Home!

Well, after over 30 hours at various airports and in three airplanes, Vova and I finally made it home. You can see video of our arrival on my facebook page. He was so excited towards the end. He kept asking me: "Pop, how many hours?". How many hours until we get home, that is. When we arrived at the Roanoke airport, close friends and family were waiting. It has been quite a journey and I will be a better person for it. I wanted to thank all of those people who provided us financial and emotional support through the past 1 and 1/2 years. We were also blessed to meet so many wonderful families who were adopting from the Ukraine while we were, including our dear friends the Costanzas, the Rohrers, the Boldens, the Lewis's, the Ashtons and the Givens, who we met in the Kiev airport at 5:00 a.m. yesterday. It is an awesome fraternity to belong to and we are honored to be a part of it. If you have ever contemplated adoption, seriously consider it. There are many orphans out there who would love to have a home and family. Thanks for following us on our journey. Jake and Judi Jacobsen June 7, 2012

Almost There!

We traveled on the "Train of Pain" one last time Sunday night and arrived in Kiev Monday morning at around 8:30 a.m. The trip was not as bad as before, but I am glad it was the last one I will take. Vova and I passed the time playing UNO and other games. When we got to Kiev, our facilitator Alex picked us up at the train station and took us for breakfast and then to our apartment. We are not too far from where Judi and I stayed a little more than 5 weeks ago (which seems like an eternity). After taking a shower and changing clothes, we went downtown where the entire city was being prepared for Euro 2012 (international soccer tourney) in which Kiev is a host city. It is a big deal, kind of like hosting the Super Bowl in the U.S. They had closed off the main street to prepare for the onslaught of fans which will start coming June 8. After we walked around for awhile, we ate lunch at a McDonalds. Not to soon to start Americanizing my son! It was actually quite good, after existing for the past 3 weeks on pizza and chicken. It tasted the same as in America. After eating, we toured the St. Sophia churcf which was built around the early 11th century. It also had an amazing bell tower. Vova and I climbed to the top and had our photo taken. This morning, we traveled to the American Embassy to file the proper paperwork and get Vova his passport. As we were at one of the many windows completing our paperwork, I noticed a couple next to me with two small boys, ages 6 and 7. One was in a stroller and was repeating the tones over the intercom that sounded everytime a new number was called. They appeared to be Americans. Before I could introduce myself however, the lady at the window asked me to go to the next window to pay the passport fee. When I returned, the couple and boys were gone. We next traveled to a medical clinic where children being adopted must have their final medical checkup. While we waited, in walks the same couple and two boys who I saw earlier at the embassy. I asked them if they were Americans, and they said they were. They then told me an incredible story which made me feel very humbled. They were from New Mexico and had one biological 3 year old. Last year they adopted two small children with special needs from China. They were in Ukraine adopting these two boys, one who was autistic and one who suffered from cerebral palsy. The 6 year old boy who suffered from cerebral palsy was in a stroller. They told me the boy had been in a crib the entire 6 years of his life at the orphanage and could not walk. Apparantly, both of the boys orphanage was horrific. The Director of the orphanage could not understand why anyone would want to adopt these boys. After they told me their story, all I could say was "God Bless you guys!" Amazing people and yet there are many like them adopting kids who are deemed "undesirable". Lenin.... We ended the day where we started our journey six weeks ago: having dinner with our good friend Lori Costanza. She arrived in Kiev this afternoon. She is headed to Kherson on the "train of pain" tomorrow night to get her daughter Anya. Congrats to Lori and Todd! Anya, you are a lucky girl! We will surely meet back with them in the U.S. in the not too distant future. Just as long as it does not conflict with farming season. Tomorrow, we go back to the U.S. embassy to get Vova's passport and then we are done. We hope to catch a flight home on Thursday and arrive in Roanoke Thursday evening. My last post will be after we arrive home!

Final Goodbyes and New Beginings

Well, the time finally came for me to take Vova from the orphanage and begin the long trip home. The day began with me taking a taxi to the orphanage to get Vova. We first went back to my apartment and Vova changed into a new shirt, shorts and flip-flops. We then met the Rohrers for lunch at an American style pizza place. Its pizza is as close to American pizza as you will get here. Afterwards, we went to the grocery store to purchase 2 chocolate cakes, apples, grapes, 3 large bottles of coke, plates, napkins, forks and cups for Vova's group's going away party at 4:00 p.m. How did I know what to get? Well, I asked his friends about 4 days ago and they told me. I wrote it down so I would not forget. After getting the party stuff, we went back to my apartment above John Howards Pub. Nathan and Christine Rohrer will be inheriting it when we leave. I grabbed the computer hoping to Skype with Judi from the orphanage so she could be present for the party. Judi was at Drew's basketball game waiting for my call at 9:00 a.m. east coast time. Unfortunately, we could not get the remote internet connection working, so we were unable to Skype with Judi. We headed to the orphanage. The Rohrers were nice enough to accompany me to the party and take some photos. It would be a good trial run for them for their soon to be son Koyla, in a few weeks.

When we got there, the kids in Vova's group were ready to eat! So we brought in all the stuff and Vova's caretaker Olga put the food in order and Vova set the tables. Once the tables were set and the cake etc. prepared, everyone sat down to eat some cake.

Before doing so, Olga spoke some words. Volarya, one of the older kids who speaks english, translated for me. Olga said she loves Vova very much and will miss him dearly! But she and Mariana are so happy that Vova has found a loving family. With that, Olga broke down and wept. It was a very emotional moment. She came around the table and I offered her a big hug.

After that, everybody ate. And I mean they ate. Nothing was left when the party ended.

After the party ended, Vova's closest friends joined us outside to play some football one last time. The Rohrers met us out on the field with Koyla and a few of his friends. Some of the caretakers, including Olga, came out to watch. It was a very nice time. The Director did not yell at us for playing on the field. The kids just played. And on this day, they played hard and were very silly. We played a game called "Rabbit in the Middle". Basically, "keep away". It was alot of fun.

As the time got closer to leave, I found myself dreading the inevitable goodbyes. It's ironic because I had been so looking forward to leaving and going home. But it was going to be hard to say goodbye to all these wonderful kids, not knowing what their futures will hold. But, as it got close to 6:00 pm, I made the call that it was time to leave. Right before we left to catch a taxi, I took a couple more group shots.

I took one final photo of Vova with Olga and Tatiyna.

As we walked off the soccer field and towards the front of the orphanage to catch a taxi, Vova's friends followed along, acting just as goofy as before. There was no hint of sadness, tears or bitterness. All the kids were laughing and cuttin up. They seemed genuinely happy for Vova. I guess they had been through this many times before. As we approached the taxi, Vova, with a HUGE grin on his face, waved to his friends and said "Paca, Paca, Paca!" "Bye, Bye, Bye!" They all said bye back, and then we got into the taxi to leave. As we were driving away, little Sonja poked her head through the gate and waved goodbye to us as we drove off. That was a tough thing to watch. It was so happy and yet so sad. I will never forget these kids. They were incredible! However, as we drove away Vova was all smiles. Not a hint of sadness or regret. He was ready for America!

We ate dinner at John Howards one last time with the Rohrers. I gave them my 10% discount card and officially passed them the torch as the new American caretakers of "John Howards".

Now we head for home. We catch a train (yes the train of pain) one last time to Kiev tomorrow night. We arrive in Kiev Monday morning. But since it is a holiday, there is not much to do. We will meet Lori Costanza in the afternoon, as she comes back to get her daughter Anya. We go to the American embassy on Tuesday and take care of some other paperwork Wednesday. My hope is that we are on a plane for the States Thursday and arrive home Thursday nite. Worst case scenario is Friday. I will post from Kiev and again when we arrive home. Jake