Banners Waving

I think I will keep it short today, seriously!

Had a sentimental day today...Today is Lily's 10th birthday and I am 5,600 miles away from her.  It breaks my heart not to be able to celebrate with her.  She is brave and strong and wonderful, I cried, she encouraged me.  With each event I miss I grow more and more grateful for my girls and husband.

Then, as if I wasn't already feeling weepy enough, we go to the U.S Embassy so that Jamie can sign the necessary documents for me to be able to finish things up here while he returns home.  The first thing I see when we come around the corner was the most beautiful American flag waiving high above the ground.  There was even a nice breeze that made it stand at attention, just like it were waiting for me.  I was immediately choked up and overcome with pride for my country.  It also provoked that strong pull of the American soil calling me home.  Annie was thrilled that there was a real American bathroom, with air freshener and all.

Yesterday we had our last visit with Daria at the orphanage.  Crazy really, next time we see her we will be picking her up, leaving a life as an orphan and being joined to our family forever.  We went for pizza (ugh) kinda done with pizza but her days of having any Ukrainian pizza are few so I can endure for her sake.  On the walk back we stopped at a park to play for a few minutes and then she wanted to race Annie in a good old fashioned foot race.  Funny really, Annie hates to run but she was a good sport and went along with it.  We stayed and played before we said our goodbyes.  Big bear hugs and she sent us out with blown kisses and one butterfly kiss for me.

Last night we made our true Ukrainian adventure, we traveled by overnight train in an open compartment.  Wow...lets just say, none of us slept much and I am pretty sure I now have bruises on both hips from the non-mattress sleeping experience.  Good news, we made it safely back to Kiev.

Tonight, we said our goodbyes to Jamie who flies out early in the morning.  We will follow him to the airport a few hours later to head to Germany for a few days of R&R before returning to Ukraine and finishing the task at hand.

It is always hard to say goodbye, but the good news is that this is the last goodbye we Degnan's will be having for a very long time.  Wow, just saying those words is music to my ears.  Really, we are nearing the end, the finish-line, the long hello rather than goodbye.  The last goodbye!

Annabelle continues to be a travel trooper, nothing seems to faze her.  She is loving the food and the chocolate.  She is not looking forward to the travel tomorrow, she hates going through security.  But she is looking forward to seeing her German friend Lulu.  I can't wait to see her either and my old (as in long time friends, not "old") friends Nancy and Friederich.  I have never been to Germany and am looking forward to some relaxation, hanging with friends and seeing some the local culture and scenery, all while doing it with Annabelle.  Today she even got in the act by helping our "hostess with mostess" read the water meter which was located behind the washer and dryer.  She was the only one small enough, yet big enough for the job.

I do owe a huge shout out to our friends, the Liebman's and the Armitage's...who have not only taken on the care of Emma and Lily this past week, but they are throwing Lily a birthday party tonight, gifts, cake and Rob's hot wings and all.  Bless you guys, really, we love and appreciate you all so much.  Then there are the Johnson's who took Lily for a birthday sleepover this weekend.  Thanks for stepping up when we had to step out!  I just keep coming back to how blessed we are to have so many simply amazing people in our lives.  We couldn't be doing this without you.

So with banners waving, the birthday banner and the banner of our great nation.  Both bless me!