A Month of Birthdays

September is a busy month for us - we have four birthdays to celebrate! Dima's birthday was first ending with Jeremy's on the 21st. We were able to do something special on each person's birthday. Although it may not have been a lot, we had four opportunities to celebrate as a family. These were special times together. With Jeremy turning 18, it made me realize how fast time is passing and how little time we actually have with our children. I truly feel blessed that God has allowed me to be a part of their lives.

Dima was a little overwhelmed by the whole birthday thing. He obviously had never had such a fuss made over his birthday. The grandparents and my sister came by with presents and my brother shipped him some presents. He also had some friends over to help him celebrate.

All the kids are doing great. Once again, I must brag on Dima and the advances he has made since May 20. I will not get into specifics, I'll just say that he is learning how to make friends and does not lash out when things do not go as he would like them to. He is a very brave little boy who has been through more than a six year old should have to endure. For those adopting, anger is something that is present in every child you bring home. Fortunately, the educational classes we went to prepared us for what to expect. Complete trust is not something that comes quick and he is slowly starting to talk to us when he gets angry. I know we still have work to do, but he has just made amazing progress. When I tuck him in at night, I tell him how proud I am of him and what a good boy he is. Unfortunately, these words of encouragement and love are new to him.

For those still waiting to bring your children home, we are praying for you and your children. Take the time to learn as much as you can about adoption. The whole process has taught me more about true love and how thankful I am for God's grace. We regret nothing and although there have been moments of stress and frustration, let me again say how blessed we are that God has allowed us to share our lives with six wonderful children.

God Bless -

In 2008 Is It OK for Baptist to Dance?

Last night at church, the younger children (all but Jeremy and Christina) went to Children's Choir. I thought it would be good for all of them. I accompanied them because I think it is a little early to leave Nastya and Dima since their English is still a little limited. Polina followed along with Sarah and seemed to be trying to learn the songs. I helped Dima by pointing the words out as they sang. Nastya hummed all the songs and on the last couple, decided it was time to dance! She wasn't being disruptive, but she did get the attention of the other children. As far as I am concerned, if the music moves you (or the Spirit) - then dance away!

All the kids are doing great. School started a few weeks back and they are back into a routine of sorts. Polina and Dima are doing great in their school and have learned so much. It has helped a lot with their English in particular. When we got home, Dima couldn't even hold a pencil and would get very frustrated when we would work with him. Now he is writing letters and has learned his ABC's

Jeremy and I have been busy working to get our phone patch working so he can make phone calls from his 2 meter radio. Our club patch was taken out of service recently. As a result, we purchased some used equipment to get our own system up and running. Hopefully next weekend the last $12 component will be installed and the system will be up and running. For those wondering what this is all about, I do not believe kids need their own cell phone. Jeremy and I are amateur radio operators and we have the ability to access the phone lines if necessary (when the eqiupment is installed). So, when he is out and about and needs to call home or 911, he can do so without a cell phone. Now if I can just get his sisters to get their license....

Many people have asked if we have gotten into a routine yet. My answer, is well sort of. We do have a basic routine, but that does not mean it is followed every day. Evening TV is pretty much gone and has been gone for a long time. Not a major loss witht he current programming.

I'll close with adding, once again, that children are a blessing from God. Each passing week I can point to events that made me proud to be the parents to each and every one of them. Our six kids are the second greatest gift God has blessed us with. They are all strong, smart, resilient and loving in their own way.

Beach Trip

Last weekend, we loaded up the Suburban and took our first trip to the beach for the summer. A little late I know, but we have not had any time. I did try to get reservations back in July, but the places we looked into were full. We drove down to Pensacola and the weather could not have been better! The beach wasn't too crowded and the water was crystal clear. The best part is that we only saw two jelly fish and no sting rays!

Everyone enjoyed the sand, water and sea shells. There was a beach (Sea of Japan) about 300 yards from our hotel in Vladivostok. We walked down there with the kids while we were there, but you couldn't pay me to get in the water (the Gulf Coast has spoiled me with it's clear water). So Polina, Nastya and Dima had been to the beach, they just had not been in the ocean. They loved the water and after an hour or so, they even enjoyed getting knocked down by the waves.

Lessons Learned

Well, we have had the kids about two and a half months and have had some struggles, but there have been tons and tons of joy! Children really are a blessing from God. They keep me down to earth and I am reminded daily of their complete innocence. Don't get me wrong, they screw up just like anybody else and tell a fib now and then and will try to manipulate you. But their love is unconditional. The hard part is remembering that emotionally, they are a year or two younger than their physical age.
I have a hard time punishing any of our kids. Considering the past of the three youngest, I really have a hard time punishing them when they do something wrong. But, we have to teach them boundaries because they really do not have any. Time sitting in momma's or papa's lap is the most common form of punishment. In the long run, they seem to be okay with it and understand when they have done something bad (fighting, taking something not theirs, etc.). This type punishment would send the oldest three screaming!

One of the things we have recently learned is that the two youngest have no concept of ownership. They do not care if a toy they have been given is destroyed or thrown away. They do care if someone else takes their toy, but that is where the attachment to the toy stops. Lesson, buy toys from the dollar store.

Trip to the Zoo

Progress

The past week or so, we have had glimpses into the children's past. Polina has told us some things about her past and Dima, through his reactions to certain situations, has given us an idea about his past. All very sad and I am sure we will learn more in the future. We were told this would happen in time, but it still caught me a little off guard.

They are making amazing progress since we have been home. Dima honestly seems to have grown two inches! He is strong as an ox and is all boy. Each morning he is the first to get up out of bed and he first to greet us. He will come and give me a great big hug and say "dohbray ootra Papa" (good morning Papa). He has a habit of taking things that don't belong to him and hopefully we are slowly breaking him of that. He has gotten much better in that he will reluctantly tell me where something is if I know he has taken it. However, the whereabouts of my college ring are still in question. You should see him when he accomplishes a task! He smiles so big and we make a point to tell him how proud we are of him.

Nastya loves playing with her baby dolls and with Dima. She is very independent and can cut a look that is amazingly similar to my mom. Mom would have enjoyed Nastya because she is all girl and loves to hold and cuddle her baby dolls. Dad let each of the girls pick a necklace from mom's jewelry collection. I have tried to explain to them that mom died, but I am not quite sure they understand.

Polina is trusting us more and more and, as I said earlier, has told us a little of her past. I hope she will open up and share more as time goes on. She loves playing with Sarah and watching old Russian cartoons on You Tube. She can get moody and be a bit aggravating at times, but I guess we all are to an extent. The school she will attend a couple of days a week had open house Friday. She was not happy with all the talk about school! This is a great place started by some friends and it is specifically for Russian speaking children.

We went to the Zoo Saturday with my dad. The kids had a ball. I don't think Polina, Dima and Nastya had ever been to a zoo from all the squeals! My poor dad was about worn out at the end of the day and Nastya ran to him wanting him to carry her - he's 79. He ate it all up though and carried her a short ways until he could not do it any longer. It also made me very proud to watch Jeremy interacting with the younger three. He would pick them up and point to different animals that were hiding behind bushes and such. Teenage boys can be very "distant" at family activities, but he enjoyed the time together as well. Christina was sweet and helped take the girls to the rest room and helped point out animals. She enjoyed taking pictures of the animals.

New Hair Styles

The pictures above are from a round of water balloon fights this afternoon.

Well, for second or so time, Nastya and Dima have found the scissors and given themselves new hair cuts. Dima ended up getting a buzz and Nastya just looks like she has a fade on top. Otherwise, all are doing well! Below are answers to the most common questions we are asked daily:

• Do they speak English? Very little, but more each day.
• Do they speak Russian? Yes (I must say I am puzzled by this question)!
  
• Do you speak Russian? Yes, sort of. I refer to it as redneck Russian (every other word or so Russian). Correct gender - nope. Correct verb form - probably not. They understand it and that is all that matters.
  
• What do they eat? Food
• Are you going to enroll them in public school? No. We homeschool. Polina and maybe even Dima will attend a special school a couple of days per week for Russian speaking children. The rest of the week, they will be homeschooled with the rest of the children.
• Do the Russians know you homeschool? Yes. When you adopt, there are NO secrets. We were asked in court about this and it is in our homestudy.
  
• How are they adjusting? Quite well - better each day. We have our moments of drama, but things are going well. They have come soooo far since we picked them up on May 20. I'll go over some of the changes in another post.

That's all for now, God bless -