A Saturday in Torez Ukraine

Selah had a great night and a great day:)  She woke us up around 4 am to change her and then everyone went back to sleep:)  It's great.  We start back with 24 hour nursing next week but it's not hard at all when she is well.  Her heart rate is running in the 60's...love to see that! 

Went to book tickets for the train for Steve, Sam and me....over $1000 and NO sleeper car available...YIKES!  We can't do that!  It's not just the money, it's the fact there is no sleeper car. I'm really not sure Sam should fly with his eye like this although I haven't asked Dr A but I just don't think I  can fly.  I hate it under most circumstances but knowing I'd have to fly from Florida to a big city and then change to a commuter jet to go to Rochester is more than I can bear at this point in time.  I really am afraid of having a panic attack mid flight!  I really do NOT want to drive us either...that is a long way and it is not an easy drive at all.  We've been driving it now for almost 6 years and we've tried various routes, but really they are all pretty horrible in places. 

I'm not a wimpy girl, but of everything I've gone through in the past 8 months, this has just overwhelmed me.  We have to go, but I just can't imagine doing it....I've traveled overseas by myself, but this whole trip has me beyond stressed.  Really have NO idea what we will do about this....

And it's not just the travel, it's Jon trying to be at work daily...making sure all our nurses come and we have someone to help out with Sarah and Shad....  this is sooooo complicated!

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Happier times....  a year ago today was a Saturday, and the first time we were allowed to go into the institution on the weekend.  Our facilitator was gone, most of the staff were gone.  It was much worse for the children on the weekends....I'm not going to go into details, but it was hard....

We were very thankful and appreciative to be able to go in and see the girls.  That was an incredible gift and favor. 

 

 

Here's a picture of me with a McDonald's hamburger!  Torez had no American food or restaurats but our facilitator left from Donesek Friday night and he send me hamburgers back by our driver.  Our facilitator was so worried about me not eating LOL  I kept telling him I had lots of fat but boy did that hamburger taste good!!!

 

 

Here is a video of our new daughter Sarah Joy....you know I told them as soon as we got them that they were ours now....  she is such a giggler:)  Rolling is all she had been able to do at that point, she was so weak. 

 

 

 

 

 

Selah and mom

 

Vitial our driver...and boy could he drive!  He had been a driver in Afghanistan when the USSR was trying to fight there and he had some stories...but he didn't speak English so we could only talk with our facilitator was there to translate

 

 

Ok the next set of pictures, I really dont' get what it was.  It was near the institution out in the middle of no wheres...  It's a mom and child...this has nothing to do with the institution as it is about a mile or more away from it. 

 

 

 

Evidently back here there had been a movie theater at one time

 

Then we were also told a story about it being a WWII hospital for Russian/Ukraine injured soldiers.  The Nazis came through (there was a huge battle ground a few miles away) and killed all the soldiers and then Stalin said the solders deserved to die as they did not fight back..

 

Stalin was not loved much...

 

 

 

 

but Lenin everyone loved....  here is his statue out in the middle of no where!

 

 

 

 

 

flowers planted in front of our apartment by the little old lady

 

 

As you can see Springtime was coming to Ukraine as we were there....I miss it, I wonder if it is like that today....

 

my boys when we got back

 

 

Steve and Sam love each other so much

 

 

So we walked downtown with some other Americans we met there who were adopting from another orphanage

 

meat market

 

we called this Lake Torez

 

 

 

 

 

 

yes that is an old shepherdess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the old shepherd lady

 

 

Steve on the hills of Torez

 

the  family

 

our NJ friends

 

 

 

we found the only Pentecostal church for miles...more on them later we loved them so much

 

Across from the church, was the cemetery.  I will tell you a very odd thing about us, we really like cemeteries...LOL  This one was so interesting and evidently the week after Easter is somewhat symbolic and the families go and eat at the cemetery.  Some of the richer graves had picnic tables by them, no kidding!  There were some folks on Saturday but on Sunday as we went to church, most of the town walked down to the cemetery!  I thought they were all going to church with us LOL!

 

 

 

 

very old grave

 

 

 

 

 

see the family is eating at a table

 

a coal miner's grave

 

 

 

 

 

 

graveyards make you think.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

see the syringe on the ground in the middle of the picture?  they were all over the place

 

 

 

a street we passed on the way home all the time

 

 

 we walked that road many times!

 

 

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I tried to upload a video of Selah that is sooooo sweet.  It was taken that day after she watched us play with Sarah.   I may do it on it's on blog as it is long and not loading...there was also a short video of Sarah pulling herself up on the couch.  I will try later to load them. 

 

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Please remember to pray for Selah, she is doing good physically compared to the last few weeks.  her heart rate is actually in the 50's as I have walked in her room to check on her!  But she is still the same, we still want our funny little girl back so bad!

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Night!!!! COURT Sarah Joy and Selah Johannah Clanton

Selah had a GREAT night:)  So did we:)  Her heart rate actually went down UNDER the low setting and set off the alarm!  LOL  That has never happened before!   Her low rate is set at 60, and she went down to 48 which is really not that low for a child her age and size.  But she has never gone low like that.  She slept so good and really seems contented.  So very thankful to have her home!

Her nurse is here and soon we're going to get her up for a shower, get her dressed and go outside,  I know she will like that!  So thankful that we can do that today!

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George, Rep from the Town, Rep from the orphanage

 

She was my age, and had had such a different life...

 

We passed court!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our sweet George!

 

 

 

near our apartment

 

Yvonne at the Internet cafe...spent many hours there!

 

We had court for 2 and 1/2 hours, we were in the judge's chambers, quite warm and small.  There was us, the judge, our facilitator, the rep from the orphanage, the rep from the town, the "state attorney's office, and two ladies they just brought in for jury duty...Everything was official and serious....  Lots of questions...but it wasn't mean spirited at all. 

 

At the very end, after the judge had declared Victoria to become Sarah Joy Clanton and Irina to become Selah Johannah Clanton  then she spoke directly to us...

 

She asked us to promise her we'd always give the girls a real family and that we would take care of them for the rest of their lives...we promised with tears in our eyes.  It was very special to us, she understood that the girls, even then, would need life long care. 

 

Jon & I both have held onto that promise we made....it seemed very out of the ordinary for her to speak personally like that to us.  Since all this has happened, it's taken on a new importance to us.  Obviously the judge did not know what was ahead for us, but that promise, was a VOW we made.  There were frighting days when I just did not know how things would work out to even bring Selah home and how we could do it, BUT I held onto that promise I made. 

 

I think our society takes vows and promised too easily for granted in this day and age.   I'm thankful that our judge was very serious about the adoption, that she realized the life long commitment we were making and that she did not take it lightly.  It was a solemn but happy time.

 

Then once court was over, the crazy paperchase began.....we were all over town going to notaries and doing all kinds of things...  After court there is a 10 business day wait to take custody of your child.  That gives any family member time to object.  We were not worried as neither of our children had ever had a visitor but we still had to wait it out.  Our facilitator was going back to Kiev for the wait.  he asked if we minded being there alone and we really didn't.  NO ONE spoke English but we are pretty flexible and figured we could handle it.  It was an Adventure:)

 

We didn't even get to see the girls that day, funny, the court makes you the parents, but you can't see them because you are running around getting all kinds of paperwork done!  We did request to be able to see them on the weekends and holidays (as there were several holidays upcoming) and the director graciously allowed it.  We really think that made a huge difference in our bonding experience with them and helped us all so much. 

 

What a surreal day for us:)  But a wonderful day....I just have a hazy memory of all the places we went and the things we did, I was so happy to have passed court.  It was great to go and do everything that was necessary to be able to start the last part of the process to bring them home. 

 

 

We are so grateful to our facilator George who did an amazing job with everythng.  Things went so smooth, we didn't have one glitch, it was beyond amazing espicially after some of the stories I've heard from other families who worked with other people.  He was so fun and kind hearted. 

 

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So since I've started writing my blog, I've had many interuptions, LOL the story of my life, had to give Selah and Sarah baths, get everyone changed, fed...  now Selah is in her much loved wheelchair outside with the nurse.  She is just so content.  It is a pleaseure to see her like this. 

 

PLEASE CONTINUE PRAYING FOR SELAH. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home from the hospital! Some more blog questions answered

Selah is home and we can tell that she is very happy!  St Joe's did an amazing job with her discharge, everything was coordinated and our home health nurse was allowed to go with me to pick her up ( on the clock)  Everything went like clockwork, no glitches, her discharges are complicated as she is discharged from the hospital back to home care...it's really involved, this time it just went smooth!

On the way home she had her eyes rolled up in the way she does when she is stressed out.  Once she got home, she was very jumpy.  It was very much like she was when she was still in the orphanage.  I've not seen her like that since the accident.  In one way it's good, because it showed awareness.  If you touched her, she'd jump.  After awhile she calmed down.  She was also so stiff, no range of motion in her knees and little in her arms.  her sweet nurse worked on her and she has relaxed some.  At the hospital her heart rate was in the high 90's, now it's in the high 60's:)  Perfect! 

Her whole meds are changed around, one gone, three new ones for now...it's going to be a bit complicated as we don't have night nursing until next week but we'll survive!

Sometimes I feel that I can't do alot to make Selah "happy" but I can see that being at home makes her so happy.  I'm thrilled to have her in her nice clean bed, in her pretty gown that was handmade for her, on her pillows, with her nice ceiling fan going...  to know your child is contented is a big thing, especially when it is harder for her to communicate. 

Someone asked me if we'd ever consider putting her in a nursing home and my answer was "over my dead body" literally!  We just rescued her from an institution, there is no way she is going back to one!  As long as God gives me health and strength, that will never happen.  It's hard, our lives are so changed but it is worth it just to see her little body relax, and be content, knowing in some way she is home! 

You know how as a parent, you love to see your child happy and nothing is as sweet as a contented sleeping child...that's how I feel tonight...

After the accident we had a doctor who came and talked to me about putting her in a nursing home and gave me a list of reasons why we should....let's just say that doctor was NEVER allowed back in Selah's room.....  we've had a few more folks who have suggested that...and they probably won't again....LOL  It's not that we're martyrs , it's just we believe we should treat our loved ones like we would want to be treated, if the situation were reversed.   

One of my brother in laws, cares for my husband's dad in his home with arranged nursing care.  It's a beautiful example of sacrificial love for their dad.  I believe in that kind of love. 

So we are all happy tonight...

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I had gotten a few questions...

One was "what happened to Selah's siblings?"  I think one brother and sister got adopted by Ukrainians some years ago.  Both children were healthy and "normal".  One sister is in a orphanage for children who are "slow".  I believe there was an older sibling too....

Another question was "will you post about the children the monthly grant and gifts go to?"  YES!  I will start in May so everyone will have a whole month to get involved with it!  No gift is too small...really....  I had someone give me $3 towards our adoption and it was exactly the last little bit we needed for a specific part of it.  So no gift is ever too small!


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So a year ago we were getting ready for court...I wasn't too nervous but you can't help but be somewhat nervous.  I will give more details tomorrow.  I still can't get over that I let 3 days go without pictures.  What was I thinking?  I think it was becoming like "Ground Hog Day" and we were wearing the same clothes and so were the girls so what was new? LOL

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So please pray for Selah, pray that she stays calm and gets completely well ( and we do like to sleep LOL)  I still pray daily, throughout the day for God to heal her and bring her back to us.  Even tho she was upset, it was good to see her have a reaction like she did, since we've seen her do that before the accident.  She was way over stimulated.  I think the hospital makes her think she is back in the institution.   Once we were home, she kept looking at me, more than she usually does, really focusing on me like "mom are we really home?"  it was bittersweet....  Pray that she wills stay home and not more sickness!!!!  Thank  you!!!!!

Update, Friends from Afar, and an Amazing Opportunity and Gift!

Selah is doing great but has had a low grade fever.  The plans are for her to come home tomorrow.  She is coming home on an antibiotic that goes into a nebulizer  and one for her gtube.  Both were hard to find and the hospital has already gotten me one and is getting the other tomorrow.  It was very complicated and I'm thankful for the help.  I will be so glad for her to be home! 

Today our dear friends George and Ruth stopped by to see us  They were in Florida on vacation and took time out to come and see us, that meant so much to us.  We all worked together years ago in NYC at Teen Challenge and City Church.  We visited them in Philly a couple of years ago and shared lots of laughs.  Today was really neat seeing them down "in our neck of the woods" and showing them our church and the wildlife around here...and the "Spanish moss trees"LOL  Love them, they are such an encouragement to us!

 

Brownie had to get in this picture!  I LOVE this picture:)

Jon, Yvonne, Ruth and George together again:)

 

Good times....

 

Two days in a row, we had friends visit from hundreds of miles away...so thankful that they all took time out of their vacations to come and see us!  It really means alot:)

 

I think as one grows older, friendships, begin to mean more to you than ever.  Knowing that we don't get to see some of our friends for years make us appreciate when we do see them.  Makes me look forward to heaven too, knowing that one day we will all be together....

 

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I have been given a HUGE Gift....a friend who wishes to remain anonymous has started an Orphan Fund through our church.  This friend is giving a set amount monthly...then I get to find an orphan/adopting family to give it to!  WOOHOO!  How fun is that?  I won't have any trouble finding someone,  I feel blessed to have this opportunity to do this!  The donor suggested that this might encourage others to give also so we can give larger amounts monthly...so you can give by sending a check or money order to Grace Church 7060 Berry Road, Zephyrhills Fl 33540 and mark it Orphan/Adoption Ministry!  Every penny will go to an orphan ministry or a family in the process of adoption.  All of the adoptions I have given to, the money actually goes on a grant for the child, in case the adopting family backed out, the child would still have a grant in order to help another family. 

 

This donor has set up a recurring deduction from their checking account, where their bank will automatically send the church a check.  It sounds easy to do, although I'd never heard of it.  I may also set up a PayPal account for the Orphan/Adoption Ministry too but I'm not sure how complicated that is. 

 

I'm just so excited to be able to be a part of this!  I love to give and see things happen for others:)  There is nothing dearer to my heart than reaching out to orphans, I believe it is near to the heart of God also.  Although knowing and seeing all I have, has broken my heart, but  my heart is just thrilled when I see a child rescued and placed in a family.  It's REDEMPTION...

 

 

 

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So looking at my  pictures from Ukraine, I did not take any till the 20th when we went to court.  I must have left my camera back at the apartment.  I can't believe I missed a day much less 3 days!  Geez! 

 

Tomorrow I will load some random ones our facilitator took of the area as he was running around doing tons of work for us.  Selah had siblings and there was a court action that had to be taken on all of them, similar to a divorce, before we could proceed with court.  Our facilitator did so much work.  he would tell us"today there is much to do, very special situation"  he would also tell Jon "Jon you pray and God will work it out"  And he had total faith AND God did work it all out, it was so complicated.  But things worked out very quickly.  Sarah's paperwork was much easier and didn't require all the running around that Selah's did.  I believe she had 4 or 5 siblings so it was complicated. 

 

So during this time last year, we were anxiously awaiting court, waiting for various documents to be done...waiting...  We even had a pre court appearance before the judge for some reason, that was "interesting"   We were visiting the children daily. 

 

We would walk downtown to the park so Sam could play on the swings, it was warm spring weather.  Lovely sweet time.