7/29/2010

Lessons learned from a Russian orphan

I've been keeping a running list of notes on life with a Russian orphan on facebook, so for you nonfacebookers, here are some of the highlights.

* Yesterday I stopped to get gas, and of course he had to help me. Who would have thought that a task that mundane could bring so much amusement? Don't get me started on the window cleaner. One of these days we'll take a spin through the car wash...
* At the lake Alex got stung by a bee. Maxim came over to check on him twice, while the girls didn't give a hoot about their brother. Which one of these kids was abandoned and neglected again?
* I'm starting to regret showing him how the microwave works. After realizing that microwaved salad isn't that yummy, I thought he'd get the idea that it's not for everything. But this morning I intercepted him before he microwaved his dry cereal.

* this kid comes in two states: soaked or trying to figure out how to get soaked.
* I have to wonder what the orphanage directors back in Russia are going to think of us crazy Americans filling this kid's head with crazy ideas.
* who's idea was it to teach him how to use the cd player? And no, unplugging it doesn't help.
* whatever you do, don't turn your back on a curious little boy (who doesn't speak English) and a hot motorcycle that was just ridden. Ouch.

* When you take a little boy who has probably never been in water deeper than his ankles to the pool for the first time, don't throw him in 3 feet of water. Even if he has a life jacket on, and is motioning to be thrown in... don't do it.
* How do you teach a little guy who's clearly malnourished about portion control?
* Igor called me a "babushka" how do you say "faux pas" in Russian.
* Russian is a beautiful language especially when spoken by a cute 6 year old.
* Farting is funny in any language. Especially when you are 6.
* cookies are a universal motivator.
* Little boys are little boys, wether they were born in America or in Russia. Also, little boys speak a universal language. No translators necessary.
* Under his pillow he hides all his "treasures". A pretty marble, a nightlight, s few legos and a flashlight. No food yet. It breaks my heart to think about why he needs to horde things.

7/22/2010

Maxim


Meet my newest son, Maxim. He's only temporary, as he'll be going back to Russia at the beginning of August. But I thought he was worthy of his own post. If your not already familiar with him, he's a 6 year old orphan who is as sweet as can be. He came over as a foreign exchange student through a charity our church supports. He's into machines and figuring out how they work, he's usually soaked, and besides being about 6 inches smaller than a normal kid his age, there is nothing wrong with him. He's generous, thoughtful and kind. His orphanage director told us he spent his first 4 years in a cabin out in the woods with his father, who was an alcoholic and didn't care for him. The fact that he's been out in the woods is evident as he knew how to pick and eat raspberries, and he made himself a fishing pole and was "fishing" over the side of our deck. He's one great kid, and we hope that someone we know will fall in love with him and make plans to adopt him.

7/15/2010

8 years old


Today is a very speial day indeed. My little buddy Alex is 8 years old. On one hand I think, "has it really been 8 years already?" but on the other it's "has he only been with us for 8 years?" He's such a fabulous little guy I thought I'd take a moment to record what it's really like being his mom. He's clever, creative, thoughtful and generous. He loves to build, read and create. He's a gentle soul who is quick to put the needs of others before his own. He's more nerdy than athletic. He's good with little kids. He likes his legos, GI Joes, and vehicles. He's never met an art supply he didn't like. He makes friends quickly, and will talk your ear off if you let him. In short, he's a fabulous mixture of the best qualities of both Jory and me, and we love having him around.
So it goes without saying that we're in the middle of birthday week around here. I'm not sure when celebrating a birthday turned into a week long ordeal, but it's fabulous so we're going with it. On Tuesday we had a birthday dinner #1 at the chinese restaurant with my parents, my brother, and our dear friend Sandy. Yesterday we went to the Air Force Museum in Dayton. Our friends from Columbus, the Alexander's, met us there to celebrate the joint birthday of Alex and Hope. Even though we were just there in April, it was very very fun. (Yes, there are pictures, but they're all still on the camera). Today is the actual birthday of my boy, we're having an ice cream sandwich birthday cake, presents, probably birthday dinner # 2, and probably something fun of Alex's choice like a trip the the playground (or dare I say it...) the pool. Then tomorrow, Alex's last day of birthday is when his biggest gift arrives... he's getting a brother! A temporary brother, who doesn't speak English, but it's the closest thing he'll have to a brother for now.

So yes, all the preparations are made, as far as we know, there are no more hoops to jump through in Russia, the children are going to be on the airplane within 24 hours. There are 10 coming, ours is the youngest. We have friends from church who are in the process of adopting 2 children who are currently in Russia, they managed to get on the same flight back that our kids are coming on, so they'll be able to help chaperone them. I can't imagine traveling across the globe with 10 kids (and 2 adults) who don't speak the same language. But I made sure she had a big bag of goodies to entertain the kids with before she left.
But yes, the reality of having a homeless child who speaks no english, and comes with little to no clothing that fits, has probably never been in a car, nor been in water deeper than his ankles is setting in. As much as I want to introduce him to everything that's good about life in America I have to be realistic about the amount of stuff that I can throw at him. Yes, we can try every flavor of ice cream that Meijer's sells, think of 20 different ways to play with water, and learn how to make our own snacks. But we probably can not visit all the tourist attractions in town, or let him pick out a snack at the supermarket. We'll be sure to keep a running list of all the things that were a hit, and what totally bombed.

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