It's a Boy!!!!

We snuck out of town under the mask of darkness on an overnight train to the town of Kharkiv in Northern Ukraine near the Russian border. The car was stifling when we boarded…and we anticipated a very hot voyage through the night. Oh the relief when the a/c kicked in about 10 km outside of Kyiv. It took a while…but we cooled down to the point of comfort…and knew then we could tolerate the journey. Sleep did not come easy…it never does on trains…but we got a few hours in before the porter knocked to wake us …and to bring the absolute worst cup of coffee you could ever imagine. I’m not a coffee drinker…but I know Dede was disappointed as her early morning caffeine fix is a must.

We arrived in the station about 6:25am when Nina…the translator…met us at our cabin…and escorted us to check into the Hotel National to get settled in before our visit to the orphanage. At 9am we were picked up and taken to the social worker’s office to check all of Dede’s documents…then on to the baby orphanage to meet with the director and two physicians. After about an hour of discussion…we were introduced to Dede’s new son. Ladies & gentlemen…I would like to introduce to you…Carson Turner Farris…the most precious little man in Ukraine.

When he walked into the room…it lit up. I wasn’t looking in Dede’s direction…but I knew when my eyes teared up…that she was taking him home…whether she liked it or not. : ) It took no convincing on my part…she knew immediately too.

It has been a whirlwind few days…but it is so filled with joy…that nothing else matters. Finding internet access has been quite the challenge…but we have found a great I-net café near the university…not far from our apartment…and will be able to keep in better touch now. I have written so many blogs…but life is moving so fast…that once I’m through with one…it seems outdated as a new adventure begins. One day I will tell the whole story…but what is important now…is the precious little angel that God has given to my dear friend.

His Russian name is Danilo...he is called Danya (pronounced Donya). We still call him that...as we don't want to confuse him for now. Everyone around the orphanage will continue to call him that as long as he is there...so we will start to incorporate Carson sooner to leaving for home. He is 3 years 10 months and turns 4 on Sept. 19. He is a bit small for his age...but that is to be expected living his entire life in an orphanage. Other than size...he seems as healthy as could be. He may have a bit of a heart murmur...we will know more once he is completely checked out in the states.

He was abandoned at birth by his mother...who was 19 years old...and stayed in the hospital for about 2 months before being moved to the orphanage. The mother said that she would be back in a year...but after a year she was contacted...and did not return to see him. For the next year the court system worked very hard to find her...and with no success...they terminated her parental rights. He became available for adoption in April of this year...and Dede is the first mother given the opportunity to adopt him. Thank God!!! He would have been snatched up by anyone that laid eyes on him. His personality is incredibly bright...and his intelligence level seems off the charts. We are constantly amazed at the things that he does. He speaks Russian...so we have no idea what he says...but he's picking up on English quickly...and I feel will acclimate beautifully into his new environment back home.

We visit him twice a day...at 10am for about 1.5 hours...and at 5pm for an hour. We will hopefully get to push the early visit out to noon now that we are settled...and Dede's time with him is all that matters. The process from here is still a long one...and I will write it out in the next few days. We are planning in our minds to be here for another month...and anything less than that will be pudding. I am going to post quite a few pics at the bottom of the page...and will continue to in the days ahead...as he is a ham...and loves the lens. And...the lens loves him.

I look so forward to all of you meeting him...he is an angel. He is so well behaved...and has wonderful manners...and Dede's going to get mad at me for posting that...because she keeps telling me that I'm going to jinx it. It could be the calm before the storm...time will tell. For now...he is perfect!!!

I am going to close for now...any questions...please post in comments...and we will get back to you on a daily basis now. I will post all the information in the coming days...and more importantly...lots and lots of pics.

Hope everyone is well...I know that we are. I'm just wondering how I'm ever going to go back to Colorado...and leave this little guy so far behind.

Love to all...

Peace out...
Kelly(the Nomad) & Dede