The Sun is Shinning

To say we are tired would be like saying the Grand Canyon is only a hole in the ground. With the Lack of Sleep and the high emotions of today, the excitement of the last few hours and everybody is ready to crash .... but we cannot. Soon we will taking Nata back to the foster house in Baldone.

Let me see ....... Oh yes, the daffodils are blooming the Birds are singing, and everything is just right. Okay, so it's a bit corny but what can I say, our family is complete!  As mentioned before, Ilze was to meet us at our apartment at 9:30 and then a 3 minute walk to the Orphans Court. For those who followed our adventure last year you may remember our 2 hour drive into Ogre. However, the Riga Orphans Court is literally right around the corner from our apartment. We were led into a small room where her social worker went through with us Nata’s medical background. We learned more about the "old Foster," her bio-parents and new foster parents. Ilze of-course translating as she went. Some new facts came out about the "old Foster" and the death of Andre. Each time something was said bad about the old foster family I would glance over at Sanija to see how she was doing. For the most part she was good but on several occasions I could see Sanija face go blank as she listened intently. While others stayed engaged with the OC, my attention was diverted Sanija. I wish I could tell what she was thinking when she found out the foster dad didn’t put any real value on Andre’s life. Or how they did not do their jobs in prepping the girls for adoption and…… the list is too long. My sweet, strong little girl. How I wanted to just hold her.

To be honest, I think if the OC Representative would have known this was the ‘famous’ Sanija I do not think she would have spoken so strongly about the old Fosters in front of her. As it turned out near the end of that part of the session, she found out that this “was” the other girl and actually had met her before but could not recognize her because of how much she has changed.  But it was good for Sanija to hear the truth for an outside source. I just hate that there may have been pain in her heart.

After about 20 minutes or so, the rep got a buzz on her phone. She said that is was Nata. With excitement we all stood up and waited for her to arrive. In walked a smiling little girl. Both Sheri and Sanija were the first to give her a hug but Sanija will tell you she got the first. She was happy, very happy as we all gave our littlest girl hugs and kisses.

We met the new foster mom and she seemed very nice and supportive. But we needed to get back down to business. Nata took a seat on Mommy’s lap as we finish up with the second portion of business.  Unfortunately, the foster mom could not join us for drinks (coffee or water or juice) after it was done.

The two girls, Ilze, Sheri and I went over to the Fat Pumpkin (surprise, surprise). Soon it was just the Rossini family and we set off for the dressmakers shop. This is the same shop that Sanija got her traditional dress made. We learned from the last time that we needed at least 2 to 3 weeks to have her costume made. It was so fun watching everybody dote over her. Even Sanija took a back seat to her and she acted like a great sister all day long.

Next stop was the 3D ride that Sanija loved so much last year. Hearing the girls scream (fun scream) during the ride was so entertaining and so satisfying to me, it just warms my heart.

Watching my two girls act like sisters today was so much fun. The tricks on each other, the hugs and kisses, tag, racing, laughing, more laughing was just so special. I now have my perfect family and Nata is just where she is supposed to be. There is no doubt in my mind…….there never was.

Nata has picked up right where she left off when it comes to Sheri. I saw Nata grab Sheri’s hand to hold several times throughout the day. Although she still calls me Daddy, she was a little apprehensive of me. It will take a few days for her to feel comfortable with me again…..I can wait.  We come to realize

That there are no real men in her life. Even at the new Foster Home (FS) the Foster Father travels so much they really don’t see him.  It’s no wonder why Nata is afraid of men.

Before we left to take Nata back to her foster home, Sanija and Nata put on a dance recital for us. People in the building across from us must have had a fun time watching two girls shake their booty.  Both Sheri and I agreed that this is one of our favorite moments.

After a long drive to Baldone we had a chance to be with the foster family for about an hour. The kids were great and one girl in particular keep watching me. Her name was Anastacia and by the time we left I would get many hugs from her goodbye. It breaks my heart to see these kids all up for adoption. By the way, there were 5 of them not counting Nata. We exchanged gifts but Ilze has a bit of a cold. We said our fairwells and set off to return to Riga.

There is more but we just got back and I still have not slept. I’m exhausted. Tomorrow, we will meet with Ilze around twelve and the foster mom where she will hand off Nata. Our court hearing is at 2:50pm and we can’t wait. Neither can Nata.

Good night all.