Wednesday gathering...

If you are interested in connecting with us on Wednesday, please call Mike / Paula on cell. We are meeting at 6 pm at the Uhrigs house.

Finally Home

Hello All,

Paula and the girls came in last night on the 11:39 flight from Chicago. There was quite a crew there waiting for them and it was AWESOME. Thanks to all who came to share in their homecoming. Everyone was taking pictures except for me so, I will have to collect some photos from others to post on the site.
We are trying to plan a get together at the Uhrigs' home for tonight, Wednesday. I will post the time and where as soon as I have more details. This is really great timing because we will get to spend the holiday with the girls and I don't have to work all of it. There are still things that need to be done at home to put everything where it goes but, we will press on.

Thanks again to everyone for their support. We look forward to letting the girls meet everyone. A funny thing about last night was that most all of our parents were there. My mom and stepdad, Paula's mom and stepdad, Paula's dad...I was telling the girls...and this is your grandpa, and this is your grandpa, and this is your grandma, and this is your grandma...I'll bet that was quite confusing to them and anyone else I am sure.

Again, I will post time and place for the gathering tonight. I am sure there will be many over the next months.

Thankful before Thanksgiving

I just talked to Paula in Chicago. Her new flight number is: United 7512 and arrives @ 11:39 PM. Remember that this is the NEW airport terminal and has a different exit. I haven't been there so, I will probably go a little early to be sure to be in the right spot.

See you there if you like and thanks for being a part of our journey.

Mike

Delayed...

If you are following for Paula's arrival - Her flight is delayed from Frankfurt to Chicago. A little thing like the rudder on the plane not working right caused them to return to Frankfurt after takeoff. Looking ahead at the United flights, this means that she will miss her connecting flight as well as the next scheduled flight to Indy. If all goes as it looks by the scheduled flights, I think it will be likely that she will be on a flight that will arrive closer to 10:00 PM.

I will update all as soon as I know. Paula is calling me from Chicago. I tried to call ahead to make the changes for her but, they wouldn't let me. Lufthansa didn't even know that their flight was delayed. I told her that not only did their web site tell me so but, I talked to a passenger...the wonder of technology but, some still miss the wave.

Almost there...

Hi All,

I am in the process of confirming Paula and the girls return flight home for TUESDAY!!! That's AWESOME that we get them home a day earlier than expected. It looks as though they will be arriving in Indy from Chicago @ 6:29 PM via United Airlines. We are very excited to get them back in time for Thanksgiving. I have talked to several that would like to greet them home at the airport and I will make sure that the word gets out.

Thanks for all you've done in your thoughts, prayers, and deeds,

Mike

7th Inning Stretch

Hello All,

Looks like we are in the final stretch. I received info today that Paula and the girls will be heading back to Kiev this weekend plan to be at the US Embassy on Monday. She said that they are sending some information ahead of them to the Embassy so that they have time to review in hopes of taking less time when they get there. Looks like we are on track to get them back on Wednesday night. I will update the time of arrival as soon as I have confirmation.

Want to come to meet them at the airport with us? Please email me at Mcoleman@integrity-ma.com and I will be sure to pass their information to you. I will post it on the blog but, will be sure that you get the info as well. We are VERY excited and can't wait to see them and hold them in our arms.

Blessings,

Mike

New Pics Added

Hello All,

I finally added more pictures. There are a few video's as well. I am working on adding the tags but, there are so many that it will take me a little while. The new link to the right should take you to a slideshow of all of the pics.

Enjoy,

Mike

A big apology from Paula

Ok. I feel that I owe a lot of you an apology. After eating lunch with the Greutman's a couple of days ago, I realize that some of you were waiting on a long horror story about the SDA appointment. The Greutman's informed me of their long and painful process during their first adoption in Ukraine. They said that it took them a week to complete everything and that they didn't want to give them the children that they were requesting and that even when they agreed to give them those children, that their files could not be found. Well, I have to tell you, that was not the case at all for our trip. We walked into the office, they had the files of our girls on the desk and ready to go, they asked us a few questions, and that was it. I am not kidding. That was it. They congratulated us and we were off and finished. We left on a train the same night for Zapporizhia. After hearing of the devistating journey that the Greutman's had last time, I felt so bad not to have included the information about our appointment in our blog. Now I realize why everyone was asking how everything was going. I had no idea that it was such a bad journey for so many of you.
P.S. Kristy Greutman said that she dreaded returning for this adoption because of the SDA, but she was SO relieved that the changes in the adoption process have improved. She said that she was sick to her stomach on the morning of the appointment. She could not believe how wonderful and easy the process is now. The reorganization had done wonders. See, there has been some progress. So, for any of you returning again, you should have a better trip the next time! ;)

While I sit here in St. Petersburg, Russia (1:14am), I am feeling so many feelings. I am grateful that this process is nearly over. I am thankful for my friends and family that are so wonderful. I am humbled that so many of you are praying for us. I am relieved that the process has gone so smoothly. I am very aware that I have a lot of work ahead of me. I want each and every one of you to know how much I love you and am grateful for your thoughts, prayers, emails and comments. The longer that I am gone, the more aware I am of how much your friendships mean to me. Thank you all for being my friend. May God bless you all! I love you! :)

Till there is more for me to post, know that I am praying for you all!

With love, now and forever!
Paula K

Mike and the boys are home...yea...

Mike and the boys got home yesterday and have slept a lot and are trying to catch up. The funniest thing is trying to listen to Americans. I think I keep trying to listen through a Ukrainian accent but, it isn't there. I will have pictures going soon now that I am home.

Mike

This is my first chance to update in a while and I do not have much time. I am in Kiev now...I will be able to update more in a couple of days. I will let you know of all of our progress. I will be back in Zap on the 18th....love to you all. Thanks for your prayers.
Paula K