Brooke, Dad, & Mom standing in a town square next to a statue and a cathedral in the background.

This is my 23rd birthday in Ukraine, the first time I got to be away from home on my birthday.

From June 16 - July 6, I was in Ukraine with my family for an adoption of a little girl, Julia. The trip was a great experience for all of us. My mom, sister Brooke, and I came back home together on July 6 leaving my dad over there for two more weeks to finalize everything before bringing Julia home.