Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Home, at last

After going to bed at about 2am this morning, I thought I would sleep until about 10. However, I woke up at 6, tossed and turned for about 15 minutes, and decided that I had better enjoy the morning while I can. Now, I am listening to the washing machine run, and nothing else. Complete and utter silence. It is a wonderful sound, for now at least. Bobby got tired of this sound over the past couple of weeks with no family. His entire system is about to go through shock!!!

I will briefly update you on my trip to "Amerrrrriki' as the kids call home. We left our apartment on Monday at 1pm Ukraine time (5am B'ham time). After going through customs in Kiev with new birth certificates, visas, and 25 pounds of documents, we were on our way. Our flight left on time, got to Amsterdam at about 8:30 pm, as scheduled, and we got something to eat (McDonalds's) before going to our hotel at the Amsterdam airport. Our hotel room was a "triple room", meaning 3 twin beds and was only for 3 people (I knew I would need to sneak 3 kids in). I left Kevin just outside the lobby area with the other 4 kids while I checked in. I received the key, motioned for Kevin to lead the way with everyone else and proceeded 3 doors down to our room. I opened the door, let everyone in, and knew immediately that not enough heads had come through the door. I turned around, looking into our room, and 4 pairs of eyes are looking at me through the dim light of the hallway. I asked Kevin, "Did everyone come in?" His answer was, "No, Keri Jo is out there somewhere." Great answer from my usually responsible son. I guess he would have just left her out there and told me later!!!! I go out of the room, to the lobby, and find Keri Jo standing by the railing that overlooks part of the airport. She was in her own little world; not afraid at being alone in a strange place, just standing and looking.
Once we got baths and settled in for the night, sleep came easily. The room was nice, and 4 of the kids were able to sleep in 2 of the beds that had been pushed together. Kevin slept in the floor, and I had the other twin bed.

We got up early the next morning (check out time was 9am), and I went to check in at the NWA/KLM service counter since the Kiev counter told me that I would need to check in there. Thankfully, everyone speaks English there and I was able to get a nice lady there who advised me that the tickets for the 3 new kids was issued incorrectly, but there were plenty of seats on the plane, and she corrected the mistake. I am so glad that we did not have the large-boned "Helga" at the next window who "Haccchhtted" to everyone that came to her (I am sure that you have heard the Dutch language). She must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed and I felt sorry for all of the foreign travelers who went to the "service center" and ended up at her window!!!
We had lots of time to wait at the airport. Time went slowly, but we boarded and took off on time. After a 9 hours and 15 min flight, we exited the plane, glad to be on American soil (in Memphis). We proceeded to immigration services/customs with everyone else on the plane and were shown to a small room where others with passport problems, etc. are "interviewed" by gunned men and women in uniform. The kids behaved exceptionally here. I am not sure if they were tired, or afraid of the uniforms/guns. We waited for about 30-45 min, then proceeded to our gate. Upon arrival, the gate was full of people waiting to get on the small aircraft. As soon as the ticket agent saw me, he said, "You must be the Kemp family". I thought to myself, "Oh, how nice...He actually knows our name. He must have been advised by Immigration that we are on our way." How wrong I was!!! His next statement was, "Our flight has been oversold by 3 seats, and everyone else has checked in. I will try to find someone to give up their seat for you and your family". 2 "someone's" came forward willing to give up their ticket in exchange for a hotel room for the night and a credit voucher to be used to buy a later ticket. The 3rd "someone" did not materialize, even after the ticket agent went on the plane after all passengers had voided. The plane left without us on it. My spirits are still up, I am in Memphis and I can drive home.

Next, I proceed to the car rental kiosk. I began calling, "Do you have a rental car leaving tonight, one way to Bham, for 6 people?" What seemed to be a very easy task of renting a car and driving to Bham was beginning to look like it was not to be!!! I called every car company listed, but most companies were completely booked, some had no one-way service to Bham, and one only had a compact car. The last company that I spoke to was the national reservation # with Alama. Yessss!!!!! They had a minivan. We excitedly got on the shuttle to the off-site car lot, and went in the the lady standing at the counter. "Ma'am, I don't have a reservation for you." Those words that you never want to hear!!!! I am still not concerned and explained that the reservation had just been made. She called the national #, I spoke to another lady there and was told that my reservation had been made, but it had been made for November 2, 2010!!!! Yes, next year. The lady at the ticket counter looked at me, glanced at all 5 kids and said, "We don't have any kind of car for you." Now was the moment that everything was not all right and the outcome that I wanted looked bleak. I was going to have to spend the night in another hotel!!! My weariness and whatever-you-want-to-call-it, came forth and I started boo-hooing, right in front of this lady. I might show a lot of different emotions in these situations, but usually this is not one of them. However, I think that God knew what would work in this situation, and as usual, He is in ultimate control!!! This angel in front of me immediately said, "We will find you a car." She picked up the phone, made one call but no luck on the car. She left the counter, was gone 2 minutes, came back and asked for my driver's license and credit card. She told me that there were 2 minivans just outside the door, take my pick, the keys are in the car. The kids could not believe that they were going to ride in such a "royal" car, after seeing the small European ones all of their lives. As we left the car rental gate, I almost expected for a guard to stop me and tell me that it was a mistake, and that we needed to take the car back. But, no, I made it safely out of the gate, and to B'ham in about 3 hours, arriving home at about 11pm.
Once we arrived, it was like Christmas morning!!! Lots of ooohs and ahhhhs, running up and down the stairs, and the pulling of 2 teeth (Kolby). I am not sure what it is, but if you are adopted into this family, you must immediately lose some teeth (Katie also lost a tooth on the first night that she was here). So, in addition to it being like Christmas, the tooth fairy will get to visit!!! Bobby was able to meet the plane that we were supposed to be on (our luggage made it), retrieved our luggage, and partied with church friends that had come to meet us for the first time!! He was able to call other family and friends to let them know about our delay. Thank you all so much for your out-pouring of love and support, not just yesterday, but for the last 5 weeks!!!

So, what started as an adventure, has ended with an adventure!! We are all home, under one roof. Bobby had done an amazing job with cleaning the house, changing beds, etc. in preparation for our home-coming. The kids had "Welcome home" signs and balloons and a few gifts that others had brought. It was all such a welcoming sight, and it smelled like home. There truly is no place like home!!! Now, I am drinking coffee, waiting for the pitter-patter of little feet.

NOT!!!! You obviously don't know how loud newly adopted Ukrainian children are - their voices and their feet!!!!! Can't wait until they get up!!!

Blessings,
Kim

Sunday, November 1, 2009

On The Way Home

I have talked with Kim this morning and all is going well. They have begun their journey home. I would like to thank all of you for your prayers this last week. I would like to invite everyone who can to help me welcome Kim, Kevin, Katie, Kolby, Keri Jo, and Elijah home at the Birmingham Airport Monday November 2, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.

Bobby

Today's the Day

Well, it's finally here; the day that we have been waiting for. We are packed and ready to go. We are all so excited to be flying out today. Our plan is to fly to Amsterdam this afternoon and spend the night in an airport hotel. We fly from Amsterdam Monday afternoon and are scheduled to arrive in B'ham Mon. night at 8:30pm. The next 24 hours may be a little stressful, due to all the excitement!!! The only homecoming that I can imagine that could be more exciting is when our Lord returns to take us all to our Heavenly home!!!!

Yesterday, all 3 kids learned the meaning of a "time-out" and the enforcement of the consequence went better than expected (mainly disobedience and pouting). It took a little longer with Kolby, but when he found out that I would not give in and was prepared to stay up all night (just whenever he wanted to sit his 10 minutes was fine with me), he did exactly what I expected. He was then able to enjoy the movie that the others were already watching. They are already beginning to settle down and get used to me, Katie, and Kevin. They are beginning to learn English, but I am glad to have my other 2 little translators to help with the process.

Yesterday, we were able to walk around Kiev a little bit just to get out of the apartment and went to the store to get a few things to eat for last night and breakfast this morning. As I write, the kids are eating the few snacks/fruit that is left in the kitchen.

When I talked to Bobby yesterday, he said that he would be so glad to have us back home. It must be a little too quiet in our house. I told him that he had better enjoy the peace and quiet because it is about to end!!! He just doesn't know!!! I hope that the pantries are stocked, because the kids want to eat non-stop, especially Kolby. Kevin and Katie were saying, "They want to eat all the time." I reminded them of Kevin's eating just 2 short years ago. I honestly do not know where he put all the food that went into his stomach. The kids are also beginning to learn that we eat real meals, we can't just live on chips and chocolate. All 3 love praise and are going to be big helpers, just as their big brother and sister are!!!

Last night, our devotion was Psalm 119:105-112 and do not be afraid, because God is with us and we can learn Bible verses to help us when we are afraid. Elijah said that he is afraid of snakes and Keri Jo said that she is afraid of the dark. Katie and Kevin were both afraid of the dark for awhile, but that is much better now. Kevin and Katie translated the Bible verses and the devotion reading in Ukrainian so that the kids could understand. They are learning that we ask the blessing before eating, and Keri Jo even prayed last night for God to help Kolby with his attitude.

I am excited to have such an opportunity to have a positive impact in the life of all 5 of them. I also can't wait to see all of our family in B'ham!!

We will see you all in just a couple of days!!!
Kim