Trip to Ukraine

I did a crazy thing and up and went to Ukraine. I asked my dad to come and help Joey watch the kids and I left to visit Anya. Both Joey and I felt that it was the right thing to do. We needed to let her know that we are committed to her and that we are working very hard to bring her into our family. It was hard to leave Maddie and Grey but I honestly felt like I was with my daughter. It is hard to explain how in only 5 months she could have our hearts. We are so blessed to have this opportunity. This is a group of people who all care very much for the children. Andri the little boy in the front is being adopted by this wonderful family. I was so lucky to have met such great people. Anya is sitting next to her English teacher Sveta. Sveta has become a very dear friend to me and I am grateful everyday that Anya has her.

This is Anya and Helen. They are very good friends and Helen is Sveta's daughter. She came along for the trip and this was her first time to the city. The kids both had so much fun and it was such a joy to see them interact. I learned that children from the orphanage are not always treated well. This sweet Helen was so kind and loving to Anya. I will always have a special place in my heart for her.

My new friend Sveta. We were like school girls talking almost the whole night away. Of course we were very tired in the morning but it was so much fun.

The kids asked if they could have sweet cotton :)

I had an amazing trip. I got a real glimpse into a very hard life. The country is very somber. It struggles with the complications from a past communist rule and the people are very poor. It is a struggle to survive. I learned a lot about Anya's culture. This was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I got to really establish a relationship with Anya and one of the best moments of my trip was when we were walking down the street and I saw that she had written "I love Mama" over and over again in the snow. I thank God everyday for this chance to be part of her life. Depending on how long the process takes Joey will go to visit in Feb. We are hoping that he and his mom will travel together. Anya asked for her Grandmother to go. I said I didn't know if that would happen and she said " Don't worry mama, my grandmother loves me very much I know she will come" so I guess the challenge for grandma has been made. We will see what happens.