To market, to market, to buy.... a wedding dress?!?!?!

January 30 – Friday
We decided instead of going to see the girls this morning we would brave the open air market and see if we could get a scarf for Elijah. It has gotten VERY cold and he is sick and all. We were hoping to also get some clothes for the girls. So after breakfast (of eggs and ham- something warm) we walked down there. It is very close to us, about a five minute walk. And WOW, it goes on forever. Little booths as far as the eyes can see in both directions and if you go down another “street” same thing. On and on. And they sell just about anything. We saw lots of places for sweaters and pants for all ages and genders, toys, hats, curtains, flowers, underwear, pictures, linens, strollers, boots, bags, shawls, backpacks, even wedding dresses and tuxes. We walked for 45 minutes and finally decided that we weren’t getting anywhere and that we needed a native speaker to help—and Elijah had fallen asleep—so we walked home, discouraged. At least we didn’t get lost, “out” was always up hill.
We made a list of the things we needed to get for the girls; shoes, socks (tights), underwear, undershirts, pants, shirts, (or dresses), coats, hats, scarves, gloves, backpack. Enough to last them a week between when we get them and when we actually get them home. Then we made a plan to ask Julia (the Cox’s translator) to spend a morning with us sometime and help us decide on sizes and buy the clothes.
We had lunch and then laid down with Elijah for a nap. Most of us slept until 3:00. Then we made our way to the orphanage. I took the video camera because we hadn’t brought it out yet and were feeling guilty. I thought it would be nice to have video of them speaking Ukrainian when they were older. Alina had no problem getting up and “performing.” My name iz A1.”“I am iz yallo and green.” K didn’t want to at first but then after some boys were showing off for the camera she got up and danced for us. A2 got videoed putting a puzzle together and I got some of R putting on shoes, coat, hat and Elijah’s backpack and pretending she was going to school. She really is a character. We also took the computer and the girls started out nice on it. Toward the end A2 started doing things just to make people angry and K started not wanting to share. Then there was no time left for A1’s turn and no matter how many times she was promised she could be first next time, didn’t want to give up her turn. So we left on a sour note.
We saw the Cox’s on the way out. Our facilitator was helping them find a lawyer and translator in Kyiv, so they were glad for that. It looks like they will get a second opinion from someone not connected and then go home until after the courts had settled everything. How discouraging! Then we started thinking of all the ways our adoption could go sour. There was someone interested in the girls (Keith thought it was a grandmother, I thought it was just another Ukrainian citizen) that visited them and said she was interested but never came back. Maybe she will cause problems. Ok, we need to just trust that these girls are supposed to be in our family (we have both felt that multiple times) and weather whatever storms come along. Not worry about things until they happen.