Happy Birthday V!!!

We finally got through and were able to talk to the girls today! It was really nice to hear their voices...it had been awhile. "V" answered the phone, and we got to wish her a Happy Birthday right away! We spoke to her for several minutes before she asked, "when are you coming to get us?" Its going to take a financial miracle, yet we told her we would try to do everything we possibly could do to get there soon. "V" seemed in good spirits, laughing and giggling at our attempts to speak Russian, and her own attempts to speak English. "V" told us that they are all doing well, that they won several more dance competitions, and that they recently returned from a three week summer camp in the mountains. We told "V" that we couldn't wait to see them dance someday!

In a slight commotion, the phone passed to "T," and we finally got to wish her a belated Happy Birthday! We couldn't get through to her on several occasions due to a "phone issue." I told "T" that on her next birthday, she will be old enough to drive a "machina!" Yikes. We explained our "status" to "T" and she asked if we'd be there in 2009 or 2010. We let the translator explain to her (again) that it is a long process, and that we are all hopeful for them to be home as soon as possible. I asked "T" if she had any good stories to tell from their trip to the mountains, but she only indicated that they had fun. She said the weather was nice (unlike last summer when it rained heavily), and that they did not see any animals. The background noise grew louder, and "I" took her turn on the phone.

"I" was very cute in telling us that she got to go to the mountains with her sisters for the first time! She, too, did not have any stories to tell but did mention that they saw a squirrel! We all laughed and recalled that "Squirrel" is "V's" nickname. I asked "I" what her nickname is, and she said she did not have one. So we called her "babatchka" (butterfly). "I" laughed and then told us that "T's" nickname is "Micky Mouse," which had us all laughing. I asked "I" if she had learned anymore English, and she replied (in English), "I am eleven."

We learned that our latest package did arrive, however (for some strange reason) they would not be getting the contents until September 1st. I'm still confused why that is, but we will call then to see how they like what we got them.

As I sit here tonight, I can only hope and dream that we can somehow figure out how to get them home. I really like those kids...they are good kids who really deserve a family. I know it is going to take an absolute miracle to get them here, but I really think now's the time to kick up our efforts and go for it.

I will post more later. Thank you all for reading :)

Happy Birthday "V"!!!!!!!