Things are really going well!

Hi Everyone-

I am so sorry that I haven't blogged since Katya's return; I know everyone is anxious to hear how she is adjusting.

Things have gone extremely well since Katya came home on June 21st. She learned a great deal at the facility where she spent a month. If you asked Katya about it, she will tell you it was a "horrible, terrible place, the worst place in America." She would also tell you it is where she learned about respect and how to obey her parents. The woman who operates the facility, Miss Lesia, is a miracle worker whose calling in life is to work with children with defiance and attachment disorders. She is truly an angel sent from God to answer parent's prayers! Katya loved her but loathed her at the same time. I believe Katya so hated being at "Miss Lesia's" house that she will behave just to avoid going back. Whatever Miss Lesia did, it worked, and Katya is definitely attaching to Fred and me.

Katya and I are following a pretty rigid schedule during the week when it's just the two of us at home. We have a little more flexibility on the weekends but we still have order and structure. Katya has no "privileges" yet, but she is working toward earning a birthday party on July 20th. We are under the guidance of her behavioral analyst who we visit bi-weekly. Nadya takes all the guess work out of parenting Katya.

I appreciate all the love and prayers that everyone sent our way during Katya's stay at the center, or rehab as we jokingly call it. (We have to find some humor in the situation or we'd go nuts!) Thanks everyone and keep those prayers coming! This is just the beginning of a very long journey. We celebrated the 10-month anniversary of Katya's citizenship yesterday and if you could hear her English you'd be amazed! If only we could all learn that quickly!