Jansen,Denver,Olia,Yulia,CadeToday is the day we have been waiting for for a very long time! Nadia, our translators wife, brought Yulia and Olia to us here at the hotel. Nadia also can translate and it was great to have her here with us. When the girls got here there were of course hugs and kisses to Papa and Mama and then time to meet the boys. Now the boys being boys, where out playing on the roof and exploring what looked like an old bucket of tar. Being on the roof is not a big deal because there is a door from our family room area that goes out to it. The tar though, hmmm. Anyway, we walked out onto the roof with the girls and the boys came on over to give out some awkward hugs. The girls definitely were a lot more shy about this part than with us. But, it didn’t last too long. It is absolutely amazing how trusting that all our children are. No one has been scared or shy (for very long.)
Following Yulia’s wishes, we stayed in the room for a little while and did a couple of different activities. The first of which was playing on the computers. The girls loved it and were, as usual, quick to learn. Then, they spent some time playing with balloons and Petshops. Olia really liked the Petshops. It wasn’t too long before they were ready to go out and go to the amusement park that the boys had gone to two days before.
Walking down to the amusement park was my favorite part of the day. Cade, Jansen and Denver were so nice to lovingly and willingly hold hands with Yulia and Olia. It was so very cute. At the park, everyone got a turn to choose a ride for everyone to go on. I thought for sure that the Kazakh, no holds bar, no safety standards bumper cars were going to give all the kids some serious whiplash. The girls loved it though so I didn’t worry. But, then there was the whole spinning Kazakh version of the Tidal Wave fiasco. This is a ride where you get swung back and forth like a pendulum and then the place where you sit also spins. It doesn’t spin too fast, thank goodness, but it does spin so it is hard to focus on anything in particular. The boys loved it and the girls…not so much. We just held hands and Olia did her best not to cry. Yulia sat there very brave and holding on to me for dear life. Why do men/boys think it is so funny to see women/girls scared? Very aggravating and all I can say is that in the future you will find us women on the nice little train through Lagoon Park while the boys spin their brains out. So there!
It wasn’t long before we had to go back and wait until tomorrow to be together. But now we have permission to see the girls here everyday, so we are very happy about that. And now it is time to start some daily English lessons.
As for the experience of seeing them meet, it kind of goes along with other events in the trip. I am not reacting as emotionally as I thought I would. It just feels like watching something finally come to pass that I have indeed be emotionally wrapped up in for 9 months now. Some of it is kind of surreal too. Emotions ebb and flow, but for me, flow upon times of reflection.
Deb
Following Yulia’s wishes, we stayed in the room for a little while and did a couple of different activities. The first of which was playing on the computers. The girls loved it and were, as usual, quick to learn. Then, they spent some time playing with balloons and Petshops. Olia really liked the Petshops. It wasn’t too long before they were ready to go out and go to the amusement park that the boys had gone to two days before.
Walking down to the amusement park was my favorite part of the day. Cade, Jansen and Denver were so nice to lovingly and willingly hold hands with Yulia and Olia. It was so very cute. At the park, everyone got a turn to choose a ride for everyone to go on. I thought for sure that the Kazakh, no holds bar, no safety standards bumper cars were going to give all the kids some serious whiplash. The girls loved it though so I didn’t worry. But, then there was the whole spinning Kazakh version of the Tidal Wave fiasco. This is a ride where you get swung back and forth like a pendulum and then the place where you sit also spins. It doesn’t spin too fast, thank goodness, but it does spin so it is hard to focus on anything in particular. The boys loved it and the girls…not so much. We just held hands and Olia did her best not to cry. Yulia sat there very brave and holding on to me for dear life. Why do men/boys think it is so funny to see women/girls scared? Very aggravating and all I can say is that in the future you will find us women on the nice little train through Lagoon Park while the boys spin their brains out. So there!
It wasn’t long before we had to go back and wait until tomorrow to be together. But now we have permission to see the girls here everyday, so we are very happy about that. And now it is time to start some daily English lessons.
As for the experience of seeing them meet, it kind of goes along with other events in the trip. I am not reacting as emotionally as I thought I would. It just feels like watching something finally come to pass that I have indeed be emotionally wrapped up in for 9 months now. Some of it is kind of surreal too. Emotions ebb and flow, but for me, flow upon times of reflection.
Deb
3 comments:
Okay Debbie, this is great. I loved the part where you tell us about the amusement park rides and the thrill (NOT) of it all. Brought a smile to my face!
Grateful to see and read that all is going well, better than well, GREAT!
Thanks for including us and allowing us to follow along with you on this adventure of love, life and family. It is truly a Grand Adventure!
Love to all!
Nancy and all the Waterfalls
p.s. the plants and trees are looking great!
Look at those smiles!! Oh my goodness! You have some happy kids there! What a joy to see them! Looks like every one had a great time and wonderful first day. You will always treasure this time as a family. I look back on our weeks in Kazakhstan when the 6 of were together, just the 6 of us, and there will never be another time like it. It's truly magical. :)
Sarah
I don't see anything in that picture of the Fab Five except happy kids that look like they ALREADY were in the same family!
Guess you just had to find each other...
Love to all!
Poppie
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