A Day in the Park

Today was a day full of fun! First we went to visit Uncle Drew at Best Buy which is less than a mile from home! Sophia LOVES her Uncle Drew so needed a fix! Then we drove through to get a couple of hot dogs for the kids to eat at the park! Their new word for the day P A R K. Imagine that with the R extremely rolled and you will know how Zack says it!

While eating at the park, Steph and I heard the ice cream truck and we looked at each other stunned because neither kid responded. We realized that they had no clue what the ice cream truck was. Even when it pulled up at the park, they just kept eating their dogs!

So, I thought we'd learn a couple more words - ice cream and truck. I ran them over and bought them Skittles. Ice cream is just too messy for a 3 and 5 year old away from home. They love SkEEEEtles as they say it. Sophia's Skittles magically vanish, and she ends up eating about 10. Zack tires of them at half the bag. I don't like giving kids candy especially in excess, but this was about educating them as to the appropriate adrenaline rush that should happen when one hears the ice cream truck coming! LOL After sugaring up, off they went to experience the park for the first time! They both had great fun! I have never heard Sophia laugh so much! I mean she has a fake laugh that she uses often when she copies her big brother, but this time, we heard her real laugh! It was adorable!

Zack was in his zone climbing like a monkey!

Here Zack climbed to the top of the aparatus! It was very high, but he just kept climbing as I stood underneath hoping he could land it!

OI! Zack just swinging around flashing the Jordans Auntie Stephanie bought him!

Here you see the three seconds Zack typically pauses before he takes a leap!

The kids play very well together. Here you see Zack very proudly pushing his sister on the swing. She kept randomly getting off mid swing, and he'd go around and softly tell her something in Russian and help her back up on the swing!

Sophia was like a crazy woman on the slide! She would just catapult herself down! I could hear other moms telling their kids to be careful because she was so small. Seeing her run, climb and play really caused me to see what a baby she still is as she is still shaky on climbing and even running. It was so awesome to see her running wild and laughing from the bottom of her toes!

Zack teaching little sis how to swing in a new way!

Here is a hearty laugh as a little chubby Mexican boy chased her! We joke about her being chased by a little Uncle Andrew!

My camera battery died so I missed his climbing up the pole with zero effort, but here's a shot of him swinging out to slide down.

I have heard a few questions about the kids missing their culture and perhaps being shell shocked. To be completely candid with you all, they have not missed a beat. It is as though they have always been a part of our family. We cannot remember life w/o them, and I don't sense that they miss anything about their orphanages or Russia. This is not to say that I will not be teaching them about their culture in the future. I think that will be very important. I hope that one day they too can adopt kids from an orphanage or even better, go back to Russia and reform an orphanage or two or three or the entire system.

As of yesterday, there are no adoption agencies with current accreditation in Russia. This is a HUGE concern. It is election time in Russia and many politicians gain strength by opposing the international adoption of Russia's orphans. Russia, in general, does not consider the needs of the Russian orphans. They are seen as sub human, and most certainly not considered as having needs that must be met. This is a dark time in the adoption world for MANY families who have been waiting for months and in some cases years to bring home a child. Please pray for the re-accreditation process to begin soon and not to be thwarted by power hungry Russian politicians (not unlike many American politicians).

I praise God that Zack and Sophia and many others made it home before this dark time. If I had stayed with my original agency, I would be stuck in the great abyss as well, and Zack and Sophia would likely still be waiting for someone to adopt them. Since they are not "babies," they would likely still be in Russia. I give God the glory for having His hand on their lives and giving me the courage to step through the right hoops.

I hope you are continuing to enjoy the blog. If so, please comment. This way I know that you want to see more!

A Couple of My Favorite Pics

Uncle Drew LOVES little Sophia! I truly enjoy watching them interact!

The Uncles enjoy holding Zacks hand while Zack does a back flip! Mike has his little athletic buddy.
It's a Bug Life ride! We all got on together and had a great time! Kenny was a super sport enjoying a slow paced day with the little ones! Next trip he's earned fast rides w/o the little ones!

Disneyland

Yesterday marked one full week that Zack and Sophia have been home!!! It seems like they have been here forever! I can't imagine life without them.

We started the day off by driving out to Long Beach to visit Auntie Toria at work so that all of her coworkers who have been praying for them could meet them in person! The kids do wonderfully meeting new people. Zack is super shy but cute, and Sophia hugs everyone! In the adoption world, that hugging of everyone can be good and it can also be a sign of some "attachment" needs. What I mean by that is that Sophia may need to learn that she belongs to her momma and to her family. In other words, she needs to feel secure enough in us that she doesn't feel comfortable just going home with anyone. Make sense? Zack's behavior with new people shows very much that he knows he belongs with me and that I will protect and care for him. Sounds kind of ego centric except that if they do not attach now, when they are older, there could be some issues that arise from not feeling like they belong to someone.

So, after visiting, Auntie Toria whose modest baby would not reveal its sex yesterday, we went to Disneyland with Babushka, Uncle Mike, Uncle Drew, Auntie Stephanie, Auntie Gina, Kenny and Josh. This was another first for the kids. They knew who Mickey Mouse was but had not seen the "real" Mickey Mouse. I saw some VERY week stuffed Mickeys in Russia. When Zack saw Mickey Mouse, he yelled out, "Mickey Mouse"!!! He then reached up for babushka to pick him up so he could see better. He and Sophia watched in awe for a good 10 minutes!!!!

The park was extremely busy since it is spring break, but all who went with us have passes so we will be going back next week hoping for less of a crowd. We went this week because babushka has spring break this week!!!

The kids enjoyed It's a Small World, A Bugs Life, The Lady Bugs, Bumper Cars, parade, and running around Toon Town. We definitely must go back to go on MANY rides that we missed!
Here are a few pics of the fun:

Princess of Quite A Lot

Cruisin' Disneyland

Water Fun as Babushka Spanked Mom Because to her It was Freezing!

Josh and Zack enjoy their new Swords!

Having TALL Uncles is an Added Bonus! (More Male Bonding?)
Okay, so mom sees this pose and wonder if 8 years is long enough to prepare him to be a law abiding teenager?! :) LOL

Disneyland Group Shot

Here are the angel cousins!
This Bug Must be Exterminated!
Locked up at The Happiest Place on Earth!
For a Moment in Time, the Little Firecrackers are Still...

Another day at 6428...

This week is babushka's spring break so there will be lots of tickling going on!!! Zack loves to tease his grandma by wrinkling up his fingers and making a scowl on his face as he slouches and says with a boogie man tone, "babushka"!!! With that, my mom tickles him and he giggles!!! Great fun with a grandma that will love him forever! I'm so thankful for a mom who is so involved in all of her grandkids' lives. What a blessing! I hope that someday soon she is able to share with Zack about Jesus' love for him!
Good Morning Blogger Land. I failed to take any pictures yesterday so as instructed by my mom many times, I must use my words!

Yesterday was a very busy day! After hosting Zack's b-day party on Saturday, the house was a WRECK! So, I spent the morning trying to put things back in order while the kids played and watched cartoons. Little Sophia is quite the little firecracker so it is tough to truly clean while she's awake! Zack happily works on a puzzle and glances up at the television once in a while.

Around noon, we headed off to to run a few errands and to get the big boys (Kenny and Josh) from school. At Kohls, we purchased Sophia her first pair of shoes that actually fit - 7.5 is the final number. I had purchased 10s!!! While at Kohl's I got punked into getting each kid a toy. It was tough to say no watching them experience their first time in a shoe/toy store. It was cool to see their eyes - no greed just amazement.



After getting Ken and Josh, we headed off to my job to see all of the folks that have been praying for Zack and Sophia for so long. There the kids had a great time. Sophia hugged everyone she saw and Zack was shy but did throw a hacky sack around with some folks and also did a few flips. It was great to visit and super tiring as well. I thought both kids would sleep on the way home, but that didn't happen! They were enthralled with watching Strawberry Shortcake! None of us are really used to girl cartoons yet - so sachriny (sp?), screechy, treacle... It'll take some time for me and the boys to adjust to giving Sophia her fair share of flowery high pitched voices!!! LOL

Once home, we had a spaghetti dinner with the aunt and uncles and cousins. Sophia liked the spaghetti, and Zack liked the green beans. I had them each eat a fair amount of both as it will take some time for their taste buds to adjust to our American way of eating. I can empathize since I lived on fries and bread while in Russia!

Josh's words last night encapsulizes what has happened to the home at 6428: "This house is crazy like on 'Yours, Mine, and Ours'"!!! I looked at him, and said, "Yep, I think you're right"!!!! The decibel level has increased by 200% and the time it takes to get baths and to bed has increased by 300%!!! When I step back and look at the situation, I feel so blessed!

This next 5 weeks that I am able to be home with the kids, I am working on getting them on a schedule. I believe that kids do best when they know what to expect. So, Nanny McStephanie and I are working on a schedule that will meet the needs of the four kids and Stephanie.

Right now, the big boys are at school; Zack and Sophia are in bed; Nanny McStephanie is sound asleep; and I am blogging so all is still. It is the perfect time for my quiet time with the Lord so with that I am going to sign off and refuel.

Many blessings to all of you and thanks for the bits of love and prayers that you send the way of Zack and Sophia! Also, please continue to pray for all of the children still waiting for parents.

BUSY BUSY Weekend

First, we celebrated Zack's 5th birthday! He even had a pinata! He can certainly swing a bat!

Water guns were the winning gift! Zack and Wanda had quite a water fight!!!

Here is Zack's first birthday cake! Thanks Auntie Victoria for the best cake ever!
Easter today was loads of fun! Here we are overlooking the Long Beach Marina!This is Sophia and her Auntie Tori! Auntie Tori is going to have a new baby soon, and Sophia is sure to have a new friend!

Grandpa showed up at church with surprises for Sophia and Zack - great big Easter baskets!
Sophia and Babushka are inseparable! It has been love at first sight! Lunch on the Queen Mary was a blast!

Here are the cousins on Easter morning! Easter baskets are light on the candy and heavy on the cash ($20 each)!

Babushka and the grandkids!

Here is the great big family for Easter lunch on the Queen Mary! Gina is taking the pic!

Friday in a nutshell!

A casual Friday lunch with Uncle Drew, Aunt Stephanie, and Josh and Kenny. The kids LOVE corn dogs and string cheese! Here we are on our very FIRST BIKE RIDE! All day Zack kept saying sebeeit, and we were wondering what that meant. Auntie Stephanie looked it up, and we learned that it means bike! So shortly after we had the kids out for their first ride. We started out in the backyard and ended up out front once they got the hang of it! Thanks Uncle Jerry for the best bikes ever!

Sophia smiles as she has fun with her Uncle Jerry!!! What do you know some more male bonding! Doesn't Sophia look so very HAPPY?!!
Right now the kids are out bowling with Uncle Drew and Auntie Stephanie as momma gets over her jet lag and the yucky flu!

Play by Play #7 Thursday in pics!

Sophia's first American haircut! Actually, I just got her bad haircut fixed so her hair can grow out nicely. She looks so much like a big girl here, but she is very much still a baby in many ways! She talks so cute in her Russian baby talk!

Here is Zack before his first American haircut! Zack's first use of hair product...next it'll be gel for the mohawk! LOL
And, the final product! His first nice straight haircut!

Jacuzzi fun with Auntie Stephanie and the cousins! Josh is so shy!

The perfect ending to another awesome day!!!

First Pic of the Cousins on a Casual Morning at 6428

Kenny (11), Josh (6.5), Zack (barely 5), and Sophia (3)

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!

Free at Last!!!

Good riddens to the bath water at the Hotel Belgrad in Moscow! For only $220 a night, you too can experience this delight!! And, if the water wasn't bad enough, the service was worse!!!! The other hotel I stayed at in Nizhny Novgorod was MUCH better!!!! Zack's last pic trapped in the Russian orphanage system! He looks pretty pleased to be going home! Zack's director and caretaker cried when he left. They were tears of joy and sadness. They really LOVED this little guy! They knew, however, and communicated that they were so happy that he would have a better future in America!



Sophia's last pic being trapped in a baby home with 70+ other kids and a staff that all wore white coats and looked very clinical. Her director and caretaker did not show any emotion in Sophia's leaving good or bad! I think they're overwhelmed and Sophia's little "sneaky" spirit must have been "fun" to keep up with!

We are home from what I refer to as our sentence in Russia! Praise God for keeping us safe and surprising us with an early trip home! We were so excited to find out on Tuesday late afternoon that we could leave on Wednesday! What a blessing and a whirlwind of happiness!!!!

Tuesday, I had to go to the US Embassy to be interviewed. It was so cool being in Russia but feeling as though I was in America standing in that building where everything was in English and where the workers spoke perfect English! I was a little nervous about the word interview, but I found out that it was just a raise your right hand and swear that all of the information in your paperwork is true situation. The woman asked me a few brief questions peaked over the counter down at the little angels and told me congrats! In about 20 minutes, they called my name and we had their passports with visas to come HOME!!!!!

There were three other families at the US Embassy at the same time. One family from Texas, one from Virginia, and one from Utah. It was great to see others at the end of their LONG journeys to bring precious ones home. To see the hope in these kids' eyes is so amazing!

Play by Play #5 Red Square

Today we went to have their medical exams and then briefly visited Red Square! The worst for the kids medicals was that they have outtie belly buttons! Yikes and Oh My! I was pleased. St. Basil's Cathedral built in the 1500s under Ivan the Terrible. After it was built, Ivan asked the two architects, "Would it be possible to build something more beautiful than this?" They replied, "yes" at which point Ivan had them both blinded so they could never build anything as beautiful!

Heather requested a pic of mom and kids so here you go! It is crazy, but that's wind blown me with the kidlets!

Auntie Gina being pulled and tugged through Red Square! It was a parade of her own!

Oh my word, the kids locked her up!!!!!

Zack in front of Gum's Shopping Mall built in 1893 specifically as a shopping mall quite likely the first ever! It is gorgeous inside. It almost felt like we were in Vegas!

This is the very center of Russia where people believe that if you stand here and throw a coin, you will have good luck! Sophia was not so sure about parting with her ruble, but she finally did!

That's all for today. The natives are running wild!!!

Play by Play #5

I love the balloons at McDonalds in Moscow!!!! We have fun here painting and coloring and just plain having fun! YUMMY! My very FIRST burger! I wasn't so sure about hamburger meat, but I think Josh will teach me to like it so we can go to the Playland at home!!!
I salute you from Russia soon to be in America but always Russian at heart! Mom bought this hat for my gotcha box which means I'll have fun with it for now, but once home it goes locked away until I am old enough to appreciate its meaning.

We'll be back at McDonalds tomorrow after the medical appointments so I'll try to post more then! Much love to all! Thanks for all of the comments! Somehow they make me less homesick!

Hello from Moscow

We are at McDonalds now which is right across from our hotel and luck me, there are three McDonalds staff members assigned to handling the kids! They have paints tattoos and balloons gallore!!!! YIPPEE! The kids think they have died and gone to heaven. So far, we have spent 2 hours here each day. For any who have traveled extensively, you'll understand what I mean when I say that even though it is McDonalds, it does not taste like McDonalds! But, I have forced down a fillet of fish and an egg mcmuffin. The first "real food" I've had since arriving here! I just can't deal with different foods which is too bad for me! Gina enjoys most of the food so she if fortunate, but she has said that she is starting to smell like a Russian as the odor of the food is coming through her pores!!!!

We are on Arbat Street which is the main tourist street in Moscow. It is pedestrian only so that is nice. There are lots of tables set up like a flee market of sorts. I haven't bought much, but I did get Zack a hat for his gotcha box. I'll post a picture later. He LOVES it!

The kids are adjusting well. Zack has had about 3 time out and he responds well and come full circle very quickly. Sophia has had a few more time out than Zack, but is getting the hang of listening when she is told no to things like chewing a bottle cap and sneakily retrieving it from the trash. I've gotta keep both eyes on her which is okay because Zack and Auntie Gina are busy turning the room upside down doing flips and things of the sort. I can't wait for you to see what this kid can do!

Well, today just relax which is tough cause it is so BORING and our room is YUCKY! The shower water is yellow and the room smells bad. So we'll keep the kids out until they get tired and then back for a nap and then an afternoon of going stir crazy!

Monday - kids go to doctor for medicals and we go to see Red Square
Tuesday - Russian Consulate
Wednesday - US Embassy
Thursday - US Embassy
Friday - HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!

Well, a special hello to ECCU peeps keeping up with the blog. Thanks to all of you who took your curiousity beyond that by helping me to bring Zack and Sophia home. I can't wait for you to meet them!!!!

Gina has been awesome! I can't imagine being here along for the ride and being happy about it cause these last days are pretty YUCK, but she is keeping my spirits high! I thank God for sending me a godly friend who truly has shown such graciousness in joining me in this endeavor!

PAKA - good bye! pics later I hope!