What Could Go Wrong Goes Wrong

Well, we arrived at the Roanoke airport ready for the challenges we would face once we got to the Ukraine. We were not prepared to have all the problems start right before we even left Roanoke. Judi's name was spelled differently on ticket vs. her passport and the travel agency had voided our return tickets. So, they would not let us get on the plane. The plane left without us to D.C. It looked like we would not get the problems resolved before our SDA appointment in the Ukraine Tuesday morning. Things looked pretty bleak. Then, like an answer to a prayer, our own guardian angel (also named "Judi" who worked behind the United ticket counter) took pity on us and for the next 2 1/2 hours worked with our adoption agency and travel agent to get us to the Ukraine on time. We left for Chicago at 5:00 pm. We are at O'Hare airport and are waiting to board to Munich, Germany at 9:50 pm. We then fly from Munich to Kiev and arrive at Kiev tomorrow at 4:40 p.m. (local time - Ukraine is 7 hours ahead). Our SDA appointment is the next day at 11:30 A.M. What a start, but we hope we have faced the worse right out of the gate (literally). Thanks for all your prayers and our next post will be from the Ukraine (hopefully)

We are on our way! We are set to fly out of Roanoke at 1:45 pm today and will be in Kiev, Ukraine Monday morning. Ukaine is seven hours ahead of VA time. Our next post will be frtom the Ukraine. Vova here we come!

We Finally got the Go to the Ukraine!

Just heard this morning that we will be heading towards the Ukraine on April 15th! Thank you Lord! We are so exited but also a little nervous. We haven't seen Vova since August of last year. Pray things go smoothly

Fundraiser was a Huge Success!!!!

Well, the fundraiser went off without a hitch Friday night. More than 150 people attended. Judi and I were overwhelmed by all the love and support our friends showed. Thank you so much to all of you who contributed to the orphan fund to help us bring Vova to the U.S. It was so great to see everyone. Many I have not seen since I was mobilized to Ft. Bragg last January.

We are making the final corrections to our packet and it should be ready to be submitted soon. Yeah!!!!!!!!! Judi has done such a great job getting everything together. That girl is a mover and shaker!

It will be tough to not have Christmas without Vova but we will enjoy it with our 4 great kids. Once February rolls around, we should be ready to go. Ah, the Ukraine in the dad of winter. What to do in our diown time? Not much.

VOVA Fundraiser/Christmas Party set for December 2 at 419 Restaurant

Despite the sad news, we are going forward with out big Fundraiser this Friday night at the 419 Restaurant from 6:30 - ? Hope everyone can come out. If you are going to the basketball game, come on over after the Knights win! See you there!

A Blue Christmas

Well, we were hoping Vova would be able to stay with us over Christmas, but it looks like that won't happen. The Kherson region cancelled all hosting from their orphanages. Seems the officials thought there was too much hosting and adoptions so they decided to pull back. Concerns about "child trafficking". How absurd but these are the unforseen things we have to be ready for on this Ukranian rollercoaster. Hopefully, we will be able to get back to the Ukraine in February to bring Vova home

Christmas of Hope Fundraiser for Vova set for December 2, 2011

On December 2, 2011, a Christmas party/fundraiser will be held at the 419 Restaurant in Roanoke starting at 6:30 p.m. and featuring the live music of Corey Hunley. There will be food, drinks, and a lot of fun and Christmas cheer. All money raised, as well as a portion of the proceeds from food and drink purchases, will be used towards the costs of adopting our soon to be son Vova, from a Ukranian orphanage. Please plan on attending this event and invite whomever you wish and make this a Christmas to remember for an 11 year old little boy. We hope you all can make it!

Jake and Judi