Chicken Soup

While we were at the market, our facilitator said that we should get a fresh chicken and we would make soup. That sounded like a great idea! We had been eating out far too much and were happy to stay home and cook. We had no idea exactly how 'fresh' the chicken would really be. No, we didn't have to pluck feathers (just a few) but check it out.....

I would have had no idea what to do with this, but Oksana knew! She chopped the head off (we saved it to feed to the dog here at the clinic) and sliced it open. She cut out the kidneys, heart, stomach, eggs and other various assorted parts. It was really a good cooking lesson for me! Then we put it in a pot with water and boiled for 1.5 hours. Then she added salt, potatoes, onions, and some noodles and boiled longer. What turned out was an EXCELLENT dinner.....

It was really delicious and we ate on this 2 nights for dinner. We also had sliced cucumbers (from the market) and a bowl of shredded carrots that had been marinated with garlic and we don't know what else that we bought from a Korean lady at the market. She told us tonight that chicken prepared in this manner is a traditional dish served after a funeral. We loved it! I am not sure where I could get a fresh chicken at home, but I am hoping to be able to replicate funeral chicken. Yummy!!

Of course, the highlights of our days are the visits with our little one. We are allowed to see him twice a day. We can't tell you too much about him until the process is final, but we can brag a little and tell you how smart he is! He is doing a great job repeating English words, working on sticker books, coloring, and tonight he put together a 35 piece puzzle! We were impressed! Of course we also spend a lot of time outside - swinging, kicking a ball, digging in the sand. He is all boy! Jason is pleased to see how much he LOVES cars! His first request was for a red truck and we were happy to oblige. He has already run the wheels completely off!! He doesn't realize all of the car racing that is in his future! He is so sweet. We got our first real hugs yesterday and they were precious! [Everyone is asking about sizes.....that's a tough one! The sizes here are totally different. We will tell you once we have an idea!]

The paperwork is moving forward. The petition for adoption will get filed tomorrow and we are hopeful to have a court date soon! We are enjoying this time to focus on him and really get to play, play, play together. We so appreciate your prayers. You have no idea how much paperwork still has to be completed for this adoption. Please pray that everything will go smoothly! We will keep you posted!!! We miss and love you all!