So, I really need to catch up! Monday, after I blogged about our beautiful Sunday adventures, we experienced yet MORE adventures! Imagine that! Since then, we have been very busy "bonding" and having appointments. So, let's begin with Monday afternoon...
We had already made arrangements with Lilia's orphanage to go for a visit on Monday afternoon to deliver gifts for some of the kids and to take a boy from Lilia's group out shopping for a new coat and to dinner. We decided to head out early and take the tram to Meza Park which is near the orphanage. Oh how I wish it were nicer weather! This park is huge! It is pretty much a gigantic forest with filled with fun things to do. The zoo, unfortunately was closed. But, we headed down this beautiful path through the forest and Lilia was on a mission! She led us straight to these huge playgrounds and we had so much fun! We enjoyed the swings, the ropes, and all of the spinning things (Lilia's favorite). It was a lot of fun for all ages and we laughed, a lot. Soon, we decided it was time to start our walk to the orphanage. It is amazing the contrasts of old and new, of wealth and poverty in this city. As we walked, we saw so many beautiful homes and right beside them, shacks. I am saddened by the chasm that seems to exist between the rich and the poor and I pray that bridges are being built between them. The street beggars simply break my heart. Often they are found kneeling on both knees, completely still with their hands held out in front of them. This position brings tears to my eyes each time I see it. Bob couldn't take it any longer and finally gave some santimi (cents) to one the other night when we were on our way home. I don't know what exists here for these people in the way of help? I pray that there is somewhere they can go and get a hot meal and a place to lay their head at night.
So, where was I? Oh yes, our orphanage visit! Well Lilia was so excited that she ran ahead of us and we could barely keep up. She walked into the director's office and spoke to her (in lots of Latvian!). I have no idea what she said!? Then, she was off and running again...to the next building. Here, we made it up the stairs to her "group" area where we found two handsome young men lounging on the couchs watching TV, Alex and Arturs! These are the boys we came to see, so we gave them their gifts and they disappeared! Off to their room to go through the "loot"! Pretty soon, Lilia disappeared as we got a nice little tour of her living conditions. We sat and visited with two of the workers and waited, and waited, and waited....you get the idea?! Our daughter seemed to have forgotten us! She reappeared, with a friend who was dressed and ready to go with us for dinner and shopping. So, we headed out to catch the tram with 4 kids. I have to admit that I had no idea what to expect from them. I was amazed! These kids were so well-behaved and mannerly. On the tram, one of the boys got up to give his seat to an elderly woman and I was so proud of him. At dinner, they were worried about ordering too much food. While we were shopping for a coat for Alex, he worried about spending too much money and was so careful to only enter stores that were "reasonable". It was a pleasure to spend the evening with these amazing kids and we were very blessed by it.
Tuesday...this was the day that our court appointed social worker was scheduled to visit in the early evening. So, we woke up and got right to work cleaning up the apartment and preparing for the visit. Lilia really got into this and she worked very hard to make sure that her room looked just perfect. At 1:00, we had plans to meet with another adoptive mom and her daughter, Anna for lunch. We were happy to be able to meet Linda and Anna. Linda had been the one to deliver our dossier to Daina back in July so this was special for us. We enjoyed our afternoon together and lunch at Lido's. We stopped by a flower stand and picked up a nice little bouquet for the table and bought some pastries as well. Our visit with the social worker went well. Lilia was nervous at first, but she soon opened up and began to share about her experiences with our family and her time in America. We laughed a lot and enjoyed a very relaxing and pleasant visit. Tuesday ended early with us heading to bed at 8:30! We were beat! Lilia asked to sleep on the couch, which she says she has never done! It was so funny, she was so excited about this and she went right to sleep. I wish I had taken a picture.
Wednesday...ahhh! Finally! Today, was court day. We woke up bright and early to get ready for our court appointment. This court appointment was so special because this is the day that they decided whether or not to "approve" of our adoption and allowing us to maintain custody of Lilia until the adoption is complete. After sharing how our week had been and our feelings for Lilia...they said, we find that it is in the best interest of this child that she be adopted by the Callen family and that she remain in their care until the adoption is complete!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!! Praise God!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!! Lilia looked so happy during this announcement and Bob and I of course couldn't stop smiling. I was proud of myself for not crying. Of course, that came later! Lilia requested that we just go back to the apt and get comfortable, have hot tea and watch a movie...so, that's what we did! Bob headed out to grab a few groceries for us and returned with lilies for Lilie!! She was so excited! We even all took a nap in the big old king sized bed in the afternoon! Of course, we returned to Lido's for dinner (thanks, Linda for introducing my husband to this restaurant! He may never go anywhere else again!). It was a good, good day (as Lilia would say)!!!
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