trains, taxis and boys, oh my!

Well first of all teh train was not anyhting like what we had expected. Thanks to Henry's advice we asked for the airconditioned one and thanks to the rest of you for telling us to take sleeping pills. We got onteh train around 8:30 and roasted until teh train started moving and hte air came on. Since we were alittle leary about thesleeping pills we split one and hte next thing I know it's 5am and time to get up and go to the dreaded "bathroom". Again, nothing like what was described. It had an actual toilet (with a seat although sitting on was still out of the question (Laura speaking of course)) and even had a sink and get this! Soap! Wow we must have really been blessed because we had a great experience. Good thing Nicoli has arms like Popeye becasue he carried our bags adn put them on the train and Igor was thre to meet us on the other end.
Igor worked quickly and we actually met the youngest boy and the oldest one on Wednesday. Sorry everybody we had no internet cafe to post. Both boy are abosolutely perfect. Their health record wer terrible inaccurate and they are perfectly health with only the expected speach and developemental delays but both boys seem to be extremely bright and attentive. When they brought Ivan in from his groups we sitting ona bench that was about 6 inched off the ground and he peaked around the corner briefly at us as they dressed him. When they brought him in it took everyhting I had not to just bust out in tears becasue he was just that cute adn he has a smile that will make you melt. He came up very hesitantly after htey let go of his hand and walked up to me a little shy but seemingly with great expectation. I took hold of his hands and said hello lathough I really just wanted to scoop him up and give him a great big hug and kiss but was afraid that might scare him. He sat between us and played with a toy for about 30 minutes. Great attention span for a 3 year old! We offered him a cookie and it was gone in an instant. And then the best part: He turned his cookie crumbled face towards me and gave me a kiss! Ok I was hooked from that point on. He would even go to Rob for a brief period but was always very obedient and cheerful and very calm. He loved being able to see his picture on the digital camera and wearing my sunglasses. He is very well cared for at his orphanage and the caregivers consider him to be one of the favorites. After our brief time there we then went to teh orphanage where the oldest boy is.
When they brought him in he was clearly frightened and a little uneasy. He didn't speak much and when he did it was very quitely. Once we got him to come over to us Rob showed him a game on teh pocket PC and that was that. He figured out how toplay it and even got a better score than I do most of the time. We laso got to take him to another room with a big rug adn play with some of the cars we brought. He really really liked that, particulary playing it with Rob. He laguhed and squeeled as teh cars would run into each other. We got to continue to play with him for about an hour. They said since he had no diagnosis of anything that we didn't need to speak with teh doctor since there wasn't anyhting to tell. He does still remeber his birthmother as he has only been in the orphanage for 2 years. He was asked a few questions by teh social worker adn was then clearly uptight again but wanted us to come visit with him again so that was good. He has a very tender heart and is a happy boy and hte director even smiled at him and said a few things to him to make him a little more at ease. We don't know what she said but she told us she really like our family adn that she was happy that the boys would be together.
Today, Thrusday, we went to the orphanage of the middle boy. It was a very long cab ride (1 1/2 hours) of which we all slept part of the way. This orphanage was way out in the country and a little difficult to find but with teh help of the inspector adn Igor we got there adn got to meet him. He was just as precious as can be and there is nothing as far as we can tell that would indicate anything being wrong with him. He was bright and knows his colors, numbers, etc.. His attention span is alittle shorter thant he other boys but her is a very sweet boy and very obedient and happy as well. He chatters up a storm and will repeat after us when asked to. We had brought waters with us and I think he probably drank almost a litre of water! I though he was going to choke the way he was drinking it. I think he was thirsty! He also had a banana and ate in about 4 bites while holding hi lollipop that he had when we arrived (that then had carpet fuss and such on it). He loved seeing the pictures on the camera and playing with the cars. He was also very good with the flash cards and even sharing things with both of us. Clearly he very bright and inquisitive. I think he will be a good apprentice for papa with just about everything!

Sooooooooo, we have made the decision and know that we know that we know that htese are the right ones for us. Our path has been very smooth and God has really paved the way for absolutely everything. All uneasyness is gone and now the reality of picking names and getting another bed is setting in. We haven't measured them yet so we don't know thier sizes but I'm sure we will get to that soon. Thanks for all of your prayers. We can tell God is at work in all of our lives and I know the boys will have many Ukranian friends to dote over them. I'm sure all the girls will just love them to pieces. The oldest and middle one will keep the activity level up and get Travis running to play soccer with them. I think the little one will be momma's for a while yet. I'm simply overwhelmed with the blessings we have recieved in these boys. What a God we have. He deserves all the glory and honor for creating such perfect children for our family. One of the orphanages said "now all you need is another girl!" Rob had a big "nyet" to that and I simply said "one step at a time".

Blessings to all,
Laura and Rob