Whirlwind of a week with family, Zoo, Classic Skating, Bouncing off the Walls, last minute shopping, church and one last non-denominational meeting. It seems like the week just started! Now we are packing for Inna's return trip. She has been a delight to have in our home. She is sweet, kind, helpful, lady-like and endures us well. It's always a nerve-racking thing to get up the courage to ask the "big question". Today was no different. She was already a bit upset that we wanted to take her to the last Ukrainian meeting after 3 hours of our meetings. (I know! I couldn't believe she would choose to go to all 3 hours of our meetings, either!) She and her friend talked through pretty much the whole meeting. Hopefully, she heard something subconsiously. Anyway, she didn't want to go into a classroom, and as you can imagine, the mood wasn't too good to begin with. Well, she resoundedly answered "No" to being adopted. It was abrupt and awkward. We said thank you and all left the room. In the hall, Nanette asked Jordan to maybe have his wife find out why she didn't want to be adopted. We found out later that the reason she said no was because she and her 20 year old brother made a pack that when he finishes school he wants to set up a house and take care of her. She said that if it was just her parents, she would have said yes in a heartbeat. We have thoroughly enjoyed our experience with her and wish her well!

Sunday began as a bit of a downer day for Inna, I think. She wasn't feeling very well and was totally overwhelmed with all of us fussing over her. She didn't want to go to church but went for a little while and then spent a couple of hours during the afternoon in her room. My parents came over about 5:00 for my Dad's birthday. We had "Schnitsly" a Ukrainian meat dish, a Ukrainian salad, mashed potatoes, peas and hot rolls. We had pumpkin pie for dessert. She loved everything, having seconds, and her spirits really came out of the dumps.

Today is Inna's 14th birthday! We changed some plans and rescheduled the family party to be about 4:00ish and hopefully we can get to the Concert practice sort of on time. We have "Princess and the Frog" decorations including plates, cups and napkins. We have presents and cake, too!