"They're he-e-re"! The children came last night. The Green and Blue groups were to have their children come about 10:30 pm and the Red and Yellow groups were to have their children come about 11:00 pm. Well, Red and Yellow came in about 20 minutes early while the Green and Blue were delayed almost an hour. They finally were assembled and came down the escalator with Red group first (that's us!), then Yellow group, followed by Green group, and last but not least, Blue group. How exciting it is and the air is just thick with energy! It has been mentioned before that the children in Ukraine are beautiful children. I think in the past I have been concentrating so hard on "our" child coming in, and also mixed with barrels of nerves, that I haven't taken the chance to look at them all. Last night, I was priviledged to stand back and watch more closely and it is so true, these children are beautiful! They are brave and strong, too - I don't think I would have their level of courage to do what they are doing.

Inna is no exception when it comes to beauty. She has striking eyes and a smile that touches your soul. She has long (almost to her waist) light brown hair that was braided from the face backwards in several rows ending down about the back of the head, and she is a bit taller than I expected. She was nervous, of course, but was very polite and relieved when we talked with a translator. It impressed me that with a tornado of feelings probably cascading through her, she displayed maturity and grace. Some of the tidbits of information we gleened through the translator were: she is tired, she has no food allergies, likes to eat pretty much anything - doesn't have a favorite or most hated food, she doesn't like to swim but kind of likes to play around in the water, she doesn't have a swimming suit, and she wasn't hungry at the time. She also commented to Carlin (one or our group leaders) while coming down the escalator that there were alot of people. She said "Wow" or something like that, several times standing by us. I hope she remembers that they were there in support and love for her and all the other children. She seemed near tears sad and lost stating that she came with friends but they were going to different places. Through the translator we said that she will see her friends often at the activities and that seemed to calm her a bit. When asked what she liked to do the most, she said drawing/painting/art. Hear that Dad? Do you think she would be your rival in winning First Place and Honorable mention ribbons at the Fairs every year like you?

My Mom and Dad came to the airport again this year. We love them and deeply appreciate their support even though it's late and crazyish. Thank you Mom and Dad!

We got home from the airport after midnight and Inna was still not hungry...all she wanted to do was shower and go to bed (way fine by me!!) She knew what shower gel was and giggled out loud with excitement when we gave her her own bottle along with her own bottle of shampoo and a soft body scrubby. Hopefully, she figured things out ok as the water went on and off and on and off many, many times over 45 minutes time. She heartily laughed when we gave the T-shirt type nightshirt with Mickey Mouse on it. She knew who he was. See, she will fit right in!

It is now 10:00 am and Paul and I are the only ones up (did you notice that I didn't say awake!) There has been a steady rain for about half an hour, now. The group is meeting about 1:00 pm to go swimming at the Murray Recreation Center and shortly after we're through there, Kenton needs to be to the Stake House for Roadshow performances tonight!