Loving Vladimir and Alexei: It's raining Koeshkas and Sabakas

Saturday, April 26, 2008

It's raining Koeshkas and Sabakas

Hi everyone,
It has rained the past couple nights and it started raining today about 5:30 pm. It is a nice change but not real good for walking. We did get out for two little walks before the rain which helped a bit in letting some of the extra energy out. It is also very windy and the rain gutter above our room blew off. We saw it fall to the ground as we were eating dinner. Jayne called the front desk and we were all very excited to see someone come out to fix it, but no one came. I do not know if we will go downtown tomorrow if the weather continues to be like this. Today was a tough day for Vlady, he is really testing the boundaries and trying to get his own way all the time. He is beginning to learn that neither Jayne nor I give in. We are hoping the plane trip will go okay, neither one of us a looking forward to this. The day did have many bright spots to it too, it is definitely helpful to look back at the whole day and remember some positives. Vlady really likes to get his binder of colored paper out (thanks Oralingua) and draw. Jayne and I also write their names on some of the pages and Vlady was trying to copy the letters and he was asking what they were. Alexei and I had a little bonding time on our first walk. There was a car that pulled behind us and beeped at a gate for someone to open it. Alex then said beep beep and I took this opportunity to create a little blues song. He giggled as I held him and walked and sang. I don’t think he was laughing at my talented singing, but rather at Papa being silly. Well today was our last Saturday here in Vladivostok, it is hard to believe it. In some ways the time has past quickly, but both Jayne and I are ready to be back home. We do really miss all of you and thank you for all of your support. We also really miss Jotsi and the boys can not wait to meet him They constantly look at his picture and make sure they have a picture of him in their bedroom when they go to bed. We will post more pictures tomorrow. Bye for the night, Rich, Jayne, Vlady, Alex, Jotsi

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hello Rich, Jayne, & Boys,

We always look forward to hearing from you and thinking back about our adventures in Russia. We're sure that many of your blogging friends by now are thinking, "Who are these nutty people with all the stories?" We kind of have become that uncle who sat around at the Thanksgiving table, telling story after story after story and giving advice on everything...but as you are finding out, a new story is created over the simplest things...some are amazing victories and some are things that make you want to cry but later you may actually laugh at...but it all is becoming part of your kids' history and part of that initiation into parenthood because we both didn't take the traditional baby route.

Good plane ride or not, it will be such a blessing to get back home. We so DREADED the flight home since we didn't exactly experience a lovefest with our kids. At least you did get to go on walks and get out a little. When we went to Russia in February 2006, we were told it was the coldest time of the year (the temperature was below zero, thirty below one day) and we have never in our entire lives felt as cold as we did when we were there (and Sperry was born in Canada and spent her teenage years back east in the snow). We really couldn't go out and we were stuck in a smoke-filled hotel (everyone seemed to smoke there) with the temperature being about 1,000 degrees inside(it sure felt like this. Hell is probably a lot cooler...) and with two kids whom we would have more positive interaction if we picked them off the street or abducted them from a mall. At least you are having some time to bond. Our time together in Russia was hurried and shorter. We did have some good times but they were few and far between.

Only a few more days and then you will be going from the "Hi, we're your parents" phase to the "We are now home, we mean business phase", where you will get to set up the ground rules and begin with the routines which will be more truer to life since they will be in these surroundings for the rest of their lives. Our social worker told us not to tolerate any behavior which we wouldn't tolerate at a later time. It really will be a bonding & growing experience, this first year. Both you and your kids will change as you learn your new positions in a family. When people have babies, they have so much time for the little tyke to adjust and they don't get to see you make mistakes or trying to figure out what to do. With older kids, it's much harder but still will work out.

You are united and that is the most deciding factor in being successful parents. You are doing a marvelous job! Keep up the good work!

We're praying that you have an easy ride home. We do want to share one funny story with you and then we'll let you go.

By now you and the whole world knows what a hard time we had with the girls, especially our then 3 1/2 year old Taia. She was really tough. Daria was pretty much fixated on the DVD player watching Russian Disney movies. We were in Moscow, at the airport getting ready to leave. We had to go through this one area where there was a booth which was a little bit more elevated than the ground level. Inside there was a stern, and we mean stern, looking woman with the full on green military looking uniform. She asked to see our passports. When she saw that we were U.S. citizens and our kids had Russian passports, she immediately became MORE stern, if that was even possible. She then left the booth and was consulting with another male co-worker. We were told that many Russians are very angry and upset over "their people" being taken from their country although we're sure she hadn't gone to any orphanges any time during her lifetime. In fact, Russian society looks down upon kids raised in the "Detsky Domes" and thinks of them as the lowest common denominator in society. These kids have a high suicide rate and a life span of about 30 years. Most become street people and drug users since the government has them kicked out around the age of 16. Their future is truly bleak. Even their ID is stamped with a special stamp that keeps them from getting jobs and pretty much labels them the bottom of the barrel. The Russian population in general does not want to adopt them. Sorry to get off the subject. Anyways, the woman kept us detained for a bit, going back and forth and talking to this guy. We were getting a little worried but we became more panicked when we were asked to pick up Taia and hold her up to this reflective mirror they had next to the booth so that she could match the passport picture to the child. Can you imagine the terror we had? We thought if we pick her up, she'll probably scream or punch us in the face! After an intense 5 seconds of "Please Jesus, make her not do anything while I pick her up, please!", Pano quickly picked her up and put her down. We think that she didn't expect this and it threw her off. The woman gave us one of the dirtiest looks ever and returned our passport and let us through. Thank you Jesus!

The flight home, well you know the story, was bad but it was well worth getting out of there and into our home.

We can't tell you how excited we are for you and how badly we want to see you. We love you very much and feel such a special connection to you. It'll soon be over and it will seem almost surreal.

For the friends adopting from China, we tried to get on your blog and write to you but couldn't. If you want to talk, we'd love to. Our email address is superduperteacher@adelphia.net

Good luck and hang in there! It's getting closer by the hour. We'll talk to you next posting.

Your Friends,

Pano, Sperry, Daria, & Taia; April 26, 2008 at 8:03 AM
photography said...: Hi Clodfelter family! Christos voskres! Happy Easter. Are traditions over there similar to what we did, ate growing up? I'm imagining beautiful pysanky.

The koeshkas and sabakas here are doing well. The cats are actually starting to venture out at night and then Jotsi will sense them and they will run back under the bed. Fraulie and Jotsi were sleeping in bed with me last night and Meno jumped up, not realizing the sabakas were there. I got a few quick pets in before Jotsi's koeshka alarm went off.

Pano and Sperry, I love reading your stories. It's like a blog within a blog. You should write a book. Your stories and information are not only helping Jayne and Rich with parenting but will help me to be a better aunt. Thanks. I really look forward to meeting your family. You sound like great people....and Happy Easter to you too!

Well, it's another hot one here today. I better get over to Fullerton before it gets too hot.

Love you all. Give a big squeeze and kiss to Vlady and Alexei for me. Jotsi sends face licks!

Love,
Carolyn

PS The word koeshka reminded me of one of my favorite polkas "Who Stole the Kiszka". This will make you laugh... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAmLXrMv4-c
And this will make you laugh so hard you'll cry... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qnsK0PRmI&feature=related; April 26, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Anonymous said...: Rich and Jayne,
We are praying for you and the boys. You are doing a good job! Thank God for stubborn Clodfelters!
We just can't wait till you are back home again! Will be praying for you all on the plane ride.
Paul sends his love too and will write as soon as his movie is done and he gets off the couch!!
Sending you so much love and support and many, many hugs to sustain you!
love,
auntie katy; April 26, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Anonymous said...: Congration, Rich and Jayne I miss you both a lot, and am looking to se you both and the boys soon, I have been praying all ever day that your trip home is safe and quick I love all a lot your brother and now another uncle, Paul; April 26, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Anonymous said...: ZHi guys!! Yes, at this point of our trip things started to become a little bittersweet. I was happy to be going home (we missed the dogs SOOO much)...but there truly will NEVER ben another time with uninterrupted family time. SO, enjoy the last few days. You will leave a piece of your heart there, for certain!! We continue to think of you guys, and catching your website every single day. We miss the amusement part, and MOSTLY the water. Thinking of you all......hugs! Katie and Sam; April 26, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Guys- 5 (or 4?) days to go!!!!! Youre almost there!! Cant wait till you get home so we can chat on the phone. Sounds like things are going great and the boys are doing well. You two must be exhausted by this point....but you will have to get used to it...at least for the next 18+ years...and then some:) The pics are adorable!! How cute!! Looking forward to your return to the states....good luck n the plane ride...take lots to keep them busy and theyll be fine...they might evn like it (for the first 2 hours or so...not sure about the following 23....lol). Not sure if I will get a chance to comment at all this week...Nicks baseball season is in full swing....he's pitching now!!! If I dont, please now you are in my thoughts and prayers. Give me a call when you get back and get settled in. Love you all!!
Bern, Jeff, Nick and Abby XOXOXO; April 27, 2008 at 5:25 PM