March 8, 2010

It was a beautiful early spring day in Indiana. Our boys enjoyed playing in the backyard most of the afternoon. They spent sometime just talking as they sat in the swings.



I have been wanting to provide an update on how our adventure is going now that we are back in familiar territory. We have been home for ten days and I would give the overall experience a B-. I thank my heavenly Father for a supportive husband and three teenage daughters that are maturing into wonderful women and big sisters!!!
The boys, Mitchell and Garrett, are responsive, lively kids. Mitchell is a huge help in that he can read Ukrainian so we use Google translate daily. He also knows some English and is doing well picking it up. He is a positive kid and goes with the punches. He tries all kinds of food and lets us know what he thinks. He has been respectful of the boundaries that we have set in regards to the Wii, watching videos and computer games.
He is a good big brother to Garrett.
Do you remember what life was like when you were six? I don’t either because my world was secure with minimal changes. Garrett’s world has been turned upside down and he is trying to figure out what it is all about. We were to begin kindergarten today. We had his backpack ready; he knew that it was today, we thought we were going to be okay. He woke up with a cloud over his head; he was not going to school. Mike and I got him dressed, loaded him in the car, and drove the two miles to Carey Ridge Elementary school. He screamed Ukrainian the entire way. I went in alone and talked with the teacher. We decided to attend school on Wednesday during music class with Mitchell and try to phase him into school. While I was in the school, Mike called Mitchell and had him listen to what Garrett was screaming. He told us that he was afraid. Okay, I can handle that! We returned home, went over the plan with both boys and the cloud lifted. Two other areas of challenge have been seatbelts and eating. Seatbelts were optional in Ukraine. I don’t recall seeing any children in safety seats but here the law says Garrett has to sit in one. He doesn’t like that law and continues to challenge its relevance to him. We are unwavering. Food has been another area of struggle. It does not seem to be an important part of life and he has chosen to not participate in meals. We have made sure there has always been something available that we know he eats, yet he chooses to not. We don’t think he will starve. Tonight he did well with dinner so praying that the food control is fading.
Today was a good day. Both boys spent most of the afternoon outside playing on the swing set or riding bikes. Garrett is learning and is doing well. Mitchell rode around the block three times by himself. He is in need of a bigger bike which will be coming from Ohio soon. I am thankful that the weather is such that they can be outside to get rid of their boy energy.
We again thank you for your prayer support. Both Mike and I have felt fatigue but not over whelming. We both are emotionally rooted in the fact that this is the path the Lord wants us on and he will provide what we need. These are precious boys and we are enjoying getting to know them.