New Kids on the Hill

2011-09-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Well folks, its coming up on three years, wow how time flies. Here is a quick visual on the progress. The small picture was taken the fist day out of the Orphanage, the larger is their last year school photo. I will retake with the newest photo when they are available.

Been a long, been a long, been a long time!

2011-09-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Well here I sit at Jimmy T's at 5th and East Capitol SE. Sasha walked to school, (Middle School that is) and I dropped the girls off at their new school on Capitol Hill.

In the car, the girls were singing "God made dirt, and dirt don't hurt" along with other camp songs they learned this summer. What a different time and place from the early adventures of the New Kids on the Hill.

Heidi scooted off to her early morning appointments at Bethesda before her work-a-day Army Guard life starts at National Guard Bureau in Arlington VA. She upgraded (yes again) Scooters to a brand new 300 CC Vespa in Mote Bianca white. This leaves me on Her cast off 200 cc Vespa Granturisimo. :) Meep Meep! But alas, I have been trapped in theKidmobile (Mazda 5 with extra crumbs under the-seats) these last weeks.

I wanted to update you guys, my loyal readers from soo long ago, for a long time. I Retired from my National Guard gig after a mere 32years of service at the end of August. Now I am getting organized (ha ha) a bit.

Sasha is in 6th grade at Stuart Hobson Middle School, Christina and Tanya are at Brent Elementary School. Brent is very fashionable public school here in DC There are 300 kids on the wait list to get in. Our Lucky Christina made in on the Lottery this last year and Tanya was number one on the wait list.

Sasha was in bounds for his Middle school, so he avoided the 200 some odd kids on his schools wait list. We have secured an IEP for him,and now we are working on fine tuning it with the bewildering array of Team Members.

All the kids are active in the Sports On the Hill- Soccer program. Both Sasha and Christina are on travel teams now.

Maxim, the oldest of the four is very happy and living in NewMexico now with his family. Heidi's Brother and sister in-law readopted Max and they are doing very well. He a is in the 6th grade too. He came out and visited the kids for a week this summer.

Our other "Oldest Kid", Masha, has done very well too. She was such a blessing to us these first years, we have been blessed to be able to return the karma in a small way. We have been her sponsor as a student here in the US, and now she is at American University as a Junior with a full scholarship she earned.

We have somewhat formalized our relationship with Masha by declaring her our God Daughter, and we are her American God Parents.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! Love and life to all.

Erik Brun

Booo!

2009-11-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

Heidi's Halloween! Her update: I was on a short work trip to Iowa 29-31 OCT but returned in time to meet up with Erik and the kids - our church had a small kids carnival from 4-6pm with games, treats, and hot chocolate... we stayed til after 5pm then we headed to the big street over on East Capitol Street four blocks from the Capitol...and went down 7 blocks on both sides. The older two kids really had fun running the whole way - Erik tried to keep up with them... I held back and assured Tanya that she didn't need to run to keep up and so we had fun. The yards at most of these houses were really tricked out - cob webs, ghosts, spiders, grave stones (one with puns of political folks past and present) Elvis was at one yard, and etc... Lots of lights and fun, some moving parts and smoke, etc. For the adults, I think it was just as much fun as it was for the kids cause we all laughed and talked, running in to a lot of folks we knew and classmates of the kids too... Even got some token candy for us adults now and then.

We got home at about 7:15 in time to still pass some goodies out to kids in our neighborhood. The kids handed out stuff out by the fist fulls so we were out in minutes. Then Sasha volunteered his loot and poured it in the bowl and handed that out for the next forty five minutes or so. It was such an amazing thing to have a kid give up his own stuff, but he had fun doing it! Imagine seeing three kids on the sidewalk/front steps in full costumes (princess, blue angel, and ghoul) handing out candy in the rain - they loved it! We finally called them in and got them changed and feed and off to bed. We laughed when even after the outer lights were off and the door bell still rang... turned out we forgot to unplug the spider lights hanging from the kids 2nd floor windows and they were hollering out at any kids going by - the last kids at 8:45 said to us - we love your kids as we heard giggles coming from upstairs. You would think it was Christmas eve - so needless to say, they and we enjoyed our first Halloween together!

-Heidi

Warpspeed

2009-10-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

October, a combination of light speed and stillness. I have been living very full days and watching the kids developing at such a speed its dizzying. (Note to self, insert bon-i-fidee photo of the most dangerous predator on the block, long overdue thanks to the Holtys)

"mi nnme iz iiingo umtoa, hu hilld mi fdr, retr ttta di!" shhe shouted.

what was that Tanya? she repeats with emphases, frustrated that I didn't get the joke. Urged on by her siblings, we repeats again (and again...) and at last it hits me.

Tanya, its "Prepare to die, pre-pair-too-die"

We had watched "the Princess Bride" over the weekend, and that, combined with a trip to the Maryland Renaissance Festival had inspired a few hours of daring doo and sword fights. We had three Inigo Montoyas running around challenging us to duels for over a week.

We made a short day of the Ren Festival but the kids did great and Masha enjoyed it too. Next year we shall try to put some costumes together for a longer adventure. I have found it easier to present them with the new experience like this, I had thought of building it up over days with picture books and the like, but the language is still a bit daunting and there are soo many obscure angles to try to explain it was easier to say, "yep, that's the way the dress 'round here" and give them a turkey leg.

Inigo Montoya, and his taste for revenge have only been out weighed by the impact of three Swedes and a Norwegian. We had a movie night a few weeks ago and watched ABBA's Momma Mia. They can now parrot all 16 tracks on the cast album I dug out of the closet from when Heidi and I saw the show in London on stage.

We also made a couple trips to Rock Creek Park for some creek playtime, rock hopping and boat floating before the ice sets in for the winter. (and for you NCIS fans, we did not see Ziva, DiNozzo, Abby or any scene tape.)

And last, but not least, the newest adoptee in the family, Chi Chi! she is a 9 year old terrier mix who is a hoot to watch bouncing up and down the stairs at the house. She puts up with the kids just fine and Masha took to her at first lick.

2009-09-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, does time fly! School started and away we go! I have been a very bad blogger! Heidi has been getting complaints on Facebook about my slackerness! (Thanks Jana!)

Hardly a weekend goes by without a adventure, last weekend was face painting at the H Street Open House, this weekend it was petting zoo time at the Oktoberfest on Barracks Row (Marine Barracks Washington)

Update from Heidi:

If you haven't checked the blog lately - the kids are doing well. Still going through a lot of changes and developments on a daily basis but they are coming along and so are we as parents!

Sasha is in the 4th grade and participates in an after school dance class on M,W, and Fridays and is on the same soccer team that he played on last spring. The soccer team practices on Tues nights and plays games on Saturday mornings.

Christina is in the third grade and has soccer practices on Wednesday nights and games on Saturday mornings. She will also start to participate in Girl Scouts on every other Friday afternoon after school. Her and I are also starting to work together on Monday nights to serve a dinner meal to a church group of adults for a new beginner group called Alpha. We went to the training night of which was introductions for the leaders of all Alpha groups and the meal prep folks and we stayed the 1.5 hours of the meeting vs what I thought we might only stay for a half hour. She proved to enjoy it and our time walking there and back as it is near our home was very promising in a Mom and daughter outing that went well. This is a ten week class that I hope we will continue to do well at.

Tanya is in the 1st grade and enjoys it. Because she showed little interest in soccer practice last spring we are not gonna push getting to 3 practices and 3 games in different locations on Sat am so Tanya is not participating in Soccer. Unfortunately being the youngest she gets dragged along to the practices and someones game but there is a playground and other kids that often help that out. Tanya will also participate in Girl Scouts every other Friday after school starting soon. And we started her in on a pre-ballet class (it is a 5 year old class) but it is at her speed of learning and so far so good. We are getting ready to place her in a speech therapy class as her words were hard to understand in Russian and it is following over in to English too.

All in all the kids are doing well!

Erik and I are hopeful that they will continue to grow and develop well! Their care towards one another is good - with the occasional (ok daily) fights among one another that really is simply the whole sibling thing. They also tend to be jealous of one another but are sort of learning to get over that (ok, wishful thinking on my part)... We continue to have Masha (an official Au Pair last year with us from Dec 08 - June 09) and now we are sponsoring her as a student at our home. She provides help for us to listen for Russian phrases especially those that need to be watched (bad words and conversations of concern). She also has allowed Erik and I to get out weekly and be a couple and re-group to maintain our relationship strong. This has been very helpful. We lost our last elderly pet (Ajo, our 16 year old Aussie Shepherd) in August. It was a hard one for me as I had her for 15 plus years. The kids saw the loss and what Ajo meant to me and still to this day thank God for Ajo every night at our dinner prayer. We haven't gotten a new pet yet but may at some point (just hard to match the right pet to all of us) - and no hurry yet! Thanks for your time and support to our new family! Blessings to you all and to your families as well!

Regards! -Heidi

Shout out!

2009-09-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

A quick shout out to Mikes & Sarah's mom out west! always Glad to have a fan out there!

Well, I think the kids dentist is from New Jersey.... she sent one of Christina's molars "to the tooth fairy" today. What a little trooper she is (with rotten teeth). More to follow...

Ahoy Matey!

2009-08-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

So after Sasha and Christina's trips with Pa and Ma, Tanya was not feeling the Love. so Heidi came up with a clever solution. She took Tanya on a special half day escape to Annapolis and a Harbor Cruise to make her feel special too. Of course she dominated the scene.

Sanity Break for three please....

2009-08-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

So, big kid sanity has been an objective in August. Masha took advantage of the tennis courts at Turkey Thicket rec center where the kids had their last summer camps to brush up her skills and challenge Heidi to a grudge match.

Well, Heidi and I snuck out this last weekend to go to a scooter rally in Harrisburg PA. So the responsible adult in the household (Masha) took the kids back to Baltimore to adventure at Port Discovery. The kids played with, in around ad in a world of carefully designed educational experiences.

Us grown ups rode 388 miles on our scooters and participated in age appropriate experiences like paint ball jousting and Heidi unsuccessfully defended her Gymkhana title from last year. She was quite a celebrity on the day of the big match. She did a great job and we had a great time. the kids where happy to see us when we puttered into the back yard on Sunday. thanks Masha, for the moments of sanity.

Erik

Bowling and Bolling for Happy Birthday-day

2009-08-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, where did the summer go! The chips are working to an amusing degree. It was all funny funny 'till we counted out the chips at the end of the week and and passed out the awards and Tanya failed to have enough blue chips. What an early life crisis!

The Birthday weekend weekend was a great success, or Happy birthday-day as the kids say. Sasha and Christina had make up birthdays ( their American Birthdays have been adjusted to July). July was a bizzy month so we exercised a parental prerogative and picked a more convenient date for us big kids, in August.

We rounded up several kids of the their acquaintance and convoyed over to Bolling Air Force Base bowing center. We descended on them like locusts on wheat. Three lanes of ball rolling excitement. Chase and Christina pause between frames and Sasha and Tanya confer over balls with fellow revelers.

Let the chips fall where they may!

2009-08-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well, when I looked it up, the line is actually referring to chopping wood, but...

We have started a little experiment, the poker chip game. Good job, the old ata boy/girl, you get a blue Chip. You can guess that the red chips serve as the Ahhh Sh*t chip. It amazes me what a 8 year old will do to get a blue chip or avoid the dreaded red chip.

We have already established a Monday change over on chores and seat assignments in the car. So Sunday night is the final tally for the week. Sasha and Tanya ended up with one more blue than red ones. Christina had her own economy going with Heidi, so we did not have a accurate exchange rate to compare. We shall see how this behavior modification/economics lesson will go.

And what a weekend it was. This weekend was Heidi's trip to the Minnesota with Christina for Gam's Birthday (Heidi's grandmother). A group photo shows the get together with Ben, Heidi's Brother Harry's son; Stephine, Heidi's Brother Jerry's Daughter; Dawn, Heidi's Mom; Mellisa, Heidi's late brother Ed's daughter; in the front row Ed (EJ) Mellisa's brother; Christina our Daughter; Gam, and Maxim Jerry and Karen's new son.

Christina and Maxim had a great time exploring the Minnesota at the lake shore with an afternoon of canoes, paddle boats, jet skis and party games. of course there was the cake part, always a plus. Their parting was a good one, their second time together since their arrival in the States. This was a great opportunity to meet more family than they have had in the last three years. maxim returned to his new home with Jerry and Karen. Christina returned with Mama to Minneapolis to her Grandmothers house (Not Babushka as much these days).

Now us here in DC, the rest of us have to keep ourselves busy, so it was off to the new "National Harbor" development. think a mall/hotel with a place to park your 50 foot yacht. Today we packed Masha into the car after church and headed off to Baltimore to explore Pory Discovery on Market street including a three story climbing playground. We wrapped up the day with a Dragon Paddle Cruise of the inner harbor. Pedal, pedal pedal (by the way, 30 min is plenty of time with kids aboard, matey)

In bed by 1000, and Heidi is due Monday night, thank God!

Love to all,

Papa, pedal, Papa!

New and imporved weekend adventures

2009-08-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

So. Heidi ran off to Dallas with our friend Jen for her preliminary Bridal Shower
festivities (kinda like preseason games I guess) and Masha and I took the
kids on for the weekend.

Life has its ups and downs, and so does ice skating. And in Tanya's case it had
a whole lot of them. The rink guard told me she never wanted any help every
time he checked on her ( I'm not a good enough skater to risk my neck and
theirs on center ice for this learning experience). Just like riding bikes, a
lot of falls and cussing but they where all happy at the end.

Masha and I worked on our fledgling moves as the kids gained mastery. By the
end, Christina had taken Masha under her now expert (her third time out) wing and
was coaching her to try something for two minutes and she would check on her.

One Sunday We attended church and then went to a community arts organization open house
that featured events like African story telling, flamenco dancing, making hip hop tee shirts and
the ever popular face painting. The high point was a kids theater presentation
of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by two very flexible Thespians.

After
a quick lunch and adult nap and we bundled them off to Potomac park for
scooter riding and play-grounding.

The real treat was on the ride back. The kids in their seats in the back on
the Mazda 5 were discussing something in Russian earnestly. Masha told me they
where talking about religion. Tanya, the seven year old, was holding her
belief that your soul goes to Heaven. Christina the eight year old held that
your Heart goes to heaven.

I have to say we adults were surprised by this. And at this point Papa
completely blew his big chance at discipling with his children by going for
the cheap shot.

Papa told them in English that in Sasha's case it is his "butt" that will go.
The kids started laughing very hard. I must of took them by surprise and it
sounded like my timing was perfect.

The real treat for Momma was when she returned from Dallas to sneak in to say goodnight, although all were racked out, Christina awoke and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek! Wow, that was big and very unexpected! Very Kool.

Love to all, a special shout out to our Dallas fans, best to J.R. ya'all!

Mama and Papa Bear

Sailing, sailing.....

2009-07-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

"A capitol ship for an ocean trip ....Though it of'ten appeared, when the gale had cleared, that He'd been in his bunk below...."

So several things to consider over the last weekend. Mortality, ageing, mentorship, friendship, youth and red eyes.

Sasha and I went on a coast to coast dash over the weekend, last. Leaving Thursday evening we flew to California for my 30 year High School Reunion.

Sasha did so well, I was very proud of him. This is certainly the first time he has been away from his sisters since we met him in December, and possibly in his life. he listened well and overcame his shyness with time.

We saw my big bro Noel and Sheila in Los Angales coming and going in their above the Fog residence above Ladera Heights, pushing up the coast on Highway 1, we got to Santa Barbara in time for Friday lunch at Mobey Dicks on Sterns Wharf with my folks. Fish and chips with pelicans flying by the window. We farted around the harbor and Sasha Hijacked the harbor taxi on one of our trips, Toot toot!

The visit with my folks was nice, Sasha is still very shy around them, but he was able to play around the house pretty well. I don't think he broke anything important, that I found.

The Reunion has amusing but the keepers for the weekend was the time I spent with Newell Raxter, a fellow '79 grad but a fellow guardsman and ROTC classmate and two hours or so I had with my high school mentor Mr. Ken Larson.

Newell rode over from Phoenix on his BMW and we had a little time to catch up for the 19 years we have been shouting out to one another from different timezones. Mr L, or Ken was able to free up for a very nice chat on Sunday.

Sasha was able to visit with his Grand Parents, my folks, and caught his own Blue Belly Lizard (let PETA know no lizards were hard in the preparation of this blog entry).

And just to make it a full experience, we came back on a Red eye into Dulles, I just have to say I'm not feeling as young as I used to be after that sleeping in the seat thing.

The absolute best part of the trip was seeing the Heidi and the girls on Monday. Heidi survived her all girl weekend and Christina preceded to start a sentence that kept going and going. I just about fainted, since two or three words was good a month ago.

Now Heidi is packing out for her "Trip to Dallas" for a bridal shower weekend of one of our DC Buddies. My turn in the barrel for the all kid weekend.

Hay Ho and a way we go!

Erik, Pa pa on the road, have booster seat(s), will travel.

Back by popular demand

2009-07-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Round three of spot the Cossack! Double elimination round!

It's hard not to be proud, but what a show

2009-07-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

What a weekend, I had Drill so Heidi had a full court press on her hands.

As we have mentioned in the past, we belong to a very "Young Church", by that I mean the average age is in the high 20's, with a lot of very enthusiastic and energetic people (theaterchurch.com). They host a summer Baptism by the Bay. A couple hundred church folks, 20 boxes of Popeye's Chicken and pot luck fixens and ooooh so yummy desert tables. Over twenty members of our Church took the big step to commit or recommit themselves to their faith in the waters of the Chesapeake bay . It was a grate event and full of fellowship and good times to remember.

So when I saw her e-mail about the big finish I had to share it:

"This sort of got a little longer than I expected.... Just a recap (not necessarily for the blog, so just enjoy!)...

So our church had a baptism at the bay at a state park in MD yesterday and at first the kids were just dipping there toes in the water... then we told them go ahead and after realizing that they were not gonna "not get soaked" we took their shirts (we only had a change of bottoms) so within a few minutes they were all having fun in the water. There were approx four little ones in diapers, and about ten or so including ours in the water.

Sasha is on the beach just walking. Christina later swam over closer to the baptism action. This one was one where she was getting closer in on the action. She first showed up close and looked on with a hmmmm, as Tanya would say "what's dis?" look, and then swam a lot closer for a "give me look" as Christina has said for let me see! And yes, that is one of my favorites so far of the kids' phrases!

In any event when Christina started getting in the photos and video coverage of the baptisms they were on the last two or three people. Thank goodness! (Pastors Heather and Mark get a little help from Christina)

And yes, we had a lot of folks, ask, "is that one of yours? "

The day was wonderful and the weather even better!

The best part was Christina was a sport in the end when I realized I had to break it to her we had used her (spare in the car for accidents undies) for her bloody nose a couple of weeks ago, she said, it's ok, as she put on a pair of jeans. Then I asked if she wanted to wear my jacket I had in the car cause by now her dry shirt was soaked, so she agreed and went home just fine.

The other kids were pleased to have dry stuff to put on too !

Got home at 8:30pm with three very tired kids, did very short showers - with me holding the shower head (hand held shower head) for each of the girls, and then Erik helping Sasha, and they were in bed and quiet by ten to nine pm. Wow!

Erik and I even made it to a going away gathering at a nearby friend's home - just to prove we can have kids and still get out! Yeah! And of course we had to promise to the going away friend that we will continue to update the blog!

We are getting better at all this on a daily basis and do so very much appreciate all your kindness and prayers!

Much Love!

-Heidi

2009-07-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

It was such a special treat to take the Kids to the beaches I knew as a kid, and share with them the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. This was my playground as a kid.

Wow, that was a quick month, so sorry for the lapse in updates. Just recovering enough to fill in the story:

Four kids on the beach, and I'm proud to say to my knowledge, only one crab gave its all for the sake of scientific exploration. Well, I have just recovered enough from the trip myself to put my thoughts together enough for an addition to this blog.

The task that was ahead of us was: get our three kids to CA to meet up with Papa's Papa and Mama. We took it over the top by having Heidi's mother, her brother Jerry and wife Karen bring Maxim out too.

This is the first time all four have been together since February, time flies doesn't it. We all were very interested in how the kids acted together and how they acted with us. As you may have heard, Jerry and Karen would like to make Maxim a permanent part of their family, and we all agree this is the best fit all around for all the children's needs and temperaments.

We had many great moments to try to get caught up with all the friends and relatives, it was really a whirlwind of activity.

So many wonderful moments and adventures. Masha, our right hand came along for the trip, but we wanted her to get out from the old fogies for a wile. Loren and Amy Vogelsang came back into town to meet the kids and give Masha the twenty somethings tour of San luis Obispo (they got the cake but they chickened out on the waterfall at Madonna Inn ;).

The Wands and Rockwells put together a welcome bash at the Rockwells Casa, great food, wine and BBQ! Many of the supporters of our journey and central coast life.

I am getting ready to take Sasha out to California again this coming Weekend for my 30 year High school Reunion, and Heidi is taking Christina to her grandmothers 90th Birthday in Minnesota in August.

Things age changing at a Tidal Rate, at a glace you dont see it but come back in a bit and wow, the boats stuck on the beach, or out to sea!

2009-06-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a Red Eye from "the Coast", after seven days of adventures, to be detailed when I am awake, the adventurers discuss their exploits with their fans.

Erik

2009-06-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

Tanya at the park, lets see how we are doing,..

Skate board, Check!

knee pads, check!

Wrist Guard, check!

Cast, Check! .....what?

We went to a picnic at a park and one kid had brought his board and safety rigs. Tanya supplied the cast all herself! life is good, just another 30 days is all.

The week saw the end of classes at school and Tanya's promotion from Kindergarten and Sasha being recognized for his citizenship, math skills by his teacher and Christina was given the Most Improved award from hers.

Now for the important things, after the Rolando deal with Real Madrid. Our budding athletes are now playing a greater role in our retirement planning! Sasha's team, the Silver Bullets finished their season with all wins and one tie. he received a special award for Most Hustle on the team and he got his copy of the Team Trophy presented by the coach.

Christina really developed as a player and a team mate over the course of the season. in all it has been a very good school year.

Papa Bear, out here!

2009-06-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

At the four moth mark, wow what a difference. it was a crazy busy weekend.

International night at the elementary school and the kids could not understand why they had to share their Perogees with the other kids.

Saturday finished the soccer league with Christinas Bluejays and with Sasha's Silver Bullets 11-0-1 undefeated record, he was recognised for his "Hustle" on the field.

Papa and Mama slipped away to play on our Scooters to "Scootergate". Our third year going to this Rally on H Street NE.

Sunday Cristina had a Birthday party to attend and met up with Tanya and Sasha at Garfield Park for the Mothers On The Hill (MOTH) picnic.

Of course these MOTHs have six tables of complimentary goodies from local restaurants, live bands, bounce house, face painting and free chair massages. Gotta love them MOTHs!

Being there, for the next one

2009-05-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

At the four month mark and we have our first chance to help the next one down the rabbit hole. Heidi received an e-mail from a recently returned parent with a 9 year old girl from Russia. (To get the flavor of how far we have come you need to look at the good old days back on the 9th of February)

Stress, frustration, need for support came across loud and clear, and that was just the e-mail. We where forced to review in our minds our first week. Wow, what a flashback! The kiddie Olympics complete with the hand to hand child wrestling, Mattress toss, Door kick and down the street kinder sprint. Those where the days!

We headed to the store for some barbecue supplies and the newly minted family came over for a chance to meet, greet and speak our respective languages.

The kids paired up and had a chance to compare pasts and stories as did the the parents. Masha was indispensable at shedding light on some minor mysteries and the elders compared experiences.

Masha is helping with a little respite time for Mom and the little girl gets a chance to relax a little and ask some questions. As time goes on we see the kids unwinding, acting and trying to make sense of this crazy world they have found theirs selves dropped into.

This little girl is doing great, and our kids have set the bar mighty high on histrionics. Its nice to serve as an example, one way or the other.

Erik

2009-05-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well another week under the keel.

The kids, as an average continue to improve. More English words slip into their usage. We have not been pushing them to speak English in our times together, leaving their classmates and teachers to do the heavy lifting. Friday was a day off for me and Heidi took a pass to run around town a little. Oil change for the car and we swung by school for the Asian Cultural awareness presentation. We watched two of the kids participate in class presentations in the cafeteria. We continued our parents play date by getting pedicures and meeting Masha and the kids at the Smithsonian Sculpture garden for the. Jazz in the park series.

The kids discovered the fountain in the center of the park. And about15 seconds to discover the copious quantity of tossed change on the bottom. My solution to the possible problem of them completly destroying the parrent child economic ballence was to tell them it was okay to scoop up the coins, as long as they toss them back out in the center of the huge fountain.

So at 1100am on Saturday, two hours into inflatable pool operations in the back yard. One mild touch of hypothermia (poor Sasha, he has about a half cup of fat in his whole body), one damp cast and three kids watching cartoons to warm up for a few. Now, hot dogs in the backyard with a afternoon trip to the "world" corn hole (bean bag toss) competition by our church on the national mall. Then we plan on going off to COSTCO to pick up Sasha's new glasses. Its been so cute, he has been asking for them every day since we learned he was blind as a bat past 5 feet (like Papa). Good times in the District. Love to all, the three Cossacks et al. Erik

2009-05-22T03:38:00.000-07:00

Sent: Thu May 21 14:14:43 2009Subject: Fw: Tanya at doctor's office - check out her new friend!

So Tanya had a friend hang with her at the doctor's office today while we were determining if she has asthma. She is a real trooper at doctor's office and this is her fourth facility (including the civilian ER visit a week ago with her broken arm from the zoo).

- she gets to go get the arm looked at and casted finally at Andrews AFB next Tues (gotta love the hurry up and wait mentality of these places) - referrals, wait for referral to get reviewed,then wait for call or them to answer the call to get the appt, then get on the list for the next appt...

We are still figuring out what she has (with her congestion in her lungs) - but the initial x ray from a couple of months ago was looked at by the pulmonary doc at Walter Reed this AM and showed some concern, enough to go from the nebulizer to a steroid inhaler treatment for the next month.

Tanya definitely prefers the waiting rooms with the cartoons playing and truly enjoyed the last doc she saw this am as he had all kinds of fun light up and noisy toys to play with. He had a very positive and fun attitude just like the tech that ran her through the breathing through the tube machine which, thanks to Masha, she did better each time to get the reading and info for the doc to look at and evaluate. So back to work all and regards to you for a great rest of the week!

:) -Heidi

Tanya get down from there!

2009-05-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may have been following this blog for a while you will remember the fears and panics of December, the Triumphs and near Tragedy of January (1 February Post), and the Chaos and Confusion of February (Operation Squirrel). You will be able to see just how far we have come since we first met these little Cossacks (a term of endearment, I assure you)..

As I sat in the E.R. Last night, I was going over it in my mind all the progress. Friday we had our first ever parent teacher meetings, three of them. All the teachers where very happy with the kids behavior in class and their progress academically:

Ms Kane, Tanya's Kindergarten teacher. Is very happy with her socialization and determination to complete assignments. She let us know that her school assigned speech therapist is practicing with a translator so they can give Tanya a detailed assessment of her speech issues.

Christina's Ms Gu, her second grade teacher, has done wonders giving her confidence at trying assignments and has turned her into a little art factory. We are fast running out of flat surfaces to take her output. She has made great improvements at becoming more of a child and less of a prisoner sworn to escape.

Ms Ratchford, Sasha's third grade teacher, told us about his buddy/competitor from class, who is also in an ESL track. They are always trying to out do each other and both have taken to the classroom computers very well. Of course its hard to get them off of them.

So the week of school, dance class and soccer practice culminated in the Friday, school holiday/parent teach conferences. We, of course can do nothing simply:Heidi and I jump on our trusty Vespas and go to work and appointments in the morning.

Masha keeps the kids engaged around the house.

Noon the parents disengage, slip into telephone booths and head to school for our first ever Parent/Teacher meetings with our capes flapping behind us.

Masha jumps in the trusty Mazda 5 to take the three little Cossacks in tow to the National Zoo for the afternoon.

The simple plan was to meet at the world famous Ben's Chili Bowl for dinner.Heidi and Masha would take the kids to the Movie on the grass our church was sponsoring at Lincoln Park. I would just scoot over to Georgetown University to attend Sagar's graduation reception (a grad student friend from India).

Well, best laid plans of mice and men... So Tanya manages to fall playing at the Zoo. Masha, the calm adult in the family, stabilizes the situation and calls me about the ouch'ie. We decide to keep to the script and meet for dinner.

Over french fries and chocolate shakes, we determine the little hard head did do a number on her arm and even after a half hour of icing it, is still swollen. The reset plan sent Masha and Tanya in the Van and myself, scooting, to the E.R. At George Washington University hospital (a familiar place thanks to the pioneering work done by Masha, on her adventures).

Our Friends, the now engaged Clinton B. and Jennifer (look at that ring!) B. Swooped down to rescue the marooned Heidi, Sasha and Christina on the corner of 12th and U street NE, we had left them at. Mama provided a motorcade feel on the trip back to the house before showtime.

All was well, the break was a clean one of the radius, just below the wrist.The movie was Madagascar II, enjoyed by all. The Hospital adventure ended early enough to make the Volcano scene and closing credits.

Flexible Papa, at your service

Pasta Party

2009-05-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

here are some of tonight's photos, we went to an Italian restaurant and we had several big breakthroughs!

Tanya asked for Pizza, a first!

Christina, and Sasha had spaghetti with sauce (first time they did not put a few drops onto it, we had asked for it on the side by but it came smothered) and tried the pizza, and Christina gave Tanya some of her spaghetti with out a fight. Then they all used Parmesan cheese too! I just about fainted.

All this happened after Heidi left Masha and I at the table to run off to an author reading and book signing event.

I just put them to bed after wrapping Heidi's mothers day present.

Tomorrow, soccer for S and C, Train Day events at Union Station and a Bounce house Birth-day party for a classmate of Tanya's. all before 6pm. wow! did I mention panic flower buying and the dog groomer too!

Love this family life!

Papa in Charge

2009-05-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

Find the Cossack, round two!

If its Picnics, it must be summer!

2009-04-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

The kids are doing very well this weekend. Two BBQ's in two days, they seem to be able to take what dish out to them, including Ice-cream.

The first Picnic of the weekend was the year end one at Georgetown for the American Friends Program. Both Heidi and I had been paired with international students, Leslie from Paris for Heidi and Sagar from Hyderabad for Erik. Since the beginning of the adoption Odyssey we have been very neglectful friends but it was very good to see Leslie at the event.

On the way to the car the kids found a bunch of college students playing bean bags on the grass (the place had more sunning co-ed on the lawn than leaves in the fall). They started watching, then caddying stray bags and in 10 minutes they had control of the game.

Its a good thing Tanya is so shy and demure (that's a joke by the way), this is her own photo shoot style. Sasha and Christina both try out the football for the first time.

Many firsts this weekend, like most; bean-bag toss (Corn hole as the NCC's call it), Frisbee and the afore mentioned "football of the American variety".

Summer time, and the living is easy...of course its not "Summer" summer time yet, but its 98 degrees at Haines point Park for a Church BBQ, so close enough!

2009-04-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

The first of many school photos. this will give you an idea about our school. Its a very diverse and progressive school. I haven't heard what the kids think of their Chinese lessons so far.

See if your can play Wheres the Cossack!

Papa Daddy

Happy Brithday Masha!

2009-04-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Birth Day to you...Happy Birthday to Yuooooooo!

Happy Birthday Day to Masha! you are on our mind and in our heart!

We had a little impromptu Birthday party for our main Gal Masha at Five Guys in Chinatown here in DC this week. of course the kids supplied most of the revelry!

Easter Smester, where is the candy

2009-04-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

Firstly I want to thank those of you who caught up to me to shame me into updating and those of you who just thought that! I get the message. Spring has sprung and look, our summer is on the way!

Easter, wow, what a long time ago we landed at Baltimore-Washington Airport. We can still vividly remember the dark first days as the test of wills began. I remember sitting on the family room floor at five in the morning desperately searching the Internet for some form of support group and listening for the first sounds of movement that would mean we had very angry, frustrated and confused intruders or rather prisoners trying to escape.

Masha has come through the shock of an injury (we promise the kids were not involved in any way!) and is now working on recovery. The patience part of healing is a little harder with the kids to contend with. She has been overwhelmed by the well wishers, flowers and cards. She is a trooper and itching to get back in the game.

The week of Easter was very strange, having Friday off, in the week after break. The kids are confused enough by the pattern of a normal week and now compound that with extra off days when we both worked and Easter on top of that.

Our Church held their annual eggstravaganza event and as it turned out the light drizzle did not dampen their spirits in the least. The netted about 5 lbs of candy and goodies between them. The older and faster two made short work of the egg hunt. They all enjoyed the kiddie carnival immensely.

The world must be a very strange place here, with wonder upon wonder around each corner; dance classes, soccer, parades on Constitution Avenue with no less than Burt and Ernie compared to the seasonal monotony of their orphanage. With a steady methodical build up to each event on the calendar, carefully orchestrated to culminate in the musical play with a quarter of the 200 children performing for a smattering
of town VIPs and themselves.

The confusion is compounded since Masha is not speaking Russian to them, so explaining Easter was a little trickier. I don't know what the Orphanage interpretation of the passion was, but it was looked forward to when they understood that was ahead.

On Saturday night we took the kids to the Hanna Montana movie at a theaterplex in Crystal City. Sasha was singing along with a tune radio in English as we headed for the freeway, Tanya sitting on the edge of. Seat and Christina enthralled with what she could make of the story.

Flash! the kids ate spaghetti with sauce! I thought I was going to pass out!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but it is nice to know ya'll are stopping by to look.

Erik, Motrin is my friend

Late Updates...

2009-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

"Oooops, ouch, that's gotta hurt" department:
Well my first trip the the E.R. was a good practice session. Masha had a slip on some stairs at Church and she and I spent the evening and almost into Sunday morning at the George Washington University E.R.. I think "pride" was the greatest injury, but its gonna hurt for a while. Keep her in your prayers for rapid healing and patience 'till everything works well again.

Travels:
On the way back from the educational testing for Sash and Tanya on the 13th, we stopped by Bethlehem Pennsylvania and visited Rachel and Mike (Heidi's sister's daughter and her husband) and met their new addition. We were all amazed how well the kids took to the week-old Tamsin.

As they Blogged:
"We had a nice surprise last week when Heidi and Erik stopped by with two of their kids, Tanya and Sasha. We were amazed at how they took to Tamsin. Tanya gave her a bottle, wrapped her up and rocked her like an old pro. It was really cool to meet the kids we've heard so much about." (http://www.rmiriam.blogspot.com/)

Erik

Late March

2009-03-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

The kids are in school three whole weeks and bang-oooh, its spring break! These kids must be thinking this is a great place!

Well, not to let them backslide too much, Mama had a plan. Sasha was off to soccer day camp run by DC Parks & Recreation. The girls went off to Camp Masquerade, offered by the Girl Scouts. Here's their camp pictures:

We have been out exploring the different parks and playgrounds around town. Here they defy gravity in a kool rope jungle gym at Garfield park in S.E. DC.

Between playgrounds with their swing addiction. "Papa,Papa, one more.. one more.. one more (push)".
Two of the upsides of orphanage life we see for these kids today:

One is a well-developed ability to share things. Conversely the concept of private property is a little underdeveloped.

Number two is, what I call the Timex effect – they take a licking and keep on ticking. I have seen Tanya fall off a swing and land flat on her back, after two and half tears she was right back in the saddle and giving her very chagrined and relieved Papa the "one more ...." routine.

Tanya and our intrepid friend Clinton, in a timed heat as Sasha cheers them on:
The day at the races. We took all three to a little 1/8 of a mile track at the Rec center to break in their new-to-the-kids bikes and training wheels. It was like an hour-and-a-half of amateur night at the NASCAR track. More spills and thrills than the Wide World of Sports opening credits. Each time Christina crashed, she would quickly remount while crying for another 20 meters of progress. After I adjusted the training wheels her success rate began to improve. At the end, Sasha is about to move on to unassisted crashing and I think the girls are well on their way to control peddling and braking (two out of three at a time).

Masha helped Tanya with this banana, raisin and pretzel caterpillar thing, that was made from a kids cook book Heidi brought home. The kids are getting more and more adventurous in dining, but they are a long way from curry and jalapeños. Most recently they made the jump, a blind leap of faith you might say, and tried a hot fudge Sunday. Wow, what a bunch of risk takers!

They have all been making steady progress on schedules and rituals. Every night used to be a test of wills, and now it is mostly organized and peaceful(er). At first we had been trying to get them all in bed at the same time. This turned into a double bunk bed jungle gym time for three hours until we went to bed in disgust.

Older and wiser:
Our first trick was to stagger them into bed at 30-minute intervals and now add in picture books to let them unwind. This is the 80% solution but a whole lot better than where we started.

We had been warned that the kids will cycle into and out of moods. Yesterday, the girls came out of day camp in a rare mood. They drove Masha and I out of the library because of their active resistance. Because we could feel an ugly mood coming on, we headed for the car. Then last night, Christina and I had a little face-off over bedtime. The other kids stayed in bed (another big improvement over past chaos) as she and I went down stairs to settle it.

She is a very strong and persistent adversary, but with calm restraint we sat on the couch. She would try to get up, or bite or twist away and I would hold on. At a point we had a break through, but it made for a very long evening. It is really evident to us that she is carrying a tremendous amount of rage and frustration in that little brain of hers. Today she was off to camp for the last day festivities.

This weekend is the kite festival, the opening event of the cherry blossom festival. Two play dates, church, and of course two soccer practices for the girls to go to.

Jerry reports that Maxim is doing great, reporting 1 1/2's and 10 lbs. We look forward to his testing and lab results.

Thank you all for the kind words and deeds of support. All I can say that opening our heats and home to these kids has changed us in ways we could never have imagined.

As always, in his name,

Papa Dog

Brains of the Issue

2009-03-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

While we are still collecting the information from the medical screening, we have moved onto the brains of the issue.

Christina has been evaluated by Dr Federici, a Russian-speaking American, who by the grace of god works about half-an-hour from our home (http://www.drfederici.com). He has been working with these kind of children for over twenty years and has been giving us some great advice on how to approach them in a consistent and effective manner.

Getting your head around the world these kids have come from is a bit challenging. I have taken to calling it, "doing time in kiddie prison." While other kids my have been watching Barney the singing dinosaur, Christina was suffering collective punishment in a class full of children the same age. She developed no skills of decision making, since she had no decisions to make. She would change her underwear and clothes once a week on wash day, the same day she would bathe and wash her clothes.

Then we had Sasha and Tanya evaluated by Dr Boris Gindis, an American-speaking Russian, at the BG Center (http://www.bgcenter.com) in Nanuet New York. Each evaluation is a very detailed assessment of each of the children, administered in their native language to give the best picture of their strengths and weaknesses before the switch to English makes this almost impossible to determine.

We havehad the good fortune to havethe University of Minnesota international adoption clinic take on Maxim for a visit next month. These visits are building the book we will use to chart their educational and treatment plans.

Now a funny one from the past:
During the poopka patrol in service of our medico's work ups. So Heidi had just gotten our smallest one to provide her first sample and was being very proud of her produced sample. But then, as Heidi was distracted for a moment, the sample waiting by the front door for an unguarded moment;

"Ajo! (The dog) get out of that!" ...and with a bark, a hustle by mom and a wail of dismay from the proud sample provider, the evening just got a little more exciting.

Well, when the dust settled and the sample viles where filled, all was mostly good with the world. But Tanya will not look at Ajo ever quite the same.

Now, with both Heidi and I on the sick list today, Masha herded the kids to the car this morning, but only after the cossacks extracted a blood promise to make the big jump tomorrow.

Drum roll please... 3 bikes from the thrift store - $30. Helmets, safety checks and training wheels - $300; dora the explora Band aids and bactine, priceless. Our buddy Clinton is heading over ready to give the Lance Armstrong school of hard knocks to these little hard heads on the two wheel (plus two) training ground tomorrow.

Erik, the much harassed.... Papa

Coming and Going

2009-03-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

Well, well... the week's thoughts focus on the ins and outs of our life these days.

First the Ins:
When the kids came to us, they had a very "institutional taste buds" at the dining table. They turned down almost all sauces and melted cheese concoctions. Of course Christina led the "turn it down before you taste it" charge. Bare noodles, rice or potatoes went down well, but au gratin, lasagna or (very yummy) spaghetti, PB and J all met resistance, more or less.

The added bonus to blessings of the delivered dinners so many wonderful folks from our church brought over, they reflected many approaches to cooking and styles of preparation. We have also developed our skills of presenting and incentive-ising new tastes and textures. It is now a bit of a game to get them to try a small piece.

With time, we have been able to split up the "Nyet block" a bit at a time. Sasha and Tanya have been crossing the picket line more and more often.

So on Thursday, we had a bit of an Americana break-through in the junk food department. Masha and I took the three of them to Jimmy T's, a Capitol Hill favorite diner.

So we ordered open-faced peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and french fries for them. We actually convinced them to try a sample sandwich or two. They worked over the fries, with Sasha even trying ketchup (what a wild boy he is). Then they surprised us by digging into the onion-rings the grown ups had ordered. Then, the moment of truth, the corn dog came.

They passed it around and discussed what it may be made of, how, and where to bite it to find out. Wow, another success! These darn American swine make some things that are a tad better than porridge.

And now for the outs.
We have been doing a complete work-up on the kids these last few weeks. The labs have been keeping us in constant contact with doctors. Intestinal parasites and other issues with inoculations and other tests pop-up routinely with these kids. So, as brand new parents we have a little kid medicine to catch up on. The favorite, so far, is the stool-sample regime. We have to collect three samples from each brave kinder and place them in a separate set of tubes, each. For those weak in math, that is nine samples loaded into 18 separate vials.

We had to get a score card going to keep track of the hero's work. Tanya is the bashful one coming in last and Sasha was the trooper, delivering the goods right up front. After the consultation Thursday with the Doc, it looks like the gang is due for another blood draw for a titers work-up to fill in some of the holes in the first screening. Good thing they like stickers, cuz they are collecting a bunch of them (that is the prize when they complete the shots and blood draws).

Erik and Heidi

First Corndog

2009-03-05T16:45:00.001-08:00

The first corn dog, at Jimmy T's

(ain't cellphone cameras fun?)

4th Weekend of the American Family

2009-03-04T05:49:00.000-08:00

This week's wrap-up is a confusing hustle of activity to a novice parent. It includes haircuts, doctor visits, blood draws, cartoon band-aids, and lots of stickers.

Our second trip to the family pool in near by Maryland. My family had a tradition of "Swim Night" on Fridays, started as a special schedule to get the kids to the University of Michigan's pool for a family swim time. In my recollection, years later in southern California, it was a first-come first-serve meal time. Our own swim night ritual of going to this wonderful facility with the three kids.

Our church has been incredible! Since we have been home, we have been assisted by so many wonderful people who have brought wonderful dinners by for us. In the bleak hours of the first weekend, Pastor Heather asked us how she could help us, Heidi and I are not too good at asking for help you see. She suggested meals as a service that people could help us with.

What a wonderful blessing, as we struggled those first days to stabilize the chaos. And as things calmed down, not having the time or mental energy to plan and prepare our dinner meals. Time and again, friendly faces at the door would bring in not only the food to nourish us but their concern and compassion. Just being able to share our story and in many cases give weekly updates as they returned with new labors of love for us.

The most picturesque effort was a carefully-crafted rendition of the United States and the Ukraine in Pizza! There where so many wonderful and nutritious meals all crafted and delivered with love and kindness. This has been such a blessing, since these meals have given us more time to focus on getting the children through all the hoops of school entry. Most nights we have just been able to collapse at the end of a full day.

Some of the weeks highlights in pictures:

The Ukraine Pizza!

Getting Go-to-school haircuts.

Our new school uniforms. 1&2

The new look.

Dance Concert in the Kitchen - and the dog gets in it too!

With a new-found respect for love,

Erik & Heidi

Note: These photos, along with all others posted in this blog, are also available for viewing HERE, and for print orders at Costco. Please comment with your photo request and we'll send you the Costco link.

The New Look

2009-02-25T12:49:00.001-08:00

Tada! The new look!

Photo Reminder - all the photos posted throughout our blog are also available for viewing online by clicking HERE. And for those who like "real" photographs, just drop us a note in the comments (below), and we'll send you an "invitation" to select photos and order prints from our album on the Costco Photos site.

Impression

2009-02-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

Monday, 23 February 2009

So, last night I was lying in bed thinking about the impression that was made on me by meeting someone.

This someone spent half of their life in a physically abusive relationship, only to be utterly abandoned to spend the other half incarcerated. The things I have have learned from this person have made me question all of my assumptions about life, belief and priorities. I have learned more about grace, prayer and hope than I ever knew. All this since I came to know this person.

I have also experienced sacrifice, trust and desperation to levels beyond my experience. I have seen people risk their livelihoods, respect and self worth for this person.

This person is the six-year-old girl sleeping in our bed last night. Tanya, asleep and wriggling gently in the covers as we close out the busy weekend.

Tanya, I only hope your dreams are as peaceful as your face.

Your Papa

Erik

Truth in Blogging

2009-02-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

Looking back on the 8th of February.

We had described the rough days we had on our return. I just uploaded the pictures I have to remind us of the first clash of wills. I only have mental images of the 3 A.M. test of wills with Christina, but I do have the aftermath recorded.

In these pictures you will see the cute little girl and the damage she did to her 2nd bedroom door, the first one she destroyed. You will also see the door as it stands today. Then we have the parental badges of courage, now healed, the abuse the parents took those first few days. I hope they don't have rabies, those little teeth are sharp!

We have been warned that just because these day have past, doesn't mean they are gone. We stand ready for the next blow.

Erik

Time Flies!

2009-02-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

I have to say I have been very bad at taking pictures since we returned home. My laptop I have all the pictures on is on the fritz and I have not been patient enough to move files over to our home work station. The photos are piling up on the camera, and since the kids leaned how to delete them, I always feel uneasy about them using it.

Our good friends Jennifer and Clinton joined us (reinforced us is more like it) for an excursion to the zoo on Saturday the 13th. Maxim was with Uncle Jerry at the house at that time. Here are some pics they took of the kids.

(click here to see the entire Brun Family photo album) or add a comment to this blog requesting access to all the photos on the Costco Photo site, where you can order prints.

The are all settling down more. Christina is still the hold out, but her resistance is less spirited. Masha and I took the three younger ones to a play date at a terrific facility in Maryland. It has a gymnasium and pool complex and many other sports activities available for the kids. We meet many other parents, including another veteran parent of former soviet kids about the same ages as ours.

Today was a shopping trip to Target on Columbia Heights for swim things and clothes to round-out the kids' wardrobes. The best part was Sasha's control of the shopping cart up and down the escalators ten or so times. They behaved so well it was beyond my wildest hope of a week ago.

Off to pick up Mom at work. I'm proud to say I have three volunteers at this point. Then tomorrow, back to Maryland for the pool hours at he same complex.

The cameo of the day was Tanya, who does not nap well, showing me her numbers on a clipboard as she carefully reversed her 7's and skipped a number or two. We counted in english up to 19. Who told her I was dyslexic!

Maxim is doing very will on his vist with Uncle Jerry. He is making freinds and they are working on English flashcards.

Love to all,

Erik

Fancy Nancy

2009-02-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

The Fancy Nancy is Jen's (Jennifer Bindhammer) reference to some cute girl out there (a cartoon or something) that shows a little girl named Fancy Nancy who likes to dress up and her family doesn't. It sounds cute so this is her version (Christina and Jen playing it up at the zoo in shades) - don't they look cute!

For additional Zoo images and the entire Brun Family Photo Album - click here

Thanks again and do take care!

-Heidi

Update on Maxim in Brainerd

2009-02-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

Looks and sounds like Max is adapting well to the open range!

Jerry and Caleb (a six year old boy that Jerry helps care for with a single dad friend of the families) is working on flash cards to teach Maxim English. All are getting along well!

Thanks again for all your encouragement!

-Heidi and Erik
____________

Jerry stopped by the office today and I meet Max. He is a very handsome and energetic boy. In the corner of the garage Max eyes the Kitty Cat snowmobile and wants to ride it. Very exciting! Jerry asked about a bike. My son Ben agrees to donate his old bike and Jerry picks up a set of training wheels. Walla! A couple of crashes, but he gets right back on and rides around the parking lot.

Harry Brodmarkle

To see all the Brun Family Photos, please click here. Or make a comment (below) and request the Costco Photo Center URL to be able to order prints.

Presidents Day (photos)

2009-02-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

President's Day and a calm one so far (shh -don't tell the kids we think it's quiet)!

This Sunday was a marked contrast to last. The kids got up early and helped make muffins. Max had left earlier to visit Uncle Jerry and his family in Minnesota for a while.

Tears where running down my cheeks as we stood in Church yesterday, we had a choir group of children from the Watoto Village orphanage, in Uganda, singing on a fund raising tour of the United states. I looked over at the former orphans next to us in the pew and thanked God for all the blessings in our life.

Now we are standing in a darkened hall, surrounded by people who have been praying for us and helping in the undertaking for the last two years.

A flash of recognition goes across the face of a young Army Nurse from Walter Reed, when she realizes these kids are the ones we had prayed for in our Alpha Group last fall. I have trouble finishing my sentences, but I can point to the kids as they chomp their donuts and stare at all the people coming and going between services. They had joined in children's church and made some new friends along the way. The whole process of our church, that meets in the movie theater at Union Station was a bit of a blur to them.

Jerry came on Thursday to meet the kids and get to know Maxim. We had some wild times at Ft. Myer Army Base on Friday as we tried to get the kids in for their medical visits and get Maxim his ID Card, since he is old enough and they require him to have one to receive medical benefits. Let me just say that the ID Card Section will remember the visit for a long time to come. At least the Military Police were not involved. We also made a short trip to the National Zoo on Saturday, where the lion made a special demonstration of his vocal abilities, this I think even impressed the kids.

We still have a lot of tense moments, but they grow farther apart, and our scratches and bruises are healing. We are all learning to live with each other a little better and look forward to a play date in a few minutes with Pat Thomas and her grand daughter Micaha.

Mike Oland from Church came by a few days ago to attempt to shoot some family portraits. Christina was on strike but with great patience on his side and a lot of jumping up to see each picture, on their side, the pictures where taken.

(the rest of Mike's session, and all Brun Family photos posted here) or add a comment to this blog requesting access to all the photos on the Costco Photo site, where you can order prints.

We are now assessing when and if the work schedule will return to normal, and continue to get the kids tied into Dr. appointments and evaluations.

Love to all,

Erik and Heidi

Zoo Day

2009-02-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Took the younger three kids to the zoo today with the assistance of Masha and Jennifer Bindhammer and Clinton Blair and they had a great time! Masha escaped two hours later to get off to go help at Ebs hospitality (we are thankful she remembers to "pop smoke" as we call it in the military - to leave the area- and go have a life for herself even though she leaves to continue to serve others!)... Erik and I were exhausted when we left the zoo and the three kids were fairly tired too (yeah!)... My brother Jerry had Maxim all day on his own and Jerry continues to amaze me with the heart of gold and the kindness to this tough minded and strong willed (yet very confused and scared little boy)!

We hope that tomorrow am Jerry can get Maxim on the am flight to Minnesota and that all the kids can be ok with the change. Our family (Jerry's wife and daughter, my two other siblings, Mom, Grandma x 2) and friends and community in MN are already looking for Russian-speaking help and resources to be there when Jerry and Maxim land in MN and head up North to the 10 acres of land to begin a more roaming ability lifestyle for Maxim. Jerry already started to teach him how to use power tools, and with patience that Jerry has so much of, Maxim is learning to fix and do projects.

Thanks again and please ask many to continue to pray for this family!

Regards!

Heidi and Erik Brun and family

The Calm Continues

2009-02-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

The calm continues as the week comes to a close. Heidi and Jerry, her brother, had Maxim at the ID Card section at Ft. Myer today and Jerry got a good feel for a full-scale (or Maximum) Meltdown. Otherwise the army bureaucracy kept us jumping. The folks from the Church covered us in the morning so we could be three places at once.

We continue to find our way around. We are pulling together support and resources as fast as we can. Most recently I stumbled across the website of the Families for Russian Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA): the DC Chapter has 250 families.

http://www.frua.org/

Heidi had arranged for an appointment with Dr. Ronald S. Federici. He came highly recommended, and as it turns out is a national expert on foreign adoption specializing in the former Soviet states, who has been on Nightline, 20/20 and Oprah. He agreed to see Christina as the first egg in our basket to boil. She is due for a 7-hour intake in March or earlier if a hole opens up in his schedule. We met for an hour today and it was very revealing.

He gave us a copy of his current resource, I've ordered some more copies on Amazon today, so it is available:

Help for the Hopeless Child: A Guide for Families (With Special Discussion for Assessing and Treating the Post-Institutionalized Child), Second Edition (Paperback) by Ronald S. Federici (Author) "Hopeless" goes hand in hand with such descriptions as: desperate, discouraged, incurable and irreparable..."

http://www.drfederici.com/ is his website. He has some very good articles and other resources posted.

The kids are home and diner is simering.

Love to all,

Erik

Wednesday

2009-02-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

The rebellion has become less visible, the kids bedroom door now has a sheet of plywood on the inside. We have placed locks on the adult rooms and have put security bars on the windows to keep the accidental fall from adding the emergency room to our tours of DC.

I'm not prod of a Mini-Max kids room, but when you send them to their room, they need to stay there.

Big Max, our facilitator who traveled with us to keep the kids in check, stopped by on Tuesday night. He sat down and talked to them all for about 20 minutes. He found many interesting things, like the orphanage doctor had ordered them all not to talk about their home life to anyone. They all have memory of their home life including a very abusive alcoholic father and a mother who loved and protected them until the father ended up in jail. Then she found a "new fiance" and left them. (Ages 7, 6, 5, and 3 at the time). I put Max on the shuttle bus to Dulles Wednesday.

The kids are progressing in settling in.Heidi has slayed the Military benefits dragon and we have three medical appointments on Friday.

She had rooted around and found the name of a Russian speaking specialist in Northern VA. Somehow she got an appointment for us to take Christina in on Friday for a induction session. He has several of his own children who he adopted from the former USSR and was a groundbreaking practitioner for detachment disorder. Unfortunately Tricare does not recognize him. We are going to do this one out of pocket.

I contacted an organization called Families for Russian and Ukraine adoption (FRUA), that provides International adoption information for families interested in Russian adoption, Ukraine adoption, and adoption from neighboring countries. They have 250 members in the DC/ NoVA/ MD area. When I told the their Representative that we had an appointment with this Therapist she said he was "the" authority in the central east cost. She was very impressed that Heidi had Christina on the list for this week since he is usually scheduled out two months.

Heidi's Brother Jerry flies in Today, the dog has a hair appointment and the church organized meals keep coming. We toured two parks with the kids yesterday and most improtantly to me, we hand a 7 participant tickle fight/wrestling match on the sectional.

Most importantly was that Tayna was a player in the tickle fest. She has always been at arms reach, so she came out of her shell another inch. Christina is doing better, but Maxim shows a lot of wear and tear in his short life. Sasha keeps delivering as the mostly good boy, like when he was the first to cross the "No Chili on my plate" picket line at the diner table.

Every new food is meet with jeers and derision at first, except the Strawberry Shortcake.

Dawn Breaks on Thursday, gotta go!

Erik

Home Again, Home Again, Home Again All

2009-02-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

The main effort is over! Now the insurgency (sound familiar?). The enemy may not have a flag or uniform, but they warrant the same caution and respect.

The last battle of the Adoption, Ukraine edition:

The scene was the duty free shop in Borispil International airport. We had just cleared passports and security, to get into the waiting area. Heidi and I go into Duty Free to get some bribes for the kids and look for comfort food for us. I head out of the store to get Big Max who was watching the the bags, so he can help negotiate with the kids on goodies (not the place to do this shopping by the way). Well, three of them follow me out with an armful of goods in hand and the security goon hot on their heels. A set of mug shots where not taken.

A new day, a new struggle:

We made the flights and had a fantastic welcome Saturday night from our friends. The place looked amazing! Masha and the NCC Crew had painted the kids' room and assembled all the Ikea stuff to fit four in to the space available. Presents had been coming in for them and wrapping paper was flying. And all was bliss at the close of Saturday, but that's at midnight.

Now, the theme this week is: Prison Break, the movie

By 3 AM Sunday; we have been bitten, pinched, scratched, spit on and sweared at with the gusto of a Baltic sailor. The high point of Sunday was Christina and Max tossing the mattress out the 2nd floor bedroom window and threatening a jump.

The most memorable scene of Christina dismantling the louvers on the bedroom door and trowing them at me down the stairs. At first I watched her hit the door, and the louvers separated, then the fingers began to explore. When she got a good hold of one and gave it a good yank, it was all over. It was a Zombie film slo-mo; as the slats disappeared out of the frame and came at me whiffing through the air. Luckily she throws like a girl (ha ha).

Christina is the ring leader and Max is her henchman, Sasha less so and has a heart. Tanya is the victim who gets less attention since she isn't acting out.

Close of business Monday, calmer but movement in the background. 10 holes in the new hollow-core door I installed on Sunday. I have a sheet of plywood and a carpenter coming Tuesday to reinforce their door and secure the rest of the adult rooms.

We just found the new car tonight since we have to sell ours to get enough seats. Toyota won the drive off.

Our friends and Church members have been stopping by for moral, morale and tangible support. Tonight, our dinner was was catered by a great young couple at our church. They have Mondays, and the calender is filling up with volunteers.

I am at the point of tears when I think of all the help we have gotten and the help that is on the way; my nephew Max from California is in town and stopping by for lunch Tuesday; Heidi's Brother, Jerry, is heading to the airport on Thursday for a four day visit; and Babushka Dawn (Heidi's Mom) arrives later this month.

Love, the learning parent. Keep the prayers coming for the adjustment phase.

Erik

Safe Landing

2009-02-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

A follow-up email from Dawn Williams:

Good Evening everyone,

Just wanted all of you to know that Heidi and Erik are home with their children. They left Ukraine at noon today which was 4am CST and arrived in Washington (after a layover in New York) about 8pm CST this evening. That's about 19 hours travel time with 4 small children.

I understand that the day went pretty well with lots of adventures along the way. I am anxious to hear the details, but right now I guess they are all heading for home and bed. But if you saw all the toys and colorful things in the children's room you would wonder how long it will take to settle down. What a wonderful time for the Brun family.

There were lots of tears when Heidi and Erik saw their friends and called me tonight. They are glad to be home and have their children with them. I am very grateful they are home as well.

Please continue to keep this new family in your prayers.

Thank you for all your support.

Dawn Williams

Fasten Your Seat Belts

2009-02-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

An email from Dawn Williams:

Good Morning everyone

I received a call from Heidi at 4am this morning. The door to the airplane was closing and they were on and in their seats. All 7 of them.

She said the children were all pretty excited last night, the boys slept with them and the girls slept all night. It went wonderful at the airport when they arrived. The girls were apprehensive about getting onto the airplane but the flight attendants helped and everything went without any problems.

They have a 12 hour flight to New York but it sounds like they will have some help on the plane if needed.

Jenn (Jennifer Bindhammer, a good friend in DC) sent me some pictures of the children's room. There are pretty beds with colorful quilts and sheets and lots of presents for the children. It will be a wonderful homecoming.

Jenn also said she would send pictures of them landing which I will share with all of you.

We will keep everyone updated as our new family settles in.

Thanks to everyone
Dawn

Operation Squirrel

2009-02-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

Operation Squirrel
Translation in Russian to something like "belchka" or the crafty, wiley character that is ready to take on anything that comes it's way. (according to Erik)

When I spoke with Erik this afternoon (11:30 PM Kiev time) he asked me to send out this request to you for moral support and prayers.

The scene: Erik and Heidi in Kiev with their 4 kids for the first time, pretty much on their own (thank goodness not entirely).

The background: With little to no bonding time, nor Russian language learning time (all of which were on the agenda, until derailed by the antics pulled by the Internaut Director and the caring, caregivers), Erik and Heidi find themselves with the immediate need to keep the kids rounded-up and safe in the city's largest park, while giving them their new-found freedoms. Along with other instant-parenthood challenges confronting loving and caring couples.

Earlier Today in Kiev: While traveling and performing all the necessities of life on the road, and in a hotel in the big city, the kids had a major melt-down. Many of the toys and gifts they've provided wound up on the floor in shreds or broken, amid the torrent of cries, screams and other "acting out" activities. Teachers to the rescue! Fortunately, they were visited by two teachers from the prestigious International Elementary School (where all the state officials and dignitaries send their children). Sergei and Olga arrived on the scene just in time to diffuse, soothe, and calm the young band of rebels. (Apparently Christina was the leader of the rebellion.)

Tonight at the Hotel: Organization is now the rule. Instigators (the girls) have been separated from those who are cleaning up the messes made earlier and seeking ways to repair broken electronics (the boys). Bonding has an opportunity. Bedtime has come late however.

Tomorrow at the Airport: Joined by Max, they will be boarding a 12:10 PM flight. Erik and Heidi will be accompanied to the airport by Leysa (Ben Robinson's sister-in-law) and Ben Robinson (Heidi's cousin), for whose help, they are most thankful.

Here's where your prayers would be most helpful:

To avoid any kind of public display of dissatisfaction on the part of the children.
To have the officials avoid having this become a problem.
To encourage the airport to provide an expediter who would get them through the system with ease
To ensure a safe flight that provides a sense of awe and wonderment for children who will soon see what the wonderful world they are about to enter.
And for continuing to provide Erik and Heidi with the composure, intelligence, perseverance and faith to be the excellent parents we know they will be.

Thank you.

Erick Wand

Iraq was Safer Than This Trip

2009-02-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

We both agree, Iraqi was safer than this trip. At 0800 Friday we felt doomed, the Director of the Orphanage had been fighting us tooth and nail for 6 weeks. She had asked for the city prosecutors office to prepare an appeal to the court order granting the adoption.

We got to the City Prosecutor before he made up his mind. He called her into his office to chewed her out. Then on the last day of the 10 day waiting period, she turns in an intent to appeal letter she had done by a private lawyer.

Thursday night, we left our lawyers with grim news about any fancy footwork. The Director would not budge and we had a letter of intent to appeal, a twenty day delay and when they delivered the appeal, it would drag the fight out 3-6 months and no confidence of success. We were exhausted, low or out of leave, broke and almost broken.

We had been told that Friday morning, a special meeting was to be held with a delegation from Lugansk, the regional capitol. The Local Inspector was told this was a fact finding mission about the case.

We woke up Friday morning, the day we would normally have picked up the kids. We read the last day, day 40, of the Love Dare. (Its a couples devotional we brought with us on the trip, based on the Film "Fireproof"). Then we found we both had the same thought: Lets go back by the City Prosecutor's Office. Max, our facilitator, was going to the Inspector's Office and Vova, our translator and Friend, joined us on our desperate mission.

We waited outside the Prosecutors office for twenty minutes, no appointment, no citizenship. He agreed to meet us and we were seated at in front of his desk at 0930. He is in his late 40s, in a suit this time (Last meeting was on a Saturday), with two Deputy Prosecutors standing by. He told us he had heard about the appeal and had made a few calls. He had just talked to the Director and found out she was trying to get Press at the meeting and her good Friends where some of the Inspectors coming. During this discussion, I got a text message from Max saying that we would meet up in front of the Orphanage at 1130 for the meeting. It was planed to be a trap, and we were the target!

The City Prosecutor did what he does best, he got mad. He asked us if we would file a complaint, and called the Militia (law enforcement) for some information. About 10 minutes later a uniformed Militia Officer came in with a report. 65 runaway cases in the city last year and 54 of them from the Internaugt. He was going to launch several investigations!

He was moving fast now, he called the press and turned off any planed coverage (I think) and we went to the Deputy Prosecutor's office who handles Family court where Max joined us and we started writing. At 1115 we were escorted by her and the Deputy Prosecutor who represented the state in our hearing into two cabs (Russlan and Aleg at the wheel) and we got to the Internaut at 1125.

"High Noon," at 1130, as we walked to the front door, the Prosecutors had gotten ahead of us and were heading upstairs. We where stopped and made to wait in the lobby by a male teacher as a Sergeant at arms. The Inspector joined us in the in the holding pen, until the door person was talked into calling for updated orders on our detention.

We where sent to the Directors waiting room and the Inspector joined the cat fight inside. We waited for hour and a half, listing too heated discussions and watching people shuttle in and out for copies of our complaint.

It was all insane, but thank goodness we got to wait outside the door. In any event - after two separate trips to the prosecutor's office, three visits to the best adoption lawyer in town (previous prosecutor) and a visit by three regional directors above the Director along with two of the city prosecutors the Director pulled the intent to appeal at 1307 hrs.

The Scene, the Directors office at about 1500, the Director trying to look in control, the local Inspector, the three Regional Directors, and the two local deputy prosecutors at a "lets kiss and make nice" meeting:

Erik got the last laugh when he pulled out the Ukraine Family Code Book from his jacket pocket and told all the ladies that made the Director change her mind on the appeal ( that "(he) appreciated the wisdom of the laws of the this country". The Director was about to croak when she saw the book! They laughed too, well all but the Director!

The "Best interest of the Children"! Chapter 18 article 218!

The Inspectors, Prosecutors promised to stand by until we got the kids out, they left with us at 1655. We piled in a cab and drove directly to Get Maxim and meet Vova there. He had rode ahead to get things moving. What a day, God be praised!

Sunday Night-Long story short - we have two more stops on Mon and Tue am and then we travel back to Kiev and should be able to fly by the weekend.

Heidi sends:

This parenting thing would be a lot better if the daughters would stop sending death looks! Ha! The girls are still stinkers, but they come along now and then!

Max and Sasha both have slept in our bed with us a bit the past two nights so those guys are coming around!

The caregivers sure didn't do us any favors! Just the fact that the girls get in a stink even when we try to warn them on caution stuff or trying to stop them from walking in front of a car (cars don't stop for anything out here!) and especially with the snow and ice!

But we are getting through it!

Apparently they are enjoying the "freedom of it all." No routines, but according to our translators, they don't believe the freedom will last! We have kind of let them just be, once we get them back to the two room and living room suite we are currently in. We get them washed up (the girls have learned the bathtub routine is more fun in warm water and a real full tub)! (They are all used to getting hosed down maybe once a week in a 3x3 floor basin. And the boys have both had baths too and they seem to enjoy them! Unfortunatly Maxim wanted to take one after the girls drained all the hot water (it is a small electric water heater that takes a while to regenerate once you have used it all) but he still had a bath (with bubble bath soap of course!).

Today we let them sleep in til they woke up and then we all just hung out till noon- they watching dvds and the TV and Erik and I just repacking our stuff (we moved from our one room hotel room to the suite at night so we had no prep time and it was a bit of a mess to do and recover from)! Christina even stayed in her pajamas til 1pm and told our translators about it later. We met up with Max and Vova to head to the stable to get a pony ride and take the kids on a sleigh ride. They liked most of it, except when we hit a curve and the sleigh turned over a bit and pitched all of us out (I was the only other adult besides the horse owner on) and they were cold, snowy and the girls were scared of every bump. I had to turn him around after that. Dasha was with us (Roslun's daughter) and was disappointed because she loved it all! She told Vova and Max later what they all said on the ride. It was fun to get the intrepretation even though I pretty much knew the girls were unhappy and Sasha was cold (he had gotten his gloves all wet before we even had left the hotel with a snowball fight and cleaning off Alec's car). The snow was wonderful though!

Took the kids clothes shopping tonight. Soo many decisions they never, ever had to make before!!! The girls both got matching pink dresses and tights with pretty flowers on the lower legs. The dress is really what made Christina happy! They also got a pair of pants too. They wouldn't pick out anything else though we wanted them too. The boys got a couple of pairs of pants and tops and sweaters. They were not really helpful in trying stuff on either! It doesn't help that the clothes shop is in a toy store. The second store we went to was for underwear, and the place we went for coats - yep, another toy store! So Maxim got the remote control car he was hoping for, and the others got something fun too!

We tried to do a family photo - well we did it but Sasha was really homesick and this was only 2 hours after they left so he was looking down. I really don't know how the photo turned out yet, but will look at it. We will try to get another taken to send ya!

Love to all

Erik & Heidi
the blesd

Living by the Rules (Book)

2009-02-01T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Scene: The Directors office, after she has been forced to withdraw her appeal, a lets kiss and make nice meeting:

Erik did get the last laugh with the Director when he pulled out the Ukraine Family Code Book and told all the ladies that made the Director change her mind on the appeal (the local Inspector, the three Regional Directors, and the two local prosecutors) that "(he) apprecated the wisdom of the laws of the this country." The Director was about to croak when she saw the book! They laughed too, well all but the Director!

The chapter in the regulation book for Adoption issues is 18 but the article that sites the Best interest of the Children is 218.

Erik and Heidi

Ukranian Adoption Law Translation follows:

Chapter 18

Adoption
Article 207. the definition of adoption
1. Adoption is acceptance of a person by the adoptive parent to his/her family on rights of a daughter or a son, which is made on the ground of court decision, except in case, specified in article 282 of this Code.
2. Adoption of a child is made in his/her best interests for ensuring stable and harmonious life conditions.

Article 208. Person who can be adopted
1. A child can be adopted (article 6 of this code)
2. In exceptional cases a court can make a decision about adoption of an adult person, who doesn’t have mother, father or was deprived of their care. In such case the court takes into consideration family status of the adoptive parent, particularly absence of children, and other circumstances that are of considerable importance.

Article 209. Adoption of a child, who hasn’t been taken from maternity hospital, or was abandoned, or found.
1. A child, who hasn’t been taken from maternity hospital or another medical institution, or whose parents or other relatives refused to pick him/her up, may be adopted after attaining of 2 months of age.
2. A child who was abandoned or found may be adopted after 2 months from the time he/she was found.

Article 210. Adoption of siblings.
1. If brothers and sisters are registered for possible adoption, they cannot be separated in their adoption.
If there are circumstances of considerable significance, the court with agreement of the body of guardianship and care can decree the decision about adoption of someone of them or about adoption by different persons.
2. If adoption of a child is not secret, brother and sister have the right to know his/her new place of residence.

Article 211. The persons who can be adoptive parents.
1. The adoptive parent must be at least 21 years old, except when he/she is a relative to the child.
2. The adoptive parent must be at least 15 years older than the child he/she wishes to adopt. The difference in age between the adoptive parent and the child cannot be greater than 45 years.
In case of adoption of an adult the difference in age mustn’t be less than 18 years.
3. A married couple may become adoptive parents, as well as the persons specified in parts 5 and 6 of this article. The adoptive parents may not be the persons of the same sex.
4. The persons who are not married to one another may not adopt the same child. If such persons live together like a family, court may decree the decision of adoption by them.
5. If a child has only mother, he/she may not be adopted by a man, who is not married to his/her mother. If a child has only father, he/she may not be adopted by a woman, who is not married to his/her father. If such persons live together like a family, court may decree the decision of adoption by them.
6. If a child has only father or only mother, who in connection with adoption lose legal connection with the child, just one man or one woman may become the adoptive parent of the child.
7. The number of children who may be adopted by one adoptive parent is not restricted.

Article 212. Persons who may not be the adoptive parents
1. The following persons may not be the adoptive parents:
1) with limited legal capacity
2) declared incapable
3) deprived of parent rights, if these rights have not been renewed
4) those who have been the adoptive parents of another child, but the adoption was annulled or declared not valid through their fault.
5) registered under care of being treated by psychoneurological or narcological dispensary
6) those who misuse alcohol or drugs
7) those who don’t have permanent residence or constant earnings (fixed income)
8) sick with diseases, the list of which is stated by Ministry of health protection of Ukraine
9) foreigners who are not married, except cases, when the foreigner is a relative to the child.
2. Apart from the persons, specified in part 1 of this article, persons, whose interests contradict interests of the child may not be the adoptive parents.

Article 213. Persons who have preferential right before others for adoption of a child.
1. If there are several persons, who expressed desire to adopt the same child, the preferential right for his/her adoption belongs to a citizen of Ukraine:
a) whose family brings the child up;
b) who is the husband of the child’s mother, or the wife of father of the child who is adopted;
c) who adopts several children, who are siblings;
d) who is a relative of the child.
2. Apart from the persons, specified in part 1 of this article, a married couple has a preferential right for adoption of a child.

Article 217. Consent of parents for adoption of their child.
1. A child’s adoption is made with a free consent of his/her parents.
2. The parents’ consent for their child’s adoption must be unconditional. Agreement as to payment for consent for a child’s adoption by the adoptive parents to parents, guardians or other persons, with whom the child lives is ineffective.
3. Parents’ consent for adoption may be given only after the child has attained 2 months’ age.
4. If child’s mother or father is juvenile, apart from their consent for adoption, their parents’ consent is required.
5. Parents’ written consent for adoption is notarized.
6. Mother, father of the child has the right to withdraw their consent for adoption before court’s decision about adoption comes into effect.

Article 218. Consent of the child for adoption
1. the child consent is required for his/her adoption, if the child’s attained such age and level of development, that he/she can express consent. The child’s consent is given in the form corresponding to his/her age and health condition.
2. The child must be informed about legal consequences of adoption.
3. Adoption is granted without the child’s consent, if he/she with connection of age or health condition doesn’t realize the fact of adoption
4. The child’s consent is not required, when he/she lives in the family of adoptive parents and considers them his/her own parents.

Article 219. Child’s adoption without consent of parents.
1. Child’s adoption is made without his/her parents’ consent, if they are:
a) Unknown
b) Acknowledged as missing
c) Acknowledged as incapable
d) Deprived of parent’s rights as to the child who is adopted.
2. Child’s adoption may be fulfilled without consent of adult parents, if the court ascertains that they, not having lived with the child for more than 6 months, do not express parent’s care and attention, do not maintain and do not bring the child up.

Article 221. Consent of guardian, custodian for adoption of a child
1. For adoption of a child, who is under guardianship or custody, as well as for adoption of a child, whose parents under guardianship or custody, the written consent of guardian or custodian is required, regardless of parents’ consent.
2. If guardian or custodian doesn’t give consent for child’s adoption, such consent may be given by a body of guardianship or custody.
3. The child’s adoption may be fulfilled without consent of guardian, custodian or body of guardianship and custody, if the court ascertains, that adoption of the child meets his/her interests.

Article 222. Consent of medical institution or educational institution for adoption of a child.
1. For adoption of a child, who doesn’t have parents and stays in a medical or educational institution, the written consent of this institution is required.
Adoption may be fulfilled without consent of this institution, if the court ascertains, that adoption of the child meets his/her interests.

Article 223. Application for a child’s adoption.
1. Person, who wishes to adopt a child, hands in application for adoption to the court. Handing in such application through a representative is not acceptable.
2. Application for adoption may be withdrawn before the court’s decision about adoption comes into effect.

Article 224. Court’s decision about adoption
1. The court, decreeing a decision about child’s adoption, takes into consideration circumstances, which are of considerable importance, particularly:
a) Health condition and financial circumstances of the person who wishes to adopt a child, his/her marital status, living conditions, attitude to upbringing of the child;
b) Motives, on bases of which the person wishes to adopt the child.
c) Motives why the other of married couple doesn’t wish to become an adoptive parent, if only one of the married couple applies for adoption
d) Adequacy of the person who wishes to adopt the child and how long this person has cared for the child;
e) The person of the child and his/her health condition
f) Attitude of the child to the person, who wishes to adopt him.
2. If complying with all conditions, stated in this Code, with ability of the person who wishes to adopt the child, to ensure stable and harmonious life conditions for the child, the courts grants a decree, in which this person is declared the adoptive parent of the child.
3. The court may not refuse to grant adoption to a person for the reason, that the person already has or can have a child.
4. The court, decreeing a decision about adoption of an adult, takes into account the motives, on bases of which the persons wish to adopt, the possibility of their cohabitation, their family status and health condition and other circumstances which are of considerable importance.

Article 225. The moment of fulfillment of adoption.
1. The adoption is considered fulfilled on the date when the court decision comes into effect.
2. At will of adoptive parent, a state body of registration gives an adoption certificate on the base of the court decision. The sample of the certificate is approved by the Cabinet of the ministers of Ukraine.

Article 230. The right of adoptive parent to change records about birthplace and birth date of the child.
1. A person who applies for adoption may express wish to change records about birthplace and birth date of the child.
2. Date of birth of a child can be changed to no more than six months.
3. In decision about adoption the court changes records about birth place and birth date of the child if it meets his/her interests.

Article 232. Legal consequences of adoption.
1. From the moment of fulfillment of adoption personal and property rights and duties between parents and the person who is adopted lapse, as well as between the person and his/her other relatives by birth.
If the child is adopted by one person, these rights and duties may be conserved at will of mother, if the adoptive parent is a man, or at will of father, if the adoptive parent is a woman.
2. If after a parent’s death or divorce with a person, acknowledged as incapable by the court, the other parent espouses one more time and his/her spouse in the recurring marriage wishes to adopt the child, grandfather or grandmother of the child on the side of the parent who is deceased or acknowledged incapable, his own brothers and sisters have the right to hand in application to the court as to retaining the legal connection between them and the child being adopted.
The court considers this application simultaneously with adoption application and satisfies it, if it meets the child’s interests.
3. From the moment of adoption mutual personal non-pecuniary and pecuniary rights and duties arises between the person who is adopted (and in the future between his/her children and grandchildren) and the adoptive parent and his/her relatives by birth.
4. Adoption grants to the adoptive parent rights and charges duties as to the child he/she adopted to the same extent as parents have as to the child.
5. Adoption grants rights to the person, who is adopted, and charges duties as to the adoptive parent to the same extent as a child has at to his parents.

Article 233. Alteration to birth records of the child, who is adopted.
1. On the base of the court decision about adoption a state body of status registration makes corresponding alterations in birth records of the child or the adult and issues a new birth certificate taking into account these alterations. The birth certificate that was issued before is annulled.

Article 234. reservation of child’s rights that he/she had before adoption.
1. The adopted child reserves the rights for pension, other social payment, as well as payment of indemnification in connection with loss of breadwinner, which the child had before adoption.

Article 235. Control over compliance with the rights of the child who was adopted.
1. A body of guardianship and custody exercises control over compliance with the rights of the children, who were adopted and reside in Ukraine.
2. Control over compliance with the rights of the child who was adopted, is exercised till his/her attainment of majority.

Article 236. Invalidity of adoption.
1. The adoption is nullified by the court’s decision if it was granted without consent of the children or parents, if such consent was necessary.
2. The adoption is nullified by the court’s decision if the adoptive parent didn’t wish coming into effect rights and responsibilities, which arise as result of adoption (fictitious adoption)
3. The adoption may be nullified by court decision, if it was granted on the base of forged documents
4. The adoption may be nullified by court decision, in case of absence of consent for adoption from persons specified in articles 220-222 of this Code.
5. If one of the spouses adopted a child of the other spouse, the adoption may be nullified by court decision, if it is ascertained, that at the moment of adoption the other spouse didn’t have intention to continue marital relations.

Brun Family of 6

2009-01-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

Posted from an email sent by Dawn Williams

Hello everyone,

I got a call from Heidi about 3:30 pm our time (Minneapolis). They had just finished giving their children baths and getting them ready for bed. They got all four of them out of their respective orphanages and they are now the Brun family of 6. They do not have to return to the orphanage ever again. They all went to dinner together, had baths and are working at being parents. Heidi said that this afternoon, after they got the 3 little ones, they headed to pick up Max. On the way, Christina was directing who sat where in the car, and Tatiana was being a little poop, while Sasha didn’t feel good. Sounds like a family to me.

Say prayers for all of them as they move as a group in their travels to Kiev and then to America. All of our prayers have been answered.

Dawn (Heidi’s Mom)

Best Day of Their Lives

2009-01-30T05:39:00.000-08:00

Posted from an email received from Dawn Williams:

Appeal Status Update

Good Morning everyone.

I just received a call from Heidi. Today was the best day of their lives. They just picked up the court documents for all four children. They met with the prosecutor who is also the best adoption lawyer in town. He called two of his staff and they went to the orphanage with Heidi and Erik and stayed with them until things were finished. There they met with the director's boss and a regional person who kicked butt. The prosecutor squashed the appeal, and after two hours Heidi and Erik were granted final permission to remove the children today. This was after the children were asked once again if they wanted to be adopted and go to America. The two girls said Sasha will speak for them. He said "YES." The children are being prepared at this minute to walk out of the orphanage and move to the suite in the hotel with Heidi and Erik. They are also going to pick up Max this afternoon. So their entire family will be assembled and together for the first time. They discovered that there are already passports in their names, so they truly hope to be out of there and off to Kiev by Tuesday.

Praise God and thank all of you for supporting them during this very difficult process. We have a new family coming home and I have four new grandchildren.

Dawn Williams
Grandmother to Max, Alexander (Sasha), Christina and Tatiana Brun

Not Out of the Woods Yet!

2009-01-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

In a phone call from Erik...

Erik shared that the Director of the Internaut filed an "intent to appeal" which in effect drags out the legal proceedings by at least another 20 days. And could likely turn into a month or more. Suffice it to say that lawyers have been hired, and the legal games are beginning.

Not About to Quit

2009-01-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

From an email by Dawn Williams:

Good afternoon everyone,

I called Heidi and Erik this morning and had a long visit with them. At that point it was looking promising. They had their work cut out for them getting the changed birth certificates from the town where the children were born and then working to get them all moving towards Kiev. They hoped to be on the road by next Tuesday. But then I got a call from Heidi later this afternoon with another update which they asked me to share with all of you. They are going to be really busy and pushing out all the stops for the next few days.

They were told earlier this afternoon that the director of the orphanage, where the 3 children live, called around town to find an attorney who would write up an appeal to block the adoption proceedings for the 3 children. After being turned down by several attorneys (many of the attorneys in town are aware of the difficulties Heidi and Erik have been faced with and are supporting them in their efforts to adopt). However, she did find one that would draw up the appeal paperwork. As a result, Heidi and Erik are planning some direct strategy for the next few days which could include suing the director. They have several attorneys working with them. They have let out the rumor that they are looking for an apartment to rent or a house to buy. This will give the staff at the orphanage the notion they they are not going away and plan to remain until the children return to America with them. The one good the children have in their favor is that Heidi and Erik are not quitters and are fighting for these children. The director told Heidi that the children should be allowed to remain in Ukraine to live their "mediocre lives."

A good thing that has helped Heidi and Erik during these past few weeks. When they go to visit Maxim he is waiting at the door for them, happy to see them and engaged with them during the whole visit. Then he goes to the door to wave to them as they leave. I am sure that has helped to keep them going.

I will stay in touch with them by phone and will update you all again when I talk to them later this week.

We all need to get our prayer chains going because they truly need them now.

Dawn Williams
Heidi's mother in Minnesota
dawnbrody@yahoo.com

Photos 1-26-09, part 4

2009-01-26T19:16:00.000-08:00

Maxim and his teacher, she is the most caring and thought-full teacher I have ever met. I never would have graduated elementary school if I had her as an instructor! ( I would have deliberately failed the tests)

Photos 1-26-09, part 3

2009-01-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome sign for Severdonetz

Heidi rings the monastery bell with a wish

Sleigh bells - Ruslan took us for a ride

Photos 1-26-09, part 2

2009-01-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

Svendlana, our librarian protector. She taught Russian for 40 years and now developed the library. She has been very kind to us, at risk of her own job here.

Ruslan

Vova with helmet we found laying around, (he needed it this week)

Photos 1-26-09, part 1

2009-01-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

Love, Faith and Vova

2009-01-26T02:14:00.000-08:00

We left you with a cliff hanger, because that's what we have been living.

The Hollywood moment: Two beleaguered parents, walk into the Prosecutor's office to fight for their children. They have three secret weapons: Love, Faith and Vova.

We have been overwhelmed with so much here and quite a bit of it is negative! Ok, most of it is negative! But fortunately, we have our Au Pair's brother, Vova (Vadamir) with us, and he is a believer. He has been wonderful and very positive throughout our stay here.

After the court hearing, and a finding in our favor, we went through six days of trials. The orphanage filed an appeal against the finding and we were turned away from the orphanage two times by the staff when we went to see the kids. The staff then turned the kids and their classmates against us for several days. When forty, 6-8 year olds, all ignore you, you know something is wrong, because these kids don't have much to do but check you out when you enter the door!

On Wednesday, our protector and friend, Ruslan, introduced us to two lawyers (one a former prosecutor) who both talked to us for an hour and a half and gave us legal advice and the courage to go into the head prosecutor's office on Saturday morning to discuss the appeal filed by the orphanage. This is so far outside of normal adoption process our facilitators were very worried.

We arrived and were escorted to the office of the head prosecutor, a man in his 40s and very professional. He told us right away that he knew why we were there and that the orphanage had told them that we had not made any positive contact with the kids and that the kids didn't want to go to America. We were shocked he believed that! But after about 15 minutes of explaining our side, and Vova filling in some critical information that he had seen with us these last few weeks, Vova started to translate an apology and that the head prosecutor, he now understood, and that he would drop the appeal all together.

Apparently, when the head prosecutor heard that the orphanage staff is mainly concerned that the orphanage would be closed if the class sizes kept slipping in the lower aged classes that our kids are in. (the head prosecutor confirmed this to be true with his two Deputy prosecutors in the room and one that was in the court room with us on Monday via a telephone). He became very angry at the orphanage director. "I have been made a tool" for trying to use the Prosecutors Office for their own ends.

We also learned that the director had told one of the prosecutors that she did not like military members and that was another reason she was not supporting the adoption! When this came up, the head prosecutor was surprised as he thought that being military members would be good as we would provide order for the children. So Vova added that not only were we military members, but we are also strong believers! And that really made the head prosecutor change his mind!

It also didn't hurt that Vova told them that the Director of the Orphanage had told us that she was against adoptions! She pointed out to us that these children have "Bad genes." We shared many photos we keep in our photo book that shows the kids on our shoulders, in our arms, smiling and laughing with us throughout the time we have been here really made them see that we are all getting along well.

Heidi just told them that the only question the children were asked from day one, and that continues daily (in a harsh adult tone from the orphanage staff) has been - "do you want to go to America?" Instead of - "here are some people that would like to get to know you and be your parents, they will be here to spend time with you and get to know you. Have fun and enjoy their company!" Never have they asked, do you like these people? Do you enjoy spending time with them?

So the head prosecutor got to hear both sides of the story and fortunately he believed the truth!

We now have four more days to wait and then we go on Friday to get the final court decree and continue to get the birth certificates, passports, and get out of town and this country!

Please continue to pray for this situation as the children are being told untruthful things (we know that they have not been told that we were granted the right to adopt them by the judge) and that we even believe that the children are being treated badly and their classmates are being punished as well.

As for the fourth child, Maxim, we saw him on Saturdat and he is fine. (Although we noticed approximately twelve big boys smoking along side the building when we came and two other boys were hitting a boy that looked so much like Maxim that Heidi was prepared to jump out of the moving car as we drove up thinking it was him being hit.) We did realize that it wasn't him, but we still are ready to get him out of there so much!

Maxim's last comment to us before we left was again - "when will you come and take me?" We will see him again in the next few days and then hope to get him out of there for good over the weekend!

Things are Looking Up

2009-01-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

Phone call from Erik reveals that prayers are working and progress is being made. Details to follow. Erik thanks everyone for their continued support.

From the Bunker

2009-01-22T02:42:00.000-08:00

Heidi, Erik and Vova (who did not sign up for a tour in a combat zone, but he is doing well)

We are working on the next step. We had court on Monday and after a three-hour court hearing the judge ruled in favor of the adoption. Only the oldest boy in the end said yes and the other three children said they want to stay at the orphanage. We are pleased the judge and the prosecutor were of their right mind and the Judge stated in his five-page decision which he read every word of - "that it is in the best interest of the children to be adopted and to stay together!"

Unfortunately while we are working on the next step, the orphanage, where the younger three live, is making an appeal. The reason given is because the kids did not agree in court. We hear it may be because if all three kids go it will put their levels (grade 1, 2, and 3) behind in the necessary numbers and the orphanage may lose those classes and eventually may close.

We are hopeful and will know more tomorrow. We also were able to talk to some legal advisers (offline) last night, for an hour an a half, and they gave us some ideas. We will be also meeting with the some offices tomorrow as they have an inspection going on today.

It is not pretty, but we are hanging in there! This is an all-or-nothing game at this point. If the appeal succeeds, the court process will last for months. The kids are very traumatized at this point. The middle two now will not make eye contact initially and their classes seem to be suffering collective punishment for their contact with us.

The Good News is we are being allowed to take the kids out of the orphanage this afternoon (we have been asking since mid December)! We plan take them to the local mall that has an indoor ice rink, small cars the kids can drive in, an arcade with a bowling alley, shops, and food. So this is our first chance in a month to show them something else than the only thing they know!

We want to recognized our special angels who have come to our aide here lately. Imagine being stranded in a foreign land, in a courtroom, settling your future, in a language you can not understand:

Ruslan, began as our cab driver but has grown into a Friend and protector, Heidi calls him our new older brother. He had us to his house on New Year's Eve; took us on a tour of a local Orthodox church, build in a small forest in the last 15 years; and for a sleigh ride on Tuesday (before the feces hit the air circulating device).

Vova (Vladimir, Masha's brother) came to help us with the kids and do some light translation, but has now bore the brunt of several very heated meetings with the director and her staff. He is invaluable in gaining insight to what's going on behind the scenes.

Svedlana, the librarian of the Intrenaut in Sevedonesk. She is a woman of faith who has taken several administrative beatings for helping us out. She is a friendly face, a voice of truth and a place of refuge in a very bitter and cold place.

Keep us in your prayers. Also that the care-givers see past their own self interests in this adoption, and the Kids most of all.

Setback Encountered

2009-01-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

Via message from Erik and Heidi who have come so far,
yet challenges remain...

Your prayers and kind thoughts urgently requested.

Legal difficulties continue. Complex and frustrating.

Will provide details as time permits. Love to all. - E&H

Reader comments posted below are welcome too!

We Won!

2009-01-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

So, Sunday night, the full court press. Our facilitator, Max, sat down with Sasha and Christina to go over the pros and cons of court.

We had known that the middle children where becoming an issue. It was not that they did not like us or trust us, it's just it was so far outside their safety zone that they felt they did not want to leave their friends, and routine here for the unknown.

Some of the things they had been told: "you will be stabbed," "you will be turned over to organ brokers," "if you go into a shop you can get killed," "your new parents will beat you," "you will be used as domestic servants," (the last one was asked to friends of ours when they adopted a few years ago by the judge).

We had them speak to Masha (at our home) in D.C. She asked them what they liked to study, what they liked to do. They asked her to tell them about the house?, the neighborhood?, they where surprised by the concept of time zones as it was morning in the US when they called from Ukraine and it was night for us.

Then Max used his secret weapon, William. A young man he assisted in the adoption of to the Krebs Family of NY less than three months ago. William spoke to us for 20 minutes answering hard questions like "Do your parents beat you? Do they love you? Do you have a bicycle? And from the youngest girl (Tanya) is it better here or there?

The evening was indecisive but it had made America "more real" in some ways.

Court.
Monday started with breakfast at the hotel with Maxim and two staff from his Internaut who drove him in. We met up with the other kids at the Courthouse. We waited for the proceding to begin and watched the children interact as four siblings for the first time in several years. This was very amusing, but I just wish it was not such grim surroundings or ominous pretenses.

We filed into the court room, Max at our side as our translator. We went for three hours, with three recesses, and it was summarized by the judge reading a 5-page court finding.

The testimony by the prospective parents was the first hour and fifteen minutes, then the fun:

They Asked Maxim, the eldest, a series of questions. He promptly curled up and could not be made to state his name, let alone if he wanted to go to America (much later he stated "Da!" when asked again). Sasha could not be made to answer either, but Christina was ready with a hearty Nyet!. When asked why, her response was "all her friends are at the Internaut," of course this lead to a vote of one abstain and 3 No's.

The rest of those two hours became a bit of a blur.The judge, male late 40's, sent his two jurors, female, 40's, to poll the kids during a recess. Many sequence of questioning, reasoning and cajoling ensued. At last, the kids were released at a 1 to 3 vote by the kids against leaving the Internut.

Then the last hour of the tribunal. The court reconvened without the three children from the local Internut and asked us to state our position. We simply said that the we loved these children, we understand that for the last 3 years they have lived in two institutions with 24 mothers and no fathers, and we wanted to have them join us to create a family.

At the end of the five-page decree, three hours into the process, he granted us our motion.

So the 10-day appeal period begins, and we prepare to move out with the new family at the conclusion of that time.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Yeah!

Ukraine Times Two

2009-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Bill and Stefanie are now a family of six... a Father, a Mother and 4 little Boys from Ukraine living the American dream.

Here's their story:
krebskids.blogspot.com

Fingernail Biting Time

2009-01-16T01:22:00.000-08:00

We are waiting for our court date at 9:30 am on Monday, January 19, to see what the judge says. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for the judge, the kids and the administrators who influence the kids.

We pray that what's best for the kids is what is the center of the issue.

Erik and Heidi

Inspiration from My Friend, Clancy

2009-01-14T01:33:00.000-08:00

The following link will take you to a newspaper article about a friend of mine. I met Clancy O'Houlahan in Saudi Arabia in 1991 and had something to do with an assignment for him in CA. We visited his crowd when he had 4 in highchairs and attended is oldest son's wedding a wile back.

Please visit his article here: O'houlahan clan: The more the merrier

The Princess and Cinderella go for a walk

2009-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

We took Tanya (the pink princess) and Christina (Cinderella before the fairy godmother) for a walk around the buildings. They picked up a puppy on the way and are seen conferring over it here.

The walk included Christina blackmailing us into taking her to the store in the adjacent housing complex and buying her and Tanya a stash of goodies to take back to the kids in their classes.

That evening Christina had a chocolate smear all over her chin.

Oh and I'll let you guess who got to carry the puppy back and keep it warm for most of the walk.

Well, this is the non-website picture of the Internaut – the freezing one. Tanya lives in the wing at the left, Sasha and Christina in the right.

Heidi, Max (our facilitator) and Vova and I went bowling at Jazz (the mall). Nice little modern 8-lane ally here.

Sincerely,

Parents in training (taking the immersion course)

Our Life in the Ukraine

2009-01-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Well guys, time flies. Almost a month on the ground and we are almost going native. After a week of mid Teens below Celsius, its a heat wave of minus 4 (24.8°F) and snow! Kinda makes you want to want to grab a beach towel and run down to the frozen fountains! Just a few words on our life.

Our court date is set for the 19th and the 10-day waiting (appeal) peariod ends the 28th or 29th. At that point, with a blessing, we shall be able to get the kids out of lock up and get moving on to the birth ceritficate and passport process.

That would put us heading to Kiev in the first week of February. Your prayers for the continued process and thankgiving for so many of you who have stepped up in material ways, hustling documents for us, getting information and pictures posted or preparing the nest for all the extra chicks.

Now just a few words on our life here:

We live in a modernized but minimal hotel. We have an electric heater now so we don't need the jackets on the bed anymore.

Cab rides are a buck, a great dinner for 3, with drinks, is $30 and we have found two restaurants that have English menus. There is a new shopping center tha has a small indoor skating rink, bowling alley and one of the two pizza parlors Heidi has found so far.

A little more info: (right click to open this link in a new window)
http://ukrainetrek.com/severodonetsk-ukraine-city.shtml

The first picture is of part of the central square, our hotel is the blue building at the left edge of the picture. Of course it has been snow-bound since we have been here, so we have to squint to recognize anything.

The 17th photo (just below the headline "Severodonetsk Ukraine city views") is of the Internaut's central building. The building has Roman numerals for 1959 across the top and School-"Internaut" in Russian on its face. This has the library, offices and assembly hall in it. The building is flanked by two dormitories and has an attached classroom wing and dining facility. The Kindergarten is a separate facility on the same grounds.

We love you all and look forward to sharing our four new hard heads with ya, the sooner the better!

The Blessed, Erik and Heidi

Birthdays in the Internaut - Photos

2009-01-08T05:27:00.000-08:00

Birthdays in the Internaut are generally held the last Friday of each month for the the kids with birthdays that month. We held a special Birthday Party for Christina Yesterday (7 January, her 8th). The "care givers" gave us a classroom and we set up a little surprise party for her.

Max is very studious, working on English.

This has and continues to be a tough process!

2009-01-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

We are still getting to know the kids and they are still learning to trust! I think we have made good headway with Sasha (almost nine year old boy) and Tania (6 year old) has been coming around too! Christina turned eight yesterday and we threw her a huge birthday party - well it was a big thing that I would have been impressed at eight and especially being in the place she is in. The caregiver played along and even put on a princess crown and then when it was all over the caregiver hung the princess birthday banner in Christina's room - so we think we are even making improvements with the caregivers! Maxim is wonderful to start and he just wants to know when we can take him with us? We visit him again tomorrow.

The thing is now to stay moving forward and for us to stay positive! It wears you down, so we appreciate your emails and prayers!

We were able to get the immigration form approved for four children so it is enroute now. That was a huge win! And will be needed at the court date which we should hear a date today or tomorrow.

We thank you all for your support, kindness, encouragement in all of this!

Special thanks to Clinton for running out to VA again for updated paperwork and FedEX/DHL mailings to Ukraine! Our hats and hearts go out to you!

Thanks for your continued prayers and encouragement!

-Heidi and Erik

Hightlight of the Week

2009-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Great visit with Maxim - especially when the head instructor tells us she has taught him to pray to God since he came to their orphanage - for a mother and father to be a family, and when Maxim asks - when can you take me? He also continuously asks, when will you be back?

Good visits with Tanya - when she wants to go play with us instead of her kids group when we show up today. They where dressed out to play outside (only -5 degrees celsius but with sun shining). So we are outside and she throws snow at me and I return a pile of fresh snow at her and she turns just in time for it to hit her in the face and she simply wipes it off and spits it out and rolls over, gets up, and keeps going without a fuss!

Then, when we return to the building and can't find her group and the head caregiver who always gives us trouble tells us you should of checked with your caregiver where they would be when you returned and Tania responds for all of us - "I did do that!"

Last night, when Sasha and I played hit the balloon back and forth for a while, dancing to the audio file from a cell phone, great fun. Then he has to go take a bath and returns to us finally clean and combs his hair nicely in front of us and then proceeds to pull out the English learning book and goes thru it slowly and confidently with Vova (Masha's brother) and is now asking us when we will return?

With Christina - she has begun to return to being like Papa's little girl again. She is a lively one and the language barrier I think is harder on her, but she is coming around.

Thanks all for your continued encouragement and prayers!

Love and miss ya

-Heidi and Erik

Maxim Playing Computer Game Video

2009-01-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

The adoption continunues... but some parts are fun...

This one's a hoot. This was 2 minutes into Maxim's first time on the computer. He is playing a pinball game on my laptop on his bed in his room. I think he may need some glases.

1/2/09 Video

2009-01-03T04:22:00.000-08:00

Two videos of the kids in action:

Hit the Road Jack Dance

I Feel Good Cartwheels

For smaller version suitable for your cell phone, or larger version for download or on DVD, please contact Erick Wand, erick@graphicsbyerick.com

Bruns in Ukraine - moving ahead & ask for continued prayers

2009-01-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

Hi all;

Well we have been doing better with the three kids as they are actually greeting us with English greetings and asking when we will be returning to see them again! Prayers are being heard and we continue to praise God throughout the day and week!

We will have an updated info letter that we drafted up on the blog so please check it later today or the next day or so! It may surprised you when you read what we learned earlier this week!

Thanks again for your continued prayers:

1- For the children letting go of their fears and getting closer to us
2-For safe travels to those that are helping us (Leysa returns to Kiev today following five days with us teaching the kids some English and us some more Russian),
3-and for safe travels for Vova (Masha's brother who travels from Kiev to us - he arrives tomorrow to assist with more translation for all) and
4- For Max and Sasha as they go back and forth for paperwork -

God was so good to us. A front tire had damage to the side wall and we still were able to travel on it to return while in another city and we found a tire shop open at 5pm that could fix it and get us on our way the other day.

Hopefully Max got his clutch fixed on his car too! They were trying to match the right parts in Kiev when he returned via train last week, he is likely gonna drive back here when he comes to do the court paperwork...

5- For the administration, teachers, and caregivers in this orphanage that are still very hardened

6- For Erik and I to continue to be caring to one another as we live together in tight quarters in a city that we have found only one person that speaks English - we sure feel like we are outsiders

Thanks all!

-Heidi and Erik Brun

New Year's Day Photos

2009-01-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

The team, Big Sasha is our facilitor (his able deputy is Max who will be rejoining us on the 8th of Jan to prepare for the court appointmtents) Erik, Lesya (Ben Robinson's sister in law and a very classy lady) and Heidi after notified the younger kids about Maxim.

Maxim and his new family

Maxim at the end of a big day

Photos of 10-Year-Old, Maxim Brian

2009-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve Update

2009-01-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Severdonetsk, Ukraine

31 December 2008,

Wow, what a close to a year! You guys out there thinking and praying for us have been a great comfort to draw strength from. Your efforts have been more successful than our wildest dreams. We are spending this week in a foreign country, in a city that the language, both spoken and written are a mystery. Heidi’s cousin’s sister in law, Lesha has come to assist us with the kids and our sanity. She is a theater student in Kiev, and has had a background of working with kids in similar facilities.

We came to Ukraine as the next step on the 10-year journey to adopt two children. We had chosen this route to a family early in our marriage and have grown convicted that it is our mission to touch these children’s hearts. When you stand in a playroom surrounded by 15 young faces that are bright and energetic, it will break your heart to think about what awaits them. For those who have not been adopted, when they turn sixteen they “age out” of the system and go out on the street to survive.

As we mentioned, we went to our referral appointment on the 15th of December and received the first challenge to our hearts, a set of three siblings, two girls and an older brother. Alexandr (Sasha), Christina and Tatiana (Tanya) who had been at the Severdonesk Internat (orphanage) since being taken from their mother three years ago. But, as we found out, something had become lost in the translation.

As we moved down the steps and onto the overnight train to Lugansk, that we came to understand we indeed had two separate referrals. One for the three children here at the Internat in Severdonesk, but also a separate referral for an older brother, age 10, at a Special Internat at the hometown, Teplogorsk, where the children came from.

From the records, the ten year old was listed (or interpreted from the brief official jargon) as severely disabled. The SDA had suggested that he could be “separated” from his siblings for cause. In Ukraine, the urban family size we have seen is one child, the domestic adoption rates are low and the rule is a sibling should not be separated from the group. This situation will doom most larger sibling groups to a life in the institution and eventually the streets.

We have been struggling with the management of this Internat for the referral of the three younger children for 10 days. It was only on Monday, the 29th did we travel the 45 min to an hour drive, (stopping for directions no less than 10 times (gals, you would be so proud of our driver) to find the office of the inspector for the area.

Still in shock from the referral for three, and not in our hearts, minds or the pit of our stomach, knowing what to do. With our nice little urban life, carefully prepared for two healthy children, already stretched to the limit with 3 (it’s a two plus-bedroom house you must know) the inspector showed us a photo on her computer of the ten year older brother.

He appeared to be standing there near his bed in a dormitory room with four or five other beds in the background. He had that puppy look too him, big dark eyes, and I knew this was not going to be as simple as it had been stated. This boy was looking at us, and there appeared to be nothing wrong with him from the photo. Our facilitator/translator asked the Inspector, what is wrong with him, and she said, I don’t think anything. She also said, I think he is normal. By no means, did we wish anything wrong with this young boy, but we were shocked to see him looking out at us from the computer screen. We were speechless, and walked out to the hallway to think and pray. Lesya joined us there and asked the $1,000,000 question, “ what would you like to do?”

So we met Maxim about two hours later. A very shy (and overwhelmed) young man. This Internat turned out being about the same age but situated in a much smaller town. The walls are brighter and warmer, the director warm and engaging. The kids where away at the moment, but the photos on the wall gave no indication of any of the children being neither physically nor mentally disabled as most were classified.

Ironically, that day happened to be the one day out of the year that all the 2nd grade and above kids from area orphanages go to a circus in Lugansk and it seemed that Christina and Sasha where there too. As we were waiting for Maxim to return from the same circus it was interesting to wonder if they would see one another there.

When we met Maxim, within a few minutes we found out that he had in fact seen and talked to Christina and Sasha. It was also told to us that Maxim had heard from the children’s caregiver that the three younger kids were going to be adopted and going to America.

We were so amazed at the situation (imagining what Maxim went through that day, as he no doubt wondered, “what about me”, throughout watching the circus and on the bus ride back to his orphanage). Maxim had been taken to the special needs orphanage three years ago and his siblings remained together and taken to Serverdonentz Internat. For Maxim to then return to the orphanage at five p.m. and have several people waiting for him in the director’s office to be asked do you want to be adopted and go to America?

What was so amazing was to see him standing in the doorway, walk in and begin to introduce himself. It was then so profound to see his expression when he was asked to be adopted and to go to America! He began to smile so big that he was caught up with so much emotion and was so overwhelmed that he began to cover his smile and his face with his arm, and he lowered his head to his chest. He soon began to respond with a head nod and later with words of agreement to be adopted and go to America.

When we showed Maxim the photos we had taken and developed in the last two weeks he really enjoyed the photos. We soon learned through translation that he wanted to be in the photo (that is why he is holding the photo of the three kids and Erik and I and he is photographed in it too).

The next day we returned to the orphanage where Maxim was and the Inspector joined us as she wanted to hear Maxim agree to go to America. A long conversation began and from it we learned that Maxim did in fact want to go to America and be a part of our family. We also observed Maxim as he was required to write a statement to the Director that he wanted to be adopted and travel to America. He told the Inspector that he could not write the statement himself so it was agreed that she would write the statement and Maxim would copy it on another piece of paper. We then watched Maxim struggle through all the words (including both Erik and my full names) as he wrote out the statement two times (to have two original copies) that were signed, and stamped accordingly by the Inspector and Director.

Our time with the three kids continue and yesterday we were greeted by the two older ones with Good Morning, “My name is _____” in English and we were pleasantly surprised. The two girls later went through an English/Russian Mickey Mouse book and Tania was writing the words in English and Christina was writing the answers in Russian. They both were saying the words in English too which was pretty neat to see considering that both of them were very resistant to learning English two weeks ago.

So the story continues!

Erik and Heidi

Prayers & Miracles

2009-01-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

A little word about prayer and miracles:

Before we left on this adventure to the Ukraine, we reached out to our network of friends and acquaintances for help, and we got in touch with a fantastic young lady we had met at our church, Masha, who is from the Ukraine and who was able to join us as our aupair. she has been covering the home front and been assisting us with translations, photos to show the kids, room planning, researching schools and mental heath calls for us. She is a grat blessing to us.

Now we are here, and after a bunch of battles with the leadership at the Internaut, we all; the kids, Max (our facilitator) and us were dazed and confused. the kids acting out and resisted English, doubting our intentions and had heard bad things from some of the older kids and caregivers about going to the states. We needed help beyond just meeting with and bonding with the kids. Again a call went out for help, (keep in mind, we have found one native of this fair city who speaks English).

we have had two folks respond immediately come to our aid; Lesya, Heidi's cousin Ben's sister in law, who took the 15 hour train ride to the east to spend her new-years holiday week with us and create peace and love in the kids hearts. She is a theater student in Kiev and fluent in English and has worked with kids in a center near Kiev. I have heard of the concept of "ministry of Presence", she worked quiet miracles with all of us. She has really got us back on the right track.

The next is Vova, Masha's brother, who has also put his life on hold for us and is on a 20hr overnight train ride now from Izmail (SW corner on Ukraine on the Romanian Border) to Kharkov and a 5 hr bus trip to join us tomorrow. He has worked as a translator on tour ships and currently translates for a Media outlet on-line.

Wile Big Sasha, the Senior facilitator and Max, his point man on this adoption (he rejoins u son the 8th when the courts reopen from new-years holiday) work the hoops to jump through, Lesya and Vova have and are going to help us spend quality time with the kids.

This morning, Little Sasha and Cristina came to Heidi saying " Good Morning my name is Christina and "Good morning my name is Sasha!" IN ENGLISH and gave Heidi a hug. Last week they had gotten to the point of ignoring us and ransacking our bags for gifts (and anything else they could find).

Our prayers for help have been answered by two people of faith, Now with two Internats to shuttle between, we are going to need all the help we can get.

Keep us in your thoghts and prayers

Erik

Brun Reply to Amy - Reader Assistance Request

2009-01-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks Amy!

Sorry for the delay! We have not looked at email since the morning we went looking to separate from Maxim...

So Maxim is ten years old and does not have any issues - he is healthy - he sees fine, he thinks, breathes, walks etc. fine. He can read, speak etc. Apparently when the children got taken from their mother -three years ago - she was not feeding them and they were left at home alone to care for themselves. The father was in jail and the mom was drinking. So Maxim was almost 7 at the time, Sasha would have been 5, Christina 4, and Tania 3...

The three younger kids were moved to the orphanage in Severdonetsk and Maxim was brought to the local orphange in Teplogorsk. We beleive that Maxim was kept in the local orphanage as they needed the numbers.

The orphanage that Max is in is a special needs facility - although the photos on the wall of the place do not show anything of this nature. It was told to us by the SDA that this fourth child had mental retardation and would be no problem to separate. They had no photo attached to the referral and no further info. The inspector of Severdonesk thought he might have cerebral palsy so we expected a child drooling in a bed in a room with others. The Inspector of Teplogorsk (well actually she is in another city - don't ask me to name it - it is certainly Russian to me, ha!) anyway the new Inspector showed us a picture of the fourth child and we had to ask, what is wrong with him? She said, I think he is normal!

So here is what the medical doc told us when we visited Max the second time... he had like a T70 (something like that, Sasha the facilitator might remember better) which means some technical mental slowness.. but he is quiet and when the Doc explained that Maxim is emotional, Sasha asked "is he aggressive," and she answered "no, he turns in."

So what we can figure from what we have seen, and heard from him as well as the caregivers and director is that Maxim is a quiet and shy boy that when he gets overwhelmed - he shuts down and goes inside himself and can't express his feelings well so he shuts up/down.

Our thought too on Maxim is that he was overwhelmed with the conditions of things with the three other kids when their mother was drinking and not caring for them so he was left in charge. He might have shown fear and scareness differently so they thought their was something wrong with him. He is a very small child, I think he is smaller than Sasha who is 2 years younger than Maxim. But Maxim appears to be fine!

So hope that brings you up to speed!

Erik and I have an Au Pair from Ukraine that is currently at our house in WDC. Her name is Mariya (she goes by Masha) and she is on the cc line. Also Clinton Blair and Jennifer Bindhammer are dear friends in the DC area. Clinton was involved with getting the paperwork picked up from DATZ and getting it to apostilled and fed exed to Kiev. He communicates with Jana well. He may be able to assist again (I thank you Clinton for putting you involved again!)

Masha is Russian and a Ukraine speaker, and this is her fourth family she has been with. She will be with us til the summer. She is currently working to fit two bunk beds in one room at the house.

Our house is a three level house (but we separated the lower level from the top two to accomodate a half bath so it took the place of the stairs) so you have to go thru a separate entrance to get to the lower level. The lower level is rented to a dear gal named Tammy.

The main level of the upper two level (our part of the house) has a half bathroom, a front room, dining room, kitchen and family room with front and back porch and a back enclosed yard. The upper level has 2 bathrroms, and 2 full bedrooms and a small third bedroom. Currently Masha, the Au Pair, is in the third bedroom.

Erik had more time off than I do and will likely be staying home a bit when we return home. We will have the Au Pair helping with getting a routine down as well as continuing with the language transition.

Erik and I started looking into schools for the children before we left and Masha has gone to a few of them to observe and see what is offered to the kids.

Masha has a teaching education and is planning to help teach the kids English and get them more accustomed to the culture change.

Masha is 25 years old and is a very responsible lady! She has been translating things for us from both Russian to English and vice versa in order to communicate with the orphange staff here as well as with the kids and the caregivers.

We have had Ben Robinson's sister in law with us at the orphanages this past five days and she opened up conversation with the kids and the English/Russian language lessons have begun. This is a great change as two weeks ago the three kids were not interested in learning English. We have three workbooks and they have gone thru one of them so far.

Erik and I are learning and picking up some Russian language as well. It is showing that we are becoming more credible with the kids as we learn more words! The concern from Christina (the 7 year old) two weeks ago was that Mom and Dad may not understand what toy she is asking for.

I think that answers your questions.

****** If everyone on the cc line (Masha, Clinton, and Jennifer) contact Amy that would be great! I appreciate all your assistance on this.

Amy - I sent photos of Maxim and I think you should have others from the email/s sent. So you know who we are with out here.

All - please check out the blog... and if you could sign up/sign on - whichever is the option than you will get updates emailed to you when their are updates. A dear friend Erick Wand is updating the blog as he can.

http://nkoth.blogspot.com/

Thanks all!

-Heidi and Erik Brun

A Late Merry Christmas From Amy

2008-12-29T15:09:00.000-08:00

A late Merry Christmas to you two....

Jana is out of the country on a mission trip so I am helping out for a few days. It is my honor to be part of this adoption process and watching the miracle unfold. I am back at work after our adoption of Emerson this summer. I have been praying for you daily and think of you often.

I got word this morning from Sasha that there was a fourth child that you guys are wanting to adopt as well so we will need to get immigration approval for 4 children in total. Before I go back to Datz and ask for the home study to be amended again, can you give me a little information.

Please forgive me if you have already discussed some of this with Jana. She is a wonderful social worker and I think the world of her.

Can you tell me a little about the fourth child. How old he is and his special needs status. Was he in a separate orphanage? Please also let me know your plans when you get home for childcare, time off work and transitioning from a family of two to a family of six. I would like to tell Datz "the plan" if you will for when you get home.

Blessings to you and your little ones!

Amy Dummier,LBSW
International Social Worker
Lifeline Children's Services, Inc
205-967-0811
giving children a hope and a future

12/29 Photos

2008-12-29T08:49:00.000-08:00

Here's two more photos:

These imges are also posted in the "Brun Family Photos" album at http://www.costophotocenter.com

Please let Erick Wand (Erick@graphicsbyerick.com) know if you need/want access to the photos to order prints and he'll "share" that album with you.

Message to Erik & Heidi from "Jazzy"

2008-12-27T12:34:00.000-08:00

My prayers are with you along with many other peoples I know. All I can think to say is WOW what a beautiful family!!

I know this is such a huge life change for you guys and it must feel very scary. As a parent I can only say that my life would never have been close to as spectacular and full as it is if I hadn't raised kids. You will discover a depth of emotion you don't even know is there - both joy and sadness.

What you guys are doing is huge and wonderful. You have a fabulous adventure ahead!!!

I will continue to pray and feel certain that all will work out well.

When the time is right - send clothes sizes/favorite toys/wish lists - there are a lot of "aunts and uncles" out there waiting to start spoiling!!!

Love,

Jazzy

Photos available at Costco Photo Center

2008-12-27T12:24:00.000-08:00

The photos posted on this blog are also available to be viewed and prints made through your local Costco Photo Center.

For the Brun Family Photo Album, use the following address (or copy and paste the URL into your web browser)

http://www.costcophotocenter.com/album/share_signin.aspx?q=1Izl9AbTHnT4TMB8TFydOHeRCWvIFlLE16lerpwe2j8g-

You must sign up for a Costco Photo Center account. It's free.

We'll continue to update that album as more photos are sent our way.

– Erick Wand (acting blog administrator)

It Was a Tough Christmas Day - But Getting Back to Moving Forward

2008-12-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for all your encouragement and prayers – they are very helpful! Thanks for all that you are doing! This is really needed and we can only thank you so much, you must know that these have been the hardest days of our life!

We had a horrible Christmas day for the most part! Fortunately Erik and I slept in until 9:30 am and were reading a book together that is for couples (it is Christian-based and has been great guidance and wonderful inspiration on the days we have read it), anyway at 10:30 am Max, our interpreter, knocked on the door and told us, "Merry Christmas and guys we got problems!..."

What happened was that Tania, the little one, threw some sort of fit and wouldn't go to the hospital, and so the caregivers all got together and wrote a letter to the director saying that we could not make her go with us and they were not agreeing to them to go. So Max found out and he called the inspector and then the inspector and her boss came over and the kids all got called into the directors office and when asked there "in the principal's office setting" if they wanted to go, they all said no. So we had to go and find out what was up. We found out that they would all be asked again at 3 pm if they wanted to go, but actually it was just the older two again that needed to agree, but then in between we asked to talk to the director and that is when we found out about the letter...

At 1:30 Erik and Max and I walked into a classroom with 15 caregivers sitting in seats facing us down and the director, assistant director and the operations officer (is what we would call her role, but supposedly she is the head caregiver... she is a really mean lady that told Max she doesn't have kids and Max accidently responded with, "obviously," in which she said back, "thanks!"). But anyway they were all there to say that they have known the kids for 3 years since they got here and they don't think they should be made to go, and that one lady doesn't want to be blamed if for some reason Tania turns out to be a drug addict, like the one girl they heard about, and yet they all belive it is right the kids have a family... Max told us that a lot of what the director was saying and what the ladies were saying was krap and that they were not against us, but let me tell you it was worse than any other trial I think anyone has faced, and all that was missing was the noose for our necks!

Surprisingly though, after this one hour inquisition – a half hour later playing with the two older ones hanging paper Christmas decorations on the walls and ceiling of their play family room style they both said yes and the director and inspector were happy again. Oddly, this is what had happened the day before, but we just had the little one Tania refuse to go out of the building for the medical that made them have the kids go through another confusing and very stressful day! And we lost ground on the paperwork!

So this morning Max got the kids in the cab to the hospital... there was a snag with one guy not wanting to sign off on a form cause the main doc wasn't in til 15 Jan but 200 grivna dollars (about 27 American bucks helped that) and then throughout the day there were changes to be made and Max gave the inspector 600 grivna (about $80) and she continued to push what she could. So Max has all the paperwork he needed, the medicals are done, and he is enroute via cab to Logunst and then via train (15 hours) to Kiev. Our paperwork will be submitted to the SDA in Kiev on Monday (pray they are open and moving packets quickly). Sasha (the man) will arrive here with us on Monday to request a court date for us. And we continue to visit the kids.

The kids did enjoy some neat gifts that we gave them yesterday for Christmas. And I had brought a small Christmas tree from home with decorations and battery-operated lights that they all decorated and Christina took possession of, as she paraded around for a few minutes saying in Russian, "I have a little Christmas tree," over and over again.. I think it made her day... she really liked it!

Another prayer answered – Ben (our cousin in Kiev) and his wife's sister will be coming here on Sunday for five days to help us translate and teach the kids some English and work on some fun and light conversation. She doesn't know a ton of English, but she works with kids and she has gone to college level English classes. We are thrilled to have her on board for some time to get some more language. The older kids and Tania have also mentioned they are concerned as we all don't know each others language.

Well – that is about it...

Please continue to pray for the tough administration – and all the adults in this orphanage – they are very abrupt with the kids, yet the kids all look up to them! Note, our 7 yr. old Christina at one point when she said "yes she wants to go," also said, don't tell anyone and asked when do we leave?!

Please pray for the kids left behind. One kid told Max yesterday he can't even talk about his parents (his mother is in jail for killing their father) and he has 5 siblings, so unlikely he will get the opportunity to be adopted. There are so many that don't have the opportunity.

Pray for the kids and their hearts to keep changing and allowing us to be with them.

Pray for Erik and I to stay positive. We have been beat down emotionally and mentally for the last seven out of ten days being here.

Pray for the director and her staff!

Pray for the librarian and the cook – both are older ladies that get what we are going through – they have seen us play hide and seek with a six-year-old and know we are trying to just love these kids but no one listens to them. They both have prayed for both of us and hugged us several times to hang in there!

Thanks for all your love and prayers!

– Heidi and Erik

Brun Family Photos

2008-12-24T13:17:00.000-08:00

It's pretty much a done deal!

As of 12/24/08 this is the first official Brun family photo. What a great Christmas present for all!

Congratulations.

Meet the youngest of three - Tatiana (Tanya), age 6.

This is 8 year-old Oleaxander (Alexandr or "Sasha")

Heidi is knealing next to Christina, age 7.

15 Dec 2008 The Appointment

2008-12-15T23:58:00.000-08:00

Hi all;

So we made it through the weekend, a quiet one on the outskirts of the big city at my cousin's home. It was wonderful to get some sleep and relax. We enjoyed an evening church service that my cousin Ben spoke at.

Monday morning came and we headed in to the appointment at the SDA - it was in true big urban city fashion that we dropped the car off and caught the metro train in. And what was amazing to me was the location of the SDA - on the famous souvenir strasse (there is a technical street name to the street, but that is what they called it the two other visits I was out here as it is a great place to get souvenirs in Kiev)... St Andrews church is right there also, so that is pretty neat too.

So about the appointment... Ben dropped us with Sasha and he took us in and waited while three other families went ahead of us. The one that we saw next to our room was a family from Spain. So our time came to go in and we were presented with an opportunity to introduce ourselves and tell a little about us and our family and where we are from. Then the selection began and we began the discernment process. Well what we will tell you is that we were very pleased and comfortable with the selection that we made (and so was Sasha) as he being a strong Christian man gave us great indication that we were making a good choice for choosing a perspective family.

We will pick up the referral paperwork tomorrow late afternoon and then catch an evening train to an out lying area East of here. It should get us in to the town by 8 am Wed and we will meet the facilitator that will walk us through the meet up at the orphanage process.

Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers!

Also if you could add the Williams - they have court tomorrow that has been a tough process with a new female judge, the Jordans as they drive tomorrow to meet up with a 15 and 16 year old they had met this fall and begin the process to get a court date, and for the Halls that are working on the completion of adoption of four children they met last summer.

Thanks again and hope you all are well!

-Heidi and Erik Brun

New Kids on the Hill is our search and retrivial of our children to our home on Capitol Hill

2008-12-15T23:52:00.000-08:00

Well: the story so far:

13 Dec 2008

Greetings from Kiev;

Erik and I arrived this morning after meeting three other families at JFK that are in some form of the adoption phase (most are returning to pick up the kids) we heard some tough situations like one family ran into a female judge that has never done any adoptions so she is running them thru the ringer and the timeline has been 2 plus months. They are remaining hopeful and faithful in the process.

We have tomorrow to enjoy the day and then the process begins as we head to our appt at 10am on Monday at the SDA - State Dept of Adoption where we will be presented with options of children to choose from dossier packets and we go from there.

If you all would - we would appreciate your continued prayers for discernment to know the children when we see the small photos in the paperwork and let God show us the way.

We then will learn the location of the children and travel to see them.

The timeframe is unknown on the whole process - we hope approx 30-40 days but the holidays will come as early as the end of Dec so the govt will shut down and that will all cause everything to come to a halt.

We hope for two healthy children and to have them be comfortable with us when we meet them.

Well that is it for now. We will keep you posted as we can.

Take care and enjoy the holiday season!

Regards;

Heidi and Erik Brun