Day 5 and Day 6: Hard Goodbyes

Day 5:

Joey, Molly, and Linc walked over to the creche for an early morning hug before A had to go to school. I tell you what...that boys is super cute in his school uniform. I'm so proud that he seems to be doing well in school. When we were with him in April, he made it no secret that he didn't want to go to school so his lack of resistance now is encouraging.

After A went to school, C came over to play at the guest house and of course had some snacks! One of the most humbling aspects of visiting the boys is to see the kids share with each other. There were usually a couple of kids with their parents at the guest house while we were there and it never failed that when one was given a snack or drink they made a great effort to share with the other kids in the room. We parents just gave up trying to help them understand that it was "their" food. There is no concept of "yours" and "mine" among the kids.

After a good morning of play at the guest house C went up for a nap and we waited for A to get out of school. We spent part of the afternoon playing at the creche and part at the guesthouse. Molly, Linc, and A played games with the kids of other families for a while, before we painted some rocks. The days are long and sometimes you have to get creative so I stole this idea from another family visiting their children. Molly and A were very meticulous during their painting, Linc and C were a little less focused, but it was fun to watch.

Day 6:

It was a somber morning of goodbyes. Molly took it hard that she had to leave her brothers behind. We walked A to school and then had a few minutes to play with C before we said our final goodbye. It doesn't get easier. In fact, knowing how much the kids love each other makes it much harder. Nevertheless, it is an inevitable part of the process. We know that one day they will be leaving with us...that day can't get here soon enough.

We have been blessed to make such great friends on this journey and we were blessed to be traveling back to the states with some of them. It was a good trip back with some very tired children. We arrived home around 3am Thanksgiving morning. Thankful to be back in the states and thankful to be with family, but wishing our boys were with us.