tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799709396431901862024-03-18T20:32:35.687-07:00Smiling All The Way Backjunglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-73329450872505482182009-08-20T21:07:00.000-07:002009-08-20T21:15:30.222-07:00Now That Alex is Home........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupE0R3OfhggB7WjaAGG5KBSTbStv8aQgOo94HHMgbDG3bxYeKPabUPz88ZfTbfWPZRUMuuXziKCAlcGi80E_IdPXIqYz-6YSHycuvCQ3XXK2iyY7fCs6viAnd5UvbmG7JMuiv9D8kirE/s1600-h/P1090841.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372264022470028802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupE0R3OfhggB7WjaAGG5KBSTbStv8aQgOo94HHMgbDG3bxYeKPabUPz88ZfTbfWPZRUMuuXziKCAlcGi80E_IdPXIqYz-6YSHycuvCQ3XXK2iyY7fCs6viAnd5UvbmG7JMuiv9D8kirE/s400/P1090841.JPG" /></a><br />Well the time is here---- to end this blog. Alex is home, and he is a member of our family so it is appropriate to do all future postings about him on our family blog over at <a href="http://smilesandtrials.blogspot.com/">Smiles and Trials</a>.<br /><br />Please come join us!<br /><br />The adventures have just begun with our new son!<br /><br />P.S. Thank you to all who made it possible to bring Alex home. Your prayers and support made all the difference in the world!junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-51091792303065329122009-08-19T21:36:00.000-07:002009-08-19T22:17:22.393-07:00Medical Update on Alex<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVje7eIgxwjelUKkaZR9NrnBO17sR7qCzCThgeRWJW_p16rYMEuhWTpueuUDAhwSDB1QP_gYanu4aLbuKzHdfqay6IXJ2DuKAjoopZ01fsoeDna_MLArdVZjFMho_eXl2-4RH597xbQI/s1600-h/P1090796.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371901141836095762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVje7eIgxwjelUKkaZR9NrnBO17sR7qCzCThgeRWJW_p16rYMEuhWTpueuUDAhwSDB1QP_gYanu4aLbuKzHdfqay6IXJ2DuKAjoopZ01fsoeDna_MLArdVZjFMho_eXl2-4RH597xbQI/s400/P1090796.JPG" /></a><br />Last week I took Alex to the doctor for a check-up and to mainly be referred up to Children's hospital. They were able to update his shot records and start the ball rolling for Alex to start seeing the necessary specialists up at Children's hospital. He had two shots that day and boy did he scream! Since it looked like he had gotten shots in his right leg before and I thought he had very little feeling in it because it is paralyzed to a certain point, I asked them to give the shots in that leg. Boy was I wrong--- Alex felt every bit of those two shots poor little guy. Thankfully, a sucker took his mind off of the pain right away and I was able to give him some Motrin in the car.<br /><br />Just yesterday I took Dennis up to Children's hospital for a check-up with the plastic surgeon who also happens to share an office with the neuro-surgeon that Alex has been referred to see. When the office called to confirm the appointment for Dennis, I had asked them if the referral had come through for Alex yet so that maybe I could have both boys seen on the same day. They said no and so I figured I would be making two visits very close together. <br /><br />Then surprise! When I got to the office for Dennis, they informed me that the referral came through and that the neuro-surgeon could Alex that same day after all. Praise the Lord!<br /><br />Alex is thirty-two pounds-- a whopping four pounds heavier than Dennis. The neuro-surgeon said that Alex is most likely lumbar-sacral-- whatever the heck that means. I guess it refers to the location of the lesion. He let me know that he was referring Alex to the Spina Bifida clinic that is in the same Children's hospital (another praise) and that he has ordered up an MRI of his head and back, and an x-ray of his hips. He thinks Alex will walk with braces based on where the lesion is and the fact that he can stand and somewhat already walk--- yet another praise. At the Spina Bifida clinic Alex will see a Urologist and an Orthopaedist and other specialists to address his needs. <br /><br />Alex for the most part seems to be taking everything in stride and his mobility is continuing to improve everyday despite having any medical intervention this far. It is encouraging to see he has such a will to be like his siblings.<br /><br />I took him to have a TB test yesterday and I am pleased to see that there is no reaction like I thought there might be with most Eastern European children being vaccinated with the BCG vaccine. Dennis seems clear too.<br /><br />If I had to share the hardest thing there is in caring for a child with Spina Bifida, I would have to say it is the bladder and bowel incontinence. I have been reading up on these things and have joined a few support groups--- and a few wonderful parents of children with SB have kind of taken me under their wings. With Alex being four years old already and about to start pre-school, I am trying to get Alex on a bowel management program where he can get used to going to the bathroom at a certain time everyday. Though he is more than willing to try-- we have not had much success yet--- though it is still very early in the game. We will just have to keep working on it together.<br /><br />Other than what I have shared, Alex is a normal, healthy, bright four year old boy and his smile and laugh brightens up the room. <br /><br />He is a joy to have around.junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-51754636214620275392009-08-18T22:40:00.000-07:002009-08-18T22:41:43.533-07:00Alex's Adoption Video<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F9qvsQ0l-MQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F9qvsQ0l-MQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-1644013911764925512009-08-15T20:57:00.000-07:002009-08-15T21:49:47.846-07:00I Love This Little BoyHonestly, God has us in a pretty good place right now. Back in Ukraine, I was a bit concerned that Alex might has some behavior issues, but now that he is home and things are pretty predictable around here and he has so much love surrounding him, Alex is in every way a very loving and happy child. He is sleeping through the night and goes down really well too. He is continually trying new foods. He is picking up English. He is able to go to WalMart with me and sit in the cart and doesn't scream or cry for me to let him touch things. He will sit and snuggle with me on the couch, and he comes to me when he is hurt so that I can kiss his owie.<br /><br />Today I left to go to the store and he began to cry. I promised that I would be right back and when I asked how long he had cried, it had only been for a minute or so. I left again later in the day and he only had a quick sniffle. I think it makes all the difference in the world having so many siblings to learn from.<br /><br />For the last two or three days, I have been putting on a thumb sucking medicine when he goes to sleep. I was concerned about how he would get to sleep and how he would sleep through the night, but I was just as concerned about his overbite and the big callouses on his fingers. I figured I would give it a try and if he cried or had trouble sleeping I would hold off doing it until he was home for a few more months. When I put it on his nails, I explained that it would taste bad if he put his fingers in his mouth and I even encouraged him to taste a tiny bit with me. We both made faces that it was very yucky tasting-- and he even chuckled and threw his hand down. I pretended to put a little on my own fingers to be like him and I showed him that I would not put my fingers in my mouth. He nodded that he understood and he has been fine ever since. He is not sucking his fingers, nor is he crying himself to sleep, nor is he even so much as stirring in the night. He also reminded me at nap time once to put on the medicine by holding out his fingers. It was really cute. He is just utterly amazing---- and such a big boy! I think it helps that he sleeps next to Dennis every night. (And for those that want to say it is too soon---- I would agree if he was showing signs of distress and I would stop if he was, but I know from experience that the longer a child is allowed to suck their thumb or fingers, the longer it takes to break them of the habit. And I did the same thing for Jonny and Dennis-- only with bandaids because they were much younger and didn't try to pull them off.)<br /><br />Alex and Anna have so much fun together. She is a wonderful big sister to him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5wmYlVXxZxkXCBl37fv3C7fXRbsyI_gd3GWe3KlNh5zmWS0UgvlpJaob6Flu2keLqukrblH3Fi9_amputK4Q7GKFpqDgDkWwGRUBTKvKl1UAkvj0J5jpxd1HffqzPNI4GgT11Yy7v1A/s1600-h/P1090821.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370406709617682226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5wmYlVXxZxkXCBl37fv3C7fXRbsyI_gd3GWe3KlNh5zmWS0UgvlpJaob6Flu2keLqukrblH3Fi9_amputK4Q7GKFpqDgDkWwGRUBTKvKl1UAkvj0J5jpxd1HffqzPNI4GgT11Yy7v1A/s400/P1090821.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Alex loves to take baths. He understands so much more than Dennis does. When I say that bath time is over, Alex doesn't whine like Dennis does. He understands that he will have another bath tomorrow.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYMfs2RE3gFNjPR1G5s9-yLOeUCuvmHYoYwjaypWyH3mNvECfPvlZwF9QkL6lfXukNFCDebjyrJljMub8aKOwiUC2DQcPXuJuTgPlHa_CmANYWtGJdGcQpGzhSW_wLALMeFYN3-uuFpU/s1600-h/P1090813.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370406680146548386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYMfs2RE3gFNjPR1G5s9-yLOeUCuvmHYoYwjaypWyH3mNvECfPvlZwF9QkL6lfXukNFCDebjyrJljMub8aKOwiUC2DQcPXuJuTgPlHa_CmANYWtGJdGcQpGzhSW_wLALMeFYN3-uuFpU/s400/P1090813.JPG" /></a> </div><div>A fellow adoptive mother and blogger sent my two little boys these adorable towels. I think they are awesome-- both the towels and the boys!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aor-3pwkyxrNKS_ms8D2pa3-xjQpCmFINJU4kO_AEFZqwgfJa3rT1g077bOUI0EKoe1Qg89b8fUKF6U_27Qd-Wxb2D860E9Y5kibGqT_2bt1kZbVPxvpacRShwuK4yOIu_c67WVFPwE/s1600-h/P1090818.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370406698639016466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aor-3pwkyxrNKS_ms8D2pa3-xjQpCmFINJU4kO_AEFZqwgfJa3rT1g077bOUI0EKoe1Qg89b8fUKF6U_27Qd-Wxb2D860E9Y5kibGqT_2bt1kZbVPxvpacRShwuK4yOIu_c67WVFPwE/s400/P1090818.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFCv6PKgTHV0zULhk9i43015eWZXKXpd3v3w-Vnwyn-j-20SPaH2SKNGuva7G42_6cKKtwanqK_O1X7BY2yGsmhPV72t_E7PwpmtYwvm2SUZGtDiZ_cuF9ukSEzjzTU5Y0k9U-o7dSRg/s1600-h/P1090814.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370406696459128770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFCv6PKgTHV0zULhk9i43015eWZXKXpd3v3w-Vnwyn-j-20SPaH2SKNGuva7G42_6cKKtwanqK_O1X7BY2yGsmhPV72t_E7PwpmtYwvm2SUZGtDiZ_cuF9ukSEzjzTU5Y0k9U-o7dSRg/s400/P1090814.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div>Alex and Dennis encourage each other to do things. At first, Alex was not to excited to get into this floaty, but when he saw that Dennis was getting in one too, he wanted to get in his so that he can be like Dennis.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKBoMyqrAJIxCMQDQn67C-ooYnfIVl5m-WISgTLRqEZkLmNzrkFKdtxtXxg0jGucgEIZ1dCUGKMOjOv-LSNkVDJ_qA0Rmw2WbKoWwpLRM607-JEaveQ8WIu79uZjygXS8aTTENsqD9h4/s1600-h/P1090809.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370406673187489234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKBoMyqrAJIxCMQDQn67C-ooYnfIVl5m-WISgTLRqEZkLmNzrkFKdtxtXxg0jGucgEIZ1dCUGKMOjOv-LSNkVDJ_qA0Rmw2WbKoWwpLRM607-JEaveQ8WIu79uZjygXS8aTTENsqD9h4/s400/P1090809.JPG" /></a> </div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-54971467450561496362009-08-14T14:18:00.000-07:002009-08-14T14:21:22.881-07:00Open to SuggestionsOkay, okay, I am stumped. Can you imagine-- me, Christine, stumped?<br /><br />I am ready to start making Alex's adoption video and I can't find "the perfect" song.<br /><br />Please, please, please give me some ideas.<br /><br />Many thanks ahead of time!junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-8668462770076039322009-08-12T20:59:00.000-07:002009-08-12T22:40:39.517-07:00All About Alex<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ6OTLWnD0rvZtB0siTTHSwcQYXWXCrlnewkrxo69ax1Mmhyaot-HgobzAnZ7Oy81GGHS95jIGr9bwdqMh2RP3qENImhPsNEFBcEzem3QqPIGfgzSdVGKxA1mfHFaOxv8Ec-ZIksOZSM/s1600-h/P1090769.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369295247370376002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ6OTLWnD0rvZtB0siTTHSwcQYXWXCrlnewkrxo69ax1Mmhyaot-HgobzAnZ7Oy81GGHS95jIGr9bwdqMh2RP3qENImhPsNEFBcEzem3QqPIGfgzSdVGKxA1mfHFaOxv8Ec-ZIksOZSM/s400/P1090769.JPG" /></a><br />Alex has been home for six days now and there is no way this child is ever looking back. Out of curiosity I have asked him a few times if he wants to go back to his groupa either by mentioning it or showing him a picture. Alex has no desire whatsoever--- and though its not like he has the choice anyways, it does make me feel good that he doesn't want to.<br /><br />I have him off the medication that the doctor had given me to calm Alex down, and John and I have no plans to put him back on it. He is such an amazing, good, smart little boy that listens and behaves great without it.<br /><br />Tomorrow I am taking him to the doctor to get him checked out. They will most likely update his immunizations and refer us up to the Children's hospital. I am curious to see how much he weighs. I will be asking the doctor to fill out a form for a handicap parking permit. Alex is a big boy-- much heavier than Dennis and walking long distances with him will be challenging at least in the beginning.<br /><br />We are all getting used to calling him Alex instead of Alosha or Alexsey and earlier today he actually responded to his name being called. He answered from the top of the stairs, "Stoh Mama!" It was cute.<br /><br />Alex loves the water. Whether it is the pool or the bathtub, his face lights up when I mention, "Coopatza?" "Da!" he says as he gives his head one good shake.<br /><br />Overall, I couldn't be happier with how all of us are adjusting. Alex loves looking at pictures on the wall and thinks it is really neat that he recognizes his family. I feel bad for not having more pictures of him up on the wall yet---- something I plan on doing next week.junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-40232530274616775442009-08-08T11:33:00.000-07:002009-08-08T11:41:04.644-07:00The Update You Have Been Waiting For!<span style="font-size:180%;">WE ARE HOME!</span><br /><p>We were warmly welcomed by Daddy and all of the kids at LAX around 4:00pm!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6iI3-YLB0c2Maq2YvaNp6g8h9AVwUo4WNONrbmI4UyTkZF34g0riansK1A-5dPm63xIHkwyWeoqGPk5DNn5dXZX1WBwjvOsu16aNpFTMRiXm5eOktRAQ2DhOUFQTjHWzjvzLkslcatw/s1600-h/P1090739.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367663340307468498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6iI3-YLB0c2Maq2YvaNp6g8h9AVwUo4WNONrbmI4UyTkZF34g0riansK1A-5dPm63xIHkwyWeoqGPk5DNn5dXZX1WBwjvOsu16aNpFTMRiXm5eOktRAQ2DhOUFQTjHWzjvzLkslcatw/s400/P1090739.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKcxXdw33An9e3MXb_rQLsnsxiG6bxTmH7QNCrDOfNUDzjvHedEvi92qPuCQDB9e7FDIgkYEaDjqa3HcAsueLXTsh1f_OgYmG2qtpSbQj3xNO6ann_MXWfTNJDfacSysc9JeWtocQDGA/s1600-h/P1090740.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367663330151425666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKcxXdw33An9e3MXb_rQLsnsxiG6bxTmH7QNCrDOfNUDzjvHedEvi92qPuCQDB9e7FDIgkYEaDjqa3HcAsueLXTsh1f_OgYmG2qtpSbQj3xNO6ann_MXWfTNJDfacSysc9JeWtocQDGA/s400/P1090740.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVCegyS5WM-Y9jBWOP2DXb50pb2e9djdpzZTLnD21vj68eIWGEYY2A4_XEevWBfBADxClSqbF9_yr2eVBn_p8Zz_OG-M7F78Vq5Ucs-cf8z0VLCpdN69FNuSMag4CkSObMemJ9KYF64I/s1600-h/P1090741.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367663323099890722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVCegyS5WM-Y9jBWOP2DXb50pb2e9djdpzZTLnD21vj68eIWGEYY2A4_XEevWBfBADxClSqbF9_yr2eVBn_p8Zz_OG-M7F78Vq5Ucs-cf8z0VLCpdN69FNuSMag4CkSObMemJ9KYF64I/s400/P1090741.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Alex slept through the night. He had no problem sharing a bed with Dennis and even though it is hard to tell-- they are holding hands!</div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-61806643602439487542009-08-06T03:27:00.001-07:002009-08-11T22:16:02.216-07:00We Are in Kiev!We made it to Kiev! What a relief. The train ride was exhausting. Alex literally running on empty because of not taking a nap that day and it being nearly two hours past his bedtime, I did the unthinkable and told him that he could not play with the light anymore because it was time for bed. Immediately he started crying-- and loud, but I knew we both needed some sleep. He was a mess--- crying louder than ever-- fingers in mouth--- snot running out of his nose--- yelling how he didn't love me and how he didn't want to sleep. Probably having my arm across his stomach to keep him from sitting up didn't help, but it sure tired him out even more. I eventually started singing in Russian the words, "I love you.... always...... truth." I kept whispering that in his ear and Praise the Lord, it worked and he fell asleep within five minutes.<br /><br />I laid teetering on the edge of my mattress on the top bunk----- staring at my new son.<br /><br />God, he is beautiful. I could smell his wet, sweaty hair....... and I could hear the cutest little sucking noise. Alex had two of his fingers in his mouth sucking them ever so sweetly while he rubbed together the corner of the blanket between his other thumb and index finger. <br /><br />So my son sucks his fingers. Nice to know. I must have stared at him for an hour watching him sleep before I drifted off to sleep myself. Since the window was open all night, I nearly froze, but I didn't dare move to cover myself up with a blanket.<br /><br /><div>As soon as we got off the train, we headed to the Embassy and then over to get Alex's medical done. Is it alright to say here, "What a joke!"<br /><br />For $110, I listened to a doctor recap what I already knew. The only new info she told me was that his medical mentioned him fracturing his hip bone when he was younger. That's it. She couldn't even tell me which side it was or at what age it happened.</div><div> </div><div>All the while we were running around, I had to endure Alex calling every woman he saw Mama, reaching out to every stranger, and taking every chance to test me. I couldn't wait till we were done and could have a down day with just him, Julia, and I. That evening, we met with another adoptive couple who has a five year old with Spina Bifida and was in Ukraine adopting another child with SB. I weighed the risks of Alex acting out even more verses me getting alot of my questions answered by parents who knew first hand about SB, and I thought that talking to parents who have first hand knowledge about raising a child with SB was worth the risk of Alex acting out for a little longer. So, we walked to McDonald's. </div><div> </div><div>Even after nearly polishing off a whole double cheeseburger, fries, and some of my coke, Alex was still acting hungry. I had to say enough is enough---- I knew that he was smart and would soon realize that food would continually come and that he didn't need to gorge himself.</div><div> </div><div>After we all ate, we parted ways, and as we saw our apartment in sight, Alex started crying and acting up. At one point he was calling me, "Te Ca-ca!" Lovely-- my son has a potty mouth. <br /></div><div>At this point I knew that I had to be very firm with him--- and I was. In my broken Russian, I explained to him simple rules--- and once we were back at the apartment he tested me to see if I truly expected him to follow those rules. Yup, I did.</div><div> </div><div>That night, he went to bed better than he did the prior night on the train. And he woke up well-rested.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k9m46Y3TAH5XWOIscR3iBBS3jAZwCPPbIAWkiLORsQNEaP2P312FATHR-cJNuOlpJXO1qBhOoRdzNjchkS2aPaYNonNjNNK8QM0facV-vLHY_22UtvxQtkvplWG5Y4jUBA7GwquzPtE/s1600-h/P1090728.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368928338878575698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k9m46Y3TAH5XWOIscR3iBBS3jAZwCPPbIAWkiLORsQNEaP2P312FATHR-cJNuOlpJXO1qBhOoRdzNjchkS2aPaYNonNjNNK8QM0facV-vLHY_22UtvxQtkvplWG5Y4jUBA7GwquzPtE/s400/P1090728.JPG" /></a> </div><div>To pass the time, Julia and I made up anything and everything. I had bought a cheap little doctor kit that had tweezers, so I ripped up little pieces of paper and showed him how to pick them up with the tweezers. He thought that was alot of fun..... I thought, "Cool, my son is practicing his fine motor skills."<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihvqOd1s71kG38sA_sGqWReBy6pI3K67BE5ZrnFuAPbhaSa-yBhOvPDomYDt5v1PWLrKKIPz3T8lNOy8cf_n_iE-xtkoLDyh7VeXmVRL2HPvQoqW-kndFI7_-I3izva0-UQpETolxchc/s1600-h/P1090725.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368928316532295362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihvqOd1s71kG38sA_sGqWReBy6pI3K67BE5ZrnFuAPbhaSa-yBhOvPDomYDt5v1PWLrKKIPz3T8lNOy8cf_n_iE-xtkoLDyh7VeXmVRL2HPvQoqW-kndFI7_-I3izva0-UQpETolxchc/s400/P1090725.JPG" /></a> </div><div>After we ate lunch and Alex rested for half an hour, we took him for a walk down by the river.<br /><br />He was only a little upset that I wouldn't let him crawl by the water.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx8CxuNdi1rRXhibOcAJ5AjK9TNFw8WeQpA7Ks9Mw4BKeZdRMIJBqFPGHJvJi9-tO_kZjc0e6GpaLolJGJ4WWFK9j6oHmQwzN1F454BsagUhkayNnDj85SogvzBYrAgu3oumx1Z9yWk0/s1600-h/P1090721.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368928313618933362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx8CxuNdi1rRXhibOcAJ5AjK9TNFw8WeQpA7Ks9Mw4BKeZdRMIJBqFPGHJvJi9-tO_kZjc0e6GpaLolJGJ4WWFK9j6oHmQwzN1F454BsagUhkayNnDj85SogvzBYrAgu3oumx1Z9yWk0/s400/P1090721.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>He loved looking out the window with Julia and yelling at the machinas!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ns8sI82Qj03R8QDX19_1QLydYTj6cKjzfyKpxZ14YFdCWfml7oswEWCD-r7YkEd57GwfETr7kcFx9OHFlZ1yIj3QV13I4ZmtEA6yVOpWHZKZDHQ9KBuBJCk0KBjihKxlfHPQeOSa_t4/s1600-h/P1090719.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368928297483134546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ns8sI82Qj03R8QDX19_1QLydYTj6cKjzfyKpxZ14YFdCWfml7oswEWCD-r7YkEd57GwfETr7kcFx9OHFlZ1yIj3QV13I4ZmtEA6yVOpWHZKZDHQ9KBuBJCk0KBjihKxlfHPQeOSa_t4/s400/P1090719.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Before bed, we gave him a cool shower in hopes that he would sleep better. In Kiev, our apartment did not have air conditioning-- and it was hot and humid. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58g2_cnTnpsbtX4Jyocit9pUfS0eYscJO5FYV6ZxOYXUdFa7l4hSbVu3kJrZ4yQAqXWH5Fyb5_xJ4hJrKVsceFRL1y1VTs3OTaa82W7Ea4Lvj1uwbrQ4aVEMARLXLOPHTdBYcamVk04Y/s1600-h/P1090730.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368929091944817394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58g2_cnTnpsbtX4Jyocit9pUfS0eYscJO5FYV6ZxOYXUdFa7l4hSbVu3kJrZ4yQAqXWH5Fyb5_xJ4hJrKVsceFRL1y1VTs3OTaa82W7Ea4Lvj1uwbrQ4aVEMARLXLOPHTdBYcamVk04Y/s400/P1090730.JPG" /></a></div><div>Once Alex fell asleep, I took a picture of his adorable little feet that only a Mama could love.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevu8cDHsj9yLOt4XIHhdYp6u2wLn4QBqCxeeA4KutYj42v91gwy9txEaPi7Q2xzPj0Fk0yQkOQOwLYFwPqqoCCeVfkGUrHTMK1Z72FYEDetrJTih3z1N6glDhX5Cn_mqNmQCg6TmDdh0/s1600-h/P1090727.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368928328592337954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevu8cDHsj9yLOt4XIHhdYp6u2wLn4QBqCxeeA4KutYj42v91gwy9txEaPi7Q2xzPj0Fk0yQkOQOwLYFwPqqoCCeVfkGUrHTMK1Z72FYEDetrJTih3z1N6glDhX5Cn_mqNmQCg6TmDdh0/s400/P1090727.JPG" /></a></div><div>The plane ride home went better than expected. The hardest part was our five hour layover in what I think is the dumbest laid out airport----Amsterdam. There was not enough seating at our terminal and we had to go through security after we had our boarding passes. But on the plane, Alex did great. In fact, he slept nearly 7 hours on the second stretch. It was wonderful.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRMFftlISViFW1-UqJkyD4sO6TMAsgXjZAuasiJoTMEOpmTyp5zvfDothNdv9VM3eUsfm87pfGb89xPd9qWuxvQZ4Pn9dJCR_uHsqs7vNqC3PJxPjLWZLIwkdIego5kHGyl3Q_MTQ8Vo/s1600-h/P1090735.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368929113170000514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRMFftlISViFW1-UqJkyD4sO6TMAsgXjZAuasiJoTMEOpmTyp5zvfDothNdv9VM3eUsfm87pfGb89xPd9qWuxvQZ4Pn9dJCR_uHsqs7vNqC3PJxPjLWZLIwkdIego5kHGyl3Q_MTQ8Vo/s400/P1090735.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6xkVj8S7JeDn6tLMeHQQA9f6dB3MmbluOxLqOVskNVlsex0JuEPoTa75DDH3hPW_jqVdx630JocrRfs0TF0yqP6rMkS1v8cwREqUiXZ_KOhrQfDMPlNvT3D66Lwsw2AKwYKrTAiTsqY/s1600-h/P1090733.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368929102189508930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6xkVj8S7JeDn6tLMeHQQA9f6dB3MmbluOxLqOVskNVlsex0JuEPoTa75DDH3hPW_jqVdx630JocrRfs0TF0yqP6rMkS1v8cwREqUiXZ_KOhrQfDMPlNvT3D66Lwsw2AKwYKrTAiTsqY/s400/P1090733.JPG" /></a></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-76068680548369043232009-08-04T09:05:00.000-07:002009-08-11T21:19:08.400-07:00Leaving for the TrainToday has been a whirlwind. Lots to blog about, but I don't have time to write a book.<br /><br />I'll try to sum up my day the best I can in one or two sentences.<br /><br />Before we took Alex from the orphanage, the doctor came up to us and told us that Alex is taking medication (just right now) twice a day to calm him down----- and she gave me enough medicine to get us home. I would normally be totally against this----but........<br /><br />he needs to calm down.<br /><br />And you think you had it hard John, traveling with Dennis----<em>phish!--</em> that was a breeze. Julia and I have already discussed our strategy and tag-team sleeping. One way or another--- we are coming home!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXAoNnjHZrlbp9dPCUeUh_qddaOkenrrPtwE_hQTVok3-vzvoAACj7myu78d8V8NsGtKvtIiBhvXWY6u25JhhNiJeDQphTfsL9PoNtBhkCq7bjpXGaptA-UajvX5VuBtcPGINORSO5Ho/s1600-h/P1090715.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368234268398113170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXAoNnjHZrlbp9dPCUeUh_qddaOkenrrPtwE_hQTVok3-vzvoAACj7myu78d8V8NsGtKvtIiBhvXWY6u25JhhNiJeDQphTfsL9PoNtBhkCq7bjpXGaptA-UajvX5VuBtcPGINORSO5Ho/s400/P1090715.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2edV4nLn-9p_oWPq3vgAsLXptkzdXYSCbls-aemqEqD52XdJBSC1zBRpc_WpPGLoe4rtH07lqBvoVXfcgashq544vQjdc1I9xD604rNJhYj0aIZp32SRzocyps54A9BsZLk-HlOpA4A/s1600-h/P1090713.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368234261137062434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2edV4nLn-9p_oWPq3vgAsLXptkzdXYSCbls-aemqEqD52XdJBSC1zBRpc_WpPGLoe4rtH07lqBvoVXfcgashq544vQjdc1I9xD604rNJhYj0aIZp32SRzocyps54A9BsZLk-HlOpA4A/s400/P1090713.JPG" /></a><br />Train tonight and plane this Friday. Did I mention we have to leave for the airport at 3am?junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-75107877241651737922009-08-04T03:17:00.000-07:002009-08-10T00:29:11.669-07:00Alex is With Us!Today we took Alex from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Antoshka</span>. It was bittersweet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVIk5sFU6r71R2o1piqMW1AR2ghCjcmVYMd5SYehrqNfiHqdBKvvpS9xlWogDkAijQofzvxzXjVt5D65QcIL_K95tR-ton-ng65EXPhXhHglV5lbv4UDArdXJG5MKVyTndIudGNLX1p0/s1600-h/P1090661.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231852771934706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVIk5sFU6r71R2o1piqMW1AR2ghCjcmVYMd5SYehrqNfiHqdBKvvpS9xlWogDkAijQofzvxzXjVt5D65QcIL_K95tR-ton-ng65EXPhXhHglV5lbv4UDArdXJG5MKVyTndIudGNLX1p0/s400/P1090661.JPG" /></a><br />But, before we left, I made sure to get pictures of Alex's whole <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span>.<br /><br />And his best friend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Leeza</span>.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QqAZUW_qltIbx5QftsIDM1_T3B8Sr5FVdU4DGtJjYrNHrw_DtL0uy19B1u-gj63e5z1jzIMyG3MedmKtRZEpF_UTBUK0ch-DyodAgA-LlT8R6d4PAxcRDAb-mNOZBPBqjRMpWGHs0bw/s1600-h/P1090659.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231843255875746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QqAZUW_qltIbx5QftsIDM1_T3B8Sr5FVdU4DGtJjYrNHrw_DtL0uy19B1u-gj63e5z1jzIMyG3MedmKtRZEpF_UTBUK0ch-DyodAgA-LlT8R6d4PAxcRDAb-mNOZBPBqjRMpWGHs0bw/s400/P1090659.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Then we came in quickly feed him lunch and get him dressed into the clothes we brought him.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmkj27L6CRcEiFREic1ghphyphenhyphenCS2nolczbe7yjQf4gP0ri9-mO3lOe8OffOCOcNr95iJDa19MClNif3IPLkLwgI-jqGnAl6sN0aMcI3MzFGCM1DZ1hOtfg9o_Ivi23QwsBF40VTTws3YE/s1600-h/P1090696.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231603118273618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmkj27L6CRcEiFREic1ghphyphenhyphenCS2nolczbe7yjQf4gP0ri9-mO3lOe8OffOCOcNr95iJDa19MClNif3IPLkLwgI-jqGnAl6sN0aMcI3MzFGCM1DZ1hOtfg9o_Ivi23QwsBF40VTTws3YE/s400/P1090696.JPG" /></a><br />He ate a broth like soup, mushy rice with carrots, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">eekra</span> which is an eggplant stew.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oYCTz2P2bUVyYM0_x36wB45ok6loAVRgXwrIBQ0C0_VpvZ8WWc_HKEPp1YmYuEbrmxDu0Sa9HF8EsJQbJ0hz9vryY4Ei5DXbykkw6RgJJEWUiF8KMlJCRCK5mKH2oA9Gdn8PM8s8RT4/s1600-h/P1090695.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231594527749042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oYCTz2P2bUVyYM0_x36wB45ok6loAVRgXwrIBQ0C0_VpvZ8WWc_HKEPp1YmYuEbrmxDu0Sa9HF8EsJQbJ0hz9vryY4Ei5DXbykkw6RgJJEWUiF8KMlJCRCK5mKH2oA9Gdn8PM8s8RT4/s400/P1090695.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>While he was eating, I took <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pictures of</span> where he slept. His bed was the one with the blue blanket. Notice the word "was"?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nJj5rRC8VtSRc8Wt7j6JeHrBmNww98nMysoWUSI0sTSPMN16yjcfAdukrQaUcUZVD8Iqe6f_GHtqJYPIzdghD3m6BOJzLXndcG-Ko17lzJes6BQizJdwwTAlN5NSvSPC2mLXSuNCRwI/s1600-h/P1090693.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231580920557762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nJj5rRC8VtSRc8Wt7j6JeHrBmNww98nMysoWUSI0sTSPMN16yjcfAdukrQaUcUZVD8Iqe6f_GHtqJYPIzdghD3m6BOJzLXndcG-Ko17lzJes6BQizJdwwTAlN5NSvSPC2mLXSuNCRwI/s400/P1090693.JPG" /></a><br />Before we left, we gave the kids their toy phones. They loved them and could <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hardly</span> believe that they didn't have to share!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNluH3K2Vh6dfB5G-frNhCfYtFN2RqccEVmOd4izpTLwxrBhpLGgDSo1CPMubnZEuoFMUdVwT7hyphenhyphenO4gKXxineoFbY0yiQHlVD1LZX3wgcvXfaJSjDb_oIE7Sb2IFRRcw6c0kgz6RIpsY/s1600-h/P1090689.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231577641544562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNluH3K2Vh6dfB5G-frNhCfYtFN2RqccEVmOd4izpTLwxrBhpLGgDSo1CPMubnZEuoFMUdVwT7hyphenhyphenO4gKXxineoFbY0yiQHlVD1LZX3wgcvXfaJSjDb_oIE7Sb2IFRRcw6c0kgz6RIpsY/s400/P1090689.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyxdgQXXf24YPJScKW48c-oRCi9HWWxxw2vaxzrbicOtSxWIR0NvQRT9_xKRK943zDMdmEYnaXdZTtOEglJQsX5twDgeic3V3V1eB_lsvhiQhpMD6WIFOcvoC1fkKSio9-TIM50Haokc/s1600-h/P1090699.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231606901728146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyxdgQXXf24YPJScKW48c-oRCi9HWWxxw2vaxzrbicOtSxWIR0NvQRT9_xKRK943zDMdmEYnaXdZTtOEglJQsX5twDgeic3V3V1eB_lsvhiQhpMD6WIFOcvoC1fkKSio9-TIM50Haokc/s400/P1090699.JPG" /></a> </div><div>One caretaker named Nadya had a very hard time-- as did Alex. They certainly seemed to have a special bond. She cried and nearly followed us down the stairs. She was so sweet. I guess I am to blame for her tears---- when I asked if I could trade an extra piece of clothing I brought for the undershirt he had been wearing is when she started to cry. She completely understood why I wanted it--- and I have it!<br /><br />We walked home and gave him a bath, and now we are resting. I really should go. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5CEoC8sfkDOCTsocZryug5zoNZpRNaHi9EPWCvBMmvSnMG0OfYdpQsjKdy2Um4oEwikXudcY6EjFP8Nufzu8q6I9tC6oVHP3m8tU7Tdx72BsrLmAiKHPC4bIsdYxwNavuwbHwyQH8iU/s1600-h/P1090704.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368232204487175938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5CEoC8sfkDOCTsocZryug5zoNZpRNaHi9EPWCvBMmvSnMG0OfYdpQsjKdy2Um4oEwikXudcY6EjFP8Nufzu8q6I9tC6oVHP3m8tU7Tdx72BsrLmAiKHPC4bIsdYxwNavuwbHwyQH8iU/s400/P1090704.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-16027797089546232612009-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:002009-08-10T00:17:23.832-07:00Getting Alex in the Morning!Today was a busy day! We did tons of running around getting all of the necessary paperwork like the court decree, new birth certificate, and Alex's passport. We had to drive to Slovansk first to get the birth certificate, and then drove all the way to Donetsk which is an hour and a half long ride each way. Not only was the car ride hot and bumpy--- but we had to change two flat tires too! But everything got done-- praise the Lord and we all ate at McDonald's afterwards! What a treat that was! Still.... I couldn't bring myself to buy ketchup so my fries were a little dry. But I washed them down with ice cold coca-cola.<br /><br />Here is where we had our first flat tire changed.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2X1qwwtloX_9vlO6LPWr_sWShrw3BbpLKVnzS_Z1cO0GR-5Yl63oKHDIbxSiv3dkFx7P6fo9lmZvDsIr3nGgQ1rxA94h2Sqi283anmoRO2MP7N0l6lnZSKzrU0qFvXfjaZIuaT75ua4/s1600-h/P1090667.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228191527453954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2X1qwwtloX_9vlO6LPWr_sWShrw3BbpLKVnzS_Z1cO0GR-5Yl63oKHDIbxSiv3dkFx7P6fo9lmZvDsIr3nGgQ1rxA94h2Sqi283anmoRO2MP7N0l6lnZSKzrU0qFvXfjaZIuaT75ua4/s400/P1090667.JPG" /></a><br />This is where our driver changed our second flat tire on the side of the road.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmtdeatccBpqNHdofuMQuAmUAsL22uw_Uwzvi0QWrg260ttQhXPij5rhnERmI9VIDn3d9ZJ-GWB6LPI_2AZvwEcfshXNF4Y8HuRQQZKglO1ii9TQ6mbsluGawetQ6wf_p8Q9y9WgeThY/s1600-h/P1090677.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228937175888018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmtdeatccBpqNHdofuMQuAmUAsL22uw_Uwzvi0QWrg260ttQhXPij5rhnERmI9VIDn3d9ZJ-GWB6LPI_2AZvwEcfshXNF4Y8HuRQQZKglO1ii9TQ6mbsluGawetQ6wf_p8Q9y9WgeThY/s400/P1090677.JPG" /></a><br />Yes, men carry purses in Ukraine-- especially in the bigger cities like Donetsk.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1y7n3_h_klGYXjZ4z0rIZMqtTZ-irfbouBiTQntKVVkeipuGKsjYqLuubFkC6R2n1PTc4FO6baO_mDoXR6Ndr7qegVLWU8Gp1DfRtNtlaoRz9lYUxnjJ93uWbg5wDJ83zDhFfrmezw0/s1600-h/P1090675.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228188196426802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1y7n3_h_klGYXjZ4z0rIZMqtTZ-irfbouBiTQntKVVkeipuGKsjYqLuubFkC6R2n1PTc4FO6baO_mDoXR6Ndr7qegVLWU8Gp1DfRtNtlaoRz9lYUxnjJ93uWbg5wDJ83zDhFfrmezw0/s400/P1090675.JPG" /></a><br />On our drive we saw miles and miles of sunflowers. It was hard to believe that any country could eat so many seeds. Later, I found it the sunflower seeds are squeezed for their oil--- there are no olive trees in Ukraine.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0i5L2LpwOg4wHwU1z621lqji6zLYrTUu62VzucjoKpPwdb3zd0I1VmNM912sC-ohDsLfc2FU-UTixlCH-5idqIQKsvlxXTNPR_TMNg708d3UkLiZk0L6Q5ZpkRkXbzXh6UBKiqtkggI/s1600-h/P1090672.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228180041962274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0i5L2LpwOg4wHwU1z621lqji6zLYrTUu62VzucjoKpPwdb3zd0I1VmNM912sC-ohDsLfc2FU-UTixlCH-5idqIQKsvlxXTNPR_TMNg708d3UkLiZk0L6Q5ZpkRkXbzXh6UBKiqtkggI/s400/P1090672.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Here we are driving back into Kramatorsk.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH1OVnfRfm0P14stSC0jsmXdF2ptvOj83HaHM8uObJdTQMHLLJSENI0XVSOz8iLsZEXLvPYnUxY0q-PKCXi1X-yVsNoMBTiUTVUKZSzs-erHnpL5RedU07CgUnvAKSqkcCew9v_Damy8/s1600-h/P1090688.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228943966104082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH1OVnfRfm0P14stSC0jsmXdF2ptvOj83HaHM8uObJdTQMHLLJSENI0XVSOz8iLsZEXLvPYnUxY0q-PKCXi1X-yVsNoMBTiUTVUKZSzs-erHnpL5RedU07CgUnvAKSqkcCew9v_Damy8/s400/P1090688.JPG" /></a><br />By the time we got back to our apartment it was too late to go and sign the paperwork so we could pick-up Alex----- but it is on our to-do list first thing in the morning! I am so excited! This is the very last night he will have to sleep in the orphanage--- the last time he will go without hugs, kisses, and prayers as he is tucked into bed. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tiQORJS6ju6_yMriJT3NGjGxvYa15pPMrw504lPzGp30ph28JcwMm8swP5HTpk0Ai-vsAi52od6aWdwBTAMPkNh6mWpKV6ApBB-EZEFFBgo31B-5lc4r6qzHRhJ74btPClALwtG_U7Y/s1600-h/P1090648.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228169735856194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tiQORJS6ju6_yMriJT3NGjGxvYa15pPMrw504lPzGp30ph28JcwMm8swP5HTpk0Ai-vsAi52od6aWdwBTAMPkNh6mWpKV6ApBB-EZEFFBgo31B-5lc4r6qzHRhJ74btPClALwtG_U7Y/s400/P1090648.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WICrJmKUeOrsfb07WsWYYu3gwjz14wl0FWyqwJwn_fl02S9wDBpyrg8XX65lkNv6QS_fRTCfErCTn67SZjolw66apDYeaHpqRbbouqaoCB9xNZBkZoBnBCwzyWs7NGidA8W1Fc3SGbc/s1600-h/P1090637.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368228161839604450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WICrJmKUeOrsfb07WsWYYu3gwjz14wl0FWyqwJwn_fl02S9wDBpyrg8XX65lkNv6QS_fRTCfErCTn67SZjolw66apDYeaHpqRbbouqaoCB9xNZBkZoBnBCwzyWs7NGidA8W1Fc3SGbc/s400/P1090637.JPG" /></a><br />This is also our last night in Kramatorsk--- and believe it or not--- I think I am going to miss this place. I am going to miss seeing all of the Mama kitties on our walk to Antoshka. I am going to miss watching all of the children playing outside. I am going to miss being able to buy ice-cream on any street corner in any one of the many kiosks.<br /><br /><div>I am going to miss people watching---- I still don't get why so many women wear heels here. I am going to miss a more simpler life.<br /><br />I have promised myself that life is going to be different when I get home. I want to take the time to walk more......... to get the mail.......... to walk to my kids' bus stop........ to go around my neighborhood and meet more people. I want to complain less. If I have to drive to the doctor's office-- so what. My car is air conditioned and I am pretty sure that I have enough tread on my tires so that I won't get a flat. If I have to wash my fifth load of clothes that day--- big whoop--- I won't have to hang up all of the clothes to dry. If my son falls in the mud--- at least I know I will have hot water to give him a bath. I want to take more time to just visit with friends and family. Back in America I was always so busy-- yet I don't know what I was doing. Probably too much computer, too much worrying, too much planning, making way too big of a deal about anything and everything.<br /><br />Wouldn't that be nice?<br /><br />----Goodnight!</div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-47810528141675460582009-08-02T03:33:00.000-07:002009-08-10T00:03:03.212-07:00Up and Down<div>Last night I tossed and turned worrying my heart over everything you can imagine. I continually refocused my thoughts on my Heavenly Father-- but I was up against a battle.<br /><br />Thoughts that went through my mind:<br /><br /><em>I won't wake up on time to make it to the airport by 5 am this coming Friday.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>They will not have the old passport forms which take only one day-- but they will have plenty of new passport forms which take a week.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>We will not be allowed to enter the country because Alex won't pass his medical.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I run out of diapers on the train.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>My kids are getting into trouble back home every day I am not there for them.</em><br /><em></em><br />I can go on and on, but you get the drift. It wasn't until 1:00am that I finally fell asleep. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep, but I am still managing to stay positive. We made little gift bags for each of the children in Alex's group. Inside each one is a teddy bear shaped chocolate filled cake, a juice box, a napkin, and a toy telephone. Julia and I decorated the outside of each of the bags. We think they will like them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_Mn2zX0KJ2RAF72Hcq3Gk1kopHnLdeHduGu1PKNPFxinNMCpASRvhe5_2SSCvP4Puey85UdYhAjmDyWbF4VZrIc9zVIbhgzGVlSr3bESRLGyVgQy9YC8UtxrVJlJ5pgZkLxl01K7-tg/s1600-h/P1090640.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368226973614704146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_Mn2zX0KJ2RAF72Hcq3Gk1kopHnLdeHduGu1PKNPFxinNMCpASRvhe5_2SSCvP4Puey85UdYhAjmDyWbF4VZrIc9zVIbhgzGVlSr3bESRLGyVgQy9YC8UtxrVJlJ5pgZkLxl01K7-tg/s400/P1090640.JPG" /></a><br />Alex will probably come back to the apartment with us tomorrow evening after we do all of our running around to get our paperwork complete. I am looking forward to giving him a bath, putting on clean pajamas, and feeding him a bowl of ice-cream. Most of all, I look forward to him really being my son------ here to stay by my side-- no more visits!<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, Ukraine is wonderful, and so is adoption, but being away from family for so long makes a person kind of long to be home back in their own bed---- settling disagreements between the kids, washing loads of smelly socks, and sitting in church listening to your Pastor talk.<br /><br />Ahhhhhh, it will be good to be home.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Julia and I are having fun buying inexpensive little treats for all of our loved ones back home.<br /><br />For my family---<br /><br />Adam, I miss hearing you play guitar.<br />Rachel, I miss cooking with you in the kitchen.<br />Caleb, I miss rubbing hands with you in church.<br />Sveta, I miss your funny talks with the dogs.<br />Annalyn, I miss your beautiful smiles.<br />Anna, I miss your sweet hugs and kisses.<br />William, I miss cuddling with you.<br />Andrew, I miss hearing your laugh.... so much.<br />Jonny, I miss your sweet little voice.<br />Dennis, I miss the way you prance around the house.<br />And John, I miss you making me laugh.<br />Friends and family-- I miss all of you too!<br /><br />Please continue to pray us home.</div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-2590662336189189582009-08-01T09:31:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:58:38.288-07:00The Borscht was Great!Just got back from dinner with Julia. Julia ended up really enjoying the borscht compared to the smoky chicken dish that she ordered. Oh well------ who said we had to finish everything off of our plates?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaN0A0pTyjUthlEtreI5HjXfH4Ts8__Jm8GwlerI-M__p_I6B2SDiYftmBSnZZfS3lMIg50B-IY6Dp94En9JyUOgLSFLcjXiGSqFuAsdU5-q9TmEqYEQ5KBxAzwX4y4QlInvzYI-4Ab8/s1600-h/P1090647.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368225029065432706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaN0A0pTyjUthlEtreI5HjXfH4Ts8__Jm8GwlerI-M__p_I6B2SDiYftmBSnZZfS3lMIg50B-IY6Dp94En9JyUOgLSFLcjXiGSqFuAsdU5-q9TmEqYEQ5KBxAzwX4y4QlInvzYI-4Ab8/s400/P1090647.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvElk49-BUyx6xk-R1gKKi9Oexo6NEEScMbrd1uDTsDrYjACzl2zWcg5zRaT1oWeF0we4z6YefTrkAvLqvbufpK6Trs8o0mQKT_IK0wr8y_3drfbkrgAFJFVELvE43ebkA4YgQMr_QkvU/s1600-h/P1090645.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368225019800766818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvElk49-BUyx6xk-R1gKKi9Oexo6NEEScMbrd1uDTsDrYjACzl2zWcg5zRaT1oWeF0we4z6YefTrkAvLqvbufpK6Trs8o0mQKT_IK0wr8y_3drfbkrgAFJFVELvE43ebkA4YgQMr_QkvU/s400/P1090645.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Our afternoon visit with Alex went well---- but I am so done visiting my child everyday. It feels so much like a chore---- which I hate saying-- but it is true. It feels weird looking forward to our visit with Alex and then watching the time go by slowly hoping that this is the last visit before we get to take him away for good.<br /><br />Our facilitator is coming back in the morning so this is our last "just girls" night--- free to not close the door when we shower-- free to eat in the living room---- free to binge on ice-cream. But it also means having a translator again which is nice to have last minute questions answered.<br /><br />Hope you have a nice Sunday!</div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-85515292001766635122009-08-01T02:40:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:51:39.484-07:00Our Last Saturday<div>I'm jumping up and down.<br /><br />Two reasons----<br /><br />1.) Officially today our 10th day is up! And this is the last Saturday we are spending in Ukraine!<br /><br />2.) We are at an Internet Cafe walking distance from our apartment! Woooo-hooo!<br /><br />Julia and I both have computers for the next hour and a half--- so now I can tell you all about the last few days. Alex is getting more and more used to us and seems sad every time our visit is over. He is for the most part a very happy and outgoing little boy---- but there is a mischievous side to him that I will have to keep an eye on. I think he has just been couped up for way too long and is ready to explore the world around him. The other day I tore off a dead branch with dry leaves and crumbled it up in front of him. Then I let him do it. He loved it! We also got to let him play in the sand with all the other children--- something he is not allowed to do all the time-- and he loved that too! I can only imagine how he is going to react to the world outside the orphanage fence--- we keep counting down the days for him till he gets to ride the big train to Kiev.<br /><br />The day we played in the sand with all the kids is a day I kick myself for not bringing the video camera. We had a blast! I pretended to make food and then had the kids serve it to me. </div><div><br />"Ya nee hachoo kasha-malasha!" I said making the yuckiest face--- and breakthrough! All the caretakers started laughing and it seemed like Julia and I made it into their club. After that we were offered some of their black, unsalted sunflower seeds. It was a neat feeling of acceptance.<br /><br />I pretended to eat the kasha (sand) as the kids saw me throw down the spoonfuls-- this had all of them laughing. Soon after, the kids were playing with each other---- Alex and Leeza were the cutest together.... both laughing up a storm!<br /><br />Quite a few times Julia and I have timed our arrival to be just as the kids are coming outside to play. The caretakers have to call all the kids back as they come running up to us yelling Mama.<br />I have given up correcting them to call me Choit-cha which means Aunt after learning that they have eighteen different caretakers whom they all call Mama. I wish they could all have Mamas-- all of them need one and deserve one.<br /><br />As Julia and I have learned what the kids do day and day out--- we have decided to do something different for the kids when we take Alex. Instead of the traditional cake, fruit, and juice, we went and bought all of the kids little toy phones. We went to the same lady where Julia bought her siblings a few souvenirs and she remembered us. Instead of twelve grivna per phone, she told us they were only eight grivna, but when we told her we wanted to buy 7 of them, she sold them to us for six grivna each. Knowing what a great deal she was giving us-- we gave her a fifty grivna bill and told her to keep the change. It was a win-win for all of us! We will probably still do something else but we are not sure yet. We are giving the caretakers the dishcloths that Julia handmade, filled with candy and tied together. Hopefully they will like them.<br />*********************************<br />Going back a few days-- one evening when the Penman's were still here we went to Premier for dinner-- a very affordable and good place to eat in Kramatorsk. I felt a little adventurous and ordered a pork, cabbage, and kiwi salad. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTobn5PpSBWAazxQZKNHO7awt0LDcjIZTPuJ4MshWLzTeZpvQfqC2s827rF8ZXzn0ahoKkuJpMjA5gHZjxG03FMVPpZIVYOetNGajgJb_ZRO5bq1x7ZnDu3SCDLXrRli6rf7cqIWUASSY/s1600-h/P1090610.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368222863420866866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTobn5PpSBWAazxQZKNHO7awt0LDcjIZTPuJ4MshWLzTeZpvQfqC2s827rF8ZXzn0ahoKkuJpMjA5gHZjxG03FMVPpZIVYOetNGajgJb_ZRO5bq1x7ZnDu3SCDLXrRli6rf7cqIWUASSY/s400/P1090610.JPG" /></a></div><div>It was so yummy! Julia played it safe and ordered boring mashed potatoes and rice with cooked veggies. I also ordered chicken with spinach and cheese. It was just nice getting out and not having to do the dishes afterwards. Our whole meal with two cokes each was only seventy-one grivna equivalent to about nine American dollars.<br /><br />The other night, Julia and I had a Racko tournament and made a little bet to make it interesting. If she won, I had to take her to the pastry shop and let her pick out anything. If I won, she had to go to Premier with me and have a bowl of Borscht.<br /><br />Guess who won??<br /><br />Since it rained last night we couldn't go-- so today after our afternoon visit with Alex we are going to Premier!<br />*************************** </div><div>Here is a place where I think handicapped people live. What a nice ramp for wheelchairs.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-POrCp0xAxHVxO2XmTUVq60WFn7bFwXZAToeo-lJyBiwwOOc8M1vMQ0dDBZmNYYZjsRfL1ffGXBnv8Fdymhu7EV1D6TTTEQGEWcyqJA5uKUi246g4vkeYefWZDFn6z0PPLbM57epnWS4/s1600-h/P1090636.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368222885543404050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-POrCp0xAxHVxO2XmTUVq60WFn7bFwXZAToeo-lJyBiwwOOc8M1vMQ0dDBZmNYYZjsRfL1ffGXBnv8Fdymhu7EV1D6TTTEQGEWcyqJA5uKUi246g4vkeYefWZDFn6z0PPLbM57epnWS4/s400/P1090636.JPG" /></a> </div><div>**************************</div><div>We played outside with all of the kids again.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qH0ZafunDaYqFfGHc9U0hWAESUyAi5KI3yIlaKSux2aG2RVhKAuTfIT5xFrX-JvoSpapjTbFhIEguMf-msp7a4LEDK657r598bAS7g12VNlqD9sc3k1ConBRepRxnEwlsxaZR6FhOwE/s1600-h/P1090609.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368222876368374114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qH0ZafunDaYqFfGHc9U0hWAESUyAi5KI3yIlaKSux2aG2RVhKAuTfIT5xFrX-JvoSpapjTbFhIEguMf-msp7a4LEDK657r598bAS7g12VNlqD9sc3k1ConBRepRxnEwlsxaZR6FhOwE/s400/P1090609.JPG" /></a></div><div>The caretakers even allowed Alex to get out and play with us.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t3bNWnjFdMGhoFqPhXnjr_yB4qVpUFEujmjvlOd42hpwqCwFWhAua26zvvBcW0ov_OpM4YtpeP9QlUW_zTRAdBusj03vi62a4uOyJXvNSPVJXiV_JrpV6zsHWxgz5xo2BSmIZ-h4FUs/s1600-h/P1090608.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368222869876175714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t3bNWnjFdMGhoFqPhXnjr_yB4qVpUFEujmjvlOd42hpwqCwFWhAua26zvvBcW0ov_OpM4YtpeP9QlUW_zTRAdBusj03vi62a4uOyJXvNSPVJXiV_JrpV6zsHWxgz5xo2BSmIZ-h4FUs/s400/P1090608.JPG" /></a></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-1995013788672662009-07-31T23:13:00.001-07:002009-07-31T23:16:50.121-07:00As alluded to... pretty cool in my opinion.<a href="http://www.vp.donetsk.ua/statya.php?vstat=3166">http://www.vp.donetsk.ua/statya.php?vstat=3166</a><br /><br />--JR<br /><br />(dad)<br /><br />ps They are are all fine. It's raining there. And they got just one week left !junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-9883047329731836512009-07-29T03:46:00.000-07:002009-07-29T06:57:09.646-07:00It is Snowing!Yes, you read right! As I type, you can see little flakes of snow floating to the ground. The Penman's call them flurries, I think. Whatever you call it-- it is cold! How exciting!junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-63992186620185242092009-07-29T02:04:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:42:14.247-07:00Must Have Woke Up on the Wrong Side of the KravatToday's morning visit with Alex did not go well.<br /><br />What makes it worse is that I didn't even see it coming. I was too excited at all the "trash to treasure" I had collected for the children in his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span>. All of the toys that we give the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span> ends up on a shelf (and I am not kidding-- they are for show only) so I thought I would bring them things that are considered trash, but I know the kids will have a ball playing with. So I lugged a good size bag of egg cartons, empty cereal boxes, different kind of bags, cups, and spoons.<br /><br />And I was right! The kids were so excited-- and the caretakers actually looked at me and showed me with their eyes that I had done a good thing-- which I was glad to see because I was half expecting them to look at me like I was crazy. It was fun to see the kids playing-- and it made it easier for us to take Alex for a walk while he ate the ripe, yummy pear that we brought. As the juicy fruit dripped down his arm and onto his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">thighs</span>, I tried to teach him to wrap a napkin around the fruit, but he wouldn't have it. Okay-- so forget the napkin-- I'll just clean him up once he is done. That too, he didn't want any part of but I got the job done, no big deal. We got to check up on the hardworking men who have been laying brick since we first got here. John-- they are still not done-- but they continue to engage Alex and he is more talkative with them. After walking around for about twenty minutes playing hide and go seek with Julia, we went and saw Simon's group and gave them their usual tickle fest that each of the boys so love. It has been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">amazing</span> to see them all transition before my eyes-- each of the boys look healthier and happier-- they have better color, and respond to Julia and I immediately-- which is amazing because they all have moderate special needs (outside of Simon). Word of advice to anyone going to an orphanage soon-- spend time with the other kids-- rub their back-- talk to them--- bring them treats--- tickle them--- it may be the only real highlight of their day... week... month... or even year.<br /><br />Moving on......<br /><br />We all went to the sport room---- Alex was not cooperative getting out of the stroller. The room had the director's wife sitting in it doing paperwork-- so of course I talked with her a bit while Julia played with Alex. Alex came over to me, so I picked him up. He didn't like that--- he wanted to look through the drawer she had open. As I tried to parent him and lead him back to the ball pit, he dashed out to swing open the door-- something he has been told many times not to do. So I picked him up and now he has the director's wife scolding him too. Okay, I thought-- he'll listen to her. NOPE. He stared grabbing my glasses which he also knows is a big no-no. You can imagine how awkward the situation was for me as he continued to deliberately disobey. I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was acting up because there was other women around-- but I still had to stay firm. So I did what I did a few days ago--- I took him back to his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span>.<br /><br />Ugh--- it was not one of my finer moments---- yet again.<br /><br />One caretaker got him to apologize and give me an I am sorry kiss which was really nice--- but I can't wait till he is my child in my custody and learns to respond to me in the same way. Only five more days for that. The plan is for us to be on a train the night of the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>.<br />**************************<br />Before I forget I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with the caretakers handiwork. Nearly a week ago, one of the front wheels on Alex's stroller broke-- I most certainly would have thrown the whole thing away. But not at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Antoshka</span>-- the women got out some thin wire and fixed it-- and now it stronger than ever!<br />**************************<br />However, our afternoon visit went well! We had fun with the kids outside!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMU76qfkZ7aNk9a8CG2h7S7-OKm1g0jGCz1A1-tlUMOiR_5uEoUHvZLXsoUcG3nHFBL6l3UyHhHarMtnNZvI6rQM7lopy17D4S11q0qB7HEaJBhqwUxJ6hJ7kfZpvvBgtnhlfAkDAov0/s1600-h/P1090633.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368221182566729170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMU76qfkZ7aNk9a8CG2h7S7-OKm1g0jGCz1A1-tlUMOiR_5uEoUHvZLXsoUcG3nHFBL6l3UyHhHarMtnNZvI6rQM7lopy17D4S11q0qB7HEaJBhqwUxJ6hJ7kfZpvvBgtnhlfAkDAov0/s400/P1090633.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoAECrOuXblRryvePW9wvDOkRgdV1x3qmcBBzCLzkZ-c5nWILgeHoisNowru_fOrRiAoPbzKj7uXAVG3ra1l1RSBhoKgCJkVJ_IgPNXCb112Gk4krOzPl6F1V5Atqg37Uh6MrgEfMp6E/s1600-h/P1090630.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368221179083171442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoAECrOuXblRryvePW9wvDOkRgdV1x3qmcBBzCLzkZ-c5nWILgeHoisNowru_fOrRiAoPbzKj7uXAVG3ra1l1RSBhoKgCJkVJ_IgPNXCb112Gk4krOzPl6F1V5Atqg37Uh6MrgEfMp6E/s400/P1090630.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7BnjsfGjGNOcVbUWs2MEXeI94_aPtmqDBXQrmkH7rV_x-YekNcDSsrgLE7NQMg_WMxiDjfRQwtabYk4WZ5FM9xqTxW61-2lz4uw6WQeWmB5BNdvOVLVJ7aBvbUPSbeuYAi2HNKWt6E8/s1600-h/P1090629.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368221171550292386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7BnjsfGjGNOcVbUWs2MEXeI94_aPtmqDBXQrmkH7rV_x-YekNcDSsrgLE7NQMg_WMxiDjfRQwtabYk4WZ5FM9xqTxW61-2lz4uw6WQeWmB5BNdvOVLVJ7aBvbUPSbeuYAi2HNKWt6E8/s400/P1090629.JPG" /></a></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-72778635971953318072009-07-28T04:38:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:32:02.930-07:00A Short Update<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmYrzVAA7-1_v45wZX20-NXxazMX79bF3902a1vnnc6tRvZnwcC82bWCiMhk_pj0fzrlYtQlzGxtd85Jipjxbsiu0HGTZ2AxryzQ6bQC-p-ZccAqDHBU4TgSYoBHeuLSVwJXa1UXSMqA/s1600-h/P1090612.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368216906614727986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmYrzVAA7-1_v45wZX20-NXxazMX79bF3902a1vnnc6tRvZnwcC82bWCiMhk_pj0fzrlYtQlzGxtd85Jipjxbsiu0HGTZ2AxryzQ6bQC-p-ZccAqDHBU4TgSYoBHeuLSVwJXa1UXSMqA/s400/P1090612.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Today we got to take Alex out to get his passport photo taken. He was beyond excited--- riding in a machina left him speechless. He loved the big flash of the photographers camera and made the cheeziest expression humanly possible! It was so cute.<br /><br />When we got back, we saw that an American family who had adopted a little girl ten years ago was there for a visit. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5-v6PGUTMgDAoEJBku7u1VbSbmQ-F0t5rhpjC1i95Eg-MG4g4W1Qc-kIWhJ46Aj6LJS3Kz_oA50o4vPBu2DnJ0oHKyvE_FqiqjM4fqje6TkdotOdyE3H8H6KYjExqqFUK9-mHzpUNyw/s1600-h/P1090618.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368216926111964754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5-v6PGUTMgDAoEJBku7u1VbSbmQ-F0t5rhpjC1i95Eg-MG4g4W1Qc-kIWhJ46Aj6LJS3Kz_oA50o4vPBu2DnJ0oHKyvE_FqiqjM4fqje6TkdotOdyE3H8H6KYjExqqFUK9-mHzpUNyw/s400/P1090618.JPG" /></a></div><div>Their beautiful daughter played guitar for the whole orphanage. It was nice to see everyone celebrating this beautiful child's life. Julia and the girl talked, as did her mother and I. What an incredible story they have. Afterwards, they visited the kids in Alex's groupa--- and she passed out lots of toys that were shelved shortly thereafter. Earlier in their trip they had visited Torez and told me only good things about it. The mother said that the children and adults appeared to be very well cared for-- they were doing crafts and were working on ongoing projects. It was so nice to hear good things about a place that I feared Alex was doomed to go to.<br /><br />Julia and I visited the flea market and found some really cute clothes. We found a few ladies who helped us bargain with the other merchants-- so even in Ukraine I got some pretty good deals! After, we walked around to look at the fresh vegetables-- and bought a nice big peach!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FUjSbzdmNPiVYnj7MAUx025lUMCRonTAtz_BP-TxZ7drizczb49Y_fUVNsXxcGs1GLdXfq5ZSq-EXbzUek7r9YwujWV9ETU3UfdkOAjJlrB4G_R5QHIGtjqZCM2hw7btsCCnaghh6zc/s1600-h/P1090606.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368216912195083458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FUjSbzdmNPiVYnj7MAUx025lUMCRonTAtz_BP-TxZ7drizczb49Y_fUVNsXxcGs1GLdXfq5ZSq-EXbzUek7r9YwujWV9ETU3UfdkOAjJlrB4G_R5QHIGtjqZCM2hw7btsCCnaghh6zc/s400/P1090606.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU_C1WaTtF57lFKu-Mu45V7IPGrAHS36eVjeWeDI1PDt0VBY9WSKxq8m9ggJXt_Hnf_sED3PgNJqNsqCH4nV5s7PeuPgs934T1pLSHO76PtGET5PPT_p9I6xzWvxtQr0nkCeR-XpNVA8/s1600-h/P1090607.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368216918772996626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU_C1WaTtF57lFKu-Mu45V7IPGrAHS36eVjeWeDI1PDt0VBY9WSKxq8m9ggJXt_Hnf_sED3PgNJqNsqCH4nV5s7PeuPgs934T1pLSHO76PtGET5PPT_p9I6xzWvxtQr0nkCeR-XpNVA8/s400/P1090607.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Today one of the caretakers insisted that Alex walk up the stairs. Obviously he was having difficulty-- especially when we let go of his hand so I ended up carrying him up. Sadly, that was frowned upon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDyJ_XCFjv_0HDxL7I9BXdKOUwj0mllDJOOTjB9uUBWjzPUh9LN30mzgo_o5IEki8T1eMr6i11DoL4FZqLsBLEZG2DVwconf-NMFHlGqtnLLz8P1hUtSBlIJdKdqB3ZHK34ozCLQsx3w/s1600-h/P1090614.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368216935694584706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDyJ_XCFjv_0HDxL7I9BXdKOUwj0mllDJOOTjB9uUBWjzPUh9LN30mzgo_o5IEki8T1eMr6i11DoL4FZqLsBLEZG2DVwconf-NMFHlGqtnLLz8P1hUtSBlIJdKdqB3ZHK34ozCLQsx3w/s400/P1090614.JPG" /></a><br />Hope all is well with all of you.</div></div></div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-77829979252440706992009-07-27T03:39:00.001-07:002009-08-09T23:16:50.939-07:00Sad to See Us Go<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kl7nL4xXsvlpzvPjyMp0TzvZiR5HmRo7i2CIjcoa8KCh0RRDynSUA1aEQ7or-UV3_x7DRvVoeCpbxjFzKv96sqzMJMVoNZqfE3yfK_PvlFsZsY69anGEwbkC52uKJ7qVC2qP6xHM9Hs/s1600-h/P1090605.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368213885003204978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kl7nL4xXsvlpzvPjyMp0TzvZiR5HmRo7i2CIjcoa8KCh0RRDynSUA1aEQ7or-UV3_x7DRvVoeCpbxjFzKv96sqzMJMVoNZqfE3yfK_PvlFsZsY69anGEwbkC52uKJ7qVC2qP6xHM9Hs/s400/P1090605.JPG" /></a><br /><div>When it was time to take Alex back to his groupa at the end of our second visit yesterday--- I didn't want to hand him over. I could see how unhappy he was to go--- I am sure it had something to do with the particular caretakers that were on shift at that time. There are so many women coming and going from that orphanage that I can hardly keep up-- nor can I recognize them. There are a few that I love dearly and appreciate so much-- but the majority of them seem to consider what they do merely a job not a ministry--- and it shows.<br /><br />And it makes my heart hurt. Julia's too. She loves all the children and enjoys passing out treats to them. She is getting Alex to play with her more and more and she absolutely loves to hear him call out her name. It is pretty cute.<br /><br />Today we saw Dennis' old roommate outside in a baby walker. She is just so precious, bless her little heart. She has some kind of syndrome I am sure-- her eyes are set wide apart and she is missing fingers-- but she is the cutest little doll in all of Antoshka! But don't worry in case you are thinking---- the feelings I have are not Mama-type feelings but more a feeling of children with special needs need more advocates because they have so much potential. Can I hear an Amen?<br />*************************<br />I think Julia and I are developing a mosquito phobia-- nothing makes my skin crawl more than the high pitched sound of a mosquito buzzing around your head. EEeee!<br /><br />I am also sick of apricots--- there are trees everywhere around here and the smell of rotten apricots smells like hot, old beer.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c3ZTHvavyfdTB_yQT0xGxUVE8lDfwHPreRcUHCm0oE6sY1AFC3vB5_TaXr06mWj86DmMECtScjWBUdPgfqVipA1jVYNpCuHzwWDhtxxArFKhF8auPZO2piTRYf3It1V3PDC-kpjTDfc/s1600-h/P1090575.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368213899001936690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c3ZTHvavyfdTB_yQT0xGxUVE8lDfwHPreRcUHCm0oE6sY1AFC3vB5_TaXr06mWj86DmMECtScjWBUdPgfqVipA1jVYNpCuHzwWDhtxxArFKhF8auPZO2piTRYf3It1V3PDC-kpjTDfc/s400/P1090575.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNgwesBX409ceRp-6iH8q8Do0bks-3bEfJxBVu0E3MbMTFsCpLIgd6ZDDEycLHb7wVQaKMZL2GJmF5Fj7lZ_xtsDBG8CpN-c97wEf8VtnO_I2mLDJNAyJhrB9V9fQWZVzOIPHUD6G848/s1600-h/P1090611.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368213909535258322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNgwesBX409ceRp-6iH8q8Do0bks-3bEfJxBVu0E3MbMTFsCpLIgd6ZDDEycLHb7wVQaKMZL2GJmF5Fj7lZ_xtsDBG8CpN-c97wEf8VtnO_I2mLDJNAyJhrB9V9fQWZVzOIPHUD6G848/s400/P1090611.JPG" /></a><br />I love, love, love how Kramatorsk is like one giant park. Tall, shady trees are everywhere! Here is just one of many "hang outs" where old men play chess.<br />*************************<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvecRjdSqZwNY-Ccz8VLwXzA2Hte1taAucF6QmwkEUPibxJXLyVWun17DWsVhu7LjkEkzIr374Tfa5KxNhleeFYlgjxTyIb8GRpWWWFd9kvlEPxOmr_bG3vuB6i3U530WV2GOAGyqfBs/s1600-h/P1090599.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368213893098317394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvecRjdSqZwNY-Ccz8VLwXzA2Hte1taAucF6QmwkEUPibxJXLyVWun17DWsVhu7LjkEkzIr374Tfa5KxNhleeFYlgjxTyIb8GRpWWWFd9kvlEPxOmr_bG3vuB6i3U530WV2GOAGyqfBs/s400/P1090599.JPG" /></a></div><div>We saw this caterpillar on our walk home. It was huge!</div><div>***********************</div><div>This is for the Reed Kids---- I miss you guys so much. I have enjoyed your comments Annalyn and Rachel. They make me feel closer to you. Please keep an eye on each other and take care of one another! This is not a bribe-- but I would love to surprise all of you with something fun to do when Julia, Alex, and I get home! So-- be good!</div></div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-63387608314943948692009-07-26T03:26:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:06:23.600-07:00Life in Ukraine<div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuQM0czZQPsVKRznoB-ZwIiCNLw30mSYn9rnjCz2bBBI6KZ5yIEGkFd_OIANfuwRrHscpn3huZ029UltbZNtBZcTXgC6EBe_UZn3I8-FiJTUW0pZTlHVVazBJUBkAdd-itQ8u15UCsc4/s1600-h/P1090591.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368211437055581138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuQM0czZQPsVKRznoB-ZwIiCNLw30mSYn9rnjCz2bBBI6KZ5yIEGkFd_OIANfuwRrHscpn3huZ029UltbZNtBZcTXgC6EBe_UZn3I8-FiJTUW0pZTlHVVazBJUBkAdd-itQ8u15UCsc4/s400/P1090591.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Alex is so smart. Yesterday I asked him if he wanted one cookie or two cookies tomorrow. He answered two! Then I asked him if he wanted little cookies or big cookies and he thought for a moment and answered, "Bolshoy!" It was just the cutest thing.<br /><br />Alex is learning so much--- he got another timeout for hitting another little girl and understood that he had to stay sitting in his chair for a few minutes. Then he got up and said sorry. It is really obvious that the kids are not taught to say please and thank you, or I am sorry when they accidentally do something like hit another child with a swinging telephone. However, I am pleased to say that Alex is already learning these things and I have caught him saying them with out my prompting. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-tFNYOI2OQiqNYU3m9dWeMuJei1Bmk_28EBndu8ys7Caf-8543GqdUEWpE-_CokhMAx5O7nnPWkaErEgNxsRUpQ_kX0Noz3hOMxW0fRGfGGGDG9tIGy1aY5wW8K7-0BuBnmdDoJcpQE/s1600-h/P1090596.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368211452851188786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-tFNYOI2OQiqNYU3m9dWeMuJei1Bmk_28EBndu8ys7Caf-8543GqdUEWpE-_CokhMAx5O7nnPWkaErEgNxsRUpQ_kX0Noz3hOMxW0fRGfGGGDG9tIGy1aY5wW8K7-0BuBnmdDoJcpQE/s400/P1090596.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Alex is doing things that John had tried to get him to do when he was still here, but Alex was scared to do. He now loves to play in a big tube and Alex rolls around in it when Julia or I push it.<br />The weather is hot again, but the breeze is nice. We sleep in the room with the air conditioning and it almost feels like I am at home in my own bed. Almost.<br /><br />Here is a list of things that are noticeably different here.<br /><br />1. I have to unlock three different doors to get into our apartment. One of the keys looks like it should unlock an ancient treasure chest.<br /><br />2. There are little kiosks scattered throughout the apartment grounds that sell beverages including beer, fresh fruit, bread, or ice-cream. Julia and I can enjoy two nice sized ice-cream bars for less than a dollar.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wCIT9UpiEDUIgZuljmmz6suJhXoKNk0wMo_p9g3qAHZmIGY-GSjl2aR2ezrK0dEE2-i4deNCTHTlpxT1C-a3UhgKln4Si0RSGysPObXIWsSTWRFIbB0Z5Z91UoUqTBsJSg_esvwqm2M/s1600-h/P1090576.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368211431084593026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wCIT9UpiEDUIgZuljmmz6suJhXoKNk0wMo_p9g3qAHZmIGY-GSjl2aR2ezrK0dEE2-i4deNCTHTlpxT1C-a3UhgKln4Si0RSGysPObXIWsSTWRFIbB0Z5Z91UoUqTBsJSg_esvwqm2M/s400/P1090576.JPG" /></a><br />3. There are so many stray cats and dogs around here. And many cats look pregnant. Julia and I also give our loose change to a very fragile looking babushka who stands outside the market begging for money. Not sure if we are doing the right thing according to Ukraine customs, but for us it feels right.<br /><br />4. Ukraine just flat out smells different than America. Some of the smells are good, but most are unpleasant to my nose. The stairwell smells different from the elevator and certain parts of our walk make me wonder what died in the bushes. Probably one of those poor starving dogs I see around here. The market sells lots of fish-- and I hate fish-- period. I do like walking past one of the kiosks selling bread-- and fresh tomatoes have a nice smell too.<br />*************************<br />As I close I wanted to share a story with you. After dinner, Julia and I went outside to sit near our apartment entrance where all the old babushkas sit. At one point I got up and asked to pet one of their dogs. She told me NO very sternly and then showed me her hand which had two of her upper fingers missing indicating that the dog had bit them off. What??? Why would she still have that dog? Anyway, a scary looking man was finally done yelling at another babushka one door down and came walking past where we were sitting. That mean dog got up and started barking something fierce at that man and was ready to attack it, so the man started yelling at it and lighting matches and throwing them at the dog. It was quite a show. But finally, the old man was gone and the dog went back to sleep.<br /><br />Another old crochety babushka joined the other babushkas and saw that Julia an I were playing ball again. She asked me to move because a machina would drive over us but I ignored her because there had been no machinas for the last 15 minutes and I was a big girl who could see the machina and get out of the way. I think that ticked her off because she came up to me invading my personal space and talking to me like a child. She told me to go play somewhere else because a mahina would drive over me. Well this time I nicely told her that there was no machinas and this royally ticked her off. She started yelling at me and finally acted like the ball might hit her face-- so rather than cause a scene, I picked up the soft ball and Julia and I went back up to our apartment.<br /><br />I miss America. Only 12 more days. Only 12 more days. </div><div> </div><div>P.S. Here is a cute picture of the kids all sitting on a blanket eating the cookies we brought them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i_gwer-7DYRYks9_0w1088UWcjPRQbRJqNcnpnG_tGkrOq6jKLNddNfOZWp9sOv_0sj8K8IxSWOlbyrkWq8qf_HzpuxwGXIULcDSHYn7UUOBfP3dxcGjxDYzsAJ1RWIvIj3Vfo4qpx4/s1600-h/P1090595.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368211446848358210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i_gwer-7DYRYks9_0w1088UWcjPRQbRJqNcnpnG_tGkrOq6jKLNddNfOZWp9sOv_0sj8K8IxSWOlbyrkWq8qf_HzpuxwGXIULcDSHYn7UUOBfP3dxcGjxDYzsAJ1RWIvIj3Vfo4qpx4/s400/P1090595.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-36295202449122913052009-07-25T03:17:00.000-07:002009-08-09T22:51:50.055-07:00Today has been Awesome!<div><div>I have to shout from the rooftops that I see a definite change in Alex. It wasn't just a one time thing with him during our afternoon visit with him yesterday-- today he was just as well behaved. Now of course, I would be a liar if I portrayed him to be an angel, but what kid is?? But--- there is a noticeable difference in his attitude towards me like when I change his diaper, when I offer him a toy, when I ask him not to do something-- it is all done with much less hesitation and defiance. And believe me, I tell him thank you for his good behavior, and I smile at him to reinforce to him that a certain behavior is more desirable than others.<br /><br />As I thought a lot last night before drifting off to sleep, I kind of think this whole thing with Alex's behavior was God's way of getting my mind off of his disabilities. A part of me was still thinking about his ability to walk and whether or not he would be incontinent all of his life. As soon as Alex's behavior became the main focus, my thoughts were completely off of his special needs and I was just praying for my son to listen to me and to be the joy that I had imagined him to be for the last year. Who cares if his body is not perfect-- I certainly don't and it certainly won't stop God from using him in a mighty way-- but our ability to bond to each other and love and trust each other is crucial and I just needed to be reminded of that. Now that I am seeing the sweet, funny, and happy Alex that I remember from last year-- I am so thankful-- and I am so focusing on that rather than anything else.<br /><br />Does that make sense?<br /><br />Moving on.......<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5nYZlQOaDBfuR0FMUEINtIbRZvQ26shdVoI3Cf_qIVpt4OmX3qchIf7HTTgi2FzikXamvxA1SAUF91mfjveLRDdDUNrijttj_IoojmA1X06xkjG3dZy_4MUlMoXDRcxrEEwgVbdkf-4/s1600-h/P1090589.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368206473221276610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5nYZlQOaDBfuR0FMUEINtIbRZvQ26shdVoI3Cf_qIVpt4OmX3qchIf7HTTgi2FzikXamvxA1SAUF91mfjveLRDdDUNrijttj_IoojmA1X06xkjG3dZy_4MUlMoXDRcxrEEwgVbdkf-4/s400/P1090589.JPG" /></a><br />Alex crawled onto a big ball and started rolling his body over it and so I took this moment to have some physical touch with him and I rolled him back and forth on an even bigger ball. I rolled him back and forth so that his feet would nearly touch the ground and then his head would nearly touch the ground. I did this over and over. I bounced him too. And I rubbed his back. And I stole little kisses on his cheek whenever I could.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDev114Ol3hHBPg3HAC_-TPPQLcMYnDd8DhAsCPusrXsre-WYzL_r3byRWkOtI3MZzaKZG-_wyUZ7AbkpoO1mLBFhuvGytfgVCuPxdfj9jNXF4AhEjEWcJcbC8pwY-_DtSkDcqBX5X_Y/s1600-h/P1090587.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368206467045114626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDev114Ol3hHBPg3HAC_-TPPQLcMYnDd8DhAsCPusrXsre-WYzL_r3byRWkOtI3MZzaKZG-_wyUZ7AbkpoO1mLBFhuvGytfgVCuPxdfj9jNXF4AhEjEWcJcbC8pwY-_DtSkDcqBX5X_Y/s400/P1090587.JPG" /></a><br />And he absolutely loved all of it. At one point I asked him if he wanted to go to sleep and he said yes-- he was that relaxed. The whole visit was exactly as I would have expected-- and Alex acted exactly as I would have expected him to act.<br />************************<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr57ROzLoNmtbCWDFmCUnyJkdPjzoLFZcevviRocXmPKmjGGjWgKcCZKPat0L32eSyxf10TP4UdGB1PM-LD7dWzTW6rRweMQ1z6FCmnRbHc2H3y8FTVZWr64ttFr5uwVmXL_oaFrJXTtk/s1600-h/P1090568.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368207026369855586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr57ROzLoNmtbCWDFmCUnyJkdPjzoLFZcevviRocXmPKmjGGjWgKcCZKPat0L32eSyxf10TP4UdGB1PM-LD7dWzTW6rRweMQ1z6FCmnRbHc2H3y8FTVZWr64ttFr5uwVmXL_oaFrJXTtk/s400/P1090568.JPG" /></a></div><div>The trash collector comes every other day in this old clunky dinosaur of a truck. It is some woman's job to walk behind the truck sweeping up all the trash left in the street with her two foot straw broom. </div><div>************************</div><div>To make things simple, Julia and I have started making sandwiches for lunch. I fry the ham to make sure it is safe to eat.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMLesf77adiqBUweBrLs7HgTiTkplkonrN8tLe2q6TVmmUmRjXNNyLII_dydY15NGvpL-uheMZ466eWIMbRch5yDTjrtleTncBNHWuOd6AhFhlfs5hSHEoPShjDAQi9wZWA-K7ay_ne4/s1600-h/P1090570.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368207033838841618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMLesf77adiqBUweBrLs7HgTiTkplkonrN8tLe2q6TVmmUmRjXNNyLII_dydY15NGvpL-uheMZ466eWIMbRch5yDTjrtleTncBNHWuOd6AhFhlfs5hSHEoPShjDAQi9wZWA-K7ay_ne4/s400/P1090570.JPG" /></a></div><div>************************<br />Julia has made three Ukrainian friends-- one girl her age and two younger boys. She is teaching them some simple English words. Julia's ability to make friends wherever she goes is such a gift. We have made friends with the four Babushkas that sit near the door to the apartment. One day, one of them called me over and took my cross that was hanging around my neck and slipped it inside my shirt. I thought she wanted me to hide it so it wouldn't get stolen because it was evening, but I am not sure.<br />***********************<br /></div><div><div>AND FOR THE FINALE!! In case you guys are not reading the comments, I wanted to post this one. It is from my wonderful hubby John. I had the best chuckle reading it and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for being able to make me laugh half way around the world.<br /><br />"But speaking from VERY recent personal experience, here is a real warning about your 15 hours of 'just plane fun' to be ready for...if such a readiness is possible...(I tried calling you again and am not getting through...???)(Don't try me for at least 8 more hours (please)).Open up window (to let in BRIGHT SUN), close window, open up window, close window, ok Dennis, no more window, open out meal table, close down meal table, open out meal table, close down meal table, ok Dennis, no more meal table, No, don't kick the chair in front of you, No, don't crush your flimsy plastic water cup, yes you must wear your seatbelt and I don't care how loud you whine about it, your growling is too loud, don't lick me, don't lick the chair, ok, let's not lick anything, no screaming, sure you can open the window again, yay, good close of the window, now leave it closed.Wow, meal time, yes wear the bib, please don't drop the water cap, Dennis please don't drop the water cap any more, ok fine, no water cap for you, ok so you don't like any of the food here but let's not just throw it to the lady next to us, and let's watch our mountain of trash just sit here on our tray tables for another hour without spilling most of it into our seats, what? no room for you to spread out and nap? Well no crying about it either. Sure you can lie down on me (I'll hold your kicking legs). Is that smell coming from your diaper? Repeat all of the above every 100 miles of the 8000 miles.Just plane fun. And I thought I was a good parent!!! He really was a trooper though. However, WHILE we were LANDING at LAX, he handed me his EYE !!! Carrying him and the two huge rolling bags on and off the airport trams through passport control, customs declaration lines, etc, got me my needed work out!!!Good night to me. Good morning to you."</div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-36022269631376849982009-07-24T10:19:00.001-07:002009-08-09T22:38:40.800-07:00Being Honest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_od9Y3Z05lneNEY_fNjH5ZK7J78k0y6HBu-dXTMGCln5RD3DcbRWD13yWsW8A9ax7HNU5yPKvfHEPA2XZ_2Ed2PaB8NWH-wkv81wch1WZTOxKj_sgiTPu50W11C9CtcdKV-KJNXPi2k/s1600-h/P1090569.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368200855757764050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_od9Y3Z05lneNEY_fNjH5ZK7J78k0y6HBu-dXTMGCln5RD3DcbRWD13yWsW8A9ax7HNU5yPKvfHEPA2XZ_2Ed2PaB8NWH-wkv81wch1WZTOxKj_sgiTPu50W11C9CtcdKV-KJNXPi2k/s400/P1090569.JPG" /></a><br />Here is the view outside our apartment window.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bh0rfExhwPcOnpRrgz6zVwDS-J0VwsCscMf-wv9XsZaE_OkMrq7EGmWbM1R6RwLg635xUxEQqf2Z4Hw1N6JwkdKR39mHC-pg3o73XaX22BUT1qDfx_azoP-SIzKQ1l6k_B1ZrYlUb3Y/s1600-h/P1090573.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368200845716628578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bh0rfExhwPcOnpRrgz6zVwDS-J0VwsCscMf-wv9XsZaE_OkMrq7EGmWbM1R6RwLg635xUxEQqf2Z4Hw1N6JwkdKR39mHC-pg3o73XaX22BUT1qDfx_azoP-SIzKQ1l6k_B1ZrYlUb3Y/s400/P1090573.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCBdz8revPwH8u3qODJvyvnlHvVSV7dry27ZS7wewRcuiSFv3-dgT0PSX0RxyUTllB9iyjwKWes3pbA1U2nM8p8oiazqcvIvUE7Tj8m-M1gpPlZswIQlwrhvdASKqTTiixtNngymCUl4/s1600-h/P1090572.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368200840141769330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCBdz8revPwH8u3qODJvyvnlHvVSV7dry27ZS7wewRcuiSFv3-dgT0PSX0RxyUTllB9iyjwKWes3pbA1U2nM8p8oiazqcvIvUE7Tj8m-M1gpPlZswIQlwrhvdASKqTTiixtNngymCUl4/s400/P1090572.JPG" /></a><br /><div>We have been spending our afternoons hanging out together down under the trees exchanging stories. It was been a blessing have another family here with us. It has made it so much more bearable to be away from the rest of my family and friends.<br /><br />Visits with Alex were getting progressively harder and finally things came to a head today. He has been quite the handful--- very hard for me to admit. But true. He wasn't listening to me--- AT ALL, and I finally told him that if he didn't stop throwing toys (or spitting or screaming) I would take him back to his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span>. He continued and so that is exactly what I did---- kicking and screaming I carried my little boy back to his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span>. And without saying a word his caretakers understood what was happening. Of course I told them what had been going on, and had Alex decided to listen to his caretakers I would have felt like a Mom who couldn't control her child--- but he didn't. So they ended up taking him up to his room for a nap.<br /><br />This was incredibly hard for me-- but I am all about keeping it real so I will continue with the truth. I felt bad not knowing what they would do with Alex-- but at this point I really needed some help. I stood firm and told him I would be back for our afternoon visit.<br /><br />I prayed. The Penman's prayed. I even think the caretakers prayed-- laughing out loud.<br /><br />On our way back to the orphanage, Julia and I prayed some more.<br /><br />When we approached Alex's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span>, it was nice to see that everyone was happy. One caretaker had a reminder talk with Alex-- and then the three of us were off to do our thing. And you know what--- Alex listened. We fed him a banana and walked around with him for about fifteen minutes before we took him into the playroom. And you know what-- the visit continued to go quite well! It was such a turn around from previous visits that I was extremely grateful and the three of us had a great time. We brought balloons and Alex loved us blowing them up and letting them go to fly around the room. No joke-- I must have did this at least thirty-five times. But you know what--- I would have blown up twenty more balloons just to see him continue to smile and bring me the balloon back and ask me nicely to blow it up again.<br /><br />Near the end of our visit, things started to spiral downward-- or so I thought. He had taken the batteries out of the toy phone and I fixed it and told him not to do it again. And that is what he immediately did-- that little stinker. So-- I took the phone away from him and put it on the table. And he crawled over to the table and started to climb it to take the phone back. I told him no but that made him only want to do it more. At this point, I picked Alex up and set him down in a chair. In my broken Russian I told him to sit in the chair for five minutes and then he could get up. He started to scoot his feet to the ground to stand up and I told him to sit down for five minutes and if he stood up I would take him back to his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span> because he wasn't listening to me. He started to scoot again and I held him firmly and repeated my instruction and ended with the word, "Pravda," meaning truth. I also looked straight into his eyes with all seriousness.<br /><br />Thank God-- he realized I meant business because he stopped trying to get down from the chair and just sat there nicely looking at me. I had him sit there for two minutes (I think he thought it was five) and then I praised him for listening to me. It was such an amazing moment.<br /><br />The rest of our twenty minutes went really well---- and I am just so pumped up now-- and filled with renewed hope. Believe me, I realize how hard things are for Alex. This process just stinks when you think about it. First off, he is now expected to listen to some stranger who leaves after a few hours. His life seems to have no consistency right now because he is expected to be part of his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">groupa</span> yet is also told that he is now a part of a family and will soon be going to America. I can only imagine how hard it must be for him-- and it is frustrating for him..... I am sure, to not have the freedoms that all the other children have even though he is capable of doing almost everything they are. Throw in the fact that his new family speaks a totally different language and it makes things only more confusing for him.<br /><br />I can honestly say that I can't wait till I can take him from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Antoshka</span> and give him a bath and start showing him what it is like to have a forever family-- because whether or not he realizes it-- that is what he has!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvHn2EBMpYhz4lSUWhsw5DUc06wy74n5r2o_9jDR49AXFHwvYub1WoouA8U6eP7U3w4RpP1ScnHJ7pV3FKPZui9giSpEWhCfjTL9q-hxj43gsRG5YCJyQSEMfeMwsfJXmBvlexkHixAU/s1600-h/P1090567.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368203807871205698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvHn2EBMpYhz4lSUWhsw5DUc06wy74n5r2o_9jDR49AXFHwvYub1WoouA8U6eP7U3w4RpP1ScnHJ7pV3FKPZui9giSpEWhCfjTL9q-hxj43gsRG5YCJyQSEMfeMwsfJXmBvlexkHixAU/s400/P1090567.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc6CpHD5LLh5id1RYGGHAkO_i6WwgjmNXWf0dhr6Va5H-eEcfwlvSYXJK9UYkL6nIq7WVjXq3gH1kxokkTX_hCfqD5daX9i7r33ZlvSsMaEEfNR3OvCMMv097TFuVoaVhvjNXqQbC4i8/s1600-h/P1090565.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368203497965195938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc6CpHD5LLh5id1RYGGHAkO_i6WwgjmNXWf0dhr6Va5H-eEcfwlvSYXJK9UYkL6nIq7WVjXq3gH1kxokkTX_hCfqD5daX9i7r33ZlvSsMaEEfNR3OvCMMv097TFuVoaVhvjNXqQbC4i8/s400/P1090565.JPG" /></a><br />Alex eating a Fruit Roll Up<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-rgja1zHcITLs87zUIIOfdhgcDrHQv99RKXDKObeGWHqkGGekwNOB-gCvW5Q_tzqFB0C4ckAYKy_9bo_t-XlcJXQYbrjX46jgMgr7i3hN8XorYod_5Iitwkr7XP0PvuZv-ukAXaupb0/s1600-h/P1090563.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368203487853943906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-rgja1zHcITLs87zUIIOfdhgcDrHQv99RKXDKObeGWHqkGGekwNOB-gCvW5Q_tzqFB0C4ckAYKy_9bo_t-XlcJXQYbrjX46jgMgr7i3hN8XorYod_5Iitwkr7XP0PvuZv-ukAXaupb0/s400/P1090563.JPG" /></a><br />Alex learning to sit in a better position for his legs.<br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt4pXiIfu_sq5cpEGVYCFH01wd01m7n4P3RhNrcxMMHA7xvgVLub7LR2c7HMBesvxgFKdsU5QQMPmAnbjnZ-q3S-xQ87uGeFagK2RZV3h6bYWn0eaXFoEfmqcpWgn6hnUI1vQnVG-jUQ/s1600-h/P1090562.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368203484078589682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt4pXiIfu_sq5cpEGVYCFH01wd01m7n4P3RhNrcxMMHA7xvgVLub7LR2c7HMBesvxgFKdsU5QQMPmAnbjnZ-q3S-xQ87uGeFagK2RZV3h6bYWn0eaXFoEfmqcpWgn6hnUI1vQnVG-jUQ/s400/P1090562.JPG" /></a><br />On one of our many walks<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6qrreHvWgKEnLolQyIqCfyIHBdSBH7Vv1P5yzVOxhyphenhyphenvilDS2cyDygWOacXbRX1Y_M761yLsM_KMqPIg45xiAC0PdQAxpew7tUB5NZRXnV3Izl5yb39EIhVIpFR-HpbUEm-CdMmCMhFI/s1600-h/P1090559.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368203475871691154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6qrreHvWgKEnLolQyIqCfyIHBdSBH7Vv1P5yzVOxhyphenhyphenvilDS2cyDygWOacXbRX1Y_M761yLsM_KMqPIg45xiAC0PdQAxpew7tUB5NZRXnV3Izl5yb39EIhVIpFR-HpbUEm-CdMmCMhFI/s400/P1090559.JPG" /></a></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-28727399041063252812009-07-23T10:49:00.000-07:002009-08-09T22:15:27.325-07:00Last Day with Alexei, Christine, and JuliaThis is Dad / Hubby / John blogging because Christine doesn't have access to a computer right now. <div><div><div><div><br />Yesterday morning when we got to Antoshka, one of the caretakers called a local news reporter back because she had been waiting for our arrival. Christine had mentioned this in her prior post but I think it pretty cool that she first saw Dennis when he'd arrived at Antoshka, then, a year ago, she wrote another article when she found out he'd been adopted by us, and she was so excited to see him for yet another "follow-up" article. She took her own pictures of our morning together and shared her website with us so MORE TO COME!<br /><br />Yesterday afternoon, when we went to visit Alexei, for my last time, we first stopped by the store and got a wrapped package of pre-cut pieces of crunchy/flaky sweet bread. We were kind of early and when Julia and I got to his orphanage group's room, they were actually all waking up. We asked the caretakers if we could share the sweetbread and they of course said yes so all the kids quickly got to their chairs and Julia proudly passed it out.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aXhtDi7e1J0Sr-gVAAcLGhrSLqqpD45VitT4Glb5Wb6rBGCFY_mGODaITwq1r7H9MoHGpF8x3bIGc74RY8UB08WSCP5XHYRNgDuPJ4PGEzlWRoS3NC97ExC_AHa01F7CP5bBM8ZKBCw/s1600-h/P1090554.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368197365741918658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aXhtDi7e1J0Sr-gVAAcLGhrSLqqpD45VitT4Glb5Wb6rBGCFY_mGODaITwq1r7H9MoHGpF8x3bIGc74RY8UB08WSCP5XHYRNgDuPJ4PGEzlWRoS3NC97ExC_AHa01F7CP5bBM8ZKBCw/s400/P1090554.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgt1OcqAdbNV_zAV_m0jwx0o7hmiJgGvnUYkeQfueZoZqPVcVhPv4Rxwb3GDoQo2Z2KtCDlVg28upNw_63SWKg5RFMnlM2gchjzqNoB6d3Cg1QtTk5fooL_NRYQtSlyHXzX5klHLQL5w/s1600-h/P1090555.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368197353354513538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgt1OcqAdbNV_zAV_m0jwx0o7hmiJgGvnUYkeQfueZoZqPVcVhPv4Rxwb3GDoQo2Z2KtCDlVg28upNw_63SWKg5RFMnlM2gchjzqNoB6d3Cg1QtTk5fooL_NRYQtSlyHXzX5klHLQL5w/s400/P1090555.JPG" /></a><br />Then we thought we would take Alexei out of the group to play and visit with Mom and Dennis down in "the sport room" like we usually do, but they insisted that he eat first as they quickly served him a nice large cup of milk and large bowl of zeppikanka. He ate it fast and it was nice to see him express his thankfulness.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCLSEjkIg0M_hUh-b6z69lBCpTgOZt9Z3SJZpemOI33yGlzl0MVK40eU-hmLaOTwkkph5pPgEvLcn7c1DuipzJOZ2crq4K6EMEO3Syre6YxcQYHSUE8EJJQHOJQRaYdjonVhOsJG0jsk/s1600-h/P1090557.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368197345449918578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCLSEjkIg0M_hUh-b6z69lBCpTgOZt9Z3SJZpemOI33yGlzl0MVK40eU-hmLaOTwkkph5pPgEvLcn7c1DuipzJOZ2crq4K6EMEO3Syre6YxcQYHSUE8EJJQHOJQRaYdjonVhOsJG0jsk/s400/P1090557.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB71nyCdl-HNCSlIAt_59qFAY9OCjfLNWgQVd5JFjKFNzo_GuVntwrnp2AEnVdH0iyhDJQmvSVkVs57C03PPc1M_fy2UE2Z5GdRDSg51rlW0pXedhh2F7vPCRr6zytxsd0eltsp4igpo/s1600-h/P1090558.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368197336903897442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB71nyCdl-HNCSlIAt_59qFAY9OCjfLNWgQVd5JFjKFNzo_GuVntwrnp2AEnVdH0iyhDJQmvSVkVs57C03PPc1M_fy2UE2Z5GdRDSg51rlW0pXedhh2F7vPCRr6zytxsd0eltsp4igpo/s400/P1090558.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>After our visit, Christine made a fantastic 'going away dinner'--leg of chicken, rice pilaf, etc, and then my journey back began. This time it is impossible to say "smiling all the way back". Leaving Julia and Christine there was VERY hard. At first I was leaving them with a Ukrainian cellphone that my phone couldn't even call!!! But thankfully our facilitator helped that within a few hours (by switching local carriers) and now I can keep in touch.<br /><br />Not only did I have the sadness of leaving two incredibly special young ladies, but I had, and am still in the middle of, the challenge of taking back two large bags and my 2 year old, Dennis. This requires driving, walking, 12 hour train riding, and tomorrow the 20+ hour plane journey and drive. The eye-cleaning and diaper changing is rough enough, but I'm on the 4th story of an apartment in Kiev with no elevators too.<br /><br />On the train ride Dennis was great. He really slept for 90% of it. I was supposed to also. But couldn't. It was smaller than a twin mattress that we shared and he couldn't be touched because it was so hot. No air flow at all in the compartment so I regularly opened and closed our compartment door to let in the air flow, but it also let in light and noise to our room mate. If I did touch him, it quickly lead to loud fussing. If I didn't touch him, he seemed to sleep pretty well, especially when I fanned him by waving the towels (or pillow cases) that were included in the cabin. What really kept me from sleeping was Dennis's strange habit of needing to, at random times, karate kick in all directions--whether it was a front snap kick to my shin, or a heel pound to my other areas, it was a force to be reckoned--I closed my eyes in the sitting position.<br /><br />Once we landed in Kiev (exactly 12 hours later in fact!), it was so nice to see our facilitator help offload Dennis and my bags from the high steps of the train. It was so crowded near the train station though that we had a long walk to his car. We then immediately drove to the U.S. Embassy (which by the way had been closed the prior day due to US VP Joseph Biden's Kiev visit) where I did all my necessary signing to enable Alexei's return to the U.S. with Christine later.<br /><br />Dennis and I then napped at the apartment and then went out to eat.<br />Dennis and I shared a nice ketchup-soaked Bratwurst on a toasty roll, orange juice, and peanuts (and then we had the Ukraine Summer staple, the vanilla ice cream cone). What Dennis loved most was the fact that the pigeons loved the peanuts! So he'd toss them and hundreds would gather then he'd run out as they'd swarm up and around him as he'd laugh readying his next toss. The passerbyers must have thought how wasteful. And they'd be right! But Dennis was thrilled and that's his souvenir.<br /><br />He's asleep now. I'll hit the hay soon. Driver will be here after 9am to take us to the Airport.<br />Good night all. Thanks for your prayers, well wishes, and support.<br />--JR</div></div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-56640951677719212012009-07-22T03:14:00.001-07:002009-08-09T21:57:54.858-07:00Saying Goodbye....Today John and Dennis will say goodbye to Alex, Julia, and I---<br />and we will say goodbye to them.<br /><br />It will be bittersweet.<br /><br />For one, it marks one more leg in the process that we can put behind us and John can get back home to the kids. I know he will give them plenty of love from me.<br /><br />We went and saw Alex today and told him that we will all be going to on a semolat (airplane) in a couple of weeks. I think he understood.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkgPrJw0GEvWLRQouQXqJbLAxJSxHTWfyE77a4waidDzDvBt0T4-iNXcFXRuWmuX91MWTbJ59Nx9cLur3TPfiRVFJcOE5q2V1YXKvf4u-r0OBFkMSaQ2OSvPZXD9n7-fipm9baEnl9_k/s1600-h/P1090548.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368193247290626914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkgPrJw0GEvWLRQouQXqJbLAxJSxHTWfyE77a4waidDzDvBt0T4-iNXcFXRuWmuX91MWTbJ59Nx9cLur3TPfiRVFJcOE5q2V1YXKvf4u-r0OBFkMSaQ2OSvPZXD9n7-fipm9baEnl9_k/s400/P1090548.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A reporter from a Donetsk newspaper came and interviewed us and took pictures. She did an article on Dennis when he first came to Antoshka. Her goal is to encourage women here to keep their children even if they have special needs---- she hopes our story will show people that it is possible to raise children even if they are not physically perfect. Hopefully, we can provide the link once she is done writing the article.<br /><br />The weather continues to be very nice--- some more rain is reported-- Praise the Lord!junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279970939643190186.post-56080280754190184232009-07-21T10:48:00.000-07:002009-07-21T11:51:46.884-07:00Today Was A Success!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRs1tu7TInmgGv11YyK8rGRH62-zsZAZx4Tat_V9VKY7SG4N-d2e8N2JCvcgWChJDkX5mVVUFaFy014QXoJWN9dSGQQ75YRwtdcSWOYNXkBCHid-pzUi5S3zPMEjU2GvbeJopUHIOnQLg/s1600-h/P1090523.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360973739566261794" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRs1tu7TInmgGv11YyK8rGRH62-zsZAZx4Tat_V9VKY7SG4N-d2e8N2JCvcgWChJDkX5mVVUFaFy014QXoJWN9dSGQQ75YRwtdcSWOYNXkBCHid-pzUi5S3zPMEjU2GvbeJopUHIOnQLg/s400/P1090523.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Why?? Because we are the proud parents of ALEXEI MATTHEW REED! Court was at 9:oo am this morning-- we had the same judge and the same prosecutor. Even with 10 of us crammed into a little courtroom, it was still cool, thank the Lord.<br /><br />It has been decided, and plane tickets have been changed..... John and Dennis are heading back to Kiev tomorrow night and Julia and I are flying out early morning on August 7th!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm265x9orNUC_hwBiJ4XOznPj9boIxmjTZRtUElrc1nMstjdT8wI2OZ23XcuKwMkDW1bAj6yAYP4QDt-SWJ7k2thDiDpaFmQnigBSWmUePG2qoFxq3w_MmzSTRVbMHDpvzxxs5HxkYGPY/s1600-h/P1090526.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360973729411663298" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm265x9orNUC_hwBiJ4XOznPj9boIxmjTZRtUElrc1nMstjdT8wI2OZ23XcuKwMkDW1bAj6yAYP4QDt-SWJ7k2thDiDpaFmQnigBSWmUePG2qoFxq3w_MmzSTRVbMHDpvzxxs5HxkYGPY/s400/P1090526.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Julia was very helpful with Dennis during our court hearing. Thanks Julia!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfcukX2t19UoCLJczFqrBWX777Z_pMpWSuWBj0rx0UG2dIFYAdZ991xeM2lD1Jng9EmcaU0T_DXE39LIREadzMSbWGTIt3GhtbgnzELPa5DBjstw4KOExY9B_XYTGqunqQdksFxJxsfE/s1600-h/P1090525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360973734044823906" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfcukX2t19UoCLJczFqrBWX777Z_pMpWSuWBj0rx0UG2dIFYAdZ991xeM2lD1Jng9EmcaU0T_DXE39LIREadzMSbWGTIt3GhtbgnzELPa5DBjstw4KOExY9B_XYTGqunqQdksFxJxsfE/s400/P1090525.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Doesn't Dennis look cute with his hands folded all nice?<br /><br />Since John is leaving, we had to transfer power of attorney over to me at the notary. While we waited, we watched the baby frogs swim around in this shut-down fountain.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x0hhEFQcYn_LuS02rVRNRaxTPEDWBfFzXl4FW5o00fLbPGXUmatzc8740ZOpJwmhZ3hKZvhSqRMJF6pe8ebpSvwOwa5kyMPyxsHsE2_2iY_rIaPNn4DAlLaGnluQVrf606qhWaHq8V4/s1600-h/P1090530.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360973728239766018" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x0hhEFQcYn_LuS02rVRNRaxTPEDWBfFzXl4FW5o00fLbPGXUmatzc8740ZOpJwmhZ3hKZvhSqRMJF6pe8ebpSvwOwa5kyMPyxsHsE2_2iY_rIaPNn4DAlLaGnluQVrf606qhWaHq8V4/s400/P1090530.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The weather was fantastic today too so we walked from the notary all the way home. Since we are in the city, all we see is tall apartment buildings--- no one-family homes.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHTKKcD_rWcuaV4YbPxOQ1QFxD2KUWW4SQLcxKKJiIrH2uWfgXwFlil7_Oe3nSlL8lLhJtowJYe72EEqPZkwgb5fRrZdXbhXJzZ08VhLTPTP3LbN3QtAEhaItdmrS9n0XzdcQGJkbzLw/s1600-h/P1090535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360972768674909202" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHTKKcD_rWcuaV4YbPxOQ1QFxD2KUWW4SQLcxKKJiIrH2uWfgXwFlil7_Oe3nSlL8lLhJtowJYe72EEqPZkwgb5fRrZdXbhXJzZ08VhLTPTP3LbN3QtAEhaItdmrS9n0XzdcQGJkbzLw/s400/P1090535.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div>Since we were at court in the morning, we were only able to visit Alex in the afternoon. Note, the name change--- we are trying to get him used to the name Alex since that is what he will most likely go by in school and at church.<br /></div><div>Visits are getting harder---- mainly because we are all bored doing the same thing day in and day out, so we bought some new toys for the boys to play with.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRw6jvDYrGCAbozLniLztT4Do1RaZwxabOt5-0agAaS3dHnhTqrlYqaBZ2TFc6FDhxKmAfUD_GbdbqVzEFX3PlhholvVXZQv1vc0Y-dg8Q_MTjJJyj1t17x97tu8-o_kQykTxuOVE-8I/s1600-h/P1090537.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360972761310537666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRw6jvDYrGCAbozLniLztT4Do1RaZwxabOt5-0agAaS3dHnhTqrlYqaBZ2TFc6FDhxKmAfUD_GbdbqVzEFX3PlhholvVXZQv1vc0Y-dg8Q_MTjJJyj1t17x97tu8-o_kQykTxuOVE-8I/s400/P1090537.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Whenever I can, I try to get Alex to sit with his legs out or to the side instead of them bent back and I noticed that his left leg does not straighten out completely. I wonder if this is something that can be corrected with therapy or possibly surgery?</div><div></div><div>For the moment, the boys were content with their phones-- but it didn't last long. They both wanted the Spiderman phone.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc5kA2MV7VQ85l3XGKzwa0tI6LRx8LzbZsBuukd9vqnntl2nMZ-6S3VH-SZc61Cso-BWxp4QEBMPcAHbOCXo5FWMhvGbunm3UEjVbEDJD5Qxde6IBsCUYf9H2rOViqXEQW7q15t7oECg/s1600-h/P1090540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360972757862289714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc5kA2MV7VQ85l3XGKzwa0tI6LRx8LzbZsBuukd9vqnntl2nMZ-6S3VH-SZc61Cso-BWxp4QEBMPcAHbOCXo5FWMhvGbunm3UEjVbEDJD5Qxde6IBsCUYf9H2rOViqXEQW7q15t7oECg/s400/P1090540.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Near the end of our visit, we took the boys for a long walk all around the orphanage. It looks like there was a fire here at Anotshka a few months ago. Not only is there this pile of burnt debris behind me, but there are workers rebuilding a wing at the back of the orphanage. There are burnt little beds and I have to wonder if they were empty at the time. I sure hope so.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYA9gxrwMQnp80f-RBRjGNKj7tauhd2R3PEtW_PZtVkha0nwcD5BIXm-RHyvJOUjy7sHteTl3NmHvzAuVhNsUkldAqQ6TAeKu0eTmL-TgaSmxRjSilU4ssx5g057g0fqU0jUuIEjtuik/s1600-h/P1090546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360972753073367234" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYA9gxrwMQnp80f-RBRjGNKj7tauhd2R3PEtW_PZtVkha0nwcD5BIXm-RHyvJOUjy7sHteTl3NmHvzAuVhNsUkldAqQ6TAeKu0eTmL-TgaSmxRjSilU4ssx5g057g0fqU0jUuIEjtuik/s400/P1090546.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For dinner, John bought Celantano pizza--- which was a nice change and very similar to American pizza. And the whole pizza cost only four American dollars.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0n5Sz-XO3qjRccQDWNeHEutgu3cA8HWaq_vbF4Mwnz8qwYxDiVG-rUkWOlEoQJkQ7ZeewsEWSTASmKPomHLdPCAOWOJUn2uX9aMwu2GCqg4AyWchIpxVfwzTM6fVFZHG4mhh8G1Ik_w/s1600-h/P1090547.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360972744573233890" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0n5Sz-XO3qjRccQDWNeHEutgu3cA8HWaq_vbF4Mwnz8qwYxDiVG-rUkWOlEoQJkQ7ZeewsEWSTASmKPomHLdPCAOWOJUn2uX9aMwu2GCqg4AyWchIpxVfwzTM6fVFZHG4mhh8G1Ik_w/s400/P1090547.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>junglemamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176730853175967320noreply@blogger.com67