Sara is going home in a few days and I will miss her. I took her on a date today and we walked all over town and to her orphanage. She showed me all of her favorite places and told me lots of stories.
She showed me how they made these ice paths to slide on by pouring hot water on the snow.
This was her favorite tree to climb.
We laughed about the picture book, which reminded me I wanted to write about what happened, it was so cool.
When Sara came to America she was sad she had forgotten her pictures from Italy, a family there hosted her every summer and December. They gave her a photo album she loved.
She begged me to take her back to Ukraine and get it. I told her I couldn't and it was probably thrown away anyway.
Over the last three years whenever we brought up the orphanage, Sara lamented about her pictures. She always wished she could get them.
Imagine her joy and my surprise when her teacher gave Sara the picture album this week.
Lena and I laughed and laughed about it. We couldn't believe she got the infamous photos.
The album is full of pictures of Sara when she was small. I love it, not only for the pictures but even more because my sweet Sara cherished it all those years as her sole possession.
Her teacher said she looked at the pictures when she missed Sara and cried.
I took a picture of a few of my favorites.
Sara and her best friend. She thinks it is hilarious that he has a mustache now.
The family from Italy
Ana
Yea!!! Best of luck tomorrow. They will soon be yours! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing about the pictures! A tender mercy for sure.
Hooray!! One step closer! I love the pictures of Sara. They definitely tell who she is...her love of animals, children, the less fortunate and the outdoors. Sweet Sara. I'm excited to see her in just a few days. Tell Lena hi and that she is missed too.
DeleteAmy as I read this I realized your court should be over! We got back to the USA last night! Did you have both courts or just one?
DeleteThat is such a sweet post, I'm so happy that the teacher kept that photos all of this time! And yipee that you have court tomorrow! Will they bring Zhenya up or can you go without him? Good Luck, lots of loves and good wishes!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great! So glad Sara has her picture book, a little miracle for sure! It must be fun for you too to have some pictures of her now from when she was little. Can't wait for court to be over tomorrow for your sake. I'm anxious to hear how it goes. Best of luck. I pray that the spirit will be with you and all in the court room, just to make sure everything turns out right. I know it will. Please tell Jeff to send Sara to my house for some of the time until you get back. I miss her and would LOVE to have some Sara time. I want to hear her stories from her adventures in Ukraine. Love ya! Shelby
ReplyDeleteWhen I opened your blog Vitaliy saw the picture of Sarah's best friend and yelled "I know that guy!!" Vladik Datchanko! He says that he used to be at his orphanage before. How cool is that. Sarah and Vitaliy have a friend in common. What is he doing now with his mustache and all.
ReplyDeleteSO GLAD THAT COURT IS TOMORROW!!!! I am so happy for you. Are they going to have the kids at court or not. What time is the court? We will have a big family group sigh of relief an hour after the court starts. I know that everything will work out great and those cute Babenkos will turn into Rasts tomorrow. I was thinking about how maybe someday all the Babanko kids will move into together in their own house and Alina can be a famous model and Zhenia will be a famous singer and they can support Spencer in his collecting stray dog adventures. :)
Lots of Love to you and early congratulations!!
Christy and Fam.
Wishing you all of the best tomorrow! How wonderful to get those pictures of Sara.
ReplyDelete