Written By: Inessa Shiryaeva

The first half of the year has been exciting, interesting, challenging, emotional and very, very happy for so many families.  The hearts fill with excitement when the paperwork is done and the dossier is finally submitted.  The hearts tremble when you receive those treasured pictures of your little ones waiting for you, and you start getting busy, all excited and overwhelmed with your coming trip.  Our hearts here at FTIA feel every emotion and stay ready and open for you to help you with advice, help and support.  Our hearts feel that excitement and tears of joy when you are coming home with your little ones and your families and friends come to meet you at the airport and everybody wants to play with the little ones and talk and ask so many questions.  Their hearts are happy for you as many of them have gone through the whole journey with you, supporting you, holding your hand, listening to you when your wait seemed endless and desire to go back and bring the little one home any minute.

We, knowing the majority of families by voices and pictures, are so happy to see them at different events.  The Russian Christmas party in January this year in New Jersey had more than 60 families who adopted within this past year and more that 4 or 5 years ago.  The hearts again melt when you see children, parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles.  Hugs, words and expressions of love are everywhere around you. 

Children are enjoying Russian folk songs performed by a folk group in fancy Russian outfits and crowns.  Balalaika, harmonica and tambourine make everybody dance and even sing in Russian. 

More excitement:  Grandfather Frost with his granddaughter Snow Maiden in their warm fur coats and hats give Christmas gifts to everyone.  People are already making plans to come again next year…

The greatest of all folk groups of the former Soviet Union and current Russia Moiseyev Dance Company performed at the River Park Center in Owensboro, KY in the beginning of this year. 

Those who had a chance to see the performance did not have enough words to describe their impressions: grace, cultural authenticity, beauty and professionalism of dancers, who were able through dance and music to convey so many feelings and cultural traditions.  Even parents who were afraid at the beginning that the children will not sit for more than half an hour, did not have any complaints: the kids were just amazed as much as their parents.  Certainly, the boys were impressed with the soccer performance and World War II Partisan show.  The girls wanted to have the fancy Ukrainian wreaths with multi-colored ribbons, sparkling Moldavian shirts and bright flowery embroidered Russian folk outfits. (Enjoy the dance company’s website http://www.moiseyev.ru/eng/index.aspx)

You will see more stories in this Newsletter about other FTIA activities such as FTIA Family Reunion and others.

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