It is now 4 p.m. and we have just finished our visit -- we met for pizza at noon (was pretty good pizza actually - not ketchup and cheese, but real sauce). It seemed to go well, we learned lots about her likes and dislikes and she liked pizza, although, she definitely does not have Hailee's appetitite! After our time at the pizza parlor we walked to our apartment where she and Hailee colored and got to know one another better. Hailee has a great sense of how to explain things without using language. At the end of our visit we had time to talk about her decision. Luba explained that she would have Sunday to think and must decide Monday. They explained that there was a girl about 14 who decided that she did not want to see the family that had come for her, the family found another child. Now the girl waits to see that family again and they will not be coming back. We have done all we can, now we wait until Monday morning to see what our future is.
Hailee still has a cough, we went to the pharmacy (small store front behind glass where they have medicine stacked one on top of another) and I played charades to get a cough medicine. I held up my fingers for her age, pretended to cough and sniffle and they brought out 3 different medicines -- we choose the middle one. I was feeling pretty puffy about getting the idea across and actually walking out with a medicine that will work. But that was short lived -- on the way out of the pharmacy Hailee said, "You're really wierd mom."
Than we have Jack who wanted some cookies -- he's pointing to the cookies he wants and the lady brings out a bag the size of a 5 lb. bag of potatoes full of these cookies -- there was no way we could eat that many cookies in our whole visit here. So he's telling her that we want 6 cookies -- she starts adding more cookies to the monstrous bag she has -- he's saying "nyet, nyet" and waving his hands around and saying 1/2 or 6 -- he looks like a complete lunatic and we're still not getting the point across. Did Hailee say he was wierd?? NO!!! (I'm not sure quite how we did end up with just 6 cookies but we did -- according to Jack & Hailee they were really good)
There have been many changes in Uralsk since our last visit. There are so many cars, buildings have been put up everywhere. Many of these buildings are now malls and markets -- it is nice to see. Uralsk still has a long way to go, but it has grown a lot. We are happy there are internet cafes; or else we wouldn't be able to keep in touch. The internet cafes are nice, many computers and the cost is fairly cheap -- about a $1.00 for an hour of time. We are at a new one today that even offered us the option of putting pictures on -- hopefully the next time we come we can do that. We have a lot to show you!
Tomorrow we are hoping to go to the open market and possibly visit with another couple that arrived here from Utah. We met them yesterday at Yulia's office. They are here to adopt a toddler and have a girl Hailee's age. I'm sure it would be nice for Hailee to have someone to talk with other than us. We are also hoping to take our laptop to the Pushkin and try it there.
That's about it for today -- with love .... Jack, Cheryl & Hailee
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14 comments:
Does she speak any English at all or is all your communication through translators or gestures? You are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. This blog has worked so well to keep all informed and your doing a great job of posting. Keep up the good work! Are they still working on getting you internet in your apartment?
Now, as for the charades, if I remember right, we girls were always pretty good at those. You must have been...you got the point across and I'm sure you did it quite eloquently. Hope the medicine helps Hailee.
Just put it all in the Lords hands and enjoy your Sunday together.
Hugs to all!
Hi Mom, Dad, and Hailee..
I am glad to know that Uralsk has come a long way. Some of the pictures of the city were amazing last time you were there in terms of how scarce things were, and it was just amazing to see it all. I am so glad that things went better for you today, maybe she is starting to open up to the idea of getting s family. It seemed today from your post that things went really well, and I am sure after 8 years in America, she will have the same appetite as Hailee! I know Sunday is going to be rough not knowing, maybe just enjoy each others company, enjoy seeing the country and marvel at the changes they have made! I love you all and Miss You terribly, and am so proud that you have the courage and the hearts to do this again, I know its not easy, but in the end we all gain another family member to love and cherish. Love You Guys! Lisa
DrahstVweetia(spelling by sound is not pretty)! Glad to hear that things are slowly turning around. How awful for her to have those ideas about America. She must have been sick with dread at the thought. I'll bet it helps to have Hailee there to help explain the real deal instead of just hearing it from grown ups. We are praying that it all works out in the end.
FYI Jack-I made it through the first week without you! The Bobcat parts came, I ordered from Brooks (Jonah picked up), Genie-had to talk to someone because the part number was not working right on line, and JLG. Your ID and password were not accepted, so I am now officially set up to order from them in my name. Miss you, but so far so good!!
Love, Lori & Mike
Hi guys,
Enjoy you Sunday the best you can.
Our thoughts are with you on Monday.
Jack, do you think the finger touch had anything to do with your co-worker not being able to get in?
With Gin back my house is really coming along, almost faster than I thought it would.
If you see some floor design you think I could quilt, take a picture for me to make you something. Just an idea.
Grandma and Grandpa will be enjoying the music this afternoon I will see to that.
Hugs to you all.
Hello Ollmann's,
Wow what a journey you have been on. I am praying soon you will be off the rollercoaster of emotion you have been on and can begin truly bonding with your daughter. I hope your daughter will soon see what a wonderful family she is being welcomed into and realize what an amazing life that lies ahead for her. Hopefully she will figure out what the rest of us already know about the Ollmann's. I pray she sees what a incredible family you are.
I also wanted to tell Ms. Hailee hello and tell her I miss seeing her smiling face in the hallways. Have a wonderful trip and I will keep praying everything turns out okay.
Take care and keep your chins up.
Lisa Reid
Hi Guys,
Mom, the yahoo address kicked back to me as you not having an account...so I sent a message to the wi.rr again..sorry...
Also, I spoke with Sprint, and texted you and Dad the phone number to call to get things set up, the text message only charges me, not you..just so you know. There is a way to do it, but because I don't have access to your accounts, I could not get the exact charges it would be. I LOVE YOU ALL...MISSING YOU, Everyone at the party this evening really missed you and kept asking about you, I was amazed that everyone in the family is reading your blog, not one person said they had not heard about the blog, they are all reading it! Love You, Lisa
hi jack, cheryl & hailee -
we're back from FLA and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. lisa and stacy did a great job of keeping us in the loop while we were internet-less. hope all goes well on monday.
:: brett, bonnie, ben + sadie
Hi Bro and wife and Hailee,
All I can say is Wow. What a week you've had. I read the whole blog backwards, so I got to see the best stuff first. And here I was complaining about cold weather in Florida. We had a great vacation, hope yours turns around and Salty starts to see the light. I can't imagine how afraid she is though. I wish she could see a tiny bit of how nice her life would be here. Of course it will be emotional for all of you, many changes all around. But she would be loved by all of us, ask Hailee, even if she doesn't want our hugs and kisses, they are there for the asking. I am asking Pastor to say a special prayer for you all, hoping she makes the right decision. I hope Hailee is taking lots of photos to share with us. It sounds like a lot of progress has been made there. Well I am tired, will write again soon. May God look down upon you and Bless you with a new daughter on Monday. We all look forward to meeting her. Love and Hugs, pat & brian
Hi Bro and wife and Hailee,
All I can say is Wow. What a week you've had. I read the whole blog backwards, so I got to see the best stuff first. And here I was complaining about cold weather in Florida. We had a great vacation, hope yours turns around and Salty starts to see the light. I can't imagine how afraid she is though. I wish she could see a tiny bit of how nice her life would be here. Of course it will be emotional for all of you, many changes all around. But she would be loved by all of us, ask Hailee, even if she doesn't want our hugs and kisses, they are there for the asking. I am asking Pastor to say a special prayer for you all, hoping she makes the right decision. I hope Hailee is taking lots of photos to share with us. It sounds like a lot of progress has been made there. Well I am tired, will write again soon. May God look down upon you and Bless you with a new daughter on Monday. We all look forward to meeting her. Love and Hugs,
Jack, Cheryl, and Hailee,
By the time you read this it will be Sunday...just one long day left..we'll be thinking about you. At church tonight, pastor talked a great deal about you to our congregation and everyone was/is/will be praying for you. It sounds like you had a good visit on Friday. Hopefully God will guide her to you permanently come tomorrow.
We definitely missed you at Zess's tonight. The younger kids were in the trampoline, of course, and the guys had the fire pit going, along with brandy/rum and cokes, on the patio.
I hope Hailee's feeling better and that the medicine she got is working well. I'm anxious to see her pics and talk to her about her thoughts/feelings now that she's experiencing her birth country. What a great experience for her.
It's 11:00 p.m. here and way past my bedtime. We're all thinking of you and miss you. Try to enjoy your day together and let us know the status on Monday when you can.
Love from us all. :)
Hello family minus lisa!! Hi to lisa too since you will probably read this, and stacey I know you weren't really gagging, just a little green with envy! :)
Hope this message finds you guys in a little better spirits today than prior. We have been taking some new videos of the little ladies man; so by the time you get back hopefully we will have a new DVD waiting for you. I just put up a couple new pictures, more to come this week. I really wish I could be there; to see the charades and trying to communicate...the "water no gas" stands out in memory.
Well we are sending prayers and thoughts from Seattle. Thinking about you all lots and I know everything will turn out great.
Hi Guys!
We finally have our home computer up and running! Our address is:
brian-mariasell@sbcglobal.net
You have been in our thoughts and prayers for weeks! We said a special prayer for you tonight....you guys are very special people and all will go well.
Jack - Owen would like to know if you need slippers in Russia - :)
We have been doing a lot of playing outside...love the fresh air!!
If the cough syrup doesn't help...try honey...if you can find some. It really helps Owen...quite the sugar buzz, though.:)
Love the website...we check it daily!
Just know that you are thought of often....:)
We love and miss you all -
Maria, Brian, Owen, & Avery Sell
& Grammy Joan too!
Hey guys,
Finally read your news. It took a while to catch up. Now that I have this on favorites I will keep up.
Here is a reflection that I look at daily.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Hi Guys, Glad to hear that there is good pizza and cookies. we will keep praying for all of you
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