The Magic Card

Curt here:

Well, it is good to be back in Donetsk with Joc and the boys.  The flight over was not bad.  I had good connections, but I was still pretty tired once I got here.  It was great to see everyone at the airport.  The boys came running up and had BIG hugs for me.  I got some good sleep the last two days, so the jet lag is over.

I have settled into the 'routine' here.  The boys sleep a good 10 hours a night (Isaac about 30 minutes more than Eli), and then they are up and going.  They are hungry boys, although they are slowing down a little bit from when Jocelyn first got them.  The first thing they wanted to do when we got to the apartment is take me to the kitchen and show me the food in the refrigerator.  In fact, sometimes when they are eating, they want to open the door to the fridge just to see the food while they are eating.  We have to stay on them to keep it closed.  I guess they are very proud of the fact that they have plenty to eat.  Jocelyn still feeds them multiple small meals per day, but they are getting a little more picky.  Isaac is the pickiest.  When you ask if he wants anything, he will usually say 'no', although he may eat it a little later.  He is testing boundaries I think.  He seems to prefer vegetables mostly, and is not so big on bread and potatoes (french fries being the universal exception to the rule).  Eli will eat most things and LOVES milk.  Jocelyn makes a trip to the grocery store around the corner pretty much every day, and is doing a great job of getting fresh foods to prepare for them.  There is usually one meal out each day, either at the Vienna Cafe (a wonderful pastry shop) or at a number of other restaurants nearby that have a good variety of foods.  Tonight we were having a nice dinner of traditional Ukrainian fare with Anya at the 'Goose and Swan'.  When it came time to pay the check, Isaac informed Anya that we have a 'magic card' that we give people at restaurants and stores, and then we do not have to give them any money.  This led to an impromptu discussion about what credit cards are and how they are definitely not free....something we will discuss more in-depth in the future no doubt.

The boys are great.  They have learned to say 'please' and 'thank you' whenever they need/want something or need help.  Sometimes the 'please, please, please' can get to you when you are in a store, but it is much better than tantrums.  They are very well-mannered in public.  They do not run off, and they do not go crazy grabbing things when we are in a store.  Occasionally, they will pick up things, but they are quick to put it back when told.  We have been doing jigsaw puzzles and playing some games on our iPhones together for some good bonding time.  They are both very affectionate and come over regularly to stock up on hugs.  Tonight we went to a mall after dinner to get them watches.  Anya knew of a kiosk in the mall that had some cheap watches.  The Spiderman watch was the hottest ticket, and Isaac grabbed it first....so I goes he won.  Eli picked out a nice blue race car watch.  You could not imagine two happier kids.  We were showered with 'thank you Mama' and 'thank you Papa' all the way home.  They are in the tub now, but I am sure the watches will be on their wrists marking the hours that they sleep tonight.

Well, we will see what tomorrow brings.  I am sure we will be out an about sometime during the day.  It is COLD here, especially compared to what I left in Tulsa.  The highs have been in the 20's and 30's so we bundle up in caps and gloves.  Only 3 more days until the big court date.....Thanksgiving Day!  We are praying that this one is extra memorable.  I have faith that all will go well.

More to follow........

Curt