On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:16:01 -0700 (PDT), Tim wrote:

On Jul 25, 8:16 pm, John H. wrote:
...had the ultimate treat today - a boat ride on the Potomac. We put in at
the Pohick Bay launch ramp and cruised up to the Lincoln Memorial so they
could see the sights from water. They had a super time, and so did we.
(Except for forgetting the camera!) They fly back to Belarus on Tuesday,
but we're already thinking of having them back again next year.

One day we drove by the local fire station, and saw a couple of the firemen
sitting outside. We stopped, explained who the boys were, and asked if they
could look at a fire truck. Well, the two firemen (one of whom was female)
were just falling all over themselves to show the boys a nice time. I was
wondering if they were going to take them for a ride with sirens and all!

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ndLosha181.jpg

and,

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ndLosha184.jpg

I was wondering how you all were getting along. I think that was a
great idea of your church sponsoring those kids to come to the US and
stay with you. (that is, if I remember correctly)

I doubt if you can speak any russian, and I don't' think they could
speak any english, but it seems like "ice cream" is universal!

You're correct in all.

Yesterday, after their favorite meal (hot dogs at Costco) we took them to
Dairy Queen. They've learned the word 'chocolate'!

It's a great vacation for the kids, and a pain in the butt for us. But when
they leave, we'll have tears running down our face as we say goodbye. It's
remarkable how strong an attachment can be formed in only a few weeks. They
soon seem like part of the family. One of these boys lives with his
grandmother. His mother's in jail for stealing, his father is not to be
found, and his grandfather is dead. The other lives in a two-roomer with
three siblings, a mother, and a father who's an alcoholic. Alcoholism is
the favorite illness over there, it seems. Every boy that's stayed with us,
and had a father at home, had an alcoholic for a father. Damn shame.

We'll probably have them back next year, but don't tell my wife I said
that!

BTW, you sound upbeat about your wife. That's good. Anytime the mood
strikes, give me a call.