4/4/07 (2) - Meeting Irina (Ira) for the first time

After the formalities and comfort setting discussion, the Director asked for Ira's teacher to come in and talk to us. We went through our album with the Director and teacher over viewing our family. They were impressed and were all smiles and felt more comfortable as all went well and then the defining moment... in walked Irina. She looked so cute although very serious and somewhat nervous. We tried to talk a bit with interpreting going of in both direction and then brought her up to speed on our family through the album again. Irina was most intent on each and every picture assessing what could be potential her new family. We found the Irina will have been in the orphanage 2 years this summer and spent 1 year prior in a shelter prior. She seemed very intent, in told control when asked questions and acted very mature for her age. Each moment caused her to grow on us more and more. She is very pretty and a delight to be around. She was put on the spot rather quickly by the Director in asking how she felt about becoming a part of our family, since there was an eagerness to get paperwork started quickly because of the long holiday weekend (Easter) . She was not 100% but felt more positive than negative. At that time I interceded and asked that it be made clear to her above all else that her decision was more important than anyone else's and she didn't need to lock herself in now and be so nervous. Also, that even though we wanted to move ahead on the paperwork she could withdraw at anytime over the next several days. Then an obstacle was brought up that had to be overcome and written off prior to proceeding. Although she had no siblings and her parents had lost all rights, she has a grandfather who visits a couple time a year and needed his acceptance in order for the orphanage to sign off. Sergey, Debbie, an orphanage representative, Irina & I will be off at 9:00 AM tomorrow to find her grandfather and provide reasons why it is in his granddaughter's best interest to be adopted by us. We spent the rest of the day touring the facility first with the director herself and then by Irina. We then played UNO for an hour or so and ended our day. All that time appeared to have created a stronger bond. We are very much in pursuit of breaking down any barriers to adopt this child...

Pic. 1 - Irina; Pic. 2 - Ira looking at family album; Pic. 3 - Ira & Orphanage Director