Trying .......

Today the weather here in Uralsk is beautiful -- hot and sunny. Almost too hot actually -- if we could wear shorts & tank tops it might help, but no one wears them here.

We were up early and made bliny (blee-nee) for breakfast and than lazed around until a call came from Yulia telling us that she would be picking us up at noon to get tickets for tomorrow's flight to Almaty. We spent the rest of the time getting the gifts for them & others together.

Our afternoon was nice -- we took Yulia, Yerlan and Luba to business lunch. We tried a new place and it was delicious -- cucumber, cabbage salad, borscht and stuffed peppers -- they even served a cake with a spiced apple filling. After Luba volunteered to keep us busy -- we went to the museum, the park and to a Kazakh store that had some great items. Than to meet at the office with Natalya.

They are feeling very bad and expressed many times how much their hearts are hurting, yet there was nothing they can do. No matter if we had been finished with court or heading out of Uralsk with Vika we would have lost her. Any family member has first rights. If we had already returned to the states they said the aunt would have complained and possibly start a scandal here in Uralsk. Something like that could jeapordize future adoptions ........... we understand, yet it doesn't help .... we are still leaving without a child and we are heartbroken.

Tonight we begin the huge task of packing up. It will be quite a job.

Tomorrow Natalya arranged lunch with Michalna - Hailee's caretaker in the orphanage. She is someone Hailee remembers and asked to meet. We are grateful that Natalya was able to work this out.

Again, thank you for your kind words and your continued support. Mary, I never really thought about the way we feel until you said we are grieving, we are and it's going to be a long process I think . . .