August 22 2008

We got tours of both orphanages’ and met kids from brother and sisters’ groups. Again we took brother to sisters’ orphanage. He asked if this was a children’s home also. We explained it was just a lot larger than his. Even though it was some what obvious it shows how he’s always observing and processing what’s going on around him. He frequently gives everyone a good laugh with the off the wall conclusions he will come up with. He constantly had or driver chuckling about various comments. We went first to our private room and had a extra mid day snack. Svetlana is constantly spoiling those kids every chance she gets. She has very little money her self but is always buying things for other people, including meals for us and Tatyana. We have gone between naming brother after the sign for juice and soccer. He is always begging for juice knowing Svetlana can’t say no. Shortly later we walked out to a far cow pasture and played soccer for a couple of hours. The whole way even though Sister was trying to lead, brother was calmly looking out for and protecting Sister remembering she couldn’t hear cars or dogs. They held hands the entire walk there. We then took the kids back for lunch and nap. When picking up brother again we again saw his girl friend Julia (a real precious cutie) who earlier had been very shy. She immediately showed an interest in Sara and sat near her but at a distance. She slowly sat closer and closer hoping no one would notice. Then quietly she said something to Sara in Russian. I asked Svetlana what she said. And she said that Brother was very lucky if we take him. I wasn’t sure how someone hadn’t adopted this girl yet. She mentioned that someone in orphanage (a cook) was going to be taking her home. We returned with everyone back to our private room. Sara kept sister busy with flash cards and taking pictures (Sisters’ new hobby) Svetlana interpreted while I discussed with brother about what adoption meant for him. I asked him why he thought Sara and I were here and he responded to adopt his Sister. I told him; no we wanted to adopt both of them. Sara and I had come here so that he and his sister could decide if they wanted us for their Mom and Dad. He told me yes. I know much of what we discussed went over his head but I hoped that reinforcing it every day would give him a chance to process it and ask questions while we are still there. He seemed to understand that we didn’t want to leave but had to as part of the adoption process and assured him that after our long absence would return to pick them up when the snow returned. At that point he wouldn’t have to keep going back to the orphanage that he would stay permanently with us and his sister in the same house.