We Made It Back To Kiev

We made it safely back to Kiev this afternoon. It was a long slow few days of driving, made slower by a snow storm. But we navigated around the pot hole, snow covered roads and arrived at a new apartment where we will spend a few days.

On the way back we had to stop in the VERY small town (well Village) that the girls were born in. Tarutyne is made up of a bunch of old houses a bus station and a couple of shops. The Ministry office we stopped to visit looked to Sasha like it was abandoned, but it really wasn't. There were people there, but the book with the documents we needed was not. It had been sent to Odessa to be re-bound. We were unable to collect the needed documents because they don't use computers or have any kinds of copies of these important birth certificates. So we have to wait and hope that it is back from the book binder before our court date.

On our way we came across this giant field of solar panels. We weren't expecting to see that.

Some of the old homes

The couple of shops

And the bus station next door

We headed from there back to Balta, which in comparison looks like a huge town. Mike and I talked about what a culture shock America will be for Anastasia. Unlike Olena, she has never been anywhere other than these two small towns. She probably only rarely leaves the orphanage. So to live in a place like America will probably be really hard on her for a little while.
While driving Nastia called Sasha to see where we were and what was happening. I had a sick feeling that she was calling to tell us that she had changed her mind about wanting us to adopt her, but luckily that feeling was wrong. She passed on a hello to us and we kept driving. Upon arriving at the orphanage we were surprised to be greeted by Anastasia running toward us. She practically jumped on us with excitement. She very tightly hugged us over and over and wouldn't let us go. It was an amazing feeling to know that she was so happy to have us be there with her. We stayed for a little while with her and she was again patient with us as we fumbled with our Russian. We played a few games on Mikes phone, looked at pictures of Olena and Izmail and the pictures that she had taken of herself and her friends while we were gone. (these are some of them) The pictures of her friends make me sad, cause I know I can't take them with us. But they all need homes, just like Nastia. They are all very sweet kids, but are in the oldest class at the school. Soon they will graduate and who knows what kind of future they will have!! Can you or anyone you know offer them a family???

Then we went for a walk. All too soon it was time for us to leave. As we were walking out to the van, she grabbed a hold of both of my hands and wouldn't let go. Then Sasha explained when we would be back to get her, and we had to say goodbye. We hugged (I can't explain how tight a hug she gave both Mike and I, but it was like she didn't want to let go) and told her that we would see her soon and that we loved her. She was crying when we left and that broke my heart, but also gave me the most amazing feeling of peace, knowing that we had definitely done what we were sent here to do. I would love to be closer to going home and seeing my other kids. We miss them so much, but we also know without a doubt that we were meant to meet this girl and she was meant to be in our family. What an amazing feeling that is.

laughing at Mike! I think we will be doing that a lot :)

These are 2 of her very close friends that 'graduated' so she doesn't get to see them very often. She was SO excited that they stopped by.

Ahhh The tickling begins!

These are all cross stitches. I think they are done in school by the kids. They were really cool

We finally got her to want to have a picture taken!

The stairs up to the school rooms

Mike thought this was amusing. It is the school breaker box. He said it's what is keeping the school from burning down. It doesn't fill me with much confidence!

Daddy and daughter! She sat like that with him for a long time. She did not want to move!!

Some of the kids. Each day we have come there has been a different hall monitor sitting at that table. They are always so friendly and welcoming!

We had been driving all day and then stopped at the school, so wee hadn't had anything to eat. I had joked a little about how hungry I was. So Anastasia went and found me a sucker!

holding my hands on the way out to the van.

Saying goodbye

See you soon.