An Update On Our Beloved D

I might not get to post as much over the summer months. I want to, I just don't have the spare minutes to actually do it. Running a summer camp is about as insanely busy as running a political campaign. I don't get a minute off. Really. The good thing is, I LOVE it. I don't mind working 12-14 hour days for 6 and sometimes 7 days a week , because I am doing what I love.


This year, Nastia will be away at summer camp for awhile, which will make this  mom's life much easier so she can get adoption papers completed. I also hired a local middle school student to care for the dogs, so I won't have to run home at lunch every day to walk them. Other than that, I will be spending every rare free minute of the summer trying to get Daniel home. I wish I could talk more about all the issues, but I can't.  Any discussion of his adoption details could jeopardize his  chances of coming home. Your prayers, however, are needed and welcomed.


The best news I received this week came in the form of a photo.Look at this sweetheart arriving on US soil again!

Yes, it's D! Doesn't she look more grown up? She arrived to her host family yesterday and is doing well. A lot of people have asked me where she is being hosted, who is hosting her, if she is being adopted by them, etc. It is not my right to share these things. Here is what I feel comfortable sharing, without compromising the privacy of key others...she is here, she is happy, and she IS being adopted. 

I am grateful beyond words that such a wonderful family will be bringing her home. They clearly adore her and she gets to be the youngest in the family, which I think is very important for her. Her mom will be a stay-at-home mom, so she will also get all that extra attention she so needs. Of course, Ukraine is closing shop for a few months, so she likely won't be home till October, but the important thing is, she will eventually be home.

Others have asked if we are still in touch with her. During the year we spoke to her by phone at the orphanage several times before and after she hosted here in December. I last spoke to her in March, for her birthday, and it was obvious it was best if we loved her from afar. D still was begging us to come get her, adopt her myself, and even a suggestion of 'stealing' her from the orphanage. I could not tell her I knew she was being adopted. And it just seemed that we being in touch was only make things more difficult for her. I talked to her from her host family's home in December and, again, it was quite painful for her. The host mom and I both agreed it was best to not talk by phone again. Graciously, she still shared stories and photos with me throughout D's stay there, and I got to see through her sharing, how well D was doing. The family adopting her is very close friends of this host family that had her in December.

I am have briefly been in touch with the family adopting her and they seem to be a perfect fit. I hope I will be able to see photos of D now and then, and hear updates on how she is doing. Other than that, we will simply be praying for her and rooting for her from afar. We love her so very, very much, and want what is best for her.

Thanks for all the words of support over the past year! They helped so much!