Mariupol Marathon Day ? - Change in Plans!

Stuff happens. Things change. We’re signing Henry out of the orphanage tomorrow instead of Monday (which – surprise, surprise – is a holiday here in Ukraine). It’s all good…

We should always be prepared for a change plans. In fact, this is precisely why our facilitator usually does not share “the plan”. But in our case, I think he was worn down by spending so much time with us that he shared more of “the plan” than usual. Actually, we had asked to not pick Henry up until we were leaving Mariupol because other families have recommended waiting as long as you can as it is difficult to entertain children in an apartment, without access to things to do, typical outdoor activities, etc.  In any case, I had already mentioned to Richard that I was concerned that there wouldn’t be any administrative staff at the orphanage on the holiday to sign Henry out & that we may have to sign him out on Friday. So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when our facilitator returned to Mariupol today and informed us (quite casually and as if it weren’t Plan B) that we would be signing Henry out of the orphanage tomorrow & he would be spending the weekend with us. Still, I have to admit I was a little surprised. But I recovered quickly & of course, the first thing I said was, “Can we go to Odessa”? After his cursory pause for implied consideration he gave me the list of reasons why not. And then he followed up with, “It’s been very cold in Odessa”. He insists it’s true…

Today is the first day in quite a while that we’ve had to paper chase (or do anything, for that matter!). It felt a lot like work: nothing seemed to go as planned, everything took longer than expected, favors had to be called in, and at the end of the day, somehow or another it was good enough to be called “done”!  Our day started out in a really happy place - the office of civil registrations (births, marriages, & deaths). There was a wedding getting started. It was so tacky but so happy! I wish we could have stayed until the ceremony was over. I never really got a good look at the bride :(.

One of the offices (located inside a building with other offices) that we had business at was “closed today” – which was unexpected & a problem. After all was “mission accomplished” (one of the called-in favors – I’m sure!) our facilitator told me what had happened (he’s good about not informing you until after the crisis is over, if at all!). I asked, “Why are they closed today”? And he said, “Because they are open tomorrow” – which was clearly the (unreasonable but very Ukrainian) answer he had been given. This is yet another example of how, without a facilitator who has all the right “connections”, an adoption here would be nearly impossible! Because he, somehow or another, made it happen anyway!

Henry looked so proud sitting for his passport photo!! I just love that kid. I sooo wish I knew what was going on in that little head of his. He knows the plan for tomorrow. Pray for him. I am sure it will be hard for him to leave his friends and caregivers. And I’m sure he has questions & fears about what is to come for him.

So…(other than our brief stint last summer when Nastia was with us) tomorrow is our first day as real parents. The forecast is for rain three of our four days together in Mariupol. So we should be getting to know each other right quick, huh!? Regardless, we are excited & ready. And in some ways, we’re glad to have a few days with him before we get on a train & go collect Nastia.  

As for my feelings about Mariupol, the smoke stacks were spewing their polution at a record pace today... It's incomprehensible to me. But how can I not love a place that give me the BEST PRIZE EVER! How could I be anything but 100% thrilled!?!

Spakoynay nochee (good night). Tomorrow is a big day...