Another Good Day!

Victor

is helping

us have

Victory in our adoption.

He has helped us a lot! He speaks

English and tells us where to sign!

The Egg photo is a gift from Pasha and we have one from Natasha.

Back rub & hair do time.

Today we had an earlier start, and had a very nice time with the kids. Played Chess, Yahtzee, Go Fish, and sang karoke! Chris and I sang "I want to hold your hand", and I tried to sing "Everlasting Love" by Gloria Estefan.

I got to do Katya & Pasha's hair a little bit. And we did Cat's in a cradle with string. We also went outside for awhile and had lunch together. It was a very good day. All is well with the adoption process and we should know more in a few days.

THANK-YOU for your prayers! Alesia & Chris

Outing to the Dolphin Show

Our kids are below, Sergey is our driver below this photo.

Katya, Andri, Pasha, Natasha, Jonathan. The woman to the right is very flexible.

Here are some photos from our outing at the Dolphin Show. It was all in Ukrainian, but very enjoyable. We are well. We have been here for 1 week. We do know know anything yet about dates or timing of anything. Hope to have a court established in a few days (that means, we'll know when the court date is coming). The dolphins are fun to watch, and the kids climbed up on a sea urchin! : )

Thanks for your prayers. Beautiful day in Kiev today. Alesia & Chris

Ahhhh....Routine....we think!

Laundry Day, Pasha (Sophia),
& Mama Braiding Pasha's Hair

Papa sleeping & Andri, Andri having fun with camera, Mama silly.


Pasha is tickling Jonathan, Natasha Joy, Watching the Jesus Film

We now will begin a routine of visiting our children in the mornings, until 1pm, and Chris will work some days in the afternoon. He made it safe to work, and called me the same time we made it safe home. Jonathan and I played a game, and are resting now. We will do math in a few minutes.

We had a nice time with the kids today. We did some art, played Go Fish in Eng/Rus, watched a nice Jesus movie in Russian, played outside, had lunch together. Katya needs to be in school because she is in a Math Contest April 12th. But some days she can go on outings with us. Chris was helpful with the movie.

We had a nice meeting with our helpers, and we talked about names for our children. We didn't want to change any of their names, but Pasha does not like her full name or Pasha because in Ukraine it does not have a good meaning.

We have decided to name her Sophia, however, at home she will probably be Pasha to us for a long long time. We gave middle names to all but Katya.
Sophia Grace (Pasha), Natasha Joy, & Andri Paul (full name Andryusha).

They are sweet beautiful children. Pasha came into our meeting to tell us that Jonathan was "fighting" with Andri and Ross (another MN boy). I felt like I was at home for a minute! They were just wrestling like boys!

We are so blessed. We miss home. We are well. We thank you for your prayers. We are waiting for the government to determine the next step. All is well. Tomorrow we may have a nice outing with our children.

In Him! Alesia & Chris

Saturday & Sunday...

Photos are at the orphanage. Chris was racing with the girls. Jonathan posed with Andryusha. Natasha & Andri are together in one photo. Alesia is on the phone with kids and Grandma back home. Pasha & Natasha like to take the pictures. Saturday was crazy because our computer did not work well for the movie without speakers (oops). Today was calmer with playing outdoors, a craft, and the Wii that our friends brought.

We went to church for Palm Sunday in English. It was nice. They gave a good message, and cookies and coffee and fellowship afterwards made for a nice welcome. The English conversation was very refreshing!

We are well. Chris will work tomorrow after we visit the kids. I will start a new page for more photos of us with children. Too many for each blog. Then I can update them later with titles.

Thank-you for your prayers! They are GOLD to us! In Him! Alesia & Chris

WOW....God is so good! WOW! 4pm 3/26

We saw Katya, Pasha, Natasha, and Andryusha! It was a sweet sweet time and not long enough as our helpers whisked us off to do paper work, which was an amazing blessing! God is so good. We were able to accomplish so much, and it can take so long in Kiev, and all went so well. We are so grateful for all your prayers, and for all our helpers. We moved this morning to a new apartment, with internet, so we can communicate better. We have been busy since 6am this morning so will give you more details about Kiev and photos and such tomorrow. But THANK-YOU and THANK GOD for a wonderful, fast paced, amazing day today!
Love Chris & Alesia

We are here...

We are in Ukraine, walking about Kiev.

All of our helpers have been wonderful.

We move tomorrow (Fri) to a different apartment in Kiev with internet and then I can upload some photos. We hope to see our children tomorrow.

Thank-you to all of you who have prayed and for all your help while we are gone.
Our flight was perfect. Chris & I had a "date" on the plane watching Blind Side!

Jonathan loves traveling, and is being kind and respectful. Almost a miracle! Thanks again for praying. I am out of time. IN HIM! Alesia & Chris

72 hours later

The Lord has brought us almost 3 days past "finding out", and we have done about 3 weeks of prep in such a short time. His Strength is sufficient for me...

It looked like it was going to be hard to find a good flight for Grandma Janet, and then He provided a seat in first class for the same amount of money of an average seat! And I bet this will be her first and only time there, unless He provides the same upon return!!!

We were told to double check our "apostille"...(notarizing the notary basically), because they miss spell names, and sure enough, it was off by 1 letter. I never would have know to what to look for exactly.

We have ran a million errands, and made some meals, and cleaned and laundered, and still have light bulbs to change, and bags to pack, and a few more items to return and a couple thngs to find. Pets to feed and walk, and you know how it goes!

I was concerned about the kids testing, and realized they can do that during this month duration, so all is well there.

All in all we are calmer than were were even 2 weeks ago.

Thank-you for your prayers! Please pray for protection for our family staying home, and for us traveling. I am thank-ful that we have a "gaurd dog", please pray for safety for all of us.

In Him, Alesia & Chris

We're going!

THE PHONE CALL JUST CAME & WE'RE TRAVELING MONDAY! WOW

For a variety of reasons, we've changed a few things on our blog.

We have our van ready for 7 children, and we have cleared out an extra room.

Jonathan is excited to go!

We will continue to declutter and prepare our homes and hearts for our children to come home. We'll update when we get there!

We'll tell all after all goes well!

Did I say thanks for your prayers!!! Thank-you! Love Chris & Alesia

Welcome

Welcome to the Haak Family Blog,

We are in the process of adopting and will have much to share and hope you will find it an interesting and helpful way to keep in touch with us.

We hope to keep our blog going for awhile so you can keep up with Jaclyn, Jonathan and James as well, and all of our family changes.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Love,

Chris and Alesia