Last Day with Gabi

We were only able to spend two hours with Gabi today -- it was a mixed emotion morning. The six weeks spent in Kazakhstan seems like an eternity when you're there, but only 4 days of visits with someone you are bringing into your family just isn't enough.

We went to the park after picking her up -- she ran immediately to the wiggly bridge and the rings -- she was so excited to show us that she wasn't afraid any more. She was across that bridge in seconds and pulled herself across the rings hand over hand without help. The three of us -- (pretend that I'm smiling & not talking Okay?)

We only stayed a short time before heading to the cafe to meet the Social Worker Lady (who, by the way, is named Tatiana). While we were waiting we presented Gabi with a bear sent by Hailee, we also had a picture of Hailee with the bear -- this is what Gabi is sending back for Hailee. She was so happy with this bear -- we have video where she is thanking Hailee every couple seconds. It's so cute! After a bit Gabi asked Rossi to tell me that we should tell Hailee that when we come to get her she will have a present for Hailee that she will make. (isn't that the sweetest thing?)


At the cafe Gabi said she didn't want any "sweet" but Jack took her over to the counter and after checking everything out she finally found a "sweet" she wanted. Of course, Jack had to have one too!

There is a silly side to Gabi that we hadn't seen before -- she spent most of the time at the cafe taking pictures of the bear, everyones feet, asking us not to smile when she took the pictures .... just being goofy ..... she was so much fun!

Toward the end of our visit we pulled Gabi aside and had Rossi explain the necklace that we brought -- we put the two pieces together and she saw it was a heart, on one 1/2 it says daughter, the other mother .... we put hers on and then I put mine on -- she told Rossi that she knew it meant that we would come back for her. She asked for the camera right away and took this picture .....


Before we knew it Rossi was telling Gabi it was time to go -- Gabi shook her finger and said "na, na, na" and continued to sit -- she didn't want to go ..... neither did we but I didn't think it would be polite for me to shake my finger and say "no" but I wanted to. The drive to Ganka's house was quiet ..... the goodbye was hard, Rossi and Petko kept explaining to Gabi that it had to be this way; it is the law. She told them she understood .... I'm glad she does because I'm not sure that I do .... it was a hard goodbye.

Here we are in front of the house Gabi lives in just before walking to the car.


Gabi followed us to the car, watched us get in and stayed in the middle of the road waving .............