What time is it in Ukraine?

Ukraine

Friday, May 6, 2011

INTRODUCING...

Inna Anastasia Bottorff
We call her "Innochka" or "Innushka" as a nickname

Click the link below to read Todd's comments about each name:)


https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AutO_5oKf05TdFRpUE9EbFRuTzFQVHVuLWwtTnlRQUE&hl=en#gid=0

Thursday, May 5, 2011

And your Final Four are...

Anastasia, Hannah, Inna, and Leia

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AutO_5oKf05TdFRpUE9EbFRuTzFQVHVuLWwtTnlRQUE&hl=en#gid=0

Will Nana have a namesake?
Will Hannah have sisters some day?
Will Inna get to keep her given name?
Will naming his daughter Leia make Todd Darth Vader?

All these answers and more in tomorrow's final edition of the Bottorff Bracket!

It's raining it's pouring the old man is snoring!
Today we finally bought Bo Peep sunglasses...and it rained!  We played inside and she was very tired.  It must be the weather because Mommy took a nap inbetween meetings today too.  Daddy was awesome and made chicken fajitas for Cinco de Mayo.  No chips 'n salsa here, but we had ICE with our Coke Light for dinner that we made in ice trays.  A nice treat:)
I haven't been very good at taking pictures or videos this week so I will try to do a better job tomorrow.  I just get caught up in playing that I forget:)  Enjoy the few I have posted!   

The flooded streets after a few hours of rain  

Sportin' the flowering sunglasses with a smile!:)

Are these her "movie-star" lips or is she just unsure about the sunglasses?

Momma laid down...then Bo Peep laid down to color.  She enjoyed reading, coloring, and singing today.  Then, we played a piano for a little bit.  Mimi, your grand-daughter might want Aunt Bev's piano...she was mesmerised by it!  Mommy also needs a haircut...should I dare get one in Ukraine??

So sleepy!  We just laid on the floor for a while when we played...I can't wait to take a nap with her someday soon...and so many other things too!! 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

News about the court date...

I read this verse in my quiet time this morning...don't let your hearts be troubled.  It was a hard day, but I know there is a purpose.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1



The judge we were originally assigned to declined our case and it was re-assigned to the judge that has a good reputation.  However, she is on vacation until May 11th.  It is possible we could have a court date scheduled for May 12th, however, it looks more like May 16th or 17th.  After that is the 10 day waiting period, then the 4-6 day passport and Visa paperwork.  Then, the two day flight home...  The GOOD news is that it is likely the paperwork and filing will be done accurately and without appeal with this judge. 

This stay has already felt longer then it actually has been.  I'm not even sure why being away from home is so hard on our bodies.  We are feeling fatigued and emotionally drained.  It kinda hit me today...especially since it's likely I will not get to say good-bye to my 4th grade class.  I know people keep telling me "it's just a job", but to me it's relationships.  I get to be one more person in the lives of these little people who believe in them and encourage them.  I just wanted to give them one last hug before the summer started and let them meet Bo Peep.  They have been the most awesome group of students who love others and who brightened my days. 

Another upset was the reality of the situation we see each day.  This week we met a family from Texas who is adopting three special needs kids.  PLUS, they have a 14mo. old, a 4 year old, and an 8 year old at home.  The mom came up to me and told me her friend adopted a child not too long ago and has been praying that Bo Peep would be adopted.  She was thrilled we were her parents!  Today they were taking their children home from the orphanage.  We watched them as their translator helped pass out gifts and as they said their good-byes to all they have ever known:  the people, the sounds, their caregivers, the smells, their whole world.  I was holding Bo Peep and was overcome with emotion.  I just couldn't watch it anymore!  All these beautiful faces and souls wondering why they wouldn't be going home with a mommy or daddy.  Some of the workers say, "If you're good, maybe your mommy and daddy will come for you too".  My heart just aches for these precious children...please pray for them.  I want so badly to come home, but for these kids, this is home. 

 After a morning of reflecting, trying to make some decisions about the next several weeks, and praying, I've come to realize that this is just a small piece of a giant puzzle.  It WILL be OK and God is still in control even though I want things to move at a different pace.  I still get to see Bo Peep twice a day...PLUS we decided to help ease the pain of this blow and go shopping!  We bought her "coming home" dress, a pair of shoes, tights, and a cute little hat!  She is almost set to leave the orphanage...I just need to find a hair bow:)  Also, I told her today we would get her sunglasses...I found a cheaper pair at the mall that I will get this week. 
Mommy and daughter fixing hair:)


This is the new hat we bought....not for summer but so darn cute!  She likes to "boing" the tassels!!:) 





The Elite 8 have been decided - Check out the upsets!

Go to the link below.  Only 8 names remain.  How is your bracket doing?  Be sure to keep them because Alicia wants them for Bo Peep's baby book...weird but she wants them:)

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AutO_5oKf05TdFRpUE9EbFRuTzFQVHVuLWwtTnlRQUE&hl=en#gid=0
This is her bag of toys we have given her.  She won't let them out of her sight!  We recently purchased her a butterfly backpack for them...she is adorable! 

Monday, May 2, 2011

Bottorff Bracket First Round Results have been posted!

You can see the fully updated version here!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AutO_5oKf05TdFRpUE9EbFRuTzFQVHVuLWwtTnlRQUE&hl=en#gid=0

What name suits this little munchkin best???




Good fortune...

...cookies!  The weekend before we traveled to Ukraine, Todd and I had some of our "lasts" for a while:)  We had our last date, our last dinner out alone, and our last movie together.  For dinner we went to Pei Wei and here are our fortunes from our fortune cookies.  Mine is the first one, Todd's is the second:

I decided to bring them along on the rare and most unlikely occassion that we would adopt a girl.  ha  We assumed I got the "mouth" fortune because I talk so much!:) 
In any case, I thought it was pretty funny and appropriate to share;)


A second "Little Bo"??
Many of you have asked so let me explain...
After meeting "Bo Peep" we quickly decided to proceed with the adoption.  Then, we inquired about boys available in our region so we could continue to visit her while we waited on the paperwork.  Only one boy at the time was available at the same orphanage.  I actually sent his picture to our facilitator after the Sasha and Sam visit to try to meet with him so I already knew a little about his diagnosis. 
It turns out he was born with only one kidney and that kidney is indeed "crumpled".  He will likely need a transplant immediately and it's possible he could be on dialysis and have a catheter for the remainder of his life.  Sigh...oh the tears I cried on the way to the orphanage as we had to make a decision that morning.  Could we handle both children and their medical needs financially, emotionally, and adequately for both of them? 
Options:
1.  put him on a waiting list for a kidney once in the U.S.
2.  check our blood types and see if we are candidates to give him our kidney
3.  don't adopt him and focus on Bo Peep
4.  adopt him and give him the best life we can

During our discussion, our coordinator came and suggested we decline meeting him and adopt only one special needs child.  She explained very rarely do they ever recommend adopting two children with great needs, especially to a family who does not have children yet.  He was also very delayed developmentally and would need a lot of therapy.

Todd was the voice of reason here because I was broken up.  We decided to follow her advice.  I would LOVE to bring home a brother and a sister, but with the upcoming surgeries and therapy "Bo Peep" will need, it's probably not in the best interest of her or our family:(

Technically, we still have one SDA visit and referral we could pursue back in Kyiv.  However, time and money are factors, therefore we have decided to come home as a family of three! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support from home...we are praying for good news to share on Wednesday!!:) 
Even "Bo Peep" can't wait to get to Kansas...there's no place like home:)
Notice her ruby red slippers!?



We bought her a little backpack for some of her toys!

 
She ate tons of bubbles but she didn't seem to mind!