Note from Pat

[We wanted to share a note that Pat (Aaron's Mother) sent to family and her work, see below...]

Wanted to let you know that everything has gone well to this point although with a lot of stress considering all of the unknowns. We have a nice, clean, small hotel in Abakan that has a restaurant and a computer that can be used for a ruble a minute. No one speaks any English here so it is interesting to survive and fit in. However, Aaron and Shannon are doing great with their first international travel and to a region that few Americans have ever seen.

We had a great day yesterday and today with him. He is beautiful, engaging, smart, and a very warm child. I cried when we had to leave him today. He will be a wonderful addition to our family. We took lots of pictures and video. He passed all of Shannon's tests with flying colors. Aaron and he played ball. He was very quick to respond back to any prompts,even though he started out somewhat reserved. I think he knows what it takes to win people over. The caregivers at the orphanage seem very proud of him and fond of him as well. For the time we were there, the staff at the orphanage exceeded my expectations. I felt better about his care even though they can not replicate a family.
I talked to our interpretor and she indicated that fewer than 5% of the children raised in orphanages have schooling beyond 9th grade. The outlook for them is not good if they have to stay for their entire childhood. Even though the government is concerned about foreign adoptions, the local officials who deal with children in state custody and the staff appear very positive that this child will be given a home no matter that it is in another country. I think Victor will have more than a home with Aaron and Shannon. He is one blessed child.

We hope to have a safe trip back. The flight on Air Vladivostok for 4 hours was not ideal. We face that again tomorrow in our return to Moscow. Aaron and Shannon will be the lucky ones to return. However, Abakan is becoming more familiar and will hold many positive memories for all of us. We have lots to tell all of you. Take care.