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!
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