When Katya was here this summer, it was difficult because there were a lot of things she didn't know about - like not throwing sticks or spraying Pine-Sol at people. But, it was also really fun because it was a challenge to build trust with her and develop a relationship with her. I like a challenge. Katya is so funny. After we watched "Pink Panther," she snuck all around the house singing, "Da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, dad-dum ..." Mostly, it was fun to be with her. She's fun … [Read more...] about Cameron (10)
Josiah (11)
I think that adopting Katya will be great. It will be fun to see her learn new things like English and see if she still keeps her original language, Russian. I think it would be fun to learn Russian as well. I think it will be hard too because she's in an orphanage right now where she has to be very protective of anything that's hers, even fight for it. And that's not the way it is here. But, sometimes we fight and I don't want her to learn that. So, I think it will be good for us too as … [Read more...] about Josiah (11)
Adelyn (12)
I think adopting Katya will be really fun. I'm looking forward to seeing her and Piper get to be friends. Piper's always wanted a little sister. Although we saw when Katya was here that she didn't really want to be "little sistered," it will be fun to see their relationship develop. It will be more like they're twins.For me, I'll be CLEARLY one of the oldest kids in my family. I've always been right at the middle point. When Katya was here, it was really fun to figure out what she was saying, … [Read more...] about Adelyn (12)
Grace (13)
When Katya was here, she not only learned from us, but I learned from her. I learned how to be more patient and not to just love to be loved, but to love more like Jesus. I learned to love without looking for reward, but reward did come as Katya was able to show me more and more that she cared, even just a little. One time, we went on a walk and she got frustrated with me because I wouldn't pick her up. She kept getting more and more frustrated, but eventually she picked a flower and brought … [Read more...] about Grace (13)
Sara Maria (15)
I think adopting Katya will be hard, but fun. The hard part will be getting along with her as she adjusts to being part of the Finley Family. Teaching her English will be fun and it will be fun to learn some Russian too. Hanging out with Katya and seeing how she interacts with everyone will be a lot of fun too. I believe we need to adopt Katya because God wants us to. I can see God working things out like Mom and Dad's trip to Ukraine last spring, letting us know about her just a couple of … [Read more...] about Sara Maria (15)
Introducing the Players …
Dima - our Ukrainian facilitator. This is the person who translates our dossier from English to Ukrainian and Russian and basically walks us through the Ukrainian side of things. Over the next week, he will find out when Katya truly is available for adoption. We believe papers were signed and she was registered with the SDA (the government agency) in March 2008. This would give us clearance to adopt her some time in May of 2009 or afterward. But, documents can get lost, left of desks, etc. … [Read more...] about Introducing the Players …