So somehow one of the boys configured my Facebook account so that each time I tried to log in I was redirected to Temple Run. Seriously, how is this possible? Just now is the first time I have been able to take the time to fix it....anyway, the boys are doing better every day. Now that we have a good bedtime system, evenings are going much better also. The only problem is that Chip and I must be quiet as mice after we put the boys to bed bc we don't want to risk waking one of them-- creating a domino effect. We had a long day at the Embassy. What should have taken five minutes took several hours because they just changed the visa requirement paperwork...however as I just wrote someone else, they had a Disney movie playing and cookies, so it doesn't get much better than that for my boys! As I said they are doing great but there are some battles I have chosen not to even begin, like taking a bath. I don't want to freak anyone out , but I'm not sure they will have a true bath before we get back to the States. If cleanliness is next to godliness, then we have a bunch of heathens running around here....

Just wondering

At present, the boys are at least quiet, if not asleep. Picture schedule worked well for the day, now we need to figure out a reward system for bedtime. Tomorrow we return to the orphanage for a good-bye party. This orphanage is filled with beautiful, awesome kids just wanting homes. One little fellow has repeatedly pointed to himself then to Chip and then to the door-- with big eyes and a big smile that says "please". . But I promised Isa that we would only come home with three, and that is handful enough for now. But maybe someone reading this has a few extra hands to offer one of these kids? Just wondering...

Busier and better

As I just wrote to someone a minute ago, "everyday gets busier and better" with the boys. They are as active and as mischievous as they are cute. Thankfully, they seem to trust us more, but we still know that the idea of "having a family and going to America" is very different than the reality. The pic of them playing Legos (that I posted earlier) was probably the quietest that they were all day. Again, so thankful for all of you and the prayers and notes of encouragement that give us two old people the strength to keep up with three active boys.

Only 6:55 pm?!

Another long day, but Chip just informed me that is only 6:55 pm. How is this possible? I am ready for bed. Beginning tomorrow we have the boys 24/7, in a small apartment , in Lithuania, where the weather is suppose to be bad this weekend. Eieieieiiii! The boys are good boys, but they are BOYS! Everything is a contest. Farting, burping, running, jumping, hitting....I grew up with sisters, (you know talking and playing Barbies) but Chip assures me this is normal boy behavior. I do not know about that, but I do know boys are exhausting. Today we had a first -- McDonalds! Fries a hit, but surprisingly, the burgers not so much. The boundary testing continues, but we have learned that they do understand , "no." and so far, no ABSOLUTE fits! But remember, especially as you pray that we can not provide man on man coverage, its two on three. Tomorrow we go again to the Doctor for more shots-- no fun there, but an opportunity to comfort. Leaving the orphanage will be more difficult than we first thought because the women there truly love these boys. It is the best orphanage I have ever seen, a million times better than Sam's and much better than the many others I have visited. Tonight my heart breaks for the children we will leave behind tomorrow, especially Laurynas, a handsome, sweet, smart boy who plays with us every day. Please pray for him tonight and for our three boys, who will leave the only home they have ever known. I know I am redundant (and I repeat myself, and say things over and over..) but I will say it again, we are truly thankful for you and your prayers. Now I sleep.

Yea! The judge said "yes" to the adoption and to our request to return home immediately instead of waiting the 40 days. We now get new birth certificates (with parents listed as Harry and Kristin Huey) , passports with new names, visas, and a couple of other details. We plan to travel home next Saturday. Pray no glitches and for the boy's emotions as it will be difficult for them to leave the only "home" they have ever known.

No surgery needed for Sam. We are so incredibly relieved and thankful! Thankful to God, to the Fitzwilliam Family, and to all you prayer warriors. Here, things continue to go well (not easy, mind you, but well) with the boys. Each day they test us a bit more..no translation needed today when one in particular asked, (not in so many words, of course), "Did you REALLY mean it when you said, 'NO?'" And when he learned the answer to this question, again, no translation needed for his next bit of non-verbal communication. It's a weird place to be as an almost-but-not-quite-parent parenting children who have never known parents. (Did that make sense?) Fortunately, frowns and pouts dissipated with big bear hugs, kisses and, eventually, smiles. Tomorrow is court. At this point I am not sure I know what to pray; I'm so glad God has these things figured out and that I don't have to worry about it anymore. I wrote that last sentence for myself!) So very thankful tonight for The Body! (You!) Seriously there is NO WAY we cld do this without all of your support. This isnhow we care for orphans TOGEThER! It doesn't take a "village"; it takes The Body of Christ, His church.

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Prayers needed: Sam broke his femur. In my care, he broke his tibia a few months ago, so this kind of thing just happens with an active boy like Sam, but tomorrow he returns to the MD to determine if surgery is needed. So hard to be away from him during this time, but hugely thankful to the Fabulous Fitwilliam Fam for stepping up to the challenge input absence. pleas spray for them also.

How do you keep three active boys occupied all day in a small apartment? You dont, you go to an indoor playground! FEight bucks an hour is money well and money that will CONTINuE to be well spent as long as we are Lihtuania. We are thnakful that the boy's orphanage, unlike Sam's, is a warm loving environment. Sam only left the orphanage to go to the hospital, where as these boys go to school, to parks, to music lessons, to the movies,...and .......to indoor playgrounds. Tomorrow is the doctor appointment.... Not looking forward to that. Three boys, lots of shots. Prayers appreciated.

To bring you up to date: Chip and I are in Lithuania adopting three boys .below are my FB  posts: 

Jan. 3 

oK, so if yesterday was Mentos and Coke ( describing mt emotions as a spewing mess)  today was that times five. The boys are awesome. They clearly have yearned for a daddy and instantly fell in love with Chip, constantly seeking to hold his hand and his attention. It was fun to sit back and watch (and NOT be the one taking three boys to the bathroom.) The boys are bright, healthy, energetic, and shockingly small. They are little (LITTLE!) boys. They love and look out for each other. Dominykas is easy-going, mature, and obedient, Justinas (pronounced You-STEEN-as) is strong- willed, quiet, intense, and obviously very intelligent, and Deimantas (pronounced DAY-mon-tas), with glasses almost as big as he, is precise, loving and sooo very stinking cute. It truly was easy to fall in love immediately. Mentos and Coke. The orphanage seems to have done an excellent job with the boys to include preparing them to become a part of a family in America; they would have readily flown home with us today if allowed. More Mentos and Coke. Our day with the boys went better than we had dared hope, and yet we were sobered by the presence of the other orphans who witnessed our joyful first meeting. We were especially moved by a beautiful teen girl, who outwardly showed no emotion as she silently watched. (Yet again....Mentos and Coke.) How was it that we packed the EXACT number of extra toys to give to all the other children? And these toys were crammed into an already overstuffed suitcase at the last minute -- an after thought, or some, myself included, would call it a God-nudge... (You guessed it....more Mentos and Coke). Maybe someone reading this post is feeling a God-nudge in the direction of adoption? Is it you?