PARTY DAY

Our whirlwind has started. We visited Jacob yesterday morning and Tammy went with us. She was able to get the monkey backpack on Jacob but as usual he still didn’t like it. She did try to explain to him what it is. Tammy also tried to explain about the airplane ride and the sippy cup. It was a good visit. After we left we spent the rest of the day with Matt and Tammy.

Tammy decided we didn’t need to go to Cave City because it was so hot yesterday and we was a 4 km hike round trip. We went to the Botanical Gardens in Alushta. It was very nice. They had large trees, bushes, roses, a butterfly expo, and a Bonsai expo. Then after the Botanical Gardens we headed to Yalta. The best place to see in all of the Crimea Region is Yalta. We ate at an Italian restaurant. The food was great. The best food we have had since we came to Simferopol, except Tammy’s fried chicken. Nothing has ranked higher that Tammy’s fried chicken. No kidding! After we ate we needed to walk it off so we went to the Boardwalk and did some shopping. We had a wonderful relaxing day with our new friends. Thank you Tammy and Matt.

We were suppose to get Jacob’s passport picture done today but Andrew’s flight was 3 hours late so we will be doing that tomorrow along with go to get the court decree, see the notary to notarize to passport application, going to the birth city for the new birth certificate, and getting Jacob from the orphanage. Pray we get all this accomplished in one day.

Now for the party. Shelby made cupcakes, which were wonderful. She also provided to cute plates and napkins. Tammy brought stuff for a game and some fruit. We also had Pringles and Multi Vitamin juice. The kids loved it. The doctor wanted to see us about some paperwork as soon as we got there, so Tammy went with us to translate. Shelby was wonderful and set up the party by herself. She came to check on us because to kids were getting antsy waiting. The kids ate and had a great time. James got some great pictures. Anton couldn’t come to the party because he has been in the hospital and after coming back to the orphanage from the hospital the child is made to stay away from the group for 21 days. I promised the German couple adopting him that I would bring him a cupcake. I tried but couldn’t find them. James did find them later. Needless to say, I missed most of the party, but everyone still had a good time. We found out yesterday that Vika is being adopted. We met her new family today. They are from Spain and are very nice. They adopted a little boy 2 years ago from Ukraine. Vika’s brother’s name is Lennon. He was so good with her today. You can tell they are all so happy to be getting her. The mother’s name is Teresa. Vika’s name will be Teresa Victoria. It was a bittersweet moment for me. I would still love to have her but I am thrilled she is being adopted by a nice family. She is so happy with them already. They came in after we did today and she ran straight to them as soon as she saw them. Please continue to remember all the adorable little kids in the orphanage that still need a loving family.

Also please remember Shelby, Matt, and their kids as they travel to Siberia for their mission work.

Love,

JTJ