Today is really the ninth, but we couldn’t get our photo’s online last night. Yesterday, we were visiting with Sasha when into the room comes Svieta, our translator, and an elderly looking couple. So, says Svieta, this is the grandmother and grandfather. We were really shocked and didn’t know what to think. Were they here to make trouble or help us out? We were nervous and I held Sasha just a little bit closer. It turns out that they had signed the papers saying that they wouldn’t object to our adopting them. A story, which I can’t get into here, but basically they felt bad that they were unable to care for the children and were happy that they would have a better life elsewhere. They brought with them a bag of oranges and one of bananas and we posed for pictures and exchanged addresses with us. We promised to send pictures.
Then they left with Svieta to find the aunt, and amazingly brought her back in an hour and she signed too. More photos and addresses. The grandmother cried profusely. You could see she really loved the kids. It was sad and I think it all upset Sash a little bit. But the bananas and oranges made him happy afterwards/
Later we went to Nastia’s orphanage and sat in on a class with her. She was very quick and accurate with all of her responses. We can see that she’s a smart kid and her teachers agree. She just needs some special attention to catch up since her parents did not put her in school on time.
She also seems to love animals. We alreadyt told you about Jack, the dog at Sasha’s school. Tonight one of the kids in her orphanage brought in a stray kitten and she just had to hold and pet it. We got a great picture.
Also, she showed us a coloring book that all the kids must have gotten from the states somehow. It’s titled “Me and my cochlear implant.” Nobody knew what it was about so I told the story and Svieta translated. I think they’ll all feel much more comfortable when it’s time for them to have their own cochlear implants done now!
Back at the hotel, Lauren and I were heading upstairs when we passed the cafe next to the elevator. They were having quite a party in there. Many kids in their early 20’s drinking vodka, eating and dancing (and they do a lot of toasting too). One of the girls grabbed us and dragged us in. So we drank some vodka and then said goodnight.
Goodnight!