Can't believe a whole week has gone by! Every minute has been full. Needless to say, we are all tired. Since the dentist, we have been to two soccer games with Kenton making three goals!; we have had Mom and Dad over for Sunday dinner - it was fun you two (thanks for enduring our family yet again!); we have been to the mall trying on anything we can and spending time at Bath and Body works (my favorite store); we have gone to the zoo, but it had to rushed and didn't turn out very well. In fact, Alina threw somewhat of a tantrum staying in "her" room of her own free will for about five hours! We had to give her a translated letter stating that her behavior was disappointing and hurtful and that she shouldn't have a fit just because she didn't get what she wanted. We had to explain that American children and parents don't always get what they want when they want it either; we have watched movies and been swimming twice. We were swimming last night, but had to get out the pool 45 min before they closed because someone threw up in the pool; we have carved pumpkins while Arcadia made banana bread and brownies! Thank you very much, Cadi! We leave for the Save a Child Foundation Halloween party in just a few minutes - thing is, nobody is awake but me (and Kurtis, as he is at work). After the party we will trick-or-treat and go to Grandma's and Grandpa's for birthday celebration! Yeah!!

Paul just came up stairs and said that Vern Garrett had called. He wants to know if we are planning on adopting Alina. If we are not, they want to move her Sunday after the activity to another family that really wants to adopt her. Guess that's that...

We went to Donated Dental today. This is a chance to have the children's teeth cleaned and checked - work being done if needed. All the above is free. We didn't have a chance to tell Alina before we got there (and thinking about it, I'm not sure we should have said much before anyway as we didn't know how she would react...). She did very well with x-rays, cleaning and general exam. She even giggled at times as things "tickled". Then the Dentist told us she has one cavity and 1 small hole on each front tooth (just the 2 front teeth) and he "could take care of that today". Good grief! What a traumatic, terrifying chain of events that started. Including having at least 8 - 10 people around her during her numbing shot. It was heartbreaking to see how much she cried and how frightened she was - I don't think she was taking little breaths, little lone deep breaths. Several people tried to have her take some deep breaths. 3 different Ukrainian children randomly got out of their chairs, bibs still on, to come and comfort Alina and explain that it isn't that bad. Alina was really brave, overall. She really didn't like the numb feeling at all. Her teeth are beautiful now! One of the chaperones and the translator had both explained to Alina that she needed to have this work done as it wouldn't get done until it was too late or probably wouldn't get done at all in Ukraine. By the way, one of the little boys that was crying at the aiport, was there at the same time, too. His host Mom had told him he was having a check up at the Dentist and it would be ok and it wouldn't hurt. He ended up having 4 cavities and 1 tooth pulled!! Can you imagine living with all that discomfort - never knowing if it will ever get fixed? We are SO blessed, here!!! (His host Mom is afraid he is going to hate her or not trust her...I know how that feels). After the children were pretty much finished with their exams and work, the translator lady got in a chair and they were taking her x-rays as we were leaving. I am happy for her. We were suppose to go the Children's Discovery Museum afterward but there was only about a hour left according to the schedule. Alina was totally exhausted from the experience (by the way she must have said "Thank you" at least 20 times - even personally thanking Dr. Larsen as he began working on someone else!). Anyway, we came home. We were very close to home when our group leader called and said that there were many free museum tickets left as everyone was beat after the hike. As it turns out, the schedule was wrong and once we were there we could have stayed until closing at 8:00 pm. Heavens! Oh well, we were all needing a rest. Arcadia hasn't been feeling well, either. Alina has looked at her "Dentist pictures" 7 times since we've been home. She made sure every person in the family saw the pictures and showed the due amount of sympathy. This was a huge event for her...

Jessi found a witch costume for Alina for Halloween. I thought that was so sweet since most of Jessi's life she wanted to be a witch or princess for Halloween and we just didn't have the money at the time. Thanks, Jess - you're awesome!

Today our activity was a tradition at the Richardson's Ranch in Heber. The weather was spectacular compared to last year! It is so hard to be there and not covet - I'ld live there in a heart beat. Jessi doesn't like it at all, though. Alina rode the horses 2 or 3 times. There was also a mechanical bull and oh, what a riot to watch the kids. Alina was raring to go and rode several times - falling off only to get laughs. We had hamburgers and hot dogs. There were various chips, salads and desserts. Alina would definately win the "Weech off"!! She ate way more than any of us and probably most of us put together.

The wind started blowing from the North and it got kinda cold. Jessi and Alina wanted to sit in the van and since it was about 1:20 ish we decided we might as well leave. As we were heading for the van, Alina decided she needed to visit the buffet table one more time. She wasn't aware that her friend, Christina, had just arrived. We reached the van and Alina was yelling "Mama! Mama!" several times. I turned thinking she wanted to let me know her friend had come and wanted to play for awhile. She was waving me over and I started to walk to her but she had brought the good friend of the Garrett's over (her name is Annie and she is vacationing here for a bit from the Ukraine and is staying with the Garretts). Anyway, Alina wanted Annie to tell me something because she is bilingual - translation: "You are the nicest person/people. She likes you very much. She likes it here. She loves you very much!" Wow! I never saw that coming. My heart is touched. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for such a blessing!

It just gets better and better. We went early to get Jessica's allergy shots with plenty of time to get to the swimming pool on time. Jessi had a reaction (although it was much more mild than the last one!!). We were at the hospital until 9:35 am (if there had been no reaction we would have left there at 8:50 am). Alina was noticably concerned for Jessi and at one point gave Jessi a high five, however, because there was a little monitor on Jessi's finger, they both got a bit of a shock (giggles followed). I got a hold of Arri, explained that we would be late and why but needed help explaining to Alina. Arri called back with a translator, it was explained and Alina was a real trooper. We dashed home to get Jessi's Epipen for the day, took Kenton's gym clothes to the school that he had forgotten and then raced up to Fairmont swimming pool. We were about an hour late but still had around 50 min to swim. Jessica just sat close to the side in the water because of the reaction. Alina is a fish!! I am amazed how well she can swim - all the children! She was diving in, doing handstands, flying in off the sides in crazy positions, went down the slide numerous times (and may I say, she was so polite in line and waited her turn even when a couple of boys pushed her from behind to "go go". She never got angry. Thanks to Arri Rogers (our group leaders) I have some cute pictures.

It had been rainy in the morning so we didn't take a lunch to eat at the park after swimming. But since it was so close to Arcadia's work, we decided to surprise Arcadia and take her for lunch - we met across the street from her work at McDonalds. When we pulled in, Alina clapped (politely that is). When Cadi was safely back at her office, Jessi, Alina and I headed for the grand re-opening of Platos closet. Jessi found some really cute things and Alina got a bracelet. We arrived home in time to pick up Kenton and friends from school. Came home long enough for a potty break and went to Wal-mart for a few things. One thing we hoped to find was some fleece Alina liked. She found one that was pink (her favorite color) with 4 Disney princesses scattered on it. Jessi found one that was black with large colorful dots. The idea was to have Arcadia and Alina cut the edges and tie (fringe) but Alina was too intent on winning a Playstation racing game with Dad. Sorry, Arcadia! You did a wonderful job and it looks really cute. (Alina slept with it last night). Dropping things off quickly, we decided to go to the park by the fire station for just a bit before dinner. The winds picked up, the temperature dropped and it started to rain. Jessica and Alina have some fun pictures of the 15 min of play.

Today has no "group" activities planned - feeling a bit unsure as to what to do. Jessi goes to work at 1:00 pm...I didn't realize how much I depend on her to help out - she's like my right hand. Hopefully, I will remember how to "mother"...

She's here!!! Dear, sweet, loving Alina is finally here! Grandma and Grandpa came to the airport with us - thanks a million times over Mom and Dad, for being there and supporting us! Grandma got to hold the Ukrainian flag while she sat in her wheelchair. There wasn't as much space for introductions and pictures there at the airport like there was last year so it got a bit loud and confusing. We had a translated letter for Alina to open that welcomed her and introduced us. A family in our group that Paul seems to be drawn to and likes is hosting a 12 yr old girl, Christina. As it turns out, she looks like Alina's best, best friend!! Those two hugged and kissed and talked for several minutes. They both seem just cute as ever. (It's funny, we almost hosted Christina...) Alina showered us with kindness, Thank yous, hugs and kisses at the airport, in the parking lot including Grandma and Grandpa and at home. She loved the dogs and interestingly enough, neither one of them barked at/because of her! She gave Paul a beautiful red Ukrainian egg. She gave Jessi a lovely blue necklace. She gave Arcadia 3 braclets. She gave Kenton and I counted cross-stitch pictures. She gave us a piece of paper with words and numbers on it...figured it was a phone number. We asked her if it was her phone number and did she want us to keep it and call her after she went back to Ukraine. After several attempts to understand, we called our group leader and asked her son (thank you, thank you, thank you - it was midnight!) what Alina was needing. He told us that it was Alina's "grandma's birthday today!" We didn't have a calling card to call her - we felt bad but Alina said we didn't need to call if we didn't want to. (Of course, we wanted to...). She asked him if we could understand her. He told her no, and that she probably didn't understand us, either. He also said she "likes us very much. I liked them very much from the minute I saw them at the airport". (Apparently, Alina volunteered this information - no prompting from him). Oh happy day!

This morning, Sunday, Alina was up and dressed in her church clothes! She is such a sweetheart in all ways! We asked her if she wanted sausages for breakfast - "Da" (yes). We asked her if she wanted a banana, too - "Da Da". We asked her if she wanted buckwheat cereal - "Da" (our group leader gave us some buckwheat from the Russian grocery store). We asked her if she wanted herbal tea - "Da Da". We asked her if she wanted orange juice. She kept saying something that I didn't understand so I thought maybe she wanted the orange and not just juice. I had Paul hold up an orange and she got even more verbal - pointing like dots all over her face. I asked if she was allergic to oranges - "Da Da Da". Makes me wonder if there is anything else. She ate five sauages, a bowl of buckwheat cereal, 2 eggo waffles, a banana and a cup of tea. I am thrilled that she has an appetite and wants to eat. After we ate, Alina said something and ran and got the paper with Russian translations of basic English terms and she found and pointed out "This tasted good!" I can't tell you the joy that touched the inner parts of my heart! What a beautiful, happy, loving, friendly, mannerly, darling young lady.

She had a bloody nose this morning. Must be the altitude...they warned us last year but Igor and Natalia didn't have any bloody noses. I guess I forgot this could happen (they live at sea level). Just as a side note, after breakfast they wanted to watch some 'Sponge Bob'. Alina pronounced it perfectly then ran and got her glasses. Did not expect that...What a wonderful blessing from the Lord to have such a choice daughter from across the world here with us for 3 weeks!!!

Ok - I am beginning to feel a bit paniky. Alina comes Saturday night at 9:20 pm (2 days from now) and all of a sudden I'm thinking of everything that needs to be done. The list is enormous, but not as big as the butterflies in my stomach (I think they are teradactyl size now!) Everyone of us hopes that this year is a happier experience...but questions like, "what if she doesn't like us or our home?"; or "what if she thinks we're the weirdest looking people she has ever seen?"; or "what if she is like Natalia?"; or "what if she won't do anything to help?"; or "what if she doesn't like any of the food we fix"; or "what if she throws a fit because she would rather be with the family her friend is staying with?" keeps going through my mind. I'm driving myself crazy. I pray for strength and the Lord to help us during this next 3 weeks.

For some reason, I could not post last night, but this morning the internet seems to be working just fine.

Yesterday, we needed to be fingerprinted/background-checked for the orphans that are coming. Afterward, we picked up some chicken sandwiches at Carls' Jr and took them to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch. Then we "caravaned" up to the zoo. The weather was a bit chilly, but it made walking around so much more pleasant and the zoo was absolutely packed. We were excited to go to the zoo because they had a new baby elephant (it was so-o-o-o cute!) - this seemed to be the highlight of everyone's visit to the zoo. There was also a baby giraffe, a baby snow leopard and baby tigers. We couldn't see the baby tigers as mom took them out of sight and the baby snow leopard was enjoying a big meaty bone mostly behind a wall. But the day was fun. And a bit exhausting for all of us. Thanks Mom and Dad for going with us and enduring all of our children's moods!