I know what you are thinking, and yes, I am taking my meds. Its not that kind of ill, I am sick! Don’t start warming up the violins of pity just yet, its not that bad. No mother, I do not need to be air lifted home. I think I caught a bug from Katya who has been coughing for a couple of days. She has medicine, but won’t take it. Anyway, I have what I will term the “crud-ish-ka” You know, to give it some Ukrainian flavor. Luckily we brought with us enough antibiotics to cure Eastern Europe of what ails them so I have promptly popped the first 2 pills of my Z-pack. Don’t start with all the “Americans are taking too many antibiotics” stuff. Wait until you are in another country with multicolored goop running from you nose, headaches that cause your eyes to cross, upset stomach with a 10 to 1 chance of having to use a squatty-potty, and your throat burns so much that the sound of hot coals would be refreshing. I want to give you the full version, you know so you appreciate me more and your admiration increases. I have a tad bit of fever, but nothing to be alarmed about unless you are Jerry the Lysol spokesman. Bless him, he can’t find any Lysol so he just keeps spraying everything with the pipe-tobacco scented air freshener that was left at the apartment by the previous tenant. It smells like all three of us have taken up smoking. I know that you are terribly worried about your reigning ruler and that even now you are trying to figure out just how you can get me some chicken noodle soup, but don’t worry I am taking care of myself. I have laid up on the couch all day under covers. Why is it that when we are sick we like to lay on the couch? Anyway, I did try to go to Vasilivik today with the boys but riding in the car made me sick at my stomach and when we stopped so I could go to a restroom, well there were squatty-potties and I decided that the best thing for this old girl to do was head right back home. So I stayed at home munching on antibiotics while the boys went to Vasilivik. My fever is lower, the headache has dulled and things are a lighter shade of green so the Z-pack is working. Now if I can just get Jerry to take off the surgical suit and stop trying to prep the room for surgery I will be fine. O.k. so the boys went to Vasilivik and saw the judge—did you hear that, I could have swore I heard a villain laughing. Anyway, she was her usual cheery, friendly, helpful self—sorry the fever came back up. She was as usual difficult, but a little more softer after Sergey did some groveling. She actually asked about the case for the first time. So things seem a little more relaxed, if you can call it that. Also the registration number, can’t believe that I almost forgot about that. Tomorrow the number will be issued so all is good there. It was decided, by a panel or judges, just kidding, by the local inspectors that he should be registered in Vasilivik so the deputy director will do that tomorrow. Please pray for her daughter, Polina, she has also been sick with the crudishka. I am STILL just in awe of how good God really is and how much He is watching out for all of us. So only the boys made it to Vasilivik today. Jake was as always wanting to know every detail exactly. He is SUCH a detail guy and all this waiting and paperwork is getting on his nerves. So Jerry explained the details that we know. Please be in prayer for the situation with remaining family. There is some friction and later I might be able to be more detailed, but sometimes even the things that really don’t have any control over us can still cast a shadow on our emotions. The boys are getting closer than ever. They are so funny together! Now Jake has always been closer to me than anyone. There is just a bond there and I knew exactly when it began to form. I can still see him, three years ago at Birmingham, we had spent several days with him doing everything we could to just be with him and together. There he was in the kitchen trying to find his shoes, and he looked up and saw me and the biggest smile came over that face as he dropped his shoes and gave me a huge hug. There was just a love there that has only grown. Jerry has really had to develop a relationship with Jake, because of a past history, Jake is not as trusting of men (and especially those that resemble Hitler). Today was good for Jerry to be with Jake and Jon, you know just the boys. As they were talking about the details Jerry asked Jake if he knew what would happen after the court hearing. Jake looked at him wondering what he was talking about, and Jerry said, “Well Jon will legally be your brother! Do you still want him?” Jake smiled and said “Nah.” and then grabbed Jon up and hugged him and kissed him and said “Just kidding!” Then Jerry asked if he knew what would happen when he was legally Jon’s brother and Jake looked at him with tears then Jerry said, “You will legally be my son and that is forever.” Jake teared up and hugs happened and “I love yous” happened. And I missed it!!! I was jealous at first, but more proud that Jerry got those moments with the boys. Oh my goodness, this has been a journey. When the Jerry and Jon got back to the apartment I received my instructions to call Jake so he could check on me. We talked and he evaluated me and gave me his diagnosis and Jon has covered me up and Jerry’s bringing me stuff and although I am sickly I do so enjoy the perks of being the queen of three boys. So I will be going back to my nest to cuddly in my covers, sip some hot tea, watch Jurassic Park (yuck) with Jon, ring my bell for Jerry to hand feed my a cookie and I might even pop another antibiotic. Hugs and sniffles from me to you.
