Yesterday, we were able to pick up the tax ID without incident. That was really the bulk of our day– we walked around just a bit in the morning, and we went out for dinner when we got back, but nothing too exciting. However, we were quite glad to get that tax ID.

We noticed this mosaic on the bus stop on Wednesday and yesterday I asked the driver to stop. I am in love with it. Can someone recreate this in my house?

Another stop on the way home, to see ceramic lawn ornaments.

This one is for Lena. No, I didn’t buy it. I’m sorry, it was too heavy and big for my suitcase.

Chernihiv? Moscow? Kyiv? Which do you pick? We chose Kyiv for the night.

Today, we had a free morning. We didn’t too much, just exchanged money and grabbed lunch at a food stand. We got burgers, and I was quite impressed that they had fish burgers and vegan burgers. Both were only tak-sobi (so so), but still exciting to find. In the afternoon, Oksana, Olya and our driver met us to go to the big city of Lyuda’s region to apply for her passport. We were all happy to see Oksana.

One of our stops, at a favorite gas station. Lyuda, Oksana and Olya got these hot dogs, which are inside of a loaf of bread. Oksana made Lyuda ask me for the money in English– I appreciate that she helps and encourages Lyuda to learn English.

We drove up to this city, almost two hours away, and when we arrived we found out that the passport office was closed. Argh. Please pray that we can do this on Monday, and that it will be a quick thing. Lyuda requested that we visit her grandmother, and Oksana suggested that this might be a good opportunity. Sure!

When we pulled up to her grandmother’s town, we were surprised to find tons of soldiers, and a guarded gate. We explained why we were there, but they told us that we would need someone with registration to let us in. Argh. This small village is one of the main training camps for the soldiers. While we are very far from the war zone, the war was suddenly very real as we could hear gun fire in the distance and we were surrounded by soldiers. Fortunately, the matter was easily cleared up with a phone call, and we were able to enter the town.

Her babushka welcomed us with open arms, literally. Hugs all around. She lives in a classic Khrushchyovka 5-story apartment building. On the 5th floor.

We got to see photos of a young Lyuda, as well as all kinds of other family photos.

Walking back to the car to say goodbye.

Back in Kyiv, our driver twisted down some old, gorgeous streets on our way back to our apartment. Sometimes, Ukraine looks very Soviet, but many times, it has ornate beauty. This was one of those times.

Oksana had suggested a restaurant for dinner, Gastrorock. While its vegetarian dishes were lacking, overall the food was very good. I would highly recommend it for meat-eating Americans coming to Ukraine– English menus and the street (just off Andriyivsky descent) is worth the walk.

That’s it for today. The plan for the weekend is explore Kyiv.

Goodbyes have been the center of the last two days. I told my mom before we arrived at the orphanage that I wouldn’t be upset or disappointed if Lyuda was less than thrilled to be leaving. Us picking her up for her new life means leaving all of her friends behind.

On the five hour drive from her orphanage back to Kyiv, I asked her what she would miss… instead she just said thank you for coming. She has wanted to spend as much time as possible on my phone talking to her friends… but teenagers. 🙂

Tuesday was mostly about driving up to her region (5 hour drive) to pick up the court decree and then pick up Lyuda.

However, as we were driving back, Lyuda showed me a large, nasty looking burn on her arm. It was inflicted by a teacher at her school, intentionally. When we stopped, I showed it to our facilitator and asked what we could buy to help her. We picked up some ointment, which I’m guessing is like neosporin. However, after applying this ointment, it only seemed to get worse. Our facilitator suggested that we take her to a doctor, and I agreed. The doctor prescribed some antibiotic tablets that we dissolve in water and apply to her wound. It is looking a lot better already.

Wednesday we had two tasks to complete– going up to a town about an hour and a half from Kyiv and getting her new birth certificate, then going to another nearby town to get her tax ID (like a social security number) changed. Once we arrived in the first town, I asked her if she had lived her and if she remembered it. She did. I asked if she still had family here. Yes. “Would you like to ask Olya if we have time to see them?” Yes.

We had some extra time to walk around the town. I enjoyed this little town, lined with stores selling colorful (fake) flowers and churches always towering over us.

My mom is going to write a book called “Babushkas on Bicycles”, a compilation of the many photos we have taken here of just that. Many, many people in rural Ukraine ride their bikes everywhere, or any other form of transportation that they have available.

Club Tornado, which I read aloud because it made me think of Kansas. Lyuda turned to me and said “you can read Ukrainian?!” I don’t know how she had missed that while my vocabulary is limited, I can sound words out just fine… we later had a debate over whether a sign was in Russian or Ukrainian (let’s just say it ended in our facilitator and my mom informing her that “mom is always right”… and lots of laughing).

After we finished this up in this town, we went to say goodbye to her aunt and cousins. I loved the opportunity to meet some of her family.

Then we went to change her tax ID… here, we ran into issues. We are supposed to be able to pick up this new tax ID this afternoon. Will you pray it goes smoothly? We were supposed to be able to file for her new passport today, but that did not happen because of these tax ID issues. We were waiting in the car for awhile while Olya filed the papers.

A place we drove by that really could be Kansas.

One of Lyuda’s friends called and asked if she could come to her old orphanage to say goodbye and our facilitator agreed. From the minute we rolled up, it was clear that this place was really different from her second orphanage. All of the children were standing around, watching us, smiling and laughing. Lyuda ran ahead of us, and they kept asking everyone, “have you seen Lyuda?” She was clearly a big deal here.

One man who worked there rolled up on his motorcycle, little dog on the back, just to say goodbye. Lyuda went to shake his hand in goodbye, but instead her pulled her into a big embrace. This same sweet exchange happened with Alexander from her second orphanage.

I liked this place a lot, as far as orphanages go. The children and adults were friendly. And, the children were silly and wild, happy and laughing.

Saying goodbye… notice the little boys hanging on our driver’s window.

After we left the orphanage, we headed back to finish up the paperwork for the tax ID… so now we wait and hopefully it will be ready today.

On the way back to Kyiv, we found a house and car for Reed. His favorite color is orange.

Back in Kyiv, walking around for dinner, and looking for a shop.

Today was a little bit crazy, but we picked up Lyuda! I will have to write in more detail about it another day.

In short, goodbyes were said, and now she is stuck with us forever! 🙂

Tomorrow, we are off to get a new birth certificate and other documents. Thursday, we will apply for her passport.

I’d like to detail our full day, but that’s going to have to wait until I’m not so exhausted. Instead, I’ll tell you what you want to hear… Lyuda is officially a part of our family now!

There is a mandatory 10 day waiting period where someone could appeal the decision (very rare). I will pick her up in early April. In the meantime, we are heading home.