4th day to visit~~What a joy!

Today was the fourth day that we went to visit the boys. The older one was ready and waiting for us to show up. We had to take some stuff into the orphanage before we could visit with them, so Diester asked our driver/facilitator to please let him know that we were coming out as soon as we put our stuff up. We did that, and came immediately out to see both of them. The older one walked down when he saw us coming, and today he was not as energetic in his greeting, until I picked him up, and then he put his arms around my neck and held on. We then were moving towards where the little guy’s group was and a caregiver was bringing him in our direction. As soon as we saw him, he picked up his pace, and with his arms outstretched he was walking straight for his papa to be picked up. WOWSA! It was the greatest thing to experience his desire to be loved on again today by us.


So, with the boys in our arms, we started to meander down the orphanage driveway, and we were loving on them, and holding them close, and letting them know that we loved them. They were welcoming all of the love we would offer. It was a moment to be cherished. We would point out the flowers that were blooming, and there was a bumblebee that we watched.

Then we headed to our favorite spot~the benches in the front of the orphanage. We did the balloon thing again, and they enjoyed it, but they enjoyed when Diester would bounce them on his knee a tad bit more than the balloons I believe. At one point when playing with the balloons, the little guy’s balloon popped, and it was darling to see the older one go directly over to him to share the extra balloon he was carrying. I have to say that a mama’s heart is quite warmed by that kind of generous act between siblings.  Our girls are like that, and were touched by the story when we told them. SWEET!

The little guy and mama (me) played peek-a-boo a bit, and it was a good way to get some smiles, and a bit more eye contact. I was lovin’ that. When the balloons started to get a bit old today, I started to do a dance with the little guy. He loves to dance to music or anything~~it has been a while, but I think most little ones are like that. But, I will take anything I can get in the way of interactions.

One thing that we did with the older one today was to offer him a ride in the driver/facilitator’s ‘machina’. He took them up on the offer, and the driver, Diester, and he drove around the orphanage once. When they were done, the driver asked him if he liked it, and he said that he did like it, and then of his own thoughts, he said, in Russian, “I am not afraid to ride in a car.” She offered to take him for a ride tomorrow, and he said “Yes.” He has such a fascination for cars. It is like a fireworks show is going off, and he can’t think about/do anything else when a car is around. It is quite entrancing for him.

We did go inside in the music room again for a bit, and we have decided that there are just way too many toys for them to play with. They just don’t know what to do first, and they start playing more on their own.  Diester and I need to stategize about some other interactive activities to engage them better.  So, we visited in there some more, and did the dump truck riding again. We got a picture of the music teacher with the boys. That was nice to get.  They love her playing the piano and accordion.

We have tried to read books to them. Not happening.  YET! 

After the boys had to leave, which the oldest one did not want to do (AHHHH!); we were offered the papers while still at the orphanage to sign petitioning the court to accept our intent to adopt the boys with no chance of them being offered to any other family. We gladly accepted, and now it is official that the boys are in line to be adopted by US. YEA! ! ! !

After we left the orphanage, we headed to the notary, and signed papers stating that we were petitioning the court to adopt the boys; and also to get the birth certificates changed to show that we are the parents, and to show their names as we officially want their names to be. So, things are starting to move.

We will visit the Dr's for our exams, and then go back to see them tomorrow.  Then be heading home all day Saturday for about 18 hours crammed into one day (time change). We are looking forward to seeing the girls that have blessed our lives for so many years. Can’t wait to see you Hannah and Mallory! We love you two so much!