Because Every Child Needs a Family

"Whatever you did for one
of the least of these . . you did for me." Matt 25:40

Us

Friday, July 4, 2008

Drama at the Christoffersons

When I said, "I AM THE DRAMA QUEEN!" I was really referring to my ability to intentionally over dramatize otherwise undramatic situations. I didn't mean I wanted drama to happen in my life! I prefer to create it myself, thank you very much.

So the reason why I haven't been keeping you updated, Gentle Readers, is because one of our dear children became sick just less than 24 hours after arriving. We all know and perhaps have first hand experience of having stomach flu after you arrive to a foreign country? Not so pleasant , eh? Okay, say you are a 10 year old girl without prior travel experience and the person who is taking care of you is NOT a medical professional, and they don't speak your language except to say, "Are you hurt?" or "Are you nauseas?" or "Do you have diarrhea?" and you cant keep anything down. There you have it, Gentle Readers. That is Sasha for the first 6 days of American Experience.
I thought I was in hell and I'm positive Sasha thought the same 'cause said she wanted to go home.
We took her to the ER on Sunday morn because she was so badly dehydrated. Yes, they did the IV thing. It hurt the whole 2 hours. We took her home with meds. No improvement. I was so frustrated and helpless. After we got home, I wanted her to see a doc who could check her lab results, but our system is . . . we pre-empt this post to protect the writer from sinning in word.
You get the idea.
A benevolent friend who is a nurse-practitioner returned home from vacation just in time to intercept another visit to the ER. He was able to help us use the $22 a pill meds to Sasha's best advantage and prescribe more to get her happy and well again in less than 48 hours.

Saturday, we were in heaven again. The six of us were camping in the beautiful Colorado mountains.

Now Sasha says she is having "too much fun and never wants to leave." YEAH!
This is what we signed up for! They laugh and giggle and are delighted with the littlest of things. Things we grew bored with long ago. I've never seen children consume so many fresh fruits and vegetables. Our sour cherries don't make it into the house! They wait well and they play well without much supervision. While we have had to do some "time outs" with Nastia, we are so glad she has enough self-esteem to make her wises known.

One bit of advice, I recommend for anyone who is considering hosting or adopting.
GET YOURSELF AN INTERPRETER. Our friend Tanya has been a life-saver! Beg, hire, enslave, but get an interpreter!