Ukraine Adoption

Still wacked out today. Tara and I took long naps while Laura figured out how to get these awesome pictures onto the web. We skipped the lavra today, didn't want to go during naptime. Probably tomorrow. Better food last night!Fancy dinner on the square where the Orange Revolution took place. (Google it, if you don't know what I mean.)
Delicious spare ribs, I ate the whole slab with my fingers. Very gauche. The waitress had to bring me a finger bowl. I was tempted to drink it and suck the lemon, but I restrained myself. Tara & I got Russian Barbie mags! Too cool. I haven't seen any Barbies here yet but I know they're out there...Well, we're going to go out and spend more gruvnas at the market. Tara is a joy. She was a little sad for a little while earlier, like a cloud passing over the sun. We don't know if she was having memories. Maybe it's the magnitude of the changes she's going through. Everything, literally EVERYTHING is new to her.
MOM, I LOVE YOU TOO! I realized I forgot to write that & I was kicking myself all night...Tara & Laura are making balls with play-doh. Tara is very careful and follows everything Laura does. They're making little balls and she imitates Laura exactly. This is too much fun. Lovin' it.
Laura: "Alright, whaddaya writing?" She misses her staff at work, people she can really boss around. Tells me I'm writing a "Russian novel." I wish! talk to ya later, y'all.

HI EVERYONE; JUST SAW THE PICTURE OF TARA EATING HER RAISINS. SHE LOOKS SO CUTE I JUST KEPT LOOKING AT HER PICTURE. ENJOY YOUR SUNDAY AND THE GOOD WEATHER. GET PLENTY OF REST OR SLEEP. LOVE TO ALL OF YOU. *MOM*

Hi girls,
Loved the photos. Tara has a lively personality.
The photo of her after her bath looks like Laura at that age. The photo of her butt in the air looks like a recent Laura shot.

Tara probably keeps thinking she has got to go back, which might be a cause of her short sadness.

Laura I'm glad you got another foil for us. Actually, I cannot believe I am saying this, but I enjoy Sally's long notes. It is like another gospel writers version of same events.
Sally: I hope those ribs you ate were not from a wild Yak. (Small joke but I had to take it.)

We continue to enjoy the saga here in Nashville. Have a Safe Week, Safe return. Godspeed.

i know, i know. how could you not love me? how great that you're all having that bacation together (not mispelled; just a family joke - right Heidi?)!

Weather.com says your weather is soaring to 72o tomorrow (midnight now). Be sure to peel all those layers off Tara!

Have fun, everybody!

mom, aunt, and great-aunt elly
(wow, all those people; i'm impressed!)

Hey Laura-
Your vacation will soon be ending and your new life with Tara will soon continue at her new home--the one with the beautiful butterfly bedspread. I just loved seeing Tara in her new little pink outfit and also getting some rest after you and Sally ran her ragged! I'm sure the plane ride home will bring lots of stories to this great blog. Serioiusly Laura-if you are out on the streets shopping before you leave and you can find one of those black hats that John was wearing while reading a magazine, please pick one up for me. I'll pay you for it and a finder's fee. I just love hats in the winter and that looks like my style! I wish all the best for a safe and quick return. Thank you for the cute pictures.

The days are going to fly back and you'll all be home. Tara to her new home. What a wonderful joy. Mentioning Tara, you know Laura she'll mimic you a lot over the months. What a grand experience. She'll probably also become Austin's little shadow.
See you when you get back to work.

Hey Miss Laura & Tara
So glad to finally see mother and daughter together and sharing some special bonding time. You will be back home before you know it and your family will all be together. So thrilled for this wonderful new addition to your already wonderful family! Hope to meet Tara soon.