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Wednesday, September 3, 2008







Well today was an interesting day. Jacob decided this morning that Mama was a wonderful person. All he wanted to do this morning was be held and have hugs from Mom. That didn't hurt my feelings any. It was like a light bulb came on and he decided it was okay to love us. That was a great feeling.

We met a family who is here from Germany to adopt a little boy. He is a cutie. They speak German, Ukranian, Russian, and English. Man was it nice to talk to someone in English. Jaryd also got a new teacher who speaks fluent English. That is a real blessing.
Tonight while we were at the Children's Home visiting, Kevin got hit by the swing and broke the camera. So now we are down two cameras. He sat on the other one and broke the lense. So Alec took us to the electronic store and we bought a new one tonight. It was a little pricy, but when in Ukraine with no camera, you must spent money.
Only four more Ground Hog Days. Then we will start a new routine. Jaryd is having a little bit of a hard time sharing us. He didn't want to go and see the little ones today. I think he wants us just to himself. So we will continue to visit and he will just have to cope. It is good for the little ones to see us twice a day.
Thanks again for all the wonderful posts. I know that I do not take the time to answer each one, but please know that we read and cry over all of them. It is so wonderful to have them there when we get to the computer. It is just like having all of you here with us. THANKS AGAIN.
Talk to you all again soon.
Kevin, Tammy, Jaryd, Jacob, Alyssa, and Kailyn

8 comments:

Diana said...

I remember very well the day when I knew that Joseph had claimed me. It was a truely magical moment that everyone else around me, including Blaine, missed. But it was one in which I know I heard the angles singing! It's those precious moments that will carry you through on this crazy, crazy ride...and the journey that really begins as soon as you bring your children home.

Oh, my gosh! I'd say having a teacher who speaks fluent English is a blessing!! Make sure you get copies of all his academic records (or at least written statements from her), including where he is in terms of speech, reading, writing, math, etc. If there are issues or delays in any of those areas in Ukraine, they'll show up here, too. It will be quite a while before they can really test accurately for any of these things in English. If you can get school records showing his progress and/or areas that need improvement, you will be SOOO much further ahead of the game than many of us who don't have those records are. It will help with everything from approapriate grade placement to academic testing to obtaining appropriate special services.

Get his medical records if you can as well. We were able to get Joseph's original records from the internat. They were all in Ukrainian, but we were able to have them translated here. For reasons I don't now remember why(maybe that we didn't see the need to press for them at the time) we didn't get Matthew's. Boy do we ever wish now that we had. There is so much information in those about their past that they may otherwise not have told you. Most of the actual medical stuff was off in left field and didn't include any of the "big stuff" but the details we were able to learn about their past is invaluable. So get the original medical records for all the kids if you can.

Jennifer said...

I am so happy things are going wonderful!! We still check everyday here to see any new pictures and news!! We enjoy hearing of all the adventures and the progress that is being made!! Can't wait to see you all!! We love you all! Give everyone our love!!

Jen

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

I am waiting for the moment that I know I have been claimed by my child. Shoot, I am waiting to get to travel to get my baby. I think you have the perfect little ones. They are precious!!

Blaine said...

Hang in there with the last few Groundhog Days! I remember well when we got the passports and knew we were leaving. We took a deep breath (sigh) and went out on the town and took pictures of all of the everyday things we had missed.

We took one camera and the latch on the battery/ card door broke. We improvised and got it working. However, with our laptop dead I had to buy a large memory card to store stuff on for the journey home. It was about as much as you'd pay at a high-priced store here. Good luck with your cameras!

Be sure to back up all of your photos in at least triplicate! I also went to the "hyper extreme" of making sure that the CDs with photos on them were in 1 checked bag and two different carry-on bags- just in case something did not make it home. It all did.

Joni B said...

Hey there,
Still watching the kids online every day. When you get back home I expect updates on these guys and you too.
Love ya,
Joni

... said...

Hi Kevin, Tammy and Family! Thinking of you and praying you are doing well. How much longer?

The D'Antuono Family said...

What an amazing friend you have in Diana! She is a blessing to you I am sure! Here "comments" are wonderful!
You have almost been in the Ukraine for a month...what an amazing month it has been! Soon you will begin the next phase of this beautiful journey! I hope you continue to have such wonderful bonding with your cutie kids! ;)
You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristina

Jason & Melanie said...

Kevin & Tammy~ Glad the 1st meeting together went so well. Thanks for sharing the details with all of us...it has been a joy to read!