Family Tree

Our family tree has changed a little this year. I'm grateful for the new branches. Andrey drew this family tree as an assignment for school. He let me keep it in exchange for an apple. He loves apples. He would eat 10 a day, if we'd let him. He had already had his one apple for the day. But he's a smart boy and knows how to strike a deal. I still think I got the better end of that deal, but he was happy. The new family photo was taken on Easter in my in-laws home. Getting four boys to all smile (with no goofy faces) was quite a task. I'm grateful that my husband was up for the challenge. "Smile- or no allowance this week!" Say cheese!

Soccer Sons

Soccer season is in full swing! We're at the soccer field around 6 days a week, lately. I'm thankful there are opportunities for them to play. Soccer seems to be an international language. All four of our boys are playing!

Hinson Happiness

Tonight he is chattering. He is goofy and grinning. There seems to be a general feeling that has filled the house. I think they call it "happiness." It's not that there aren't moments like this often, but this "moment" seems to have lasted all day and I am so pleased. It makes all those unpleasant moments worth while. We see a glimpse of our dream- a united family. We are not fooled into thinking it's a permanent view, but we are grateful for the snapshot. We will hold it close to our hearts.

It's the little things like good-nights. You'd think it wouldn't be a big deal, but they have been reluctant to say good-night to us. We always say goodnight to one another in our family. I don't know if this was just a new experience for them or if they held back because they didn't want to belong. Maybe they were just too cool for school. But tonight, as Noah made the rounds- "Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Bubba. Goodnight, Mom..." I heard "Goodnight, Noah" come from the other side of the room...before he had even approached them.

Something else happened this week that I will forever treasure. They began to fight...in English. They didn't even realize they were doing it. After a few moments, I began to laugh. "Why you laugh, Mom?" I explained to them what they were doing and they just stared at me, almost in shock. They didn't realize they were doing it, either. Later that night, Ruslan told Josh that he has been thinking in English a little, too. We are determined for them to maintain their Russian and have no desire to strip them of their language, but learning our language is one way to "belong" here. It fills my heart to hear them expressing themselves and actually understand what they're saying!

Another snapshot from the week was watching Ruslan hoist Noah into the air, in a playful, loving way. The smiles and giggles on my seven year old baby's face were precious. It's been tough on my littlest guy- this adjustment. We pray everyday for bonding to occur. I love it when I see my prayers being answered right in front of my eyes.

Andrey and Ruslan have a precious relationship. I love watching them interact. I love being invited into that relationship on occasion. Andrey's personality is really coming into full view. While we thought we were adopting a quiet child, it turns out that he may be the most talkative of the bunch! Noah's Chickasaw name is Labaachi', which means "talks all the time". While Andrey was on one of his talking sprees, Ruslan pointed at him and called him "Labaachi' II". We were rolling!

It takes Levi and Andrey over an hour to get to sleep. We hear them talking through the living rooms walls. Instead of being angry, I am grateful. It takes Ruslan forever to go to his room. At bedtime, he is suddenly struck with the desire to talk endlessly to Mom and Dad. Instead of being mad, I am amused. It's difficult to be angry when your heart is so full. God is good. They are home, and tonight, they are happy. We're all happy.