Bonding period begins—Sept. 6

Olia-8 years old(last month)

The Girls--Yulia,Debbie,Olia

YULIA-9 almost 10(in Oct)

It was obvious within less that a minute that Yulia and Olia were very comfortable with the idea of a bonding period as they demonstrated it very openly. Guy and I were waiting in an empty classroom for them and when they came in they came right over to us and started hugging and kissing us and calling us mama and papa. I was very shocked and amazed as I did not expect this. Most parents report how the children usually take a little while to warm up to them especially in a physical way. The process can usually take days, weeks or months. This was just not the case today. For the two hours, the girls gave out countless hugs and many kisses. They wanted to hold our hand wherever we went. And we really went too! The girls took us around the orphanage and showed us where they went to class as well as where they lived. They were both talking like crazy and I wish I could have understood. Igor, our translator couldn’t keep up. I am so glad that they kept talking even though they knew we couldn’t understand. I hope it continues.

We also went outside and walked around where they had flower and vegetable gardens. Yulia played the piano for us and filmed some video footage. When we get some of our converters squared away with a special attachment, then we hope to get a little bit of video going. Yulia also took pictures. She really likes electronics and was quick to pick up how to use them.

Towards the end we played some UNO. Yulia already knew how to play and Olia picked up it up pretty fast. We practice having them say the numbers and the colors as we played. It was funny to see how competitive Yulia was. She really wanted to win. She also definitely knew the rules and some rules we didn’t know. I am just laughing at myself and Guy because in our minds we’re thinking, “so you want to win do ya? Well then sweetie, you’ve come to the right house.”

Olia was learning well, too. It is obvious however, that she is just starting school this year. She still behaves in that innocent and playful kindergarten kind of way even though she just turned 8. The director at the orphanage told us yesterday that she received two excellent marks that day in school, so I am sure she will be just fine in the long run. Since she just turned 8 at the beginning of August, Olia can still very legitimately be in the second grade or third grade. But, she is just starting learn the alphabet and such so there is a gap here in real grade level. I want to make sure both girls end up in the right grade based on age so that down the road there are not problems. Yulia will be fine I am sure going into the fourth grade. She is just really sharp and a go getter. I just have to figure out the best solution for Olia to catch her up to at least the second grade. Ideas anyone?

The boys got really spoiled today while we were gone. Meghan Griffin is a peace corp volunteer and was so nice to take them to the amusement park for a couple of hours while we visited with the girls. Meghan is way nice and reminds me a lot of Guy’s cousin Candace(you free and fun spirit you!) What a blessing that she was so willing and excited to help us today on her day off. We are all praying that very soon the director of the orphanage will let the girls come to our Hotel and be with the boys… By 7:30pm the boys had had it and went to bed. Of course, I am up with them right now at 5:00am the next morning. All in all, though, we have all been extremely blessed on the whole jet lag and travel thing. Not so lucky though on uploading anything media through the hotel phone line. Hopefully we will get to the internet café soon.