I must start by begging for apologies. Please, please, please forgive me for taking so long to update the blog. You guys were so faithful to pray for us and support us on our long journey to bring Katya and Andrei home, you deserve better!

Life with 5 kiddos is exciting to say the least! There is never a dull moment, nor a chance to sit and journal/blog. It is taking some adjusting, but it's good.

I'll try to recap what's happened since the last blog. We listed our house and it sold in about 6 weeks!! The closing was obviously orchestrated by God's own hands, the timing was PERFECT! We got moved into our new house the end of July. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHAD!!!

About that same time we had a chance to by a horse that was perfect for Olivia. He is a 9 year old Morgan. We are very happy with him. They do great together! She swept her last show and was told she had to move up a level in competition. She has a show on Nov 1. It is her first show with the US Pony Club. It is at MTSU. We are all excited and a little nervous. I'm sure she will do great!

The curriculum went fair went great. (in hind-sight) I knew exactly what to buy for Katie and Olivia. I couldn't decide on what to do with the other 3 kiddos. At the time I was frustrated. Shortly after that, God made it clear that He wanted Katya, Andrei and Andy at Franklin Christian School. It has been a HUGE blessing for our family. They have bent over backwards to meet the needs of our ESL kiddos. All of the kids have made friends are doing fabulously!

Andrei is in 11th grade and doing better than a lot of the kids who are from here. He hasn't had to have much help at all. His English is amazing. He can read his chemistry book and understand it with no problem! Writing is still a challenge, but that will come. Andrei joined the football team even though the first came he saw was one he played in. He turned out to be a really good kicker! He had a blast! Yesterday was the last game. He is sad to see it end.

Katya Elizabeth is in 8th grade. She is doing better than she ever did in Ukraine. Practically all of her work is modified due to lack of a good foundation as well as the language barrier. She is doing really well, though, and LOVES to go to school. She is a social butterfly like I've never seen! Elizabeth played volleyball and is a star in the making! She is a great athlete. The school is begging her to play basketball but she isn't interested in it. (She is only 4'11" and about 95 lbs, but is possibly the best basketball player in the school!)

Andy is in 9th grade and doing GREAT! He made straight A's! He is working really hard, hoping to get a scholarship for college. Andy also was on the football team. Finally, after begging all of his life to play, I let him b/c he'd had a growth spurt and wasn't so little any more. He worked hard during the summer heat and was doing really well for a first timer. He got to play 2 plays in the jamboree and then broke his arm the next week in practice and was out for the season. He was so bummed! We are really proud of him though. He hung in there and supported the team and helped on the sidelines during each game. He is already trying to build strength back up in his arm so he can start weight training in anticipation for next season.

Katie is doing well. She started her first job and really likes it. She is working in a store akin to an old-fashioned corner market. It has gas pumps, groceries, a wonderful restaurant, a coffee bar and a new gift shop. She is learning to cook some pretty yummy things as well as make a mean cup of espresso! She is a great kid and I don't know what I'd do without her! She helps me so much with just about everything. She is going to be an awesome wife and mom one day!

Spiritually, both Elizabeth (we call her both names) and Andrei seem really close to making a decision to make Christ the Lord of their lives, but haven't as of yet. Please pray that it will happen quickly.

They are doing well with all of our extended family. There are several little ones and Katya loves to be with them. They have been accepted and treated like our other children. It's been great! We just got back from Disney World. We spent a week with my dad, step-mom, sister and her family. My mom's mom also came up and spent a couple of days with us. It was the first time she had met the kiddos. We had a great time! (Of course it is one of those vacations where you need another vacation to recover from all of the fun!)

It's not all been a bed of roses, but it has been much easier than most stories that I've heard. We have been so busy with moving and then sports that we haven't had a lot of family time. I'm looking forward to some serious bonding time now that both sports are over!

Maybe life will slow down some now and I will be able to finish unpacking our boxes and also find some time to blog every now and then.

Until next time...

Love & Blessings, Wendy

Hello All,

I am so sorry we haven't done an update lately. We have been swamped! We are building a bigger house here in Franklin and are working like crazy to get our current house on the market. We were told to plan on having our appointment in Ukraine in April, instead it was Jan. We had no time to work on the house. Our plan was to have it ready to list before we left the country. Since that didn't happen, we have been adjusting to life with 5 kiddos and working on the house. (Not to mention dentist & eye doctor appointments for most of us; or the homeschooling for that matter.)

The kids are adjusting very well. They get along really well, though at times they are getting on each others nerves just like bio sibs. Elizabeth and Andrei are doing really well with their English, MUCH better than we are with our Russian. We are trying, but it is SO hard.

They have enjoyed getting to know their grandparents and cousins (at least a few of the many.) It is amazing that they can keep them all straight, but they seem to with no problem.

They love to be outside and seem to be outside more than they are indoors. They ride bikes every day and play with the neighborhood kids.

They both love to go to church! PTL!!!! That is a huge answer to prayer. Please pray that their hearts will be open to God and they will receive Christ as their savior. We had the radio on in the car yesterday and Andrei was singing along to "Blessed Be the Name" by Tree 63. It was a sweet, sweet sound for this mama to hear! (this coming out of the same mouth that told me 3 months ago he wasn't sure there was a God.) He prayed with a friend whose dad is dying from colon cancer. He was so excited when he got home from church Wed night and told us. We are thrilled at his progress! I've said all along that God has big plans for him. I can't wait to see what they are! Elizabeth has always showed an intrest in God and loves to listen to praise and worship music.

Andy got his braces off last week. He is so excited! His teeth look great!

Katie had a blast a the prom! I didn't see the other girls there, but I'm sure she was the belle of the ball!

Olivia is doing great in horses and will have first real show soon, after doing 2 practice ones last summer. She is so excited about that. She has decided that she wants to show professionally when she grows up. (She's just 11, though.)

We have carpet guys coming Tuesday so we have to finish pulling everything out of the rooms tomorrow. (And take 3 kids back to the dentist and Chad has to go to NY.) Please pray for us as we try to take care of so many different things. We are planning on having an open house on Sunday as our big sha-bang that our house is new on the market. Pray that it goes well and we get a buyer quickly. The housing market here is moving pretty slowly, like every where else. I know that God will take care of it though.

One more prayer request...our big curriculum fair is this coming weekend. Pray for clarity of thought and guidence in deciding what to use for our schooling next year. The choices are vast and varied. Pray that I will be sensitive to God's leading and choose what will be right for all of us.

I know everyone wants pics, but I can't remember how to do it just now and it's really late. I'll try to get Chad to do it this week.

Thanks for all the prayers! Keep 'em coming!

Love,

Wendy, Chad and the gang

We arrived home safe and sound, and on time! Possibly a first for Delta!! We had a wonderful homecoming of friends and family with posters and balloons and lots of happy tears!! To see our 3 other children running to us was indescribable.

We are all home under one roof and that is the BEST feeling; finally having our whole family together. The kids are doing well together. They have ridden bikes, played volleyball, and all kinds of things. I realize this is probably the honeymoon stage, but it's such a blessing to watch them together and hear them laughing.

The kids have had no problem with the time change. We are doing pretty good with it as well. It's really hard to keep going when night falls in Ukraine, but we've been able to stay up until 9:00 or 10:00 and get up around 7:00. That's a schedule I hope to stay on. I've always been a night owl in the past and it drives Chad crazy. I have WAY to much to do sleep in at all, anyway!

Please, keep us in your prayers as we adjust to our new family and as we all bond with the new kiddos. I'll keep you posted as we go along.

Blessings,

Wendy

Have tickets, will travel!!!! Tomorrow to be exact. We are all counting the minutes until we get on that big ol' jet airliner!!!

We spent the day tooling around Kiev. We saw St Michael's Cathederal and walked in a snow shower. It was beautiful, but freezing!! It snowed yesterday, too. It was probably the fattest snowflakes that I have ever seen! It was wet and stuck to all the trees. It was breath-taking!

Our meetings yesterday and today at the US Embassy went extremely well. It was so nice to hear Americans again! It was also really cool to hold up our passports and go straight to the front of the line. We were able to walk right in, no waiting, in front of at least 100 people who were standing outside in the snow. It's good to be from the good ol' US of A!!!!!! Can I hear an "AMEN!"? I have been so homesick that I actually teared up when I walk in the door of the embassy. There were pics of the country side and signs written in English. It was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that sounds weird, but we have been in a country where even the alphabet is totally different so we have basically been illiterate for 2 months. (It gives us sense of understanding of what it will be like for the kids for a while.)

Off to finish packing! Our ride will be here at 6:45 AM!!!! I think this is one morning where I won't have a hard time waking up!

Have a peaceful and blessed Easter,

Love, Wendy 

I'll make this quick. Its late and our wi-fi is down. I'm across the street at internet cafe. We have flights booked with Delta. Kiev to JFK to Atlanta to Nashville. We should arrive in Nashville at 10:43 pm Saturday night.

Got to Skype with Katie, Andy, Mimi, and Stacy and Gang today. Woohoo!

We got the kids medical evaluations from the US Embassy designated doctor today. We'll get all Embassy paperwork in tomorrow and Andrei's police arrest background check is supposed to be in tomorrow (thursday afternoon). That leaves Friday to finish up with US Embassy and pick up their US Passports...looks like its gonna happen!

A lot of God thangs happened yesterday - bottom line: we got Andrei's and Katya's Ukranian International passports! The flight to Kiev last night was cancelled - so we caught the first one this morning, which involved a couple more minor miracles.

I'm (Chad) at the new apartment catching up on some work and Wendy, Sergey #1, and kids are at the doctor that the US Embassy uses for their process. We are now trying to get US passports through the US Embassy, which we hope is less hassle than what we just went through.

A couple adopting an 11 yr old just got through the US Embassy process in 1-day. However, since we have a 17-yr old, it may take another day or two (yet another government office has to do a criminal record check on Andrei). The results have been promised to come in tomorrow (Thursday).

We are hoping to fly into Nashville Friday or Saturday night! But we'll no more later today.

Thanks all!

Passports in hand - we are leaving Sevastopol in less than 2 hrs!!!

Praise God!

We are on pins and needles waiting for our phone to ring to tell our passports have indeed arrived today. We are packing in anticipation of making the 9:30 PM flight to Kiev. We will post as soon as we hear.

Words can not express the depth of our gratitude for the support and prayers of everyone. We know there are people checking our blog and praying for us who have never even met us. Just thinking of all the love and support we have brings tears to my eyes. (yes, this is Wendy, not Chad. I've been teary most of the time we've been here!) We would love for everyone to sign in to the guest book or make a comment on the blog so we can have a record of all the prayers that have gone up on our behalf. I plan to print off the entire blog and all the comments (as well as personal e-mails we've gotten) to make a book ,of sorts,as a keepsake of our journey for us and the kids.

Thanks so much!

Love,

Wendy (and the gang!)

Hey, that's us...we are the parents! We got together with the Grandmother (Babushka-bio mother's mother), Aunt Lubov (bio mother's sister) and Lubov's son ? and daughter Nastya (cousins), brother Roma (about 27 - maybe different father) and his wife and their son ?, Sister Youlia (maybe different father). Babushka was born in South Urals (mountain range) in Russia. I believe the town is Chelyabinsk. We wrote down proper english spelling of names, birth dates, and relations as best we could. They made it clear that the father was not to be discussed in their presence.

Went pretty well. We felt like we were in front of the judge again, but it was good that they showed interest and concern. Babushka and Aunt Lubov were very thankful, sweet, and gracious. Pics below:

Hopefully for real - today or tomorrow!

Pics of Andre and Katya's (mostly Katya's group) are below.

What do they both have in common?

They are both in Sevastopol and both on the coast of the Black Sea. Few Pics below...we have more stored, just for you Angie!

We also toured a really cool palace on the black sea built by a count about 150 years ago.  We don't have the pics up of it yet.

Thanks so much for all of the prayers. Chad dodged the flu/cold and I am doing much better. I still don't feel great and sound horrible -very frog like- but my fever is gone and so are the aches and chills. Thank you, God!

Also, The dinner was great! No mom on the scene--Thank you Lord! Their family is wonderful. They thanked us profusely for taking the kids. It was obviously hard for them, but they are thankful that the kids now have a chance. It was a good evening. Totally a God thing! When we left my new daughter was walking off arm-in-arm with her (adult) sister and turned around, ran back to me and gave me a huge hug and with tears in her eyes said, "Thank you, Mom!" I'm so glad we did this for them.

We are hoping for their passports tomorrow or the next day. We'll keep you posted. I want to be home by Friday. Chad says it's wishful thinking. I say, God can do anything! Keep praying!

love,

Chad and Wendy

Hi all,

I am sick, not sure if it is the flu or just a terrible cold. I feel horrible, achy, coughing, etc. but my temp is only around 100. Chad  now has it, too. Pray that we get better by Monday-tomorrow would be better! And pray that the kids don't get it all. So far so good with them. I can't believe this late in the game we are sick! We have been so careful the whole trip. Our facilitator doesn't think it will keep us from traveling. I'll wear a mask or whatever, as long as they let me on that plane!

keep prayin', God is good, WAY better than the Tamiflu, that they don't even have here.

love,

Wendy

Well, we have Katya and Andrei with us full time since Tuesday PM. We've been running around with Serg #2 trying to get local paper work in order. I'll make that long story short - our international passport requests for the kids has been sent (with all required paperwork) to Kiev. Passports should be back to us by mid-late next week. We then go to US Embassy in Kiev and complete the process (2-3 days)....then home.

However, Wendy thinks she is coming down with the flu. We will not be able to travel home if one of us is sick. Please pray that she turns the corner soon.

Well Sergey #2 went in a day early to see if he could get our court decree…he got it! We are legally the proud parents of Andrei Michael and Katya Elizabeth, as well as Kaitlyn Suzanne, William Andrew, and Olivia Grace. We are so thankful to God, as well as all family, friends, friends of family/friends, and strangers that have prayed for us and with us. We’re now crying, laughing, and goofy. We just found out via a cell phone call from Serg #2.

We have to run off with Sergey #2 shortly to help speed along the rest of the paperwork, but wanted to get the blog out. Sorry, we haven’t blogged in a couple of days. We have had the kids with us for the most of the day on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Hey, Andy turned 14 yrs old on Saturday, 8 March, back in Franklin, TN! Bubba is awesome. We were able to Skype and wish him happy birthday. Mimi was also there to make sure cake and a b-day spankin’ were available.

Some of the fondest memories I (Chad) have as a child are napping in my Mom and/or Dad’s lap on a lazy Sunday afternoon and having my head scratched. Some of my favorite memories as a Dad are having my children nap in my lap on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Katya blessed me with a snuggle and nap this past Sunday…see picture below. We have really been able to bond with Andrei and Katya over the past few weeks. It has been slower with Andrei, a 17 yr old young man. If you could see the way he melts in Wendy’s hugs and kisses…returns a “love you too” for her…its hard to catch that on film. I once complimented the folks at the orphanage on their facility and the care the orphans get there. She thanked me, but quickly pointed out that, like the children in the not-so-good orphanages, these kids still lack what they need and want most - a family that they know will always love them and be there for them...the orphanage can't meet that need...

Thank you all for being a part of this. All of your comments will be saved and printed to become part of a scrapbook for Andrei and Katya.

God is so good

His people (you people) are awesome

Prayer is powerful

We’re outta here like Vladimir (at least in few more days we will be)

I know this has confused several of ya'll. Here is the story on the siblings.

The kids have a brother who is 27 or 28. He has a wife and son. We didn't know these people exsisted until we got here. They also have a sister who is 20 or 21, divorced with a 3 year old. We knew about her. We aren't sure if she is coming to the picnic or not. She and Andrei have had a big blow out, before we got here, and he doesn't want to see her. Or so he said. He is thinking about going out with her and his girlfriend tomorrow night. I tried to explain to him the other day that it will be a really long time, and maybe not ever, that he gets to see her again and he should talk to her before he leaves. At the time he blew me off, like a typical teenager, but maybe he has been thinking about it. Hopefully they will part on good terms and stay in touch. Katya Elizabeth really wants to see her before we go. (Maybe more for the nephew than the sister, not sure about that.) I told her we would take her without Andrei if she wants to see her and he doesn't change his mind. She seemed relieved, but upset that Andrei wouldn't go. Pray that all of this is worked out in their hearts before they leave. I don't want them to live with regret and heartache.

BTW, Chad is making some of his famous gumbo for dinner this weekend. I can't wait to have something familiar and delicious!!!

March 4, 2008

What an interesting day we’ve had! I (Wendy) haven’t been feeling real great. My allergies have been acting up and I’ve gotten really dizzy because my ears are full of fluid. I’ve done this several times before, but not this time of year, so I didn’t bring anything stronger than OTC meds with me. The dizziness has finally gotten so bad that I had to brave going to the doctor. Which is something that we had both hoped to avoid while here. Yesterday I talked to the doctor at the orphanage and she told us where to go. So this morning we get up and head to Public Hospital #1. (It’s all you are thinking and more…) We aren’t sure if they will treat me since I am not a Ukrainian citizen, but somehow, they agree. Sergiy leads us to the ENT area of the hospital and the doctor checks me out. She looks in my ears and up my nose with tiny silver funnels using a microscope and a desk lamp whose light is reflected into my ears/nose by a mirror worn on the her head band. It was different to say the least. She then proceeds to press on my sinuses and decides she wants to see an x-ray of my face. I think this is odd, but am not surprised. Off we trek to the x-ray lab to take my head shot. We are told the x-ray will cost 5 grievna which is equal to $1. So I pay up and sit in front of the x-ray machine, no lead vest or blanket is offered. It shakes and goes on and I am sure that there is no way they will get a clear pic. I expect it to turn out looking like a race photograph taken with 110 film. I am pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t. That means I don’t have to “pose” again. We take my x-ray and head back to the doctor’s office. She sees me right away, as she did before. (The only thing we’ve done in Ukraine so far that doesn’t take lots of patience and waiting!) She looks at my x-ray and explains that my sinus cavities should be black but they are cloudy, not with gunk (my translation) but swollen almost closed (it appears) and I need to be admitted to the hospital. My response is an immediate, “Nyet!” I have never heard of being in the hospital for allergies. Her next suggestion is that I come every day for shots, of antibiotic I am assuming. I explain through Sergiy that I have had this many times before and my doctor in the states just gives me pills to take for a week and sends me home. She isn’t happy about it, but writes me prescriptions for 5 different meds. One of which is Nasonex. Something I recognize and am thrilled with that. I’ve had it before and it works wonderfully! I also have another nose spray, an antihistamine, an antibiotic, and another sinus medicine. So, I am still dizzy, but have the drugs to fix it. Hopefully I will be feeling much better by tomorrow afternoon.

We came home and I took a nap until it was time to go see the kids. They wanted to go eat pizza so off we went. (It was fish night at the orphanage and they tell us it isn’t so great.) We had a blast with the kids and didn’t want to take them back. Every day it is harder. We are counting the days until we never have to leave them there again. One week from tomorrow we will pick them up for good!!! We are all so excited! We planned a get together with their family here. We are to have lunch with their grandmother, aunt, uncle & 2 cousins, brother, sister-in-law and nephew. We are hoping to have this lunch on Sunday, March 16. They all support the adoption, but I have a feeling it will be a hard day for all of us. This is their birth mom’s family. We don’t know anything about their bio dad’s family. Please pray with us about this. We hope to learn some family history at this meeting. We also hope to ease any fears they may have about us and them allowing them to be adopted to the States.

Well, that’s all for now. I’m off to drug up and hopefully sleep thru the night!

I have another great story, but I’ll save it for another day.

Until then, blessings!

Wendy

They've been doing great. Mimi is coming to Franklin, TN to stay with them 'til about Easter. They are excited to be able to stay in their own beds now! Many of you know the latest on Katie, Andy, and Olivia (KAO), but some may not.

Katie is 16 yrs old. She's interested in photography, meteorology, astronomy, and wants (and will) to take guitar lessons. Like Rainman, she's an excellent driver. She has been asked to the prom (April 26 - so we'll be back in plenty of time) by a nice boy, Brian D., that goes to our church. She sent us photos of the prom dress she picked out (see below). She has many friends and loves to hang out with 'em. She also doesn't mind hanging with her parents and family - she loves it when family gets together. Katie's spiritual maturity is a blessing. She has participated in missions trips to New Orleans and Ukraine. She is an awsome young lady!

Andy will be turning 14 yrs old in about a week, 8 March. He has a freakishly impressive memory. He loves to read and retains most of it on just one pass. Dad and Andy are big Titan football fans and like to go to games when possible. He is a good actor and has been paid for reading for a childrens story CD. I got to listen in on his reading at the recording studio - he did great. Andy studies Tae-Kwon-Do and has progressed through the yellow belt. He has a great imagination. He like to hike and camp too - pics below in Smokey Mountains. Andy and Dad have done a backcountry backpacking - camping trip (Andy packed in about 35-lbs!). He likes an adventure.

Olivia turned 11 yrs old soon after we left for Ukrain, 10 February. Olivia, like Katie, can throw ball with the boys and can also get dressed up and look like a beautiful princess. Olivia has a special connection with animals. She loves them and most love her. She has been taking horse riding lesson for about 1.5 yrs. She enjoys visiting with the horses and getting to know their personalities as 'bout as much as riding. She's been in a few warm-up shows and earned some ribbons (see pics below). She even goes over jumps. She's been thrown off and got right back up on the devil horse and finished her ride. Spunk and beauty - a Webb-woman trait (with alot of influence from the other family blood).

We love them! I know you all love them too. Keep dropping them emails and giving them calls. Thanks for all the prayers (and keep 'em coming) for Katie, Andy, and Olivia!!!

Sound like a full day? We got it done in just a couple of hours. Let me explain.

Sevastopol is on the Crimean Peninsula (sticks southward into the Black Sea like an arrow head). From 1853 to 1856 the allies tried to take the Crimean Pen from Russia. The allies consisted of United Kingdom, France, Turkey (Ottoman Empire), and Kingdom of Sardinia (yep, it begs for a joke). The "Siege of Sevastopol" was a major battle - home of the Tsar's Black Sea fleet. This is where Winston Churchill's grandfather died in battle. The siege lasted about a year (1854-1855) until the allied forces finally took it. There is a war memorial established at one the high points up from the harbor and where much fighting occured.

There's also a small souvenier flea market and several carnival rides that run on high voltage, duck tape, and by the Grace of God. Katya wanted to ride what I describe as the spinning death machine. I had ridden a similar one at a small carnival in Vicalvaro Spain (shout out to the Wengers!) against the advice of our missions trip leader. The one here at the war scene did not seem as scary. I was wrong. It was when "belly press" was locked against me that I noticed quite a bit of this machine was covered in tape. In the picture below you can see me making it clear that she not on my family health insurance yet and the orphanage director really should be notif...too late, we took off. The deal is that you ride rapidly round (front ways or back ways) while also spinning in your seat (front ways or back ways). The sadistic, foul smelling operator can also lock you into the upside down position while your being thrown round and round. We made it. After a while, had a hot dog (awsome) and cotton candy (pic below - big as Katya's head). Andrei opted not to ride - he really likes hanging with Wendy - and he said he would probably puke if he rode.

Then came the diorama accompanied by an extreme and accute panorama. Yep, in 1903 there was a cool circular building built that housed a panorama painted on the inside of its circular wall. WWII came and destroyed it (German bombs). Following WWII, it was rebuilt and 17 artists recreated the panoramic painting with also a to-scale diorama between the center (where you stand) and the painted walls. It is so cool - you can't tell where the diorama ends and the panorama begins (never heard that phrase before have you?). The painted wall diorama gives it such depth - it really tricks the eyes. Check out just a few of the pics below - that can't hardly do it justice.

We (Wendy and I) got to talk with my parents, my brother Teddy, and his son Dakota, today and see them via Skype - they are visiting with Katie, Andy, and Olivia. It was really great to see and talk to them!

until next time,

Chad (and Wendy)

We met with the other two couples and our interpreters at Pam and Len's apartment (Angella's parents). We wolfed down some McDonalds and then had cake and ice cream. Ukrain has some very good dairy products - you former/current 4-H club folks would be impressed.

In the group pic below is Wendy, Chad, Len, Pam (front), Clay (back), Galya (helping Len/Pam and Clay/Olga with adoption) and husband, and Olga in very front.