Thank You

This will be our last post on the Gillis Family Blog.

This morning Timothy came into our bedroom and crawled up to give Ed and I hugs. He laid there for a minute, comfortable to just be near us. Peter and Lydia are so excited and ready to be on our way home. They have WAY too much excited energy right now!! Timothy has no idea what is ahead of him and is playing nicely with his little car.

We want to thank everyone for taking the time to follow along with us on our adoption journey. We are so grateful for the support of family and friends. All of the uplifting comments meant so much to us and did so much to lift our spirits when they were down.

We look forward to getting home, getting settled and getting comfortable. We will be seeing you soon and so look forward to introducing our little Timothy Kiril to all of you. Take care and God Bless!

"To God be the glory, great things he hath done!"












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Who's adjusting?

Our last appointment.

We had our last official business taken care of this morning. We met with the surgeon who performed the cochlear implant on Timothy. She was a very energetic woman who interestingly was missing the tips of all 4 fingers on her right hand.

It was wonderful to talk with her. Some of the information we received at the orphanage was incorrect or just a bit off. It will be so nice when we can get an appointment with his new doctor in the states so that we can really get down to business. Timothy has learned a few signs (grudgingly!), but the doctor very strongly recommended that speech be the main form of communication. I am so thankful to be blessed to work part time so that I will be able to work with him on all that will be so new.

We left the appointment feeling reassured and so glad that we had the chance to meet with her. We felt a bit more at ease with the new job God had called us for, Timothy's parents.

And that feeling lasted about 30 minutes! We thought that we would get some pictures with Timothy in front of the beautiful churches of Kiev. He had none of it. Walking is not really his thing! So a couple of quick photos and back in Ed's arms and away we went.




Ukraine is celebrating their independence day tomorrow. The city is filled with tourists and all decked out. There are blue and yellow flags flying everywhere. Independence Square, the heart of Kiev, is decorated with Ukrainian eggs and all set up for a huge concert and fireworks tomorrow evening. We wizzed by on our way to the apartment.








We made it back to the apartment and everyone was able to unwind, a bit. So many things are new for this family and new for Timothy. So, who is doing the adjusting? All of us.

At times Timothy seems very at ease and comfortable with us. At other times he must feel like we are the strangest (and sometimes strictest!) people on the planet. There are behaviors that I know were not allowed at the orphanage but that he seems determined to get his way with now. I suppose that does make sense. Why not try getting away with something you've always wanted to do? He is a pretty bright little guy!

So, the kids have been bathed and are now in bed. We will be picked up at 10:00am to get dropped off at the airport. Ed and I will pack tonight and then pray for tomorrow. Good night from one very tired family in Kiev, Ukraine!




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The Many Faces

We now have everything we need to enter the U.S. with Timothy.

We are staying in a very nice part of Kiev. It is close to their government center and the President's home. This morning we took a walk. The air was quite cool. With the trees browning, from lack of water I believe, and everyone walking around in their long sleeves, it certainly did have the feel of fall.





We had a nice morning together. Timothy had a very difficult time falling asleep last night, but once he finally went down, he slept the entire night. In the morning he woke and went right to Peter and Lydia and laid by them. So thankful that he was not scared in the morning. It made the start of our day go smoothly.

After lunch, we had our interview at the American Embassy. Walking into that embassy was heavenly. The first thing we noticed was the landscaping. There was a small lawn with grass! The next thing we did was use the restroom. No squat toilets and all the toilet paper a person could want. America truly is the land of plenty! And clean. Everything was so neat and clean. Now I realize that this is not a depiction of every restroom in America, but it was a lovely break from what we have been used to.

Our interview was quick and then we just needed to wait for the visa. The kids played in a little toy area while Ed and I visited with another couple from New Jersey who are adopting a 13 year old. 30 minutes after the interview and Timothy now has permission to enter the United States. One lucky little boy. All he cared about was leaving the truck behind that he had found to play with, but when he is an adult, he will be truly grateful.

We ended our day with supper and then another walk. We were hoping to wear the kids out. It wore us out! Bedtime went a little smoother, but there was still some resistance. Totally expecting that and feeling
that it is very normal considering the circumstance.

Tomorrow we meet with Timothy's doctor who saw him for his cochlear implant. Olga will translate for us and we will take notes. Then we will be free to enjoy our last evening in Kiev. What should we do?

We will leave you with a few pictures of the many faces of Timothy. Irresistible!









"Let the light of your face shine on us." Psalm 4:6




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The Beginning

Our morning came quickly.

We were up, ready and packed by 4:20AM. Breakfast of rice and peaches (sounds good, huh?) and we were out the door by 4:50 AM.

We arrived at the orphanage and all was dark. In Timothy's group, a bed had been made for him in the main living area. There was not much of a production. We brought the mama's flowers and a card and dressed Timothy in his new clothes and were on our way. I was very teary and the mama's were a bit choked up too. Lydia seemed to take it the hardest and cried for much of the ride to the airport. She has such a tremendously tender heart.










The airport was a particularly harrowing experience. Timothy was not a happy boy. He only has a few sounds that he can make and he made them ALL! Non stop! I had some chalk in my purse and I kept him busy with that, but then it was time for security. Oh boy. The entire place came to a stand still.

This poor child does not really want to be with us. He wants to be at the detsky dom eating hot cereal and playing with the other children. But instead, he is being searched by a stranger and lugged around by people who have been coming daily for a short visit with treats. We were much more appealing to him then, I am sure!

I can only imagine that the people on the plane were getting annoyed with us, but once take off was over, Timothy finally settled down. We played with his socks. We played with one crayon. We played with his seat belt. We played with anything I was certain either could not be thrown or at least would not hurt anyone if it were to be thrown.



Once we landed in Kiev, we raced to the US embassy. Our appointment was scheduled for 10 AM and they stop receiving people after 11 AM. We arrived at 10:53 AM. I was really worried. But Ed and Peter were received and they stayed behind to do paperwork while Olga, Lydia, myself and Timothy went to the Dr. for the appointment that is required for visa approval.

Timothy made his presence known there as well, many, many, many times! The poor kid. Every time a woman with a white coat and pale blue pants walked past him he raised his arms to her and looked up only to look quickly down again. This is the dress that many of the orphanage staff wears. I'm sure it looked so familiar to him. My heart broke for him while at the same time I was trying to keep my wits about me.

Somehow we made it through that dr.s appointment. Only by the grace of God. Ed and Peter were waiting for us to come back and pick them up. Our interview at the embassy will be tomorrow at 2:00 pm and the visa should be ready that same day. Then we meet with Timothy's hearing doctors on Thursday and fly home Friday afternoon.

We fly "home." Such a welcoming place to 4 of us and hopefully it will be soon to the 5th. We are praying for a restful sleep and renewed spirits tomorrow. Adjusting on all our parts is tiring! Thoughts of the final process and the trip home keep us going.


Everyone with something to do... reading, playing Star Wars and playing with cars. Quiet and so darn cute!


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Media Stars?

Crazy day.

Vitaly our driver is constantly saying, "Crazy Driver." Today I would call a "crazy Ukrainian day."

We met Olga at the orphanage to finish up paperwork and business there. Surprise! It was not going to be as easy as that. We had to be back at the orphanage at 3:00 pm to partake in a "special" visit from an official lady.

This special lady is the wife of the governor of the district of Sevastopol. She is the one who petitioned for Timothy to be moved up from number 600 on the waiting list to being operated on right away. This all happened in the course of us getting our paperwork together and waiting for our appointment date. It seems that there was much public interest in the story. We were given a copy of a newspaper article - in Russian, of course.

So this lady was really not all that pleased when she found out that a foreign family would be adopting her special interest child. Government money was used for his surgery (not donations as we were previously told) and she wanted to meet this family. In we walk, totally unprepared.

They had Timothy's group room all decorated nice with flowers. The other children were kept in the bedroom and only Timothy was allowed in the main room. He was dressed very nice, no underpants, t-shirt and head scarf. He looked like a little man. The governor's wife was dressed to the nines and there was the assistant governor with her as well as a reporter and camera man. We walked in in our shorts and sandals - hair all messed up from driving to business office after business office with the windows down. We were totally taken off guard.

We were asked several questions. We answered, but are pretty sure the majority of what we said was not translated. Sadness on the part of the wife was expressed that the "cute boy" was not staying in Ukraine. We were asked to keep her informed of Timothy's progress over the years. And many other things, too much to name.

We then were interviewed by the reporter and after that went to officially sign Timothy out of the orphanage. All of this was taped. They even video taped our passports and paperwork until Ed spoke up and asked them not to as it was personal information.

This was not at all what we had envisioned happening on this day. we are trying to keep the focus of why we are here. We are here because God caused a stirring in our hearts to bring a little boy into our family. To love and care for him regardless of his condition, regardless of his nationality.
We fly to Kiev tomorrow. We will pick Timothy up at the orphanage at 5:00 am. From the airport in Kiev we will head directly to the US embassy where Ed will apply for Timothy's visa and I will take Timothy to the Dr. for the embassy check up. We hope to blog tomorrow to let everyone know how the trip went, but are not sure how our internet connection will be.
So, until tomorrow! We travel with your prayers.




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Dwelling Place

What this Minnesota family misses:

Nature. We are getting ready to leave for Kiev in a day and a half. One more big city experience and we will be on the plane for clean air and green grass. We are so ready to trade our concrete sidewalks for green lawns. I feel very spoiled writing that, but it is very true.

Sevastopol has been kind to us. We have good food. Stores of every kind with anything we could think to want. Safe transportation to get us where we need to go. Clean apartment, television, wi-fi even! We honestly have not been deprived or lacking of anything.

So even though we are grateful that our host city has been so kind to us, we are ready to head for home. We are ready for familiar faces, our comfort food, the kids toys (they have gotten along great with just 9 deer, 5 cars and 4 Stars Wars guys for 5 weeks!), a known language and so, so much more.

Walking around Sevastopol the past few days, we have found ourselves being drawn to more "natural" objects. Things that are so common in our daily lives back home. Here is a sampling:



















And of course the most natural picture of them all: our three children. Olga comes back tomorrow and we hopefully finish things up at the orphanage. We will be looking for Timothy's passport in the mail by the end of the business day. Then packing and sleep.







"How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty." Psalm 84:1


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A Family

Only one visit to the orphanage left.

When we arrived at the orphanage today, we quietly walked up to Timothy's group play area. We like to watch him interact with the other children before we take him away from them for our visit. I really wish we could have gotten his reaction to seeing us on video. His mouth opened in a BIG smile and he started dancing up and down, turning around in circles. He was so happy! He almost put down the toy that he was holding to come running to us, but then he thought better of that. He might not get it back! It was a precious sight. One we will keep in our hearts.

Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

We have not seen little Putin since last Saturday. I have to say that it makes us a bit sad. We looked forward to seeing him and his excitement in bringing Timothy over to us. We have no one to ask what happened to him. Did he get transferred to the next orphanage? The one for older kids? Did his family come for him?

Olga has told us that there are a number of children in this group that are considered "home" children. The Ukrainian government allows families that have fallen on hard times to enter their children into state care. They keep their parental rights and can visit when they want. We do not know which children in his group fall into this category, but we can say that we are the only people who have come to visit during the visiting time.

When we first seriously considered adopting Timothy, we had so many reservations. Adoption had been something we had talked about for years. It had been something that was in my heart long before our marriage. But was this the time? Was this the child? Was this the place?

We have been so surprised at the strong feelings we have for Timothy. Love for him started growing in our hearts long before we actually saw him face to face. We can only thank God for providing that love. We know that His hand was in this adoption. We know that Timothy was a part of God's plan for our family. It all feels natural and right.

I think of the other cuties in that orphanage that we walk by every day, that we wave to and they all smile and wave and say "pa-ka", and I wonder about their lives, their futures. If you have ever felt the pull of adoption in your heart, please ponder it. Pray about it. It does not have to be in Ukraine. It does not have to be a baby. Any child, anywhere would be so blessed to have a family to call theirs.

We are thankful to God for calling us to be Timothy's parents and forever family.














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