This week in photos...

 Ava hasn't been much for changing her clothes these past few days so we let her stay in her fashionable clothes provided by the orphanage. That girl is cute, regardless of what she's wearing. Lately when playing chase, Ava will back up to the wall and pretend to count "1, 2, 3.. go!" It's so cute that she's holding up her fingers while trying to count.

 

So we found these sticks in the corner and Ava loves playing with them. She likes to put them in the corner, walk around with then and put them on the floor to jump over. As much as we never thought we'd say this, we think Ava might actually be bored of coloring ALL day! With that said, we do still color a little bit each visit. =)

  

What mommy has been waiting for! Ava is rocking her doll Olivia as we sing different songs. Ava wasn't too interested in dolls during the first trip, so you can imagine how happy mommy is that she is starting to play with them this trip. In between Ava rocking her doll, she asked us to wrap her (Ava) up and rock her like a baby as we sing. We're more than happy to give Ava life experiences that she never got growing up.

  

Oh yea, dancing has only gotten better. Ava has mastered the twirling and I think this photo is good proof.

  

One of many, many kisses from mommy during our visits. 

  

This one was taken while we were rocking and singing to Ava.

 
 

On Monday we had a short visit with Ava before the hearing. Ava first recognized daddy's tie, and know something was up. Our coordinator, Sveta, also stopped in for a short time and Ava greeted her with warm hugs and many smiles. Ava must remember Sveta from when Sveta visited her while mommy and daddy had to be at home between visits.

  

Since our visits have switched from mornings to afternoons, we get to see a beautiful sunset everyday on the way home. This photo was taken out the window at 120 km/hr.

  

Self-portraits in the car on the way back to the city.

  

March 8th is "Women's Day", which is a big holiday here in KAZ. It is kind of like our Mother's Day but celebrates all women. The kids in the schools and orphanages have been practicing songs and choreographed dances for weeks. Kari was invited to go see Elizabeth's performance (Elizabeth is the youngest daughter of the Issac family, our good friends here). Since there are so many kids, they break up the performances by the different grade levels into different days.

  

Elizabeth is on the right. Kari really enjoyed the nearly one hour performance by Elizabeth's class. There was dancing, singing, games and even parental involvement. Afterwords everyone enjoyed snacks and tea in Elizabeth's classroom. We hear that these performances are really big here, and there's usually the of them throughout the year. The older girls even get their hair professionally done for these events!

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So today is what we've dubbed "court's eve." Please join us in prayer that the second hearing will go well and that all those required will be present. We are so thankful for our friends and family lifting us up from all over the world! We are eager to put this step behind us and look forward to delivering good news tomorrow!