Our "secret" meeting with the girls was wonderful! We went to the orphanage and obtained history about each of them...no surprises. They are healthy children. They were born in Tokmak and all four children were originally sent to the Berdyansk orphanage upon the death of their mother in 1999. In 2003 their grandmother and father died. Their grandmother's sister had the boys moved to the Tokmak orphanage so that she could visit them more frequently. Although the Tokmak orphanage is for "special needs" children, we understand that they have no neurological/medical conditions, but are very ACTIVE!!! We were told that the boys always behaved well when they visited their grandmother, and the Berdyansk orphanage director feels that their behavior in the orphanage was due to the fact that they had lost both parents and did not want to be institutionalized. She also placed a call to the Tokmak orphanage director, who indicated that the boys are doing much better.
After this information-dump, Zhenya and Yuliya were brought into Galina's office. The tears that I tried to fight back could not be contained. Zhenya said, "Mama, please don't cry" in her broken English. I hugged them for so long that Bryan had to ask for his turn! Katelyn is also very thrilled to see them again. We stayed for awhile, talked & played soccer & basketball.
Because Yuliya is no longer living at the orphanage, Zhenya will walk to visit her tomorrow and we will arrange another meeting in the city. We will go to the market and get to know them better.
On Monday our "official" meeting will take place, so we must act as if we are seeing each other again for the first time. Victor told Yuliya and Zhenya to think about keeping their names or changing it to an American name. We like their names, but will leave this decision up to them. They had a mother that they loved very much and who gave them their names, so this will probably be a difficult decision for them. They will tell us their decision on Monday.
As previously stated we will go to see the boys on Tuesday. Yuliya visited Alexander 4 days ago for his 10th birthday. She said that he is very excited and cannot wait to meet us...the same for Vitalik.
We will post additional newsworthy activity ASAP!
Love,
Bryan, Joy & Katelyn
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4 comments:
How exciting about seeing the girls again! I couldn't hold back the tears just reading your update. I am also very excited about the upcoming meeting with the boys. Please give us all the details. We would love to see a picture. Stay safe! You are always in our continued thoughts and prayers. Much Love!!!
God is SO amazing! What a wonderful day you have had. I am so moved by your story. We can't wait to hear more about the girls and your first time seeing the boys. Keep posting! We love you ALL. Love, The George's
Hey Tanner Family!! I'm so excited for you!! I know exactly what you are going through! I can't wait to hear how it goes with the boys. It all sounds encouraging. Is it hot there??
Love ya!! Sharon
I feel like this need to be made into a Lifetime Movie of the week! What an emotional roll-a-coaster all of you are on. I can't wait to hear about your meeting with the girl's again and the boy's. As a mother of boy's I know of the strong bond and connection of a mom and her boy's only a mom of boy's would know...I'm glad that you are about to see the joy's that boy's can bring to your life.
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