A Good Day

Today was a good day. In the morning Igor had an English lesson before he had to go out of town with our facilitator for one more piece of paperwork. He was scheduled for a one hour lesson, but told Julia that he had enough time for the normal two hour lesson. While he was making his third trip in three days, we met Yulia and her aunt for coffee. Our friend Julia (the English teacher for the kids) went with us to translate. We were glad to meet her and to let her know that we appreciate all she has done for Yulia and assure her that we will always keep in touch with her to let her know how Yulia is doing. This is a hard thing for her as, other than her two sons, Yulia is all the family she has. She told Yulia that she should not forget the past, but step out of it into the future and to work hard to be a part of our family. She truly wants what is best for Yulia.

Yulia and Her Aunt

Then it was time, past time actually, to go to the orphanage for the girl's going away party. Michelle had purchased fruit and drinks and ordered five large pizzas from Pan Pizza. We were running late so we took a taxi to Michelle's. Gail and Yulia got the supplies from Michelle's apartment and walked to the orphanage. Masha went to the supermarket for a few things we had forgotten and I met Michelle at Pan Pizza (two buildings from her apartment) to pay for the pizzas. Masha met us there and we began the 15 minute walk to the orphanage. We got some strange looks with Masha carrying two very large pizzas and me with three. When we arrived at about 5 pm, it was getting dark and the orphanage had no power. You can't tell from the photos but all but three of the "Preparation" photos were taken in the dark or by candlelight. While we prepared for the party, Yulia and Vera went to buy candles. We had the party by candlelight for about 20 people. Everyone had a good time and nearly all the food disappeared. Instead of having the guests sign a going away card or poster, they signed lids from the pizza boxes. Not everyone in Omaha will have a framed Pan Pizza box with good wishes written by their friends.




After the party, Masha went to spend the night with her aunt. Michelle, Vera, Yulia's friend Vladik and his friend Vova, boys from Igor's class, who have graduated from the orphanage, walked to the bus with us and we said that everyone could come to the apartment to watch a movie. Vladik asked Michelle,"Me too?" Yulia and Vera stopped at the store to get some banana juice to drink. It seems to be their favorite. Michelle had given us some digital photos of Masha and Igor and their classmates from five years ago, so the kids looked at those on the laptop and browsed the internet on the apartment computer. Then it was movie time, so we rearranged the furniture so they could all watch the movie. With popcorn and soft drinks, they enjoyed themselves. When we ran out of soft drinks, I went to the store for more and Vova asked to go with me. He and Vladik are very nice young men, the kind you want your daughters to hang-out with. As Gail and I watched from behind this row of five teenagers, she remarked that this is how it should be for all of these kids, not just the ones that are adopted - a safe place to hang-out and enjoy themselves with adults who love them. We wish we could take Vladik and Vova to Omaha also, but they are too old for adoption. The guys left just as the movie was ending at about 10:45 so they could catch the last bus. The girls walked them to the bus stop and were back in 20 minutes. As I finish this, Gail, Yulia and Vera just went to bed. Igor is taking a shower and I will turn in as soon as this is posted. Like I said a very good day.

Oh, yeah. Today we filed for Masha's and Igor's passports, but had another delay with Yulia's. Maybe tomorrow.