Today was pretty uneventful, and we liked it. Got up around 8:00 and then went for our breakfast at the hotel since it's include with our room (that's a blessing!). We then came back to our room for some study time. Math with Mike is going better. Viktorija said, "I think it won't be so bad now". I think she meant that Mike is a good teacher and she is getting a better understanding of algebra. Heaven knows she's better off with Mike teaching the Math than me!!

She spent some time playing computer games and then we had lunch in the room. PB& J...you can't beat it! Then it was time for some English and spelling, with me. Nouns, verbs, and prepositions were the course for today. She caught on well. Her little struggle is with spelling. The Latvian alphabet looks much like ours, but sounds totally different. So, learning the letters and sounds in English is a lot of repetition. She's doing well.

To relax, Mike and I read while Viktorija played her games. I also had this great idea that I would bring some theraband along on the trip so I could get some exercise (there's no gym around). Well, today was the first day I used it. It's not quite like going to a gym and feeling exhilarated. But, Mike and I tried:-)

The clothes and coat we sent home with Viktorija in the Summer didn't return with her. She said she doesn't know what happened to her new coat. But, we were told that everything kind of becomes shared property. So, I know we will have some fun shopping for some new clothes that are just hers.

When we were at court on Monday, Mike took Viktorija out of the room so that I could ask more in depth questions about her background. Viktorija had told us that she was dropped off at an orphanage when she was 5, by her alcoholic mother. What I was told was that, yes, her mother is indeed an alcoholic, but that Vktorija was found in an abandoned house when she was 6 yrs old, by herself. She weighed only 13 kilograms (approx 30 lbs) at the age of 6! She was literally starving. She was found and taken to a crisis center. From there she was sent to one foster home for 7 yrs. This foster family apparently did not do a very good job, so she was removed and placed less than a year ago with the latest family. Her first foster mom continues to try to contact Viktorija, as she doesn't want Viktorija to be adopted. The courts do not want her to have any contact with this woman, which Viktorija is aware of and in agreement with. However, since we've been here, there have been 6 attempted calls from this lady. I can't imagine what must go through Viktorija's mind. She has thankfully been seeing a psychologist about all of these changes. She tells us she is very happy with the way things are going now.

She's a tough little lady. I admire her strength and her will. I can learn a lot from my daughter. It is with great love and respect for her that I continue on this journey of motherhood.

That's all for today. More memories tomorrow.... Love to all!