The 10 Day Wait....

We are now into our 10 day waiting period that Ukraine mandates for most regions allowing for appeals of adoptions. This could be a long-lost relative, etc. that may want to step forward and appeal the child's adoption. It's highly unlikely, but possible. After the 10 day waiting period, we can pick up the court degree and begin the passport and visa paperwork. We are hoping to come home around August 20th.

Kevin had quite the eventful trip home, but arrived safe and sound last night at 2:30 a.m. It's a story I will have him blog about soon.



So in the mean time, Elizabeth and I are having some great visits with Bella! Yesterday, when she first saw us without Kevin, she said "Papa? Papa? Papa?" over and over. Just between you and me, I think she really likes her Papa and likes pulling his leg about being afraid! LOL

The Orphanage Director came out to visit the three of us playing in a covered area. He handed Bella and Elizabeth each a package of gummy bears candy. Instead of being excited about the candy, she was quite concerned for me and said to the director while pointing at me: "Mama? Mama?" He laughed, held up one finger, said something in Ukrainian, and hurried off. A few minutes later he returned and handed Bella a full-size Korona chocolate bar for me. She happily handed it to me and was content to gobble down her gummy bears!




Dawn & Amanda - Yes, those are her new Preschoolian shoes - she loves them!

Thank you once again for your prayers and support. We also treasure the comments that you post to us on this blog. They are a comfort to know others are traveling this road along with us!

Blessings, Paula

The 10 Day Wait....

We are now into our 10 day waiting period that Ukraine mandates for most regions allowing for appeals of adoptions. This could be a long-lost relative, etc. that may want to step forward and appeal the child's adoption. It's highly unlikely, but possible. After the 10 day waiting period, we can pick up the court degree and begin the passport and visa paperwork. We are hoping to come home around August 20th.

Kevin had quite the eventful trip home, but arrived safe and sound last night at 2:30 a.m. It's a story I will have him blog about soon.



So in the mean time, Elizabeth and I are having some great visits with Bella! Yesterday, when she first saw us without Kevin, she said "Papa? Papa? Papa?" over and over. Just between you and me, I think she really likes her Papa and likes pulling his leg about being afraid! LOL

The Orphanage Director came out to visit the three of us playing in a covered area. He handed Bella and Elizabeth each a package of gummy bears candy. Instead of being excited about the candy, she was quite concerned for me and said to the director while pointing at me: "Mama? Mama?" He laughed, held up one finger, said something in Ukrainian, and hurried off. A few minutes later he returned and handed Bella a full-size Korona chocolate bar for me. She happily handed it to me and was content to gobble down her gummy bears!




Dawn & Amanda - Yes, those are her new Preschoolian shoes - she loves them!

Thank you once again for your prayers and support. We also treasure the comments that you post to us on this blog. They are a comfort to know others are traveling this road along with us!

Blessings, Paula

Bella's A Burckhard!!!!

Today--July 28, 2009--Bella became a Burckhard and is now part of a family--OURS! Praise God! The court hearing went very well. The people in the court room included the judge, her assistant, the prosecutor, his assistant, the Orphanage Director, the Inspector, our translator Natasha, our 15 year daughter Elizabeth, and Kevin & me. The Judge asked us to tell "our story" why we want to adopt a child with Down syndrome and why from Ukraine? Kevin did an awesome job giving answers to both questions. Meanwhile, everyone enjoyed looking at our photo album of pictures of our family and home.

After both the Inspector and the Orphanage Director gave their positive recommendations, the only question the prosecuting attorney asked wasn't anything to do with us as parents, but that whether Down syndrome was something that was temporary or whether it is a long-term condition. :)

After a 15 minute recess, the Judge returned, we all stood, and she read her statement basically saying that the court finds that it would be in the best interest of the child to be adopted by Kevin Karl Burckhard and Paula Ann Burckhard! Woo Hoo! We clapped & hugged....very emotional! Everyone filed out of the court room and either hugged us or shook our hand congratulating us.

Later, Anatoly told us that the Judge felt we were a very good family and was very happy for the "girl".

We rushed on over to the US Embassy to fill out the proper paperwork to give me the power of attorney to act on Kevin's behalf when he returns to North Dakota on Thursday. From there, we ate a celebratory lunch at Reprisa--all of had blini's and dessert. Yummy!


After traveling for two long days, going through the emotional rollercoaster of the court, doing more paperwork, and having lunch,we finally got to go and visit Bella. She look very puzzled when she first saw us, but right away said "Mama, Mama!" I guess they weren't quite ready for us when we came in, because as soon as they saw us, they whisked Bella off to the side to put in a HUGE white bow in her hair. She cried and cried when she wasn't able to run to us right away. However, when her hair was done, she ran over to me and gave me a hug.


Sad to say, but she was still "byoos" of Kevin. Sad Daddy!

However, she took right to Elizabeth and sat in her lap and gave her a hug! Yay for Sissy!


We couldn't have asked for this day to go any better! (Well, Kevin would have like Bella to go to him, but....) Thank you so much, dear friends, for your love and support! We can't wait to introduce to you, in person, BELLA BOGDANA BURCKHARD!

Bella's A Burckhard!!!!

Today--July 28, 2009--Bella became a Burckhard and is now part of a family--OURS! Praise God! The court hearing went very well. The people in the court room included the judge, her assistant, the prosecutor, his assistant, the Orphanage Director, the Inspector, our translator Natasha, our 15 year daughter Elizabeth, and Kevin & me. The Judge asked us to tell "our story" why we want to adopt a child with Down syndrome and why from Ukraine? Kevin did an awesome job giving answers to both questions. Meanwhile, everyone enjoyed looking at our photo album of pictures of our family and home.

After both the Inspector and the Orphanage Director gave their positive recommendations, the only question the prosecuting attorney asked wasn't anything to do with us as parents, but that whether Down syndrome was something that was temporary or whether it is a long-term condition. :)

After a 15 minute recess, the Judge returned, we all stood, and she read her statement basically saying that the court finds that it would be in the best interest of the child to be adopted by Kevin Karl Burckhard and Paula Ann Burckhard! Woo Hoo! We clapped & hugged....very emotional! Everyone filed out of the court room and either hugged us or shook our hand congratulating us.

Later, Anatoly told us that the Judge felt we were a very good family and was very happy for the "girl".

We rushed on over to the US Embassy to fill out the proper paperwork to give me the power of attorney to act on Kevin's behalf when he returns to North Dakota on Thursday. From there, we ate a celebratory lunch at Reprisa--all of had blini's and dessert. Yummy!


After traveling for two long days, going through the emotional rollercoaster of the court, doing more paperwork, and having lunch,we finally got to go and visit Bella. She look very puzzled when she first saw us, but right away said "Mama, Mama!" I guess they weren't quite ready for us when we came in, because as soon as they saw us, they whisked Bella off to the side to put in a HUGE white bow in her hair. She cried and cried when she wasn't able to run to us right away. However, when her hair was done, she ran over to me and gave me a hug.


Sad to say, but she was still "byoos" of Kevin. Sad Daddy!

However, she took right to Elizabeth and sat in her lap and gave her a hug! Yay for Sissy!


We couldn't have asked for this day to go any better! (Well, Kevin would have like Bella to go to him, but....) Thank you so much, dear friends, for your love and support! We can't wait to introduce to you, in person, BELLA BOGDANA BURCKHARD!

Leaving Tomorrow.....

We are so excited! First, to see Bella again and to introduce her to Sissy! We leave tomorrow at 3:00 p.m from Bismarck and arrive in Kiev at 10:40 p.m. on Monday night.

I should be getting ready to go, but wanted to add a few more photos to our blog from our first visit to Kiev.

Sheer Joy!


Climbin' High!


Walking with our purses


Parking....no problem


Our kitchen


Hmmmm....looking for a good deal!


McDonald's with Natasha our translator and Anatoly our Facilitator


Bella....no description needed :)


In front of Dnipro River


Walkways go "underneath" the roads here...


Contrasts - in our apartment


A few hours after landing in Kiev - on our first trip!


My next post will be after court on Tuesday, July 28th. I am praying that we will have great news to share on that post!

Love in Him, Paula

Leaving Tomorrow.....

We are so excited! First, to see Bella again and to introduce her to Sissy! We leave tomorrow at 3:00 p.m from Bismarck and arrive in Kiev at 10:40 p.m. on Monday night.

I should be getting ready to go, but wanted to add a few more photos to our blog from our first visit to Kiev.

Sheer Joy!


Climbin' High!


Walking with our purses


Parking....no problem


Our kitchen


Hmmmm....looking for a good deal!


McDonald's with Natasha our translator and Anatoly our Facilitator


Bella....no description needed :)


In front of Dnipro River


Walkways go "underneath" the roads here...


Contrasts - in our apartment


A few hours after landing in Kiev - on our first trip!


My next post will be after court on Tuesday, July 28th. I am praying that we will have great news to share on that post!

Love in Him, Paula

My Stomach's Doin' Backflips!

Every day I watch the little videos we took of Bella...I can't wait to see her again. But, I of little faith am so nervous, my stomach's doin' backflips.

The what if's are haunting me! What if Bella doesn't remember us? What if she isn't there? What if court does not go well and we don't get to adopt her? What if, What if, What if?.......

At this point, I take a deep breath and meditate on one of my favorite verses:

"For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Please pray for strength to finish strong, no matter which "what if" comes our way!

In Him, Paula

My Stomach's Doin' Backflips!

Every day I watch the little videos we took of Bella...I can't wait to see her again. But, I of little faith am so nervous, my stomach's doin' backflips.

The what if's are haunting me! What if Bella doesn't remember us? What if she isn't there? What if court does not go well and we don't get to adopt her? What if, What if, What if?.......

At this point, I take a deep breath and meditate on one of my favorite verses:

"For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Please pray for strength to finish strong, no matter which "what if" comes our way!

In Him, Paula

Bella's Orphanage

Thought I would post some photos of Bella's current home--the Berizka Orphanage in Kiev. Our translator said it is one of the nicest Ukraine orphanages she has been in. We are thankful that Bella has been blessed to spend her first years in such a nice orphanage--but, it is still not a home AND she does not have a family who loves her.

What a parallel to God and our future home in heaven! Bella doesn't know that life is going to be better than what she's always known, and we of little faith do not always trust that heaven will be a better place--with a loving, PERFECT Father!

This adoption has opened our eyes in so many ways! What an honor and a privilege to have this experience to glimpse into the ways our Father has adopted us and how His Son prepares a place for us! It is so hard for me to wrap my mind around it, yet through this adoption process, I gain a small understanding...

Love in Him, Paula

Berizka means "White Birch". This is a white birch tree right outside the orphanage gate:

Kevin in front of the orphanage minutes after we landed in Kiev on June 21st:


Paula pointing to Bella's toothbrush with her little towel hanging underneath:


Bella's bed - note her name "Bogdana" is taped on the bottom:


The Orphanage Director pointing to Bella's bed:


Silly Papa!


Kevin and Bella in front of the beautiful flower gardens:


The Berizka Mural on the outside of the building:


Even the babies have outside time:


The Director (& us) He's holding a photo of Jake--He loved Jake because he has a cat that is his "twin" right there in Kiev! Who knew Jake would have a hand (or paw) in this adoption! See Kevin, Jake is a good cat!


Feet washing time before going in for lunch time:


This is the main area where Bella's groupa played:


One of Bella's favorite areas to play with her own personal playmates - us!


Going in after play time:


We had the honor of observing music class one day:


Bella pointing the way out :)