Thursday, December 23, 2010

Day 28: First Day of Freedom (in Kyiv)


Today we decided to go for an adventure to find Mandarin Plaza and TGIF / Il Patio. We had a basic map, a stroller, and a brisk 30 degree (F) partly cloudy day, so we bundled up and off we went. The walk was fine, the traffic was nuts, and we found it without any drama or detours!

We scoured the market for something to light the gas stove back at the apartment, but after much charades and limited language skills, we are still without a way to light the burners. We'll deal with that later, because we had our hearts set on some yummy italian food at Il Patio for lunch.

Aly had a great time with her first restaurant experience. She loved looking at the menu, and ate well from every item we ordered. We even had enough left-overs to warm up in the microwave for dinner.



Our apartment in Kyiv is in a different area this stay, and it's located on the sixth floor above this crazy intersection:



Between Aly all over the bed, and the cars honking, April did not get any sleep last night. After we got home from our lunch adventure the girls crashed for a quick nap.



After nap Aly and I watched the Jana Alayra In Concert video, and Aly started to do the hand motions!



After the video it was bath time, then time for dinner. We skyped the girls back at home, and then it was time for all to sleep.

Tomorrow we should receive Aly's passport, and we're scheduled for our Embassy appointment (to apply for travel visa) first thing Monday morning. Please continue to pray for strength as we have been away from home for a month now, for my back (it's really sore and hard to walk), and give God the glory for all He has done to bring us this Christmas miracle!

6 comments:

Lacey said...

Oh, that makes me miss Kiev and TGIF. Praying for a swift return. You should be able to get the embassy stuff done in one day!

Hansina said...

So happy for all of you!

Mel said...

Oh I miss Kiev too!! I love seeing all the pics that everyone posts though and try to figure out where they are. :)

Merry Christmas To all of the Swerdfegers!! The missing one is FOUND!!

Nan and Dan said...

so so sweet!! I love the nap picture :) I can not wait to see you all reunited!! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

YAY!! you guys are almost there!! hang in there!

Denise said...

Ella LOVES to watch her Jana Alayra video! I hope that someday she and Aly can do "the moves" together. So nice to see you all together outside of the orphanage but it will be even nicer to see you home together. Hang in there, you are almost done!!