I Don't Mind Answering That

Mike and Christie said...
How many loads of laundry do you attack each day and do you limit your children's clothing so you don't have mount washmore?And.... how much does an average meal at a restaurant cost???? LOL(you don't have to answer that one) :)

Currently, I average 2-3 loads a day. I usually try to have one laundry free day a week and double up the next. I hang up majority of the laundry when it's still hot and fresh out of the dryer--- saves time on ironing (something I hardly ever do). The girls fold most of the clothes like towels, pajamas and socks.

When we eat out, on average the bill for our family of thirteen is around $100 for a place like Chilis. That is why we usually only go out for birthdays or special occasions.

To make up for the cost of eating out, I usually make a few meals like this during the week.

This is a family favorite that feeds us all for around $5. It is Chili Mac with corn.

Anonymous said...
I apologise if this is too personal, but at what age were Rachel and Annalyn adopted by their previous families?

Annalyn was first adopted when she was 6 years old and joined our family when she was 8 1/2. Rachel came to the states when she was 10 and joined our family when she was 11 1/2.

Sarah said...
I have a couple questions:* I remember reading somewhere that Anna has FAS. Do her and Sveta have similar discipline problems? Cognitive level, etc.? Or is she even affected at all, and just has physical characteristics?* How does Dennis fake eye work? Does it always stay in that position? Or does it move with his head so that it appears he is looking at them? Is he a candidate for an eye transplant? Do you have to take it out and wash the eye cavity out?I know it is a lot of questions, I have no experience with any of this and I'm just curious. Thanks,Sarah

Must be a mix-up--- Anna doesn't have FAS. Dennis' prosthetic eye is like an oversized guitar pick. Since the surgeon did not remove the whole eye (just the inside), there is still movement which in turn moves the prosthetic eye here and there. Nothing too impressive though---- for the most part it just sits there. And about the eye transplant--- I have been told that there is no such thing--- just cornea transplants which no he is not a candidate for. Normally, I would not have to take Dennis' eye out to clean it because believe it or not, it serves as a barrier with very little discharge unless of course it gets infected----- in which case you put the eye away for a few days. :)

Anonymous said...
Do any of your adopted children still speak Russian/Ukrainian? If not, would it be an option for them to learn it when they are older?-Tiffany

No they only speak English. If they want to re-learn their native tongue when they are older we would be fully supportive.

Thomas said...
My wife and I adopted a little boy who is 7 years old and has FAS. I loved reading your post on Sveta but do you think she will always have to live with you or do you think she will be able to live and work independently? My wife and I love reading your blog learning from all your experiences.

Hard as it is for me to say this as her Mom, I am not sure that she will be able to live 100% independently. I still doubt that she will be able to ever pass the drivers test for her to get her license. But that's okay---- and we are fine with whatever the future holds for Sveta. I am pretty sure that she will successfully hold down a job working with animals at a shelter or a pet store or something. Sveta is hardworking and loyal---- and will not let her FAS stop her from living her dream of taking care of animals!