Play by Play #6 Second Post of the Day

I am so sorry, but I did not take any pics of the trip home or first evening back in California so I must share in words alone!

The flight was somewhat uneventful. The kids slept about 5 out of the 13 hours and were happy campers. Zack LOVED just staring out the window. Sophia layed down most of the time as we had 8 seats to the 4 of us. Aeroflot flights to Moscow don't seem to fill up as our flight to Moscow was the same.

Once we got home, Zack kept saying he wanted to see his bicycle! Sophia mimmicked him and those around us grinned as Gina and I kept telling them in broken Russian that we would be home to the bicycles soon.

Getting through customs with two newly adopted Russian children was uneventful at LAX. I had to deliver two sealed envelopes to a counter where in about 20 minutes, they stamped the kids passports and told us we were free to go! Oh, and the minute the plane touched down, the kids became US citizens! When they reach 18, they can choose to be soley American citizens or have dual citizenship in Russia as well.

I can't explain the feelings I felt as we landed. First off, I have been under the weather and was fighting nausea all the way home. Secondly, I didn't want to miss a minute of the landing. I woke both kids up about 30 minutes before landing so they could be awake enough to experience the excitement of the plane touching ground. Both LOVED it, and I was so relieved when we touched ground! This nearly year long journey of getting the kids HOME had come to an end, and finally life here with them could begin!!!

When we left customs we went around a corner, and there we were greeted by my entire family including Gina's boys (my first angels)! It was a blessed reunion for all! And, surprisingly these tiny little "orphans" ran into the arms of Babushka who they had seen pictures of several times! Zack then bolted for Mike, my 17 year old 6 foot 2 bro with the look of athletic domination in his eye. Zack was on his shoulders in 60 seconds flat and stayed by Mike's side for the next two hours. It was like he had found his hero!

I was blessed because I was warned about the kids being afraid of men from lack of exposure. Neither showed any signs of fear. Even the Russian driver who took us to the airport said the kids were amazingly "normal". Those were his words. He said they were perfectly social and he said, "you are very lucky to have these two because you guys have already bonded." He said, "They feel very comfortable with you." Zack was talking up a storm with him.

So after the airport, we went to Mexican food - thank heavens! This little half latina needed some beans! The kids loved the chips and the rice, but the rest was a little out there for them at this point. So far, the only two Riveras that will pass up frijoles! Gina's Kenny doesn't like them either so the cousins are in good company and rice it shall be for the three while Josh and I eat beans to our heart's content!!!!

After this, we stopped by my mom's house where we just fellowshiped and thanked God for bringing the kids home safely. Zack did his back flips, cart wheels and hand stands to the amazement of all. I'm not sure they believed me when I said that this kid has a gift. I wonder if his ancestors were in the Russian circus!!! Mike says that gymastics is a NO until I have Zack try out other sports! Something about his nephew in tights creeped him out! Such a guy! He may end up in gymnastics yet.

The kids loved my mom's three dogs! Sophia was so enthralled with the puppy. She was so fun to watch! She LOVES her babushka. I wish I had pics of her looking into my mom's face! Such a blessing to know just how loved this little one will be in our family!!!

For all that wonder about Zack getting enough testoserone filled fun being raised by a single mom, fear no more!!!! He is surrounded by my four brothers who already want to sign him up for the majors. Zack's other gifts that I did not mention are that he colors like a 5th or 6th grader, and he is amazingly good at putting puzzles together - not just "baby" puzzles. We're talking 80 to 100 piece puzzles! I wonder where his life will take him. I pray I am a good example to him and also that I am on my toes as far as opening doors of opportunity for him and Sophia.

Sophia is still only 3 and her gifts are unfolding slowly as she is still very much a baby adjusting her age for orphanage time. She tries to do the flips that her bro does, but mom must watch her closely because she tends to step off of the bed! :) That's my girl! I cannot wait for her to meet my Kaylie (niece, 6 in Texas). I know they will be the best of friends! For now, she is surrounded by boys and loving every minute of it!

I'll take pics today as I take Zack to get his first haircut in America which means a straight hair cut!!!! I also plan to take them to the park and let them ride their bikes for the first time.

Oh, I nearly forgot. When we finally got home after Zack checked out his very OWN bike, we all went in the jacuzzi! The kids were in HEAVEN!!!! Zack even jumped in the pool with Uncle Drew!!!

Both kids are so HAPPY and fit right in with the Rivera/Minard bunch here at 6428!!!! Kenny (Gina's 11 year old) said, "It is so cool to have two new cousins". "I can't wait to teach them so many new things." Gina's boys have hearts of gold. Both were so eager to show the kids Love and affection! What a blessing it is to see her boys experience such a wonderful gift from God.

We at 6428 have been praying for Zack and Sophia for nearly a year, and now Gina's boys have seen their very own prayers answered. Men of God is what I see in their future - not pious judgemental men who point fingers and detatch from secular society. I see little men who grow up to show the love of God to people regardless of race, religion, or any other stereotype. My prayer for all of the cousins (the other8 included) is that they be a light to a dark world showing that the Bible is true and that God is LOVE. He is not the tyrant living in a box that many Christians make him out to be.

My prayer is that I will continue to reach out in various ways; To be bold enough to step out of the box regardless of what some of the stodgy (SP?) tradition filled Christians might agree or disagree with in their pharasaical nonsensical ways. My goal is to allow Christ through me to meet the needs of people who are in need of the God who wants to LOVE ALL OVER them!!!! People need the Lord! They don't need a personal Stalin in their lives. I just wish more of us Christians could expose the world to the JOY of the Lord!!!!

These two little ones are two more little lights!