Day 6: Mariupol

Dearest Dema,

Day 6 and going well! We are so happy to be here and to be able to see you every day. We really like Mariupol, it is a pretty city and much lass hectic than Kiev. We slept in this morning and just lazed around for a while. It looks like G3 is catching a cold so we want to be careful that it doesn’t get any worse. We ventured out around lunch time and went to a really good restaurant across the street. We got some mushrooms, tomatoes, and potatoes baked in cheese in a little pot that was delicious. We also had a greek salad and some borscht that were also good. Unfortunately, Amanda is drinking way too many sodas here, but sometimes that is the only choice.

I can see why our facilitator stated that this is the boring part - he has a lot of work to do, but we don’t have much to do. We are just sitting around a lot and visiting the orphanage every day. But I look at it as a chance to explore the city, learn more Russian and work on my book. Amanda is getting a lot of school work done and G3 is able to work - so all in all - not too bad or boring. A note for adoptive families - bring things to do during this time. Whether it is a lot of books (better yet a Kindle or Nook) or computer - something to keep yourselves busy and productive.

We went back to the little market across the street and picked up a few more essential supplies. Another note for adoptive families - bring an earth bag with you. I brought a big one that folds up relatively flat that has good big handles. All the stores here charge for bags (which I wish they would in America to help cut down on plastic bag usage) and the bags are not very good. Having your own helps a lot. Especially one that has good handles and is easy to carry as you might be walking a long distance with a heavy bag.

Then around 3:00pm we were picked up and taken to the orphanage. We met with the doctor again and received your medical records and then met with the psychologist who basically told us that you were fine, but needed a firm hand! They really believe in discipline here. She also mentioned that because you were so good-looking that they had trouble with the girls hanging on and around you. (Which we had figured out long ago! - both that you are cute and that girls will be a problem!)

Then we got to see you again. It was so great to see you. You are really coming along with your English - I am really proud of you. We had a lot of fun talking to you. Okay - mostly charades - but I think we communicated pretty well. The most hilarious part of the day - G3 was using his iphone and google translate to communicate. He was using siri to allow you talk into the phone to then translate it into English. It had been working pretty good but on this particular situation - not so well. You spoke really fast into the phone and it translated it, “My penis is lonely.” When we looked at it, we started laughing and I know that bothered you. After we showed you the words, you turned soooo red! We couldn’t stop giggling.

All to soon our time together ended and we had to leave. We gave you a watch and some gum and candy and promised to be back tomorrow. We then went to a big supermarket where we stocked up on some staples (like pasta, cereal, etc.) and then came back to the apartment. Our facilitator went to add more money on our phone and wifi card and we settled in to do more work. On good news, my book has been going crazy with sales while we have been here. I was invited to blog on CNN and there has been a lot of exposure with that. I have gotten a lot of orders through my website and through my publisher, Greenleaf. It is really exciting and I really should be working on the next one. Maybe tomorrow!

We are also starting to make some plans to go to Europe before the court date. Amanda’s birthday is coming up in a week and we are trying to get her to Paris for it. But if it doesn’t work out it is because we are here doing things with you - so we really can’t lose!

Until tomorrow!

Bethany, G3, G4, & Amanda

PS - to all the families that we brought gifts for their kids - we gave them to the orphanage director today - and she distributed them.