Our little girl at last...with pictures!

Today has been so eventful that it's hard to know where to begin.  We took a cab this morning to Victoria's orphanage for the last time.  When we arrived we gave an outfit to her caretakers to put on her and began to discuss details with the director of the orphanage.  We went to Victoria's department and met her, many other children and her caretakers there.  She was fairly quiet, but smiling so brightly.  We were given everything that Victoria owned in one plastic folder, finished asking questions, signed one paper, and we were out the door. 

The cab took us to the Burgas airport, but we found out our flight was cancelled due to snow.  So we took a bus with the other flight passengers to Varna (just north of Burgas) where, after a 2 hour drive, we boarded a plane and took off for Sofia (the capitol city where we are going to complete paperwork for Victoria's passport and the US Embassy).  Victoria loved the airplane, she was so excited to ride it.  I was a little nervous what her reaction would be to taking off and landing, but she was so into it!  John said that she was his adventurous one!  When we landed we took a cab and drove to the police department in the nick of time to apply for Victoria's passport.  We were so thankful that we got in today, because it would have really complicated our time here if we'd have missed it.  We were not able to stop for lunch, so I was so thankful I had packed snacks for Victoria.  She was so patient and compliant the whole day.  She seems to be very excited and content to have a daddy and mommy.  It seems she's even excited to see her sisters.  I never really saw her very sad today, just thoughtful.  We'll see what tomorrow holds. 

After the applying for Victoria's passport, Petkov, the owner of organization that works on the Bulgaria side of the adoptions took us to a mall with a grocery store to buy some food for the week.  He then took us to the apartment where we will be staying for the rest of the week.  (The apartment is furnished very well; it has two bedrooms, a living and dining area, kitchen and even a washing machine.  We are very comfortable.)  We walked back to the mall for dinner and had some Bulgarian food and Dunkin Doughnuts. 

When we arrived back at our apartment, it was 8:00.  We started to get Victoria ready for bed.  This was the first time we saw her really nervous.  We both laid down with her until she fell asleep.  After a while she was sleeping pretty soundly, and we got up to have a snack and a movie.  Like a typical child, she woke up and we found her coming into the living area to see us.  We're thankful that she wasn't a bit scared.  John's in there now again helping her go back to sleep.  She needs to be confident that we will always be there for her, and it seems that might be beginning to happen - which is a relief for us!  We still have a long way to go!  Tomorrow looks like we'll be able to relax a good part of the day, which will be very nice.  John and I have been pushing pretty hard, and Victoria I'm sure is tired from so many changes so fast.  Thank you for your prayers!  We've seen God putting things together despite many what could have become big complications during this trip.

Victoria's classmates had made her a special hat in celebration of her adoption

Our beautiful little girl

Yes, our little girl!

Victoria with her caretakers.  You can see the love they have for this little girl.

Victoria leaving everything she has ever known.

But God has a plan for Victoria, and this is in His plan.