Mother's Day

Today is the first Mother’s Day that I am actually a mother. Melba was so sweet and brought me some presents from home for the girl’s to give me. I have felt so much joy as a mother thus far, but I have also seen first hand the suffering of a mother the last few days. It has been an emotional Mother’s Day, as I have watched Julee mourn the loss of her unborn child and take her two girls out of the orphanage forever. I have gotten a small glimpse of the pain, the hardship and the joy of motherhood.
We also left Dnipro for the last time today. As I walked the streets my heart felt heavy. After all I have experienced, felt and become in this place I was sad to leave. Dnipro will always be sacred to me. The town my girls grew up in and the place I became a mother.
We are now on the night train to Yalta or a small town near Yalta. I’m not sure exactly the name I will have to let you know when I get there. Hopefully it will be relaxing and we will be able to have a break from paperwork and crazy long days of insane car rides.
My mother in law was saying today that she has always wanted an adventure. I think she is getting her fill. I’m not sure she will ever want to travel again. She has been such a great sport in all of this and we are having so much fun with the girls.
The girls love Coke and I keep telling them that they shouldn’t drink it. Today at the restaurant the waitress brought their drinks and I saw that it was Pepsi. I made a sad face and said, “Lena, no Coke.” Since they order for themselves in Russian I am always surprised with the outcome. Lena said, “Mama no Coke, Pepsi” and she pointed at the bottle in surprise. It was Pepsi indeed. We laughed so hard. She also made it clear that she could drink Coke because Babushka did. What a girl. She makes us laugh everyday.
Sara is the best at saying prayers. She always puts her hands together and wants us all to follow suit. She then says the longest cutest prayers and prays for everyone by name. I would give anything to know what she is saying.