Feel like a heel

In defense of myself, I will start out by saying that Grace hates to wear shoes and rarely puts on closed toed shoes of any sort.  We live in warm, central Texas and so ninety percent of the time she is wearing flip-flops, sandals or is barefoot.  She did put on her sneakers (tennis shoes) a couple of times lately and has been complaining they are too little.  So this morning we set out to buy some new ones and a pair of boots.  I asked the salesperson at the first store to please measure her foot and boy did I feel like a heel!!  She is now a women's size 7 1/2..., the old tennis shoes were 5 1/2.   Up two sizes in less than 4 1/2 months,  I can't believe it.  I guess it only makes sense because she has also grown 2 3/4 inches in height.  My 12 year old daughter is so excited to now be wearing a larger size than I do.  At this rate it won't be long until she can boast of being taller than me also..., which isn't exactly hard since I am only 5'2". 

The best news of all is that we were able to buy a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of boots and neither pair is PINK!!  Not that there is anything wrong with pink, but Grace acts like there is not another color in the world.   Literally everything on her Christmas wish list is pink!!

4 months home!!

We have been home 4 months today and I can not even begin to list all the changes we have seen in Grace.   There have been the physical changes of growing  2 3/4 inches in height and a couple of clothing sizes.  She has gone from struggling with a few words of English to now sometimes answering in English even if someone is speaking to her in Ukrainian or Russian.  I think a big part of her progress in reading and speaking English is this child's love of talking.  She talks from the minute she wakes up to the minute she falls asleep.   If  she has no one around to talk to she talks to our dogs.  Of course sometimes we hear our words of correction to her being repeated in a similar way to the dogs...,  "Look at me, look at me"  "I tell you true, Sophie (our dog's name) I love you!!  but you have to stop licking me, it not nice." 

But by far the biggest change we have seen is in her heart and we are so thankful to God for this transformation.  We brought home a hurt, angry and fearful child who could be very hurtful with her words to others, especially to me ( her mom).  But God in His goodness and grace has been softening her heart and bringing about a big change in this area.   He also has placed so many wonderful people in her life to show/tell/ and teach her about His love for her. 

The other day we were driving and Grace was talking about her Sunday school teacher.  She said "Miss S__ is beautiful,  right mom?"  "Yes", I agreed.  "I tell you true mom, God thinks Miss S__'s heart is beautiful, right mom?" ..., I couldn't agree more:)

Then we were driving on Friday down a major local highway and there was an incident of road rage that happened in front of us.  One of the drivers gestured to the other driver in a not so nice way.  Grace looked at me and said "that is not from God, that is from satan, man act like that".   (thank you Julia for helping us not only with schoolwork but God's Word).

One more example that things are starting to sink in.. ., we were shopping for new clothes (I hate to shop) and Grace gets a little overstimulated when we are in a mall.  She was pulling me from one rack to another to show me one more wonderful thing.  I finally shot her that look like I have had enough.  She said "mom, I know I need clothes and like them; but I know family and love more important".

We were in church this morning and Grace was just singing away with this beautiful smile on her face.  Mike looked over at me and said "what a difference 4 months makes"..., thank you Jesus!!

P.S. Just so you don't think things are perfect.., Grace has spilled 4 glasses of water this week, knocked over a vase and broke it.  Her favorite words are "just one second" and  she still likes to argue every night about going to bed.

Our daughter...,Grace

When we adopted Alona we gave her the choice of keeping or changing her Ukrainian first name and she chose to keep it.  We then asked her if it would be okay for her middle name to be Grace.  Through our translator we explained the meaning of Grace and in particular the meaning of God's grace.  I remember how she smiled shyly and said "okay".  I don't think she really knew what to make of us giving her a new name or our choice of a  name. 

Fast forward..., about 6 weeks ago she was writing her name on top of a math worksheet and she wrote Grace instead of Alona.  When I asked her about it she just said "No more Alona, just Grace".  We thought maybe this was just going to be a temporary change, but it seems she is serious about it being her forever name.  We have tried to ask why she wants to change it but for now she doesn't want to talk about it.  We have tried to figure it out..., is she shutting a door to her past or is it because the name Alona sounds foreign and she just wants to blend in.  The bottom line is she wants to be called Grace ..., so Grace it is!!

Home 3 Months!!

Three months ago yesterday we arrived home with our daughter Alona.  That day was one filled with many emotions.   We were so thankful to finally be bringing her home after 16 months of waiting to adopt her and 6 weeks in Ukraine.  On the flip side, she had acted like a real toot on most of the 23 hours of travel and I was so  relieved to finally be on U.S. soil and have reinforcements!!

I can honestly say looking back that we have really made progress  in the areas of attitude, respect and bonding.  She has gone from telling me 10 plus times a day that she didn't like me to saying (or yelling) "mom" over and over again, wanting to hold my hand and sit by me constantly.  She still can be sassy and strong-willed but is recognizing her misbehavior and apologizing for it now.   The one thing we have realized is that a lot of her misbehavior is really rooted in fear from her past.  Mike and I went on our first real date Thursday night, the first since we have been home.  We went to dinner and a movie while my mom (her Omie) watched her.   When we got back to pick her up she was fussing that we were 17 minutes late (she takes things very literal).  When we got in the car she turned on the inside light and looked me straight in the eyes and asked "tell me the true, you smoking and drinking?"  Oh my gosh..., I don't smoke and probably have 2 margaritas a year (which I have not done since we have been home).  I asked her "do I smoke?" "have you seen me drinking?"  "do I look like I have been smoking and drinking?"  She started to laugh and said "I was just joking"; but I know she wasn't.  This was her reality, this is what she lived.  

So as we continue on this journey, we all continue to grow and learn.  We are blessed!!

Busy, busy days

I have been getting fussed at for not keeping up this blog so..., where to begin...,  We celebrated Alona's 12th birthday, she started 5th grade Sunday School, she started on a novice swim team and we are homeschooling.    

Alona should really be in the 6th grade Sunday School class, but at our church that is part of middle school and a rather large group.  Even though Alona is 12 years old her maturity level is much younger and so we think she fits better with the younger group.

Alona has also been taking swimming lessons for a while and the coach asked if we would like to put her on a novice swim team.   Since she wants to swim everyday anyway, we decided to do it.  She practices one hour a day three times a week.  This helps get rid of some of her excess energy, and also is helping her learn how to socially interact (correctly) with kids her age.  I think at her orphanage it was basically a dog eat dog world.   She is really liking the practices and has already made a couple friends. 

Pink swim cap and swimsuit...,happiness

Alona getting ready to practice her diving

Homeschooling..., it is not something I ever thought I would do; but we feel like this is what we need to do for Alona right now.  I am not a teacher and I had no idea where to begin.  With the help of a friend and a lot of prayer we are attempting it.  So far it actually has been better than I expected.  Alona has said numerous times that she is not smart.  When I ask her how she knows this she said because the director of her orphanage and the teacher told her.  Well she now is realizing that that was a lie.  Her eyes just light up when she finishes her math problems and gets them all right.  I do have a problem keeping her focused sometimes, so I tell her to go ride her bike and come back in 5 minutes and this actually has been working.   Our friend, Julia, who helped us with translation when we use to call Alona in Ukraine has come to my rescue again.  She is working with Alona one afternoon a week.  She is an awesome teacher and very creative (which I am not). 

Last but not least, we redid Alona's room.  We did not redecorate Alona's room before we went to Ukraine because I thought it would be more comforting for her to return to a familiar room.  She slept in that room both hosting trips and seemed to like it, but that changed when we brought her home.  Every night she was scared and would come in our room and sleep on floor without even a pillow.  The reasons for being scared seemed to change nightly.  Finally one day she said that she wouldn't be scared if she had a little bed like at the orphanage.  Of course she also slept with 11 other girls in one room.  But we decided it was worth a try to redo her room and let her help pick everything out.  So out went the big bed and in went a twin bed with a trundle.  She picked out a comforter that is turquoise, pink and white.  We repainted the room and let her help.   She wanted a bright pink, but we compromised with a color called blush that is still too pink for me (I am more of a brown & green girl), but she loves it.  She also has slept every night in her room!!

Ears pierced



While we were at the coast Alona got her ears pierced!!  Our really close friends, Lisa and Kenny, were at the coast the same time we were.  We had planned in advance to surprise Alona and let her get her ears pierced while we were there.  It was her "Happy 12th Birthday" gift from them. 

A little apprehensive...,

All over...,all smiles

As Alona would say..., very, very beautiful

The beach.., very, very beautiful

We took Alona to the beach for a few days and she loved it!!   She had never seen an ocean or even been to the Black Sea in Ukraine.  So even though I tried to explain what it would be like and showed her pictures on the computer, she was completely "WOWED" by the whole experience.  I can not even tell you how many times she said "it is very, very beautiful" and "it is very, very, big".   We spent several hours at the beach during the day and then Alona wanted to walk along the shore at night.  There was a full moon and yes it was "very, very beautiful".  The next morning when Alona walked out onto the balcony of our condo she got all excited.  "Mama, waves morning and night and next day?"  It was just another reminder of things I sometimes take for granted.  God's creation is "very, very beautiful" and yes it is incomprehensible to think of those waves never ending.  It also was a gentle reminder to remember the life that Alona has come from..., to never have seen an ocean or gone on a family vacation.  To remember that there are many, many more orphans all around the world just like her...,

Oh my goodness, are you okay?

I always have good intentions of writing a post about our day, but then by bedtime I always find myself saying tomorrow.  I know I will regret it in the future as I have found this blog is the best way to journal. 

Our days continue to be filled with alot of activity..., swimming, riding bikes, rollerblading, washing cars, and even mopping the garage.  We tried to talk her out mopping the garage which usually doesn't even get swept out, but there was no discouraging her.  We are still working on the concept of some things are "mom's" and some are "papa's" and some are "Alona's".  She is always exploring drawers, cabinets, closets and moving things around.  So we are always looking for things. 

Even though we have challenges at times with behavior, we also have a lot of laughter and love!!
Last Sunday, I needed to buy one of our dogs a new collar and I thought if I went to a pet shop instead of Walmart or Target it would save time and having to say "no" a million times.  Well Alona loved it and wanted to bring every animal home.  She made me laugh when she went up to a tank with turtles in it and said in a loud voice "Hello".  One turtle swam right up to the glass and Alona say "Look mom, he speaks English".   Her favorite animal in the shop was a Kinkajous which sort of looks like a monkey but it is in the racoon family.  The manager let her hold it and she fell in love.  She decided right then and there that is what she wanted for her birthday.  I told her no way were we having a monkey in our house.  Yesterday, I told her because she had been listening and obeying she could pick a treat and I gave her some choices.  She picked going back to the pet shop.  Well we didn't see the Kinkajous anywhere and so I asked a clerk if they had sold it.  She said no it was in a cage behind the counter but that it was asleep.  They are nocturnal animals and usually wake up at 6 or 7 p.m.  Alona asked how much it cost and the lady said thirty-five hundred dollars.  I explained to Alona that would be 35 one hundred dollar bills or 28,000. ghrivnas.  Alona looked at the lady and said "Oh my goodness, are you okay"?  We are working on not saying the first thing that pops into our head! 

Swimming Lessons

Mike took Alona to her first swimming lesson today.  Alona loves the water and would swim morning, noon and night if she could (and sometimes does).  She has a basic idea of how to get from point A to point B but with no technique.  We thought swimming lessons would teach her technique, make her a stronger swimmer, and also get some of her excess energy out of her.

When she came home you could tell she was really proud of everything she had learned and how well she did.  She said that the pool was really big and the teacher made her swim back and forth and back and forth.  She said that he would say "Keep going, keep going" and she said she would say "OK".  I asked her if she spoke any other English to him and she said "Mama!!", he said "Keep swimming, keep swimming' and "Alona say..., she just started acting out how she was gasping for air"!!  I asked her if she wanted to go back tomorrow and she said "Yes, Alona good". 

She also told me that tomorrow when I take her and see how big the pool is and how far she has to swim that I will say  "OH MY GOSH"!!!

Pretty in Pink...,Glasses

We picked up Alona's glasses this morning and she has not wanted to take them off.   I would have never picked pink, but if it helps with her wanting to wear them then I am all for the color!!   I do think she looks cute in them...., even if I am a little biased.

No More "Firsts" This Week.., Please

First yellow jacket stings, first bicycle accident and yesterday..., car accident.  I have not been involved in a car accident in close to 15 years, but less than a month after getting Alona home..., well another first for Alona.   Alona and I were running errands and actually were right in front of papa's office when a young man hit us from behind.  I was at a total stop with my blinker on, but he was "looking at his phone and didn't see us".  Those were his words to the police officer not mine.  He actually seemed like a very nice young man, but like many people he was trying to text or read a text at the same time as driving a car.  He hit us pretty hard and of course Alona started yelling "Mama, what are you doing!!!!!"  About the same time, I see a tire roll by my car and assumed it was from his car.  We pulled into my husband's parking lot and Alona ran to get papa.  The tire was actually from my car.  I guess when he hit us it broke the bracket that is underneath my car that holds the spare tire.  I haven't taken my car to a repair shop yet, but overall I had minimal damage compared to his car -- which was undrivable.  His front bumper, head lights and hood were all damaged; as well as, his battery, radiator and engine all being shoved back.  I am thankful no one was hurt and I have used this as a lesson to Alona on why we always buckle our seat belts and don't text while driving...,not that she has a phone or drives:)

The good news is yesterday Alona went to the dentist and she had no cavities.  When we hosted her 2 years ago we took her to the dentist.  She had to have 3 teeth pulled that were abscessed (baby teeth), 2 fillings (permanent teeth),  and 3 caps (baby teeth).   She now has lost all her baby teeth and the permanent teeth are looking good!!  The orphanage she came from did not provide toothbrushes or toothpaste, so Alona was always asking us to send her some when we called.  It probably was her number one request.

Today, we went and had her eyes checked.  We had taken her to the eye doctor on her second hosting trip to us and she needed glasses.  We bought her some, but they were stolen almost immediately upon her return to Ukraine.  So today we ordered a new pair (light pink) and she thinks they are very, very beautiful. 

I will end this post by saying that mom will be very, very happy if we have no more "firsts" this week; but I think Alona has enjoyed being able to tell everyone about all the "firsts" in her life.

Another first..., Accident on her bike

Friday Alona was stung by yellow jackets and today she had her first bicycle accident.  Two summers ago, when we hosted Alona we bought her a little PINK bike and she loved it.  She rides very well (usually) and we live in the perfect place to ride bikes.  Our subdivision is gated, with a small number of homes and almost no traffic. 

When we arrived home 3 weeks ago she could not wait to hop on her bike.   Unfortunately, the little pink bike is too small for her now and so she has been riding one of our son's old bikes which is black and has a rip in the seat.  She has been wanting to ride his newer (silver) bike but it is a little bigger than the black one.  Well this morning she took off on the silver bike and hit a bump on our street and crashed.  She actually fared better than the bike..., just a skinned knee and elbow and a couple more small scratches.  She cried quite a bit at first for a combination of reasons with the sight of her own blood only being one of them.  She kept saying "Sorry for bike" and "please no take me to hospital".  I assured her that I could handle the injuries without taking her to the hospital and that an accident is just an accident. 

Two hours later she was out riding again but this time on the black bike and going a little slower. 

A few tears

We have been home 3 weeks now and our son has been able to be here the entire time.   We are so thankful that we had this time together as a family, but knew it would be hard to say good-bye.   We had been preparing Alona by counting down the days and showing her on the map where he lives now.   She has been playing the tough girl saying "I no miss Colby", "Mama, papa miss Colby.  Alona no miss Colby".  She has been asking "Mama cry when Colby go?"...., probably!!  "Papa cry when Colby go?"..., maybe!  We have also been trying to explain to her that it is okay to cry sometimes.  She has told us repeatly that she was told "It was not good to cry".  This morning on the way to the airport she kept up the tough girl routine, but as soon as Colby stepped out of the car who jumped out and started crying.., Alona.  She started saying "Please no go and please come back Christmas".   We reassured her that he would come home again and reminded her that we could also go on an airplane and visit him.  This helped a lot and so there were just a few tears!!

Stung by Yellow jackets

Last night we went out to eat with family members and then over to my brother's home.  Alona went outside right at dark with my sister-in-law, Stacy, to swing on a porch swing.  Within minutes she came running in the house yelling at the top of her lungs and holding her leg.  Alona is very loud anyway and  also a bit of a drama queen, so I thought she had just scraped her leg on the swing.  We soon figured out she had been stung by something on the back of her leg and also on the top of one of her hands.  We thought maybe it was fire ants, but underneath the swing was a nest of yellow jackets.   Alona calmed down some when we told her that Stacy is a nurse (the truth) and that she knew exactly what to do.  Within 20 minutes you would have never known Alona had been stung.  She was up running around, playing and acting silly.  There was a second during the middle of the drama that I had the quick thought of  "Oh no, I wonder if she is allergic to them?"  That is a weird feeling to remember once again that your daughter almost 12 years old and you know very little of her medical history.

Listen to Mama!!

I am almost afraid to utter these words..., but we have had 4 really good days behavioral wise!!  Alona has really amazed us with how quickly she is picking up English.   She makes us laugh everyday with something she says.  Yesterday we were driving in the car and Mike was singing and she said very seriously "Papa you okay?".

Today, I left Alona with my mom while I went shopping with our son.  He is leaving early Sunday morning for Washington, D.C. (work) and I don't know when we will get to see him again.   It was nice to spend some one on one time with him which I have not been able to do since I came back from Ukraine.   I had told Alona last night where she was going, for about how long, and of course how she was to behave while at her Omie's house.  When we dropped her off this morning, she hugged and kissed us both goodbye.  As we where getting in the car, she came running back out of the house and told her brother (our grown son)  "Remember, listen to Mama".

Communication Glitch

Usually communication is not a problem, we have learned to use a combination of words and charades to understand one another.  However, last week one day we did hit a minor snag.  I was busy cleaning out a closet and Alona came in the room holding up some of her hair on the top of her head and said "Maadison, please".  Since my niece, Maddison, had been over a few days prior and Alona had braided her hair; I discerned this to mean she wanted me to braid her hair.  I told her "one hodihna" "one hour" and then I will do it.  She turned around, sighed and walked out of the room.  About 20 minutes later she was back holding up her hair and saying "Maaadison, please".   I was just about done with the closet and told her 5 more minutes.  I finished up and then decided to look on the computer for instructions on how to braid her hair the way I thought she would want it.  I went and got the brush and comb and walked into her room.  She took one look at me and said "Whaaatcha doing?".  I told her I was ready to braid her hair and she said "Noooo Maaadison".  She took me by the hand and led me to where I keep the Tylenol and other medicines.  I asked "does your head hurt" and she said "YES, Maaadison, please".  Oh NO, communication breakdown!!   I apologized for the misunderstanding and even showed her the pictures and instructions on braiding that I had just looked up on the computer.  We both ended up laughing and she has enjoyed telling others how her mom responded to "Maaadison, please".

Alona and Maddison at the airport

It is harder than I thought.., at times

I will preface this post by saying that I know every adoption, child, orphanage, director, etc., are different.  Alona had been in a pretty good orphanage but was transferred 15 months prior to our adoption.  The orphanage Alona was transferred to was horrible, as was the director.  Our adoption was different than most in that we had Alona pretty much 24/7 from the first day we went to the orphange.  This sounds like it would be a positive but those 5 weeks were very, very difficult; especially the last 3 when it was just Alona and I.  We have been home 2 weeks now and it seems as if everyday she shares a little more about her life -- especially about the orphanage.   She has shared how all she had to do there was make her bed and they did not care how she made it.  They didn't care if the children left the grounds, went to school, etc.,   On the other hand, she has told us of children being hit by the caregivers for other misbehavior.  So on top of her family history these last 15 months have really caused her to try and figure out how to survive, how to try and control her circumstances.

I say all of that because the one behavioral issue Mike and I have been dealing with is her rejection/anger at me.  When rules or correction is given by either Mike or I, she gets angry at me.  We can be having a really good day and then something will upset her and of course her anger is directed at me.  We understand where this emotion is coming from but it doesn't make it any easier.  Fortunately, since we have come home this behavior is not happening on a daily basis anymore.  I have been trying to put this all in words to explain it to family and friends. This week one of the blogs I read did it for me. This post really spoke to my heart morelovetogive.com (July 13-Adoption the Hard Part 7, Rejection/Anger.  I think I have gone back and reread it 4 times.  I am so thankful for other families that are willing to be honest and transparent about their adoption experiences.  I have learned from them and it is encouranging to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.



I am happy to say that most days

Home 10 days

Time really flys once you get home.  I always said I would not quit writing about our adoption journey when we got home because that is not where the journey ends.  Now I find myself just like many others, too busy to write or not knowing what to write.  In ways it seems as if Alona has always been a part of our family and our life.  In other ways, it seems like we have just given birth to a new baby and are trying to figure out what works and what doesn't.  Some of the things we have found that have worked is keeping life pretty simple.  We haven't gone a lot of places or had a ton of people around.  We also realize that Alona does better when we give her time frames like "in one hour we have to leave to do  this" or we will go swimming at this time today and for this length of time".  Last Sunday she had a total meltdown when getting ready for church, this dress was too little, that dress was too big, the other dress was too itchy.., you get the picture.  Yesterday, we told her to go pick out what she was going to wear to church and explained what time we would wake up and when we would leave, etc.  She did really well considering she had to sit still for 1 1/2 hours and doesn't understand that much English.  She did follow along in her parallel English/Russian Bible and I think that helped.

She is trying very hard on learning English and is repeating everything she hears.  She does make us laugh though because she gets stuck on certain words/phrases and repeats them over and over.  For a few days it was "What are you doing", then it was "this is it" and now it is "very beautiful".  Everything is "very beautiful" from a book, to the food for supper, to a song on the radio, to a lizard outside, and the list goes on.  We just got Rosetta Stone for English loaded on our computer tonight, so we will try that tomorrow.

Days 1 & 2 Home

The first and second days home have been good.  It is like a dream come true..., at home, in my own comfy bed, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, and my washer & dryer!!  A bigger blessing is having my family all asleep under one roof.  I am very tired but know that it just takes time to adjust to the 8 hour time change and lack of sleep while I was away.  Alona on the other hand is up very early and has been going full speed.  I think part of her is afraid that if she doesn't do right now she might not get to.  She has been swimming, bike riding, rollerblading, rearranging her closet, and washing her hair several times.  We did go shopping also for some shoes for church and p.j.s and had no major meltdowns.   Yea!!

WE ARE HOME!!

We made it home safely and on time.   I was a little worried about making it through customs, immigrations and security in Washington D.C. with only a 2 hour layover, but we made it!!  We landed in Terminal B, went to Terminal C for customs & immigration and made it to Terminal A where they were just starting to board the plane.  We landed in Texas exhausted but into the welcoming arms of many friends and family members (we were counting today and it was right over 50 people).   It meant so much to us to have them all there!!  They have been praying for us, encouraging us, and supporting us throughout this journey. 

Slava Bogu!!! We are coming home!!

Slava Bogu means "Praise God" in Russian and I am definetly praising God today!!  It has been a long and crazy day, but we have Alona's visa and will be picked up for the airport in 3 1/2 hours!!  No sleeping tonight!!  Please pray for travel safety, no delays on flights, and a quick, easy time going through immigration in Washington, D.C. --  we want to make it home on schedule!!  We should arrive in San Antonio at 7:25p.m.   I have missed everyone and home so much and Alona has already told me "Nyet plach" No crying!!  I can't really promise that at this time.  This has been quite a journey and I am talking about the last 2 years not just the last almost 6 weeks.  I know this is just the beginning really, but as Mike always says "I am looking forward to seeing how God works this all out".   I will end this post with Alona's words (she has told everyone she meets, including random people on the street) " Alona Grace Mullins go to America forever!!"

Enough Said

Today the rain let up a little.., Yea!!  I don't know exactly what is going on with the weather, but it reminds me of a tropical depression.  It will rain really heavy and then let up and then another deluge comes.  I realized a while ago that is exactly how I have been feeling the last few weeks.  I can see the sun through the clouds for a little while and then all of a sudden I am overwhelmed.  Can I do this?  Can I help heal this child's heart, will she ever truly trust & love us?   I think Alona's emotions are doing the same thing.  She is over the top excited to finally be coming to America to live forever and she names every single person she know by name.  Yet, I think the idea of me being "mom" forever isn't an idea she can fully grasp or even wants to (at times).  I think she has been on her own for so much of her life that she doesn't know how to be a child.  Then there is that part of her that is emotionally at the level of a 5 or 6 year old.  One example is that she told our translator that when she was in America before her mama and papa would not let her watch TV much and only cartoons (as she rolls her eyes).  Yet everytime we see a place that sells movies what does she look at Nemo, Toy Story, Barbie movies..,  So how do we parent this broken child who has been rejected and let down by so many people in her short life?  The only way is to totally trust and rely on God and His equipping.  He and He alone put this child in our hearts and lives.  As I was sitting here today, hearing "No" for the hundredth time.  He brought this Scripture to mind  "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you"  John 15:12   Enough said...,

First U.S. Embassy Appointment

We had our first U.S. Embassy appointment/interview this morning and it was pretty quick.  I don't know if it was because they were closed on Friday and will be closed again tomorrow, but we literally did not see another person there other than the security people and the man that handled our case.  They asked a few questions, had me sign a couple of forms, pay for the visa and told me to come back on Wednesday after 2:00p.m.  So Wednesday  at 9:00 we are scheduled for Alona's exit medical exam and then in the afternoon we pick up the visa.  Please pray for these last two things to go smoothly because I really want to be on that plane Thursday morning.

View from our apartment balconey

It has been raining pretty heavily all day and it is 55 degrees.  So after running to the Embassy, we ate at Alona's favorite restuarant and then went and bought a movie "Nemo".  When the menu comes up it gives you 4 languages to choose from and one is Russian; but Alona chose "English".  We only made it through half of the movie and then Alona said she needed to sleep for 1 hour and then watch the rest.  I thought she was kidding because she never sleeps during the day, but she fell asleep in about 5 minutes.  I guess it is the dark, cool, rainy day nap.  It is 4:30p.m. so I am not going to let her sleep but 1 hour or I will be awake all night.  I know everyone in Texas would love to have some of this rain, but I am hoping it stops by tomorrow because I am getting a little cabin fever being stuck in this small apartment for the last 3 days.  Tomorrow is an Ukrainian holiday, Constitution Day, and there are all types of celebrations planned.  They have been setting up stages and are suppose to have a parade of some type, but there is also an 80% chance of rain.  Hopefully, it will stop so we can get out and see the sights.  Oh yeah, one more thing...., guess who wanted to wear Mama's babushka poncho today?  ALONA!!

A little market down the hill from us -- most of the stores don't have signs on the front of them

Rain and Babushkas

It is raining here again today and I think that it is suppose to continue until we leave on Thursday.  So please pray I can keep a very active girl busy indoors for 4 days.  Yesterday we left the apartment to go get some type of craft to do and all I had brought with me was a travel umbrella.  This umbrella is rather small, but would work for 2 people if both people would walk close together and in the same direction; but of course it didn't work for us.  I came back looking like a soaked rat.  When we first came to Ukraine, I had brought clothes for both warm and cool weather.   The weather was so hot when Mike was here that I sent all my warmer clothes home with him.  Well now it is cool and rainy with the high yesterday being 62 and the low 56.  I have one sweater and one long sleeve t-shirt and that is it.  So with dripping wet clothes and no clothes dryer, today I am left with little to wear.  But I found a clear poncho (like from the dollar store) in the outside compartment on my suitcase; so today when we went out I put it on.  Alona just starts laughing and laughing and tells me I look like a babushka.  When we get out on the street she walks at least 20 feet in front of me and keeps turning around and looking like I can't believe she really is wearing that.  When we get done eating lunch and are walking home this babushka that lives in our building (and Alona talks to every night) sees us and comes out in the rain to ask a question.  Guess what the question is "where did your mother buy that?"  Alona says "America" and then the lady looks all disappointed; so Alona asks me if when we leave in 4 days could she give it to that woman and I say "of course".  So both Alona and this lady are happy!!  When we get in the apartment Alona decides to take a picture of me and I keep telling her "Right, mama looking good"!  She decided then she would dress up like a babushka...,

Alona babushka

Counting Down the Days!!

This on the main street also -- Kreschetik Street

It has been a quiet day.  It has rain most of the day and been in the 60's.  I think it is suppose to be this way for the next few days.  Alona and I have played cards, colored, played games and watched a movie.  Now we just went out and bought a kit to make some sun catchers; hopefully, this won't be a big mess. 
I made a calendar when we first got to Ukraine for the month of June in English and Ukrainian.  We have been marking off the days until court and until papa left to go home.  Today I told Alona we could start marking off the days until we get on an airplane for HOME!!  5 more days.., well since it is 9:00p.m. here in Ukraine I am going to say "4 more days"!!!!

WooHoo..., PASSPORT!!

We picked up Alona's passport today at 3:30 p.m.   I am so thankful!!  It felt so strange when I opened Alona's passport up and saw her picture and then saw the words "Alona Grace Mullins".  It still feels surreal to think that she is really our daughter forever. 

Our first U.S. Embassy appointment is Monday at 10:30.  Tuesday is a holiday here, but the plan is for Alona's exit medical exam to be done Wednesday morning and we have our second U.S. Embassy appointment Wednesday afternoon and hopefully leave with a visa.  Our facilitator told me to go ahead and book my flight home for THURSDAY!!  That is only 5 days away (not counting today or the day we fly).  Please pray specifically for everything to go smoothly with the Embassy and the medical exam; so we can be on that plane early Thursday morning.  I don't have the exact itenary of our flights, but I think we land around 7:30p.m. in San Antonio. 

I had a really great time tonight!!  My friend and neighbor, Letty Quintero and I went to dinner to celebrate her last night in Kyiv.  She is returning home with their 4 newly adopted children.  I don't think either of us ever imagined that after hosting 2 years ago, that we would be in Kyiv at the same time bringing home our children within 5 days of each other.  Isn't God amazing!!

A New Day!!

This was taken at 10:00p.m. last night and it looks like this again by 3:50a.m.

Did you think you signed on to the wrong blog?  I decided to change the background to reflect the change in our journey and because today is a new day!!   I know Colby (our son) is going to hate it because he does not like color.   I have been a little down the last few days because I miss home (family, friends, etc.), I miss talking and understanding people around me, I miss ice in my drinks, etc.,   I have become impatient with how long everything takes in this process; and I even have become a little overwhelmed with some of our circumstances.  I realized last night how selfish I am being.  There are many families that would give anything to be in my shoes.  The SDA is shutting down (for sure) on July 11th -- the information is now posted on the U.S. Embassy website.  A new ministry is suppose to be set up to take over the facilitation of adoptions; however, no one know how long this will take.  I feel so sorry for those families waiting to come get their children; and even more so, for the children that are going to be left in orphanages while this transition takes place.  Instead of complaining and being impatient; I need to be thanking God for allowing us to complete our adoption just days before the shutdown.  I prayed last night for God to give me wisdom, patience and a new heart attitude.  I already today feel more at peace with our situation (even after finding out another family is getting everything done in 4 days that is taking us 10 days to complete:-)  I told our facilitator on the phone a few minutes ago, there must be a reason God wants us to stay in Ukraine for another week.  So.., I thought I would post a few pictures that have made me smile over these last 5 weeks.

This is actually how a lot of the women dress in Kyiv; needless to say I don't look fashionable

These signs are everywhere and sometimes I think Mike would agree that an Ukrainian wife wouldn't be such a bad idea.
www.WIFE.in.ua

This next picture is one I took on Sunday as I was walking down Kreschetik(the main street in Kyiv).  Two black cars came barreling down the street, shots were fired and then the cars screeched to a stop.  Two men dressed in black that looked like bodyguards jumped out and then the man in white step out.  As I was experiencing a mild heart attack,  an announcement was made (in Ukrainian) and everyone clapped.  I found out later it was a demonstration about the security that is being put in place for the Euro 2012 Soccer Event that Ukraine is hosting.  They have clocks throughout downtown counting down the days until the event begins. 

Alona and her best friend Galina

Back to our normal...,Day 33

Well now that we are finished with the Ukrainian side of the adoption, today was back to the normal routine.  We have swam, walked to the market to buy fruit, water, bread, etc., and ate at Alona's favorite Ukrainian cafe.  Now we are back at the apartment and I am trying to do a load of laundry and get it hung up to dry.  Alona has made friends with 3 little boys that live in the apartment building and there is a playground right behind the building and she has been playing soccer with them ever since we got back.  That is a good thing because she has a lot of energy and she needs to wear herself out.  I did feel sorry for her yesterday when we left her town for the last time.  She was sitting with her nose pressed against the window and was very quiet.  I wish I knew what she was thinking..., I am sure there are a lot of mixed emotions.  Her best friend had left earlier in the day on a hosting trip to Spain and I know that was hard for her to say goodbye.  She said that when this girl came back from Spain then she wanted us to come and adopt her so that they could be sisters.

I got a call this morning from our facilitator and we will not get our passports until Friday; so I have set up our first U.S. Embassy appointment for 10:30a.m. on Monday, June 27th.  Tuesday is a holiday and so I hope to have our second appointment and pick up our visas on Wednesday and fly home on Thursday!!  Please continue to pray that all of this falls into place because I am really ready to be home.  In all of our 30 plus years of marriage, Mike and I never have been seperated this long and it is hard.  For those of you that don't know us, we got married when I was 19 and he was 20..., so we are really not that old.

Okay, I am really jealous because I just a phone call from my friend Letty Quintero and she flew back to Ukraine on Monday afternoon.  The region her kids are from did their passports in two days and so they get to do their first Embassy appointment tomorrow and their 2nd on Monday and get to fly home possibly on Tuesday.  I guess our facilitator knew what she was talking about when she said the Kyiv region is harder and more expensive to adopt from.  The good news is that tomorrow after their appointment we can see them and hang out and speak English.

 It was nice the other night when we were eating at Alona's favorite Ukrainian cafe and the music playing was Casting Crowns (in English).  I guess Alona could tell I liked it and she said "Mama, like the music and the soup".  The family at the table next to us audibly gasped and said "You speak English? Are you from the U.S."  They were from New York and were here to try and adopt a 4 1/2 year old boy with special needs.  They were eating and then having to take a 10 1/2 hour overnight train to their region.  They were also Christians and liked Casting Crowns and they were very impressed with Alona's English..., which made her happy.  Alona had really pretty much lost all the English she knew from the hosting trips, other than "I love you, I miss you, how are you.  Over the last four weeks, she has really started to pick it up again and I know she understands a lot more than she says.  I have had to start talking in code to Mike on the phone or else later she will say "you told papa .....,"

2 Days of Rat Races

 It has been 2 full days of craziness, running around trying to get all the documentation we need to head home. 
      Monday, I left Kyiv at 7:00a.m. and went to Alona's region.   Roman (our translator/facilitator) and I went to the court house to get the court decree.  Usually it is signed for and given to the parents/petitioner of the adoption; but in this town you have to go and get the Inspector to sign for it.  So off we go to pick her up, only to find out she is in Kyiv for the day.  Finally, a solution is come to that her office will write a letter and the court will accept that and we will be given the court decree.  Then off to the orphanage to do release paperwork there.  Then we take Alona to have her picture taken for the passport and visa.   Then we have to take the Assistant Director back to the Inspector's office to drop off and sign some paperwork. Then we have to take the Assistant Director to the Registration Office to do paperwork.  The way it was explained to me this last step is sort of like a census and was started back when Ukraine was part of Russia.  So the paperwork is necessary to unregister Alona, or something like that.  Then we run and do copies and go to a notary and then back to Kyiv. 
    Tuesday, I get picked up at 7:00a.m. and back to her region and to the Birth/Marriage/Death Certificate Office.  It opens at 9:00 but we were told to get there at 8:30a.m.  Well we show up along with about 70 other people.  I was told this is a big wedding month, I guess just like in America.  When the doors open everyone starts pushing and shoving their way into this long skinny hallway.  I felt like I was back at Wurstfest in the 80's.  I lost Roman in the midst of this chaos, mainly because I am only 5'2" and everyone was really tall.  When I found him, he told me that we were number 3 in line for Birth Certificates because almost everyone else was there for Marriage Certificates.  Well we waited and waited and waited and then were told that our case was being given to a specialist?  When we found her office she told Roman that she could not issue a Birth Certificate because she needed both parents to sign.  Her reasoning was because we were both listed on the Court Decree.  Ramon politely explained that Mike was back in the U.S. and that he had never had to have both parents present to get a birth certificate.  This went back and forth and back and forth and he finally asked her to show him the law that stated this.  She said that she had been doing her job for 15 yrs and she knew the law and did not have time to show him.  So to make a even longer story short, Ramon made many phone calls and got a copy of the law that stated only one parent needed to be present and then he had to go and get a letter from the judge that did our court case.  And in a quick 4 hours and 5 minutes we got Alona's new Birth Certificate.  Oh one other side note, after all of this when I do finally have to sign for the Certificate she never even asked to see any form of id.  I told Roman he should of just said he was Mike and signed the paper; since she never checked that I was who I said I was.  After that we went and had her name changed on a tax number of some sort.  Then back to make copies and a notary.  Then over to the passport office in that town to start some type of paperwork.  Then back to the orphanage to deliver a copy of the new birth certifcate and pick up Alona's medical records.  Then a quick good-bye again to everyone and off to Kyiv we go.  We get here right before 5:00p.m. and go to the passport department here and Alona's has her picture taken again to have this office issue a passport.  We made it back to the apartment at 7:00p.m.
     I am happy and excited to announce we have now finished the Ukrainian side of the paperwork.  We now wait to get Alona's passport -- we are hoping for Friday.  Then we have to schedule two appointments at the U.S. Embassy and have an exit medical exam.  The place where the medical exams are given is closed Monday and the U.S. Embassy is closed Friday and Tuesday.  So a specific prayer request would be that we get that passport and get our first appointment on Monday and our second on Wednesday and fly out of here on Thursday.  This is a best case scenerio:(
    I know that I said I was going and try to enjoy every part of this journey because we have waited so long to come and adopt Alona.  However, I have to be truthful and say that these last couple of weeks have been very stressful.  I won't go into a lot of details until I am back home; but the new orphanage that Alona was put into 15 months ago has really not been good for her.  The director is evil and I do not use that word lightly.  Alona has learned some coping techniques that are not acceptable.  So a BIG prayer request would be for God's wisdom and direction for Mike and I as we navigate through this unforseen territory.  We did not go into this adoption with our eyes shut and knew we would have some hard work ahead of us.  All this being said, we love Alona with our whole hearts and feel with God's help we will be able to help her heal, learn to trust, and learn what unconditional love really is. 
     To end this post on an upbeat, I will say if anyone wants to work on strengthening their prayer life--try international adoption.  I have not only been on my knees praying for help with Alona, but I have prayed over riding the metro, prayed that I could get the washer door to open (it was stuck), prayed that I could get the water to turn off in the kitchen, prayed to get the stove's pilot light lit, prayed that I could find my way back to the apartment...., well you get the picture.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

I always knew my husband would make a terrific father.  He acts tough on the outside, but is all marshmallow on the inside.  I was the one who wanted children first and I was/still am a baby nut.  I love babies!!  I touch every pregnant woman's belly and I love to hold everyone's babies.  Almost all of our friends had children before we did, and my husband could never understand why all of them thought he would want to hold their newborn babies.  Yet that all changed when we had our own child; then I had to fight for a chance to hold our son.  My husband loved coming home from work and sit with our son lying on his chest for hours.  He helped coach our son's soccer and baseball teams, never missed a school function, helped him with many merit badges for Boy Scouts, volunteered at his school, and loves him unconditionally.   Even more importantly, he has been the spiritual leader of our home.  Teaching our son about God's Word and His Son, Jesus Christ.

What makes me especially proud of my husband, as a father, is that when he could be counting down the days to an early retirement, or a vacation, or a new home, etc.  He instead chose to follow God's call and become a father to the fatherless.  He chose to adopt and love a little girl that others have called unlovable.  And I know in my heart, that he would (and probably will) travel halfway across the world to do it again. So even though Alona and I will not be home in time to celebrate Father's Day with him and our son; I hope he knows how much he is loved!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!
LOVE YOU PAPA!!


Learn to do right; seek justice
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17

One month today our Ukraine adventure began; 10 wait period over yesterday

Alona and her uncle

Yesterday the 10 day appeal period ended on Alona's adoption.  This 10 day period gives anyone (with valid reason) an opportunity to appeal our adoption of Alona.  We did not think anyone would oppose our adoption of her, but I guess you never know.  Well this morning at 9:00a.m. I get a call from our facilitator and she tells me that late yesterday (day 10) that Alona's uncle had called the orphanage and was wanting to see Alona today.  I asked if they were appealing our adoption of Alona and she said no he would just like to see her.  She asked if I opposed this meeting and I said "no" if Alona wants to see him that is fine with me.  Of course I hate that every decision that has to be made is when it is in the middle of the night in the U.S. and I have to make them on my own.  Oh well..,

 Let me back up and explain this relationship..., last April right after Alona was moved to the big older orphanage, we were informed that an aunt had called the director to inquire about Alona.  (We found out later that the aunt is really Alona's bio mom first cousin sort of. -- Alona's grandmother and this woman's mother were half sisters).  Anyway, as we have found out in Ukraine it is very common for people to call someone aunt or sister no matter how far off the relationship is.  This woman said that she knew Alona's mother had given birth to Alona but they did not have contact with her after Alona was two years of age.  She was not a  big fan of Alona's mother.  She said that they had no idea that Alona had been in the orphanage system and wanted to pick her up for a few days.  We really felt like they would adopt her or at least foster her so that she would not have to live in this bad orphanage.  But after having her for a few days, they returned her to the orphanage and they have had only had minimal contact with her after that. But oh well back to the story...,

So we met at the McDonald's in Kyiv at Independence Square and Alona seemed happy to see him.  He seemed like a nice enough person.   He spoke no English and I speak very little Ukrainian so Alona did the translating.  He asked to exchange contact information with him and I did and he asked if they could Skype Alona and I said "yes".  Okay, here I go again being honest without trying to sound judgemental...., one problem I had with him is that he bought Alona two ice creams and let her keep the change --12 hyrivnas.  Then as she ate her ice cream, he sat and literally showed me about 200 or more pictures on his camera.  The problem with this was it wasn't of family, it was pictures of all their vacations.  One in Moscow showing me all the palaces, St. Petersburg, etc., one of a Mediterrean cruise they went on, one of some ocean where they went snorkling and scuba diving in caves & one of a friend's of their house on the Black Sea.  It was all very beautiful, but it made me sad for Alona.  I know he was just probably trying to show me that they were not like her bio mom; but I would have prefer them just calling Alona or visiting her or something.  I asked if he had any pictures of Alona's bio mom and he said "no".  I then let Alona show him her photo book that I had made for our trip to the SDA, inspector, court, etc.,   He did look at all the pictures and asked some questions.

Anyone who knows me knows I hate dressing up or posing in silly pictures, but I was being a good sport today

We then spent about 3 hours walking around Kyiv and he took a lot of pictures.  At one point Alona and him were walking ahead of me and I heard him ask her something.  Alona said "Alona no like her Ukrainian mom" and then she mimicked some actions and then she said "Alona loves her American mama". " Alona's name is Alona Grace Mullins." 

When he got ready to leave, he kissed me on both cheeks and said something.  Alona translated and said that he like her new mama very much and he was happy she was going to America. 

P.S. I have been on this Ukrainian adventure for 1 month today and tonight I am celebrating!!  I found an ice tray and bought bottled water and am making ice cubes.  Tonight it will be CocaCola Light over ice..., YUM!!

Day 27, It was good

Alona working on her bracelets..., like the tiger sheets on the bed.  They match the tiger throws on the chairs

The "it was good" was Alona's words about today.  I went to the orphanage & got Alona,  then to eat, then to swim and then on a 2 hour shopping excursion.  Guess what for?  Embroidry thread!!! It seems some older girl at the orphanage made her this bracelet before she left for her hosting trip to Spain.  Now Alona is determined that she is going to make them for all her friends at the orphanage as going away gifts.  Well 2 hours later and a whopping 10 hyrivnas (a little over a dollar) we found it.  She is happy as a clam.  We successfully made it through this with no pouting, eyerolling or anything!!

I have decided this is how she is like me, I tend to roll my eyes..., unintentionally.
She is like Colby (our son & now her brother) because she likes to say "Eat at restuarant please" He doesn't believe in cooking.
She is like Mike because she loves desserts. If we go to one of those Ukrainian cafes (like a Luby's) she tries to get me to let her have 3 desserts..., not doing it!!  At least if Mike eats more than one dessert it is like gingersnap cookies, low fat yogurt or no fat pudding.   I told her "no" today and said diabetes runs in papa's family and so you can not have all that sugar..., she said okay!  I know she has no idea what diabetes is, but she always wants to be like papa so it worked.

Played Tourist Today

I played tourist in Kyiv today and went to some of the normal sites that people visit.

Bogdan Khmelnitsky (a national hero) 1888

St. Sophia's Cathedral 1017

Church of St. Michael's 1070

This is right outside the SDA building and there is a bug (looks like a beetle) on the man's bottom.  You are suppose to touch it for good luck.

PinchukArtCentre

I was told this was a museum with contemporary art, but I am not quite sure.  The current exhibit is called "Your Emotional Future".  It is free of charge, but don't think I would recommend it. I don't know how to describe it..., when you entered one room it was very hazy, with bright lights and you could not see anything. It was like walking in a maze.  Another room had very disturbing art work and then in one corner it had this big ball made of purple butcher paper and it had written in English "Blow Up" and there was small pieces of this paper on each of the paintings.  I am really not making this up, it was so weird that I could not wait to get out of there.

Sunshine & Roses vs. Honesty

I have received word that people back in the U.S. are getting worried because I haven't blogged in 2 days.  I am alive, well and doing okay. I haven't blogged because I knew I would have a hard time putting into words what I am feeling and experiencing right now.  You know how when you are a little girl and and you imagine exactly how your wedding day will be and then years later it isn't exactly the way you imagined it.  I think that is what I did with adopting Alona.  The only problems I even envisioned were with the legal aspects of the adoption. I never thought I would experience any problems with Alona herself.  I thought that as long as we were in Ukraine everything would be sunshine and roses.  I thought we would have the honeymoon period everyone always talks about and then start having some problems after we got home.   Ninety percent of the time she is the same same sweet, loving, high-energy little girl that we hosted twice; and the other 10 percent of the time she is testing us (me) or seemingly pushing me away.  It has caught me off guard and I am trying to figure out the best way to handle it and there have been moments when I have thought I am not equipped to handle it.   I then remind myself that God does not call the equipped but equips those he calls.  I find myself constantly analyzing why she is doing some of the things; but I have realized that I don't think she even knows why she is doing some of the things.  After it is over, she will always apologize and tell me how much she loves me and will listen and obey me.  If I am being honest then I have to admit that this is just what I do when I sin against God.  I know it is wrong and I love Him so much that I want to listen and obey; but I fail.  And even worse, sometimes when I am hurting or afraid and need Him the most that is when I push Him away.  So maybe that is exactly what my daughter is doing to me.

I am not trying to be depressing; but to be honest.  I know that God had my family planned for me from the beginning and it included this little Ukrainian girl.  I know in my heart she is and always has been my daughter.

 I took her to the beach (river)  the other day and their were many children running, splashing and yelling "Mama"; but even with my eyes closed I recognized her voice..."mama" -- because she has been in my heart for 11 years.

 So maybe this part of the journey has not been exactly how I imagined it 2 years ago; but it is exactly as God planned it.  I know that He is using this time to grow my faith and to teach me once again to surrender and trust Him completely.

Randomness of a Sunday

I just love this picture!! It proves kids will be kids no matter where they are.  Alona came to our apartment and built a tent on the balcony.  She had the best time out there coloring and singing to herself.

This was our ride to court -- it cost 60 hrivnya or about $7.50

I have successfully taken the Kyiv underground metro two days in a row and not gotten lost.  It is really cheap -- 50 cents round trip.  I have to admit I do pray before I get on it and when I get back to the apartment.  Another first, is that I swam at the Hydropark today; it is basically a beach area along the river that runs through Kyiv.  The river is brown just like the river in Alona's town; but I did see a lot of fish so I think that is a good sign that it is not toxic.  There were probably around 200 people in our area and I was one of 3 women in one piece bathing suits.  I knew I would stand out, but I am just not comfortable in their tiny bikinis; even though all ages and sizes wear them.  I figured I would just let everyone think I am part of some religious sect that requires women to cover up their private parts. 

Another interesting fact is today is the celebration of the Trinity.  I was told that I needed to buy some fennel (or some green grass) and spread it around the apartment and behind the door.  This would insure that I had God's protection and love and would keep evil spirits away.  I decided to pass on this tradition and am going to trust that God will protect me without the ritual.  Also, told that I could do not work except cook today; but I had already messed up and swept the kitchen of our apartment.

I do not know why but all the brooms are really short here -- maybe you are closer to the dustpan

 

I have been in Ukraine 23 days and it has never rained.  I asked my translator and he said it mainly rains in March and April.  To be safe I asked Mike to leave me the travel umbrella and he did; unfortunately, I did not take it with me last night and got caught in a deluge.  After it quit raining there was a plague of little gnats that came down.  So if you are coming to Ukraine soon, bring an umbrella and some bug spray.