Mon. 5/7 - The whirlwind moves ahead.

Can't believe so many days have passed since our last entry, but much has occurred since Donetsk. We left Donetsk early Thurs. 5/3 and had to stop in another town so Sergey could conclude paperwork for another family and get their documents to Kyiv (SDA) for approvals. At about 3:30 we took off to Kharkiv and then beyond to Luboytin to the judges office to pick up the final judgement on our adoption. The judge had to hang around til 7:30 to give us our 11 copies and let us be on our way. That made it offical... we now have another daughter [Irina Christine Richards]. Friday we were off to the town where her birth is registered to get a new birth certificate. We had to wait 1.5 hours. When we went back we were told that the judge had erred and that our offical 10 days were not up until after 6 PM that day. But since it was an offical decree from a judge they called the Regional office in Kharkiv and they agreed to make a new birth certificate anyway. Yea! Then off to the regional office for their offical seals and stamps and the end of another day. Sergey and I celebrated a little that night. We now had to get one more document to get the passport (21 documents needed in total!!!). We needed a signed document from the orphanage to expedite a passport. Well no luck with the orphange Saurday, but then we had to get another petition notarized authorizing the passport office to issue a passport (always another form needed for everything). On the way to our appointment to get the petition from the notary we went around a corner and the clutch cable broke and we were able to coast off the road. Remembering, to expect the unexpected, I got out of the car, had Sergey pop the hood and discovered the broken cable. So we hailed a cab, went to the notary (5 minutes to spare) got the paperwork done, and took a cab back to the car. Sergey hailed another cab, stopped at a auto parts dealer, got a tow line and clutch cable came back, hooke our car to the cab and he pulled us to a repair place. The repairman came out, replaced the cable and some other minor stuff and we were done. Total time from the cable break, notary and repair - 2 hours (the fastest thing that has happened in this country, a record!!!) Oh, and the cost... $8 for the cable and tow line, $4 for the cab, $8 for the repair (I gave the guy $10 -> 50 grivna and said keep the change!!! --- what a sport...).

Sunday, we got a cake, candy, sodas, etc. and went to the orphanage for Ira's farewell. We had a surprise when we found that Director was on duty and was able to sign our final document and save a trip today. I also presented her with a gift for the orphanage. The kids had a great time. Sergey and I sat with Ira's teachers and we talked. They each present me with a personal gift and one for Debbie and one for Lisa and, of course, for Ira. As we headed out toward the car the girls were all in an embrace, especially Ira's best friend another Ira. Prior to leaving the girls hugged and kissed, Ira hugged and kissed her teachers (they were known to her while there as mama #1 and mama #2). Lubov (mama #2) cried and as did Ira and her friend Ira. I had Ira present her teachers with another gift as we left.

Today was the last leg in getting things done here before we are off to Kyiv for the medical tests/clearances and Embassy visa. We went early to get the ball rolling in getting Ira's passport and while typing this blog Sergey got a call that the passport was done!!! He just gave it to me and again, God has blessed us with His grace. We will go to the orphanage the last time to get Ira's medical history (needed in Kyiv). Ira's grandfather will take a train into Kharkiv tonight to have dinner with us and see Ira off for the last time as we take the night train to Kyiv. We will arrive tomorrow morning at 7:14 and head over for the medical exams. We will be on a sleeper (I bought the entire compartment - sleeps 4 - for $67). I will give Ira a Dramamine and hope that she will sleep all the way. We will leave Sergey behind as he will head to Donestsk to finish the adoption with the other family and be with his wife and daughter (she got her 1st 2 teeth yesterday!). We will miss him and all his help, conversations and his great attitude. He never seems to let any adversity shake him. It's great being around such a positive person. We will certainly be in touch after we leave Ukraine.

P.S. Heard from the Henry's and they were to have their court date today at (9:00) . Again thanks God and for every one's prayers. We can only believe that it's through every one's prayers from home and God's blessings that we are able to be where we are. Thank you...