We woke up to the news that US troops had killed Osama bin Laden. It seems wrong to my very core to celebrate someone’s killing (regardless of the circumstances…). But I am willing to celebrate that we are united &progressing toward a safer nation. And I will leave all judgment to the only One with the right to do so.
There was sunshine in Mariupol for most of the day today, so I’m willing to call a truce with Lady Mariupol. I think this is what happens when you move from survival mode to merely existing – you lose your will to win. Actually, all is well here. We’re just ready to not be here (or anywhere but home) anymore. I’d say we’re in need of our second wind, but we’ve already used that one up. And the fourth…
If anyone is interested in the statical summary: we have been in Ukraine for 30 days. We have about 16 more to go before we are out of here. As adoptions go, these are pretty good stats (especially for two adoptions in different, not-even-close-in-proximity regions). Still, we’re weary and ready to be home & start our lives with our kids.
There is really nothing terribly exciting to report today. We enjoyed our visit with Henry but are beginning to feel like our relationship has evolved as much as it can within the confines of the “green room” at the orphanage. I can tell you this, he is a sweet kid. He is curious & bright. He has not let us see his mischievous side but I am sure he has one. All boys do! My son (*especially* my son) included!!
We literally did nothing else today. We were so good at grocery shopping yesterday there was no need to repeat the challenge again today. There were meals to be made & a few loads of laundry to be done; check. And I laid in bed, ate pistachios & chocolate & watched a movie on the laptop (“Catch Me if You Can” – it was pretty good) thinking it will likely be a very long time before I can get away with such raised-in-a-barn, un-mom-like behavior again!
Otherwise, Mariupol is Mariupol. The smoke stacks are busy (in case you’re wondering) & the tulips are gorgeous.
Today is Henry’s 10th day. His appellate period is over. Theoretically, he is ours! Technically, though, it is a holiday tomorrow. So the court decree will not go into effect until Wednesday. We will obtain his new birth certificate & apply for his passport Wednesday but we do not plan to sign him out of the orphanage until next Monday when we leave Mariupol to go get Nastia. So the rest of this week & next weekend will be pretty much more of the same.
In case you’re still confused about the purpose of the 10-day waiting period. I’ve asked a lot of questions about this. Despite my really great facilitator explaining it to me & answering my questions, I still don’t really understand it. Frankly, I’d be more satisfied it they simply said, “You will be a better mother for it.” In the true spirit of Ukrainian communication, technically speaking, it is not “untrue”!!
Blessings……….
One thing I'll say for the 10 day wait is that it allows you to kind of get to know your new child and vice verse. Not a blast, but it is beneficial in some ways. Not sure how your facilitator explained it, but it's a period during which anyone (juror, social worker, orphanage worker/lawyer, bio family member, etc.) can appeal the adoption. It's rare, but it does occasionally happen. At least the judge counted weekend days; not all of them do! And way back in the day, it was a 30 day wait. Count your blessings... and your remaining days!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand, though, someone cannot appeal the adoption just to appeal the adoption. In other words, if someone had an issue or a family member was interested in establishing guardianship, they would have had to already put the wheels in motion. Which basically makes the appelate period a mute point........ Glad it's a 10-day mute point & not a 30-day mute point!! :))
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