Ilia's Birthday!

October 19 was Ilia's birthday! It was a great day. I woke him early to wish him  Happy birthday before I left for work. He still had to get up early as we had made arrangements to Skye our "Daniel" and Ilia's best friend Tomakola. The director also allowed 3 other friends of Ilia and Lydia to Skype them ! ( I like this Director) We also allowed them to call their sister to see if she had an email address and Skype account. This was the sad part of the day. Even with the new laptop I bought her still no effort to go to an internet cafe to communicate  with the children. Lydia was pretty sad after the phone call.
Lydia had her first Volleyball practice and was overjoyed with the jersey  she was given for the team! Unfortunate for me, surgeries keep being added so I was a little frantic when I finally got to come  home around five. We cook what Ilia asked for dinner chicken, mashed potatoes ( I make wonderful mashed potatoes) and Broccoli.  Desiree and David both made him birthday cake.
.  Of course it was wonderful to watch him open all his presents he was even excited over the practical one from his parents . The snow boots, gloves,  etc ( the winter gear) I had pickup a picture of the soccer team and framed it.  He thought that was cool.. Then the sibling got him the fun things, remote cars and nerf guns! He acted as excited over the practical as the fun so he seemed happy.  He wanted to go the bed early as we had got up early and the night before he had had his last "football"game in Huntsville so we got home LATE. It was great Ilia played well and I got to visit with Stephanie Holbrook and watch Danny play too.

Anybody going to Kiev this weekend?

Trying to get paper work to Kiev this weekend anybody know a family going??? I rather pay a family then FEDEX!!

Second Week

     How time flies! Ilia and Lydia have been in America for two weeks now.As I look back on pictures when we got to Ukraine and their faces now I see such a change; happier calmer faces! The kids are great when I ask them to help but I still do not have the families' chores organized to help us function smoothly.I knew this would be work but it is like having newborns they have such need for attention and to be taught so much!
      Miracles are still occurring  for us. My stepson, Mike has been living with us while he and David finish fixing up the mobile he owns and rents here in Nephi. Mike lives in AZ and we were hoping he would be done and gone when we got back for two reason. Mike has R.A.D. and he lived with us for 9 months after  his divorce when he got of the Marines. He actually told us he resented our youngest. . He treats his step siblings, my other children better than he treat Dannalee ( his half sister). So we were worried about his reaction to us adopting 2 more children. Miraculously he loves them and it has been a healing thing for us all to be together!Of course Ilia and Lydia are so easy to love and are so loving themselves!
  I have a question I am getting ready to buy Rosetta Stone in English but if any one want to sell their I'd rather the money go a family than a company if any one is not using theirs any more!

Birthday

Yesterday was my Birthday and I would rate it as a great one! The night before Ilia was trying to convince  me he should stay home from school for my birthday.Ha Ha! Early Tues we had skyped a little boy in Ukraine through a good friend and finally ask him if he would like to be adopted. He said YES, a good early birthday  present! What is even better is Lydia and Ilia are excepting this well. You have to understand at the old orphanage no one would give a a good report on him or say they liked him! Which is part of the reason we are doing this in two trip. One to give Ila and Lydia a chance to adjust to the ideal we are adopting him and adjust to America. Mostly  for David and I to pray and pray that Eger , that is his Ukrainian  name but we are all already call him Daniel ,his America name, really was the one because of his old principal and teachers opinion of him. The Lord has reassured me he judges on the heart ! As I speak with his new principal I am getting good reports.. It is interesting how a new environment and a different pecking order can help a person's behavior. He also has importance because he relays messages to my kid's friends. Of course I like to think my friendship and believing in him helps also!
  Back to Wednesday. Usually Wed are my lest favorite work day. It is the day I am on call for 24 hour so usually I work about 10 to 12 hours. I only worked 6 1/2 . My married daughter cooked an amazing dinner for all of us ( with my parents this is a crowd of 12) And when I did not get called in for a possible hip fracture, my mom treated us all to the movie Dolphin Tale! I rarely go to movie now days but this one is a must see! We finished with my favorite dessert, peaches and cream ( it is kind of a cheesecake my daughter makes)  The kids were so proud of the gifts they helped David pick. Of course my children are my greatest gifts!!!! I am not a big gift person but my joy was watching them enjoy this birthday!

First week home!

If I put the good of the week and the hard on a scale the good would definitely out weight the hard! Still lot of hugs, laughter, and a lot of new first for the kidss.....foods, American school, etc.
      The school was finally ready for them on Thursday. Delanie and Derrick took turns staying with them, and I stayed with them Friday per their request ( they do not know it is not cool to have your mom at school with you ) When I ask about Monday, Lydia wants  me to come but Ilia is telling her they can do it. I think as long as Derrick stays with them for Math, the rest of the classes they will be fine! Friday in PE they played "football" so now Ilia has a lot of admirers. Lydia did the first day.
     Friday night some boys came over to invite  Ilia for the homecoming football game! I had to bite my tongue to not ask for 3 reference  I did ask for parents and grandparent names though. This is harder than your bio children whose friends you pick when they were tiny! All the children went and a great time was had by all. I was grateful for a few calm moments!
     I have only been away from them to got back to work Wed and Thurs. Actually the person having the hardest time is me. I am struggling to get a routine with the  household and needing to teach them more about the way the family need to function.
     Saturday we all load up , including Grandma , Grandpa, and grandchild to watch Ilia football game only to find they had frozen the roster and because he was not listed the Ref would not let him play. I am hopeful to resolve this Monday! Ilia took the disappointment well. I just wanted to go but one small car load stay with him to watch per his coaches request. The fun note, on the other team Holbrooks showed up with Danny and Brandon it was so  great to see them!