Meeting with the Director

Yesterday we had our meeting with Alla, the orphanage director. She greeted me with a hug and told us we were young and beautiful. Well, what could go wrong after that? I was an instant fan. Coupled with that, the kitchen was closed so we were not served some of the "delicacies" some of the other famiies got to try. (In my mind the idea of raw bacon fat slathered on crackers seemed like an episode of Fear Factor, although some say it is not so bad). We were very grateful Alla had come in as she and the other staff are on vacation but made themselves available to us for Viktors sake. We were a bit nervous as Alla is very straight-forward with families, even telling some not to adopt the children they have chosen because they will cause so many problems. Alla however, seemed to be a big fan of Viktor's. She had high praise for him and seemed to think he would be able to adjust to family life. Not that there would not be issues, but she knows him to be kind to others, very helpful and respectful as well as a leader who will not participate in troublemaking just to belong. I just wonder how he has struggled seeing children who were obviously hard to deal with get adopted while he was passed over so many times. I pray God was saving him for our family, I just wish we had known sooner. Supposedly, Alla was the one who had all the information on his family and background. We did leave a little dissatisfied that the information was not all that clear. I guess it doesn't really matter and we will probably find out more as time goes on. Apparently, the parents were drinkers who ended up in prison for stealing/robbery. He does have an older sister somewhere who would be about 20 now, but no one knows where she is. He has been at the orphanage since he was about 6 years old. All and all a very successful meeting. We have most of the paperwork finished to submit to court - we do need a signed petition from Viktor stating he does want to be adopted. Zhenia said he could go ahead and try to get a court date without this. We are praying that the judge Zhenia works with will be available. There is a 10 day mandatory waiting period after court before you can start any paperwork (visa, passport, etc) to take your child home. So the faster we can get a court date the better. We are looking forward to seeing Viktor on Sunday as he will be able to stay with us when he gets back to Kiev. Missing Phillip and Cassie like crazy. Phillip had to get 2 planters warts frozen off the bottom of his foot yesterday - apparently very painful. We also got an e-mail about the first annual father/son football cookout - ouch. We can't be there for that and it hurts. Mema took Cassie by the house yesterday after horseback - Cassie was feeling very homesick for her "stuff". Mema and Nana are going above and beyond and we are so grateful to them.

Thought it would be good to include a picture of Viktor since he is the reason we are here. Thanks to Suzzette for the picture, you have been a true blessing through this whole process, welcome home....

Sharon and I at the gates of Orphanage 21 after our meeting with the director.

Love the Zhenia, our very capable, diligent, knowledgeable gaurding angel and also our facilitator.

Beautiful archway along Kreshchatik and gateway to my beloved Pusata Hata (Fat House) restaurant. Thought of my buddy Trace as we ate there yesterday.

This one is for the kids. It had almost as much attitude as Molly except it's meow was much deeper. xoxo Phillip and Cassie!!!!!!!!!