It's been a while...

I must apologize for my complacency in updating the blog. I will attribute it to my lack of sleep, though I'm not sure that accurately explains it. Regardless, I cannot wait to get home to my very comfortable bed!

Bohdan is back. He has been wonderful. Children are always challenging, but he has been no more challenging than any other child, and actually I would say he has been less challenging than most over this past week. He's been extremely helpful and kind. One of his best qualities is that he is extremely considerate. He gets up and makes tea for himself first thing every morning. He makes one glass and then offers it to everyone else before he takes a sip. Often Taras will say he would like the glass, so Bohdan graciously gives him the glass and then heads back into the kitchen to start the next glass. It's very cute. Also, he is extremely expressive! When he's angry you know it, but when he's happy you know it too, and it's very cute. He reminds me of an Italian man. (He actually resembles a southern Italian in many ways!) We are down to the three day countdown now, and he is getting very excited. He truly wants to come to America, and he can't wait to get there! I have drawn out our house a couple of times for him so he can see where he is sleeping, etc. They know our house is three stories, and they are very intrigued to understand exactly what rooms occupy each story. This morning, Bohdan came in and said (in not so many words) that he should have the "single" room, while Taras, Charlie and Andrew share the other room. I laughed. He smiled and said (in a very exagerrated manner), "Yes, Mommy, YES!!" Like I said, he's very cute.

Taras is acting more like a typical teenager (and man, in general). We went to the dentist a few days ago, and found out Taras has seven cavities that need filling while Bohdan needs 4 teeth extracted (none permanent) and had 4 cavities. Well, we went to the dentist a couple of days ago, and Bohdan had half of his work done, as did Taras. (As a side note, you are probably thinking, "YOU ARE TAKING THEM TO A DENTIST IN UKRAINE! ARE YOU INSANE?!" However, this is the dentist that the US Embassy workers and their children frequent. It looks exactly like an office in America, except for the fact that all the magazines lying around are written in Russian. Oh, and the price is 1/3 of an American dentist. For those of you who know my husband at all, you now completely understand why we are seeing a dentist our last week in Ukraine.) ; ) Anyway, one of Taras' cavities was rather large. The dentist said he might have slight pain for a couple of days. He did not even recommend Motrin or anything. Regardless, I started administering Motrin immediately. 600 mg every six hours. Regardless, he has been complaining NON-STOP about his tooth pain. MEN! You would think his mouth had been run over by a truck. Seriously. Anyway, I suppose he's feeling better this morning, because he is actually smiling. Little does he know that we return for the second half tomorrow. If I have realized nothing else on this trip, I have realized that sometimes it's very convenient to speak a different language than your children.

We are off to the US Embassy now to complete our Visa work. This is the last step in the adoption process. It's been a trip, and we are all finally ready for last leg - flying home!

Love to all and again, countless thanks for your amazing prayers and support!