Dearest Loved Ones,
Can you just hear the giggles? They crack us up! We had such a wonderful Saturday with our boys. Lamar and I can't get over how quickly they are adjusting to us just during our brief visits together. They are something else. We are so very anxious to have custody of them. Hopefully less than a week...
Today we walked home from the orphanage so we could stop at some of the happenin' markets. We had a ball! We bought our first items here for the boys. We succeeded in finding a pair of sneakers for each of them, a work out suit and socks for Kolya, and a hat for Yarik. Each day we will continue our search in order to find enough items for the time we will have them before returning to the states. It tough to sort through all of the "European" styles that the boys are very quickly retiring (i.e. the minute they walk out those gates around the orphanage).
Sorry I haven't been able to download the video clips I have been taking. I'm struggling with our slow Internet with that one. I'll keep trying. I would love for you to hear their giggling and Russian gibberish. It's too darling.
We hope you are all enjoying your weekends. We do wish we were home attending soccer games with Joshua and Jacob and joining all our friends whom are entertaining my folks. In fact, as I type, the Thoromans are at my house finishing stripping the wall paper in our nursery. I started the project on a whim before I left, but figured I would have tons of time to burn while upon our return trip and while I waited for Lamar to go back to Ukraine to pick up the boys. We had NO idea we would be bringing them home together. Therefore, I left that room a MESS. It is horrible. I feel so terrible about having left it that way. However, my dear friends have stepped up to the plate and are stripping AND painting it for me so the boys have a place to call "theirs" when we return. I wish I could say the work stops there, but it doesn't. They are also taking down furniture that won't quite work for boys. They have their work cut out for them. I love you, Thoroman Family! You guys rock!!!
Again, I can't thank all of you enough for your continual support and letter writing. Every morning we log on immediately and start our day by reading your comments aloud. They make us smile and laugh so much! It gives us strength and motivation to make it through yet another day away from our home and boys (even though Nana C and Papa J are doing a rockin' job with our boys!).
We love you all and hope you have a blessed weekend.
God bless,
Kris
Congrats Douberly family! The abundance of love you share and are so anxious to give away will literarily transform the lives of these precious boys. I think of what they will be in 20 years - educated, healthy, loving, respectful men who will continue the Douberly tradition of giving, sharing, and caring. It is a blessing and a wondrous thing. Praise God.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with them!! This is a time to cherish! So glad that their room is getting done. I'm sure Joshua and Jacob are enjoying helping in that process. How wonderful!! Praying for you!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
The Subberts
Gosh Kris - I cry each time I look at these boys and think of how BLESSED they are to have y'all as their parents! WOW - talk about a miracle for them!
ReplyDeleteThat's SO neat that Laura, Scott and family are finishing the boys' room - wish I lived down the street. Having finished painting my house (largely because of your colorful walls), I feel quite certain I could paint with the best of them! What a project of love bestowed for the newest members of our family! I love them already and can't wait to meet them!
When Lamar mentioned the other day that they had already started calling you Mommy and Daddy, it melted my heart, as I'm sure it did yours - can't even imagine the feelings you're both feeling, although lonely for Josh & Jake!
You know, the internet is a WONDERFUL tool, isn't it? I think back to when Billy and I wrote letters daily (yes, manually) while he was in Vietnam. Now, here it is 40 years later and we can share in your journey that will transform these little boys' lives! How special is that?
Gotta go wash my tear-stained face! Heading out to mail a package for Bailey and family, including Patches' canine cousins, Kaiden and Lily. I bought Kaiden something with the Texans' logo on it/them - silly, huh? Guess it's more for William than the dog! HA! Had to buy Lily something (couldn't slight her), so just bought her a toy! :-)
Gotta run - just invited my friends Sherry and David over for "baked spaghetti" tonight - remember that, Kris?
Love and prayers to all!
Aunt Betsy
P.S. I promise not to write again today! HA!
Lamar, Kris -
ReplyDeleteA huge Congrats. Your two boys are adorable. God is so good and I know what a huge blessing he is providing to not only both of you but to the boys as well. Liz and I cannot wait to meet them.
Have a safe trip home and God Bless.
Jay and Liz Fulmer
Laura and Scott are upstairs painting!!! Wow! What awesome friends you and Lamar have!!! They arrived before 3 while we were at our second soccer game of the day. They had cleaned the room out before we arrived home. Laura did teach me how to strip wallpaper!!! Megan and Jacob worked with us. We had a great time. However, Scott and Laura are doing most of the work. I tried, but know that I did more talking than working. O.K. That's what I do best!!!Dylan, Megan, Joshua, and Jacob are here in the basement with me playing on Wii. Johnny is out and about getting us some pizza. The 4 children had dinner earlier and I just made up a new game to teach them.
ReplyDeleteOh! The boys had fun at soccer today!
God bless you.
Love, Mom and Dad
Dear Mom and Dad,
ReplyDeleteI had a great soccer game. We scored 1 goal.I ran down the howl 40 yards to get the goal.I really had to sprint.I hope you are having a good time in Ukrain. Mr. and Mrs. Thoroman have already have already paited the first layer on.I played with Lucas,Ean,Dylan,Megan and Jacob outside.I haven't seen the pictures with the bubbles.We will keep you in our prayers.With all my love god bless you
Joshua
Quote for the Day from Jacob: "Thank you Mr. Thoroman for coming over to our house and stripping" (he meant the wallpaper, not the actual disrobing act!!!) Operation Puppy Paws is complete. On to the next project. Love, love, love the pictures you posted today. The boys remind me how joyous the simple things in life should be. They have many wonderful things to teach us. Much love, Laura
ReplyDeleteHa ha Love the Jacob "Stripping" comment. Too precious. that will be one for the memory books! We also had to laugh at the comment about the "european" clothing styles the orphanages dress boys in. we have some hilarious pictures of max in coverall shorts and pink tights! Needless to say we left that ensemble in Ukraine. Enjoy the markets. We fully expect to hear about Kristina purchasing the some of the famous Ukrainian style Women's boots!! We thought of you immediately when we saw them ;)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Team Chaos
Oh my gosh, you guys! I've been "busy" and haven't checked your blog in a while. And I just got on here and caught up with you, and I've been reading and crying and laughing and crying for an hour now!!! Kristina, I remember sitting at McDonald's on Atsugi Base that morning, sharing our hearts about adoption, and here you are. I am seriously rejoicing with you guys. You guys are AWESOME parents, and you are so blessed to be adding to your quiver. The boys are SO handsome too!!! What cuties they are. We are so happy for you, and it just renewed my longing to adopt someday so much more...
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lisa
Kris and Lamar. This morning we sang a song, "We speak to Nations". The song was sung originally by Point of Grace at a women's conference. When we practiced it this morning I couldn't help but think of you over there with these dear children. I started to cry. Of course during service, I did it again. The song speaks of how we speak to nations about God's love.All I can say is, "WOW!" You are on a mission from God. I'm speechless. I hope you can find the song online and listen. It will bless your heart. I love you both very much. Take care, Dee Ann
ReplyDeleteI prayed for you at mass today, and hope that you will soon be making the trip home. I went to Tom's today and we had Jim, Jade, and Tom's parents over to watch the Jaguar game. I went for a 35 mile bike ride yesterday out at Rails to Trails. It's back to work tomorrow. Why is it that the weekends always seem to fly? Love you tons. Love, Aunt Teresa
ReplyDeleteKris & Lamar,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing you are doing! Two handsome additions to your beautiful family.
Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure; I have been with you through the many highs and lows of the past month. I hope to meet your family before the boys are asking to borrow the car!
God Bless, Janet (Vance) Ripberger