Douberly Dynamics

Dear Friends and Family,

Some of you have told me you have checked periodically to see if we are adding any news about our adjustment process here at the Douberly household. I thought by now you would have been sick to death of looking at our photos and reading about our going-ons. However, for those of you still hanging on, I can hang with you! It's my honor. Now let's get to the good stuff.

Oh, the Douberly boys! Where do I begin? Alex and Andrew are troopers. We won the orphan-jack pot! (Is that politically incorrect to say? Sorry if it was!) We cannot begin to tell you just how quickly they have adjusted and learned. We went from Alex screaming and pitching fits when he did something wrong to now him walking himself to time-out. It's quite impressive. Andrew is still really hard on himself and wants to please everyone. He does not like to disappoint and hides when he has done something he thinks is wrong. This is very new to me. I'm used to the elder two coming up and talking in circles trying to get out of trouble. They have never hid from it. Alex and Andrew's relationship with each other has changed drastically in the last 2 1/2 weeks. When we were in Ukraine they constantly held hands and cried when the other one would get in trouble (sympathy pains!). However, now, they are both very quick to throw each other under the bus. They even go so far as to wave and say "bye bye" while I'm marching the other one to time-out. It's all we can do from busting out laughing. Don't get me wrong. They are still super close. In fact, it still brings tear to my eyes when I check in on them in the middle of the night and it never fails that Andrew has left his bed and crawled into bed with Alex. He always is sleeping with a protective arm around his brother (who is spread out 'owning' the bed!) and holding his hand. It's too precious. I guess even though Andrew no longer feels like he has to be by Alex's side every minute, he subcosciously still it the protector. I look forward to him letting go a little more of that role so he can sit back and enjoy being a child for a while.

Alex and Andrew have truly enjoyed their new worlds. Every day is a new adventure. In fact, after we drop Joshua and Jacob off at the bus stop in our front yard, they race to get in the car. They LOVE the car! They particularly LOVE daddy's Jeep. Actually, Andrew would be quick to correct me that it's "Andrew's truck!" It's no longer "Daddy's Jeep". We have sat out in the Jeep in the driveway and just hung out on many occasions. I think of how they must feel though when they do get in the car to go somewhere. They have NO idea where we are going to end up. It could be King's Dominion, Five Guys, a park, or something as simple as a grocery store that has REALLY cool shopping carts shaped like cars! Oh, the excitement! They can't get enough. The other day we were having a lazy day. Lamar was making breakfast and the boys came out of the mud room with our shoes, pushing us to put them on. Then they pointed toward the car and started saying, "Bbye-bye car!" They wanted to go! They didn't care where....they were just ready. It's really too funny.

Joshua and Jacob have been tremendous helpers. At first they tried taking on the role of Parent #3 and Parent #4- telling the boys "Nyet(no)" to everything they tried to touch or do. However, after some coaching they are better filling the role of big brothers- guiding and leading them the right way. They have learned every word of Ukrainian and Russian that Lamar and I learned while we were away. They have flashcards for the boys that they use at the table while I'm making dinner. Don't get me wrong. We struggle with Jacob realizing his own super strength as he tosses-the-sibiling across the room. I think it's a power-trip! However, Alex holds his own and makes up what he doesn't have in muscular strength with that of lung and vocal power. Let's just say, it's rarely a dull moment here.

Well, I know there is a ton more I could share with you. I'm trying to work on getting video clips attached to the blog so you can see for yourself some of this craziness.

Again I want to thank all of you for your generosity, phone calls, cards, emails, etc. It's so sweet to know so many people are praying for us during this transition.

Love to all,

Kristina and boys X 5

Oct 2009 (106 photos), by Kristina Douberly

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We're Dome!

First Douberly family photo!

We couldn't have done it without Babushka and Dedushka! They were the glue to this entire operation! We love you, Nana C and Papa J. You've only been gone 30 minutes and you are missed by all of us!

Nana C and Papa J enjoy time bonding with their new grandsons

Preparing for our walk around their new neighborhood
Crazy Ukrainian Friends for life!!! (Andrew, Max Bryant, and Alex)

Laura Thoroman...I couldn't even begin to tell you everything she did for us! Mommy missed her eldest boys terribly

Our Homecoming awaits (and waits...and waits...)

Dearest Loved Ones,

We did it! We are home in the good 'ol USA. Dome Sweet Dome (Dome is Ukrainian for 'home'). We couldn't be happier. The boys act as if they have owned the place since Day 1! We love it. Joshua and Jacob have adjusted to being big brothers instantly. They continue to impress us with their helpful attitudes and biting their tongues if the boys wake them up screaming in the middle of the night. (Yes, we have some adjustment issues to work on, but it's ALL GOOD!)

Mom and Dad just drove off (sigh) and I'm nervous if we can handle it without them here. They have been such life savers. They made the boys feel so loved and comfortable that they never cried from homesickness. How amazing! I think maybe I should have brought them with me to help with MY homesickness! They juggled soccer practices, games, social events, laundry, cooking, etc, with such ease, zest and experience. We have heard over and over again how awesome they were with the boys while we were away. God bless my folks!

The homecoming was spectacular. The Thoroman and Bryant families joined my family in welcoming us home. It was such a treat. They made beautiful posters, delicious cookies, lasagna, etc. They even baby-proofed our house for us. When we came in the door, my mom had Laura and Scott go upstairs with me to see everything they had done. I get tears in my eyes all over again when I tell you this. They put together the entire boys' room! They had put together bunk beds for the boys (and had to get the parts themselves because they didn't come with the set!), stripped and painted the walls and made it feel like such a welcoming and warm bedroom for the boys. They/I LOVED it. It was too much. Laura and my mom had gone through an entire closet of junk to organize and sort clothes for the boys. It looked so nice. What have I done to have such beautiful people placed in my lives?

I can't thank all of you enough for the sweet phone calls, emails, clothes, and gifts. Our neighbor, Laurie brought over bags of precious clothes for the boys along with a new big wheel and Legos for the elder boys. Way too sweet! Another dear neighbor, Betsy handmade blankets for the boys. They love them! We also received matching helicopter long sleeve ultra-cool T-shirts from Hammer and gang. I can't wait to get them all in them for a picture. I have them washed and plan on taking the picture ASAP. I just have to round up the entire gang. I could go on and on talking about all of your generosity and I want to. However, Lamar just took the boys out for a men-outing and left me with a few precious moments to finally unpack my bags. (Hey, it's only been 3 days....not bad!)

Please don't be upset if we don't immediately return emails, phone calls, etc. We are still trying to find some balance in giving all the boys the attention they need. That's a huge priority right now.

My last request from you all....Could you all please just take a minute and send prayers of thanksgiving up to our mighty Lord and Savior. He has worked miracles for us and we are forever in debt for his graciousness, kindness, and love. I'm sure you all feel Him touching each of your lives, too. It's so easy to focus on praying to Him when we are in need. Lamar and I want to remember to give Him extra praise and glory during times of happiness and joy as well. He has given us two more gifts that we are just not worthy to have. God is good...

ALL THE TIME!

God bless you all.

Kris

God is good

Dearest Loved Ones,

I would love to beat around the bush or drag this out....but I can't....
WE ARE COMING HOME!!! That's right! We just got our tickets and we fly out tomorrow EARLY morning. We will be landing at Dulles International at 3:45 Saturday afternoon.

Everything happened VERY fast. Yuri hinted there was a very slim chance that if we got everything done today, we MIGHT be able to leave this weekend or Tuesday at the latest. Well, we got it all done! Today we did medicals (the boys were troopers!) and visas at the embassy. We got it all done in time to book some tickets. We will be getting up at 2:30 this morning (if Lamar and I even go to bed...we are REALLY jazzed) to get the boys ready and out the door to the airport.

It will be a very long day of traveling with the boys and we do worry about their sinuses, but every flight and every layover is still a step closer to getting back to my boys, family, friends, and home.

I feel like this is the end of a journey I have so enjoyed taking with each and every one of you. However, I do believe that is the beginning of a new chapter, not just for Alexander and Andrew, but for the entire Douberly Family. We look forward to keeping you updated on the reunion, adjustment process, and the many boyish antics that are sure to come. Oh, I can't wait!!!

God bless you all and thank you for your continued prayers on this last push to get the Douberly family all together.

Love always,

Kris

Joshua's comment

Dearest Friends,

I just went back and found an entry Joshua added after I had read that day's comments. It made me cry. I still sit here with tears in my eyes thinking of him looking for each and every letter on the keyboard as he is sounding out words he's not sure how to spell. My mom says he spends so much time at the computer composing his messages.

His words and message touched me so much that I am copying and pasting it (just the way he wrote it) and adding it as an entry to share with you all.

Joshua, my dear son, thank you for your sweet and encouraging words. I enjoy our Skype time, too, but can't wait to hold you in my arms again. Please continue to be helpful in school. That is the best thing we can hear is that you are helping others. What you write about your brothers is just as special as what adults write, too. Be proud of yourself and what you do. And as always, keep trying your best.

Daddy and I love you very much and we are touched beyond measure that you and Jacob are trying so hard to be good for Nana C and Papa J. Hang in there....we will be home soon.

I love you, dear. Share my long distant hugs and kisses with your brother!

Love,

Mommy

Joshua's comment from Sept 23, 2009

Mom and Dad,Thank you for calling us this morning on skype. It was fun watching my brothers wrestle.Thank you for keeping in touch with us.It really helps me from getting homesick.Well today at school I helped others so much Mrs. Ellington just layed 30 dollars in fake money on my desk!I now have 118$ .School is coming very well.I love reading what you post on the blog.I really can't wait to meat Alex and Andrew.We are keeping you at the top of our minds when we can.I am sorry I can't write a long message about the children like the other adualts can.I am very thankful to have parents like you who can pull through at hard times like this.I love writing in my journal.I know you like it.Nana and Papa went out and bought the big legos today.Nothing big has happened today.Thank you for mentioning that you like what I write.Boy did I bet you had fun at that park.God bless you.Love,Joshua

Project Escape Kiev...Day 2

Have you ever seen such a McSmile?Alex enjoys sharing his first French Fry ever with Daddy
Alex and Daddy on a Ferris Wheel in Kirovograd

Mommy and Andrew have fun at a park in Kirovograd

Good evening,

As I sit down and reflect on our day here in Kiev, it blows my mind that the boys have only been with us for less than a week. Today was incredible! We went the entire day without any meltdowns from Alex. Don't get me wrong...he let us know in his very own special way that he still doesn't dig having showers or his teeth brushed. However, no temper tantrums or fits. Yeah!

The highlight of my day was just now while I was putting them down to bed. We said our prayers. They kneel beside me and while I say the "Lord's Prayer" they do their own sweet gibberish Ukrainian versions along with me. Then, as we laid in bed together I sang them some songs. Even though they have NEVER heard these songs before and have NO idea what I'm singing, they both sang along with me. It was the sweetest, funniest thing I ever heard. I had to wipe tears from my eyes because I was laughing so hard. It was precious. If I can somehow get a recording of this, you too, could be sore in the abs from the laughter. I'll see what I can do...

Tonight we went out for a delicious Ukrainian feast. It still suprises me what the boys will eat. They had egg plant, yellow and red peppers, cucumbers, black olives, borsh (beats and cabbage), and a part of Lamar's finger because it got too close to the trap he was feeding! We then went for a nice long walk and found a place we had heard about that had delicious desserts. The boys didn't leave a crumb! What a treat!

Well, we will catch up more tomorrow. We are both tired and ready to kick back and relax.

Love to you all.

Kris

PS If you want to see more pictures they are posted in a Snapfish album on the side. Enjoy!