Baby "O"!!!!!

Sorry we have not written in a few days...but let me bring you up to date.

We went to the Black Sea this Saturday and had a great time. But it was VERY cold. Of course as you all ready know we have been having great weather but the one day we decide to go to the Sea it is freezing. We had a good time anyway. The drive took about 1 hour and we got to see a lot of the country side and it was beautiful. We even had an excellent lunch!!

Every day is getting better with Olena. As each day passes she is getting more and more use to us and it is a great feeling. It is also getting harder everyday to leave her. Unfortunately we only get to spend a couple hours each day with her but it is the best few hours of our lives. She is even starting to pick up a little English. Jason and I love to tickle her because she is VERY ticklish and her laugh is adorable....when we do we say "tickle tickle tickle" so last night while we were there she was running around mimicking us and she would lay in front of the caregiver and say tickle tickle tickle.....it was hilarious. Yesterday was a great day at the orphanage. We spent a lot of time with her and the other children as well. They are all so sweet and just want to be loved. We hugged many of them and played. They were also very interested in the camcorder and camera...that was something very cool to them.

Olena has also learned that momma and poppa's bag always has goodies. The past few times we have went there to see her she is more interested in seeing what is in the bag for her. This morning poppa had the bag with crackers so she actually sat on his lap for the whole time we were there. It was great and I know that he loved it! She is still a little nervous around him but it is getting better each day! She'll do anything for food! I doubt we will have any problems getting her to eat!

The caregivers in her groupa are wonderful too!! They play games with the children and have story time. They are all so smart - it is wonderful to see. We really had a great time getting to know all of them.

Oh... and Thursday night she was very quiet but she must have been tired because she had me hold her while she buried her face in my neck and fell asleep. Jason and I were beside ourselves with joy. It was a great and very emotional moment. I cannot help but to wonder why not every family does this. We have been so blessed and I would never change a thing about this entire trip. We are really going to miss it when we leave.

The food is excellent too!!! We have had our share of Ukrainian food and it has all been great - especially the borscht. I am definately going to get that recipe. Even Jason has been open to trying everything and he loves it! Gene has been too great for words to express. We all have so much in common and we are having a lot of fun! He is very kind and has a HUGE heart! I can't say enough how much we love it here. Don't worry we do miss all of you too but it should make you feel good knowing that we are happy and probably have never been happier. The country is filled with so much culture and beautiful people (Jason loves the women too) They dress a little skimpy compared to American women, even in the cold weather, but I must agree they are all beautiful!!! We are hoping to come back in a few years and Gene has welcomed us into his home so we will have a good place to stay.

Another family arrived this morning to the orphanage for another girl in Olena's group. That makes 3 little ones getting a forever family. It is so great! Now if we could just take home the other 15 I would be happy!! Maybe another year or so ;O) wink wink!!!