Back in Town

Howdy Partners,
We are now back in Novagrad-Volensky. We have seen Gideon 2 times since we last posted and he is doing well. He was a little more difficult last night, but I think he was probably acting out a little bit because we had missed 2 visits because of our brief jaunt to Kiev. He is a sunshiney little stinker-pot and he can turn on the charm before you can think. This morning he had a lesson on "When Mama says No, Papa will also say no." He wanted some paints to play with which I said "no" to. He then promplty squirmed out of my arms and called for Papa. Papa picked him up and he started pointing to the paints and saying the word that in Gideon-language means "I want that" Papa also said no and Gideon was not a happy camper BUT he did allow Bruce to carry him for several minutes. This is a first as he doesn't really like to be carried. He aslo spent several minutes sitting in my lap coloring and even indicated that he wanted me to put him on my lap. That is also a first. He even sat in Papa's lap for a few minutes (also a first). I'd say it was a good day.

We haven't seen Nina since she went to get her passport. We are not especially worried about this, we know she is with her aunt and Sveta thinks they might have gone to Russia for the holidays. (Not my idea of a holiday destination, but then again I tend to go to Texas in the summer when it is hottest so who am I to say?) When she gets back, we will have a long talk with Nina about letting us know where she will be and when (I already sound like the parent of a teenager ;-( We do miss her and miss the chances we are having to build relationship with her and help her begin to get some more English under her belt, but we have no misgivings about bringing her home with us.

By the way, some of you have noticed that Nina's hands seemed to be clinched in some of the picture. She severely broke her left arm 3 years ago and it was poorly set. So she has lost a lot of mobility in her left hand, that is why that hand looks clinched. She still used that hand fairly well and it certainly doesn't slow her down much. Luckily she is right handed (Although I have a sneaking suspician that Gideon is left handed -- he draws and throws with his left. he eats with which ever hand has the food in it and can get it to his mouth the quickest :-)

We are settled back into our hotel room for the long haul. We continue to walk the path set for us and we are trusting that when we get all of us back home these weeks will float away like a distant dream.

Lori is missing Mexican food! Bruce is missing basketball season! We miss our family and friends most of all.

Peace,
BLN&G