28 September - Sunday in Angarsk...

Today being our last visit with Harry before court tomorrow, I was happy to wake up to rain. Why? Because it meant the children would not go outside today, and we would have the chance to play with him inside, away from the other children. I so wanted to not have to share my time with anyone but him! I got lucky!

As soon as we walked up the stairs and entered the mudroom to his group, we heard other kids shout, “Vitaliy’s Momma & Poppa”. I held my breath and waited for the “Nee Hochay” but there was none. Instead he came out smiling and happy. He didn’t care that we were taking him to another play area, and that the caregiver wasn’t accompanying us, he was just happy as a clam, clutching another cheap toy vehicle that makes obnoxiously loud noises. Today it was an army tank we brought to him. Like most boys, he loves cars & truscks, so it’s a pretty sure bet. Let’s face it, we are NOT above bribes this week! Today we played in their music room. Which had a nice carpet and some other toys to keep him occupied. He of course wanted only to play with the loud tank, and that is what he did. He easily allowed Mike or Skip to show the different things it does, and showed no hesitation at all. Quite a marked improvement since our first visit on Wednesday! While he hasn’t instantly comfortable with us this week, when he did begin to warm up, it was clear it was me he would trust before Mike. Today however, he enjoyed his Poppa’s visit very much, and was eager to follow him from one activity to the next. I decided to let the guys play today, stealing only pictures of and occasional hugs from the re-emerging little boy we last saw on New Years Day 2007.

After the tank it was the wooden train set again, and after that, he and Skip played with a giant – and I mean GIANT stuffed horse. He rode it, pushed each other off it, jumped onto it, and off of it. From there it was imaginary music with some wooden instruments. They were so funny, pretending to play an accordian & Balalaika ( a sorta-kinda ukelele). They had so much fun that the time just flew.

The last thing we did was the Word Book that Skip had made for Harry. He LOVED it! It has pictures with both the Russian & English words for each. Skip was very proud to give it to him, and Harry truly enjoyed turning each page, reciting each item in Russian, then TRYING to pronounce them in English.

Again when it was time to leave, he gave us all (Irina included) huge hugs and paka’s. When I blew him a kiss, he blew one back, then said in Russian that he’d see us tomorrow.

I PRAY that when we arrive tomorrow after court, it is to bring him home, FINALLY. It is all I think about now – both day and night. Please pray for us as well, and ask God to soften the heart of this judge that for so long, has kept Harry, and many, many other children away from their families who love them.

Hopefully by this time tomorrow, we’ll have great news to share, but for now we must return to studying our speeches…so for now… Paka!