Heading Home & Back Again

This blog was written by Russ the last day of our first trip, but I just now had a a chance to post it.
We started out this morning at 5 AM on the 6 hour trip to Kiev by van. Not sure what was worse the pot holes that will swallow your tire or the driver's quick erratic swerving to miss them (you may want to seriously consider Dramamine or Bonine to ease the car sickness) sleep is impossible trust me.
My thoughts go back to our final good-byes on our last night at the orphanage, much different than when we were here in the spring. The air was filled with much happiness, love and expectant hope! When Lena gave me her last hug good-bye it was as if she didn't want to let go and when she did there were huge tears on her cheeks. I gently brushed them away and said 9 days and kissed the top of her head as I said, "I love you sweetie."Without a word those beautiful piercing eyes of hers said, "Thank you pappa, I love you, I'll miss you, thank you pappa." After many hugs from Lena's friends and just before leaving her group I took one last lookat two special girls, Nastya and Anna P., two very sweet, loving, shy, precoous, ask for nothing, give everything type girls who want a pappa and mamma so very much ( wish our home was bigger)
Then it was up the sidewalk toward the car escorted by Artur, Dema and Erik for another round of embraces. Artur after 3 huge hugs looked me in the eye and said. "Good-bye, Ruzzell, see you." Dema with that happy ornery up to something smile said, "Russ see you, 9 days" then gave me a monster hug. Erik wanting to be last gave his usual affectionate, warm hug, looked up with that smile he normally has and said, " I love you pappa." I smiled and said I love you too, buddy. Then one more round of hugs and we were off.

Lori-
It hardly seems possible that we are back again. We arrived home last Sunday and treid to soak up as much time as posible with all our kids and grand kids. We managed to finish Christmas shopping and celebrated Christmas before heading back out on Saturday to return to Ukraine. In case you hadn't noticed that is less than a week home. It was hard to leave so quickly. This time Russ is accompanying me on the second trip.
We left Saturday morning at 9:00 AM for the drive to JFK Airport in NYC. It is a non stop 10 hour flight so we felt this would work best for bringing the kids home. Tina accompanied us, we missed Dusty but he has to work this round. When we arrived in Kiev we immediately left by van to go back to Krivoy Rig. This is the worst leg of the trip and took about six hours. Mick and Janel wish we could have stayed in Kiev and visisted with you then brought the train with you here. But we are here now. Not sure where we are staying yet. Tonght we are with Tina at her apartment we were told we were going back to the apartment we had with Noels but we did not want Tina to stay alone. Syvette called and said she will be here in the morning her and McCrackens are coming by train, still not sure why we didn't do that. Then I gusee we will move over with Eric and Cindy (if they can let the disco lights off and slow down the dancing long enough for us to get some much needed sleep). LOL