Sat. nite in Kiev

We have had 2 great days with the kids... nothing major with any behavior issues ...yet :) When adopting older children there usually are . Jonas was smoking at the orphanage and we knew of this. He is only 13 and has been a smoker since the age of 5... how very sad. He is doing very good while trying to overcome this addiction. He really wants to. We have to watch him all the time when we are out. He will find lighters and/or cigarette butts if we did not watch him. He has to be by momma or poppa all the time. I know he really is trying to do this and prayers that the Lord will remove the symptoms in his body and the desire for the nicotine would be appreciated. He is doing very well and we are proud of his efforts.

The dynamics of the group have been interesting to note. The kids are all from the same orphange and knew each other before. The girls are our first sibling group and they are close and will watch out for each other... the boys are more individual.. and had to watch out for themselves.... So the boys are more street sauvy I would say. We have been there done that before and so it is much easier for us this time around. We have to teach and show how a family works... you don't have to retaliate when you are wronged, you can share,momma and poppa are the Boss. Actually they are doing extemely well at this point. They are sharing any treats and making sure all have some, they are not grabbing just for themselves. No challenges to our Boss status either :)

We went to the zoo today in Kiev. We are an easy walk from it on the same street. It was a surprise and very positive outing. We have been to the zoo in Wash. DC and this one in Kiev we enjoyed more and saw more animals than we did last Sept. in DC. I recommend it to families here in Kiev. Sunday, our last day we are meeting with our translator, and friend - Roma. We will take a subway to the downtown- Independence Square. Our first apt was right off it but these kids were not with us. We want to show them that part.

I hope I can post tonite a picture. The computer has not let me so far :(