A whole new world

We traveled to the orphanage for the last time today. Daniel was a little tentative to change his clothes. I don’t think he understood why he needed to change. He was just ready to go. Katya’s caregivers took the clothes and changed her for us. They added an undershirt and some kind of diaper cover. (I found this out later while changing her diaper). They asked me if we had another shirt for Katya. I gave them a sweater to put over the already long sleeve shirt. They then asked if I had more pants for her. I said no then showed them the snowpants she’d have on. They were satisfied after that. Daniel’s caregiver also asked for another shirt to go with the sweatshirt we had brought. Luckily I wasn’t sure what would fit best and so I took 2 outfits and could please them with the extra shirt. Talk about feeling inadequate. They way overdress here. The poor kids must just be dying.
During the 2 hour drive back to the city the kids were great. Katya fell asleep about 10 minutes into it. Joseph and I both sat there watching Daniel. It appeared as though he was seeing his world for the first time and probably was. He was so fascinated with the few billboards that they have here. Every truck, house, lake, and even smoke stack impressed him. His eyes lit up as we offered him some lunch. He liked the sippy cup because he loved twisting the lid on and off then shaking it. Not used to using sippy cups, but it works as a great shaker. Each time we would stop he would ask if we were there. He was full of excitement.
When we arrived at the apartment he was confused. This was obviously not the place he’d seen in the pictures. Joseph told him we’d go home after some paperwork is done. He said he wants to go to America now.
For the first little while we played and relaxed. Then it was time for naps. We all layed down encouraging the kids to sleep. Katya fell asleep without even crying and then Joseph went shopping. Daniel and I got up and we started playing together. We looked through a magazine and Daniel copied his first English word for me “Jesus”. Imagine that. He has been educated a little on this as the caregiver told us they’ve already been baptized and Daniel was wearing a cross. It was a great time for Daniel and I to connect as he has relied on Joseph and his Russian abilities a lot.

Well it is dinner time and I better not keep the kids waiting. They are loving being fed and trying a bunch of new things.

Hope everyone is doing well.