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.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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!!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Post found written by david
Sunday, September 25, 2011
They are home
William and Lydia are home also Derrick and Momma. they arrived Friday night and there was a warm welcome among our friends and family. It became crazy after we got home I had thought they would be exhausted from the travel but the kids finally gave up with my force of will about midnight. It was wonderful to see their smiles and surprise at our new home which raised the money for the adoption as we worked on the house instead of hiring contractors to raise the money.
As I have contemplated the events in our bringing Will and Lydia home it is amaizing to me who knows and has faith in the Lord that we have had so many touches of His hand it seems that there are countless times so many that I can't count them all. We have been blessed!!
I was thinking about the changes in my life sense I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is baffling and this was brought to my attention by my Mother who asked why I wanted to adopt these kids at an age when most men look to retire. Because of my faith that God has lead me to this chance to serve these children and be in my poor way to do as commanded by Jesus Christ "that you feed my sheep" "that as you serve the least of these you are but in the service of your God" My heart, mind and actions are so changed, from a "wild eyed heathen" to a servant of Christ.
Will just came in and attacked me in play.
As I have contemplated the events in our bringing Will and Lydia home it is amaizing to me who knows and has faith in the Lord that we have had so many touches of His hand it seems that there are countless times so many that I can't count them all. We have been blessed!!
I was thinking about the changes in my life sense I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is baffling and this was brought to my attention by my Mother who asked why I wanted to adopt these kids at an age when most men look to retire. Because of my faith that God has lead me to this chance to serve these children and be in my poor way to do as commanded by Jesus Christ "that you feed my sheep" "that as you serve the least of these you are but in the service of your God" My heart, mind and actions are so changed, from a "wild eyed heathen" to a servant of Christ.
Will just came in and attacked me in play.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Home again
Debbie will be home tonight and I and the kids are so excited to see all of them. She is bringing our Ilia and Lydia our new children home from the Ukraine today. It is not a common to adopt kids when one already has 7 children however we know that the Lord wants us to do this and even though it is a sacrifice that has affected all of our family it has made us better and stronger as a family. We prayed and fasted many Sundays for months as a family and individually that hearts would be softened and minds would be opened to help us as we were in Ukraine and the people we needed would be found. The Lord has lead us and answered our prayers He has blessed us in this adoption at many of the turns after we had done all we could He did the rest. We had Yana and Uri appear and take care of our family Debbie Derrick and I. The Inspector of Orphans was one of the special people touched by His hand to bless the children that they might be grafted into the fruitful olive tree as in the Parable of the Olive Tree.
Our family have lived by faith especially this last year in the effort to make the money and prepare our home to receive these kids. I feel like an observer of a movie about a great miracle for it truly has been that. How do we come up with $35,000 to adopt.
This is the story last June 30 our home which would not have passed the home study to adopt burned we lost every thing but our family and my tools. As I drew the new plans for the house my wife made arrangements to host two children from Ukraine. After they left we held a family counsel to decide how we could find the money to bring these children home and it was decided that we would give up replacing things and working ourselves on the reconstruction we could do it. As I was working on the house plans I had drawn in the rooms we would need to make enough room for them without even knowing that they were coming, The formal parlor was converted to a bed room and a storage area was changed over also, a closet made from a hallway a closet added all for less than $200 and we had the space. the children and I worked hard for a year on the house while my wife worked more hours at the hospital to make up for my income as I built the house a friend spent days helping saving us thousands in labor . Who would have believed that your house burning down would bring so many blessings.I know that if you look in to the tragic events in your life you will find blessings if you look for them. As my wife and I sat across the street watching the fire fighters as the house burned my wonderful wife said a very profound thing "well I guess the Lord just scraped the dross off". There has never been a truer statement as a door closes He opens a window and in our case He did as promised and "Opened the windows of heaven and poured out
Our family have lived by faith especially this last year in the effort to make the money and prepare our home to receive these kids. I feel like an observer of a movie about a great miracle for it truly has been that. How do we come up with $35,000 to adopt.
This is the story last June 30 our home which would not have passed the home study to adopt burned we lost every thing but our family and my tools. As I drew the new plans for the house my wife made arrangements to host two children from Ukraine. After they left we held a family counsel to decide how we could find the money to bring these children home and it was decided that we would give up replacing things and working ourselves on the reconstruction we could do it. As I was working on the house plans I had drawn in the rooms we would need to make enough room for them without even knowing that they were coming, The formal parlor was converted to a bed room and a storage area was changed over also, a closet made from a hallway a closet added all for less than $200 and we had the space. the children and I worked hard for a year on the house while my wife worked more hours at the hospital to make up for my income as I built the house a friend spent days helping saving us thousands in labor . Who would have believed that your house burning down would bring so many blessings.I know that if you look in to the tragic events in your life you will find blessings if you look for them. As my wife and I sat across the street watching the fire fighters as the house burned my wonderful wife said a very profound thing "well I guess the Lord just scraped the dross off". There has never been a truer statement as a door closes He opens a window and in our case He did as promised and "Opened the windows of heaven and poured out
Gift of Tongues
Wow! Lydia prayed tonight and I understood almost half of it! I recognized the Russian words and was so touch as she thanked God for the day, for me taking them to school, the market, and to Ilia's football practice. We were more successful in getting Ilia into a soccer league, than them into school . We will be driving 20 miles to Payson, but it was so worth it. I was so rough on the morning routine this morning. But the kids told me they like American oatmeal better then Ukraine ( I do too, we use a little brown sugar they use a lot of salt.) I could not get them to eat it in the Orphanage. we worked on English while waiting for our school appointment. Our school is a small district with no ESL funding DANG! We hopefully figured out a morning schedule with David and I homeschooling the rest of the day.
We went shopping for much needed clothes for the kids. It was fun.We went to a second hand store After Ilia got a pair of pants he thought we were done when I keep picking out pant his eyes got big he says his " OO HOO "expression and we had fun. Of course not a lot of luck there for my dear Lydia's taste but that OK. We then went to buy NEW "football" shoes, and a church dress and shoes for Lydia.
We then drove quickly to Genola and Payson to see which team we should put Ilia on. David and Derrick were to meet us at Genola with the shinguards, water, and socks The first team was the 13 year old and Ilia would not get out of the car until David got there. David is late without Derrick, shinguard and socks. I did not behave well and we left. We got to Payson before the team of 15 year old started and meet the coach. Ilia started warming up and the team was a nature fit. We meet a boy who's father speaks Russian and the family is planing to adopt from Ukraine. ( A lesson to show me yet again do not get upset when things do not go my way because the Lord's plan is so much better)
Thank you Andreas for warning me Sunday about the price our Bio children face, because my plan we to leave Ilia in Derrick and David hands and come home, Ilia beg me to stay and after the disaster at the first field I said Yes. My 9 year old was not happy when I called back to explain why I was staying. I had hurt Derrick when I rudely asked him why he was not with David. Boy, I pray to find the right balance in this new dance I am engage in. I have at least have been a parent long enough to know children are forgiving if you are sincere in your apologies. I really try to live the 5 to 1 rule. (Each negative behavior in your relationship need 5 positive to balance it out!) We ended the day with that sweet prayer and scripture study. Lydia even being willing to read in Ukrainian We did not make it to get Russian scriptures as they told me they know Russian better. Another great day!
We went shopping for much needed clothes for the kids. It was fun.We went to a second hand store After Ilia got a pair of pants he thought we were done when I keep picking out pant his eyes got big he says his " OO HOO "expression and we had fun. Of course not a lot of luck there for my dear Lydia's taste but that OK. We then went to buy NEW "football" shoes, and a church dress and shoes for Lydia.
We then drove quickly to Genola and Payson to see which team we should put Ilia on. David and Derrick were to meet us at Genola with the shinguards, water, and socks The first team was the 13 year old and Ilia would not get out of the car until David got there. David is late without Derrick, shinguard and socks. I did not behave well and we left. We got to Payson before the team of 15 year old started and meet the coach. Ilia started warming up and the team was a nature fit. We meet a boy who's father speaks Russian and the family is planing to adopt from Ukraine. ( A lesson to show me yet again do not get upset when things do not go my way because the Lord's plan is so much better)
Thank you Andreas for warning me Sunday about the price our Bio children face, because my plan we to leave Ilia in Derrick and David hands and come home, Ilia beg me to stay and after the disaster at the first field I said Yes. My 9 year old was not happy when I called back to explain why I was staying. I had hurt Derrick when I rudely asked him why he was not with David. Boy, I pray to find the right balance in this new dance I am engage in. I have at least have been a parent long enough to know children are forgiving if you are sincere in your apologies. I really try to live the 5 to 1 rule. (Each negative behavior in your relationship need 5 positive to balance it out!) We ended the day with that sweet prayer and scripture study. Lydia even being willing to read in Ukrainian We did not make it to get Russian scriptures as they told me they know Russian better. Another great day!
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