TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010

Maura Genet with Samira at Hope's Home

Our driver for the week, Jarod. He was super

sweet and loved LiLi. They played ball together

and had a blast.

Maura Genet's orphange...Faith's Home

At Toukoul (Bella's orphanage)

The playground and kids playroom at Toukoul

Walking to Bella's buuilding

Maura Genet and LiLi standing in front of Bella's

crib!

Some of the staff at Toukoul

Outside of one of the school classrooms

at Toukoul. What is up with my hair? :)

Reading bible stories before bed

LiLi was singing Maura Genet a lullaby..my

sweet girl!

We had a lazy morning at the hotel today. We left the Sheraton at 1115 to go to Hopes Home to go through all the paperwork needed to get Maura Genet's visa on Thursday. I an happy to say that this Type A Mama had all the paperwork completed properly. :)We then went back to Faiths Home to allow Maura Genet to say goodbye to her friends and nannies. It obviously hasn't hit her that she will not be coming back. She looked extremely happy and just went around hugging and kissing everyone. I took lots of pictures to keep for her in her "baby book".

We had lunch at an Italian lunch at the Sheraton. Maura Genet had pizza and appeared to love it. This girl definitely has a big appetite. LiLi loved the spicy noodle dish they had. I have been very cautious about what we eat, even though we are at the Sheraton and I'm sure it is fine but I didn't want to take a chance.

We had a minor grieving episode with Maura Genet today. It appears that when I redirect her or discipline at all ( such as no running down the hall, holding hands around cars), she will get very quiet. Today she started to cry and just laid o the floor and cried for about 30 minutes. She did let me rub her back but wouldn't make eye contact. I can't imagine what she is feeling..being taken away from everything that she has known. Imagine being in a place where everyone is speaking a different language than you...would be very difficult to say the least. I'm sure we have a long road ahead of us but with God's help and strength we will work through everything that comes our way.

We visited Toukoul Orphanage this afternoon. This is the orphanage where Bella lived from Sept. 08-March 09. That was an emotional trip but I feel so blessed that I was able to visit. The staff there was amazing. I brought a photo album of Bella's first year with us and a couple of the nannies, as well as, the nurse remembered her. I was able to see Bella's room (#10) and the crib where she slept. It was a nice orphanage, rather large, and very clean. They had a nice baby room that looked like a hut, as well as, a playground.

After we got back to the orphanage, we sat in the lobby and got the girls sherbet (LiLi's favorite). I have been having cappuccinos and macchiatos everyday. They are wonderful here. We just went back to the room and ordered room service for dinner.

It has been a great but tiring and emotional day.