We're finally here! Our flight to Kiev arrived Tuesday morning at 9 am. We were picked up at the airport by Vladimir and Natasha and drove to Sumy which is about 3 ½ hours from Kiev

We met Vika (Victoria) at the local McDonalds because she's not in the orphanage anymore due to her age. Vladimir arranged to have her meet us there so we could get a chance to meet and talk. We had lunch together and then walked through Sumy city with Natasha our translator. We ran into the missionaries who were from Boise and Portland which was very fun for them and for us.

We asked Vika several questions about her background. We had a great time getting to know each other. She is a sweet girl who turns 16 on September 14th which is this coming Sunday! She currently lives here in Sumy with her 23 year old married sister and her husband

She has no other siblings, aunts, uncles or grandparents. Vika is in school and enjoys Chemistry of all subjects! She appears to be very bright. Her parents have both died and she's been in the Sumy orphanage the past 4 years. Her parents were divorced for many years prior to her mothers death and has no recollection of her father.

She really wants a family and expressed this during our visit together. We felt a bond with Vika from the beginning, she is so cute, a little shy but a warm and sweet personality. We must start the paperwork for her adoption before her 16th birthday or she will not be eligible for adoption. We are planning to drive back to Kiev early Thursday morning for our appointment with the State Department for Adoption (SDA).

We're headed to the Sumy Orphanage this afternoon along with a couple families who are here moving through the adoption process at the same time. We'll send an update again after we return from Kiev.