Winded!

Well, today around 2p.m. we made our first trek up the hill by foot to see Marina, and Constantine led the way. I was glad I wore tennis shoes because if I'd worn sandles I would have slipped out the back of them, that is how steep the hill is. By the time we got to the top we were feeling the burn in our legs, panting and gasping for breath! Constantine seemed just fine:) Along the way, I wanted to take in the beautiful surroundings, but we had to keep our eyes to the ground and watch out for cow patties, cows and goats. They take their animals and tie them out on a stake with a chain and collar around their necks. On the way home, James stopped to pet a goat and she was loving it and stretching her nose towards the sky while he scratched her neck . . . she even licked her lips!! I think she liked it :) Anyway, the landscape makes me think of the Sound of Music where she sings "the hills are alive . . ." So, we saw Marina and apparently they have school on Sat. too - 6 days a week, but only from 8 till 1 or 2 pm. A shorter day than at home, but one more day a week. She thought having school 5 days a week sounded much better. She also said she was looking forward to sleeping in like she did this summer, and we told her NO WAY, not during school :) She said okay. We visited and walked around. Olga and Natasha and one other little girl stayed with us and they were goofing off and having us take pictures of them with our phone and making little movies with the phone as well. Then some boys their same age came around and were teasing Olga, so we teased them back and they didn't quite know what to make of that. They must know Olga could take them down, because if she went after them, they would take off running, only to return like a fly. We took the girls a bead set so they can make some necklaces and rings, etc. ,but they only wanted to visit with us and said they would make things later. I thought they would want to use the kit right away. They did decide who would use which color beads though. Tomorrow we will go see her around noon. I gave her a hug from those of you who asked us to and she said "oh, thank you" :) When we left today, she actually hugged James back! This is a milestone because usually she leans in for a hug, but won't put her arms around him and hug back. Today she did and he ate it up:) Glad to hear things are going well with the girls and that some other family members have been able to see them while they have been with Ben and Jenn. I am so grateful for good friends and a wonderful supportive family! I am thinking the earliest we could return will be around the 20th, but again this depends on many factors which could change. Still trying to figure out how to post our pictures . . . I know I keep promissing, but it's not so easy with a slow connection and big files. Take care, more tomorrow.