THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!

AND WE ARE REJOICING AND VERY GLAD!!!

Ira & Slava (driver) picked us up at 8:30am and drove us to SDA appt. We were the first ones there, but we didn't enter through the front door. We went to a side door and a woman saw Ira and called us right up the stairs. She sat us down and Ira stayed with us (this is not usually permitted). She talked with Ira and then thru Ira asked us why we want to adopt this boy. Well, duh...he's our son, we want a complete set of siblings....no I didn't say it, but I was thinking it. I answered that he is a sibling to our other 3. She and Ira chatted a bit more and we were back in the car in less than 15 minutes. Jordan kept asking if we could go see Slava, but I kept shushing him. Which is a good thing because Ira told us after that all the women at the SDA know English they just act like they don't. She told us everything is ok because the woman we met with is her friend. I guess it pays to have friends in the right places. Ira also had called the orphanage director on Sunday and got permission for us to see Slava today. Typically you must wait a day or 2 for your referral from the SDA, but we got special treatment again! Less then an hour later we arrived in Borpka. Jordan was so excited. He hopped out of the car saying that he remembered me picking him up at this place. Inside we were greeted by about 7 women who were thrilled to see "Sergiy"! They kept babbling on about him and smiling, he actually became a little shy. We headed upstairs to that all familiar play room where we first met Jordan. It seemed so strange being there again. then the door opened and in bounced Slava! He is smaller than Jordan, but just as busy. He ran from thing to thing to play. He recognized Ira and gave her a big hug. The staff had been telling him we were coming and he kept asking when. He has blue-gray crossed eyes and his hair is lighter than Jordans. he is very smart and talks very well. He ran by a mirror and stopped and smiled and said, "Slava!" Ira showed him the picture album we brought of the whole family. Everytime he saw a picture of Jordan he'd point and say "Slava". He devoured 2 bananas and 2 cookies. He's very polite and has manners too. When I handed him a cookie he took a bite and said "dobray" which means good! These first visits are a little odd because of the language difference, but he did hug me good-bye when he left for lunch. We may get to go back tomorrow or Wed for sure. Jordan did well with it and is already assuming the role of big brother. We returned to the apt and walked a long hike to TGI Fridays to celebrate. No we're snuggled in the apt waiting to Skype home. We love and miss you all. Keep praying. We are walking in a miracle. There are not many adoptions going on for foreigners anymore. The govt is giving money to families with children so less children are placed in orphanages. Plus more Ukrainian families are adopting. I believe these things are good for the Ukrainian people. But unless you want to adopt older kids or children with health issues this is not the country for you. Ira says as soon a word gets out that a healthy young child is in the orphanage they get snapped up right away. She said they had to "do war" every day and week for Slava and us because others wanted him and we are foreigners. I say if God is for us who can be against us? One small hurdle ahead is in the paperwork. The bio mother had a different last name when she had Slava, so some of the documents have one last name and some another. We will need to make a trip to Vasylkiv to get some documents. Please pray that all works out.