Thursday, June 9, 2011

Bringing Dariya home: SDA appointment

We were up good and early to get ready for our SDA appointment.   Unfortunately the clock in the apartment was an hour behind the actual time so poor Nico and the Johnson family were waiting on us a bit extra this morning but we arrived at the SDA an hour early as the Johnson's appointment was at 10 and ours was at 11. 
Around 11 Yulia came and got us and took us upstairs to this small office.  We were there for 10-15 minutes.  The lady presented Dariya's file and Yulia translated for us to understand. 
We weren't asked any questions just had to show our passports to make sure they matched our paperwork then we were told all the information about Dariya and signed a record book showing that we had seen her file.

Dariya is older than we thought.  Her birthdate on the RR website was listed as August 2, 2008 (8/2/08)but it is actually February 8, 2008 (2/8/08).  In Europe they always list the month first...we should have known as Jason still does his dates backwards to me. 

She was born in the city where she currently resides, which is great news to us as we won't have to travel the country to obtain her birth certificate. 

She was the first pregnancy to her parents and has no siblings (well of course she does Aidan, Alayna & Liam).  She was abandoned at the hospital after her parents found out about her down syndrome diagnosis.  (Just typing that I am in tears now...)  She walked at 2.  She weighed 7 pounds 7 oz. and was 20.9 inches at birth.  She is listed as normal physical development.

They then showed us her picture and said after court they will exchange it for the one we have off the RR website.  As soon as I saw her picture I started to cry. 

I now know why God wanted us to bring individual pictures instead of the photo book (we lost the first one and the second one didn't ship in time before we flew over) so I printed pictures to bring and put them in a little photo album.    Both Yulia and the woman from the SDA looked over them and LOVED the pictures of our Alayna.  The tutu picture from the step up for down syndrome had them showing everyone in the office.  Then they got to the ones of Alayna doing therapy at IDC.  The SDA lady asked if she could keep those pictures to show Ukraine what they need to be doing with their children.  I then asked if there are any therapies that go on in the baby houses and she replied, "no".

When we were finished Jason and I decided to walk back to our apartment so we could shop the street vendors and check out the city on the way home.  We bought some great items from Alex (thanks Angela). If you are coming to the SDA soon shop with him, he will do you right.

Sunday and Monday are holidays here so we won't get to meet Dariya until Tuesday.  Friday afternoon we will pick up our paperwork allowing us to visit her in region and to submit to her regional court to be her parents.   We are going to leave "K" on Saturday and head to Dariya's region as our apartment is half the price there.

Will add pictures later, having trouble getting them from camera to laptop.  Oh and for those of you traveling here soon, my straightening iron for my hair wouldn't get warm at all, guessing the difference in the outlets wasn't enough for it.  I have some crazy hair going!

12 comments:

Amy said...

We are so happy that you are there! Please tell Yulia and Nico that the Hinz children are doing GREAT!!! Our prayers are with you! Can't wait until Tuesday when you can hug her tight and kiss that sweet little face!
Blessings,
Amy & Family
godsarrowsinourquiver.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

just happy tears here :)

Amy said...

By the way - my hair straightener did the same thing. Eventually it worked with a different plug converter. We had two different kinds with us. : )

Renee said...

We love you, crazy hair and all!! Paisley's parents (yes, married) left her at the hospital too...we found that out from our agency.. so sad....Abandoned by her parents by not by her God, Dariya is right where she needs to be.

Sarah Marie said...

I am in tears reading this! I am so excited for you guys!

Praying for everyone!

NB said...

oh, what joy to be so close...tugging at my heart-- what an indescribable experience, each step of the way I am sure. lump in throat... love you!

ch said...

well, i don't know if you noticed this...but a certain family announced their plans to adopt a little girl named Dariya on February 7th of this year. Looks like that girl got her birthday celebrated just right, if you ask me.

Love you guys. Thinking of you and hoping for swift and merciful decisions to be made on your behalf until you're back home again...xoxox

Elisabeth said...

I am continuing to pray for you guys during your time in EE. And I love seeing God's hand at work even in what pictures of your family you ended up bringing. He truly does care about every small detail.

Patti said...

OH Rochelle, I am so very happy for you guys- pictures, pictures, we want pictures!! And no matter what I am sure you look gorgeous as always!!

Elise said...

I can't believe you are going to see her sweet face soon. Does it seem real yet?

We have been praying for you! R prayed that it would be easy for Daria when she gets here. I said a loud AMEN to that.

I hope you have a beauty-filled day!

kecia said...

Love the story of the pictures! So hope that helps them here to know what they could be doing for these kids! That is kindof funny about her birthdate...at least it is not too different! So how close is she to Alayna again? Oh I just can't wait to see photos of her now!

Jawanda said...

I know you have heard Carole King's song "Oh Child of Mine" but it keeps coming to my mind when I think of you! Continue to pray for safety, peace, patience and protection through this process! God bless you all - jawanda

Although you see the world different than me
Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see
All the new colors and pictures you've designed
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Nobody's gonna kill your dreams
Or tell you how to live your life
There'll always be people to make it hard for a while
But you'll change their heads when they see you smile

The times you were born in may not have been the best
But you can make the times to come better than the rest
I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine,
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine