. A taxi brought us home around 4pm, and the Williamsons arrived at the apartment around 4:30pm. We all then walked to a pizza place called “New York Street Pizza”. I may have already told you, but it is a nice restaurant with American décor hanging on the walls, it is painted red, white and blue, but they don’t speak a lick of English there. A unique twist that we had not discovered our first time there, the Williamsons instantly recognized one of the pictures of an interstate junction signs as being from Louisville, KY (I believe I-65, Rt. 31, and something else). That was a photo opportunity for them. Pizza was good, fellowship was great. The Williamsons are an outstanding couple that we know God has put in our path here to keep us company. In a few days, our journeys will take different roads, and we will miss their companionship. After the pizza, we walked to “the boat” for delicious desserts. Then it was back to the apartment for a Uno tournament until 9pm.
---
On to Wednesday, Dec. 17th
The weather here has taken a turn-and not for the better. We still have zero snow or ice, but temperature has plummeted to ranges that you are use to in Illinois. The high the next few days is predicted between 25 & 30 degrees Fahrenheit. I began the morning with a brisk walk uptown- when it’s 20 degrees, you do everything briskly. At 9:30 am I walked to Lenin Square to photograph the public Christmas tree, the McDonald’s Restaurant, Lenin Statue, and a few other international landmarks. I then went to the drug store to make a few purchases.
---
We went to the orphanage about 12:45pm. We quickly discovered a problem had occurred. The Christmas tree was now decorated and placed in the middle of the visitation play area. How would our son react? He came down in a great mood again today. This day, he was definitely intrigued by the tree. Three times he pulled ornaments off, and had to sit in “time-out” (these are the old fashioned glass ornaments that certainly cannot be played with). He is a very smart boy; he’ll pout awhile, and then slowly walk across the room with his arms outstretched towards you.
---
It really was a 3-B day. It was dominated by books, balls, and banana. He loves to play but also enjoys flipping through his books. About 3pm we said our good-byes to him. A taxi took us to a different baby’s clothing store where Ostap and his wife were waiting to assist us. It was a great store with simple clothes at great prices. (Kinda reminded you of a mix between Wal-Mart & Dollar General). They also had toys too, until I bought a bunch of them. Barb picked out a snowsuit, pjs, t-shirts, and more. I found toys, rubber ducks for the bathtub, and other practical stuff we really needed. Our only need to survive here in the Ukraine is shoes. We have tried to purchase the minimum for the remaining time we have here, then we will have to load up the closet in Illinois.
---
It was a bitter-sweet evening. The Williamsons came to our apartment and we went back to N.Y. Street Pizza again. After supper, we came back to the apartment and played Uno, even letting James win one game. Tomorrow evening the Williamsons will leave on a 5pm train to head back to Kiev. They are going for their second referral to locate the child God has in store for them.
---So things have been busy. We’ve done a lot of shopping, we’ve done a lot of visiting, we’ve had great fun with our son, we’ve completed the local restaurant critiques; but nothing too earth shattering the last three days. All the news from the courthouse is silence, which is a very good thing. No one has obviously filed objections to our adoption. Our waiting game continues. As today is Thursday, we are into our final 4 days of waiting. Monday he will become our son!! I hope he’s ready for what he’s getting into. I doubt it if he really has any idea. Maybe we don’t either! But I’m sure he’ll probably break us in pretty quickly. I just hope he doesn’t call the orphanage and complain about us!
---
With all the “new” things happening, I’m sure all three of us will have to work through issues. Through God’s grace, I’m sure He’ll lead us forward and bond us together. To borrow a line from the recent political campaign, “change is coming”.
---
We are thankful for your prayers,
Darrin, Barb & Son
