"Julia Nora Redman"

Today we filed papers with the court and gave Julia her official American name...Julia Nora Redman!  We were given the option of changing her birthday by 6 mos., but declined since we thought it would just end up being confusing.

Julia seems to be doing great and we are really enjoying getting to know her.  We found out that some of the care givers were telling her not to go to America...that we were bad people...but we don't know any more of the details.  Some of the people that we are working with have been able to dispel that information for her, so she seems more relaxed and smiles more often.  We plan to spend the weekend with her, so we should have more to report next week.

For anybody interested in adopting in Ukraine and feeling unsure about adopting older children, we will say this.....There are so many fantastic older children here (10-16), do not be afraid....we are wishing we had signed up for more.

Signing off for now, Paula and Michael