TRAVEL TO THE CASTLE

Today we decided to take a tram trip to the castle. Tony wants to go to the castle so the boys wanted to take a tram ride (or Austin wanted to take a tram ride) so we took the tram out to the castle but did not tour it yet, we will do that once Tony comes back in town.

It’s getting quite warm out here! I guess it’s good to prepare us for traveling back home to hot Atlanta!

While at the castle we decided to get ice cream and on the way home from the tram we found a bubbling water spot to stick our feet in. LG is becoming quite brave at new things he even took his shoes and socks off and walked on the pavement!

After LG’s nap we FaceTimed Tony and then headed out to the park. LG actually went on something other than the baby swing! For a little while anyway.

We made it home just in time to start hearing the crowds root for the home team. I had some challenges getting the soccer game on but with Tony’s help we got the cable working on the TV and I watched the second half. Another tie! Everyone was pretty excited around here.

Bath and bedtime were quite uneventful (thank you for your prayers!) However LG is still having restless nights sleep and I’ve decided that the only way to describe it is that he flops around like a fish out of water.

It doesn’t help him or me that our bed is like sleeping on a soft box spring. So the comfort level is not very high and every movement is felt in the springs.

Pray for sleep and my back (from sleeping on the bed).

SUMMERTIME FUN!

Today we went in search of a new park to play in. LG was very excited that it had a baby swing.

Then we walked to the bakery to get hot dog rolls again.

Next home for a nap, ice cream, big park with lot of sandbox playing!

Home in time for 6:30 dinner and everyone was shower by 8. LG is really taking to the bath and I had to kick him out again tonight :) It was a miracle!!

We then played and watched movies till 9:45 then headed to bed.

LG went to bed without much fuss but had a restless night sleep.

(From a far...for me ;-), it's been amazing to watch God answer prayers for us. We aren't naive enough to think we are home free but we do know that things have gone as well as they have only because God has been with us and answering prayers. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for our family. We can never fully express how much it has meant to us!  - Tony)

Catching Up

(Jen put up multiple posts today to catch up on what's been going on. I'm putting all of them into one post here on this blog)

(Sunday)

Night time madness

It is 10:30 at night and this kid FINALLY fell asleep. I am exhausted and DONE. Austin and I are nitpicking each other because we are both tired. This is life right now. Dishes aren’t done, no shower was had, and I am exhausted. To add to my poor choices of adoption parenting I let him go with out a pull-up hoping that would help him sleep and not flail around and wake himself up (and me!). Well, he had an accident and I found myself pulling wet sheets off the bed at 1:30am and sleeping on the floor. Not my day!

The next morning I felt God refill me with love and grace to start another day. The sun was shining and my super team at Lifeline sent me these encouraging words and you all are praying for me.

Rachel, the Lifeline Eurasia program director we work closely with reminded me yesterday:

We frequently see that nighttime has been scary for children prior to being adopted. There are a variety of reasons for this. It may take some time for him to feel safe and comfortable at nighttime. Going to bed with him is not something you would have to do long term, but maybe until he feels more secure and attached. We’ve seen other children respond well to this for a period of time until they learned that mom (and dad) will still be there the next morning.

And Lynn from Lifeline Post Adoption support reminded me:

You are in survival mode for the next few weeks until you can get him home so do what works best while still maintaining some structure and routine. You are working on that relationship and building trust right now with him the trust is more important than the task at this point. So think, how can I accomplish the goal of getting clean without the struggle/trauma. Same with the bedtime routine.

I will trust in the Lord, and he will guide my path.

(Monday)

THANKFUL THE DAYS ARE GREAT

After that rough night we all woke up a little apprehensive about how the day would go. LG was a little on edge after the bed wetting and the change of sleeping arrangements. So we just took the morning slow. Lots of tablet time, dishes, sheet washing, and breakfast. Soon we felt we were ready to face the world and headed out. Since stores are closed on Sunday for the most part we didn't get to buy water so off we went to the supermarket, Inter Spar. This is a large store in a mall and we are able to buy pretty much anything we want or want to try. The challenge is- you by it you carry it (at least in our case). So we are cautious not to over purchase.

We first decided to walk around the mall, I got a macchiato and got the boys drinks of their choosing. 

Then we saw a book store, we thought it would be a cool souvenir to have a Hungarian Lego book. Austin used the Google Translate app to read some of it.
Now off to by groceries. We had a list and made our selections. As we checked out I thought the peppers were priced individually since they didn’t have a vegetable number (you have to get a price label in the production section and stick it to your bag the sign tells you why number your produce is ex- bananas are #1 so you weigh them our put on quantity and a label spits out). So the lady looks at me and me at her since I can’t clearly speak to her about it. I finish checking out and Austin is putting the food in the cart and accidentally drops grapes all over the floor. Now I am trying to pick up grapes, pay and finish putting our grocery in the cart. One lady handed me a bag to put the dropped fruit on which was nice. Now I’m flustered. Since Austin will only eat peppers for vegetables (don’t get me started) I knew I had to still get peppers. So I left Austin with LG at the cart (bad mistake). LG chose to call for me and Austin starts telling him ‘no’. Now something you need to know- kids are seen and not heard here and EVERYONE is quiet. I mean really quiet. So you can imagine these Americans being loud just put me at ease right!?! Finally peppers bought, bags filled and I wind up with all the grocery bags.

Glad to be out of the store and heading home! 

Lunch and LG took a nap then playtime! We built a fort and we played with a beach ball. LG has a good hard throw! We chased each other and had a lot of fun.

Off for ice cream and the park to finish off our day. Now to make dinner. Praying for no excessive whining from LG. I have to constantly remind him we will eat and sometimes he wants to sit in the kitchen while I cook. My big concern is the kitchen is very small and the small gas stove is too easy to access. Today it didn’t take long and Austin was able to keep him occupied with the tablet and soon dinner was on the table!

Then trains and cars and coloring!

(Monday Night)

ANSWER TO PRAYERS- THANK YOU!!!

LG has not liked showers at the apartment and Lynn suggested I try a wash cloth bath tonight and that worked great! LG loves to blow dry his hair even though he does not like it being wet, so I let him do that part. He even let me put on lotion!

He is now sitting quietly on the bed watching a movie while Austin takes a shower. Hoping I can get one in too! Otherwise I might start taking them during his nap. I will start putting him to bed with me at 10
—–
Sooooo during typing this LG wanted to watch Austin take a shower Austin agreed even though he is quite modest. LG really wanted to get in the bathtub. He was quite nervous but after a while he was brave enough to do so!!! The rest was history, LG was washing himself with soap he was spraying himself with the shower! This shower is a little more challenging since there is no shower curtain and the hot and cold are separate gears. I have to remove him from the bath so I could take one before bed!

Praising God for answered prayer tonight!

Now he’s sitting and playing trains while I get ready to take a shower and then we will all go to bed at the same time.

I was afraid LG would put up a fuss over his pull-up but he only fussed a bit and a little more when I put him on the bed. Austin, LG and I said prayers. We all then went to bed about 10:15.

LG laid his head down and quietly fell asleep! He then proceeded to sleep calmly the whole night through!!! I of course was so afraid he was going to wake up (and this bed isn't that comfortable) I didn’t sleep as soundly BUT I could finally rest!

Thank you all for your help and your support and your prayers! Keep them coming!

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

Today we started at the park after a very restless night sleep. 

LG was mesmerized by a dad playing/chasing his kids. Soon we walked to the larger playground where many families were playing on a Sunday morning. LG loves little kids and can just stand there watching them and their interaction with their parents . He knows the slides, ladder, and tunnels. 

Austin and I decided to change our routine and go for ice cream in the early afternoon, Sunday’s many places are closed so it was quiet waking around town.

On our way home from ice cream a bakery was open and I thought I would get the boys ‘pigs in a blanket’ for lunch as I had just seen a little girl with one. So in the delicious bakery we went, I point ordered the two 'pigs in a blankets’ (I’ll get the real name next time) I also got some other amazing carbs goodness. Then as we checked LG’s smile convinced the cashier to give him a huge pretzel with garlic and cheese. It was soo good and that wound up being lunch.

Austin said 'There one good thing about little brothers free food!' 

Then a nap. After the nap we walked around the boyla boyla park (swing). LG only likes the baby swings and this is the park that has them. So off we go to enjoy some swing time. 

Then a walk home the whole time LG saying nem (no) meaning he doesn’t want to go home. Why you might ask? Because he know that leads to bed time, our darkest hours. 

Pray for us please every night between 7-10 our time (1-4pm est). 

Pray, I thank God for each and little thing he has give the me today and always to remind me that he is in control. 

From the Power of a Simple Prayer by Max Lacado 'Don’t be too quick in your assessment of God’s gifts to you. Thank him. Moment by moment. Day by day.’

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

http://bible.com/111/1th.5.18.niv

TO THE ZOO

Our next outing I let Austin choose what to do, he however is looking forward to the outing as we had planned once Tony comes back. So today we decided to go to the zoo. After going to the tourism center and getting tickets we took the tram and then a bus to the zoo. After getting off the bus the driver indicated that we would need to call to find out exactly what time the bus would be returning to pick up (this is a problem!). You see I talk in charades around here so phone conversations are not gonna happen. We went in and enjoyed the zoo looking at all the animals. I’m still amazed at the lack of barriers between you and the animals. Some of the animals have a sign that warning you that the animal will bite. After a while both boys were hot and tired and I decided I needed to figure out how to get back on the bus. So I said a little prayer and ask God to make sure the bus picked us up. :) 

As we arrived at the bus station the sign indicated the bus would arrive at 1:15 so I decided to wait to 20 minutes to see if the bus actually arrived before calling Adam to help translate over the phone. Two other ladies arrived at the bus stop and were talking about the phone number they were able to call and confirm the bus should be arriving at 1:15. So now I can sigh in relief knowing we won’t have to walk back to the tram. :)

LG and I took a late two hour nap and when we woke up we started our afternoon routine. Off to the grocery store and for ice cream. Today we noticed the crowds were gathering in the Square which only met one thing – there was a soccer game going on tonight! So down to the grocery store to get bread, Carlsberg beer, and chocolate croissants (the essentials). The most popular ice cream’s shop in town had a very short line on our way home so we decided to stop there Austin was able to get Nutella ice cream! Soon after we ordered our ice cream the line began to form again. (They give big scoops)

So we arrived home, opened the windows listen to the crowds cheering for the home team as we watch the game on our computer and played and colored. We are excited that Hungary tied Iceland. We are becoming fans of Euro 2016!! We enjoyed the leftovers from the night before and we all went to bed at 10 ready to do it again tomorrow!

A Couple Of Days Worth

Regular routine day (two days ago)

Yesterday really messed with LG’s nap and he went to bed super late so I thought we’d just do a ‘normal’ day today. 

So since this isn’t vacation- I vacuumed, did dishes, laundry, breakfast, and made beds. The whole time LG was asking to go ‘gigi ’ which is his word for outside. He LOVES to be outside! Finally at 9:15 we headed out to the park and played for two hours.

When we got home we got to do a video chat with my mom! I loved seeing her and getting to talk to her while she is in the hospital recuperating from her surgery. Finished up with a lunch, a 2 hr nap (LG not me), ice cream, walk, dinner, playdough, coloring, playing trains, blocks and finally bed. We are working on better bed time rituals to make going to bed easier for LG. Please pray for that.

Hope your day is going as well as ours! (yesterday)

Today started out fabulous with a good night sleep by all! (Always a blessing) 

We were preparing ourselves for the social worker visit this morning. Since it was during our park time we went to have coffee and saved the park for once the visit was over, due to LG being upset when Adam leaves (one of the translators and in country support). 

Adam and the two ladies, we have met before, came over about 10:30 and we sat and talked while Austin and LG played. They were very happy with his progress. They were also impressed with the schedule, the activities we brought and the daily activities we do. They asked about LG’s schedule, his eating, his communication, English words. They also paid us a huge complement and said we should help other adopting parents and even Hungarian parents! They even laughed and said that they (the Hungarian parents) don’t even have the language issue we have. :) I know that this is all thanks to Gods grace and your prayers. As expected LG was sad when they left so we headed to the park for a bit and had hot dogs and a burger for lunch. 

Also today I had an opportunity to hire a local lady to cook us a homemade Hungarian meal and do some light cleaning while I am by myself. Oh My Gosh! She made an awesome Hungarian Goulash! LG and I ate it again today and still have some left over! She was such a sweet lady and we spoke using the iTranslate app on my phone that translates spoken word. It was pretty neat to get to talk directly with her rather than calling Adam or George. When she said my name I would think of my Aunt Mary Lou ( and her good cooking!) She was even sweet enough for me to take her picture. I look forward to having her back next Friday! 

The rest of our day was routine to the park again , ice cream, coloring, and other fun games.

(This last part I'm (Tony) adding for just a little bit of fun)

Forest Train And Another Site Seeing Stop

Today we had our first official site seeing outing. We rode the tram to the forest train then the forest train all the way up to the end and on our way back the took a stop off the train and visited a scenic hotel. The grounds are soo beautiful!!

We ended our day with a walk to ice cream, the mall then the grocery store.

Home for some playtime and then bed!

Continue to pray while Tony is away that LG can adjust. When he sees Adam he sometimes gets confused or just has a connection with Adam and it makes him sad when Adam leaves. We FaceTime with Tony everyday but it is a very weird concept to him.

Pray that bedtime routine can be calmer and less of an agitation on LG. (He is 4 so this might never be the case ;) )

Praise that we have a come home date!!! Pray that nothing gets in the way! (More info to come).

The Days Are Running Together

Normal routine of park, home for nap, out for a walk/grocery store run.

The team of the country we are in played in a Euro 2016 game and it was telecast across the street in the plaza. We enjoyed having the window open and listening to the cheers of the crowd while we watched it on the computer. My computer was apparently delayed because I always knew when a good play or score was coming up. Pretty fun!

We went to the local tourism office do find things to do. Austin and I planned our first trip.

Austin enjoyed coding his first website using the Hopscotch app. Pretty cool and super proud of him!

And don’t forget the ice cream!!!

Another Day In The Neighborhood

Another great day!

It’s interesting school is still in session here, but the ‘casual’ days of school they go to different places in the pic above they the kids were at the park and then bike off, they also go for ice cream or to the mall. Pretty interesting. These were elementary kids but we have seen all age groups. Sometimes one class sometimes several together.

Pray for Austin. A 4 room apartment (counting kitchen and bathroom) isn’t enough space for him to adjust to being a sibling and LG can be loud and excited. Austin isn’t used to it and gets to him pretty quickly.

Blessings 
- LG loves kids and enjoys making friends at the park.

- fun as brothers at the playground.

- went to a bakery shop around the corner. butter bread, chocolate croissants, cinnamon bread! Yum!!

- LG got tired of kneeling so he moved the pod from the other room to sit on.

- LG showing me his cleaning skills (mopping)

- a sweet lady that gave the boys chocolates on the way to ice cream.

- grocery store walk

- didn’t get rained on.