Not even sure where to start. Currently, I am sitting in our Kiev apartment with four kids sleeping amazed that we made it here. I will try to do this story justice but not sure I can!
Friday: By noon on Friday Jim was calling Delta to be sure that our flight from JFK was still on for Saturday eve. He was assured everything was still as planned. We spent the eve getting everything finalized and ready to go. Soon, we started getting messages about JFK closing down. My mom called, Jim's mom called we kept saying our flight was still on. The last call from my mom started the panic attack. JFK was closing at noon NO FLIGHTS! We starting trying to call Delta right away and skyping with our adoption director.
About four hours later, we finally were talking to a representive with hope of flying out of Pittsburgh, when she disconnected us. At 3:30 am I call and get back into the que to wait for a real person again. At the same time looking for any available flights on the computer. It was decided between our facilitator and director that if we could not get there by our appt date on Monday there was no use trying to come later in the week. We would have to ask for a new date which could be within days but could take a couple of months again. We were determined to get there but between exhaustion and the stress of it all, we were starting to lose hope. There was alot of praying and crying involved during this all nighter!
When we finally got the chance to talk to someone at Delta again, it was around 4:30 am. None of the flights we suggested worked, they were either booked or had connecting flights with other airlines. Delta would not let us change airlines for a weather cancellation. The rep suggested that Boston would be our only choice. I was crying by then and asking him why he would even think of sending us up the east coast. Jim was on the other line with very little patience. While we tried to convince him that there must be something else, the seats dissappered. Doomed. Finally he found a late night flight out of Boston. We decided there was no other choice. Jim called a couple rental places as we tried to figure out how to get to Boston. No luck with a rental that would only be one way and big enough for us. Went to bed, after 5 am. deciding that we were probably going to have a drive in front of us and that we needed a little sleep before we figured it out. Up before 7 and back on the phone. Talked to Delta a few more times and had different reps tell us different things, feeling more frustrated. Finally a van was found from the State College airport. We had the kids up and all of us showered and out the door in less than an hour. Jim's mom went with us so she could drive the suburban home.
We left State College, tired, stressed and sure we would be turning around half way because of a cancelled flight. It was 11 am. None of us had even ate breakfast but the kids were so good about it all. They knew this was so important. By 1:30 no one could take it anymore and we had to stop at a McDs to eat. Then back on the road. I spent most of the time checking the flight status and talking with Delta. Oh, and getting expert advice from Jen about airport stuff! We arrived at the rental place around 7 and were through security and in our terminal by 8. Unbelievable! I think we were all just amazed that it actually happened. I know that so many people were praying for us by all of the encouraging texts, calls and fb messages. It worked!
Our flights were uneventful but without much sleep. There were so many babies on the flight to Paris that sleep was next to impossible for everyone. It was so much fun to watch Keegan and Kelton on their first place ride. I loved listening to their conversations! The many meals on the plane made up for the little food we ate on the way to Boston. They fed us dinner at midnight and breakfast by 5 am! The Paris flight was a much quieter and we all took a small nap and ate yet another meal ( although even Kyle didn't eat much of it so you can imagine how much Kelton MB and I ate!).
Another roadblock during the trip was that our facilitator had to cancel his train tickets to met us in Kiev when he thought we were not going to make it and then he couldn't rebook. So he did arrange for a driver (two drivers!) to pick us up at the airport. They spoke little English. It was kind of unnerving when they pointed to JIm to get in one car with 2 kids and me in the other. Keegan and Kelton rode with me with no seatbelts (those that know me know how well this went over). Kelton was asleep by the first 5 minutes! We stopped and exchanged money, talke with our facilitator a few times and came to the apartment. Once again, those that know me well will be wondering what I think of the apartment. It is really nice., I was prepared for the way it looked on the outside - dumpy, old. But the inside is perfect - even the bathroom - the first thing MB and I checked out!
We spent the eve walking down to the town square. We ate( at McDs again - tomorrow's goal with our facilitator is to get groceries!) and walked around the square. It was very nice, lots of fountains and things going on. Then back to the apartment for showers and bed
Our SDA appt is tomorrow at noon. Please pray that this goes smoothly. It is where we will get Ana's referral and approval to go to the orphange.
Pics to come soon! Our friend John sent us an email when we were on the way to Boston yesterday that was so inspiring. One part said - more things have gone right with this than wrong. It seems like we were always running into roadblocks along the way - with yesterday by far being the biggest - but it has worked out everytime and sometimes even better than they way it should have been! We are blessed! And we can't what to see Ana! Too tired tonight to add pics but will do so soon!
