He is One Today!

Today is Oliver's birthday!

But I don't think anyone else noticed.

I mentioned it a few times and all I got is an "Eh."

Don't worry sweet baby boy, I celebrated in my heart.

And that song I sang in your ear-- Well it's the birthday song and from now on you are going to hear it every time we celebrate a year of your amazing life!
Can't wait to celebrate for real once we are home!

Rachel and I got to the baby house at 8:30 am. to pick up the boys to go and have their passport photos taken.  We got permission to take them without a nurse which gave us a chance to bond and see how the boys would respond to us outside the baby house.  Oliver and Nolan were very well behaved!

It only took a few minutes and cost 100 grivna.

After the photo excursion, Oliver fell asleep in my arms.  He seems to be doing that every day now.  Nolan was given a pocketful of candy when we got back.  I think it was for his awesome behavior.

Hmmm, I wonder if I should arm myself with a boatload of candy for the trip home.

We picked some up on the way home just in case.

I figure it can go one of two ways.  Either he will behave great to get the candy or as soon as he has the candy he will be hyped up on sugar and bounce off the walls.  Sounds fun.  Not.

As another back up plan, I am trying to get my hands on some melatonin.

I figure that whatever doesn't work on the train to Kiev, I will have something else to try for the plane ride home.

Tomorrow at 9 am. we are supposed to pick up the court decrees and then we will begin the paper chase to get both birth certificates-- in one day.

Please pray that this happens.  If it doesn't we are automatically stuck here delayed another week.

I can't even bring myself to think about this.

Just in case we are successful we needed to buy our train tickets for Wednesday evening.

As of this morning there were only first class tickets left.  And those were going quickly.  Some may think it very foolish, but we stepped out in faith and bought tickets for the 4 of us for $200.

If you don't hear me shouting from the rooftops at the end of the day tomorrow, you'll know why.
Just kidding.  I need to stay strong. . . and I will.

On another note, I wanted to share about Sasha.  He is doing okay,but is in desperate need for money.  He found another job, but he will not get paid until around July 21.  He does not have money for food or lodging.  He is literally living day to day right now. 

I know that many of you have emailed me asking to help.  Well now is the time.  We looked into different ways to get him the money and Western Union looks like the most viable option at this point.  It would bless him tremendously to be able to get him $200.  If anything above that is raised it will help cover the processing fees to get him the money, and the rest will go to him to bless him even more.
Thank you so much!