So Much to Catch Up On, But First...

Ira is looking at a date of December 13th to be baptized.  It's a Tuesday and would be in the evening.  Two weeks from today, actually.  There are a couple of other days that are being considered, but that is the one that is being leaned toward the most.  I'll put up an invitation once it's set in stone. :)

Sleepy Hollow

We did a fun thing this year for Halloween.  My brother is in Sleepy Hollow at the local theater here.  I've really not known the story very well but remembered really liking the Disney version as a kid.  I suppose that's not surprising.  I've always liked most things Disney.  So, for school we decided to do a little unit on it.

Since I read to the girls all the time (we're just finishing up Prince Caspian right now) we took a little break from what we were in at the time and read the original by Washington Irving.  That was really cool.  It was a good vocabulary builder for me, I'm sad to say. :)  We also looked up the actual town of Sleepy Hollow on Google Earth.  It was fun to see streets like Katrina Ave and such. LOL

Next, I found the Disney version on YouTube and we watched that.  That was fun. :)

Disney's Sleepy Hollow

Then, my brother came over and told the girls about the play version.  This play is actually written by a guy here (Jim Christian, if any of you know him) and this is the first time it's been performed outside of a collage.  I LOVED his take on it.  I love the music in it and the difference in how the characters were portrayed.  It made Brom likable and Ichabod not so much. :)

Lastly, we ended it by attending the play.  The girls LOVED it. :)

Little One and Ira with "Faas"

Thanksgiving Point

Time for a bit of catch up.  I'd totally forgotten I had these pictures until I took a look on my camera card.

I decided it was high time the girls and I did something fun.  I love corn mazes so the three of us took an afternoon and headed down to Thanksgiving Point.  (I may love corn mazes, but I do prefer them in the daytime....)  They had a maze there that was part of a nation-wide thing NASA was doing.  It was awesome! :)  Not only that, but they had LOTS of other fun things to do/play on as well.  We had a blast and I only wish we'd spent more time there.

We did get lost in the maze and there were no "guys in orange jackets" standing on every bridge to help us out like I was told when we went in.  Little One got a bit scared, but we all had fun in the end.  I say we make it a tradition every year!

Ira's feet

Little One sliding

Big One sliding :)

They had fun wooden farm vehicles to play in

My poser

This one was fun

Little One had do climb whenever Ira did. :)

Huge rocking chair

I made them smile nice at me before....

they did a silly one.

Chillin'

My farm animals

Little sheep

Big sheep

A corn rocket!

Very cool

I love this one of the two of them. :)

All 3 of us!

Duck racing

Spider climbing

There was a very fun princess area. :)

These were a blast!  I about bounced my camera to pieces on one.

They had costumes to try on.

Future actresses

And dancers

And flamingo fairies?

This was a HUGE thing to jump on.  We wore ourselves out on it before heading home.

Creepy looking tire animals

They didn't mind though.

I went and gave blood on the way home.  The girls were really good while I did.  Of course, Mickey cartoons on my iPod help that along too. :)  All the people there were so impressed with Ira.  You have to say if you've been out of the country so I had to mention Ukraine.  The workers kept coming up to her to talk to her. :)  After I was nice and drained we went to DQ for dinner/dessert.  It was a very fun day!

Fall Pictures

Okay, so it took me 6 months to get pictures taken of the girls and another month to edit them.  Such is my life right now. :)  Enjoy anyway....

Happy Anniversary

Today marks one year from the beginning of the hosting program.  One year ago today I was standing in an airport waiting to see these two girls I'd been so excited to meet for months.  Well, one of them for months, the other for a couple of weeks. :)  I'd known this was something I was supposed to do, but what was it going to mean?  Would we like each other?  Would they get along with Little One?  How in the world were we going to communicate??  Would we really end up adopting?  Could I really go all the way across the world?

It was so fun that first night at the airport.  It was a high, that's for sure.  Getting home on the other hand, that was a different story.  As the little one we hosted stayed up. all. night. long I began to wonder what in the world I had done.  It didn't get any better either. LOL  Much worse, in fact.  By the time we were 3 or 4 days into it I was counting down the minutes before they left and I could have my life back.  It was so sad for me to have been so excited for months and then when the time came to be wishing it were over.

About half way into the program the little one I thought I'd be planning on adopting was off with another family.  Finally, I was able to enjoy having Ira.  She was sweet, kind, helpful, so very good with Little One.  (Hum...I wonder where that girl went.  I'd sure like her back!)  Then she said yes when asked if she wanted to be adopted.  Sending her back was really hard.

After mountains of paperwork we finally had a date of February 9th (I think...LOL) to be in Ukraine.  I guess I really was going all the way across the world.  And in the middle of winter, no less.  I hate winter.  What an adventure being there was.  What a roller coaster.  Actually, it's been one long roller coaster since the moment I heard about Save a Child.  I keep hoping it will slow down, but it's not looking like it will anytime soon. :)

Anyway, enough of the stroll down memory lane.  Happy Anniversary to all my dear Save a Child friends. :)  What a joy you are in my life!  I feel so blessed to have gone on this adventure with you.  I'm so glad to have you there when I need to vent as well as when things are going well.  You guys are amazing and I love you!

Randomness

Today's post (Ha! That makes it sound like I actually post everyday.) will be mostly a bunch of random things that I wanted to be sure to mention. Hopefully they won't be too random for you, dear reader. All 3 of you.

• When we went up to my Grandma's house we stayed in a hotel. Ira's first. :) Little One was sharing one bed with me and Ira was on the hide-a-bed in the other room. Little One REALLY wanted to be able to sleep on the hide-a-bed so the last night there I told her she could share with Ira. Ira threw a MAJOR fit. Complete with sobbing and refusing to even touch the hide-a-bed. She was going to sleep on the chair all night. I tried to explain what an “I'll show me” is, but she didn't care. Mom finally went to talk with her and Ira kept arguing. “In all my 12 years I've never had to share a bed with anyone!” Excuse me? “In all my 12 years?” LOL! Besides, that's not true. When we had Kristina in Dnepro with us they shared a bed. Nice try. She ended up sleeping there with Little One in the end, but man what an ordeal. Mom and I have had lots of fun teasing her since then though. Whenever she starts getting upset over something we just say, “In all my 12 years....” at her and she kinda smiles and usually says something like, “Yeah, that true.” It doesn't take care of whatever the problem is usually, but it at least helps. At least she's good natured about our teasing her.
• Speaking of Kristina, that's been a bit of an issue with her. We were talking about prayer for some reason one day and she told me that she's prayed that Kristina will get adopted. Since she hasn't yet, she assumes that either there is no God or that He doesn't answer prayers. I tried to tell her that He always answers. Sometimes the answer is “yes.” Sometimes the answer is “no.” Sometimes the answer is “not now.” Whatever it may be though, He always answers. Well, we were sitting at the baptism of my friend Kerry's daughter Vika and they were showing a movie in Russian while we waited. In the movie Joseph Smith is talking to his dad and his dad told him that the Lord always answers prayers. They are answered in His own way and in His own time, but they are always answered. Ira was unusually attentive during that part and I leaned over to her and said, “Just like Kristina.” She said, “Yeah.... How you understand??” LOL I told her I could read the English captions. :) I was impressed that she was listening and understanding how that worked in her life as well. She's still thinking that He's not really listening to her, but at least there was a break-through. Brief though it may have been.
• For some reason Russian speakers tend to get the “v” and “w” sounds mixed up. I have no idea why since they have both sounds in their language. Why in the world would they mix them up when learning English? Ira and I have worked on them in phonics and she's getting better. It's at least not “vwhat?” all the time anymore. Awhile ago I was working on Rosetta Stone. Every once in awhile Ira would wonder in and watch/listen to me. At one point I was having trouble saying, “Nice to meet you.” It wasn't what I'd been taught before the hosting and one word was particularly giving me trouble. You see, there aren't too many small words in Russian and I could recognize it, but SAYING it was a different story. I asked her to help and she said it just as fast as the person on the program. I tried and she just laughed. She'd say it again, slower, and I still couldn't get it. “No, Mama. /w/ /w/ /w/” Then she smiles and says, “My turn. Mama.” LOL I guess English speakers have the same trouble mixing them up when learning Russian.
• A couple of weeks ago Ira called her friend, Olja. We were trying to get a phone number for a friend of ours. When she called Mom told her not to mix up her languages. Sure enough, as soon as Olja picked up, Ira says, “Hi, Olja!” Then she laughs and says, “Privet, Olja!” The funny thing was that wasn't the only time. She would be talking away and then all of a sudden I could understand her. I'd look at her and she'd realize what she'd done and she'd laugh and fix it. Then one time I could tell Olja wanted her to ask me something. Ira looks at me and starts asking whatever it was in Russian. Poor girl was having trouble keeping everything straight. :)
• A couple of weeks ago, my friend Stephanie came home with her two boys. What an adventure she's had trying to get these two! It was quite the ride. I had a horrible time actually getting to the airport and I was so late leaving that I didn't even take my camera since I knew she'd be out already. I should have anyway though because I don't have any pictures. Poor girl had a SUPER rough trip home though so maybe it was better I didn't take any. LOL I'd asked her to pick up some books in Russian for me while she was there. Apparently I wasn't the only one because she came back with suitcases filled with books for people! She'd gotten me the Narnia series, the Percy Jackson series, a popular children's story, and then some classics for me that were originally written in Russian. It's going to be a while before I can read them, but it gives me motivation. :) Tolstoy, Chekhov, Dostoyevsky. :) Ah, the fun of it all! I love to just look at them. Some day I'll be able to read them too. Ira has been devouring Percy Jackson. She's already almost to book 4. I think we'll study some Greek Mythology when she's done with them.
• The day after Stephanie came home I happened to have a wedding reception in the small town where she lives. I went up an hour early and hung out with her for awhile. I wish I'd gone earlier because it was such a nice visit. :) I know getting home and getting into a routine can be hard so it's nice to have all the support you can get. I just hope I didn't make things worse by having her think she needed to entertain me or anything. It was awesome to visit with her though.
• I've been asking Ira to read a chapter out of her scriptures before she reads any Percy Jackson for the day. It's been going well actually. No complaints. I decided to ask her about what she's reading, just to be sure she really IS reading it before she reads the other. So, a few days ago I did just that. She told me she had no idea what she was reading. “Ha,” I thought. Well, she brings me her scriptures and guess where she is. Isaiah chapters. No wonder she doesn't understand. I told her most people don't understand that section. LOL Bad timing to ask her what she's reading.
• So, there are still issues with the glasses. One day last week she was almost late for the bus so Mom went to look to see if kids were still on the corner or not. They were so off she headed. She had her glasses on though and looked down the street the whole time she crossed it. Knowing I was watching her, she even went so far as to wave. to. no. one. Then she got across the street, hid behind a peach tree and took the glasses off before anyone could see her. Seriously? We had a little chat on the way home from the school that morning. It was so important to her to loose all her screen time for the week just so no one would see her. The child KNEW I was watching her and didn't care. I asked her if she really thought so little of the kids here to think they would think she was stupid and ugly just because she had glasses on. Yes, she did. Did SHE think the kids that wore glasses were stupid and ugly? No answer. Come to find out when she got glasses in Ukraine the kids were pretty mean to her. It's the first time she's ever said anything about that. So, it's possible she's making it up, but I doubt it on this one. The conversation seemed to actually have an impact on her though because the next day she wore them to the bus stop. HUGE. She's also seemed to care if she gets a dollar for the day and I'm happy to announce that even though it's taken almost a whole week, she's finally earned one for today! Progress? Perhaps. My skeptical self thinks it won't last. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.
• I gave a talk in church two weeks ago. It was fun embarrassing the girls. Ira especially. And I didn't even say that much about them! Afterwards a couple in the ward that are from China came up and told us welcome. It was really neat to talk to them. He told Ira something that has really stuck with me. He said, “It was part of God's plan that you came to America. But, it is also part of God's plan that you were born in Ukraine. Think about that.” How true.
• And last, I will stop with this thought since this is such a LONG post. I've been having trouble with the girls (Ira mostly) trying to concern herself with Little One when it's none of her business. I've been struggling with finding a way to help her understand, but all I end up saying is something along the lines of “Worry about yourself.” Well, I'm reading the Narnia series to them and in The Horse and his Boy, Aslan says something twice that really struck me, once to each of the main characters. I took Ira aside and read her the two quotes. He said, “I tell no one's story but their own.” That has now become my phrase. Whenever Ira is getting into business that isn't hers I just calmly say, “I tell you no one's story but your own.” It's actually having a MUCH more powerful effect than anything else I've been telling her. She still doesn't like it that I won't tell her something, but it's a different attitude. I LOVE GREAT LITERATURE! :)

Birthdays and a Bit of Miscellaneous/Mosteller's Coming Home!

Like I said before, I have a lot to blog about.  I've been keeping a list of things on my iPod I didn't want to forget to mention.  It's getting a little long so it will most likely end up as two posts.  I'll start with the pictures though and go from there.

First of all, we had a fun visit with some old friends a month or so ago.  This family used to live close by and I fell in love with them.  CaMarie and I were visiting teaching partners and I had her identical twin girls for Activity Days.  For anyone that doesn't know, that's a program for the girls ages 8-11.  We met twice a month and did fun activities together.  It took me awhile to be able to tell Anna and Emily apart, but pretty soon I could...even when they weren't together. :)  Anyway, they now live in PA but were here for a visit so we stopped by.  It was SO good to see them!  Anna and Emily were very excited to meet Ira.  Their next younger sister, Mikela, is a week younger than Ira so that was pretty cool too.  What dear people they are!

Mikela, Emily, Ira, Anna, CaMarie, me, Little One

Next, on to birthdays!  As I mentioned before, mine is first.  Most of the pictures are of Ira's birthday, but I had to include one of mine and my brother's as well. :)

Me and Little One with my present from my brother

My brother opening the one from the girls and I

One day this last week I found Little One like this when she was supposed to be getting ready for the day. LOL  Usually Ira wakes up and gets ready and then I get Little One up and we do our devotional before Ira heads to the bus.  Then Little One gets ready and we start school with her before I have to get Ira from the Jr. High.  I guess she was a bit sleepy still.

Sleepy Little One

Next was the homecoming of a friend!  Debbie is one of the few people I got to know before the hosting program started.  We sat by each other once for one of our pre-hosting meetings and we hit it off really well.  We talked to each other a lot before the kids arrived and then again while we were getting paperwork all underway.  It was fun to follow her blog as she was getting her two new kids.  Like when Stephanie came home (oh yeah...haven't blogged about that yet.  I'll do that in my next post) I missed Debbie and the kids actually coming out, but at least I had my camera this time so I still snapped a couple.  Not good ones, mind you though. Welcome Home, Debbie and family!!!!!!

Illia and Lydia with Pasha (yellow shirt - Kassing's boy)

A few of us at the airport.  Ira refusing to smile as usual....

And then...last Sunday was Ira's 13th birthday.  We prefer to do birthdays fairly low-key.  I figure they can have a party at 8, 12 and 16.  Other than that, Mom makes the dinner and dessert of choice and we have a nice visit.  Presents too, of course though. :)  Draney's came over too, which was super nice.  They got her an Amazon gift card.  We haven't shopped for what she wants yet though. :)

First, she got some earrings and a super soft, fuzzy blanket

Little One got her a cute thing to put earrings on and another pair of earrings

My brother got her a deck of magic cards

My parents got her a "poofy" pillow and her own barbie.  She's been complaining her pillow is too flat. LOL

Little One, Lexi and Ira putting earrings on her holder

Then, on Wednesday it was Mom's birthday as well.  She's pretty birthday-ed out by then though, so no pictures. :)  4 birthdays in one week.  Actually, we just added one more.  Patrice had her baby this morning so now we've got 5 in 12 days. :)  By the way, for anyone that doesn't know, Patrice is my very good friend.  We've been friends for 11 years now and they do all kind of family things with us.  I used to watch Lexi, her oldest, as a baby and then Mom watched her too, becoming super close with them as well.  They are now adopted family. :)