Videos from 08/26 and 8/27

Well, here we are and all is going great which is highly unusual. Looks like GOTCHA day has now changed to Saturday, September 4th. If something happens to change it will be on Monday for sure. The workers were able to communicate with us again today that after we left yesterday and she realized we were gone after she took off looking for us she was crying again they are in total disbelief. So today when the worker came in to tell us it was time for Ivanna to go so she could eat lunch the worker had a really sad look on her face – she didn’t want to take her either because she knew what was going to happen. All I can say is prayers for our little girl and hope that she knows she only has to sleep there 8 more nights and then she leaves with mommy and daddy. I know her mama and papa are going to miss her greatly but they will at least have peace knowing that she has found a good home and we will do everything to our ability to keep them posted of her successes and we know there will be many.

We were able to play with her in the toy room today which I am guessing that not people get to experience. We had all three children in our care for a little while and boy WHAT A HANDFUL!!! We had the Princess, Igor and Leeza and buddy with all of them fighting to have the attention it was quite strenuous. Leeza would crawl up in daddy’s lap and Ivanna wanted no part of that – as soon as she caught a glimpse of that here she would come shoving Leeza out of the way and then assume HER throne!! What a little mess she is and I mean that in the funniest of ways!

She would get all bent out of shape that she would work so hard to build her train track out of blocks and then Igore or Leeza would kick pieces of it and get it out of order and she was not at all happy. Then we had the “screaming” session. This is when Igor decides he wants to be noticed (as if he wasn’t) and he stands over to the side and goes to screaming ---- well then what does that cause – that causes our little “mimic” to go do the same thing as soon as he is done. Oh boy!!! Everyday I have tried to take them all a snack of some sort. Today it was cookies and they are eager to tear in to them. I just give them to one of the workers and they distribute them. Such sweet ladies at this house – I have certainly been very pleased.

Well, after we were about to pull our hair out with all three of them in the room with just us and trying to keep them all rounded up and stop competing for attention one of the ladies came in just as Leeza had grabbed hubby’s glasses off his face and bent them. So, while I was getting him back in working order, she took Igor and Leeza with her to the front room. It was attempting to mist today so today was an inside visit which was fine with us but the three of them together is boy howdy a little too much :D.

Danielle!!!! Hurry up!!!! He’s waiting on Y-O-U!!!! Brush up on your Russian/Ukrainian too cause he babbles constantly. :D. When you get here, if you haven’t learned them already, we will teach you the VERY important words LOL!!!

Well, come to find out the pictures didn’t turn out well today because the camera had gotten switched to another setting :(. That’s what happens when little ones are around to constantly push buttons. Guess I need to put that on my list of “things to remember”….check settings before taking pictures. But…we did get some good videos though so guess that makes up for it.

Having a great time still….this evening we decided to go out for a quick dinner since I am working in the evenings. We LOVE the Italian Resteraunt that is close to us. GREAT Pizza and other things too but we have come to really love their pizza. When we left guess what? – it was pouring down rain. So off we go in the rain as my silly husband starts singing what song? “Singing in the Rain” and skipping and dancing!! I know, I know you all don’t believe this – but unfortunately I didn’t have the video camera to capture this but it happened. He is a NUT! So by the time we made it back to the apartment we were soaked but we had a nice dinner and once again, made the best of it.

Our goal is to be able to leave here on Thursday, 9/16 since we are supposed to have visitation with the boys on Friday, 9/17. That way they will get to see their new sister in a timely fashion since well…. So, let’s all pray that we can get everything done in that time frame and still allow her to get to spend some time with her biological parents before we go and that all goes smoothly and we can leave on this date.

Thanks for taking the time to read our lengthy posts and we look forward to seeing you all soon! Hope you enjoy the videos we are leaving you with.

And now that's it's Saturday morning where we are she presently only has seven more nights in her temporary home!

Love to all!
The Stratton Family

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