Two for the Price of One...

...and I'm not talking about the orphans we are buying...ha! I'm talking about Lamar and I both having a chance to post blogs today. Originally I started this letter for my boys, but I thought you might all get a kick out of getting to know our Ukrainian boys better.

Love to all.

Kris
NOTE: I just went through and made all of the corrections. Somehow when I did spellcheck I cancelled out Yarik's poor name. So sorry....I'll be more careful!

Dear Joshua and Jacob,

We were so touched to hear Nana C and Papa J are quizzing you on Drew and Alex facts. Here are some more to add to your studies:

Right now while they are in the orphanage, we are calling them Kolya and Yarik. We "should" be bringing them back to our apartment by next Friday. Yeah! At that time Daddy and I will start calling them Andrew Kolya and Alexander Yarik. I know it is a mouthful, but this will help with their transition.

Soon, we will be able to drop their middle names when addressing them, once they get used to it. Just remember, their entire lives they have gone by Kolya and Yaroslav. They don't know who Andrew and Alexander are. It would be like one day waking up and daddy and I started calling you Barney and Fred. You would never look at us if we called you! It's the same thing. We just need to give them time.

Also, to add to the homework Nana C and Papa J are teaching you, we would like you to learn some Russian so you can help communicate with the boys. They don't know ANY English and we don't have ANY Russian or Ukrainian friends. We need to help them not get homesick by being able to communicate with them certain simple phrases. We will teach you a few new words each night during Skype. You can write them down and practice with each other so it is comfortable when we come home in a few weeks.

Alright. Here are some more facts we learned today by spending time with Kolya and Yarik. You can add these to the chart Nana C has made for you. Kolya (the eldest)....He is 4 years old and his birthday is December 19th. However, we have the option to change his birthday when we apply for his birth certificate and passport. We are going to do that with both boys. As sweet and kind as Kolya is, he isn't nearly ready to start kindergarten next year...especially since he doesn't know any English yet. I would like to have another year with him, so we are going to push his birthday back a year. Therefore, he will be celebrating his 4th birthday shortly after we get home in October. We get to pick the day. Does anyone have any input or suggestions about a particular date in October for us to have for his birthday? We are open to suggestions...

Kolya also loves bugs just like you, Jacob. We found a nest of lady bugs that they call "fire house bugs". Yarik could have cared less. Kolya LOVED them. I can picture the two of you squatting over an ant hill or catching a ton of fireflies together and loving life. You now have someone to share that passion with, Jacob! It takes the pressure off of me! Yeah! (You ALL know how I feel about bugs....yuck!) Some way...some how...he also loves to pretend to be racing fast cars. As far as we all know, he hasn't been in a car since he was dropped off at the orphanage a year and half ago. He gets so excited making car noises and sounds that drool flies everywhere! Watch out! We may need to wear some panchos playing with him! Hee hee hee! Oh, and by the way...Kolya LOVES to eat. We brought him a tiny banana the first visit and he wolfed it down without even chewing it! He is solid, too. I can't lift him to save my life. I expected all kids to me malnourished and scrawny. Kolya breaks the rules on that one! Again, Jacob, you will have another partner in crime. Meal time is going to be insane at the Douberly household. Anyone know how I can get a BJs membership from here?

Joshua, don't feel left out. Kolya reminds us of you a lot, too. He definitely has BBS (BIG BROTHER SYNDROME). He is very protective of his little brother and even though he runs off and does his own thing...don't be mistaken...he always has an eye on Yarik. It's very sweet...just like you!

Now for Yarik. Yarik, Yarik, Yarik. Where do I start with Yarik? First of all he is fearless and FAST! He will keep all of us on our toes. He is a 6 year old trapped in a 2 year old's body. He thinks he is huge. It's hilarious. He takes these giant steps and can already alternate feet climbing stairs. He is already potty trained....yeah!, but he got really excited with us today and had an accident (whoopsy!). He got VERY upset when we had to leave the playground to get him changed. He's definitely got spunk...and his own opinion! He is just learning how to speak Russian and it's the darnedest cutest thing when we make him say Pazhalsta (Please...). You will crack up laughing the first time you hear it. Yarik's birthday is March 14 and he will be 3. However, we will push his birthday back, too, to buy some more time for him to catch up. His birthday will probably be in November. Again, if anyone has any input as to a particular date...that would be great! Do you guys see what we are doing? Jan...Joshua's birthday (the eldest)...February....Jacob's birthday...November Kolya and December Yarik. Do you seen the pattern?

Yarik can also take a beating. He fell face-first in the dirt two or three times, brushed himself off and kept on going. He never shedded a tear. We were very impressed. He can definitely hang with the Douberly Men's Wrestling time. Watch out. He may be wrapped in a small package, but he is a strong little man. Yikes!

Well, I thought this might help you to get to know your brothers better. I hope this helps. I can't wait for you to meet them so you can see these things for yourself.

We love you and miss you and can't wait to hear about your first days of school.

Hugs and Kisses

Mommy