Kubatsa

That is the word that the Russian kids used for "swimming" when they came. Igor chanted "kubatsa" every morning when he got up that first summer. Here he is, tan and macho-looking, on a tube at the lake. What a difference from that first summer! There has been a lot of water fun for this bunch so far this summer. Uncle Steve has taken the pontoon boat to the Lake twice already, and the jet ski once at least. The jet ski didn't run very long but a lot of fun was had with the tubes anyway. The boat loaded with 10 of my kids and 10 or so of the cousins, aunts and uncles really made us look like a party boat. We got some looks cruising around checking out the mansions. Some peoples boat houses looked as if they cost more than the gross income of some countries.
Fern was here for about a week after I returned from my peaceful Alaska trip. I hated to see her go. She did a great job with the house and little kids, ran a fun kids camp, basically. She and Ben will be back at Thanksgiving which will be here sooner than I think.
I have been trying to keep everyone busy so that we minimize conflict. Mark Rutland, who ran a boys camp for years, says the only good boy is a tired boy. You would think daily ultimate frisbee games, YMCA workouts, yard work and swimming would do it. For most of them it works just fine. Sergey, on the other hand, can't be made good by being made tired. Seems to have the opposite effect. We are watching the phone for a call from the Outdoor Therapy Program and holding on. He is at my sisters for a few days to give the kids a break. I still feel guilty about him going to OTP, buying in to his accusations that it is my fault, if I hadn't taken him to mental health none of this would be happening, no meds, no stigma...I have to keep reminding myself that I really held it all off as long as I could, that his own actions have put him where he is. His mother may have been drunk when she was pregnant, he was horribly abused and neglected, but he CAN control his temper, he does it in public when he wants to save face, when he wants to impress people. He has danced around outright violence for several months now ( thanks, in part, to his medicine) but his verbal tirades, hateful comments, and cruel treatment of all the younger kids in the family are more than children should have to put up with. I have run out of ideas, sending him in exile to his room being the only way to have a few minutes peace. He knows that and yells spiteful things back down the stairs as he goes. I know that OTP will not be like extreme home makeover. I really think that prayer and battling with the devil for him over the long haul is what will make the ultimate difference. It will still be his decision, but I am going to keep beating on the door of Heaven, knowing that God will keep after him, just like he brought him out of that orphanage and into my life. OTP will give him and us some space, maybe break some habits and give him some tools.
In other news: Raymond has a lifeguard job and a car and is enjoying flapping his wings. Salvador scored 3 goals in his first soccer game, Anya got 3rd place in butterfly at the last swim meet, Alina lost 2 front teeth and when she got money under her pillow, worked out a 3rd one (I'm glad the others are stuck tight). Elijah has his first short haircut (will post pictures later). We are now eating new potatoes and fresh tomatoes from the garden. I made some killer salsa with the first chili peppers. Even Alina ate it, gulping water between bites. There may be more Russians than Mexicans but they're all addicted to hot sauce and cilantro.