Sharing Russia with my Russian son

I read on a friends blog recently that she was trying to figure out how to keep Russia a part of her new daughters life. I had been toying with that as well since we brought Aidan home. . .17 or so months ago! But, I think I finally have it started, at least.

First, I decided to publish my blog in smaller increments. The first will be from when I started it to the day we came home with him. . .ie. Citizenship Day! Then, I will do it by year: January 1 through December 31. I've started the editing and am including referral pictures, place pictures, etc. These will become Coffee Table books--for as long as Aidan allows his Mama to have them out!

Then, I painted one wall that is in my family room (it backs up to the stairs that go up) Red Red Wine. Turned out pretty cool, too!


It has white trim and the banister is wood. Then, I redid my picture collage on that wall and put up pictures of Russia: St. Basil's, The Kremlin tower, Christ the Redeemer Cathedral, Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, the Krasnoyarsk Chapel, and some Rubles we had left over. Pat's first response: You're obsessed with Russia! Me: No duh! My son is from there! Pat's second response: You need more pictures on the left--maybe another multi-picture frame that goes up and down. Me: Now your talkin'!

Yesterday we painted our foyer a really nice golden tan color. The stairs down to the basement, the stairs up and the upper hallway will be the same color (it's all open and part of the same space). The upper hall will house pictures of Aidan in his school years. . .marching down the hall--I've always loved that look in other peoples houses! The basement stairs will have cool pictures of Aidan with special people: one of Aidan and Ellie (she came from the same orphanage) in front of the White House; one of Aidan and his cousins at the beach; and another which I have not chosen yet. In his room, I have an icon of Sts. Methodius and Cyril, the two priests who brought Christianity to Russia and it is next to a Russian Orthodox Cross.

We keep Russia in our converstaions a lot so that Aidan is used to hearing about it. As he grows, we add on to what we've told him. One day he will be old enough and mature enough to hear the whole story. But, that won't happen for a while. In the meantime, we just say things like, "When we brought you home on the airplane from Russia. . ." It seems to be enough for now.

I studied Russian history in college. So, I think/pray/hope that I will be able to talk to him openly, honestly, and with a lot of love so that he can see all of the similarities between his two countries. I don't know if it will all be good for him, but I will always show him what a special place Russia is to his Mama! : )