Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Day Three as Mom to Zack and Sophia

That's me somewhere under the game of balloon bop!

Well, let’s see where to begin. We are staying in a hotel room about the size of 4 cubicles and in that room are two twin beds and two make shift beds on the floor. We are wall to wall beds and suitcases! And, we are here for 2 more days with a 3 and 4 year old and no cartoons for most of the day! However, it has been great so far. The kids are very good and very compliant. They respond to nyet (no) and they love to hear Bravo (good job) so things are going well.

Today we went outside for some energy releasing! We took 4 balloons, two for each kid and we just decided to have as much fun as we could until they popped. Well, they didn’t pop for over an hour! The wind was slightly blowing so it was fun to chase the balloons with the kiddos. They were having the time of their lives!

Stephanie, my sis, prepared two little back packs for the kids and they will not part with them as they LOVE having things of their very own. It is adorable. As you’ll see in the pics they even chose to run around with the back packs on their backs.

I would say that it is about 65 degrees outside, but the Russia people still bundle up as though it is winter. I put the kids jackets and hats on them but did not put on the four layers underneath that the orphanage put on them even inside where it is 85 degrees. Poor little Zack was so sweaty when I changed his clothes into his new duds. Lucky Zack will never have to wear tights again! Well, unless he follows in Preston’s footsteps and stars in The Nutcracker someday!

I just can’t help but be reminded of salvation when I look at the kiddos. They are ecstatic just like most Christians are right after they accept Christ into their lives! Everything is brand new, and they have a parent who will love them forever unconditionally. (I am not comparing myself to Christ!) The similarities in the earthly adoption and our salvation are endless. I keep reminding myself that their will also be the training and how does the Bible put it, chastening as well as the fun and excitement. This is like an 18+ year mission's trip! :)

Looking at Zack and Sophia and their response to being rescued from the likelihood of becoming another statistic, I realize how very grateful I ought to be to Christ who rescued me and gave me a new lot on life here on earth and for eternity. He came to earth (not half as comfy as heaven) to save us. I remember this also as I sit in Russia waiting for another 8+ days until I can come back home with the new little Riveras. I can’t wait to share them with my family.

Here are some more pics from today’s fun:

Zack is 100% boy and so very athletic and quite coordinated. I see soccer in his future.

Sophia is a girlie girl but also very full of energy and can nearly keep up with Zack!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

yay sophia is a girly-girl whooo huuu!!!!! =]