Ch-ch-ch-changes...

My oldest son has moved. A couple of weeks ago, he changed his address from the room that he has shared with his two brothers to a room of his very own. After 3 years of triple bunks, complaints about Max's snoring, and differing sleep patterns (he likes to sleep in and the other kids are early risers), Madiyar decided he was ready for a change. We decided our boy has demonstrated a great deal of growth in recent months and so has earned the perk of his own room. This is probably the first time in his life that he's slept in a room alone, given his early history with his birth family and his years in the orphanage system. (When they first came to us, none of our kids from KZ could imagine sleeping in a room without company...they were too accustomed to sharing sleeping quarters with 13-18 other kids each night.) It's a testament to his comfort level in our family that he's ready to take this first step toward independence.

The former guest room/computer room has been transformed into a young man's bedroom, offering our 16 1/2 year old a space he can call his own and fix up to suit himself. The first change made was to turn the formerly sunny space into a man-cave with room-darkening curtains. Since he likes to sleep in pitch blackness and the other two boys like a light on at night, this was a big deal. He also likes having a double bed instead of his former twin bunk; we finished off the more grown-up digs with a black and grey color scheme for linens. He has a new set of flannel sheets to match his favorite comforter and the new curtains. The flag of Kazakhstan hangs proudly over his bed, right next to a photo of the American flag. Some of Madiyar's own artwork graces the other walls, would love to see him hang more of his stuff as he really has talent. (And no, I'm not biased or anything...)

He worked hard on the transformation, busily moving furniture and setting up his computer desk. He even built himself a desktop computer with Dad's help, scavenging from older systems and spare parts until he had just what he wanted for a computer system....and he's very proud of himself. Lastly, he asked if he could keep the ironing board and iron in his room because he likes to keep his clothes pressed. What lovely music to a mother's ears...I carried the board and iron up to his new digs myself!

Even more amazing is that my boy is suddenly tidy. Without a single word from me, he has adopted a new-found sense of responsibility for his possessions and space. His dirty clothes are no longer all over the floor and his clean clothes are folded and in his dresser drawers. He makes his bed each day and leaves his room so neat it's scary. And get this...he wakes up early in the morning without prompting and irons a shirt for school. Don't know how long this will last but I'm loving this new level of maturity.