Those three little words...Ahhhh! Don't you love to hear them. We are waiting on the day that our girls tell us. I can see that they do and perhaps and day it will slip out. We are more than patient. We, however, tell them at every turn, a hundred times a day. We also give spontaneous hugs and kisses. They just need to be showered with love and that's just what we do.
Nadia and Julia are the best snugglers and they love to be held by either one of us. Nadia kisses me on the cheek every time we part ways or meet at the end of the day. She is still building trust. Julia is, well, just Julia, so we don't hear it from her. Heidi told Julia one night that she loves her and Julia replied, "Me too". Heidi said, "You love Julia, too!" She giggled and said, "No, I love you." So Love is there, just never spoken by the girls.
Kolya tells us all the time now. He will do so in front of others. Last night at bedtime, he presented us with a few self-made Valentines cards. One said, "I love you, Papa", the other, "I love you Mama" and the third was a combo, "I love you Momma & Papa"! He routinely walks up to us and hugs us for very long periods of time. Kolya wouldn't let go last night at bedtime, so I pulled away, still he wouldn't let go. I asked if something was wrong. He said, "No". I asked if he just needed more lovin' and he said "Yes". Then came those three little words, "I love you"! Uuhh, I could have died happy right then.
We had parent-teacher conferences last night. Suffice it to say, everyone knows of Julia's special needs, so it wasn't a shock to hear the reports of school life thus far for her. She has some OT this week and some more evaluations planned in the near future. She is bored with her lessons because she doesn't understand the processes or the language. That student study can't come quick enough for her.
Kolya & Joshua at the airport
Kolya is a star pupil in his class and the teacher reported that everyone wants to be Kolya's friend. He actively engages and is learning English rapidly through his immersion into school. His cognitive level is also coming along. He did a rather tough graphing math problem with no trouble. His teacher says that he is very neat and has the nicest handwriting. Kolya gets to write a new Ukrainian word on the board each day to show his class. The teacher reports that everyone waits in anticipation of this word everyday. He helps them pronounce it and this gives him the added confidence he needs to succeed.
Changing gears now. I've noticed, as I update the 'Friends' blog area over there on the right, that most everyone we know or follow has come home. I can't wait to start updating the Hoffmann blog and the Christopherson's blog. Pretty soon, everyone will be "Home"! We've got to get some new friends up there! Let us know about your adoption blog and we will add you.
Speaking of friends, I miss a few on the other side of the world. We miss you Becky & Nadia, Eunice & Kevin, Karen, Olga & Sasha, Rollie & Leena, Andrea & Sergie, Natasha & Luba, Oksana, Vera & Sasah F, and all the orphans we have met through the camps. You are ever present in our thoughts, dreams and prayers. You guys are the 'salt of the earth' and we love you all. Especially missed and loved are Rimma & Zina, our daughters in our hearts! Nadia, Julia & Kolya know of you and tell everyone that you will too come home one day. They are eager to meet their new sisters.
~ Felix ~
