A Tale of Two Boys...

This is a tale of two boys that needed a good home with loving parents.

These two boys are currently living in an orphanage in the town of Kotlas, in the region of Arkangelsk in the Russian Federation.  These two boys are ages 2 & 4 and are brothers.  The home that they are living in only keeps children through the age of 3, so one of them would need to be placed elsewhere; unless they could find a home together.

At the same time, a couple in the city of Richmond, in the state of Texas in the United States of America Some wonderful people at an agency found out about the two boys in Russia and told this couple in Texas about them.  The couple were very excited!  Could these two boys be the ones they were looking for?  Could these two boys be the children they wanted to add to their family?  Maybe.  The only way to know was to go visit the children and see for themselves.

So the couple worked hard and made arrangements to travel halfway around the world just to meet two little boys that didn't have parents or a home.  They took time off work and left their dog in a kennel and got on a plane to Russia.

That plane dropped them off in Moscow where they found a hotel to spend the night and took a smaller plane the next day.  In that city they found a hotel to spend the night and took a much smaller plane the next day to the town where the boys live (Kotlas).  Thankfully they met another couple at the hotel that were also traveling to Kotlas to meet children that needed a new home.  Both couples were excited to be able to meet these children that may be theirs one day!

The day finally arrived.  They were going to meet the boys they had heard about.  Sitting in the office/waiting room seemed to take forever.  The voices of children could be heard, are they ours?  Could those voices be the ones of our boys?  A cute little face peeked around the corner.  Yes, it was the younger one!  So unsure, so confused, so sweet.  They were brought in and introduced (but an introduction wasn't really necessary for the couple as they recognized the faces from pictures).  They all seemed nervous.  The children were seated on the carpet and some toys were brought out for them to play with.  Then everyone else left.  The couple and the two boys were left alone.  Now what?  How do people talk when they don't speak the same language? 

Toys are a great icebreaker.  After a few minutes they all seemed to relax.  The little one liked the crayons and coloring books that the couple brought with them.  The older one liked the stickers and kept asking for help in getting them off the page.  Too soon the time passed.  It was lunch time for the two boys and the couple had to leave, but they would be back that afternoon.

That afternoon,  the two boys were taken by Mama & Daddy  (the couple) to the gym area to play.  Boy, did they play!  Daddy worked up a sweat and Mama wasn't far behind!  David (the older one) loves to run around and he kept everyone going.  He really liked throwing the balls and trying to catch them when Daddy threw them at him.  Michael (the younger one) liked exploring on his own.  Occasionally he would interact with the rest, but he enjoyed spending time by himself.  They both laughed and enjoyed the time with Mama & Daddy.

All too soon, the time was up and the boys needed to go (they had a schedule to follow).  Mama & Daddy were sad to say goodbye, but David refused to say goodbye.  Before they left, Mama & Daddy gave the boys the blankets Mama made for them.  They both liked the blankets and carried them as they left.

The next day, Mama & Daddy found out that the boys had been asking when we were coming back; they wanted to see them!  Everyone got to play in the gym again.  They brought their blankets with them when they got to spend time with Mama & Daddy.  Daddy didn't know it at the time, but David kept saying "DaDa............" when he wanted Daddy to do something (like try and fit inside a tube thing so David could roll him around).  He didn't call Mama by name, but that was okay with Mama.  He called Daddy by name and that was fantastic!  This play time was also time for measurements & foot drawings so that Mama & Daddy can start getting clothes & shoes for them for when they get home.  Everyone worked up a sweat again, especially all three boys!  Mama spent time talking with a doctor about their schedules, foods, etc.  This time when it was time to leave, the boys got to show Mama & Daddy their 'groupa' (the rooms they live in with the other children).  It was great for Mama & Daddy to see how nice it all was.  They each have their own bed, the playroom areas, the dining tables they sit at for meals, the bathroom & kitchen area.  A really nice situation for being in an orphanage.  It was obvious to Mama & Daddy that they are well taken care of and loved.   

David refused to say goodbye again, but that is okay for the couple as it isn't really goodbye, but see you again soon......