ANNA!

What a day. We are spent. We got to meet our Anna just after lunch today at the orphanage in Yambol. We were told months ago that we would need to wait until later in the week to tell her that we were her parents. With that in mind (and a few million other things) we have been looking forward to this day for a long time.  We even rehearsed several times how we thought it would play out - we would take it slow and not overwhelm her with any big announcements. But it turned out to be like nothing we had imagined -  a time more special, more wonderful and heavier than we counted on. When we arrived the orphanage officials told us that Anna was supposed to be taking a nap. They had told her before nap time that she was going to have guests when she woke up. They said that whenever one of their children hears this they always get excited with hope that it may finally be the day they meet their forever family. They said knowing this they doubted that she was napping. They checked on her and sure enough she was wide awake. We were meeting with the orphanage officials when we heard her little footsteps coming down the long hallway and her sweet voice chattering up a storm. She came right into the room and directly up to us - almost nose to nose. After looking us over thoroughly and exchanging big smiles she announced to everyone that we were her parents! Talk about an ice breaker. It was hard to contain ourselves. We then spent the next few minutes laughing with the orphanage officials about our "plan" to go slowly.

Peaches growing outside Yambol

Following our introduction we were able to spend over two hours with Anna. Before leaving the director's office we showed her pictures of our family. The first picture we showed her of our boys with us she told the group without any prompting, "They are my brothers!" She is way ahead of us on this adoption thing.

We sat with her while she ate her afternoon snack outside. We then got to play with her on the swing set equipment. She and our translator Eti found some tiny plums that were growing on the trees in the orphanage yard. She made sure that everyone had plenty to eat.

She later took us inside to meet the other children in her group. She let them know her new name is Anna and that we were her parents. She made sure we met her best friend - a little girl that will be going home soon with a family from Canada.

Sheep outside Yambol

While we were enjoying seeing Anna's excitement as she told her friends our hearts were hurting for the other children in the room. You could see in their faces that they too want a family. Looking at these children we saw how tough it is to be an orphan. All their days are spent within the walls and yard of this place. No one comes to see them. All they know is each other, their routine and their caretakers. They have activities and a few things to play with but that is it. If someone doesn't adopt them before they turn 4 they are moved to the next orphanage in the system and their chances to be adopted grow slimmer.
Before we left Anna she wanted to know for sure that we were coming back the next day. We assured her we would be back. When we were walking to our car we passed by the outside window to their classroom. Anna's face and the others were pressed against the glass calling to us. This was hard to take. Before adopting you see pictures and watch videos but it is not the same as being here. These children need the love of a family.

 * Please note that we cannot show pictures of Anna or the other children.