Forgot to include these pix with the post I just wrote~~

Isaac in a close-up with his family photo album.  I don't know if he was kissing the picture of mom and dad or spitting on it! he he

Mama giving Roman a piggy back ride. 

Isaac just loving the piggy back ride!

Mama telling Roman "1 more turn, and that's it!"  My neck is killing me right now!

Isaac chilling after his last piggy back ride.  Love the smile!

Dad looking at the Roman's family photo album with him after his nap.  This was just moments ago.  Isaac is still sleeping.

I hope you enjoy the pictures!  I have a big lunch to get set out, so I best get going so we get to St. Basil's on time!  Lots of love, Michelle

Getting familiar . . .

. . .with having little ones again! ! !

Sure, we knew we were getting little ones, but it has been a little while since we have trained up little ones.  Our girls are 14 and 16 now, and we can talk with them about most things, they are independent, they can entertain themselves.  Not so with the little guys!  So, we are being retrained.  Nap when they nap! (I just woke up from my nap.)  Eat enough to have energy with them.  Be watchful of their every position in the apt (later the house).  Teach them to eat the foods they are being given~~watching their expression when they like something, the turn of the head when they don't want what is being offered. 

I have a story that was a blessing to me especially.  We took the boys to a doctor in Moscow the first morning that we arrived.  He spoke English.  He does a complete physical examination of the boys for the documents, etc. that need to be filed.  Roman was first and was found very healthy.  During that time, Isaac was getting somewhat restless, and I was doing my best to appease him, distract him, play with him, etc.  The doctor saw my actions, and was quick to let me know he had something that he wanted to tell us.  He said, (in so many words)"Those are crocodile tears. You have to realize that these boys have been in an orphanage.  They know how to behave.  It is sort of like a military situation where they know what is expected of them, and they do it.  If you continue to let them run the show, and you give in to their every caprice, then you will have a lot of trouble when you get home.   They will be ruling you, and not you ruling them.  When you get home, you will need to be living life, and they will have to get used to their new life."    WOWSA!  I am almost in tears as I write this.  It is difficult to know how to handle some situations for sure, as is parenting any child, but with adopted children, there is always an attachment issue that also needs to be addressed that weighs heavy in the back of my mind.  So there is a balancing act that I guess I was trying to do, and when he spoke those words to me, it was as if the Lord were saying to me,  "Do not forget that you are under my authority to train up these children, and in training them up properly, they will learn that they are loved."  I have read many a book on adoption, many on reactive attachment disorders, and the list goes on, in preparing to get these little guys under our care, and to know how to handle whatever may come our way.  You know, it is always easier to think you are prepared, but when the rubber meets the road, you wonder if you recall any of what you read.  Isaac was then checked out, and also found to be healthy.  Praise the Lord for their good check-ups, and the doctor who spoke truth to me from the Lord!  It has certainly taken a weight off of my shoulders.  Now you can catch Diester and I saying, as we go throughout the day with them, "Those are crocodile tears."  and we both know that means Isaac or Roman is just wanting their way, or attention when something else is going on.  Thank the Lord! 

Today we are headed back to Red Square!  It is easier to take walks with them, and get fresh air when we are couped up in this 3 (very small) room apartment.  Mind you, I am very thankful for it.  Small makes it easier to keep our eye on them.  Small is easier to clean.  Small is easier to stay in touch with each other.  Small also allows for more bonding with the little guys. I am also thankful for the apt, because I have a kitchen to make our meals in, and to save us a ton of money.  But, to get out, and walk, and get sunshine!  I love it!  And, we are going to try to make it to St. Basil's Cathedral again, and go inside today.  

Another thing that Diester wanted me to mention is our prayer time before meals.  It is something we do before every meal.  I know that not all families do this, but it is important to us.  So, we have started this with them, and it is so cute.  They already know that before any food is put on the table it is prayer time.  So they hold out their hands to hold hands with us, and then Diester leads us in prayer.  Of course, it is all "English" to them.  (hehe-not Greek)  They understand nothing of what is being said, but when Diester end with "in Jesus' name."  We all say "AMEN" together.  It is precious to see their eyes light up when they holler out "AMEN!"  Praise the Lord!

The boys are done with their naps, and so it is time for me to sign off.  Have a wonderful weekend!  Still asking for prayers for our trip home on the airplanes!  For me to have a peace about whatever happens!  Thank you!

May you be blessed!  Michelle

In Moscow for 2 days, and recouperating from the travel & time changes!

Okay, it probably sounds like we are taking it easy, right?  Are you kidding me?  The boys were up by 4:00 this morning, A.M. that is! ! !  We got to see the moon setting, and the sun rising all in our morning. Okay, well they had slept for 9 hours, but we were hoping that with the lack of sleep in the last few days that it would have at least been 6:00.  Thank goodness Diester and I were tired enough to get to sleep earlier than later last night.  So after we eat breakfast at 4:30 a.m.~Diester did dishes, and I played with the boys for a bit.  We then decided to go to the grocery store for some more water, and as we were walking there, we were planning out our day.  He suggests that possibly the market may not be open yet, and I am thinking it is about 9:00 by this time, and I asked Diester what time it was.  He said he thought it was maybe 7:00-7:30, and I was sure he was mistaken, so I looked at his watch, and it said something like 10:59 our time, so it was only 7:00am and we had been up already 3 hours! ! !  Okay so what to do with our day!  

We had our appt at 11:30 at the U.S. Embassy to get the visa for the boys to immigrate to the U.S., and were getting picked up by 10:45 for that.  We still has almost 3 hours to kill.   Thinking. . . how is all of this going to work?  If we don't lay the boys down for a nap, then our trip to the embassy is going to be a nightmare.  But then again, if we do lay them down for a nap, they will tired too early for night, and we will start this all over again tomorrow!  YIKES!  4:00 a.m. is just way too early for Diester and me.

The GRAND PLAN!  Give them a nap, take a nap (at the same time as the boys-hehe), go to the U.S. Embassy, come home and eat lunch, kill some time, go to The Kremlin and Red Square, (even though we had been told it was quite a distance), and then eat dinner late, so that everything else will be delayed, so that they can get to bed later to hopefully sleep later tomorrow morning.  Sounded like a plan.  Naps went well w/o a hitch.  We woke them right before we got picked up, and went to the embassy.  The traffic was not as bad as expected, so we got there rather early.  Alex, our driver, interpreter, and everything else while here, knew of a playground right near the embassy, so we walked there until we had to be to the embassy.  WELL, there were two teenage girls at this park with a little doggie.  (Don't know the breed, but it was a cute little thing.)  The boys were so excited to see this little dog, and the dog was just as excited to see them.  He was trained really well, and would calm down for the girl, and they could make the dog do tricks, etc.  (Okay, it has just started storming here, and beings that we are on the 22nd floor of this apt bldg, it is some pretting interesting lightning! you know, being right in the clouds!  :-)  Anyway, Isaac was wanting to get closer to the doggie.  He is dancing on the sand just so excited about this doggie, and wanting it to interact with him.  Roman is interested, but more interested to make sure the doggie gets nowhere close to him.  He was hanging pretty close with Diester.  In the meantime, Isaac did decide to try the slide out, and was enjoying that, as well as Roman.  Then his attention would turn to the dog again.  It was the cutest thing to watch.  (I have no pictures, because we were not allowed to take any electronic devices into the embassy, so unfortunately, this memory is only going to be in my head, and on this blog.)  But it was pretty cool to see him~no fear. . . until the dog ran over to him, and jumped up on him, and even jumped higher than he is tall.  He did back up a couple of times closer to mom, but didn't freak out.  This teeny little dog was just as wound up as Isaac.  Then all of a sudden, the dog runs up the ladder steps and went down the ladder.  Talk about entertaining our boys! ! ! Oh my! !  He did it several times, and then he even went up the slide, and back down backwards.  The tricks this dog could do!  Now no other dog is ever going to impress our boys like this one did!  Roman decided he was no longer safe being up on the platform, because he could see that this doggie could run way faster to get up and down the ladder and slide.  He was done with his sliding for today. 

Time to go to the U.S. Embassy.  Wowsa!  Lots of people there trying to get to the US!  We have heard that only about 1 in 2 actually do get a visa to travel.  They are very limiting, but apparently, with no specific rhyme or reason.  So, we get past that, and get then we are lunch.  Lunch and misc.~Now we get ready to head out for Red Square!  It was around 2:30 when we left.  We hiked there going up and down through tunnels (under some really busy roads in Moscow), and finally arrived.  It is really pretty cool.  Next time we go, we might go inside.  :-)  And the boys did great!

It was a truly busy day!  Isaac has been coughing a bit, so we are going to take it easy tomorrow.  No real big plans for outings, or adoption processing to do.   I am thankful for that.  He needs the break! 

Okay, so here is where I would like to mention, for those of you who make it to the end of my chapters, that we really struggled on our flight from Kras to Moscow.  It was hard.  Diester and I managed, and the boys' ears were not affected, however, they do not like the idea of being confined to a seat for 5 hours, nor being confined with a seat belt on.  We did all fall asleep for a bit (that is a really small amount of time).  The rest of the time, one of them was pretty much fighting the seatbelt, or fidgeting and wrestling in our arms.  It was quite interesting to say the least.  I am asking for prayers to cover the rest of our flights home.  We have one from Moscow to JFK (New York) that is 10 hours long.  And then from JFK to CVG, 2 more hours.  We need prayers for the Lord to please cover, and help us through the time in the air.  Roman did calm down when he saw us descending, and could see the landscape, and I think he was able to realize that he was in a type of "flying machina"!  Then all of a sudden, it was fun!  The last 40 minutes of the flight.  Meanwhile, Isaac is fussing in my arms.  We made it, but it would surely be nice if the next two flights went better.

Oh, it was pretty funny being the last ones to squeeze on the busthat takes you from the plane to the terminal.  The drunk lady from our flight was our greeter on the bus.  Diester became her next male victim. This turned out so funny, but there is no way that I can blog about it.  It is just too long.  Ask Diester sometime.  She was so excited to be in Moscow from Krasnoyarsk, and just whooping and hollering during the flight, then Diester got to stand next to her on the bus ride.  To make a long story short, he tells her towards the end of the ride (in Russian mind you) "See you later.  Have a nice day!" trying to ward her off; and I think about 1/2 the bus of these serious non-smiling Russians just about lost it.  The whole bus ride they were looking at me to see what I am thinking, and some of them have 1/2 smiles on knowing that he is enduring this lady, but at the end when he said that to her, they couldn't stand it no longer, and they just busted out laughing.  Of course, I am laughing the whole time too.  It was quite an unusual predicament he was in.  Bless his heart!  He was very gracious in spite of trying to shake her!

A blessing in here!  The boys are starting to interact with each other.  They really never got to play together that we can make of it.  Different groups, different play areas, different sleeping areas, etc.  And they are majorly sweet to each other.  Mind you, they will pull, haul off and hit, be mean in circumstances; but we have seen some really wonderful caring moments from them towards each other.   It is precious to watch! 

Okay, Hannah also got a burn on her leg, and is needing prayers.  Can you please pray for her?  I think it will be the 2nd time Stacey will have had to take her to the Dr. while we have been gone if they end up having to go.  She is a trooper though, and having so much fun in spite of her badly burned leg.  Stacey is a trooper too, for taking on our girls along with her family.  We have been abundantly blessed!

I better go now!  Thanks again for all of the prayers being offered up.  Any challenges we have faced so far, we have been able to deal with.  I know the Lord has been answering my prayers when I have been struggling with different issues while here.  It is incredible!    What more could I expect from our creator?  He is awesome!  Thank you Lord for taking care of us! 

God bless you all!   Michelle

Tonight (on 7/26) we leave Krasnoyarsk to go to Moscow for a week!

For those of you who have asked, we are heading to Moscow tonight.  We are required to be in Moscow 4 business days, which then takes us to next Monday.  We fly out on Tuesday morning, the 2nd of August, from Moscow and will be getting in on Tuesday evening back into Kentucky.  YEAH! ! !  We are missing our girls tremendously.  Today, Mallory started, and Hannah joined in singing some fun songs to the boys when we were skyping with them this morning.  The boys just stopped, and listened as their sister sang some songs to them~~some of the songs Mama and Papa have been singing to them.  Thanks Mallory!

We had a GREAT night's sleep last night!  Thank you Lord!  Not only were the boys fussy last night, but when we got them down, Mama just needed a good cry.  God has blessed us so much!  In so many ways!  It has been, even with the rough moments, a wonderful transition.  It is just a lot to go through, and only going through it do you really know the depths of all of the emotions, etc.  I read as much as I could beforehand, which was good, but living it is when you really understand it.  We gave them some of the herbal tincture that our Hannah had made, which is supposed to help them sleep, and it worked like a champ.  Thank goodness!  Mama and Papa were spent after yesterday!  So, guess what these boys are getting before we get on the flight tonight?  You got it!  Chamomile tincture!  Thanks Hannah!

I have to get packing.  Diester is entertaining the boys so I can pack up, and I am blogging.  I'm keeping it short~~Thank you for all of your prayers!  Michelle 

Missing home, and sad to say goodbye to Iris!

What a day we have had!  It has been a blessing in so many ways.  Iris brought me some more veggies for me to make another fresh salad, for which we have been so blessed.  But that is only part of it~as we spent just a few moments together, she shared with me that this time will most probably be the hardest, when we are adjusting.  (She has been there with so many adoptive families already.)  And, she was just speaking truth to my heart.  It was such a blessing.  You know, there are a ton of emotions going on, and it was so nice to have someone who knew my heart at the moment, how you start to really deal with real life, and the adjustment period.  I told Diester just a few days after we got here that the Loomans aren't just missionaries to the people groups in the Siberian area; they are missionaries to us adoptive parents.  I think that is why I am so sad tonight.  They were truly a light in this time of being in Russia.  Seriously, not many people smile here, and not only do the Loomans smile, but they have the love of Christ in their smile.  Thank you Loomans for being such a bright spot.  I could go on, but am really drained, and I wanted to tell you just some highlights.

It has been proven once again that some of the best toys are boxes, and blankets.  Not expensive things, but just things to let their imaginations go!

Another great thing~when there have been some crisis situations, such as someone 'drilling' something through our door tonight without us know about it~not really, it was just that loud, and we were in the middle of getting the boys to sleep, was that Roman calls out for Mama when he is scared or startled.  I am lovin' that.  Dad might be the one they want to hang with, but they are learning (or maybe have that instinct) that mom is the one they need to go to in an emergency.  YEAH!


Today, we took several walks after a restless sleep with Isaac, trying to see if that might lull him to sleep.  BTW, he is already responding more easily to his new name than he did to his old name.  We are thankful to God for that.  When we were getting ready to go out for one of the 3 walks, I had to take a potty break really quickly.  We were all ready to go, so the guys were just waiting on me.  Diester said that when they were waiting, Roman went up to Isaac, and put his hands on Isaac's cheeks, and got really close to him, and said something (we, of course, do not know what was said) and then backed up, and little Isaac had a big smile on his face.  What a treasure!  I relished the thought of that sweetness between the two of them.  We'll see how long that lasts, huh? 

Another blessing is that the sling that I brought actually fits Isaac still.  He is on the verge of being too heavy? for it.  However, he comes to me with his arms up when he sees me putting the sling on.  Wouldn't you if you knew you were going to get an ice cream?  (I know Mallory, you wouldn't.  hehe)

 

I will just show you some pictures of some of the things we did today and yesterday.   I hope you enjoy them.

Thank you once again for your love, support, prayers, comments, care for our girls, care for our home~~whatever you are doing to encourage and help us, please know that we are so appreciative.  May God bless you!  Good night from Krasnoyarsk, Russia!  (Missing our beautiful girls!)

It's been a busy GOTCHA DAY!

Quick overview~~Diester and I are very tired.  Not used to having two little ones running around like chickens with their heads cut off, or was that the parents?  Yes, we were all running around today.

This pen kept him entertained most of the way.

Isaac trying to see the action with Dad and Roman.

Roman on the see-saw.

Isaac in the swing.

Roman getting ready to go down.

Mom getting ready to go down.  :-)

Isaac on the see-saw.

First bath as a Diesterhaft.

Our drive home was really fun.  Diester had the boys laughing a lot.  That made the long ride a lot shorter.  Funny stories, but we are going to have to tell them later.  We have a few pix from today, but our interpreter Elena took some better ones in the car, and I haven't gotten them yet.  So, you are stuck with what we took.  I hope you enjoy anyway~

I am making a note of some of the great things that happened today, and will update it when I am not running around crazy or really tired. 

God took care of us again today!  God bless you all!  We are keeping you all in our prayers too!  Michelle

You want to see some cute little boys? Introducing. . .

ROMAN ANDRE DIESTERHAFT

ISAAC ARTEM DIESTERHAFT

I hope that you enjoy some of these pictures.  I will add more as I can get to it.  I am thinking I might have my hands full.  Thank you and God bless you!

Is it the 'end of summer' or the 'end of the school year'?

May sound like a bit of a weird question, but Diester was describing to his mom this morning that picking the boys up tomorrow kind of gives him the feeling of what it was like at the end of a school year, when he would be gathering all of his stuff, and clean out his locker to take everything that was his home with him.  Then the summer started.  That is how he sees our pick up day for the boys.  The reason he feels like it is school letting out is that everytime we see the boys, it is totally structured, and we were kind of like on a school routine with them.  Now that is coming to an end.  It is like a half of a school day tomorrow.

I on the other hand, looking at it from my persepective, was thinking that it is more like the end of summer, when the fun ends, and we have to get in the grind.  You know, school starts tomorrow, and we have to get on a schedule now, and face new challenges,  make new friends, and face new teachers.  That is how I see our lives changing.  We are starting a new school year (life with the boys , and them with us), facing new classes (trying to get used to the boys and visa versa), making new friends (they will not know anyone), and facing new teachers (we are going to be different from their caregivers in many ways.)  Not that it is going to be bad, but just walking into the unknown of the newness of this journey ahead is kind of scary.  Isn't it interesting how perspectives can be so different?

Are we ready for this?  Probably not, but only with God's help can we make it.  It will have it's ups and downs, and Diester and I believe we are ready for the challenge.  I have to say that one of my biggest prayers has been for the Lord to change me~~~to make me a better wife, a better mother, and to prepare me for these boys.  I have also prayed that God would change us in ways to strengthen our marriage, and for us to grow together in ways that are beyond our expectations.  That is one thing that God has been working on a lot.  Especially in Russia.  There have been some major changes going on here.  God has been softening my heart, helping me to guard my tongue, and to be submissive under the authority of Diester.  It's not just me.  I have half a mind to take a picture of my new husband, and share it on our blog, so the girls know who this man is that I am bringing home with me.  God has been working and changing him in ways that I wouldn't have dreamed of during our stay here.  No hair transplants, no tattoos or body piercings, but if I could take a picture of his heart, I would say it 'grew 3 sizes that day'! ! ! "Max, Max, I'm feeling!"   No, we are not staying in Whoville, but Russia is the next best place if hearts are changing like this!  Praise the Lord!  He is continuing to bless us as we journey along here.  God wants our hearts, and we are trying to be obedient as we go along.

We have been enjoying playing Scrabble on our homemade Russian Diesterhaft Scrabble board.  I have to humbly admit that he has been a tough opponent.  We has beat me 3 games to 1.  This is a new record for him.  One game, he beat my by just one point.  That was hard to take.  They have been really quite exciting, getting some of our biggest points at the last moment to win the game.  We like Scrabble.  We even turned down an official Scrabble game (offered by Iris) to play on our homemade game.  

Another thing we did yesterday in town while shopping for some things was to pop into a Russian Orthodox church.  (Nina, this one is for you~~)  There was some sort of service going on.  I have to say that yes, they are VERY ornate, no pews, many similarities between the orthodox church, and the Catholic church at home.  Lighting of the candles, etc.  It was very beautiful.  Although one difference with this one is that it is missing the 'onion bulb' looking top on the steeples.

 

Diester had gotten up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.  He got our chicken in the oven, washed his watch and his flip-flops, skyped with his mom, made breakfast for us, and then woke me up when Mallory was skyping us. (I need to marry that man.) We skyped with Mallory for a while (I am missing talking with Hannah)~then Diester's mom skyped us again and we talked with her for a bit.  I got a shower, did dishes, fun fun, and then Diester moved a big chair into our bedroom to help with getting the boys down for naps (the orphanage caregivers let us know that the children like to have an adult nearby when they are going to sleep~~it is a comfort for them.)  Diester got me ready with a list to take when I went out, and got the $$ situated for me to use/exchange. We also did a Proverbs bible study today, and there are so many good reminders in there about how God blesses those who fear him.  Prov. 22:4 says "By humility and the fear of the Lord, are riches and honor and life."   We have certainly been blessed, and we were so thankful again for all of the ways that God has taken care of us.  

Iris Loomans was such a blessing today to bring us some fresh veggies from her lovely garden (lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, beets, etc.) and to take me to the Chapel on the Hill (a Kras sightseeing landmark which overlooked the city), and to get some final groceries for our stay here, diapers for the orphanage, sunglasses for R., rubles from the bank (I did have to turn over some shrinking USD), and looking for bibs (not easily found in Krasnoyarsk at any stores).  We spent the afternoon together, and then she dropped me off.  (Her husband and oldest son are on their way to a people group (tribe) 8 hours north to some sort of a festival to build relations with them, and to start recording their language so that he can start translating the gospel in their language.  God is really using him in big ways!  They have some great stories of how peoples lives have been transformed by this.  Please say a prayer for his safety, and his work there.  Thank you!) 

Then tonight, we went out for a special dinner to celebrate getting our boys tomorrow!  YAY!  It is finally here.  We went to a German restaurant that we had heard was really good.  Can't tell you the name of it, but we got some interesting food items.  It is hard when they try to translate the menu from Russian language to English, but for the most part, we knew what we were getting.  Diester got cut-up reindeer with mashed potatoes.  He said "Rudolph, you were cooked just right, with the mashed potatoes, I enjoyed every bite."   The girls just rolled their eyes (we just skyped with the girls a few minutes ago~for which I am happy) when he told them his little saying.  :-)  Corny, huh?  Thank God for his weird humor~~I'll take it any day over a dull boring personality.  I got some a wonderful spinach salad, and then had a huge eclaire dessert.  That was a splurge for me!  :-) 

We really enjoyed our dinner, and now are home to sleep tonight.  This is our last few hours before we go to get the boys.  Thank you God for tomorrow!  If it is your will, we will have our boys with us for good!  YAY!    Gotcha Day, here we come!  

Have a blessed day! 

Today was our last 'visit' day before "Gotcha" Day!

We are home for the evening, and looking forward to it.  We have a guest coming for dinner.  We got in touch with (quite by accident) an interpreter, whose name is Larissa, that we had for one day on our first visit; and she wanted to get together and just hear stories of our adoption journey.  She is an English teacher in Russia.  The day that she interpreted for us, she found out abour my homeschooling, and also why we had chosen Russia to adopt from.  She was so interested and just excited to know about these things.  So, we are having her for dinner tonight if all works out.  (Our phone got left at the Loomans home yesterday, so we have no connections with the outside world here via phone anyway, and she was going to call us when she got close so we could go down and get her.)  I will have to make sure I get dinner going soon!

In the meantime, I will try to blog some things.  We did not get as many pictures today, as the son of our regular interpreter, Elena, got sick today, and she had to go back home to tend to him.  Thank goodness that we had not left for the orphanage yet.  So, we were without an interpreter once again today.  It happened once on the last trip, and we did good (someone is always available by phone if necessary, and Elena was handy for us today too via phone).  So, we were off.  I have to say that it is much more quiet on these days to and from the orphanage because Diester cannot talk to the interpreter, and pick their brain.  He can't talk with the driver (the driver understands no English), so it allowed me to take a little pick-me-up nap.  :-)  I am not complaining.

Once again we asked the Lord to help us with our interaction with the boys today.  Oh, I have to say that since we took a bit of time dropping the interpreter off at her apt., the driver was driving extra fast to get us to the orphanage today.  We were up to 140 km/hr!  Figure that one out.  We made really good time.  So, as I was saying, we had a bit of a plan with the boys, and the day was beautiful (thank you Lord), but our plan is not set in stone; and we were just asking the Lord to cover our time with them.  He is so good~~We got them from their groups, and greeted them, loved on them, and held them as we walked to the car to get the blanket, and our goodies.  We brought some 'jumbo legos' for them to play with, and also some snacks again.  We put out the blanket~~this time not in the grass.  I failed to say that when we were in the grass on the blanket yesterday the mosquitoes were finding us much easier, so the little patio that we have been using by the benches became our spot for the blanket, and we sat down, and got out the toys.  I.A. was the one to dump them out, and then we started building, etc.  We played with them for a bit with those.  I also thought that perhaps they might like to look at the photo album that we showed to the judge here in Russia on our court date (there are mostly pictures of them~the boys~in it).  They did like it.  It kept their attention for some time.  I will add in here that the social worker/careprovider (Svetlana) that represented the orphanage during our court proceeding was especially helpful today.  She told the boys that the next time Mama and Papa come in 3 days, we will be taking them in the car and then in an airplane to home.  It was really neat.  Roman was listening, but also engrossed in the photo book, so she kind of let him keep looking at it, and then she entered his world a bit, and started asking, "Who's this?" pointing me, then "Who's this?", pointing to Diester, etc.  He was answering her as she was asking, "Mama", "Papa", she had to help him with "I.".  Of course, all of this is being spoken in Russian, but she gave us a huge smile when she was done.  It was a good exchange.  You have to know that we understand he does not grasp the depth of what is happening to him in the near future, but we are doing our best to communicate with him, so that it will maybe make sense to him when it is happening.   You know, it reminds me of when Jesus told his disciples that the temple would be destroyed, and then 3 days later it would be rebuilt.  They really did not understand~~even after his death.  He had to explain it to them after it happened, and then they understood. It was a trust thing.  They could trust the Lord, and that what he had spoken to them was true, and that the Lord knows what is going to happen before it happens.  We have to try to explain something to them~~

During this time, little I.A. tried to walk away three different times, and Diester very quickly in a tone that meant business, in Russian, told him to come back.  The first two times, I.A. stopped in his tracks, and came back to the blanket, and Diester had him sit down.  We would tell him 'good boy'.   He would start playing with the toys again.  Then the third time it happened, well, he just kept going, so I was right after him, and picked him up.  We decided to move on to something else.

R.A. was ready to move on to ~the highlight of R.A.'s day together~the ride in the car.  So we got their shoes back on them, and they were so good about picking up all of the toys, and helping to fold the blanket.  And then we headed over for our ride in the car.  We rode around the building a couple of times, and then we got out.  I wish we knew what R.A. was speaking to the driver, but the driver really did not respond to him.  :-(  At one point, R.A. made a move for the front seat.  I think he really wanted to ride in the front seat, but that was not happening.  Other than that, it was really non-eventful, but I have to say that I am thankful that I.A. did not even whimper when we got into the car today.  That was my plan from when we were here on the first trip.  I wanted to keep introducing it to him on our second trip, so that he would become familiar with it, and not be fearful.  Praise God!  That is exactly what has happened, and now, he should be good to go for Saturday. 

After our ride, we got out.  Diester had R.A. once again, and started playing with him as we walked around the orphanage.  A lot of the same type of play with him as Monday~~Diester was just creating little games as he was tossing him around, looking at flowers, etc.  I had some peaceful moments with I.A., and that was sweet, but then we were kind of around the building from Diester and R.A., so I kind of made it like a peek-a-boo game, and we would move further to be able to see them on the side of the building, but not too much.  Then I decided it would be fun to play tag, so I jogged over to Diester with I.A. in my arms, and I pretended to get him (Diester).  Well,  I.A. just LOVED that! ! !  Then he started to do it.  I would back up, and then charge towards Diester, and I.A. would stick his hand out to get Diester with a 'RAHH!!" and a "GROWL".  It was so cute.  Then Diester and R.A. charged towards us to tag us, and we would run away.  Both boys were having a blast!  Then I realized (Diester said "let us tag you") I needed to slow down a bit, and then R.A. was tagging us, and I would try to 'get away', and I.A. would just a giggle.  It was a lot of fun.  Then at one point, I realized that I was 'getting' Diester, but not R.A., so I started to go for him, and would tickle him a little bit.  SOMEBODY IS TICKLISH! !  Yep, R.A. would just collapse with laughter and giggles when I would tickle his little belly.  I.A. kept up with the RAH's and the grabbing at Diester.  Got his neckchain one time, and accidently broke it.  That happens when you're roughhousing!  We had a blast with that.  Thank the Lord for filling our time!

It was time for the little guys to go in for lunch.  We had had a great day with them.  Now time for goodbyes, and once again Svetlana told the boys that we would come back in 3 days to get them for good (in more words than that), and all of a sudden R.A. turns towards Diester with a smile, and gave him a gentle kiss right on the mouth.  It brings tears to my eyes as I write this.  We think Svetlana might have prompted him, but we don't know that for sure, and that is okay.  What was really cool was that he felt comfortable enough to give Diester a kiss, and then we put the little guys down after loving on them one last time, and said goodbye.
Pa-kah, Pa-kah

On the drive home, Diester and I were looking at the few precious pictures that we did get today, and reeling in the moments of fun that we had with our boys.  I say 'few' because when we lost our interpreter today, we also lost our photographer.  We still did get some nice photos.   How blessed we are!   We stopped for some souvenirs from the village people, and also for some wildflowers to adorn our table tonight for dinner. 

We are missing our girls back at home; but know they are in good hands, having a blast with, and being loved on by the family they are staying with.  Mallory might be on a news clip in the next few days; and we are trying to decide if it is okay to let Hannah take a motorcycle ride (am I ready for this?)     You know, there are lots of things going on without us.  We are so thankful that they are in such good hands.  God is watching over them.  Thank you so much Oesting bunch!  

Our gardens are being watered by friends who are blessings to us~~Thank you Haley & Ken!  Our pool is being maintained, and our mail picked up by Bill Underwood~~thank you!  And Mallory is being blessed with rides to and from work~~Thank you Beth, Margeaux, Tina, and Michelle!  We are so appreciative for everyone who has been helping out while we are gone. 

3 more days until we get the boys~~in the adoption world this day is called "Gotcha Day"!  and then 2 weeks before we are home.  Thank you sincerely to everyone for your continued prayers!  We know it is because of the Lord that we have been so blessed!   

Monday was a Picnic!

The excitement (and anxiety) builds as we get closer to actually physically getting to pick up our boys once and for all.  It brings me to tears knowing that we are this close~~have come so far!  We appreciate the prayers that are offered up, as we continue to see God working in and through our adoption. 

We have been the 'fun bunch' coming in on the days we go to visit, and although we still want to have fun with them, we are thinking 'real life' now.  Trying to plan out somewhat of a schedule to match up with theirs so their lives aren't completely turned upsidedown, only 170 degrees, not 180.  Yeah, we cannot help that there will be hardly anything familiar, but hopefully, we have bonded with them at least to the degree that they will cling to us as we travel home, and feel safe with us. 

As we were getting ready for our time with the boys, we realized we needed to have a plan once again, and so it goes that both of us were thinking of what we could do with them this day.  Funny thing how God works.  I decided that a snack of banana chips that we had brought with us (no preservatives) would be good, so I was getting them;.  Meanwhile, Diester had on his own thought that we could maybe take apples to share with them.  He then told me that he thought it would be a good idea if maybe we had a little snack with them.  So we decide on a picnic set-up.  We know the Holy Spirit was working in this.  So, we decided together at this point to bring a blanket, and take these snacks and some 'chi' (tea).  We also thought we would try with the books.  I cut up the apples, got tea in some water bottles, and it was time to go.   

We started on our journey to the orphanage for our visit, and on the way, our interpreter got a call, (as she does quite frequently) and was speaking in English with the person (which never happens) on the other end of the line.  I wasn't really paying that much attention, until she said, "Yes, they are with me right now." and turned around, and handed me the phone.  Okay, so I am thinking, who would be calling us on Ilena's phone that speaks English?  So, I say hello, and there is that cheery voice I always hear when I talk with Stacey, the mom of the family the girls are staying with.  I guess the Holy Spirit was with me because I didn't panic or anything.  Her voice did not warrant that either, but it was a shock that she was calling.  Diester on the other hand, started to panic.  I guess the Holy Spirit was not with him.  hehehe Seriously, anybody in their right mind would realize that a call from America on Ilena's phone (which was to only be used for emergencies), warranted concern, which Diester had.  Okay, so I am the one who is a bit slower here~~I am just reeling in the fact that she called from America.  Wow~I didn't put two and two together, I just loved hearing from Stacey on the phone in Russia!  Okay, so you are probably wondering why was she calling~~Yeah, I was wondering that too! and Diester was certainly wondering, and on the edge of his seat.  As it turned out, Hannah had stepped on a rusty nail.  It penetrated her foot ever so slightly, and Stacey just wanted to make sure we were okay with her getting Hannah a Tetanus shot.  Sure!  Sounds like a plan.  So, that was it.  Praise God it was nothing serious!  Or, I probably would have gone into shock. 

So we continue on our drive, and Diester and I were pondering our visit.  We were so thankful for a beautiful day, because that meant that we could be outside with them, and not in a room with toy overload.  And, although we stuck the bubbles in as a last resort, Diester did not want to do bubbles and balloons again.  We wanted to steer it a little more.  So, how do we get them to sit still for snacks and reading (or looking at books at the very best)?  We bribe them.  Don't think we are mean!  It is called choices and consequences in our parenting book.  We decide after praying about this together that we would ask Ilena to be our spokesperson to them, and we tell her that we would like her to let them know that if they sit with us for snacks and books, then they will get to ride in the 'machina'.  See how that works???   Worked like a charm. 

We got there, and R. was so excited once again to see us.  As we drove behind the orphanage, we stopped so we could say hello, and he was waving at us~~so excited! ! !  Both him and us!  It is such a joy to see his excitement when we come.  And, his excitement has truly increased with each visit.  He actually smiles when he is pointing to us, and also is waving back now.   So, we start to pull away to go park the car, and Ilena said she heard him ask, "Where are they going?" to the careprovider there.  So sweet!  So, we get out of the car, and head back to where he is, and this time he is in a full all out run to Diester. 

You can't beat that! ! !   So, we greet R. and then want to go get I., but he is not with his group.  It was kind of like a scavenger hunt.  He wasn't with the group back in the shelter behind the orphanage, nor with the group out walking around the orphanage, so Diester headed inside.  I was holding R. and lagging behind, and talking with him, and shrugging my shoulders, and asking him "Where's ______?" (His little brother's name starts with an A currently, so I didn't want to confuse you.) and telling him "I love you!" in Russian.  Something he doesn't seem to tire of hearing.  Then I decided to put him down, to walk with me, holding my hand, so in English, I tell him to hold my hand, and I take ahold of his hand.  He is used to that.  They hold hands when they are out for walks.  It is precious to see the children out walking.  So, we head into the orphanage, holding hands so sweetly.  And, we were looking for Diester and Ilena.  We finally heard his voice, and followed that.  He had found I. and he was getting his shoes on him at the moment.  So, we are there now greeting him, and he is smiling up a storm.  It was wonderful. 

Then, something so funny happened.  Okay, these boys need passports, so Lidiya decides this is a perfect time to get the pictures for the passports.  There is a white door that would be perfect for them to stand in front of, so we get R. to do this first.  He stands there, and as has been is M.O., does not smile for the camera.  Never when prompted anyway.  So, that is actually perfect for passports, and they get a good picture of R. after a couple of shots.   Next was I.'s turn and he didn't have a clue, but was very obedient to stand in front of the door once positioned.  So, Lidiya was taking pictures, but he wasn't looking up as well as necessary for a passport picture.   She tells him what they tell all little children here in Russia to get them to look in the camera.  Diester and I are clueless, but the little face that he made was priceless.  He is still smiling, but all of a sudden squints his eyes so cute!  Looks like a little Russian Chinese kid.  It was the funniest thing!  Later, we asked Lidiya what she had said to him.  Turns out they tell them to look into the lens, and a little birdie will fly out.  Obviously, he was a bit concerned about this little birdie that was going to fly out to him.  He was getting prepared.  It was hilarious.

So, we head outside with Plan A, ready to roll, and we go get the blanket and snacks.  It was soo sweet~~as we got closer to the children up ahead in this picture, one of them brought a little daisy to R., and R. looked at it, and then gently handed it back to the little fellow.  We just thought it was a touching exchange with these guys in their group.




 

We are walking trying to find a place that would work for us to set a blanket on.  Finally, we sit down, and everybody get their shoes off.  Thought you might like to see a picture of us getting it situated.

So, we are starting to get our snacks out (no shoes on, mind you), and realize. . . we forgot the books, so then we were in a pickle.  Plan B, snack first.  Diester said "Okay, yablacah, then chi."  Which is apples and tea.  Lidiya went and got our books for us, and once we got them we were good to go.  Not really, who am I kidding~~these boys do not sit still for long for books~sigh!  :-(  But, we did get them to sit for a bit, and look at them for a bit, and then we packed up.  It was time for their car ride.  So, we headed around after getting all of our shoes back on and gathering all of our stuff, and we were ready for our car ride.  I. once again gave a whimper, but that was it, and he climbed in, and sat tight on my lap.  During the ride,  Ilena  and I were trying to calm and tell I. that everything is going to be okay.  I know how to say that in Russian.  Then, all of a sudden, Lidiya says to  R. to encourage his little brother not to be afraid, so we hear R. say something.  Ilena starts laughing, and says "Did you hear that?"  Of course, we heard it.  Did we understand it?  NO! ! !  We don't understand hardly anything he says.  :-(  Wish we did, but it isn't happening much.  She goes on to explain that he just said in his little manly voice "Don't be afraid of the 'machina'!" to I.  Funny! 

After a ride back and forth twice behind the orphanage, we parked.  One thing that happened was when we were driving past some children heading back inside, R. boldly shouted from the car to the kids in his group (which once again had to be translated for us), "Are you kids going in?" as if to say,' I am still riding in the machina, and not going inside.'   I think he was feeling a tad bit proud! 

Here is when a special blessing occurred,~for me anyway.  When I got out of the car with I., he was in my arms and just started to relax there.  So, I held him tight, and just started slowly moseying down the drive in front of the orphanage.  I was telling him that I love him, and he was just listening calmly to me speak to him.  It was such a sweet moment.  Then, I thought of our girls.  They had told me that if I got the chance to sing the Irish lullaby to the boys, they thought that would be really neat.  They had always enjoyed me singing that to them.  Bless their hearts~~as bad of a singer as I am, they still liked it.  So, this was a moment I had to sing to him, and I started to sing, and he just melted in my arms.  I was singing, and humming to him.  It was just the sweetest thing. 

I will take that any day!  So I walked with him, and talked with him, and amazingly, the whole time, Diester is literally 5 feet away from me throwing R. up into the air, and catching him, swinging him around, laughing and giggling, has his sunglasses on R.,  (see pix)

and the whole time, I. is relaxed in my arms.  I love, love, loved it!  So, that is my side of the story.  Diester's side goes something like this:   R. absolutely loves when I pick him up, toss him around, swing him around, and jostle him up and down. R.'s smile and laughter fills the air.  He can't get enough of the me tossing him around.  He grabbed my sunglasses at one point, and I put them on him.  He enjoyed that for a while.  I saw R. smile more today with a big honest-to-goodness smile that didn't seem to fade.  Our bond was growing stronger, and it was very apparent.  It almost seemed like him and I were in our own world, as Michelle and I. were just a few feet away in lullaby land.  It was a grand day that the Holy Spirit delivered for us.  We were so very thankful.  

Then it was time to say goodbye~~Thank you Jesus for blessing us with all of these moments!

If you read this before Tuesday evening, please ask for the Lord to cover our visit with them (which would be Wednesday, when we will be going back.)  Thank you so much!