Grins and Goodbyes

     On Wednesday we started our play time inside for a change of scenery.  T typically gravitates to John and P with me so that's how the morning began.  T and John were stacking blocks and putting things in and out of a bucket and generally having a good time.  P and I found a toy that is a character with a hole at the top where you put a ball that then falls through a series of steps.  I only had to show him 2 times and he was all about this new game.  He could not get enough of it.  We had little fly wheel cars that they enjoyed for a short time but they really didn't hold their attention. We also read them a book that we will be recording our voices on to leave with them at our last visit. After about  1 1/2 hours we moved outside and ended up on the lower playground as there were a  lot of kids at the upper playground.  They have the same equipment at both.  We had the riding cars out again but they were distracted by the other kids and T would follow them with his eyes in a sad way and seemed to be wondering why he couldn't play with them.  We moved over to the bench swing and I eventually got T laughing and P joined us there too.  For the last 30 minutes we moved up to the other sandbox area and had a great time tossing the boys in the air and going down the slide.  We fed them lunch again, which went well and then the social worker came for them.  The are always happy to see her and each grab a hand and head off to nap time.  We always say Ciao T! Ciao P! and usually get a little head turn and half grin from T.  Today was the same.  I am not looking forward to tomorrow's goodbye already...the half grin will just not be enough I am sure.
     Today we got to the orphanage early, as usual, and waited in the lobby for them to come walking down the hallway.  I hear the social worker and look up to see them wearing the jeans and matching striped shirts we brought for them.  It is Visa picture time and boy do they look cute! T walked right over to John and grabbed his hand and started walking him down the hallway and P did the same with me...so sweet!   We took them in a car, with T on a caregivers lap and P on my lap.  Hopefully one of the last times they will be without a car seat.  Driving in Bulgaria is a little crazy.  The pictures went great and headed back for play time.  We went outside to swing and right away I gave the camera to Plamena and asked her to take as many pictures as she wanted all morning.  We stayed at the upper playground and went down to the end where we found all kinds of sticks and rocks and dandelions to play with.  We were coloring, playing with stickers, sliding, blowing bubbles and had so much fun.  It was getting warm (81 was the high today) so we moved in side and got out the play dough and colors again.  At some point T found John's phone and was hilarious with it and P was busy putting things in and out of buckets again.  We read them the book again, this time our voices were recorded.  Hopefully that will help them remember us.  We also printed out several photos from the week to add to the albums we brought along.  Then it was lunch time and it was good but super messy.  We cleaned up and started forcing our last minutes kisses and snuggles on them, with whispers of I love you, and Jesus loves you, and we'll be back soon sweet boys.  The social worker came and off they went down the hall to the elevator each holding a hand.  We gave our usual Ciao T!  Ciao P!  and got the little half grin as they got to the elevator.  And then, T let go of the hand he was holding and with a big grin walked over to his mama and gave me the best hug.  P figured he should do as brother does so he walked over to John and did the same.  Then we switched and hugged and kissed and cried some more.  The best goodbye I could've asked for.  I am sure that there was a whisper only T could hear that sent him to my arms.  God is so good.
     We drove away and my silent tears and prayers fell.  After a long afternoon in Varna, we took a late flight to Sofia and again I cried and prayed as the plane was taking me farther away from my boys.  So thankful that they are known by Someone who will take great care of them while we are apart.  Counting the days until we can return.