Play by Play #3

Dinner time Thursday evening! This is "beef broth with greens". Looks like ravioli to me!

The kids LOVED it! They shared and ate it up like it was a bowl full of ice cream or something! They share very well by the way! Zack is always very sure to make sure Sophie gets enough to eat!

After dinner, I gave them a bath and sent them out to Auntie Gina for some night time English lessons! They have these awesome doodles that Tonja bought them (thanks Ton) and we write English words on them and tell them what they say. Zack remembered his name after I had written it once and then wrote it again about 5 minutes later. I think he is going to do well in school. He also knows how to write his letters in cyrillic. Sophia enjoys repeating words and even repeats entire English sentences. I think she'll learn English very quickly.
After the kids slept for about 10 hours, they were very happy to get up, get dressed and go to breakfast! Sophia is getting more and more comfortable with me and with Auntie Gina and her eyes are starting to light up! Can you see it in this picture?

Here Sophia is enjoying her breakfast of frosted flakes and diced fresh fruit which she chased down with some meat and pineapple juice. Her tummy is getting better for sure!

And, Zack was a goof ball this morning! He kept looking down when I'd take a pic and then suddenly voila, he looks up and this is what I snap! Happy boy and happy girl = happy momma!

When you get up Friday morning, we will be heading to the train station to catch the overnight train to Moscow. Our stay in Nizhny Novgorod is coming to a close, and while I will miss aspects of this town, I have to admit that I am eagerly anticipating our departure because it puts us one step closer to home.

I want the kiddos to see their new dome (home) and to meet their new cousins, Josh and Kenny who are going crazy waiting for Zack and Sophia to get home!

Once in Moscow, the kids will have medical checkups and then we will do paperwork at the US Embassy in order to return home. We should be there 3 or 4 days until we are clear to come home.

Zack is EAGERLY anticipating the plane ride! I think Sophia thinks that this tiny room is her new life, and she is pretty darn happy with that.

While here we have met about 5 couples adopting children, and that blessed my heart. There are so many still waiting for homes. While at Sophia's orphanage, a little boy was getting "tutored" and the caretaker opened the door for some reason, he saw me and gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen. It made my heart sad to know that I could not bring him with me as well. There is just such great need, and now that I know the statistics so well, my heart seriously cries for these kids left behind. Pray with me that more families feel led to give these kids homes.

Much love to all!!! The kids are calling and I must run!!!!