The Supply Room at RBS.
Olia and her Play-Doh snail.
Pretty bows and pretty girls."The truth shall make you free, but first it will make you angry."
I had fully expected to be shocked and then outraged when I finally got the real scoop on the girls background. Instead, I was overwhelmed with the timing of it all and at peace with the entire situation. Back in January, when we felt prompted to get our paperwork started, the birth parents of the girls where having theirs parental rights simultaneously relinquished by the state. The father was unable to attend the proceeding due to incarceration (for the past 7 years) and the mother failed to show, her whereabouts remaining unknown even now. After the hearing, the girls where sent to the temporary shelter here in Petro until sometime in March when Yulia was transferred to the RBS and Olia to Poulindino some 60 km to the northeast. That was especially hard for Olia as she missed her older sister greatly.
It takes 6 months for the children to become available for adoption according to local law, so sometime in June the girls became officially available. Olia turned 8 in early August which then made her eligible to also be placed at the RBS, something that happened only shortly before we showed up. That was a happy day for both of them.
The social worker had many nice things to say about both of them as well as the bonding that she has witnessed both in person and from the things the girls have been saying to others at the RBS. She also made a point to say she feels the girls have weathered the storm about as well as could be expected. Finally, she shared her amazement that we felt so strongly that we needed to add these 2 girls to make our family complete.
I think the amazing thing is that life for us with the 3 boys was full steam ahead when sometime around the first of the year we felt a tug pulling us another direction. And it was very obvious it was 2 tugs and not 1. For that piece of inspiration I will forever be grateful. Since that time we have prayed specifically that our girls will watched over, protected and cared for and that we would be led directly to them
Our visit today was just as wonderful as any of the others. Reviewed the alphabet, played play-doh, toured more of the RBS, and had a nice walk outside. The really enjoy going for walks outside, further evidence they have been placed in the right home. Today was also the first day that someone had done their hair. Both of them had well placed bows to match their necklace that we had given them on our first visit.
Tomorrow we will visit the local market with them and do some shopping for new shoes. Now, that's some shopping I think I can handle.
guy
I had fully expected to be shocked and then outraged when I finally got the real scoop on the girls background. Instead, I was overwhelmed with the timing of it all and at peace with the entire situation. Back in January, when we felt prompted to get our paperwork started, the birth parents of the girls where having theirs parental rights simultaneously relinquished by the state. The father was unable to attend the proceeding due to incarceration (for the past 7 years) and the mother failed to show, her whereabouts remaining unknown even now. After the hearing, the girls where sent to the temporary shelter here in Petro until sometime in March when Yulia was transferred to the RBS and Olia to Poulindino some 60 km to the northeast. That was especially hard for Olia as she missed her older sister greatly.
It takes 6 months for the children to become available for adoption according to local law, so sometime in June the girls became officially available. Olia turned 8 in early August which then made her eligible to also be placed at the RBS, something that happened only shortly before we showed up. That was a happy day for both of them.
The social worker had many nice things to say about both of them as well as the bonding that she has witnessed both in person and from the things the girls have been saying to others at the RBS. She also made a point to say she feels the girls have weathered the storm about as well as could be expected. Finally, she shared her amazement that we felt so strongly that we needed to add these 2 girls to make our family complete.
I think the amazing thing is that life for us with the 3 boys was full steam ahead when sometime around the first of the year we felt a tug pulling us another direction. And it was very obvious it was 2 tugs and not 1. For that piece of inspiration I will forever be grateful. Since that time we have prayed specifically that our girls will watched over, protected and cared for and that we would be led directly to them
Our visit today was just as wonderful as any of the others. Reviewed the alphabet, played play-doh, toured more of the RBS, and had a nice walk outside. The really enjoy going for walks outside, further evidence they have been placed in the right home. Today was also the first day that someone had done their hair. Both of them had well placed bows to match their necklace that we had given them on our first visit.
Tomorrow we will visit the local market with them and do some shopping for new shoes. Now, that's some shopping I think I can handle.
guy
5 comments:
:) Well it makes sense that our son didn't recognize your daughters, they didn't arrive until after our son was gone. Our kids left the orphanage with us December 22nd of last year. Our daughter that we brought home in 2003 lived at the shelter for about 10 months. She spent her entire time in care living there. The orphanage director there is wonderful (and she Sholpan's sister). She is very kind and cares so much about the kids. I feel pretty confident saying they were in good hands while they were there. When you get home I'll send some photos of the Shelter so you'll have them.
Sarah
WOW!! I never knew Guy was this eloquent! I have been utterly addicted to the blog and the whole story. Every day, more than once, I check for more update. Whenever there is something knew I run to tell Edgar every detail. But I can't tell him without crying like a baby because I am so happy for all of you! This is such an amazing experience and I hope to someday have one similar. I love the Perry family and my prayers are with all of you, including Yulia and Olia. I can't wait for some girls in the neighborhood, even of they are older than Alayna.
Kandus
Perry Family,
It's sounding like quite the adventure there in Kazakhstan. Our family is praying for you and have loved all the updates. The girls are so cute. A wonderful addition to the Perry family.
Spencer
You look like a family. I love reading about the girls and the boys interacting and the feelings you (guy and deb) are feeling about all of it. It just emphasizes to me, again, the importance of family. I just can't wait to see all of you. Ben and I always look forward to seeing you and the boys, and the girls will just add some sweetness to the Perry family. Thanks for sharing with us. We love you guys!
Meg
Hey:
In that "Olia and her Play-Doh snail" picture I have seen Debbie strike that same exact pose with one of her little toys or creations. These similarities and "deja vus" are uncanny and bring back delightful memories.
Poppie
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