More about Monday

We discovered the Mall and then went back to get ready for the celebration following the Corbett's court. The water was turned off in our apt. (it was the day before too) and so I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to shower before the dinner. But at the last moment it came back on and so I really thought that was a blessing. We feel so dirty here anyway but a long sweaty walk plus the regular dirt is not a good feeling.

The Corbetts court went well (they said it was a little scary at times) but they sailed through and had a successful court. It looks like they will get to take Igor (Ian) full time and even probably get Andre out of the hospital and keep him.

While we waited we did some checking to see if some of our favorite kids are available for adoption for other families. We found out that Lena is already 16 (as of May 23) and so she can not be adopted to the US now. Sasha (the boy we keep talking about) is available and someone HAS to adopt him. He really wants to go the US.

The luncheon was delicious. It was prepared by Irina (the director who came to the US.) She made Borscht, little garlic rolls, Verneke (no idea how you spell it) which were little pockets of dough with mashed potatoes inside that had been boiled. We also had strawberries from her garden and a salad with cucumbers and green onions. For a drink we had compote which is dried fruit soaked in hot water and served cool. I will post a picture of the lovely table soon.

Vitaly had to go and talk to the director and got put in prison at the orphanage (an isolation room with 3 boys) for staying out too late one night. They let him leave with us and then he was right back in that locked room when we took him back. It was a room full of windows and they looked like caged tigers in there.

After the dinner we took the boys and the Corbetts to the Mall and the boys all played the game stuff and we went grocery shopping Sonya was impressed. She said that maybe she will take a taxi over here every 3 days to shop.

We had a little scare with Oleg. He had a tantrum at the mall for some reason and on the way home Vitaly bawled him out for pouting. I am not sure what he said but I imagine it was something like "just knock it off Oleg, this is getting you nowhere and I am sick of your pouting) That made Oleg cry and so when we took him back crying, guess who was right at the front door? Yes, Alina. She whisked him off and we were nervous that she was telling him in his moment of sadness "See I told you that family is mean and bad etc etc." I didn't sleep very well but when we picked him up this morning he was back to normal and had a fun day so far with everyone.

I don't know when we will really feel like this adoption is a done deal. After court can they still change their mind? I will breathe a sigh of relief when we step on American soil for many, many reasons.

All is well in Dnepro