We started our day with a quick visit to the notary and then started our 6 hour drive ... there are mountains surrounding most of Bulgaria. Today we drove from the south region to the north region. We traveled through the Balkan Mountains --- beautiful scenery wherever we looked. It was a bit scary the first time we went through a tunnel under the mountain -- Petco assured us that they were stabilized by 20 meters of wire with a "big yellow thing" holding them in place. Comforting?????
The weather today is in the 60's and very sunny! A perfect day .....
Unbelievable also was the meeting with Gabriela ......
I was nervous, Jack, however, claims that he wasn't (must have been all that sleep he had!) Upon our arrival at the Social Services building we saw Gabriela from a distance - talking with Petco on the drive had me a bit confused -
-- I wasn't positive that we were going to actually get to meet Gabriela today because of the meetings with the Minister of Education, Social Worker, Psychologists, etc to get our approval. But ..... there she was sitting outside on a bench with her foster mom ......
We met everyone at once and were ushered into a small office for the interview. Jack told a little about us and then the foster mom had some questions for us too. Before we knew it the meeting was over and we were approved to meet with Gabriela who by the way, sat on her foster mothers lap smiling at us the whole time!
She is a cutie, with the most adorable dimple in left cheek -- and we saw that dimple a lot during our visit today! To break the ice we were asked if we brought a gift for Gabriela -- we pulled out the barbies and clothes that we had -- her eyes lit up. She went through each and every piece - carefully examining them as if she held the greatest treasure ever in her hand.
We were allowed to take her to the park with the social worker and the foster mom -- Jack pushed her on the swings, she held my hand when walking, played "go fish" while waiting for some bakery at a small cafe and chatted and smiled constantly. She was giggly, skipping, laughing and very willing to share her limited English with us -- bathroom, kitchen, mother, father and of course now she knows "no, go fish."
She is truly a happy child ............
She had questions about Hailee, about school, about her bedroom (which she loved when she saw the pictures) and seemed really excited to be a part of our family. The foster mom prepared her well .... and, although, the foster mom will miss her greatly she explained to us that she knew it will be best for Gabriela to be adopted. That is a huge relief for us ....
Here is our only picture from today -- Jack, I, foster mom (in back), Rossi and Gabriela -- hope to get lots more pictures tomorrow and maybe even a video.
Our visit ended after 3-1/2 hours, we will meet again tomorrow at 10 a.m. and then have another visit in the afternoon. We've already packed up our bag full of activities.
We ended the night with Petco and Rossi (our translator) just a few minutes ago. We enjoyed dinner at the restaurant in the hotel, they are very, very nice people who truly care for the children they help find their forever families.
Hailee -- 1,2,3 honey --hope your day at school was a good one and that you're listening to your sister! Lisa, how are you liking this mom business????
Jonathan & Amanda -- any word on Hayden yet?
To all the rest of you .... thank you for all the good thoughts, positive words and all. Hope that your day has been as good as ours!
10 comments:
Awww... Sounds so exciting! I can't imagine how you are both feeling at the moment. (After such a long ordeal etc) She sounds like a sweet little girl! I'll bet you have so much already planned to do tomorrow...can't wait to hear more! Have a good sleep! Thanks for posting the great news!
We're so happy for you. Gabriela is adorable!
You had us at school in tears this PM. I had Hailee come down to my room at the end of the day to read your update. She was smiling from ear to ear. :) All is well here. I checked in with Hailee first thing this AM at school and she was doing well. So, so, so happy for you!! Can't wait to hear more about tomorrow's visit.
Congrats on an AMAZING day! I hope it only gets better from here. :)
We hear the joy through your posting. So happy for you and your family. Gabriela sounds like an angel. Have a good night and we'll check in tomorrow.
Love Bruce and Donna
What can we say except Yeah!!, Wonderful, Whoopee!!
Stacy called me at Brett's and read me the blog. I was just like her, crying with joy. This is the daughter you were meant to have. She will have a most loving family and be full of joy, (most of the time). I know you are happy Cheryl, because Gabriela is so much shorter than you are!!! (hee hee) Sending our love and all the support and prayers we can gather.
We will take good care of Hailee the next few days, and before you know it, you will be back home and then gone again to bring her home for good.
Love you guys.....
Hi Mom and Dad,
I am SO happy right now..have to admit there were tears of joy flowing when I read this, (and might I add not only mine, but Audreys and Cindys as well, we were a bunch of babbling ladies at work this afternoon and of course they teared up even more after the picture was up)and speaking of the picture, your faces say it all...I have a new computer background at work thanks to that pic. She is so beautiful..she looks so tiny!
Ah..brings back the memories of trying to guess what size Hailee was from video and pics!
Anyways the Mom thing? Its going well, I walked Codee tonight while Hailee played Basketball, after we finished her homework of course, we even finidhed the science sheet on her "Element" and we only have to put together the model, which Aunt Pat, Uncle Brian and Stacy said they would help her with, and she is happy with that, hearing that got a fist in the air...right now she is outside playing...enjoying her time.
I have to say I have a better appreciation of what you both do as a parent daily...WOW..and Jon and Amanda, and all the other parents, I am so used to working and oh yeah more working long hours at work and its so different to have to leave so that you are home for someone else to help them. Its refreshing, but so different.
I love you guys VERY much and cant wait to learn more as you get to know Gabriela more. Does she have a nickname? What did she ask about Hailee and home?
Love You Guys Always,
Lisa
Hi Mom and Dad,
Its Hailee, and Lisa is making me sit with her and write to you tonight. The first thing I thought when I saw the picture was " You didnt tell me she had glasses" I thought she needed to get them, we'll have that in common. What did she say about me, and what did you tell her? What does she like to do? Can her teach her the word Sister or Hailee? Does she like Dogs, Cats, and Fish, Horses? What is she learning in school?
My school day today was boring, I cant seem to find anything nice to say about my day today...it was normal.
It's challenging to sleep in the room with Codee as she doesnt lay down for awhile when she gets into the room.
I love you both very much and really missed Mom when I was doing homework tonight.
Oh..and Miss P said she that she was going to e-mail you about Friday, she didnt say what I thought she said to me.
1-2-3
Love, Hailee
Just got home from a long day of visiting with Laura in Menasha. We had a wonderful girls day out. Couldn't wait to get home and read your post and than to find out that you had a wonderful day as well... That was the icing on the cake!!!
Can't wait to hear how tomorrow goes.
I have chills...Gabriella is so adorable. Her smile reminds me of Hailee's. Like you, I'm so relieved they prepared her for your visit. It sounds like she's excited and ready to become part of your family, Hooray!!!!!
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