Day 3 with "Z"

Today was our third day to spend with "Z."  Again, "Z" was very excited to see us when we arrived at the orphanage.  We looked into all our options on how to spend the day and decided not to do so much of the tourist stuff (though we have enjoyed doing that with "Z").  We started the day by just staying at the orphanage and played a game similar to the board game, Sorry.  During the game we are trying to work with her on her counting and we can see she does pretty good as long as she/we stay focused.  It is also helping Amy and I learn basic Bulgarian such as counting (though Amy is always correcting me).  After playing the game we broke out the friendship bracelet supplies to teach her how to make one.  Thank you Mamaw for buying these as they were a hit with "Z" and look like they will be for the rest of the children as well.  "Z" made multiple braclets and gave one to her caregiver, Sonia.  "Z" also wore about three or four of them throughout the day.  But I sure do love the one she made for me (see photo below).  Pretty sure I willl be wearing mine for a long time!

After making bracelets we planned out the rest of the day.  The orphanage care giver and head master told Ivan that we would be allowed to spend some time today with only her as they really trusted us, and "Z" was so comfortable with us (like we have known each other for so long).  We were so excited about this!!  So we headed to Montana and stopped by a photo place and got "Z's" photo taken for her Visa.  Then we went to lunch and enjoyed our time with "Z."  Along with us, was our interpreter, Ivan (pronounced Eevon) and Maya's son who is driving us around.  Near the end of our lunch, "Z" and Amy went to the restroom and while they were out, Maya's son who has been around adopting families many times, including having an adopted brother, told me he cannot believe how our bond with "Z" is so strong in such a short time.  He stated that he felt like we have been together for months!  I was very touched with all he had to say!  Even Ivan has told us that the bond between "Z" and us is beyond normal and a very positive thing!

We completed lunch and we brought "Z" to our hotel room and we played with modelling clay.  She really enjoyed it!!  I made a beautiful sun and turtle with my clay (well probably not as nice as I made it out to be).  The biggest thing was not making things with clay, it was the time we were able to spend just with "Z" (Ivan was also with us as we need help in communicating).  We had a lot of fun.  In addition, we are learning many things.  We are learning how we will need to better our Bulgarian and we are learning so much about "Z's" abilities.

One thing I have not mentioned in our previous blogs....."Z" has such a contagious laugh!  It is priceless!!

After our time with "Z," we headed back to the orphanage.  Once there, we played games until the other children arrived back at the orphanage from school.  Amy and I had small gifts for them all.  The children from young to pre-teen sat down and received their gifts (coloring books and colors, glow in the dark bracelets and were told about the friendship bracelets).  They were so grateful to receive the gifts regardless of how small they were.  Then they sang a song to us to reflect their appreciation!  Amy and I kept a smile going, but were so overwhelmed with emotion on the inside.  14 children needing a loving home.  The children sang so beautifully!!  Then they all individually came to hug us and talk to us with interest in hearing us speak as Americans.  Amy and I wish we could take them all home as they are all so wonderful!  Most importantly though, we continued to make "Z" number one during it all!  "Z" is the star in our lives right now, and though we will not be able to provide for all these children, we are going to give "Z" a loving and caring home!  My favorite moment during our time with the children was when "Z" asked if I could pick her up and hold her and she squeezed onto me and held on with a loving hug that lasted at least a minute long!  The hug was so loving and warm that I still feel it now!!  I gave her a kiss on the cheek and told her Obicham Te (I Love You)!  Immediately she replied with Obicham Te Daddy!  Sure love hearing those words!!

Then it was time to say Chao.  We got our good night hugs and kisses and headed to the car.  It was another great day!  It was even heartwarming to look back at the orphanage and see so many of the other children looking through their bedroom windows saying good bye and blowing us kisses!

On a side note from having such a wonderful and glorious time with our beautiful "Z," Amy and I have created a great bond with Ivan!  He is a young man with a great heart!  He is so good with the children and is so passionate about his job!  The kids call him chicho (uncle) Ivan.  I think that made Ivan tear up a little!!

Tomorrow will be our last full day with "Z" on this trip.  Friday, we will only be able to see her in the morning as Amy and I will have to head back to Sofia and complete paper work.  We are not looking forward to this time!  It will definately be bitter sweet.  We miss Stephen and Coen so much, but it will also he heartbreaking to leave "Z" here!  We have heard it could take up to 6 months to complete the process of finalizing the adoption (6 months is generally a worse case scenario, so we hope it is closer to under 4 months).  While I am proud to be an American, it is because of our government dragging their feet that will cause this delay!  It is so sad to hear from the international adoption agency that America is the hardest and longest place to complete an adoption because of all the red tape!!  The adoption agency we use (CAN) is fantastic and is quick, it is just the processes done via our slow moving government that drags the process.  So because of that we will be a world apart from our "Z" until it is all completed!  Sorry, did not mean to rant, just already heartbroken we could be without "Z" for so long!!  And as a Daddy....I am her protector and I will be on the other side of the planet and that is very hard for me to fathom!!

But for now....Amy and I are going to enjoy every minute we have with "Z" while here in Bulgaria!!  Again, please keep us and "Z" in your thoughts and prayers and pray for a speedy process!!