GOT PASSPORT, GOT VISA, GOT PLANE TICKETS, COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

We are coming HOME! Mattea's passport was ready for pick-up Monday afternoon without any problems. We took the night train from Odesa to Kyiv and went right from the train station to do Mattea's visa photos. Then after breakfast we headed to the US Embassy to apply for her visa. That also went smoothly and I was told to come back Wednesday at 2:00 to finish paperwork and pick up the visa.
I was able to contact another adoptive family who just had their SDA appointment on Monday and we got to meet for dinner at TGIFriday's on Tuesday night. That was something that I had been hoping to be able to do! (Picture a little farther down)
We had a late breakfast this morning at the Ukrainian Kitchen---I LOVE Ukrainian food! "Cutlets" and varenyky...total comfort food! I will miss that and/or have to learn to cook them at home. Varenyky with cherries inside and sour cream on top...yum!
At 2:00 we were at the Embassy again and about an hour later I walked out with Mattea's visa in hand!
I made one last shopping stop for some more of the Ukrainian tights for Mattea. They are very thick and warm and I do not think we have them in the US. I liked them so much that I wanted to be sure she had plenty for the next year or so.
Finally tonight they hooked up the internet at the apartment for me and I am able to post one last time before we head out in the morning.
Delta switched our flight from Saturday to Thursday without a hitch this time, thank goodness. So noon tomorrow we fly from Kyiv to JFK to Salt Lake City, then on Friday morning we head home to NM. Home.

I took this photo as a "baseline" to remember how Mattea looks now. I had them weigh her at the Embassy and she weighed between 23 and 24 pounds fully dressed. She does, however, like to eat so I hope those ribs don't show quite so much in a few months.

This is Mattea on the night train from Odesa to Kyiv. We had to take a "first-class" sleeping unit as the "second-class" section that we rode in before was sold out. She had not been feeling well for the past day or two, fussy and a fever.

Sad face on the train. No smiles for the last 2 days.

Folded in half, taking a nap in Odesa.

Mama, I don't feel well...

Luckily she slept well last night and woke up all smiles this morning and is back to her mealtime happy dances.

Here we are at Friday's with Debbie and her family who are here hoping to adopt Olga. Their public blog is http://www.jerdebwalker.blogspot.com/

This will be my last blog post until we are in the USA. Please keep us in your prayers as we head out tomorrow for that long overseas flight...To my family, I cannot wait to see you all again! I love you much! We are on our way HOME!!!