Happy Independence Day Ukraine

Today Ukraine celebrated it's Independence Day, so Happy Independence Day or whatever they say here in Ukraine!

I haven't blogged much, but I wanted to give you a quick update. My visits with Victoria continue to go well. She is very smart and is picking up quite a few English words already. She will also repeat anything I say, so we have been counting to ten and naming things around the orphanage.

Joe and Morgan left for home on Thursday morning. It was sad to see them go. I will miss them very much these next few weeks. They made it home safely after a very long day of travel with quite a long delay at the airport here in Kiev. I did okay with them not here other than the fact that my power was out for 16 hours that day.

My Mom arrived in Kiev on Saturday to spend the rest of my trip with me. She has adjusted well to being here and seems to be enjoying herself. Victoria took right to her and gave her a big hug and kiss which I know my Mom loved.

We are about half way through our ten day wait. Our eleventh day is a Sunday though and here in Kiev you can only pick up court decrees on Weds. and Fri. So, we will pick up our court decree on Weds. Sept.2. Once we have that we can start the paper chase for birth certificates, tax ID, passport and then on to the US Embassy for Victoria's medical, waiver and finally visa. Then we can leave. We most likely will not make our scheduled flight of Thurs. Sept. 10, but hope to be out by that weekend.

Until we can pick up the court decree on the 2nd there isn't anything we can do except for visit with Victoria and be tourists here in Kiev. Tomorrow we are planning a tourist day to see some of the sights here in the city center and do some souvenier shopping.

I am still enjoying my time here, but do miss home. Especially since Joe and Morgan left.

I'll try to post some new pictures in the next few days.