Wednesday, August 23

We left at 10:30 AM to go to the orphanage. I wonder what the girls think about this process. A was in the baby room (they just recently added 5 or 6 babies - before A was one of the youngest children). She ran to me and hugged me so tightly and we went to find K. Her friend saw us drive up and had already gone to get her. I guess I missed her when I was greeting A. A and I had gone upstairs to the older children's room and I saw for the first time where K sleeps. The beds are not even 2 1/2 feet wide and there were so many in one room! K wasn't with the other girls so we headed back down the stairs. A is so funny when she has a mission - she is so focused and purposeful! We heard K coming - she was running so fast to find me that she just fell into my arms! She thought I was there to take them home. Fima had to explain to them that they couldn't leave just yet. I am so sad!

We went outside to play and had a great time! K loves the digital camera, I may have a photographer in the making. A is very athletic and lvoes sports. We also blew bubbles, which they love. K learned how to write her name in English and I am realizing more and more how smart and determined she is. they experienced the 3D Viewmaster for the first time, which was so funny. A is hilarious! We also played a fishing game that has magnetic fish - they loved that! They ate Teddy Grahams for the first time.

It was time to leave and I hated that! They kissed me a million times and I realized it's as hard on them as it is on me. As they walked back to the orphanage, they turned around at least 3 times to wave "goodbye". These 10 days will be hard, but we've come a long way. This process will be over soon and they will be home. On the 45 minute drive back through their village, through M. Vody, their birthplace, to Pyatigorsk, I realized for the first time that my daughters have grown up in a village. There are goats and cows tied to trees, fields of grain and sunflowers, and people sitting in front of their houses selling produce they've grown. The houses are 1-2 rooms with outhouses and garden plots. I am overwhelmed by how much their world, their lives, everything they've known is about to change. When I'm at the orphanage, I can't help but look into the eyes of children who will never be adopted. And it breaks my heart. There are 16 year old girls who will never know the love of a mother. There are toddlers beating their heads on furniture because there is no one to tell them to stop or to just hold them instead. There are babies with no diapers on and no educational toys to spark their development, so they too will be neglected and never reach their potential. There are 10 children in this village waiting to be placed, but there is no room at our orphanage, so they stay in neglectful families where they don't belong. Our orphanage is already overcrowded and, unfortunately, the adoption process will become harder and more expensive. These children long for love and affection and it breaks my heart that most will NEVER get it.

We traveled to the Intourist for a good Russian meal. WOW! We had green Borscht, cucumber and tomato salad, and mashed potatoes with Chicken Kiev for me and Pork Chops for J. It was SO good! Fima has five families here this week, so I will not be able to see K & A on Thursday.

KC - I miss you so much and wish you were here - you made trip 1 so much better!

L - Congrats on Senior Class Officer! Good luck at your game on Friday night. I miss you and love you very much - E says you can ask for the room number in English (who knew!)

Everyone - Thanks for your comments - I enjoy hearing from you all so much!