Ok we survived the Christmas holidays - now I am just trying to find my house again. It seems that a toy store and part of target blew up in it. The kids got the hang of presents real fast. They are finally starting to settle in a little bit - and we have had 2 nights where they slept all night. They get up early but that is fine since when I go back to work they will need to get up at that time anyway. We are hoping to try and bring our dog back home over the next week - as we found out that Katelyn is afraid of the cats and dog. She is slowing getting used to the cats so I have no idea what to expect with the dog. But I am so wanting to see my dog again - but I am sure he is having a good time at this grandparents house.
Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year.
Sharon & Brian, Katelyn & Alex

Finally Home

Sorry for the delay in getting this posted but it has been a crazy few days. Just before we left our internet access expired and besides that it was busy getting everything ready to go. The kids did ok flying - the parts I thought would be the worst were actually the best ones for the kids (take off and landing)but the flight itself was that was a challenge. The bad part to was that we had to change planes 2 times so it was a very long day. But we got into Chicago on time Thursday night and were met at the airport by family - it was so good to be home. The kids are getting adjusted - we start with family get togethers tonight to celebrate Christmas and I think they will enjoy opening presents. As soon as they get into a better sleeping pattern we will all being doing really good.
I'll try and post again after Christmas and update with some new pictures. Merry Christmas and Happy HOlidays.
Love
Sharon, Brian, Katelyn and Alex

We are almost ready to come home. All we have to do now is hope I can get the Visa on Wed. I go back to the US Consulate tomorrow and turn in the final paperwork and they are confident that I'll have the Visas on Wed. I'll feel better when I actually have them. Pending no problems with weather and everything goes smooth we'll all be back home on Thursday. I'm getting alittle concerned about flying with the kids but it will be good to get home. I feel for anyone on the plane if either of these two decide to have a "meltdown" they are definately masters at it. The Dr who did their medical exam for the Visa asked if I wanted to give the kids calming drops! I think they wore him out the short time we were there! Of course I'll try anything - I think the kids know stuff is going on and have decided that short naps are better than sleeping through the night. Would not be that bad except to get them to take a nap is a challenge all in itself because they are so exhausted. Other than that not much else is new. Will try and post again before we leave.
Sharon

Well it snowed again today for about 1/2 the day. I am hoping to get to see the sun again soon as it has been awhile since I saw it last. I am definately getting excited about going home soon - I just hope the Embassy paperwork comes through in time as we might be cutting it alittle close. I am planning on going there Monday morning and get the process started then go and do the medical. I'll return on Tuesday to do the final part of the paperwork and hopefully without the kids then pick up the visas on Wednesday. But until the visas are in hand and we are onn the plane home I don't think I will totally relax.

Kids are doing the same. I was hoping to get them out today but where we are staying there is not alot of places we can go with them and the weather being what it was we decided to stay in today, maybe tomorrow we'll get out alittle bit.

I meet up with another family tonight who are going to see their referral on Monday. They were hoping to leave tonight but due to the inspector being out of town they need to wait until Monday. I am saying some prayers for them that everything works out. I know it was hard enough to wait for the 2 days let alone 4 days just to see if the child will be right for them and their family. I really am hoping and praying this child is right for them.

Outside of that not much else going on - well I better get some sleep these two like to get up early!
Till later
Sharon

The kids passports are finally done and will be picked up on Friday. That means we can start the Embassy paperwork on Monday. We also got our flight arranged for next Thursday so at least we will make it home before Christmas which is what I was hoping for.

Mom and I got to do some sightseeing today. Of course it decided to snow about 3-6 inches but nonetheless it was nice to get out for part of the day. If you were wondering about the kids, the owner of the apt we stayed in offered to watch them while we were out. I was really surprised how fast the kids warmed up to her but then again they understand each other. The good thing is I think they will adjust fairly quickly to everyone back home.

Outside of that not much else is going on, I am sure next week we'll be busy getting thee final paperwork finished so that we can leave. Well its getting late and I should probably get some sleep before the two little ones get up.

Till next post
Sharon

Still waiting to hear on the passports - are really hoping to get an answer on Thursday. Getting home - well that has just become somewhat of a nightmare - at this point the very earliest I get us coming home is on Christmas Eve plus there is a lot of stuff that needs to be done to accomplish this as we would have to spend the night in Paris, which means we need to get the kids visa's just to go from the airport to a hotel. Tomorrow I am hoping to make a trip to Delta's local office and see what I can do - so say some prayers.

As for the kids they are doing good - all except at bedtime. They do not like going to sleep at this point so it is always a real challenge. Katelyn is the first kid I have dealt with that will not cry herself to sleep - but she will cry no make that scream - waiting her out - not an option yet (and trust me I've tried).

Outside of that not much else new. Hopefully Brian gets home yet tonight as he left to go home and we hear that Chicago is getting some bad weather.

Until next post
Sharon

Well I thought I would be able to post everyday but these two keep us running all day and nights well those are still real fun. If one does not wake up early the other does - not to mention the one who is sleeping in usually was the one who kept us up late.
My mom got here on Sunday and Brian leaves tomorrow to head home. They did real good with meeting my mom so I am even more excited for them to meet the rest of the family as they appear to adjust fairly quickly at this point. Grandma brought them clothes and Katelyn had to try on every outfit. Grandma Nylen sent some cream to help clear up Alex's rash and I am happy to say for the first time we have seen some real improvement - the fact that he does not itch the rash like he was before is great. Hopefully it will be just about healed when we get home.
At this point not much else new - will try and post some new pictures here soon.
Love you all
Sharon & Brian, Katelyn & Alex

It has b een an interesting couple of days with the kids to say the least. For the most part the day is fine but the nights well that’s another story. Katelyn stayed up last night until 2 am and then finally gave in and went to sleep – was definitely a long night. The best part was we had to be up and ready to leave at 8am to go back to the head of the region to get digital photos of the kids. It was about a 1.5 to 2 hour car ride one way – going there was not bad – coming home well that was a treat. The last hour of the ride Alex started screaming and then when we got him calmed down – Katelyn threw the biggest temper tantrum yet – in fact she got herself so upset she proceeded to throw up in the car. And the best part was Brian got to miss all of it since he had to stay in Kiev and get the paperwork started at the embassy to come home early. He had lunch ready for us to eat when we got back, except that in order to calm the kids down on the way home we feed them anything we had which was – 4 bananas and a small bag of animal crackers and a juice box, was probably not the best for them but at least they calmed down for the last 20 minutes of the car ride.

Katelyn loves to clean up around the place - which is great if she thinks what you just cleaned up is not good enough and will redo it to how she likes it – but truth be told she is very organized for a 3 year old. Actually as I am writing this she is currently putting all their various toys through out the apt in some fashion only known to her but don’t touch anything she’ll figure out – when she is done she’ll put everything back where it was!

The other thing we are learning with these two is that they love to eat!! The both eat very well for how old they actually are. The only challenge we have is trying to make their diets bland to try and clear up the rashes they both have supposedly from allergic reactions to citrus fruit, juices and sweets (which we think for the most part translates to chocolate).

The kids like to get dressed up in their coats and go outside – the only major problem we have is that Alex has decided he likes to be carried everywhere. At the orphanage they would make them all walk but it’s hard not to want to pick him up and carry him – he just gets a little heavy after awhile.

They are both slowly learning some English words – Katelyn is definitely picking it up faster than Alex but they both seem to understand us – except when we tell them No and they start laughing at us thinking it’s a game. Especially with outlets and the stove – my two favorite things to let them play with!! At least the outlets we have covered with duct tape and the kitchen we are staying at has a door we keep closed when we are not in there.

We’ll write again soon.
Sharon, Brian, Katelyn and Alex

Sorry for the delay

Sorry for the delay in posting again. The place we were staying at would lose power the nights I tried to get on to post plus there was not much to post at the time. We are back in Kiev and the kids are with us finally. Last night was their first night out of the orphanage - and it was a long one. But the kids are doing good. They love to take baths in fact Alex did not want to get out. Unfortunately they are making a mess out of the apt we are staying in. When I get a chance we will post more pictures. We have found that Katelyn listens to Brian better than me but she is doing great - they are even learning their new names. Not much else - we are going to the embassy later to do the paperwork that Brian needs to do to come home and get the kids out of the apt for a little bit.
Well post again soon
Sharon, Brian, Katelyn and Alex