3 Journies of the Heart = 1 Forever Family

Updates!  Yes, I the slacker have updated the blog listings for your reading entertainment!  Enjoy!

On a warm and sunny September day, a little girl awoke with glee.  Today was not like every day, no today was her birthday.  And, just like that she turned five. 

 

How I wish I had those first two years with her to cuddle, love and baby her.  But, I will take the three God gave me, and now watch as she tests her wings and begins the transformation into a young lady.

 

 And with a smile, a crown and a birthday dress, she takes her first twirls as a five year old...

 

 

We just returned from Florida and the Ukrainian Angels Reunion and had a blast!  My facilitator came from Ukraine with her beautiful daughter who just loved Florida.  What an experience for a little girl that had barely ever been out of Kramatorsk Ukraine!  It was even funny that she was very excited to eat McDonalds (as they do not have one in Kramatorsk)

 

Here is Valerie (from Kramatorsk), Oksana and her BFF gal pal Z!

 

The next two pics are the cute UA angel children at the reunion.

 

 

Since summer is around the corner and spring is still in the air ....

Oksana and my friend's baby goats can never hurt for a smile...Enjoy and have a blessed day!

I just had to laugh the other day while looking on FRUA.  Someone had mentioned not to hire a "cheap" (in cost) facilitator!

Why not, I wondered?  . 

Who says that a "cheap" facilitator cannot provide the same service. 

I laughed out loud when I read that.  This is far from the truth. 

 

Having seen many facilitators in action and what they charge a family, it really makes me question the integrity of those that charge "more". 

Some say the facilitator provides the expediting fees for this or that in the fee.  What?  How does one know what regions charge for this or that? 

I have been to three regions and NEVER had the same experience!

One person mentioned that the fees-lodging/meals etc.. would be paid by the family in region.  WHAT?  You just paid them X amount of dollars and now they want you to cater them too?  Is this not a business deal?  How crazzzy is that! 

 

Yes, I have paid for my facilitator to have a great meal with us or maybe a nice place to sleep, BUT only by the goodness of my own heart,  I was never REQUIRED!  Insane!  No wonder adoptions are getting more expensive!

 

The only way to stop the costs from escalating is to know WHEN to stop the overpaying! A facilitator that has worked for yearsand still charges about the same has integrity for the system. 

 

I will take integrity over greed anytime. 

I actually had heard this from my facilitator that adopting from Ukraine was set to close in June, and not to resume for at least one year.  It is still a rumor.

But frankly, the rumor is getting bigger. On June 2 the Parliment is scheduled to vote to ban international adoptions. What a tragic loss for the orphans.

 

I will not discuss it further.

 

I pray that it is not true.

 

As I was flipping TV stations, I came across a young girl that had been adopted from a South American country.  She was now in college, and had two adopted non-realated siblings from the same country.  She was searching for her biological twin, and during the program stated that although she had brothers they were not related.

 

Then it struck me.

 

Here was a young lady that had been adopted for many years; and she still referred to her adopted brothers as non-biological siblings.

 

Is this what my kids will think?

 

We have tried to ensure that they see themselves, just as siblings, but we have heard things such as; "Why did you need to get a girl?" or "Why did you need to adopt us a sister?"

Which really makes me wonder, as they age, will they see themselves as soulmates? 

Will they recognize that adoption is not about just getting a child, but rather building a family? 

Do my children believe that having another sibling just means getting on a plane and going to Ukraine?

Will my children long for their true biological siblins?

Will they recognize that families are more than just a birth family?

 

So I went back and re- read a post from http://thecabbagepatchkids.blogspot.com

 

And It struck me that yes they are REAL!

 

Here is the post...

 

When I first adopted I used Cathy Harris http://www.ukrainianangels.org/

 

I love Cathy and I love the wonderful families that are part of Ukrainian Angels.  Through UA Angels I met Masha as a translator and later

she became her own Facilitator, thanks to the experiences she collected as a translator with UA Angels.

 

Well we are now calling ALL Ukrainian Angel families for our reunion this year in Orlando. 

Frankly, if you are not a family and just want to come and meet other families; come join but it is a Ukrainian angels event so be ready to meet these wonderful families and children in celebration.

 

Email me at boomerseyler@yahoo.com for more information~

 

We will be there as we are every year and LOVE IT! 

 

:):)

 I just looked back over the blog because another family had mentioned we had adopted three years ago at the same time!

At the same time? Was it really three years ago that perhaps some of you joined our journey?  I know a few of you from that time and I hope I can always call you a friend.

I hope too that those of you that have joined us or left us or even those that might not like what I do are still here.

I have decided to continue this sight.  I will be making major changes soon and perhaps, what i do will encourage one more person to see Ukraine as the country that their child is waiting for them!

 

I love Ukraine!

I love the people!

and  I love the children!

 

Leanna~

Three years ago the NAC (or National Adoption Center) in Kyiv Ukraine shut it's doors to the adoption general public for the last time.

A new era began and the SDA was the commanding center.

 

We were one of the last families, on that day, to ever sit in the infamous "scooby doo" hallway.

 

We were also the last family to ever see a profile of a beautiful CL/CP little girl that had been available for over two months.

 

We were the lucky ones that day.   I saw families the day before crying as they left without a referral, in desperation, that they never got a child under two. 

Yet the whole time, Oksana's file lay waiting for a family to pick her.  But, her picture wasn't perfect so they chose not to look.  Thank God for that!

We chose to look at the special needs children and we found a diamond. 

 

Perhaps this is where this journey ends.  I am still debating.  I hope I have convinced others to look for the diamond in the rocks as that has been my passion for the forgotten in Ukraine.

 

Peace and blessings

Leanna

 

 

Before....14 months old leaving Donetsk

 

 

And now EIGHT YEARS OLD!

 

Where does the time go!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!