Our visit with "K" went well. We are up to about 1 hour and 45 minutes. We are only allowed 2 hour visits. We have decided to go in the morning for our 2 hour allotment. We could go in the afternoon as well, but mornings seem to work better.
We have been doing many "nature" things with "K". We stack little rocks we find. The first time I started stacking the rocks he seemed so surprised. The play area is filled with rocks, but he had to look so hard to find them at first. Almost like he had never seen them before. Now he finds them everywhere.
Saying goodbye to "K" is getting harder, especially for him. The minute we start walking up the stairs that lead back to his group's room, he cries and cries. We bring him into the first little coat room and have the 3 kids sit down on a bench. We give them all one more drink of water. By this time one of the mama's has come out. "K" finishes his drink and then puts his cup back in Ed's bag and breaks down crying.
We know that "K" would like to spend more time with us, just not quite sure why! We bring him a toy to play with. We bring him treats. We give him undivided attention. If we are given the legal right to be his parents and when we take him out of the orphanage, we will not have all of this "new" stuff to offer him. Treats are just that - treats. They last for about an hour and 45 minutes. I pray God will give all we need to successfully make the jump from visitor to parents.
Since there was a break in the heat today, we decided to walk down to the waterfront. Quite a trek from our apartment.
Sevastopol sits on the tip of a peninsula that juts out into the black sea. It has a busy harbor and a long, wide paved water side promenade. This area has seen much of history. I will share more in a later post.
The area is packed with tourists right now - mostly Russian. There are ice cream stands every 20 feet and little stalls selling all the same souvenirs. But the harbor is beautiful lined with white columned buildings. We will leave you with a couple of pictures. Take care from Ukraine. Love the Gillis'
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Location:Lenina St,Sevastopol',Ukraine
Love reading the blog when i can sit uninterrupted, ha, ha. Sounds like it is going well and you all look great. Its like we are all there with you. Soon this part will be over and u will be back in the states. Keep your eye on the prize. Johanna and Thomas welcomed Elias Ness Worley into the world this morning around 830 am MN time. They are doing well. Praying for you all, The Marti's
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though "K" is getting attached to you all. It also sounds as if you are too. Ill bet it is great to get some down time once in awhile. Hope things keep on going well. It is still hot here and looks like no respite from the heat.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your return.
Dad and Linda
Try to meet each challenge as it comes. Worrying about it in advance doesn't make it any easier, and you will find a way to do what needs to be done when it comes time for it. Remember when Peter and Lydia were born. There were challenges and adjustments then too, and you found a way to make everything work... Easier said than done right... HA!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone. What a day this has been and now to end it, Grandpa O is up here having stitches. The tongue fell on his hand and sliced open one of his fingers. He just laughes as he always does and says oh it's nothing. He hauled two more loads before they made him come in. I'll let you know tomorrow how it all turned out but don't worry he is in the right place now. I gave them a bunch more of your blogs and they sure do enjoy them. They told me to tell you hi again and can't wait to see your little one. Boy your pictures sure are beautiful. I am sure you guys enjoy being by the water. Sounds like you had a good day with little "K". I wonder what he is thinking the rest of the day after you leave. Well I better go check on Dad and then head for home. Sending lots of love and hugs your way. You are all in our prayers. Love, mom and dad.
ReplyDeleteHow amazed little "K" must be as he feels your love and acceptance reaching out and surrounding him! I bet you can see his heart slowly unfolding to trust you. Your family is in the middle of a miracle! Thank you for letting us be a part of this. Every interaction you have with him is special. We are all loving and praying for you. Perri & LaMar
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your pictures. Are you planning a trip to the beach? We did enjoy our time there. But, it is very rocky!
ReplyDeleteKnow that God is creating the bond between all of you and "K." He will provide everything you need to parent your new little guy. Doesn't mean it will always be easy, but God chose you to travel this road and He knows the path ahead of you. BTW - if you figure out the "treat" thing, I'd love to hear the trick. We still struggle with that. Matthew is always looking for the next new, special thing or activity. Lots of conversation lately about how we don't always have to go someplace, get new toys, etc. That's hard for a 5 year old who is trying to soak in all these new things - lol!!
As always, we are praying for each of you. I was just thinking the other day... you really are almost at the half-way point of your trip. Know you will be glad to be back home. I think I would have kissed the ground when we landed in the US after Maia's adoption. Funny how that changed when we went back for Matthew.
May each day be full of new discoveries about little "K." Can't wait to see pics!!
Hi everyone, Sorry I haven't written lately-but in reading over your blog, it's an amazing story to watch and listen to your family learning to love each other! I'm just in awe to see it! I wouldn't worry about him wanting treats-I'm sure he's just thrilled to have you come back each day just for him. It must have been hard for him to understand why you couldn't come one day. We continue our prayers for all of you! God bless you! Love, Kathy and Lenny
ReplyDeleteOh I forgot to add: this is the first I heard of Grandpa getting stitches! Guess Mother didn't think to call us or he thought she shouldn't!!
ReplyDeleteSo fun to read your blogs and see pictures of your adventures. Can't wait to see pictures of "K." Sounds like you are having some great bonding time with him. Looking forward to meeting him upon your return. I'll bet Peter and Lydia will have some awesome stories to tell when you get home. What an amazing experience for them to have. Praying for your family. Take care!
ReplyDeleteMichele