Happy 1st Anniversary!

Okay, today is the last of our anniversaries.  We flew back from Ukraine a year ago today.  What a year it has been!  Here's to uphill from here on out. :)

As usual, these last three months have been even easier than the ones before.  Our hard days are here and there instead of ALL. THE. TIME.  Usually once she calms down we can talk about how her choices have influenced the consequences.  She still struggles to see that connection a lot of the time though.  I have had a few times where I've been able to mention how much happier she is when she's being obedient and she smiles and nods her head.  Hopefully I can get her to see that one of these days.  The problem with always blaming everyone else for everything that goes wrong in your life is that you are in no position to be able to fix anything.  You can't change other people or their choices so then change is never within your grasp and you continue to fall downward.  It's a hard lesson that most adults still haven't learned.  She'll be miles ahead of the game if she can realize that now and start applying the knowledge.

Still, things improve with her all the time.  Our relationship is growing and we are starting to feel like we all belong.  I'm eternally grateful to have that first year behind us though. :)

Cheers. *dinging of champagne glass filled with sparkling cider (or even better...our favorite cherry juice from Ukraine!*

Happy Gotcha-Day!

One year ago today I took Ira out of the orphanage forever. :)  I was hoping it wouldn't be "forever" because we would go back to visit someday when she's all grown up, but since they'll be closing it down here before fall, it probably will be forever.  However, I consider this my "gottcha" day. :)

Man, I miss those kids though.  I wish I could have taken them all home with me....

Happy Woman's Day!

Today is Woman's Day in Ukraine.  A national holiday.  It's celebrates all women/girls, including mothers.  To me, it's like Mother's Day, only better. :)  When I was in Ukraine last year at this time there were TONS of people selling flowers on the sidewalks.  Very cool.  The orphanage had a special program for the holiday a few days early.  Most of you will probably remember this video but I just have to put it up for memories sake.  I can't believe how young she looks!  Lots can happen in a year.  Enjoy, and don't forget to wish all the mothers, sisters, aunts, wives, and any other special women in your life many congratulations on this day!

Did You Get My Message?

So, a few weeks ago Little One called me about something.  The answer was no to whatever she was asking and she wasn't happy about it.  The first time she hung up on me I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.  She WAS upset and maybe it wasn't really a "hang up on me" kind of thing.  When she called right back I figured I'd been right.  That is, until she did it again.  She called back a few minutes later and left me a message when I didn't answer.

Later that evening, after I got home, Little One was walking down the hall going to get ready for bed.  We'd been talking about how rude it is to hang up on someone.  As she was walking away she said, "Did you get my message?"  Mom, not knowing that she really HAD left me a message earlier started getting after her.  She thought she was being sassy and asking if I'd gotten the message when she hung up that she was mad at me.  I quickly explained that yes, I'd gotten the message but hadn't had a chance to listen to it yet.  Mom, of course, apologized. :)

I did listen to it later and it was really sweet.  She was telling me she was sorry she'd hung up on me and that she hoped I'd forgive her and she missed me and wanted me to come home.

And, last but not least I thought I'd share some math news.  Little One has this "meeting" we're supposed to do at the beginning of every math lesson.  Part of it she's supposed to come up with 3 number sentences for the number of the day.  She was kinda stuck on doing things like 12-1=11 and other such simple ones.  I asked her to do something a little harder and then this is what I got.  Smart girl. :)

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day decorations.  I've always loved hearts and so that kinda goes without saying, I suppose.  It's never been my favorite holiday for other reasons, but we won't go there. :)

First of all, we found a fun frosting so Mom did a cake for our FHE (family home evening) treat the night before.  I'm not one that's big on sprinkles and such, but this was super cute.  I hope we can find it again next year.

Next, was our homeschool Valentine's party.  We'd gone three years ago and it was fun.  The next year I was stressed and didn't feel like going.  The NEXT week we drove by the place it had been held the year before and Little One asked when it was.  Great.  Not for another year, Sweetheart.  Last year we were in Ukraine so that didn't work well.  THIS year though, I made a point of finding out when/where so we could go.  

And, here is my homeschool plug.  Homeschooled kids tend to be so nice!  I couldn't find the right building and walked by some kids playing.  One of the boys (probably around 10 years old) asked very politely if I was looking for the homeschool party and then directed me to the right place.  I love that they aren't usually afraid of adults.  Not that there aren't ANY public school kids that would do that, but not as many.

Putting her Valentine's in boxes

Cookie Decorating!

Finished Product

Dart game.  She did quite well.

Coloring/decorating

Ira's paper

Little One's paper

Missionaries!

Around 11 years ago I taught the 12-13 year old girls at church.  It was awesome and I loved it.  I loved those girls as if they were my own.  Which freaked some of them out, I think, and others were okay with it. :)  I've kept in touch with these sweethearts (some were actually in the class just older than what I taught, but I still consider them mine) and have watched them grow.  Some are married and have little ones of their own now which is just crazy.  Honestly, these are the first kids in my life I've been able to watch grow up.  Moving around all my childhood had its awesome things but also an occasional drawback.

Anyway, one of these cute girls just returned home from a mission for our church.  I was late getting to see her at the airport but luckily made it in time to catch her before she LEFT the airport. LOL  I just wasn't with it enough to think to get a picture of just her and me.  Ah well.  Welcome home, Rachel!!!!

Another Backtrack

I totally forgot the pictures I'd taken of the girls decorating their gingerbread house.  So, even though it's Valentine's Day today I'm headed back to Christmas for a brief moment. :)

First, Mom made some stockings this year, but before she did, Ira was feeling bad that they didn't have any so she took some socks and taped these labels on them.  She and Little One had some too.  I thought it was sweet.

I was very impressed with their decorating. :)