Back at Home - God is Awsome

We arrived home early this morning at about 1:30. Such a very long day for travel - about 28 hours from the time we got up to the time we went to bed. However, God used that time to show us His love and the love of complete strangers. After 12 hour 15 minute flight to Atlanta, we had a 5 hour lay over. Just before boarding our flight to Birmingham, this group of adults that were sitting next to us started asking us questions about the kids because they heard us and them speaking some Russian. So, I shared our story - what we did, why we did it and what a blessing the kids are to us. As we got in line to board the plane, one of the men walked up and poked something in my hand. I looked and saw a wad of bills and explained that it really wasn't necessary. He said, well, "God told you to adopt those kids and he is telling me to give you this money." I was shocked and tried to refuse but he would not budge. It is very hard to accept the generosity of strangers in this way because I do not know how to respond. God is good and has blessed us in so many ways. I know the kidney stone midst our adventure had a purpose, although I don't understand it at this time.

By the way, my stone did not pass until this morning. When I got home, I went staight for my medicine cabinet and took two pills. Not saying that is what did it, but I do believe our pharmaceuticals are second to none. I asked for this particular medication in Moscow, both the pain medication and the medicine to help flush the stone. Doctor said he had heard of it, but that was all.

Anyway. back to the kids... When we got home this morning, Dima went straight for the hat assortment (hard hat, cowboy hats, ball caps) and books, Polina went straight for the clothes and, Nastya went straight for the books. They are shocked at the dogs. They were not afraid and just giggled as the dogs licked them in the face. They know the dogs name's, but they jut walk around saying "sabaka" when calling them (that is Russian for dog).

We are all beat and only got about 4 hours sleep before the kids were calling out "ootra, ootra" (morning, morning). This is their way of telling us it is time to get up out of bed. I am posting one quick photo of the kids on the day we went to visit before court. I will post more later tonight. Dima (Dimitry James) is our son, Polina (Polina Hope) i s our oldest new daughter and, Nastya (Anastasia Grace) is our youngest daughter.



That a million for all of your prayers. While speaking with some of the other families on the trip, everyone had the same story - how much prayer from friends and family had meant to them.

Were OK

This is Jeremy, at home.

Dad called today, they have run out of internet minutes, but will buy more when they get to Moscow. Dad has been struggling with a kidney stone the past few days and has not felt good enough to post recently. They are leaving for Moscow later today.

Two Good Days

Last night, about six families got together in a small room at the motel to socialize. Counting us, there were four families with their kids. The other three kids were 2 and under and I was worried how our son would act around them. I was not sure if he would be too rough around them so we kept an eye on him. He was an angel! He was so careful around the little ones! We stayed there until about 9:15PM and then it was time for bed. I told him I was so very proud of him. The afternoon had been filled with three or four instances of him acting out and disobeying. He even missed a treat in the cafe (ice cream) because he would not put his shoes on. He just kept saying “nyet”. I told Dawn to take the others and go get ice cream without us. He needed to learn that there are consequences to disobeying. His older sister even tried to tell him to put shoes on so he could get some ice cream. He refused to comply. He then decided to get puzzle pieces and throw them. When he refused to pick them up, that resulted in time in my lap, sitting still, with no television or distractions. These were all minor instances, but each time he was corrected and told to obey, he basically told us he did not have too.

Dawn and I have prayed that God would help us not to show anger, only love in these little episodes. It is very, very sad to sit and think what these kids have been through. Yesterday while Dawn was out getting ice cream with the others, D__ was in my lap crying and the kid does not cry like you would think. I noticed the same thing in his little sister earlier when she bumped her head. When they cry, they moan. It is not a cry like you are accustomed to hearing. I sat there holding him like a baby and rocking him telling him I loved him and he must obey Mama and Papa. He and his sisters really have no concept of living in a family and following the instructions of a mother and father. They are used to several adults watching them and giving them instructions. I'm sure some caretakers love the children, but their role is not that of a mother. It is now 4:30PM and he has been a good boy all day! Right now he is eating an ice cream cone and smiling ear to ear.

Most of the previous post have been about our son with few comments about the girls. The girls are doing fine. They too have their moments! I have had to be a mean dad and take her away from a friend who was adopted and staying just down the hall. I am trying to limit their time together because she needs to spend time with us - her family. She has shed some crocodile tears, but is doing fine. Her little sister flung a fit last night when we told her it was time to go to sleep. Dawn rocked and held her the same as I have done her brother.

To the folks back home, we look forward to seeing you soon. We miss Jeremy and Sarah terribly and can't wait to hold them and hug them. Although with Jeremy, we both have to look up to hug him. I know Christina misses her big brother and sister as well. Take care -

Baby Steps

Each day that passes is a little better than the previous one. Although there is a short spell once or twice per day where our youngest son has to sit in may lap for some bonding time, I can say we are making progress. He is a typical 5 year old boy with the added issue of never having a mother and father. As a result, there are times when he will openly disobey. We are trying our best to give them a little freedom and easing into the discipline. As Dawn has pointed out, all of them disobey to a degree, the youngest is just a little cuter in her own way. The oldest girl is really very good and will just blink her eyes, smile and say pazholstah (please).

Each night about 8:30, our son will start to act out and it is obvious it is time to settle down for the evening. I will tell him “D___ and Papa spaht” (D___ and Papa sleep – or something close to that anyway). He will go and climb into bed, but at times, like last night, he wants to act out by jumping up and down in bed. That his when I hold him, tell him I love him and to go to sleep. His older sister does not like to see or hear them upset. I assure her he is okay and she will usually go to her room once she sees that he is not hurt. After about 15 minutes, he is fine and settles down. He will then wake up in the morning and say “good morning Papa”.

Our youngest girl has had a a few bumps and bruises from playing with her brother, running on the playground and stuff. She is a real trooper and has handle these bumps like a trooper! She is a dancing machine and her Mama's baby. She too can be hard to settle down at night. This weird time zone where the sun does not go down until 10PM is unbelievable and does not help. In there eyes, the sun is out, it is time to play. Our local facilitator told us that the kids in the orphanage do not go to bed until around 10 for that very reason.

The oldest girl will go to sleep on her own very easy. She has attached herself to Christina and sleeps with her at night. She will get jealous occasionally if she thinks she is not getting enough attention.

Today we had a very special lunch in the restaurant – french fries and Sprite. We have been criticized for giving them a soft drink but that does not bother me. We don't have sweet tea and there are just few options. I am not going to drink one then tell them “no”. We brought tea and have some tea, but it is hard to get it to taste right for some reason.

Well, that's about it. Another day at the Vlad Inn. This afternoon we are supposed to have the kids passport photos made. One step closer to going home...

Homeschooling and Court

Jackie: You asked about court (and any others interested). Please send us an e-mail to us at and we will send you info. Our internet connection is poor so we type out our notes in advance then paste them.

Five Nights and Counting

Dohbrehootra from Vladivostok! It is Sunday morning here and I am sitting on the couch with Christina and my “new” oldest daughter as we watch some Russian cartoon. We would love to go to church, but a driver and car would cost us $100, money we can't afford to spend right now.

Things have gotten better each day. Our son no longer fights bed time, and the oldest is no longer afraid of being in public. Previously, she would ask to go to sleep if we were in the lobby (or the playground) around other locals or other families. Last night we had supper with about four other couples. One of the couples adopted a daughter from the same home as our children and she is about two years older than our oldest. She was quite comfortable in the restaurant and never asked to go back to the room. She even walked to the market this morning with me. She got a little upset because she wanted to spend the night with her friend who is just a couple of rooms down from. Neither set of parents thought that would be a good idea right now. This is a period of adjustment and bonding that we need to work through. I am so happy we got the children during the 10 day wait. I can not imagine working through all that we have in the short time we have between the day we receive our documents and then fly to Moscow. That would be a little stressful!

We are all very, very tired. I am the jungle gym they all climb on and jump on and, mom is the giant teddy bear they all like to hug. Poor Christina is worn out as well – mostly from continuously telling our son nyet. For families coming to Vlad, there is a brand new swing and playground set, very big, for all the children. The weather now is still very cool and the kids have to bundle up to go outside. With their immune system weak, we are afraid to let them stay outside long.

We called our son this morning on Skype and it was good to talk to him. I told him when we got home, he had to take me somewhere to buy a large Coke full of ice. Ice is rare here. You can get some in a glass if you ask for it, but we don't have it in our rooms because the sink water is unfiltered. The staff here at the Inn are very accommodating and helpful. They will do what they can to help. The best thing is that they think nothing of kids running around. The restaurant is popular among the locals, particularly local officials and their families. As a result, there are many kids here running around.

Friday was the last day for Rebecca, our social worker with our agency in St. Louis. She was the best! Many would simply refer to her as a coordinator, but she was more than that to us. She became part of our extended family in the past 14 months. We sent her an e-mail thanking her for her help in making these children part of our family.

A small stomach bug appears to be making rounds. Our youngest threw up yesterday and Christina threw up last night. It has not hit me or Dawn yet. I know my stomach is a little more tolerable than Dawn and Christina's.

Tomorrow, we have photos for the kid's passport's taken. One step closer to getting home! In a couple of days we can use names and post pictures.

Getting Closer and Growing Pains

Good evening from Vladivostok! As I post this note, Dawn is reading to the two youngest, while their older sister is in the tub (koosaka). They love koosaka time! The two youngest will take the coldest baths you can imagine.

Tonight, another young girl, age 10, from the same orphanage came by to see the kids. Her parents had court today and she came back to the motel with her parents late this evening. Her mom said she was asking for the kids as soon as she walked through the doors of the motel. She knew they were here. I think it did the two of them good to see each other.

The kids continue to keep us in stitches, particularly the youngest. She will dance to any beat she happens to hear. And believe me, she can cut her eyes at you and give you a look that pretty much tells you her opinion of what you have said without a doubt. She is very expressive and loves her momma.

Our son is having difficulty obeying, but that was somewhat expected. Just about every class we went to indicated that the children will resist authority in the beginning to see how far they can go. So far, he is the only one to show resistance. These moments result in time in Papa's arms in the bedroom where there are no distractions. He fights for about 5 minutes straight and then settles down. He will scream “ya boylna” (I hurt) when all I am doing is cradling him in my arms like a baby. I know I am not hurting him and I tell him so. I tell him I love him and he is a good boy (in Russian). He is slowly getting better.

The oldest girl continues to watch after her brother and sister. During meal time, she shares her food with them even though there is plenty to go around. She is a sweetheart and can look-up and say “pazhalsta (please) Papa” when she wants something – usually candy. She knows exacatly what she is doing and yes, I have given in on occasion.

Well, time to go. It is bedtime, almost 9PM. Some have requested info on questions about homeschooling and court. I promise to answer soon. Our internet connection is very poor and somewhat expensive. We are saving as much time as possible to speak to our kids over Skype ( I recommend this for families traveling with kids back home.