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I came across this article today in the newspaper. Look at the smile on this little girl's face. This is why we are doing what we are doing - because we have seen a smile just like that on a little gir's face when we asked her if she wanted us to be her mommy and daddy.http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695237913,00.htmlMerry Christmas, everyone!
After weeks of trying to call Yuliya, we finally got through!! (Word to the wise: Do not use a cheap calling card to make calls.) We spoke to Yuliya this morning at 3:00 AM and it was wonderful. It was an answer to our prayers because we had to align the help of our dear friend Vera in Ukraine (who helped us translate), the social worked (who took Yuliya out of class to talk), and the phone lines (that that miraculously accommodated a 3-way call between all of us). Maybe when I get my phone bill I will be wishing for one more miracle. She sounded so good, just like we remember her. The memories came flooding back as we spoke. The first thing we hesitantly asked was if she still wanted to come to Amerika to be part of our family. Before Vera could even finish the translation, she excitedly replied 'так'! (Yes). Carrie, who already treats this little angel like her own, had to wipe a few tears of happiness away. We reassured Yuliya that we are still working hard to come get her and it might take a little longer than we had originally thought. We had promised her when she was here that we would try to be there in late spring, but uncontrollable factors in Ukraine will prevent this. There have been a few snags that Yuri is working out that we are all hoping the best for. We couldn't really tell this to Yuliya. The only benefit to the delay is the more time it gives us to get ready. So we told her how much we miss her and love her and to not loose hope. It wasn't long before her little friends were out of class too and gathered around her whispering things to her. I can just see Alona and Inna watching Yuliya talk, asking her what she was talking about, then hearing Yuliya tell everyone that she was talking to her матуся and тато (mon and dad). Eliza also talked to her for a few minutes. Yuliya giggled when Eliza told her that she won't let us take the bed Yuliya used out of her room. Yuliya also told us that Pasha and Inna miss their 'Amerikan families' very much and wanted us to tell them this, which we will do. What a relief it was to speak to her. This whole experience has brought with it so much emotion, and something as simple as a phone call was no execption. We miss Yuliya very much, especially during this season. Our prayers for her are fervent. я тебе кохаю, ангел Юлія!
The other night I took the kids to Costco to pick up a few things. We just happened to be there when Santa was visiting. Now Eliza in her sweet innocence believes in Santa Claus just as sure as she is about the sun rising in the mornings. She was nervous and excited, but insistent that she sit on his lap. Santa put her on his lap and asked the classic question, "What do you want for Christmas". She looked at him with a giddy little smile, put her little hands on his cheeks and pulled him in close. Looking at me to make sure I could not hear (or so she thought), she whispered in his ear, "A sister!". Santa looked at her a little bewildered. I stood there for a few moments as her words grabbed my heart and forced me to choke backa tear. I took out my phone and snapped this picture. Feeling awkward, Santa asked her what else she wanted, and in a not-as-excited tone, she said she wanted a Barbie doll. With Eliza, she is constantly reminding us in her own little way how much she loved Yuliya, and how she wants her back in her life as much, if not more, than Carrie and I. 
Last night, I had a dream so real that it woke me up in the middle of this night. In the dream, Carrie and I were in a room waiting for Yuliya. After a few moments, she walked in and Carrie and I embraced her. I awoke when I could feel the warmth of her hug. Today has been a day of thinking about my soon-to-be little girl. Eliza is my Dolly, Yuliya is my Angel.
