What can I say? My girls love chicken!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What A Way to Wake Up
It was time to wake up. Everyone else had already been up for a while. Caleb resisted even though I had reminded him the night before that I expected him to get up by 10 am and if that was a problem he should go to be earlier than midnight. I yelled from the bottom of the stairs for him to wake up-- Adam offered to help me out and be Caleb's alarm clock.
So, Adam went into the room set up his amp and gave Caleb a front row electric guitar solo.
So, Adam went into the room set up his amp and gave Caleb a front row electric guitar solo.
THAT WOKE HIM UP!
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Spoon
Today Paul was sitting outside on the swing with me when he showed me how loose his tooth was. I asked him if he wanted me to pull it. He shook his head no exclaiming how much that would hurt. Once he heard that if he puts his tooth under his pillow he will wake up with a surprise instead, he was all for me pulling it. And it didn't take much for me to pull it out-- it was that loose.
I showed him how to put his tooth in a plastic bag and stick it under his pillow. A huge smile followed. I think this was exactly what we needed for our relationship-- you know-- bonding. he actually kissed me on the cheek at bedtime. 
"Well Mom, Dennis was bugging me while I was doing this puzzle so I asked him to go downstairs and get me a spoon so he would be busy for a while. At first he didn't know what I was talking about so he came back upstairs and had me ask him again. That took him more time-- probably a whole 10 minutes that he didn't bug me!"
Isn't she clever?
**************************
Seeing this tonight made me smile. It has been awhile since Dennis has lined up all of the push toys like this.
Only a Mom can find this cute.
I showed him how to put his tooth in a plastic bag and stick it under his pillow. A huge smile followed. I think this was exactly what we needed for our relationship-- you know-- bonding. he actually kissed me on the cheek at bedtime.
This is all fine and dandy except that poor Anastasia is now trying to loosen her teeth so that she could experience the surprise under her own pillow! I had to tell her the best that I could that it looks like she will still loose at least six teeth over the next few years and to be careful not to pull her grown up teeth. Hopefully she understood me. ;)
**********************
Can you see the spoon in this picture? It seemed a bit odd to me since I do not allow the kids to eat outside the kitchen. I asked Julia about it and here is what she told me.
"Well Mom, Dennis was bugging me while I was doing this puzzle so I asked him to go downstairs and get me a spoon so he would be busy for a while. At first he didn't know what I was talking about so he came back upstairs and had me ask him again. That took him more time-- probably a whole 10 minutes that he didn't bug me!"
Isn't she clever?
**************************
Seeing this tonight made me smile. It has been awhile since Dennis has lined up all of the push toys like this.
Only a Mom can find this cute.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
It Has Been Decided
For the past few months, maybe longer, I have been wondering if me helping with struggling families was what I was supposed to be doing. I went back and forth with whether or not I should just stop altogether. It seemed like no matter how much I wanted to do good... I could never please everyone.
Well today I got my answer. Today I was informed that if I wanted to continue helping struggling families to be connected with families that could help them I would have to become a registered adoption facilitator. And in all honesty.... I just do not have the time or money.... nor did I ever want any money in return-- so what would be the point?
Today I feel like this door has been closed. Though I will continue to leave my door open to struggling families who want to email and talk, I will no longer be posting anything on my blog. And I am okay with that...... because with every door that is shut, I trust that God turns around and opens another.
Well today I got my answer. Today I was informed that if I wanted to continue helping struggling families to be connected with families that could help them I would have to become a registered adoption facilitator. And in all honesty.... I just do not have the time or money.... nor did I ever want any money in return-- so what would be the point?
Today I feel like this door has been closed. Though I will continue to leave my door open to struggling families who want to email and talk, I will no longer be posting anything on my blog. And I am okay with that...... because with every door that is shut, I trust that God turns around and opens another.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Catching Up
Ours days have been filled to the brim, or so it seems. Believe it or not-- blogging has taken a backseat for the time being. However, I will try and catch you up the last few days.
Paul got his reading glasses today and boy does he look handsome. Since he is only supposed to wear them when he reads, he was excited to go to the library where he wore them all he wanted-- which was until I finally told him as we were leaving that he didn't need them anymore.
John spent two hours at the dentist today. After two previous visits he finally got his temporary crown. In a few weeks he will be good to go!
Alex had a renal scan where we found out he has a horseshoe kidney. Next week he will be sedated while having a somatosensory test done. After that a few more tests are scheduled. After these battery of tests are done we should know if Alex will be a good candidate for any of the surgeries that help with bladder and bowel incontinence.
One of our children managed to get themselves tangled in their seatbelt-- literally, and we had to cut it. They are still working to pay it off.
We have been swimming and swimming and swimming. Anastasia can swim now but lacks the confidence of going out into the deep end. Paul is enjoying his freedom in the pool. He is no longer afraid to try anything and everything he sees his siblings doing. He can pick up rings at the bottom of the pool, he can swim backward, and he can jump through a ring floaty.
Tomorrow I take Anastasia and Paul for their physicals. I "forgot" to tell them about the shot they most likely will get. Why worry them ahead of time?
We are winding down our summer with only 17 days before school starts. On one had I think we are all beginning to go stir crazy but on the other hand I think we are just getting started now that majority of the adjustment issues have been worked through.
Paul got his reading glasses today and boy does he look handsome. Since he is only supposed to wear them when he reads, he was excited to go to the library where he wore them all he wanted-- which was until I finally told him as we were leaving that he didn't need them anymore.
John spent two hours at the dentist today. After two previous visits he finally got his temporary crown. In a few weeks he will be good to go!
Alex had a renal scan where we found out he has a horseshoe kidney. Next week he will be sedated while having a somatosensory test done. After that a few more tests are scheduled. After these battery of tests are done we should know if Alex will be a good candidate for any of the surgeries that help with bladder and bowel incontinence.
One of our children managed to get themselves tangled in their seatbelt-- literally, and we had to cut it. They are still working to pay it off.
We have been swimming and swimming and swimming. Anastasia can swim now but lacks the confidence of going out into the deep end. Paul is enjoying his freedom in the pool. He is no longer afraid to try anything and everything he sees his siblings doing. He can pick up rings at the bottom of the pool, he can swim backward, and he can jump through a ring floaty.
Tomorrow I take Anastasia and Paul for their physicals. I "forgot" to tell them about the shot they most likely will get. Why worry them ahead of time?
We are winding down our summer with only 17 days before school starts. On one had I think we are all beginning to go stir crazy but on the other hand I think we are just getting started now that majority of the adjustment issues have been worked through.
Monday, July 26, 2010
It is Clearly
It is clearly going to be a wonderful day! I just know it!
What an amazing difference it can make to get back into the Word with your children. Blessings!
What an amazing difference it can make to get back into the Word with your children. Blessings!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Our Summer Days
Dinner turned out incredible last night. I used homegrown tomatoes (peeled), garlic, and beautiful, yellow onions to flavor pan seared pork chops. I baked them until they were fork tender and laid them gently on a bed of rice pilaf married with buttery carrot coins.
All I can say is, "Mmmmmmmm." But William, Jonny, and Andrew did not want to eat what I made them so I invoked the "Peanut Butter Sandwich rule". Yup-- just peanut butter. No jam, no jelly, no honey. Pretty boring. (A fellow blogger mentioned this as an alternative to forcing kids to eat something they say they do not like. Hopefully it will get old quickly or I will have to buy stock in Skippy.)
And oh yeah-- no dessert. And boy did they choose a bad night to not have a dessert because it was so delicious. Rum cake-- minus half of the rum so more like mild rum cake. It had the most wonderful crunchy topping of pecans, butter, and rum. Some of the kids begged for two pieces-- so I was generous just so I wouldn't stand out being the only one to have two. :)
Being home 24/7 makes it easy to become a slave to the tv so I have to designate a few hours and sometimes a whole day where the tv has to be turned off. When I do this, I try to have something planned for the kids to do so they don't end up driving each other or me nuts.
Sveta impressed me when she did two puzzles in a row.
Paul and Anastasia can write both their first and last names. They now know about 10 words of English and are learning the alphabet. I called the school and decided to put them in fourth and sixth grade.
Dennis speaks in complete sentences now although only our family can understand completely what he is saying. Speech preschool should help with that. He is growing up way too fast.
Anastasia has taken an interest in music. In about six months when she knows enough English to understand instructions we will probably put her in music. She says she wants to learn the guitar but we may begin with piano since all of our other kids did.
The kids played with colored water and a water dropper. It entertained them for quite a while.
I entertained myself with my Ukrainian broom. :)
The other day we had our friends over again. Who knew a little baby could keep the kids so amused? :)
All I can say is, "Mmmmmmmm." But William, Jonny, and Andrew did not want to eat what I made them so I invoked the "Peanut Butter Sandwich rule". Yup-- just peanut butter. No jam, no jelly, no honey. Pretty boring. (A fellow blogger mentioned this as an alternative to forcing kids to eat something they say they do not like. Hopefully it will get old quickly or I will have to buy stock in Skippy.)
And oh yeah-- no dessert. And boy did they choose a bad night to not have a dessert because it was so delicious. Rum cake-- minus half of the rum so more like mild rum cake. It had the most wonderful crunchy topping of pecans, butter, and rum. Some of the kids begged for two pieces-- so I was generous just so I wouldn't stand out being the only one to have two. :)
Being home 24/7 makes it easy to become a slave to the tv so I have to designate a few hours and sometimes a whole day where the tv has to be turned off. When I do this, I try to have something planned for the kids to do so they don't end up driving each other or me nuts.
Sveta impressed me when she did two puzzles in a row.
Paul and Anastasia can write both their first and last names. They now know about 10 words of English and are learning the alphabet. I called the school and decided to put them in fourth and sixth grade.
Dennis speaks in complete sentences now although only our family can understand completely what he is saying. Speech preschool should help with that. He is growing up way too fast.
Anastasia has taken an interest in music. In about six months when she knows enough English to understand instructions we will probably put her in music. She says she wants to learn the guitar but we may begin with piano since all of our other kids did.
The kids played with colored water and a water dropper. It entertained them for quite a while.
I entertained myself with my Ukrainian broom. :)
The other day we had our friends over again. Who knew a little baby could keep the kids so amused? :)
Last night I gave Anna, Sveta, and Anastasia haircuts. Anastasia wanted me to cut drastic layers like I do with Rachel but her hair is just too straight and long to go and chop it up. So I did little layers and framed her face-- a compromise we were both pleased with. :)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thinking of You Dad
This month is my Dad's birthday. I guess that is why he is on my mind alot lately. I miss him. It is painful to lose someone you love. I look at Anastasia and Paul and wish that they could have met him. I look at my children and wish that they could've gotten to know him better too. But life is short and we didn't expect his life to end so soon. That is the thing with life. We never know when our time here on earth will be over. So make the most of it... please.
I miss you Dad.
I think alot of people do.
Happy Birthday.
I wish I could give you a big hug and hear your laugh.
I miss you Dad.
I think alot of people do.
Happy Birthday.
I wish I could give you a big hug and hear your laugh.
What's For Dinner?
I got out thick pork chops to thaw. I just thinly sliced them up.
I am thinking of winging it and doing something fun and zesty with them like making them into a Mexican Fiesta dish with garlic, fresh tomatoes, beans, corn, and cheese on a bed of Spanish rice.
William promised to put his elbows on the table (in defiance) if I did that with the pork chops instead of frying them up the normal way. So I sent him to his room.
He came down a while later and apologized-- but I anticipate some dinner drama anyway.
Moving on....
so what are you making for dinner?
I am thinking of winging it and doing something fun and zesty with them like making them into a Mexican Fiesta dish with garlic, fresh tomatoes, beans, corn, and cheese on a bed of Spanish rice.
William promised to put his elbows on the table (in defiance) if I did that with the pork chops instead of frying them up the normal way. So I sent him to his room.
He came down a while later and apologized-- but I anticipate some dinner drama anyway.
Moving on....
so what are you making for dinner?
The Ukrainian Tooth Fairy Must Have Visited Today
After Anna reminding me three days in a row that the tooth fairy had not visited her yet-- the Ukrainian tooth fairy visited her and brought her some Orbit Pomegranate gum.
I told her, "Well Anna, what can you expect when you girls don't fall asleep until nearly midnight? The tooth fairy wants to get some sleep too, you know." :)
She smiled.... I winked.
I told her, "Well Anna, what can you expect when you girls don't fall asleep until nearly midnight? The tooth fairy wants to get some sleep too, you know." :)
She smiled.... I winked.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Not Just Mommy Can Kiss My Owies Away
Jonny stubbed his toe the other evening.
But a kiss from Daddy made it all better.
But a kiss from Daddy made it all better.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Celebrating Life
Our kitten Bello is growing up. He is just a sweet and fun, little thing. After shutting down my planter to his potty activities, I got him a litterbox and even put a little of the dirt from the planter he was using to carry over his scent-- but noooo.... he decided to go like a dog on the lawn. It was hilarious. So I, as gross as it sounds, picked up his business and put it in the litterbox and walked him through the motions of burying it. Well finally-- that worked!
Here he is just chilling in a tree.
One of the kids found this water sprinkler toy in the garage. Anastasia thought it was the neatest thing. Here we have a pool and this is what gave her the biggest smile to date.
She loved it! And so did her brothers.
They played and played.
Nothing beats an ice-cream sandwich on a hot summer day! Especially after proving that you can swim!
Way to go Paul!
The other night we went over to my Mom and Sister's house to pick up her car. She gave it to us since Adam will soon be driving. Thank you Sis! It is a wonderful car and we are enjoying it! Since we were near one of our favorite family restaurants "Red Robin" and we just got a free car, and it was Dennis' two year anniversary, and we just brought home our two new children-- we thought it would be nice to celebrate with dinner. And all the kids did great and we were blessed with the best waiter I think we have ever had.
Tonight the kids rediscovered this. Anastasia loved being scared! Her laugh was so cute and tonight I got to see a playful side of her that I hadn't seen before.
Here he is just chilling in a tree.
One of the kids found this water sprinkler toy in the garage. Anastasia thought it was the neatest thing. Here we have a pool and this is what gave her the biggest smile to date.
She loved it! And so did her brothers.
They played and played.
Paul has discovered the skateboard. After watching his brother Caleb he is now trying to find his balance.
Nothing beats an ice-cream sandwich on a hot summer day! Especially after proving that you can swim!
Way to go Paul!
The other night we went over to my Mom and Sister's house to pick up her car. She gave it to us since Adam will soon be driving. Thank you Sis! It is a wonderful car and we are enjoying it! Since we were near one of our favorite family restaurants "Red Robin" and we just got a free car, and it was Dennis' two year anniversary, and we just brought home our two new children-- we thought it would be nice to celebrate with dinner. And all the kids did great and we were blessed with the best waiter I think we have ever had.
Tonight the kids rediscovered this. Anastasia loved being scared! Her laugh was so cute and tonight I got to see a playful side of her that I hadn't seen before.
Monday, July 19, 2010
We Can Finally Say...
Dennis has been our son longer than he hasn't! That is a huge thing for our little guy... and for us. Yesterday made two years home. I remember that first week home with him like it was yesterday. Boy, has the time flown by. Boy, has Dennis grown into a little guy who has touched each and every single person's heart in our family in a way that we never imagined. The impact he has made in our lives will forever make him one special boy. Thank you God for making this precious life and entrusting us to be his family.
Dennis-- we are so glad you are home! We can't wait to celebrate many years more with you!
Dennis-- we are so glad you are home! We can't wait to celebrate many years more with you!
Retake successful
Testing all my kids' nerves, I packed them all into the van again today, determined to get a better picture taken.
I demanded that we all wear exactly the same clothes, stand in the exact same places relative to each other, and hold our hands and facial expressions in exactly the same way as in the picture whose background cars and crutch we didn't so much like.
Just an eight hour drive to this tropical, Mayan temple garden and the kids responded perfectly!!!
Ok. Actually fellow blog reader Kate worked her amazing skills and shared this for all of us. Thanks so much Kate !
I demanded that we all wear exactly the same clothes, stand in the exact same places relative to each other, and hold our hands and facial expressions in exactly the same way as in the picture whose background cars and crutch we didn't so much like.
Just an eight hour drive to this tropical, Mayan temple garden and the kids responded perfectly!!!
Ok. Actually fellow blog reader Kate worked her amazing skills and shared this for all of us. Thanks so much Kate !
All 16 of Us!
After two different locations and probably 50 shots per my request we finally have a new family picture. At first I wasn't too crazy about it because not every set of eyes are open wide, and not every set of beautiful teeth are showing-- but after some examination at both myself and the picture--- I have come to love it! I think it turned out great and just shows everyone's personality. If I could change one thing (not people) about it though--- it would be the cars in the background and John would take out the crutch.
Thank you Cousin Matt for your sweat and patience. :)
P.S. I would love to see your recent family shots-- so if you have one please leave a link to it!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Two Weeks Home
I am so pleased with how our whole family is adjusting. Sometimes I wait in anticipation for something big to happen because I've been conditioned to think that it is just a matter of time before something turns our world upside down. And then it doesn't happen and I think how foolish I was. And I think again-- how beautiful adoption is.
Now to say that things are perfect-- that would be a stretch, but our family never has been perfect and probably never will be. The bickering continues-- and my English speaking children try to get their point across as much as my Russian speaking children do. And somehow they pretty much get each other to understand what the other is saying and life goes on. John and I think it is hilarious the way Anastasia and Paul talk to us like we completely understand their language. They spill their hearts out to us about how Andrew splashed one of them or how Jonny won't stop tickling their feet underwater-- well it is more Anastasia but both do it. And John and I get the gist of what they are saying and they seem to approve when we tell Jonny or Andrew to cut it out, but in all honesty we only understood maybe one or two words out of everything they say. But we pretend to know because we know it makes them feel safe.
And to say that there wasn't a moment or two last week where I felt overwhelmed..... wondering if I could even be a mother to these two new children-- would be a lie. Because I did. And yet having been through this before-- I knew my feelings were normal... and I pressed forward... and I didn't allow them to consume me... and so they didn't.
To share this openly I feel that perhaps I could be told "Told you so", or I could scare off prospective adoptive parents, or even worse-- I could hurt Anastasia and Paul if they ever read this. Yet--- I can take it if someone wanted to rub our adoption in our face, and I somehow think that I wouldn't be scaring off prospective parents as much as I would be preparing them, and most importantly I think I might actually bring Anastasia and Paul a little comfort knowing that I felt the same exact way they were felt at first. Choosing to make a family through adoption is not easy-- it takes work on everyone's part-- but it is so worth it-- and I can already see the worth as I think they can too.
As I type this, Anastasia and Anna are sitting next to me watching Justin Bieber videos and Paul is sitting next to John and Andrew watching Wall-E. This after a fun day of swimming, eating hamburgers, watermelon, Otter Pops, and ice-cream-- and best of all Anastasia letting me sit next to her and watch her organize her clothes and pick out an outfit for church tomorrow. This is a big milestone for my daughter who didn't even really want her sisters' help with anything last week-- now she is opening up as she is realizing that we all help each other.
Today makes exactly two weeks being home. The progress we have all made adjusting as a family is no small feat. If it wasn't all of us doing some adjusting it would not be working as well or as quickly. This has meant some pretty intense parenting for all the kids-- but it has paid off. Maybe I will risk it and share more about this very topic.... soon.
I guess I will close with this. I know that Anastasia and Paul have been through a lot in their lives-- with a lot of loss, and grief to deal with-- but they were orphans-- they are no longer orphans-- and to treat them like they are any different would be a tragedy. Their past does not dictate the amazing person God has planned for them to become.
Heck-- they are already amazing. And it shows.
Now to say that things are perfect-- that would be a stretch, but our family never has been perfect and probably never will be. The bickering continues-- and my English speaking children try to get their point across as much as my Russian speaking children do. And somehow they pretty much get each other to understand what the other is saying and life goes on. John and I think it is hilarious the way Anastasia and Paul talk to us like we completely understand their language. They spill their hearts out to us about how Andrew splashed one of them or how Jonny won't stop tickling their feet underwater-- well it is more Anastasia but both do it. And John and I get the gist of what they are saying and they seem to approve when we tell Jonny or Andrew to cut it out, but in all honesty we only understood maybe one or two words out of everything they say. But we pretend to know because we know it makes them feel safe.
And to say that there wasn't a moment or two last week where I felt overwhelmed..... wondering if I could even be a mother to these two new children-- would be a lie. Because I did. And yet having been through this before-- I knew my feelings were normal... and I pressed forward... and I didn't allow them to consume me... and so they didn't.
To share this openly I feel that perhaps I could be told "Told you so", or I could scare off prospective adoptive parents, or even worse-- I could hurt Anastasia and Paul if they ever read this. Yet--- I can take it if someone wanted to rub our adoption in our face, and I somehow think that I wouldn't be scaring off prospective parents as much as I would be preparing them, and most importantly I think I might actually bring Anastasia and Paul a little comfort knowing that I felt the same exact way they were felt at first. Choosing to make a family through adoption is not easy-- it takes work on everyone's part-- but it is so worth it-- and I can already see the worth as I think they can too.
As I type this, Anastasia and Anna are sitting next to me watching Justin Bieber videos and Paul is sitting next to John and Andrew watching Wall-E. This after a fun day of swimming, eating hamburgers, watermelon, Otter Pops, and ice-cream-- and best of all Anastasia letting me sit next to her and watch her organize her clothes and pick out an outfit for church tomorrow. This is a big milestone for my daughter who didn't even really want her sisters' help with anything last week-- now she is opening up as she is realizing that we all help each other.
Today makes exactly two weeks being home. The progress we have all made adjusting as a family is no small feat. If it wasn't all of us doing some adjusting it would not be working as well or as quickly. This has meant some pretty intense parenting for all the kids-- but it has paid off. Maybe I will risk it and share more about this very topic.... soon.
I guess I will close with this. I know that Anastasia and Paul have been through a lot in their lives-- with a lot of loss, and grief to deal with-- but they were orphans-- they are no longer orphans-- and to treat them like they are any different would be a tragedy. Their past does not dictate the amazing person God has planned for them to become.
Heck-- they are already amazing. And it shows.
Julia is Taking Orders!
She is incredibly excited! The thought of being able to earn some extra money for her to be able to buy music to play on the piano or even an IPOD to listen to music that she can then be inspired to learn herself has got her ready to take orders!
Does $20 including shipping sound reasonable?
If so, please leave a comment if you would like the black, purple, and gray one!
Also, she is taking orders if you want specific colors-- up to three colors per purse.
Thank you so much!
Does $20 including shipping sound reasonable?
If so, please leave a comment if you would like the black, purple, and gray one!
Also, she is taking orders if you want specific colors-- up to three colors per purse.
Thank you so much!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Being Brave
Today we had some friends over and they have an Olympus underwater camera. What a treat-- they took some photos of the kids. Whoever said it was a great camera--you were right! I think they turned out great! Thanks Brian and Claudette!
Jonny
William
Julia and her friend Cassidy
Sveta 
Earlier they played duck duck goose.
Two more cuties at the park.
Here is the picture I couldn't wait to get! Paul loves Dolly, Misty, and our kitty Bello!
Paul is pretty much swimming. He just doesn't have the confidence to swim in the deep end without a floaty device-- but he will soon!
That's Paul on the left swimming under water.
Julia is my creative crocheter. She has made this adorable purse.
I told her she should sell them on my blog-- but she isn't sure anyone would want to buy them. If you are interested-- let me know-- they are adorable!
Jonny
William
Julia and her friend Cassidy
Sveta
This is what the kids are doing now. :)
Earlier they played duck duck goose.
Anastasia can't help herself anymore. She is always smiling. :)
Two more cuties at the park.
Anastasia and Paul want to go swimming all the time so we are in the pool at least four hours a day.
Here is the picture I couldn't wait to get! Paul loves Dolly, Misty, and our kitty Bello!
Paul is pretty much swimming. He just doesn't have the confidence to swim in the deep end without a floaty device-- but he will soon!
That's Paul on the left swimming under water.
Julia is my creative crocheter. She has made this adorable purse.
I told her she should sell them on my blog-- but she isn't sure anyone would want to buy them. If you are interested-- let me know-- they are adorable!
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