It's Official! Vova is now a Jacobsen!

Well, as of today, Vova is officially our son and our kids new brother. The 10th day passed after the Court Order and there were no objections. As a result, this morning we drove to the register's office in the town where Vova was born in order to change his birth certificate. Below is photo of the office (pretty underwhelming)

After changing Vova's name and parents names on his birth certificate, we visited the notary and then picked Vova up at the orphanage to take him to the Ukraine passport office for his photo. Unlike Court, this time Vova was wearing long pants and a nice long sleeve shirt. I guess someone got the word about his previous appearance in Court. Too bad the photo was only from the neck up! After visiting the passport office, we went back to the orphanage. Due to the rain, we ended up playing some serious UNO with Vova's friends.

Lenin..... "The plan": We now have to wait at least 3 days for the passport to be ready. Hopefully, this happens on Friday. If not, we are looking at Tuesday, as Monday is yet another Ukranian holiday! Once we get the Ukranian passport, we have to travel to the American Embassy in Kiev to get Vova's U.S. passsport and fill out some paperwork. Even if we get the passport on Friday in Kherson, we will not take the train to Kiev until Monday night since the U.S. embassy in Kiev is also closed on Monday (I was told the embassy takes all U.S. and Ukranian holidays - Must be nice!) I am told, we will only have two days in Kiev. So, bottom line, Vova and I will be home at the end of next week. I have met a wonderful new couple from Ohio named Christine and Nathan Rohrer. They are here to adopt 15 year old Koyla who is a great kid. Now that I am the veteran around here, I am showing them "the ropes".

I will close with two observations. First, here is an open manhole right outside the orphange. This is quite common to see here. Between the open manholes and the numerous potholes in the roads, this place is a ambulance chacing lawyer's dream. I will post on facebook tonight my journey in a taxi down one of these roads.

Second, every tree in Kherson has their trunks painted white. I thought it was for reflections for headlights but was told it was to ward off some type of insect harmful to trees. Whatever the reason, a guy/gal could make a fortune here painting trees every year. All for now, will post more in next few days.