Tatiana continues to adjust to her new home and family. She squeals with delight when playing with her brothers and loves to take her clothes off and play! She is sleeping better than in Russia and is eating is more normal portions. (Many of the children who come out of institutions eat and eat until the food stops coming) Tatiana went to church for the first time yesterday and enjoyed playing in the nursery with me. She also made her first trip to Meijer! She helped put the food in the cart and loved riding in the cart.

When we arrived Tatiana was hesitant to be close to Meka and Emma, our dogs. Over the past few days she has gone from screaming with fear when they are near to calling their names and then running when they come, to petting them, pulling their hair and calling their names even when we are in the van driving to the grocery store!

Yesterday we watched the video of Kevin and I arriving at the orphanage to pick up Tatiana. Tatiana watched with us and first was excited to see herself. Then she was quiet and said "dome"...I pointed to the TV and then to our house...asking her which was dome. She pointed to the orphanage and said "dome". I can only imagine what she is experiencing...the loss of the only home she has known and all of the fears and wonder that have come with the changes in her life. We will continue to talk with Tatiana, over the days, months and years about all of the changes and loss she has experienced. And we will continue to pray that she feels peace in her heart and that she knows she is loved by her parents and by God.---Melanie