October 6,2011

We haven't received our court date yet.  We hope to find out tomorrow.  It looks like Laura won't make her scheduled return flight on Oct. 11.

Before going to the orphanage, we went to the market down the street from our apartment to get a few things we needed.  While we were there, we also bought some Ukrainian sweets for the kids.  I don't know exactly what to call them.  I think they were some sort of cookie.  They were really good and the children loved them.

When we got to the orphanage today, we were taken to a different room to spend time with our children.  I believe this was due to the fact there are now four families here to adopt and the room we had  been using to spend time with our children wasn't big enough for all of us.

There was a moment that brought everyone in the room to tears, including myself.  Olga is the girl in the picture above.  She was crying and Anya, our translator/assistant facilitator, asked her why she was sad.  Olga responded that she wishes someone would want to adopt her.  Olga is a beautiful girl and she has such a sweet personality.  She really deserves a family.  It is heartbreaking to see such a great child with so much pain in her heart.  After several minutes of hugs from everyone, Olga cheered up.

We put two tables together and some of us started playing Uno.  Emily wasn't interested in playing Uno.  She wanted to spend time with us.  Laura had already started playing Uno so Emily and I moved our chairs next to her while we talked.  Laura joined us after finishing the game.

Emily looked at pictures on the computer.  Most of the pictures were from her visit with us this summer.  Emily was showing everyone the pictures of her new sisters, her new house, and her new bedroom.  There were also pictures of various famliy members and she was pointing out what their relationship was to her.  Some of the other pictures were funny and Emily had all her friends laughing while she explained the pictures to them.

After looking at the pictures, I showed Emily a video I made of her earlier in the day.  The video consisted of photographs we have taken of her.  The video was set to the song "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars.  I thought this song was a perfect fit for this video.  The video closes with the phrase, "We will love you always and forever!!  Mom and Dad."  Emily loved the video.

Emily and Laura had many, very affectionate moments today.  Words can't describe how great it feels to know that she loves us and wants to be a part of our family.  Laura was showing Emily the Disney World website and talked to her about going there for vacation next summer.  Laura also showed Emily a map of the United States and showed her where Indiana was located.  After that, Emily was telling everyone that she is going to live in Indiana.

The weather was nice so everyone went outside to play with the children.  Everyone stood in a circle while hiting a ball to each other.  It was a soccer ball but we were hitting it to each other like a volleyball.  It made no difference.  Everyone had fun.

The van arrived to take us back to our apartment.  This is always the worst part of the day.  Saying goodbye everyday is so hard to do.  Emily helped carry my stuff to the van.  She gave Laura and I multiple hugs before we had to get in the van and leave.  I really can't wait until I can take her out of here for good.

Here are some of the pictures I took today.  The shirt Emily is wearing is one that we let her take with her when she returned to the orphanage after staying with us this summer.  So, Aeropostale clothing is not common among the children at the orphanage.