All I did today was sit around the apartment until the time to go to the orphanage arrived. I had planned to go to the café with WiFi so I could send Laura the video Emily made for her. I ended up not doing this because all I had on me was US Dollars which I can’t spend here. Later, I was able to exchange some US Currency on my way to the orphanage.
Today’s visit to the orphanage started out great. Emily hugged me and sat in the chair next to me. Then, she asked how her sister and mom were doing. I told her they were doing good and that they miss her. I told her that her mom was working and her sisters were probably still asleep.
Then, the subject changed to Emily’s school at the orphanage. Emily stated that she only has one day of school left at the orphanage. I corrected her and informed her that she has three days of school at the orphanage. Emily was really unhappy with this. The other two children who were adopted on the same day as her are leaving the orphanage on Tuesday. I told Emily that she will not be able to leave until Thursday because I have to travel to the region she was born in to get her new birth certificate first. I can not get the new birth certificate until I get the court decree on Tuesday.
I must have eaten something spoiled for lunch because I became sick while at the orphanage. I had to run outside several times to throw up. After throwing up for about the fifth time and all the food was out of my stomach, I started to feel better.
Emily was back to her usual happy self again. She asked me to go for a walk with her. It was nice because we left the orphanage grounds and walked around the neighborhood around the orphanage. During the walk, Emily held my hand and talked about her mom and sisters. She repeatedly expressed her excitement about coming home to live with her new family. Emily asked if the weather at home was similar to Ukraine. I told her yes. Then, Emily asked if her mom was cold at home. She is always concerned for the well being of her family.
During our walk, Emily took me inside a small store. I told her she could by something to snack on. She picked out a bag of bacon flavored potato chips. Meat flavored potato chips are a favorite here in Ukraine. Then, we stopped by a Soviet Era World War 2 memorial and took some pictures. At the end of our walk, Emily told me that she loves me, her mom, Rachel, Megan, and the rest of her extended family.
We went back inside the orphanage and watched a movie until the time to leave arrived. Then, Emily helped me gather my things and walked me out to the van. Emily kissed me three times and said, “I love you.” I told her, “I love you” and hugged her.
Today was Friday. Emily told me that she gets to take a shower on Friday nights. She told me that she doesn’t get to use shampoo though. She has expressed excitement about getting to take a shower everyday again like she did this past summer when she lived with us for three weeks. And from her comments, it sounds like she can’t wait to use shampoo again.
Very soon, Emily’s dream will come true when I take her away from the orphanage for good. I know she is eagerly anticipating this moment. She is ready to come home and start her life in our family.
It has been eight days since Laura returned home. I am enjoying the time I spend with Emily but I also miss Laura, Rachel, and Megan. Soon, Emily and I will be home with them and we will be together as a family.
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