Day 30

Aaahhh.... the land of high-speed internet connections. It is nice to be back home with family and friends. Unfortunately, Kelley and Charles are still in Ukraine, but should be wrapping things up this week. If everything goes "as planned" - which will be one of several plans that did not come to fruition - they should arrive in Raleigh-Durham on Saturday night.
As for me, I arrived last night after a way too long layover in JFK. It wasn't supposed to be that long, and standing in line to re-check bags after Customs I wasn't sure if I would even make my flight, but after several delays the flight finally made it out of New York. Thank goodness! I really didn't want to spend the night in JFK.
Enough about me. I was able to speak Kelley on the drive home last night, and then today as well. She reports that Chas withdrew a bit from her after my departure, but today seemed to be getting back to "normal". She will pick up Chas tomorrow evening at 5:00 and then board a bus with Svitlana heading towards Odessa. After a "short" thirteen and a half hours, they will get to Odessa on Tuesday morning and begin to "legalize" Chas' Birth Certificate. What will they actually be doing? I haven't a clue. Svitlana confused Kelley and I several times during the explanation before I left Donetsk, and having Kelley describe over the phone what she thinks she will doing hasn't helped to clear things up in my mind. I know... I know... big surprise there... thanks....
Moving along... Once they are complete in Odessa, Kelley and Chas are boarding a plane for Kiev on Tuesday evening. Svitlana will head back to Donetsk (bus/train?), get Chas' Ukrainian Passport and then catch a train for Kiev on Wednesday evening to arrive in Kiev Thursday morning. Meanwhile, Kelley will be getting a physical for Chas on Wednesday, and then probably head to an underground shopping area called the "Metrograd" that I found. It is about 2km (1 1/2 miles) of shops. I know men, all of your ladies will be calling to book the next flight to Kiev. Perhaps the cold weather will deter them. Once Svitlana arrives in Kiev, Kelley will get the passport and go to the American Consulate on Thursday morning to finalize paperwork that allows Chas to be recognized as our child in the eyes of the U.S.
That's the down and dirty of it. I know I owe everyone more, but with four hours of sleep in the last 48 hours.... I feel the need to start the sarcasm engine, and I think it prudent to take the keys away before I get behind the wheel.
Kelley and I send our love to all and appreciate everyone that has been following the journey with us. I'll be back tomorrow to try and fill in some holes for everyone.
God bless...
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Day 26

Hey guys, last blog from me here in Ukraine! Tomorrow Jay leaves for Kiev after a morning visit with Charles. We just came back from a good dinner and some better red wine. We ate a Jay’s favorite restaurant, Golden Lion, an Irish Pub. He had Guinness and I finally found a red wine I enjoyed, my first since we got here. Figures, find one I like the on our last dinner here together. We had a nice dinner though. Talked to Heather for a while, made me smile since I was having hard time thinking about Jay leaving and me missing the kids so much. There are no flights leaving Friday like I had hoped so it looks like Saturday arrival for me and Charles.
We had a good day. Morning visit with Charles, outside so he and Jay ran around and played. We went to the internet café afterward and checked e-mail, blog, and plane tickets. Came home and read some and then off to visit Charles. He was in good spirits and we had a grand time playing. The KGB couple was there but the nice lady was not. We were disappointed because we had a gift for both of them. Hopefully they will be there Friday when I pick up Charles.
Now we are back at the apartment and Jay is packing. He is taking everything that will fit in 2 sHey guys, last blog from me here in Ukraine! Tomorrow Jay leaves for Kiev after a morning visit with Charles. We just came back from a good dinner and some better red wine. We ate a Jay’s favorite restaurant, Golden Lion, an Irish Pub. He had Guinness and I finally found a red wine I enjoyed, my first since we got here. Figures, find one I like the on our last dinner here together. We had a nice dinner though. Talked to Heather for a while, made me smile since I was having hard time thinking about Jay leaving and me missing the kids so much. There are no flights leaving Friday like I had hoped so it looks like Saturday arrival for me and Charles.
We had a good day. Morning visit with Charles, outside so he and Jay ran around and played. We went to the internet café afterward and checked e-mail, blog, and plane tickets. Came home and read some and then off to visit Charles. He was in good spirits and we had a grand time playing. The KGB couple was there but the nice lady was not. We were disappointed because we had a gift for both of them. Hopefully they will be there Friday when I pick up Charles.
Now we are back at the apartment and Jay is packing. He is taking everything that will fit in 2 suitcases (one big and one small) so that I don’t have so much to manage on the way home. I on the other hand am sitting here watching and typing. I am glad that this is my last blog since I am sure they are getting boring for you all, thank you for sticking with us. I think that we are getting a little brain dead by this point in our journey and boring you all with the same old stuff every day. Jay will keep up with the blog once he gets home so if you are curious what Charles and I are doing each day you can check. I am guessing that they will be short and sweet since he will be busy with the kids.
I will miss him terribly and will be counting the days until I get home and we are all together again.
Linda and I had a great talk this afternoon. Sounds like Halloween was a huge success! I can’t wait for the holidays!
Jay will keep everyone updated the next few days while in Kiev; I will have the phone so call me if you get a chance. I love you all! God Bless and see you soon!Love, Kelley uitcases (one big and one small) so that I don’t have so much to manage on the way home. I on the other hand am sitting here watching and typing. I am glad that this is my last blog since I am sure they are getting boring for you all, thank you for sticking with us. I think that we are getting a little brain dead by this point in our journey and boring you all with the same old stuff every day. Jay will keep up with the blog once he gets home so if you are curious what Charles and I are doing each day you can check. I am guessing that they will be short and sweet since he will be busy with the kids.
I will miss him terribly and will be counting the days until I get home and we are all together again.
Linda and I had a great talk this afternoon. Sounds like Halloween was a huge success! I can’t wait for the holidays!
Jay will keep everyone updated the next few days while in Kiev; I will have the phone so call me if you get a chance. I love you all! God Bless and see you soon!Love, Kelley