Ukraine Adventure

Wow, what an amazing adventure!

I'll try to make it short and sweet, but no guarantees...haha!

We left on Monday, April 20th and traveled to Chicago then Munich then Kiev and then arrived in Donetsk Ukraine on Tuesday the 21st at 10:20 pm. I only had time to send a quick email before we left to Angelina in hopes she would get our date changes, flight information and our need for reservations on a place to stay. I did receive an email before we had to shut our phones off that said she would be there at 10:20 to pick us up. (Relief!)

When we arrived in Kiev Ukraine we had a few hours of layover and first thing we were told was all our luggage was send to the wrong place and it would arrive in Kiev (1) hour after our flight to Donetsk (OH GREAT!) So we got it worked out that it would be shipped to Donetsk and they 'hoped' by the next day. To top it off it was freezing cold and all our warm clothes were in the luggage, of coarse. So we snuggled up on the chairs, drank hot coffee and waited. James began visiting with some fellow Americans (the only other ones) and the mother gave us a blank after learning about our lost luggage. 

Finally, we got to Donetsk airport and before we knew it we were the only ones left standing as we were waiting for Angelina. A taxi driver tried to communicate with us that he would take us to a hotel and we begin to realize no one around spoke any English and my Russian is still very elementary. We told him we'll wait a little while longer. As we headed outside and he began to load our luggage in his taxi, Angelina arrived. Thank God, because we had no clue where to go, nor any source of communication. (WHOO that was a close one!)

What a beginning to a great adventure!

(More to come soon!)

Time to Celebrate

Today, is our son's birthday, Sasha turned 13 today. 

It breaks my heart that I cannot be with him on this day to celebrate with him, though we will see him soon.

I stand in awe as this amazing journey continues.

Funny Conversation

We talked with Sasha about a week ago and I asked what he wanted for his birthday. He responded, "I don't know." So, I asked him if he would like to go shopping in Ukraine. He excitedly responded with a "Yes, I like that very much!"

He then went on to ask, who is coming to Ukraine? After I told him he said, "I make something for the family when you come." And we continued to pass the phone around so everyone gets to talk. 

Later, he said, "Momma, you know what I make  for the family (I didn't understand)?" I responded with, "Momma knows you are making something, but I don't know what it is." So, he tried to tell me again. Then I told him, "Sasha you are making a surprise for the family." He paused a moment and said, "Yes, momma a surprise because momma not understand!" I giggled and said, "Yes, but it will be a good surprise." 

I then told him, momma is slow learning Ruskie, but Sasha is very good with English. He then giggled and said, "Thank you!"