Party Time

Today we celebrated with the caretakers of Hayden’s room. Before the festivities began, I ducked out and made a stop at Spencer’s old room. Delivered chocolates and photos of Spencer and our family, then headed back to room 4.

It was quite the spread. I bought chocolates, tea, salami, cheese, two breads, apples, bananas, juice, pepsi, a cake and a bottle of vodka. Yep, vodka. Lena kept telling me they probably wouldn’t drink it. But I told her last time we bought some for Spencer’s room, and bought wine for our meal with the doctors.

All nine of the caretakers came; Galina, 4 Tatiana’s, Ludmilla, Maria, Valentina and Lyazatt. We cracked open the vodka, and made lots of toasts all around. They laughed at my “boat drink” of vodka and raspberry juice; until Tatiana (to my right) tried it and said -- she’s right it IS good!!

They wished us well with Hayden, telling me they knew he was waiting just for us; that Hayden was the strongest of their group, the first to roll over, and had strong arms and legs. I told them he was crawling now and sitting on his own, and showed them his bottom two front teeth coming in (the second has just begun to surface). They were surprised at all his accomplishments and all remarked he looked as if he was being fed well, and had gained some weight.

I am forever indebted to each and every one of them. It’s hard to express in words. These are the women who provided my sons a home, gave them their love, fed and cared for them until we could come and take them home. These women work hard, and I mean hard. They work very long shifts caring for so many children at once. It is evident in their actions, touch, and smiles how much they come to love each of these children. You can feel their genuine joy, when they get to send one of their babies off with their forever family.

In each room you can’t help but form a special bond with one or two of the caretakers. In Spencer’s room I’ll never forget Tanya who came running after us to give Spencer one last kiss in the hall as we left. When she saw him on this trip she went out of her way to ask us to stop by to say hello. In Hayden’s room, Galina has a glorious spirit about her and her joyous nature is contagious.

Before I left they showed me a little baby girl, 4months old; they said they wished we would come back for her. She was sleeping when they showed me to her and she is beautiful. I cried when I saw her, but I know her family will be coming for her soon. They sent me and Hayden off with lots of hugs, kisses and tears, and it was very hard to leave Matluka today. Lena told me on our way out; it was the best party she’d ever seen, because it was so sincere and she could tell the caretakers felt appreciated.

It will be some time before we can bring our sons back to visit again. Until then may God bless each and every one of these caretakers and all the children who are waiting to find their own forever families.

Pics attached of our day: it was HOT in that room, sauna HOT, I was literally dripping with sweat, but fun for all anyway!

1st pic: Galina saying hello to Hayden
2nd pic: Grp shot: Tatiana, Ludmilla, Maria, Tatiana, Lyazatt, Tatiana, Galina
3rdpic: Lyazatt, Tatiana, Galina w/Hayden (we stripped him down to his onsie it was sooo hot), Tatiana, Lena
4th pic: Valentina in the middle (missed both group shots); Tatiana's on both sides of her
5th pic: Final Grp shot: L to R: Tatiana, Ludmilla, me, Maria, Lyazatt, Annie (who dropped in to visit), Tatiana, Tatiana, Tatiana, Galina