Katya is Home!

Katya and Julia arrived at Denver International Airport very late on Wednesday night. It was just the family this time around so we didn't linger in the airport. Within a few short minutes we were driving home. It was a great feeling to finally have all 8 of us together. I hadn't taken the outdoor christmas lights off of our pine trees in the front yard just for this occasion and so the lights were all on as we pulled up. Nobody really felt like going right to bed so we spent time on a tour of the house and yard. Katya couldn't believe that Zhenya was driving so we had to do a quick drive around the neighborhood for proof. It has finally happened. We just can't believe we got her home. It was January of 2003 when we first met and fell in love with Katya. Since that time we have hoped and worked against long odds to bring her here. It has been such a burden to carry knowing that we had a daughter we loved in Ukraine living in the care of a foreign government. Everyday we were weighed down with the thought of the possibilities of her never being able to come to the US, and the dangers she would face if she couldn't. Now that she is here, it means that much more to our family.

Katya has been having fun and enjoying her family for the past two days. She will start in the 8th grade at Castle Rock Middle School on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. She will share most of Alexia's same classes at school which will be a great opportunity for them to bond. Tonight she cooked the potatoes for dinner Ukrainian style (fried with onions).

I promise to continue posting about all our kids progress and transition to family life and America.

This weekend I plan on posting dozens of photos from our trip and maybe a video from the airport, so check back soon!