Well, well two whole weeks. Some of the newness is wearing off. School has gone well and all of the kids are adding more English words. Conversation is still 90% in Ukrainian. They are now challenging to find out where the limits are. In other words typical kids.
We ventured out for our first visit to another home on Friday. Heidi and Felix opened their home to many of the adoptive families. We were surprised that they did not seem more interested in some of the other kids who spoke Ukrainian. They clung to Mama for the first half hour or so. Then played chase/hide and seek with big Nadia. By the end of the evening they were climbing all over Jim V and Felix just like they do with Papa at home. These are great, safe guys, just something for us to watch and consider in other settings.
Sunday the kids enjoyed getting on Skype with Grandma and Grandpa J and also with big brother Wendell and Kelly. Also built a snow ramp with rocks for traction between the levels of the back patio to play with the remote control cars. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa B.
This weeks damage report. One DVD recorder, DVD's slammed in half way will break both the machine and the DVD. The old digital camara lens no longer will deploy even with new batteries. New lock for Mama's office door. The hole punch is very facinating no matter what documents are being punched. The 50 state quarter collections that Mama carefully put together from both the Denver and Philadelphia mint is scattered who knows where. Probably not damaged but certainly flatter than any gym or exercise program has been able to get Papa's stomach in years.
Two kids are sleeping in their own room, one is still sleeping with us in the master bedroom. That will change soon!!
Hey we love our kids, these are the problems we have worked so hard to have.
Please pray for Richard & Cindy and for Heidi & Felix. Both are adding to their families over the next few weeks. And remember there are many children who need parents and families.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures Part 1
Our kids from November and the best ad against drunk driving I've seen.
Monday, January 4, 2010
One week home & belated Thanks
We have now had the kids home for one full week. They are doing really well. English usage is increasing daily although still just a little bit. Nadia was helping with dishes and had a dish in one hand and a sponge in the other we have foaming soap at the sink and she said "Papa shampoo that" for me to put soap on her sponge. Alex shook the soda and then opened it three times in one day. He cried all the time he was helping wipe it up the third time. We also have implemented a food is only eaten in the kitchen rule. He regularly violates that one and when asked if he wanted us to throw out food he had taken out he said "No Thank You" Ivan's new words for today included Tennessee and France. Tennessee coming from his class studying the civil war. All of the kids can count to twelve now.
Today was the kids first day of school. Nadia who has usually been the most overwhelmed by things told the translator to tell me to go away she was a big girl. Ivan waived and said "It's okay Papa" Alex who is usually our most out going child cried when Mama left and Papa took about 30 minutes to ease him into his group. All in all no major blow ups or crisis and pretty good at getting to bed at a reasonable time.
We really do have a great host of friends who have supported us in this journey. Thanks Donna and Larry for looking after the house. Thank you Shawn & Yvette for getting the driveway and sidewalks shoveled. Thank you Darla and family for decorating the house for Christmas and the food and gifts. Thank you Kari for coordinating communication among the adoptive families with all our last minute changes. Thanks Heidi, Felix and family for the gifts, clothes, food, welcome stuff at the airport. Thanks to the Barretts, wow even a new vegetarian recipe. Yes Teresa and I are and we did okay in Ukraine. Some of the things at the airport I'm not sure we could tell who brought what but we do thank you also. Thanks Matt for the description of the whole gang following my family around the parking garage. It was only important to get to the airport who knew we would leave it. And whoever coordinated half my office showing up for the welcome home at the airport. And the gang from the church staff. I'm probably leaving someone out and for that I am sorry.
In the first week damage report: One garage door opener. The emergency release to operating it manually proved too tempting. Evidently trying to get it locked back in caused some type of binding. One chair with wheels rolled down the stairs. Plastic wheels do not survive the landing.
Most fascinating items around the house. The treadmill, Mama now holds the key so no kids operate it without supervision and fly off the back end. Mama's can opener. Papa using his electric shaver in the morning. And the nerf guns. Yes I've shot my kids already. Trust me I lost that battle.
It's great to be home. America has lots to offer each of us and our kids. Who knows I may even get some pictures up this weekend.
Today was the kids first day of school. Nadia who has usually been the most overwhelmed by things told the translator to tell me to go away she was a big girl. Ivan waived and said "It's okay Papa" Alex who is usually our most out going child cried when Mama left and Papa took about 30 minutes to ease him into his group. All in all no major blow ups or crisis and pretty good at getting to bed at a reasonable time.
We really do have a great host of friends who have supported us in this journey. Thanks Donna and Larry for looking after the house. Thank you Shawn & Yvette for getting the driveway and sidewalks shoveled. Thank you Darla and family for decorating the house for Christmas and the food and gifts. Thank you Kari for coordinating communication among the adoptive families with all our last minute changes. Thanks Heidi, Felix and family for the gifts, clothes, food, welcome stuff at the airport. Thanks to the Barretts, wow even a new vegetarian recipe. Yes Teresa and I are and we did okay in Ukraine. Some of the things at the airport I'm not sure we could tell who brought what but we do thank you also. Thanks Matt for the description of the whole gang following my family around the parking garage. It was only important to get to the airport who knew we would leave it. And whoever coordinated half my office showing up for the welcome home at the airport. And the gang from the church staff. I'm probably leaving someone out and for that I am sorry.
In the first week damage report: One garage door opener. The emergency release to operating it manually proved too tempting. Evidently trying to get it locked back in caused some type of binding. One chair with wheels rolled down the stairs. Plastic wheels do not survive the landing.
Most fascinating items around the house. The treadmill, Mama now holds the key so no kids operate it without supervision and fly off the back end. Mama's can opener. Papa using his electric shaver in the morning. And the nerf guns. Yes I've shot my kids already. Trust me I lost that battle.
It's great to be home. America has lots to offer each of us and our kids. Who knows I may even get some pictures up this weekend.
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