Just Another Manic Monday

Dave sez, So, today is a holiday for Easter Sunday.
It's another laid back day, only Monday. During the week we visit with Masha during "school hours". Let me tell you, I appreciate that greatly! We are a distraction to the children, because they see us like we are a new toy. When the children see me, I get mobbed. All the boys come over and shake my hand and say "Hello!" I respond in kind with "Привіт!" Then all the girls come over and say the same thing, with the same response.

Selfie!

I guess there are very few men that shave their heads here the way that I do, because all of the children come around and run their hands across my scalp to feel how smooth it is. I get the same reaction every time, "Ooooooo!" Then giggles. I feel a bit like a brass statue; I guess I will be bringing all the children good luck.

They are so fascinated by Cathy and me - Cathy and I - us - we tend to become the center of attention, and the kids lose all focus on anything else. Like listening. If you are a parent, you know what that's like. You're herding your kittens along just fine and then - SQUIRREL! - they see something, or someone, and you have to compensate and get them back on the course they were going originally.

The greater challenge has been for each one of our kids. Since we are the "new toy", our kids have not been willing to share our attention with anyone else. And that makes sense. It is interesting to see the lengths to which all three of our children have gone to mark and defend us as territory. I certainly don't want Masha, just as I didn't want Ethan or Justin before her, to see me giving another child her - or his/their - attention.

Let me just share this: Every child needs deserves a loving home, parents and a family. Wherever you are on your journey, just as there might be a "soul mate" looking for you - unless you have found one and are enjoying that soul mate - there might be a boy or a girl looking for you as well. Justin found us. He introduced us to Ethan. Who introduced us to Masha. Our journey has led us to International Adoption. Yours may be domestic. Local. Through your Country's foster-to-adopt program. Through an adoption agency in your community or nearby. 

Remember the story of the starfish.

"I made a difference to that one."

Alright, I'm off my soap box now.

After working on Masha's English lesson and playing a few hands of Uno, we were invited in for lunch by the Cradle of Children's Hope staff. They have been so gracious, friendly and generous to us. That is not an unusual thing. This is Kiev, not New York. We have found people all over the city very friendly and amicable. When it is cold and rainy the staff welcome us in to the orphanage with hot tea. We can also wash the tea down with sweets. It is so nice to be able to sit and eat with Masha and the children. The children pray before they eat. We sit and give thanks for our hosts, the hard work that goes into the meal and show our gratitude. If this were China, I would amuse the children by burping the alphabet in appreciation, like I do at home when Cathy cooks. But this is not, so I don't.

We had a delicious potato soup, salad and chicken and rice. To this day, Justin still raves about the rice he enjoyed in the orphanage.

Masha is a fan of Big Time Rush. James is her favorite. Justin was hooked on Big Time Rush when he first came home, so I have it on my iPod. I remembered to bring it today, so she was humming along to BTR during our visit. We are starting to get a complete picture of our daughter and her tastes and likes. She has seen all of the Twilight films - so she is a Twi-hard, and a fan of Bella. I will have to keep my eyes open for pale old souls. I will also have to make sure all her windows stay closed, and bolted locked. Her next necklace will be of garlic, with a vial of holy water as a charm.

On our way back to the apartment we made an incredible discovery! There is a Billa grocery store in the underground mall at Maidan.

Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine

The picture above? The center is Independence Square. Just below that walkway is a shopping mall. Under that cross street is Maidan station. Now, toward the foreground, the base of that monument is the ceiling skylight of the other half of the shopping mall on the other side of the street. In the lower level of that, is a Billa grocery! Now, back to the picture above. There is a part of the Square on the other side of the street from the monument that still has the Occupy camp from last November. That building on the right is still burnt out. There are still piles of tires and bricks here and there. And yet, the Billa below is amazingly inviting in contrast. They are very helpful, even to out-of-towners like us. The space where Billa is now was once a sporting goods store. It's where we got Justin and Ethan their backpacks to carry their belongings on the flight home. There was an Adidas store nearby where we got Justin a commemorative Eurocup 2012 soccer ball as a coming home gift. We'll have to see if that is still there on our next grocery visit.

Every day it seems there is a new, enjoyable discovery here!