The BIG Day

Hi everyone,

Sorry it has been a few days we just got internet in our apartment. Which I must say is nice. We have 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath with cable and internet.



So since we last posted I will pick up with leaving Kiev and heading to Simferopol. We decided to take the train and I must say it was great. We boarded the train at 8:41pm We did do first class so we didnt have to share with anyone and it was only a few dollars more. It was airconditioned and I actually got cold but we slept very well as it rained the whole way down. Galya was in the cabin next to us and she actually got to share with a Ukrainian opera singer who signed her latest CD. They had nice conversation and I think it made her trip nice.



We arrived in Simferopol at 11:30 am the next day. We were met by Oksanna (very sweet). She hurried us to the taxi as we only had 30 minutes to get to the inspectors office to meet with her before she headed to court. We made it. We met with her and she asked us questions about our marriage, family and occupation and then she gave us our referal to go see the director of the orphanage. We also had to hurry there as the director was leaving at 1:30 for the day. We made it there and she spoke to us for about 30 minutes and confirmed to us that Nina is a very good girl and wonderul, obiendent child and good student. She said she has wanted her to have a family for a long time she deserves it. The director then gave us permission to travel to summer camp to see her. This is 1 1/2 hours down the road. We grabbed a lunch to go and off we went.



The trip down to the Black Sea was beautiful and the roads were lined with orchards, vineards, mountains and large fields of sunflowers. ( Occasional stray cow that unfortuantely on the way back was being skinned on the side of the road. Didnt make across).



As we pulled up to the camp we were greeted by many curious children asking who we were there to see. It turns out Nina was at the beach already. So we followed a group of children and counselor to the beach. Some must have ran ahead because as we parked the car we saw this group of children pointing at us and this beautiful blonde hair little girl watching. When we got our of the cab she came right over to us and gave both of us warm, strong and loving hugs. She is as sweet as we thought she would be. I truly believe I saw Jeff's heart melt right there on the beach. We took a walk on the beach with her and bought her a popcicle. It was awesome we asked her questions about her favorites and she now has the job of picking her middle name as we have to have that for Friday. We had to leave but before we did we took some pictures and told her we would be in Simferopol waiting when she gets back on Thursday and she said. OK.

At the very bottom of the page is a couple of pictures from the beach.

Love

Jeff and Donna