Today, we went back to the Akropolis (giant mall) because they have a bowling alley! Yee haw! Apparently, Lithuanians enjoy bowling very much (or so I've read), but Lina had no idea what these two crazy Americans were taking her to do! (What? Trade my nice new shoes for these things???) She was very intimidated at first, but eventually she started taking her turn without us dragging her up to the lane. She actually did fairly well for her first time! It also helped when I stopped telling her to use her right hand ... apparently texting is for her right hand and bowling for her left. We also learned that her and I are even more alike than we thought ... we both don't like doing things we aren't good at! I'm glad she started getting better and building her confidence or else it could have been a very long game! We didn't push our luck though and only played one game.
This afternoon, we went with Elona to a different orphanage to visit with some of the older girls there. We have fri
ends in Michigan who adopted a sibling group of three from this orphanage and we were able to meet a good friend of their daughter! All the girls seemed very nice ... most were older, but there were a couple younger girls there as well. There are eleven girls that live in this particular living group. They were all so beautiful! I wanted to just pack them all up and bring them home! It was fun watching them eat the sour American candy we brought for them! ;) We were also able to get some pictures and video for our friends. I had a hard time leaving because the one girl we went specifically to see was crying (she missed her friend very much) and I hated to leave her there like that. I gave her a hug, but felt helpless. Anyone interested in adoption...? I had a hard time not crying myself and I thought about how hard it will be to leave Lina back at Ukmerge on Friday.Once we got back to the flat, Lina wanted to show Elona all our family pictures. Elona is such a great lady! She has been so helpful to all three of us! Here is a picture of Elona and Lina. After Elona left, Lina looked more closely at some of our pictures ... she seemed very interested in her room back in America and how our house was set up. It was fun to show her the pictures and she was happy to see all the space in her room (she shares a tiny, very plain room with two other girls at the orphanage). I told her that when she gets to America, she can help decorate her room ... she liked that idea, of course!
After looking at the photos of the three of us again, she asked if we could show some to her boyfriend. Yes ... she has a boyfriend. His name is Edgaris, he's 17, lives at home with his mom, and he is the one who pays for her phone. We might get to meet him on Friday ... KC's cleaning his shotgun right now. Just kidding! Anyway, so we emailed him a couple photos and he emailed us a couple back of himself. I'd like to cut his hair, so I guess that makes me old and parental. Lina was very happy to see his picture ... actually that's an understatement ... she was completely giddy about the whole thing. (See 1st photo above) A boy-crazy, phone-talking teenage girl ... maybe we are crazy! Heaven help us! :)
After dinner I came to the conclusion that God has given us both (KC & I) good temperments for this whole adoption thing. Lina had said last night that she would wash the dishes tonight. When she saw the pile however, she wanted me to wash the two pans. I said no way, you can wash those and I left the kitchen. God has given us a love for this girl that we've known for eight days now and yet He has also given us the personalities to not be taken advantage of. We want to give her everything she doesn't have and yet we are still her parents. I know that we're new to this whole parenting thing, but I think we are starting off on the right foot.
We just had our first conversation about going back to Ukmerge. Lina is crying already, but we reassured her that we would not forget her. It's so sad. It's going to be very hard to leave her there. We don't know when our court date (and next trip) is yet, but hopefully it will be soon! Okay, crying is over and she wanted to see her boyfriend's picture again ... smiles all around. Ah, teenagers. Gotta love them!
Labanakt! (Good Night!)
Michele, KC & Lina
3 comments:
I got up this morning, there wasn't a post from Lituania and I went through withdrawal! Check this out:
http://www.kyxy.com/The-Mom-Song/1541011
It will give you a quick training in mothering or parenting. ;~)
Linda III
I have been checking the blog nonstop! I didn't think there would be a post, but I am so hapy to see that there is one! I love the fact that you both are getting use to being a parent and not letting Lina make the rules! ;) The tough love is the hardest, but it is also the best. I feel for the two of you and Lina for having to leave her there. I wish there was something Jason and I could do besides pray (Like fly over there and force the judge into letting you have her now!! Hehehe!) Anyway, is the boyfriend an actual boyfriend or is he a boy that is a friend? For her sake (and KC's) I hope he is the latter. Anyway, can't wait to see your next blog!
I'm very proud of you two. It was wonderful to see the big smile on Lina's face. Tell her there's lots of great American guys here too. I wish I could take all those girls. I'd do it in a second... I really would. Love to you all. Mom M
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