Our Court Date

Today we got our court date. It is for next Tuesday the 21st. After that the girls will be officially ours. We met with the judge today and she told us that they will ask us lots of questions about us being able to handle the girls. She said they are concerned because we are so young. How do you explain to them that in Utah if I was a normal girl I could have a 15 year old by now. If any of you have good answers to this question let me know. Any feedback is welcome. We have a week to prepare. I wasn't very nervous for court but after today I started to feel more anxious. The girls have to say things in court too and the attorney asked them today if they are ready. They both said they were. They seem to be familiar with the process, the kids obviously talk about it.

I am falling more and more in love with my girls everyday. It is hard to explain or express, but it is such a great feeling. It puts the world in perspective. If I saw these kids back home and had to associate with them I would probably be repulsed, they are filthy and don't have the best manners. I would think they must have horrible parents. I take them with me all over this city and people sometimes give them funny looks. It doesn't matter to me. I am just as proud of them as I can be. They are mine and I love them. I can see that they are little children needing to be loved no matter how they look on the outside. After this experience, I know I will see all children differently. It is interesting how much I have judged even small children on the outward appearance.

There is a little cross eyed boy, that Wendy and I are in love with. The others call him idiot and baby and won't play with him, he doesn't care he just laughs and is as happy as can be. Sveta (Sara) was especially not nice to him and Jeff told me he gave her a talking to. I wondered how he managed that not speaking Ukranian but it worked because after that she played with him and was much nicer. Go Dad!

The kids got all dressed up for an official picture today and we had to laugh at their efforts. Whenever the kids look like orphans, which is always, (except Alex he is looking pretty good) and we take a picture Jeff, Wendy and I always say we will use them for black mail when they are 16 year old Americans and they think they are so cool. It is hard to imagine now, but someday they will look just like the other kids. Part of me will always cherish the orphans I remember. There is something so cute and endearing about them. Strange as it sounds, I sort of wish they didn't have to change. Things are much simpler this way. I mean honestly, they wear the same clothes for 7 days straight. I'll be a little sad I think when they start being like everyone else.

This is a picture of Me and Masha at the courthouse. This was our morning.




This is a picture of Wendy and Masha getting their nails done. Maybe I'll have to try it one of these days. Wendy said her pedicure was awesome and cheap. I have actually never had a pedicure maybe I'll try it when Mary comes. I guess one good thing is I wouldn't have to worry about making small talk, which is one thing I hate about beauty salons. Maybe I should consider a mullet (spelling?) cut which is popular in Kiev. I might look more like the girls mom then. Wendy I think you should go for the bleach look. You wouldn't make a very good blonde. . . well you did almost get hit by a trolley today. The bleach look is very popular here. I guess it really isn't that different from home. Some people get how to do hair and some people just don't.


Masha continued my cooking lessons tonight. This is the food we made. I am learning how to make all sorts of interesting things. I can try them on whoever dares when I get home. Masha is leaving tomorrow and we will be without a translator. She has been great and we will miss her. She is going to read my blog when she leaves so she will have to say Hi to everyone. The girls are attached and will miss her too. She has been writing down all the Russian phrases I will need. We'll see how it goes. Jeff is great at speaking Russian. He did order two grandma's today instead of two rolls but hey who can blame him after only a week of practice. He makes good use of the few words he knows.


One last thing I wanted to remember. Lena's teacher told us that she cried for days when she came back to the orphanage. She missed us so much. It made me wonder how many nights my girls have gone to sleep crying with no one to comfort them. I sat by her on the couch after I heard that and wanted to hold her and never let her go. She must have felt the same way because she kept squeezing my hand and sat snuggled next to me for a very long time.

Amy S. I am missing sweet little London, also I got a sore throat today and those throat things you sent with me have been a blessing. I can't imagine trying to pick out medicine, groceries are hard enough.

I love you all so much! Thanks for being a part of this!