Run around in circles

Today we traveled to the orphanage to visit the boys. Austin was outside with his group. Today the care taker (one who takes some interest) was showing the kids all kinds of things outside. Trees, birds, and machines. There was much interest. Austin recognized us and came up and grabbed each of our hands, as we hold hands when we walk.

We did a little less chasing today, this care taker seems to have his number, he responds to her. We played some then he wanted to be pushed in the swing. So we swung some. After about 10 minutes of this it began to get a bit colder. His class was returning inside so we went in.

We were allowed some time to play with Austin by himself in the music room. On every other day there has been other adopting families there playing with their children. It was good to have the room to ourselves.

Austin played with a new toy we purchased, a horn that plays different songs. It will of course not be making the trip back:). He allowed Beth to hold him because she would sit him on her legs then bounce them to the beat of the current song. It was a neat moment.

Later he started the "I am going to test the two of you and see what I can get away with". He begin to walk away and be into everything that he shouldn't be into. When ever he is spoken to in Russia to not do something, then he responds. He seems to know that we cannot communicate well with him, so he just continues on.

He left to eat lunch and Jacob arrived. He seems much better today. He was more awake and his body didn't seem so sick. (Prayer answered!) He played with the stackable cups we purchased at the "department store" across from the hotel. It was good. He vocalized some more with either da for yes or da for da. (not sure) Austin returned after lunch and found the three of us there.

He came in and just sat down near us. We had our translator explain that Jacob was his brother. I am not sure how happy he was to learn that he was going to have to share these "parents". He figured out how to put the cups back in the right order then he decided to test once again. He wondered around the room and found these plastic "wiffle" type balls. He picked them up one by one and put them into a play structure (house). Did we mention that the music teacher is somewhat of a grump and DOES NOT like her stuff touched by the children?

We told him no, but he continued. Our translator told him no, but he continued. He would often cut his eyes at us to see what our reaction was. We then began to ignore. He finally tired of testing and came back over for some more interaction. He picked up the camera and we told him no and to put it down, he then dropped the camera, picked it up and walked out of his way to give it to me rather than Beth (the one closest to him).

Long story short, oh my! It seems that we have a child that is every bit of 3 years old. Additionally he has been raised (and praised) for being independent. The hard part about all of this is we need for him to attach to us as parents... He left for his nap and we were left with Jacob.

Jacob played for a while longer. He enjoyed the cups then he made some motion like he wanted to stand. He grabbed onto both of my fingers (with a stackable cup in his left hand) and we walked in circles. He did very well. He seemed more alert and interactive.

We return tomorrow for another installment.

We are realizing that this is going to be hard. We have the parent aspects but specifically with Austin we believe we may encounter some bonding issues with him.

We have been told that a week from tomorrow we will received the court decree of our adoption. At that point we "own" the children and can take them if we wish. We will need to stay around a couple of days to get the various documents in order for travel. We are now struggling with if/when we should take them. Our hotel here would work but be difficult to have two children in our room. It would be good to get them on our own terms but may require us to be up all night and have one less night of sleep before the return trip home... ugg!

Please keep us in your prayers. They have been seen and I can testify that Jesus is not far from us. We see him move daily
1. Jacob seems more healthy today
2. Austin recognized us
3. We are resting
4. Several of the adopting families attended a church today. This was my prayer that I would have the opportunity to attend church here and hopefully next weekend I will be able to go.

Please pray that
1. We could fly back to Moscow (not ride the train)
2. Our return trip home would be quiet and uneventful
3. Austin will listen to us and trust us
4. Austin will attach quickly to Beth and myself
5. Jacob will attach quickly to Beth and myself
6. We would have wisdom regarding when we should take them from the orphanage.
7. We would have confidence in our decisions

We love you guys and covet your prayers over us.