Thursday, for Sergiy, was spent running again (like always) on our behalf collecting official documents for the adoption. He was hoping paperwork necessary for the Mayor's signature would be ready so he could take it to their office and keep the whole process moving as quickly as possible. Sergiy is a very motivated man and a "multi-tasker" - a man after my own heart!
News travels very quickly. When we were dropped off at the orphanage, Vala made it out the front door before we even walked up the steps. She greeted us with a smile and warm hugs. Her genuine happiness that we were there was apparent. I have seen no "acts" with this young gal - I believe what you see is what you get. If she is not happy about something, she generally keeps her mouth shut, but you see her mood in the expressions on her face. A poker face, she does not have. Still I have not seen her cross with other children, or even bossy. As one of the oldest children, she does instruct them and direct them from time to time, but never in a way that they seem to mind.
We spent part of the morning playing Uno. This is a wonderful way to pass the time and spend together. Many of the children come in and out of the game. They are all fun-loving children and love to giggle and laugh with their friends. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to teach, or rather remind them, to speak English. John and I were constantly saying "blue" or "nine" and the children would copy us. We also spent the game speaking English the entire time. Most of the children, even if they couldn't respond in English, knew pretty much what we were saying.
We were greatly encouraged. And they are so much fun to play with. Before the end of the game, we all knew each other's cards. It wasn't that they were "cheating" but that they were having too much fun. As they giggled and carried on, they would lean over and check out the person's cards next to them. They wanted to make sure the card they were to play wouldn't harm the child next to them when they played (i.e. put down a reverse and the child wouldn't be able to play a card). To them, it didn't matter who won or lost, it was just being together. It was very refreshing. This is a family.
Sergiy broke into the fun we had outside on the play yard later in the afternoon. He had good news - all the documents had been received, we are to dash to the train station to try and get tickets to Kiev tonight. We told the children goodbye and that we'd see them next week. It was hard to leave Vala behind.
With some finagling we were able to obtain a 2nd class sleeper car for John, Sergiy and myself. We packed much lighter, leaving behind our bags in a secure area. We are grateful we packed our suitcases before going to the orphanage in anticipation this might happen.
By the time we were dropped off at the apartment to finish getting our bags together, we were both starving. As usual, we had "worked" right through lunch. We seem to be only getting 2 meals a day. For those who know me, you'll understand how different the cuisine is when I was hunkering for a Big Mac, fries and a Coke (McDonalds is usually at the very last of my choices). We hustled down the square to the McDonalds and got lunch/dinner to go. We stuffed the food down and we thankful that Sergiy was 15 minutes later than he said. We knew there would be no dinner on the train and breakfast would not be until later the next morning.
We had a relaxed time chatting in our train car until the week finally caught up with us. We turned in early, hoping to get a head start on a restless night's sleep. Sergiy has traveled by train all his life and it doesn't seem to bother him. John and I found we woke up no less than 10 times on the way down. The trip back up to Kiev proved to be no different.
Until next time,
God bless - Jenn
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