Viktor's Welcome

February 27-March 3

The day of Viktor's arrival, Samantha, Tammy's niece, sweetly came by to help us straighten the house before we headed to the airport to wait for the flight from Cincinnati. We were so happy to see Viktor and Curtis coming down the escalator and ran to give them hugs. We took photos and introduced everyone to Viktor, even though we knew he probably couldn't remember names. After the airport greeting, everyone all went together to a steakhouse for dinner, where Dima, Sasha and Zhenya were coming from a soccer practice at the high school. Zhenya and Sasha were overjoyed to see Vitya. Zhenya gave him a big hug and shouted, Vitya!" Sasha kept hugging him saying, "Vitya! Vitya!!" After a nice dinner, we headed over to Ben and Jerry's ice cream store where Ginger's fiancé Eric met us. For those who don't know, this is something like Baskin Robbins and Viktor could hardly wait to get inside and choose his flavor. After this, we finally headed to our house for another little welcome party and cake and meeting Aunt Cyndy's family, Rebecca, Sarah, David, Chris and Ashley. Marmee and Papa had to give a call on the phone as Marmee has the shingles and has been very ill. Her voice brightened up when she talked to Viktor and told him she was so glad he was finally in Alabama. Viktor seemed very happy to meet everyone.

The next day after Viktor did a walk through of each room in our home as he stopped and examined all the paintings on the walls, saying things like "I like this perception, this depth." He even noticed small details such as silk flowers, and the plastic fruit on baskets in the kitchen. We've never had a young person be so observant of the things in our home in this way. The other kids didn't even glance at the pictures on the walls. We caught Zhenya examining a doorway spray that had silk flowers and fruit on it, but that was the only item of interest for him. Viktor stopped in front of a cabinet that holds Ginger's trophies, medals and other awards. Tammy said, "Ginger's" Viktor said, "ALL Ginger's?" Then she pointed out a few trophies that belonged to Brooke and Baylee, for dance and gymnastics, and then said, "All the rest are Ginger's." He stared at them for a few minutes and Tammy was wondering what was going through his mind. We know the Berdyansk sports teams had won trophies and first place awards. Yet, the boys have no personal trophies of their own like many American kids. She then took Viktor down the pathway outside to show him the lake. She said he smiled and looked around and then wanted to throw rocks in the water, so they did that for a few minutes. Then he looked around and waved his arms and said, "Mama, it's beautiful!"

After this, we had to do medicals for participation in sports, and getting one of Viktor's shots. We took him to an Italian restaurant near our home, one of our favorites with authentic Italian food, Cafe Tretuno. One reason we took him there was to show him a huge mural that our friend, Bruce, had painted on their dining room wall, a countryside scene of Italy. Being an artist, we knew he might appreciate seeing this. He did enjoy it and also really enjoyed his calzone. Later that night, we created something sort of Ukrainian, kielbasa and fried potatoes, at home, and then the boys had a soccer game. It just happened to be the first game they were approved to actually play. Up until then, they had just been practicing with the team. They were very excited Viktor was there to see them. It happened to be a cold day in Alabama, so we were wearing coats and sipping on hot chocolate as we cheered for the boys. Sasha was a star player, and Zhenya showed some good ability as well as being one of the fastest runners. After the game, we took Viktor shopping for some clothes and shoes. He gave all of his jeans away to his friends at the orphanage, only brought a couple of shirts and didn't even bring a belt with him! We had several things to buy. Fortunately, we had perfect timing and the store was having a huge clearance sale.

Then the next day, it was time to tour the school. Dima took him to lunch at Dairy Queen and then took him for his first Starbucks trip which he really enjoyed. Then it was time to register at the High School. We could tell he was a little nervous as we were walking in, but he was all smiles. The school asked a senior student from Russia to take us our tour, and Dima also helped translate because he was at this school for his 9th grade year. Sat. was spent fishing on our lake all day. Viktor enjoyed this so much we had to pull him away from it, because we had another welcome party to attend with the Thompsons and some other kids who had been adopted. We all met at Dairy Queen to have an ice cream cake for the boys that said "Welcome to America", and then everyone went ice skating. It was Viktor's first time to ice skate and he was determined to give it his best shot. Sun, the boys attended a church that has a Bible study for teenagers with a Russian translation, and after this, we attended our own church. Sun. afternoon was a soccer game and basketball in the park, fried chicken and biscuits for supper. We felt we had to introduce Viktor early on to some Southern food. :) Mon. was Viktor's first day of school and it went well. He came home with positive comments about the school and several Teachers, but was requesting however, to be placed in the 11th grade, instead of the 10th. The school chose the 10th for him to put him with his brothers, because they thought it would help him. But there is an 11th grade exchange student from Russia, (as well as a Russian 12th grader) who could help him, so we've put in the request to be moved. After supper, Dima took the boys to the Y to swim and play basketball.

In between all of this, Viktor is eating bananas like they are going out of style! Fortunately for us, they are the cheapest fruit in the market. While he's not a meat eater like his brothers, Viktor often visits the fruit basket on the kitchen table. He walks around with an apple, pear, plum, peach or banana in his hands all the time nibbling and munching. It's obvious he was a bit deprived of fruit at the orphanage. The other boys empty the fruit basket often, but Viktor seems to enjoy it even more than they do.

It has been a very full week so far. Things are going good and we're just all trying to get the routine and rules established. We're smiling, a little tired, but very, very thankful God has brought us all together.