Devastation

Before I begin our update please know that most of this is facts -- to convey exactly how we are feeling is impossible.

We went for our visit today, we learned once we were there that the aunt had been there earlier that morning. Vika was quiet when she entered the room and I knew . . . . but still hoped. The deputy director was there with us and talked with Vika and Luba translated. It was a long, long conversation and we know that the director was trying her best to get Vika to understand what was happening. She explained to Vika that her aunt has not tried to see her at all. When Vika was asked how long since she has seen her aunt her answer was over two years. The director explained again that if someone loves someone very much they do not stay away for that long, they come and see their family. In the end Vika decided that she would stay with her aunt and cousins.

Yulia, Natalya & Nastya just left our apartment -- they told us that the aunt was not honest yesterday. She had visited Vika in school without permission -- no one knows what happened during this meeting. We also learned that the aunt will not file to adopt Vika but will instead file to be her guardian. By doing this the government will pay for Vika to stay with her. It will also pay for all Vika's schooling. We would like to believe that means that Vika will have a chance to be whatever she wants to be in the future.

If Vika's aunt will truly give her a wonderful family life that is all we would wish for her. We know that if one of our children were in Vika's position we would want family to have them over strangers.

Hailee is really, really upset - we've spent a lot of time trying to explain what happened, but it's hard because neither Jack or I really understand why . . . . how do you explain that? Suffice it to say we are a mess ....... each handlng it the best we can.

We know everyone is wondering what we do now? Unfortunately, we really don't have an answer. Yulia has tentatively booked our tickets to Almaty for Wednesday night. They asked us to please give them until Monday to see what can be done. We will honor that request.