Our Ukrainian Adventure: Week One
Day
1 - Sunday, Oct 14
We were met at the airport by Gregory who took us to the
Stemples' home. (Friends of the Purperos and wonderful
people.) They showed us around Kiev I read that Kiev is
1500 years old. They were very generous and
great! (Thanks so much!) Our only pictures we
have of them came from the video camera.
Day
2 - Monday, Oct 15
Hello everyone! We're here (in Ukraine) safe and sound. The
plane ride was very uneventful (a little frisking went on
though!)
Today, we went to the National Adoption Center and looked through
books and books of available children of all ages, so very
depressing.
First, we had one of our MANY waits outside a
building: 
Then, we had one of our MANY MORE waits inside (both
just as cold) : 
We
read alot about bringing gifts with us. Ukrainians are
supposedly known for giving/receiving gifts. They were
recommended for the Adoption Center Director, Orphanage Director,
Judge, Inspector, whoever else had to help us with our
adoption. So they were supposed to be nice, personal,
thoughtful gifts $10-15 each. So we worked really hard on
twelve desk clocks. Allen made them and I stained
them. Turned out very nice. At the National Adoption
Center, our facilitator bought us a flower basket for the
director. We gave it to her and she lightly set it
aside. We understood why as her office was an over-flowing
flower garden. More on our gift-giving experiences later...
A lady there handed us a sheet on Oleg Mandziuk, who they had
picked especially for us as he was apparently the best of the
best and just now available to be adopted (actually not until Oct
25). We didn't find any younger children in the books, so
we chose to visit him and see.
Allen had his first experience with Ukrainian toilets, or I
should say a hole in the ground with foot pads! (Scott gave
us a better term: squatty potty!) Don't worry, Allen
videotaped it, so many of you can see it (the bathroom
silly). My experience came later - no details will be
shared!!
The famous squatty potty (we're lucky graphic
designer Allen was able to "clean" it up!)
For those who really want to know what it's like,
here's another one: 
We're off to Vinnytsya tonight - a three hour train ride
away. I'd tell you where it is, but I just don't really
know! We're going to meet 20 month old Oleg and maybe more
children while we're there.
Our new friends the Stemples took great care of us last night
(thanks guys!). Now, our facilitators are taking great care
of us.
Allen was fascinated with the brooms made of
sticks: 
We had lunch and dinner with Gregory and Oksana and were off to
the train station.
Sightseeing in Kiev: 
After a three hour ride in a small, unsanitary, (won't mention
the bathrooms - oh I just did), slow train, Allen, Luda (our
translator and helper thru this process), and I arrived in
Vinnytsya, Ukraine. I guess it's like Columbus, a region
capital and bustling center of industry and culture, tho it was
nothing like Columbus, or even Piketon!
The train ride to Vinnytsya: 
We'll email when we can and update you about Josh! We're
off to eat pizza now (the universal food!).
E-ya later! Until then, we'd appreciate your prayers!
Love you all,
Margie
Little Bro - take good care of Sydney!
Mom or Bridget - can you send this to Michelle? I couldn't find
her address!
Day
3 - Tuesday, Oct 16
Hello everyone! We are now in Vinnytsya, Ukraine. I just read that this
city is over 600 years old. We met an inspector, city
chief, orphanage director... lots of document preparation and
mostly waiting on people. I'd say waiting in line, but
there's no word for line in Ukraine! People just wait and
push! More gift-giving info: We gave
the inspector a clock and she quickly set it aside without much
thought. Same with the orphanage director. Not very
encouraging. Also not much like the experiences of others I
read about.
We used
a notary many times daily, so we learned the sign
well: 
Then we were off to meet Oleg.
Driving to the orphanage: 
We were led to a room with 8 - 10 little 1-2 year old boys.
They pointed out Oleg, who smiled at me and reached up for my
hand. Then Allen sat him on his knee for a while and picked
him up. When I reached for him, he frowned!! He is 20
months old, very bright and beautiful, healthy, the crowd
favorite... He's a wonderful child, a little older than we
anticipated, so we're still weighing the decision. We'd
appreciate your prayers as this is tough over here!! We're having
to make life changing decisions in one night. They actually gave
us about two minutes and we said Whoa doggies! Please let us know
if you receive any answers over there!!
Then we had to go back to the director. They wanted us to
decide if we wanted him! Two minutes is not enough time for
such a decision!! It was much harder than we thought it
would be!! I thought the decision between children would be
tough, but we weren't given one! They said no other
children were available in that orphanage! We decided we'd
continue.
We went back to visit him that evening, and they bundled him up
(it's freezing here!) and made him go out to play with his new
mom and dad (total strangers to him!). It was okay for
awhile, but then he was scared and he cried until the nurses took
him back.
Getting to know Josh: 
Back at the hotel, we had to decide between Oleg or going back to
Kiev to start over and find a younger child in another
region. If we went to another region, Oleg would be
available to other families and would surely be snatched up right
away! So we had to decide about the age thing, how
important it was, what was right... He was such a sweetie,
we didn't want to risk losing him. (Even though he
was a little older than we planned, we now know God wanted us to
have a 1.5 year old!)
As for Ukraine, imagine the US with no money or traffic laws!
It's pretty amazing. We can't wait to get home, we'll appreciate
it alot more! More later, just wanted to update you! We only had
to spend $1 for an hour of internet service (wow), so we thought
we'd get alot done, but then it took an hour for two emails, so
go figure!
Anyway, we love and miss you all!
More soon... Margie & Allen
Day
4 - Wednesday, Oct 17
Hellooooooooo! Thanks soooo much for the emails
(and please keep them coming!). We're starving for American
interaction over here right now! We only have one TV
channel (at this "hotel") that's in English and it's
not always in English! Our interpreter barely speaks it, so
we don't get alot!! We'd love to read more everyday!!!!
Went to McDonald's twice today, it's just easier. It's 8 PM
our time, so that makes it 1 PM there! Our day is over now.
We spent much of our trip right here: 
We have a son!! He's already outgrown the car seat we
borrowed from Trevor!! (Thanks tho!) He's 23.5 lbs if
our conversion is correct! 20 months old, has brown eyes
and hair, 16 teeth (found out actually only 12), and is very smart.
We began working on our strategy for winning over Oleg (they call
him Aleishka as a pet name - it's like a nickname for Oleg - you
know Marjorie - Margie). Allen had the idea to take crayons
and paper. We colored and ignored Oleg so he would come to
us, which he did right away. The nurses said the children
never had crayons or pens so they didn't know how to use
them! (Silly Americans). Oleg was the only one to try
to color. He sat in his little chair and watched
Allen. He'd look up and watch closely and look back down
and try. Of course he didn't hold his paper, so it wasn't
very effective, but he was trying! They all said he was the
smartest and most clever in his group and we see that alot.
He enjoyed the game I made of rolling the crayon back and
forth. When it was time to go to the bathroom (more on that
in a minute), all the other kids ran off and he put the crayons
back in the box. Now he's a serious clean freak.
Always has to put things away (not always in the right
place, but away). He can't stand to get dirty. He
begs us to wipe his hands if he gets the littlest bit of food on
them. At a park here in TN, he loved playing in the
sand. Well, he loved walking in it, digging with sticks,
and burying toys. But he didn't want to touch it, because
he kept having to wipe off his hands. Washing his hands in
the sink is one of his favorite things to do.
Back to the bathroom, I guess they all go at the same time,
because they all filed into another room where the nurses put
each of them in a bucket!! They pulled down their pants and
actually shoved their tiny butts into buckets! It was so
sad, but I guess it worked just fine. Then they all just
sat there until someone got them up! Interesting.
(Scott and Cymp - maybe you could use that strategy?!)
That'll be interesting to break that habit!
Then we played with a ball for awhile, while he laughed, giggled,
and squealed. Then he kept hearing his friends in the other
room and kept peeking in the door, so we let him go and left on a
good note. He came back and and waved bye-bye (which we
learned was pa ka). A great visit.
The two kids playing: 
We'll fill you in on more later, just wanted to share the
news. We still don't know when we'll be back still.
Lots of paperwork and strange delays here. Apparently you
can work from 10 - 12 one day and not even come in until 11 - go
figure. Kind of like Steve's job I guess!! (Just
kidding Steve).
much more to follow when we have more time...
Love,
The Lundys
Mom - could you find a car seat for a child 20 - 30 or 40
lbs??!! Thanks!
Ryan - how's Syd??
Mike - Sorry you are (still) rooting for losers! Go
Bengals!
EVERYONE: By the way, we need email!!! We're lonely
now!
Day 5 - Thursday, Oct 18
We visited Oleg (soon to be Josh) in the morning.
Allen had bought another toy (of course), a ball that lights up,
plays music, and rolls around by itself. Oleg figured out
right away how to turn in on and off, and that was the game we
played for a while. Never mind what it does, just make it
go on and off! He quickly destroyed the ball when we
got home. Balls are made to throw and this one just
couldn't take the punishment.
We played and walked around and left at lunchtime. Another
great visit. This time he cried when we left, because he
didn't want us to leave! Hopefully, we'll go back tonight
and visit again. Allen (of course) bought more toys for
tonight. Building blocks!
That bring us to now. Luda is doing some paperwork chasing
for us today. We're wandering around a strange city and
unable to speak to anyone!! We just dropped off film to be
developed by tomorrow (at least we hope that's what we we
did! She didn't speak English either!) We'll try to
find a scanner tomorrow, so expect pictures if we're
successful. Luda thought we shouldn't go out alone!
She thought Allen was brave just to wander around the
"department store" alone! The store was like tons
of booths with independent vendors. Allen's having fun
messing with Luda since she doesn't understand his humor (does
anyone?!).
Specifics about Josh:
23.5 pounds, we can't remember his height (sorry mom).
We're going to try some 1T (found out I meant 24 mo.) and 2T clothes on him
soon and will let you know.
Brown hair, brown eyes (my son), long eyelashes, chubby cheeks.
So far, we know he says pa ka (bye-bye), ba ba (boom), and some
other stuff we can't understand. He was trilling his tongue
today, I can't even do that. Russian or Ukrainian stuff we
guess! He listens to the nurses and understands them even
tho we don't! Poor child will have to learn all over again!
He's completely healthy and normal. He loves nature,
building blocks, and soccer (as of 1/13/02 we've yet to see him
play soccer or even act interested, but they said he loved it?!).
He walks pretty well, like a little robot, except the pavement is
so uneven he tripped alot today.
I'm not sure about what he eats yet, but not baby food I
guess. Table food, probably soup and milk. We took
him juice today and he wouldn't stop drinking it - like a baby
with a bottle! We'll ask more about his eating later.
They're slow on giving out details.
Now
he eats anything and everything, which is wonderful since I'm not
so great in the kitchen!
More details later...
We're still not sure on our return date. They say it could
take a while, then they say if we find the right person it might
not, so we have to wait and see. There's alot of waiting
here!
We're off to get back to visit him again.
Love you all,
Margie (& Allen)
Matt - thanks for the sports update. I needed it!
(Allen) I love the Snoopy rod idea!
Donella - thanks for the advice, but my mom couldn't wait one day
to buy a carseat!
Mom - thanks! Slow down, there's plenty of time!
Don't send anything here! It takes weeks! We'll get
you sizes soon!
Ryan - I bet Sydney was really good while you were sick - give
her a treat for us!
MCR - sorry I can't be there! Is Lynaya the new me??
Cool!
the other Ryan - I think you picked the better way to
go! We'll go the referral route if we do adopt again!
How's Grace?
Day
6 - Friday, Oct 19
Again I must say thanks so much for the email!! We look
forward to it more than you know! To continue with our
adventures... Oleg/Josh loves us now! He's happy to
see us come and sad to see us go. Our strategy
worked! We play lots of games. He loves the rough
games with daddy best! Upside down or up in the air is the
best way to be I guess! We got lots of "mamas"
and "dadas" today! The nurses call us that so
he's getting used to it!
We have some great video and pics. We had some film
developed but haven't found a scanner yet. We'll try again
tomorrow though!
Playing: 
WARNING
- VERY FUNNY STORY COMING UP. About the "potty
buckets", we decided we'd get too many looks if we allowed
that to continue on the plane! We bought a little potty
seat and took it to the orphanage. We asked for them to use
it until we leave so he gets used to it. He used it that
day and didn't want to get up!! I'm sure it felt better
than the round edge of the buckets! The other kids
(remember they're all going at the same time and they're all
stuck in buckets) were scooting over to touch his new luxury
ride! They'd half stand, half scoot, and the little buckets
stuck to them in the air! We wished we'd taped that scene,
but we did get a picture!! We'll pass that along if we do
find a scanner!
Josh on his new potty seat: 
The others
admiring his new seat: 
Some more details about Josh: Apparently his mother was very
young and unmarried. She gave no (actually false) details
about the father. She left Oleg/Josh at the hospital two
days after he was born and he's been in the orphanage
since. We have her name, but that's all. They don't
know where she is now, just that she was very healthy, but
young. She also had no address.
We still don't know his size yet, but will pass that along soon.
Love, Margie and Allen
Ryan and Laura - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! That's wonderful news. Let
us know about the INS, we all know how that can be!!
Ryan - how's Sydney??? Write me back now!
Myra - thanks for looking after our new home! also for offering
to have a shower, you're too wonderful!
Kevin, Myra, Paul, Rita, Julia - Wish I could be there, I don't
care how hectic it is there, I hate this country! (Allen)
(Side note: Allen just said his line above very loud in a
crowded internet place and I'm scared!!!)
MCR - don't wish I could be there, but I hate it too! (Margie)
Day
7 - Saturday, Oct 20
Sorry for the delay, but we were on a train for 3.5 hours and
didn't find an internet cafe open until late. Then we got an
error message that basically said
&&%%*%%^&*((*()*^^%%^%(*$@!@!, so we gave up!
We visited Josh again in the morning (by the way orphanage
visiting hours apply to us also. 10-11:30 and 3:30-6). He
ran to me and spit in my face!!! (I guess you'd spell that
phhhllllllt). It was a beautiful moment. He actually
got that from his daddy (did anyone wonder?). The day
before Allen was doing that and tickling him, so apparently
overnight he figured it out! The nurse didn't seem to enjoy
it as much as we did!
We have a great new game. Since we're getting worn out from
playing with him, we have him "running" back and forth
between us on opposite ends of the room! He loves it,
screams and squeals the whole time. (Kind of the "red
dot game" for Syd for those of you familiar with our dog's
favorite past-time.
We moved into a new apartment, from our hotel. The hotel
was about $50 for 2 rooms ($12 for Luda and $38 for us - you can
apparently charge foreigners more around here!) So we got
a 2 bedroom apartment for $12 a night. Not bad, it even has
hot water - though we have to light some kind of gas contraption
to have it! (Hot water is hard to come by in the city so
it's quite the luxury!)
The prices around here are great for us. We paid $0.15 for a bag
of animal crackers. We got pics developed for $3. A five course
meal in a nice restaurant was $12 for both of us! Of course, we
never know what we're getting. Tonight, our translator
offered us pancakes topped with poop! Yeah, we turned that
down - ended up being poppy seeds! She also said her
brother was a kook on a sheep!! Turns out he's a cook on a
ship! We had some fun with that one!
Then we took a train back to Kiev for the weekend. We're
staying with our facilitators and doing the tourist thing.
We're documenting everything to show Josh as he gets older (and
the lucky ones reading this who will sit thru the endless
"here's this and here's that!). On the train, we saw lots of
countryside. The villages and people were right out of
Allen's Christmas village (literally). It was like going
300 years back in time! Push carts with hay, buggies,
nothing modern. The Amish are like the Jetsons to them!
Haven't had enough? Click here for Week Two!
The
Lundys: Margie, Allen, Josh, and Sydney (the dog)
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