Adoption Talk

It was now Tuesday - December 29th and Tom and I knew we had to talk w/ Ira about adoption. We knew we wanted to adopt her but because of her age she certainly had the right to be a part of the decision. We had a translator lined up via phone to help, but we had suddenly become nervous - fearing she would not want us to adopt. That day she had gone to the calendar in the kitchen and "counted" days until she returned to Ukraine. I was worried - reading this as "I'm ready to leave" - possibly she was bored - homesick - etc. But strangely enough - about 5:30 that day she came to me and said "momma sit" - I sat - she climbed into my lap and began talking - in Russian. I realized quickly this was not her normal "playful" conversation - but much more serious. So I got quiet and "listened" as best as I could. I heard words I knew - like "internat" (that is orphanage), then I heard her list names of kids that I knew of, then I picked up "adopt" and "America" and momma and poppa. My heart was racing and leaping as I began to understand what she was talking about. I was hoping she was saying she wanted to be adopted too - but I was not sure. So, I got the calendar - said "Ira fly to Ukraine on this day" - she said "yes". Then I said - does Ira want Momma to fly to Ukraine and "get" Ira - Adopt Ira and Ira and Momma come home to America. She said "YES" hugged me and hugged me. So at that point I thought we were on the same page so I called KT and got Regina - the translator - on the phone. She talked w/ Ira and then w/ me and said "YES" - that was exactly what Ira was trying to tell me - she wanted us to adopt her!!!! Tom and I were beyond ecstatic!!!! Ira had been so happy up until now and suddenly, if possible she seemed happier! More secure and content once Regina told her that adopting her was what we wanted to do most!!! It was then that we learned she was happy to go back to Ukraine only to hurry the process along! We had lots of hugs, tears and sighs of relief - we all three - as a family - now had a plan and knew what to do!!! The rest of the week was spent between happiness that she was here and wanted us to adopt her as well as in sorrow that she had to leave on Sunday but also in happiness knowing we were all moving forward with our family!!! Saying "see you later" on Sunday would be hard - but would be the beginning of the "last leg" of the journey to bring her home forever! So many smiles - so many tears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!