Back in Dnipro

Mary and I rode the train today from Kiev to Dnipro. It was fun to be awake on the train ride and see the beautiful countryside. I loved the small farms and cute old houses.

We arrived at the orphanage and the girls attacked us. They were so excited. Lena gave Mary a huge hug and a "Hi Marrry" in her cute Ukranian accent. Sara wouldn't leave Mary alone and kept hugging her and holding her hand. I thought that was unusual as she didn't know her, but then I realized we have been talking about Mary non stop and Lena must have told Sara about her as well.


We had a fun day with the girls walking around the town, showing everything to Mary. It was fun to see Mary's reaction to all of this. This is her outside our apartment. She was surprised at how dirty, gross and disgusting the buildings are.



The orphanage was so sad and she couldn't stand it. Another little orphan girl wanted to come with us and the Director said no. She walked away downcast and sad. Mary couldn't take it and talked about how awful it was all day. I told her it is always like that and there is nothing we can do. Everyday at the orphanage I feel like I am giving a huge present to only one child while the rest sit and watch enviously. It is a horrible feeling.

Look out everyone! Mary is on a mission to find a mom for that girl.

I miss Wendy, Alex and Jeff. It is sad to go to all the places we used to go and they aren't here. It isn't the same. I have come to love this city, and my new friends here, but I also can't wait to get my girls and leave this place. This city is a constant reminder of all they have suffered.

Last night we had a girl's night out. Mary, Oxana,(our attorney), Helen,(Sodeburg's translator) and I. Mary and I have not laughed that hard in ages. Our faces and sides hurt. We laughed about everything, from Mary taking pictures of the toilet, and ugly boats to Mary's hilarious questions about the Ukrainian people and Helen's directly translated sarcasm. Let's just say they all laughed at Mary and Helen couldn't stop teasing her. It felt like our regular girl's nights at home. Helen (in the pink) had a bandage on her ear and had to cover it in all our various pictures. She was hilarious. We had so much fun!




My ten day wait, ends on Friday. I am hoping to take the girls out of the orphanage then. Two more nights. They are anxiously counting down and begging to come home with me everyday.

After the ten day wait is up, then we have to work on passports, birth certificates and visas. In other regions it is one or two days, in ours it is a week. I can't even start the process until next Tuesday because this weekend is a holiday again and they have Monday off. I will start the process on Tuesday, hopefully it will take a week, then another two days at the embassy in Kiev and then home. Who knows though! I have learned that the one thing to expect is the unexpected.

To answer your question Jen. My time frame is a little slower than Wendy's, well minus her mess with the passport. She would have gone faster than me if not for that. I have hit two big holidays, where everything shuts down, so I am going to be here 6 weeks if all goes well. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Poor Wendy! If I were you I would plan on 6 weeks and be pleasantly surprised if it takes any less. Hope that helps!