Visit # 11

It’s a rainy, dreary day outside. We’re not going to be doing much walking today. Natalya bought us a new vacuum and we plan to clean. Hailee already asked if she could be the vacuumer (okay that’s not a word, but it’s what she wants to be) -- not exactly fun stuff but if you saw this place you would know it needs to be done.

Our visit today was taken up with visa and passport pictures -- it was about a 15 minute drive there & back -- we had to stop and drop off the pictures at Natalya’s office and go back to the orphanage and drop off Vika. L It’s getting harder and harder to leave her there.

When we arrived at the orphanage to pick up Vika just Jack, I & Luba went in. Vika came down the steps and hugged me hello and immediately asked about Hailee. Luba said she was missing her …………. Another success!

During our time at Natalya’s Vika was asked if she wanted to go home with us -- answer yes -- did she want to be a sister to Hailee - answer yes & huge smile -- did she want to be part of our family -- answer yes & another big smile. She did tell Natalya that she was a little afraid the first day but not anymore.

With the director’s okay we were able to leave a disposable camera with Vika today -- she is going to take pictures of her friends and things that she wants to remember at the orphanage. Her face lit up when Luba was explaining to her how to take the pictures and that we will have them developed and she can put them in frames around her room. I think for me it was exciting to watch her face when Luba was explaining all this -- I watched for any signs of sadness at leaving and there was none -- she was just excited.

Below are a couple pictures from today -- we were able to take them because we were out. Her hair was absolutely adorable.




Here's Natalya with the girls - she is always so cheerful and excited to talk with the children -- it is obvious that she cares for them very much.