Less than 2 days and counting........

Curt here:

Had a relaxing day today.  The usual morning routine.  The boys got balloons yesterday when we went to a chocolate shop.  They quickly took them off the sticks, untied them and enjoy blowing them up and letting them fly around the room.  They also like to blow them up and then have me play keep away from them.  An important milestone: we used up the last of the tuna Jocelyn had brought over from the U.S. today.  They only 'American' food left is what remains in the large jar of peanut butter she brought over (I think she refers to this jar as a lifeline).  Anya came over for an English lesson, and then we all went out with Den to run errands.  We did a little Christmas shopping and then went to the Shaktar Fan Store so the boys could get a Shaktar scarf.  Shaktar is the soccer club here in Donetsk, and they are the best club in Ukraine now.  They are in the Premier league and are 16-0-1 this year.  They even split and home and away series with Chelsea this year.  Jocelyn posted pics from the game the other night.  We had tickets about 4 rows up from the pitch and they cost probably about 5 or 6 dollars each.  However, that is apparently proportional to what we pay for sporting events in America.  Ben told us the other day, that if they tried to charge higher prices, people here could not afford to go to the games.

After the Fan Store, we headed to get tickets for the Donbass hockey game tomorrow night (local club in the 'Continental league').  Paid about $60 total for 7 tickets, center ice down low.  Viktor arrives at 0800 in the morning, so we will be spending the day prepping for court.  The hockey game should be a nice diversion before we head to Enakievo early Thursday morning for the all important court date.  I spoke to Viktor about an hour ago, and he was headed to the train station to catch the overnight train.  I took that as a good sign.  I also let him know after my flight change last week, I am scheduled to fly out Thursday at 1600, after court in the morning.  He said he did not see this as a problem.  I also took that as a good sign.  We have been praying a lot, and I know friends and family have as well, that Thursday will go smoothly.  I have faith that it will, although with our recent string of setbacks, it is hard not to have a little irritating twinge of fear that something is not going to go right.  Just gotta let it go and put it in God's hands.