More on Court

I wrote a quick note on court because yesterday was a rush. We saw the boys and had breakfast, then went to court and they had to go away and do a program.

The Driver picked us up and drove to a forest looking place where court was. I will post pictures of the bldg. When we walked in there were the typical mangy dogs laying on the floor in the foyer. The floor was so torn up that it was hard to tel what was the floor and what was a broken out part. I am just amazed that these places are public and official bldgs. I guess that they don't have to worry that their tax dollars are going to pay for an overpriced courthouse.

We had the court in the office of the judge. It was a big office and they had the sound equipment set up the record it. It went fast and the only real questions that they asked were to Dave about why he would want more children when we already have 8. The prosecutor said that he admired us for that and no one really had any kind of objections. They were supportive of separating Alina and Oleg and Oleg and the little brother and Vitaly's adoption had no concerns at all. So Cathy Harris was right when she told us that if the sister would give permission to separate the kids, that it could happen. Lori, I have decided that in Ukraine anything can happen for the right price.

After court we went to the notary and had lunch at a nice restaurant on our side of the river called Galaxy and then caught our express train to Kiev. The apt we got was awesome. I tried to get pictures but our camera is not working with the batteries we can buy here. I hope to find some like in the US in Moscow. The apt had a stove that actually lit itself and a microwave. We wished that we had had time to cook something. We got in late and got up early to go to the Embassy. When we drove up there were tons of lines of people. Our hearts sank as we knew we had a plane to catch at 11. Turns out we were able to get right in and we had the papers signed and notarized by about 8 30 We had plenty of time (and still do) at the airport.

We are excited to head to Russia for awhile and take a break from Ukraine. I hope that we will be able to get internet, phone, and get the camera working. It could be a fun little tour of Russia or silence for awhile on the blog. Hopefully we will not run into mafia or Russian police in a bad mood.

Love to All

Christy

Bright SIde

Dave just boarded his plane to the US of A and Ty and I are delayed on our flight to Moscow. I have been trying to look on the bright side so I don't get too sad about watching the flight we were scheduled to take home fly off without us.

Ok Here goes:

In Ukraine:

*I don't have to worry that I will get a traffic ticket

*I can turn off all the lights in our apt from one location

*I won't be wasting any money buying clothes (My kids think I have too many clothes)

*I don't have to worry about how I dress (anything goes here)

*We have been able to see our boys almost everyday instead of just calling and calling their cell phone and wondering if they will answer.

*I can vacuum the whole apt in less than 4 minutes

*I don't have to be depressed in the morning if I have gained 2 lbs. I haven't seen a scale or any nutritional info that makes me feel guilty about how many calories I am eating.

*When I talk to the kids and they give me a blank stare, I can know they are serious.

*I won't have to deal with garage door openers, garbage disposals, dryer lint, clogged printers, putting gas in the car or any other annoyances that take my time.

I am SO lucky :)

Vitaly and Oleg are OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Court was awesome. Short and sweet. Considering all of the exceptions we have asked for they had no problems or objections. In the end where the judge usually leaves and thinks about it and makes you sweat, he said "I will think about it...(5 seconds passed) and then he said the answer is yes." I started crying and that was it. We hugged everyone and left.

The judge doesn't allow pictures of himself and at the moment that we had everyone lined up in front of the court place the camera would not work and so the translator put it on her phone. Oh well I did take pictures of the "court in the forest" that I will post later.

ALL is REALLY WELL!

YAHOOO

Wednesday

We went swimming. No high dives or anything exciting but we did get to experience a taste of Nazi Germany. We went to lunch with the Corbetts at Fashion Cafe and that was fun. We took the taxi home and rested before heading to the Mall with the arcade where the boys used their allotted tokens while I bought last minute food and things for the Russia trip. It was hard to find batteries but we succeeded. We also got some antibiotics at the pharmacy (no prescription needed.) I am concerned about a sore that is pretty infected on my arm and both of my ears seem to be infected and so I guess I should be grateful that I have made it almost a month with no serious illness here in Ukraine which Sonya calls "Just one big Virus" Guess the old immunities are caving in or something. I should be able to resist ANYTHING in the US after the grand tour of disease and corruption we are having over here. I am so happy for Dave to be going home in 2 days. We are excited for court tomorrow. We don't really feel nervous--we probably should but we got nervous for other things and they were no big deal and so why waste the white blood cells right?? We already got rejected by an orphan, you can't really get much worse and so we are not going to sweat it and try to enjoy it. It may be the most fun court ever:)

PS the Corbetts get to have both boys at their house for the rest of the trip. They are doing well and adjusting to a real Mom and Dad. Did I mention how lucky we are to be able to travel at the same time. Some things are just meant to be.

Thanks for the kind wishes.

We love you

The Hinksons

Wednesday

We are swimming right now (my laptop floats JK) This is a Nazi facility and they require special shoes that you have to rent to walk into the pool. They require that you bring shampoo and soap and take a full shower before you enter the precious water. It is not really kid friendly with the ropes for swimming laps. We are having the time of our lives (weak sarcastic smile) I can't believe Dave is going home in 2 days (more than a tinge of jealousy)

Remember when I mentioned that you have to watch where you walk. There may be broken glass, needles, spit, loogies, and an occasional chicken foot. True story, Here is proof. I watched a woman step on this and keep right on going.
Papa is pig too...Oh my goodness! ( I am anxious to see how Wendy is going to try to explain away being called a pig by your new child. We got a kick out of the reasons that they don't wash the sheets. Ha Ha Ha) BTW Sonya's land lady told them to try out the towels so that she could wash them. Gotta wonder what people are thinking here.
Outside our apartment.
Inside our apartment. Vitaly with his new jacket. If anyone is wondering how to pronounce Vitaly it is not like Italy it is like Vit Tall ee.

pics of Orphanage

bedrooms, 6 to a room.
Bathroom. We are not sure how the showers work because the boys have had to learn how to shower like Americans. There is not a need to hide any plumbing here which would make being a plumber a breeze.