We have met Natasha!

We met our new daughter and sister today! Oh how lovely, tiny and sweet she is!

We were standing in the hall waiting to see the director for our meeting w/her. Several of the children from the orphanage passed by and we kept hearing them whisper Natasha's last name "Rashkian, Rashkian", knowing that we were here to adopt her. Then I felt a tiny little arm wrap around my waist and I turned and saw it was Natasha smiling at me and giving me a hug. Oh how wonderful and sweet it was! She kept hugging me and hugging me. Then she ran to Ted and hugged him and then to Ariana and hugged her. She was hugging and smiling the whole time. She kept going to each of us and hugging us and hugging us.

Natasha is SO tiny. Miranda, she is probably only a little bit taller than you...she is very little and petite. She looks like she is only 12 years old, rather than the 14 she is. Several people would look at Ariana and point to her eyes and then point to Natasha's eyes indicating how similar they look.

All the children wanted to see the pictures we brought and asked how the Ukrainian kids (in Omaha) were. The director and Dina loved the pictures of all the children we had brought. And they both enjoyed Ariana and her name. Before we left the director's office, she said that she just loved our daughter and our new daughter as well. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about Natasha.

I am so glad that we brought Ariana with us and I wish so much that we could have brought Miranda too. Natasha is very excited and wants to know everything about her new brothers and sisters.

We only got to spend a little time with Natasha but we were able to give her our bracelet and Ariana gave her one of the chocolates Galina had given to her. Natasha kept touching Ariana's scarf and admiring it. I tried to tell Natasha by hand motions that I would make one for her...then Ariana took her scarf off to let Natasha try it on and Natasha thought that she was giving it to her. Then I told Ariana I would make her another one when we got home.

It was time to go, we hugged each other all around. I just couldn't let go of her and tears were welling up in my eyes. (Amy VP, Ted told me later that when Lena's friend Inna saw me doing this, she grabbed Natasha's best friend Nastia and gave her a hug and squeezed her, imitating me, and it reminded me of what you said she did when you couldn't stop hold Lena.)

When we started to leave, all the children followed us out. Ted had to get the bags out of the car for Michelle and bring them into the orphanage and the children said to Natasha, "Natasha, were is your papa?" It was SO nice to hear them say that.

We will get to see Natasha again tomorrow. We were unable to blog at Lela's because her computer is locked. I was hoping to give you more descriptions about our past few days but this will have to wait.

We were able to see Michelle today for the first time too. It was so nice to see a familiar face. We are thankful that she will be able to help us talk to our new daughter.

Thanks for all of your constant prayers...and thank you Miranda for all of your verses for Mommy and Daddy.

The picture of Natasha was taken a few days ago. We will try to include more pictures soon.

Love...Ted, Amy, Ariana & Natasha

PS Can you find Lena VP in Natasha and Ted's picture?