Two Letters, Two Countries, One Family

Its an adventure opening my mailbox these days. Scattered among the bills and sale ads are postcards from Postcrossing, movies borrowed from Netflix and just yesterday two letters from our ever growing family.

Ian's sister Natasha sent us a letter enclosed with two Russian stamps and a picture. I am happy to post that her "new" mother, who is also named Natasha, and her new Babushka are pleased as punch to have her with them. I am grateful to know Natasha is happy, healthy and in a loving home.

Ian's other three sisters also wrote a letter filled with drawings and accompanied a box full of cookies made by their own hands. I am so thankful that their mother and father are willing to put up with me in their lives.

It is a bit harder to contact Ian's birthmother but we do get a letter here and there sent to her. We hear more from his Grandmother in Russia. In fact she sent a message through Yulia, the oldest sister who lives in Delaware, for Ian to send pictures to her.

I feel a little lost regarding Ian's younger brother that is still with his birthmother. Ian asks after him quite a lot and has one of his pictures next to his bed, along with a picture of his three sisters in the USA and a pic of his sister still in Russia. He has told me that soon, there will be a picture of all of them together. He even has a specified space on the wall for this picture.

Its hard to explain to Ian why his brother is still with his birthmother while the rest of the children are scattered across the globe. Here is one article I have found regarding one sibling is placed for adoption while another is not.