Our final Thursday and Friday...

It's been pretty low-key around here the last 2 days.
Vladik has had a few bouts of moodiness--- which considering he flies home on Monday... it's to be expected.

There have been a lot of neat moments during his time here.
But I think my favorite occurred last night.
Rick was changing the oil in his truck and rotating the tires... and he had Vladik help.

The two of them were a little slow to warm up to each other... in part because Rick was so busy in the fields for the first 3 weeks of Vladik's stay; but it was really neat to see this bit of bonding between them.
I don't know if Vladik will ever need the skills/words Rick was teaching him... lug nuts, in which direction to rotate the tires, how to measure the tread depth, using the star pattern, etc. But whether or not he uses or remembers it, isn't really the point.
It was a moment. 30 minutes of "guy time" doing "guy things."

It was neat to see.

What is it with men and power tools, anyway? Is it testosterone driven?

I have pretty much everything we need to send home with Vladik- short of a winter coat. I called Goodwill this afternoon to see if they had their winter stuff out yet, and they DO have some. So we'll be making a quick trip to town tomorrow to see if we can find anything useful.

I've had some wonderful friends donate items for Vladik's return trip: a suitcase, a backpack, activity books, etc.  I am so thankful for their support and willingness to help!

After we get back from Goodwill (with or without a coat), we'll start packing. It may seem a little premature, but I need to see what kind of room he's going to have to figure out what he can or can't take home with him. There's a weight limit to consider as well, so I'll have to nix most of the books, etc., I had originally thought about sending home.

We have just the weekend left- and that's it.

We have to be in Detroit at 1pm on Monday.

The time has gone unbelievably fast- and even though we're not adopting, I hope we've given Vladik a glimpse of how things *could* be... the idea of something different than what he's known. Certainly not the family dynamics seen on TV... we're neither the Cleavers, the Simpsons nor the Bundys; but I hope he's felt loved...
I hope he's felt wanted...
I hope he's felt safe...
I hope he's felt included...
and whether or not he understands it, I hope he's seen the difference Christ can make in the life of an individual, and in the life of a family.

Yesterday... Our final Wedensday

We had a GREAT day yesterday... although truth be told, it didn't start out that way!

Rick took the day off-- which is always a treat... and we drove up to Port Clinton and Lake Erie. But I'm getting ahead my self.

Our plan was to leave the house by 8:30 or 9am.
For those of you who have kids who don't get up at the crack of dawn, I realize that to be out of the house by 8:30 in the morning- especially during the summer- seems ridiculously early. But my kids are usually up by 6:30... Joe sometimes earlier.. so 8:30 is not an unreasonable departure time.

Well, Vladik picked yesterday to sleep in even later than his usual 8:00.
When he STILL wasn't up by 9:30, I went and woke him up.
Normally I would have let him sleep; but I'd been hearing... every 3 minutes... since the rest of us ate breakfast that morning... "is it time to go yet?"... "when are we leaving?"

So we finally left by about 10.

We got 15 miles up the road, and the tire pressure monitor in the car started going off. ARRRGH!
So Rick got out and looked at the tires-- nothing was OBVIOUSLY wrong, but you never know.
So, we turned around and drove home. Turns out 3 of the 4 tires were 15# low. So... an hour after starting out the 1st time, we were on our way again.

We ate lunch at McDonalds... which according to Vladik and my kids... is ALWAYS appropriate, and we headed over to the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton.

I got a great deal on tickets through Groupon, so rather than paying $84 to get us all in, it was $25 for the 5 of us.  The entry fee included a little pony ride and a camel ride for each kid, plus a large cup of food for the animals.

Driving through the park and feeding the animals as they stuck their heads in the car is quite possibly Vladik's favorite moment from his whole time here with us. He was SO animated!

He, Joe and Kyle laughed so hard, I really thought they were going to make themselves sick! I tried to get pictures of Vladik feeding the animals, but the angle
was too awkward.

He was all grins on the pony camel rides as well. He liked the idea that he was maybe the only host kid from Ukraine who got to ride a camel on his trip to America.

Say "hello" to my little friend  :-)

After our adventure at the African Safari, we went in search of a public beach. We found one just up the road and the boys spent a couple of hours swimming and splashing in the water. 

I'm embarrassed to say that after living in Ohio for 12 years, it was my first actual trip to a Lake Erie beach. I wasn't quite as impressed as the kids were, but I supposed that has to do with the fact that many of my "growing-up years" were spent in Southern California where we frequented the "real" beach.
Regardless, they had a great time... despite the dead fish and the water snakes.

We cleaned up and headed over to Sandusky for supper, but on the way we stopped at Marblehead to see the lighthouse.  It was starting to get cloudy and the waves were starting to pick up... the boys enjoyed sitting on the rocks watching people fish.

Joe and Vladik both feel asleep on the way home, and even though I KNOW he was tired, we stayed up and worked on his English after the boys went to bed.

Vladik's personality just exploded yesterday. I don't know if it was because Rick was with us, or if it was just timing; but it was a joy to see!

Our final Tuesday...

Yesterday, Vladik had his final dentist appointment.
It went REALLY, REALLY well.
The nerve to the tooth in question was completely dead, so no shots were needed. There was no pain and no discomfort for Vladik - which after our last visit, I was really grateful for. He listened to Lecrae the whole time and I was able to talk to Dr. Garrison and the staff about New Horizons and our hosting experience.
They had a lot of questions, and  I was doubly glad Vladik had his earphones in. I always feel funny talking about him and his situation in front of him.

So--- 2 hours, a root canal, and a new tooth later.... he was smiling BIG! There have been a lot of smiles this week.

I'm SO grateful for Dr. Garrison and his staff... they took such good care of us!

My parents sent us a tetherball set AGES ago.
Rick, bless his heart... who has WAY to much to do... finally got it set up this afternoon.

I CLEARLY remember playing tetherball in the 3rd grade. That and playing "Frogger" with the massive row of swings on the playground were my favorite things to to at recess. Oh-- and trading scratch-n-sniff stickers. :-)   I think I remember one that was supposed to smell like tires. EWWW.

We went swimming this afternoon as well. For as often as it seems we go swimming, you'd think they'd all be waterlogged, but that doesn't seem to be the case. :-)

Days 25 & 26... I think. I've lost count.

So. Where to begin?

Vladik has 1 week left in America. 1 week left in our home.

We have 1 left week to love on him and include him in our family goings-on.
1 week left to stuff him full of fruit and ice cream.
1 week left to play games and work on English.
1 week left to touch him with the gospel through our words and actions.

7 days.

I imagine in many ways, he's ready to go home.
I'm sure he misses his friends and what is familiar and I think he'd be ready to not be surrounded by English-only speakers.
I can't really ask if he's enjoyed his time here. I'm assuming he has, but I don't want to put him on the spot.

Yesterday we were "talking" about some of the things I wanted to get done before he leaves.
I mentioned I wanted him to help me pick out some of the photos I've taken to put in an album so he can take it home with him.
I was surprised... and confused... and little hurt... when he responded verbally "no... photos... home."
So I typed... "You don't want to take any photos home?"

"no."

"ok."..... "you're sure?"

"no"  (I was starting to get a complex here.WHY would he not want to take pictures home? Has he not enjoyed his time here?? Did we do something wrong??"

"No, you're not sure, or no you do not want any pictures?"

 frustration...."no... photos... home."

"Ok. Thats fine. You don't have to take pictures home with you if you don't want to. I only asked because I'm told most kids want to."

After several back and forths... I *think* I figured out that he wants to take pictures home with him, he just doesn't want to help pick them out.... I think?

Sunday is usually our day to go out to eat, so for supper, we went to Friendly's. For my readers who don't know, Friendly's is like Denny's (kind of), only with AMAZING ice cream.
(It's not Blue Bell, but it's the closest we can get here in our little corner of the midwest.)

As Vladik would choose ice cream over breathing, we knew he'd love it!
Of course, whats *not* to love about ice cream?! We think the USDA should include it in the food pyramid as its own category.


Vladik had a bit of a revelation, yesterday.

School starts in about a month, so it's time to start thinking about school clothes, etc. I had gone down to the basement to get the tub full of Joe's old clothes that Kyle will be able to soon wear.  We were all in the kitchen and Kyle and I were sorting through the clothes. Evidently, when I packed up the clothes a couple of years ago, I wasn't as organized as I should have been as there were 3 different sizes in the tub. But anyway, with each item of clothing we pulled out, (it was a big tub) Vladik's eyes got bigger and bigger. He wanted to see everything-- feel it if it was textured, look at the designs etc....
And then it dawned on me... he thought these were all NEW clothes.

AS IF!

So after we sorted through them all, I explained to Vladik our term of "hand-me-downs;" and I said it was nice that I had 2 boys so that I could pass clothes on from one kid to the next.
He, of course, understands the concept of hand-me-downs. Most everything he owns is a hand-me-down.

He just didn't know American kids did it too.  I think he was a little surprised.

During our English lessons, we've been working with articles. When to use "a" when to use "an", plus the proper use of "this", "that", "these", "those" and plurals.  He's an eager student, which I appreciate; and I LOVE grammar, vocabulary... and the opportunity to "teach" what I know.

Of all the things we've done while Vladik has been here, I think our one-on-one time at night, working on English, ranks right at the top of my list of favorites.

Yesterday and Today, Days 23 & 24

New Horizons is doing their own version of cardboard testimonies. This is our submission.
Not familiar with cardboard testimonies? Check out this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rxojHiZoto&feature=related

When I was telling Vladik about the project, I asked if he had a favorite verse that he might want to use. He looked surprised, and then quickly shook his head. Oddly enough, it wasn't "surprised" like he hadn't expected me to ask. It was more of a shocked "surprised"... like having a favorite verse was inappropriate.

Anyway, we were supposed to pick a verse, and personalize/paraphrase it.  I had several picked out and Isaiah 40:11 is the one we chose.

We also looked at:

Jeremiah 24:6... I will always build you up, not pull you down.

Isaiah 49:16... You will not be forgotten. I have carved your name in the palm of My hands.

Psalm 24:0... I belong to Him!

Psalm 37:24... He holds my hand to keep me from falling.

Jeremiah 29:11... His plan for my future is filled with hope.

Psalm 121:3... He watches over me day and night.

Psalm 94:14... God will not abandon me.

Psalm 5:3... He hears my voice when I call to him.

Hebrews 2:11... Jesus is not ashamed to be called my big brother.

I Corinthians 2:9... He has prepared amazing things for me.

Vladik's mouth seems to be better and he's back to his normal eating routine. Yesterday for breakfast he ate 6 eggs, 3 slices of banana bread, and a small container of yogurt. And then a couple hours later, he was ready for a snack.

It's been hot the last couple of days.
REALLY, REALLY hot.
At 10 o'clock last night, the heat index was still
hovering around 100. YIKES!  So after I finished mowing, we went swimming.

Vladik LOVES LOVES LOVES to swim!

Today, Friday, we went to Mansfield.

Our first stop was at Dick's. Vladik left with

new soccer cleats, shin guards and socks. Kyle left 

with a new ball glove.

Vladik was funny while he was picking out his

cleats. Naturally, he gravitated to the $148 pair.

But I nipped that in the bud pretty fast.

After Dick's we headed to the movie

theater to watch Cars 2. It was Kyle's

1st movie theater experience. Rick and

I didn't think it was as good as the first

one, but it was certainly worth the 

matinee price.

We ate supper at Golden Corral.

It was pretty crowded, but Vladik seemed 

to take it all in stride...until I showed him the 

dessert bar.  I think the ice cream was 

probably his favorite part of the evening.

                                                                                   

Day 22

Well, it's been an interesting day.

Vladik and the boys were supposed to have their pictures taken this morning.
In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best idea to schedule the pictures for the day after Vladik's dentist appointment; but at the time, I didn't know how bad his mouth was going to be.

He woke up at about 8:20 this morning... sick.
Feverish (temp of 101.3), clammy, and a stomach ache.
To be honest, I think a lot of it had to do with the 2 tooth extractions yesterday.

A little TLC, Tylenol, watching a couple movies on the laptop, a Gatorade and a bit of yogurt, and things were looking up.

By lunchtime, he was downstairs and feeling better. His mouth is still sore... but he ate 6 scrambled eggs for breakfast.. and then took some ibuprofen. Obviously his appetite is back.

I told him we were all going to take it easy today, especially with the episode this morning. I think it really scared him... and understandably so.  I reminded him this afternoon that the dentist appt. on Monday wouldn't be nearly as traumatic... or painful. Lets hope I'm right, or he'll NEVER trust me again.

He's feeling better... but he REALLY needs to take a shower!

Day 20 & 21

Monday morning, we took a few steers to the auction in Creston.
Actually, we hired a guy from church to do it. But Rick and all 3 boys went along for the ride.

Vladik's first reaction when they got home? He plugged his nose and fanned himself.

The animals stunk, and it's hot outside.

I had an appointment last night, so Rick stayed home with Vladik, Joe and Kyle. They played Old Maid (using Joe's rules... which means they changed every couple of minutes,) Go Fish, and a treehouse board game we have. Other than baling, it's the first Rick has been with Vladik without me in close proximity.

Vladik had his dentist appointment this morning. They took x-rays and upon seeing the inside of his mouth the dental hygienist asked "Has he complained about any pain?" Which, he hadn't. Then she asked "Have you seen in here?"  Well, actually, I had. But what I glimpsed was not a pretty sight, so it was a quick look.

As it turns out, Vladik had 2 cavities, 2 teeth that were completely rotten/decayed and needed extracted and a broken tooth than needs a root canal and a partial crown.  The dentist said, all things considered, the rest of his teeth were in pretty good shape!

We went back later this afternoon to have the cavities filled, and while we were there, Dr. G went ahead and extracted the 2 teeth. The first extraction went pretty well, the 2nd one was stubborn and took more work and quite a bit of discomfort on Vladik's part. Not pain... but discomfort. I won't go into all the gory details, but cracking/splitting teeth has a sound all it's own.

Needless to day, Vladik is pretty sore. I gave him some ibuprofen when we got home. As he can only eat soft things until he feels up to it, we all had home made ice cream for supper. NO ONE complained about that!

We go back Monday for the root canal and crown.

I can't forget to add, that Dr. G. is doing all this dental work free of charge.
I'm so grateful for his generosity and thankful that God, as always, provides for our every need.

One of the purposes in hosting, is to show Vladik not only the love of family, but the love of Christ.
Today, Dr. G showed Vladik... and me... the love of Christ.
Vladik may never recognize it for what it is; and for as sore as he is, he certainly isn't feeling any of that love right now.
But Dr. G was a part of the Lord's work today and I am blessed to have witnessed it.