The Silver Lining

Day 29

Let us be happy for Sasha.

Sasha has found a family!

It's true! We just found out today, that with any luck, darling little Sasha will meet his lucky parents sometime in May! I nearly jumped for joy. Mom actually started crying with relief. Sasha's placement is absolutely the silver lining on the big storm cloud - I only have one more visit with Garrett before we leave!

I really can't believe it. Just one more day, because the day after that is court (no visit), then the next day we leave (no visit!). That is not nearly enough time to soak in the gaze from those giant hazel eyes. To kiss those chubby cheeks. To hold that warm little body close to mine.

How did this happen? How did the time slip by so quickly? I know that Garrett will be fine at the babyhouse until I get back... but selfishly I don't want to leave... because I'm his mother and I'll miss him!

Emotions aside, it is time for the logistics of these last days in Kokshetau. We have to get ready for court. That means pressing the suit and skirt that we hauled half way across the world. Tim also has to prepare a speech to read to the judge about how much we love Garrett. I am, quite nobly, attempting to keep myself from editing it for grammer and dramatic emphasis. We also have to put all of the gifts that we brought into bags and label them for all the right people. Since the gifting process was such a mystery to me when I traveled, I will be sure to include a detailed account of the who-gets-what in a later posting.

Then we get to the hard stuff....We have to take Calvin's bike, wash it up and give it to the orphanage. His first bike! (sniff). We have to explain to Calvin (and have Makhabbat explain to Ali) that we are leaving so Cal won't be around to play anymore. Then comes the last trip to the Viola market. Last walk to the Tsum store. Last frantic pigeon chase at the war memorial. We have to take all of Calvin's pictures off the wall. We have to pack. We have to leave.

I thought I would be so ready to come home, but I'm not!!! I actually started crying at the babyhouse today. The head of the caregivers came in to thank us for replacing a worn out toy tunnel with a new one from a local store. It wasn't a big deal, really, but she told us that she could tell how much we cared for all of the kids, not just our own... and I absolutely lost it. Oi. Here I go again...

Oh boy. Let's talk about happy things! For instance, Makhabbat gave Tim a hilarious chocolate bar today. Take a look. It's called Nestle For Men. I imagine that you have to say the name of the chocolate in a very serious and sultry baritone. Try it. The inside of the chocolate is imprinted with small pictures indicating "no women allowed." Don't worry, I had some anyway. I like to live dangerously.

Or, in the news of the super cute, the babies had "soccer lessons" in the babyhouse today. That's right. Baby soccer! The caregivers worked on those little baby quadraceps by encouraging them to kick at bright balloons. It was darling. Makhabbat took some pictures. (I imagine that this little guy was the winner of the match. He is ready for his victory lap around the nursery)
Also, Calvin was in fine form today. This evening, as we were walking home from a delicious dinner of giant kebabs with Makhabbat at the Rainbow cafe, Tim was carrying Cal on his shoulder. Tim said "Isn't your Daddy strong? I can hold you on this side and Garrett on the other." Calvin accepted this as a rather boring truth and asked the question that was on everyone mind. He said, "Yes, Daddy, but how many swedish fish can you carry?" I think we woke up the neighboring apartments with our laughs.

So I'm going to do my best to exit gracefully from Kokshetau. We have had a wonderful run and I'm not going to leave here a sniveling mess! I may need a lot of chocolate to keep my spirits up, but that's a risk I'm willing to take! So brace yourself California, because the Snyders (minus one) are landing in just a few days!

Love you all. I'm off to pack up gifts for the court.

Paka!

Becca