Another day

BRRRR - actually we're dressed for it, so we're okay. It's 1 F right now - that's going to be the HIGH tomorrow! We didn't get to go to orphanage today cause the roads were bad. Yesterday we took laptop and watched Cinderella (a gift from her big sister Rachel). It was sad watching those kids watch that movie. They all layed on each other on the couch. This summer we were around the older kids a lot, since we were outside, but now we stay on Anastasia's floor in the dorm and the big kids aren't allowed up there, so that makes the visits more relaxing. The little ones (and I'm talking 6 yrs old to around 13 on her floor) are all so sweet. They say please and thank you (in Ukrainian) to one another. When Yuri goes with us, one little guy always wants to use the phone to call his dad. His dad said he'd visit this past weekend but never showed up - so he keeps calling - but no answer.

We took ANastasia a box of cookies and she was passing them out to all her little buddies when we left. She also took a bunch of pipecleaners from the bag to pass out.

For those of you waiting - rumor is the NAC will have temporary authority beginning tomorrow or next week - but take that for what it's worth - a rumor. Also, if you are coming over the Mandarin Plaza has a great grocery store under it - we found it on Monday. Jennifer and her mom have been here a month and they didn't know about it either. Lots of "familiar" foods.

We met a guy from England today and he took us to some bar in a basement for lunch - it was a nice change. We're meeting the daughter of Lena's godfather tonight for dinner. Hopefully the weather will be better and we'll get to visit A tomorrow. Congrats to Katie M on being gainfully employed - woohoo! Thanks to all of you for feeding and driving our kids. Not much else to report - hopefully will get A out of orphanage a week from today. We have to wait to get paperwork from court and not sure when we will get it. Moved our reservations - how many times have we done that - to leave here on Jan 31 and arrive on Feb. 1. But there is a possibility that we could be home earlier - but also of course later is possibility. US Embassy is closed on Fri and that is last place we have to go so that's why another weekend here looks like it will be in the picture. And NO we don't get to have A with us in apt until we get her new birth certificate. They are strict about EVERYTHING in Kiev.

It's amazing how much nicer everything seems this trip (and we haven't even seen the sun) It makes a world of difference knowing we're really taking her home this time. Also, due to cheap phone service LEna found for us, we talk to the kids at home all the time and that helps a bunch.
That's all for now. Thanks for your continued comments and emails.
Mark and Kim