First of all, we are all safe and in Kiev! Praise God!! Our exit from the orphanage was scoop and run...we will fill you in on the reasons when we are safely out of the country. It was a gruelling 12-hour drive from Donets'k to Kiev. We left at about 3pm and arrived in Kiev about 5am. The guide and driver were in the front seat and the four of us were in the back seat which was intended for 3. By the time the kids sprawled out to sleep, there was little room for Mike and me. We took what seemed like back roads all the way. It was a single lane highway with plenty of potholes to slow us down even further. In Kiev, we got about an hour sleep before we had to get up to make it to the doctor for the medical exam, and then it was right to the US Embassy. After lunch at Mc Donalds, we were able to come back to the apartment for a much needed nap! Mike wanted to take a picture of Anastasia sleeping without her purse in her mouth (photo) but when he tried to move it, he realized that, though sound asleep, the handle was gripped tightly in her teeth and wouldn't budge. This is no doubt how she managed to keep her sole possession from the orphanage without it being stolen while she slept!


These photos show some highlights of our first afternoon as new parents of these two souls. Throughout both the tranquil and silly moments was a realization of the strenghts that these two survivors come to us equipped with as well as the challenges we face in redirecting the patterns they learned in the institutionalized environment.







After a lot of tension, it was nice to break down and play 'king of the bed.'












Mike won the first match quite easily.













Round two two took teamwork on Jonathan and Anastasia's part.












But eventually their persistence paid off.














As you can see, the apples don't fall far from the tree!











Anastasia didn't want 'momma' to feel left out of the action.












'Momma' wanted Anastasia to know that when it comes to wrestling, momma can hold her own!












It's no wonder they're good wrestlers, they love Tom and Jerry videos!