Visitors!

Today our friends Brian & Debbie came via bus from Irkutsk and it was SO nice to spend the entire afternoon together here in the apartment. The weather (-38F) made it way too cold to go out exploring, so we instead we stayed inside and talked, laughed, played and share ideas and thoughts on transitioning the boys from their lives here, to "normal" life in America. I had made a baked beef stew casserole and we all had that for dinner. It came out better than I had expected, and even the boys ate it without any fuss. The boys really like the extra attention and although at times they were WAY too wound up, and pretty much refused to nap or rest, they did manage to squeeze some "well-behaved" moments in there from time to time. Debbie gave the boys some coloring books and a Magnadoodle type toy - which Harry especially enjoyed and Brian let Skip play his DS game - which kept him occupied for a long time. Debbie even crawled into their cardboard house for awhile and watched some cartoons with them and then played hide-and-seek with them until they ran out of hiding spaces. (Not so hard to do in three small rooms!). Skip ended up coming up with the best one - under a pile of blankets behind the living room door. At one point Harry walked over there, leaned on him and looked PAST him, then decided he didn't see him. The boys also like the paper airplanes Brian made with them, as well as the much needed rough-housing "man" play they have been missing since Mike returned home.

At one point Brian was tickling Harry and he was laughing like crazy, but then I suppose decided he had had enough and asked Brian to stop. The problem is, what he said to Brian was, "Puh-Lease Mommy!" We all laughed so hard!

When it was time for the them to leave we all got dressed and walked them to the bus stop. The boys were really overtired at that point and not listening very well. I think they both knew how disappointed I was in their behavior since neither of them said a word ALL the way home! I had a talk to Skip about it, and later I think he realized he had misbehaved because he started to cry and said he didn't think "Mr. Brian" would want to be his friend anymore! He decided he'd write him a note saying he was sorry, and I told him if he did, I was pretty certain Mr. Brian would forgive him. I'm at least glad he's understanding his actions have consequences!
Anyway, as we continue to wait for Harry's passport, today was a welcomed change from our normal routine. Tomorrow is the day Debbie & Brian get to bring their son Nathan home for the very first time so they are very excited about what lies ahead for them! If you could, please pray that Nathan's transisition goes well, and that Harry's passport arrives soon. We'd ALL appreciate it! Thanks to all who have faithfully prayed for us during this journey. The support it at times humbling, yet appreciated more than you can imagine!