Holiday Weekend

After Chai with Liliya, kids played out side before we had guitar & piano lessons.

Papa helping clean up the kitchen. Chai with Liliya.
Katya made borsch even though we didn't have any chicken. I always love it.

Please let us know if you want information about hosting children for 3 weeks this summer. Today is the deadline. Next host time is Christmas.

Please keep Chris' mom in your prayers as she has had a heart attack after therapy for her knee surgery.

We are hoping to go up north pending Chris' mom's stability and health. We're getting the camper and car ready now as we speak.

Everyone wants to do something other than what I ask them to do, so we have our work cut out for us today. Planning on ice skating, grocery shopping, and packing and cleaning today. If we have time, I'll go shopping with Natasha for a few things. Shopped with Pasha yesterday for a lot of things. Adds up quickly.

We all need to work on our hygiene better around here. Lots of learning curves, but no big tears or problems except Natasha wanting to go shopping with Pasha. But I am taking them one at a time.

Well, I have lots of kids hanging on me watching me do this, and I need to upload photos. So I guess, I want to say that we are healthy and busy! : )

We'll blog next Friday again. Love Alesia & Chris

Wednesday May 26th,

Only 1 day left to consider hosting a child for a summer holiday, if you are interested.

We didn't take the camera with us yesterday. Natasha & Andri cooked pancakes for breakfast.

We ice skated for an hour and a half. We plan to do this MWF. Andri has really improved and loves his hocky gear. He even ventures into the hockey rink with the big boys and loves it. And they love to help little guys. The girls will take ice skating classes (maybe Andri too), in June. They are progressing as well, and seem to love it. I love it because I can do it, and I ran into friends yesterday and shared our adoption message.


After skating, we headed home for a little of this and a little of that. Afterward we went to the Post Office to send a package to 3 of Natasha's friends in Ukraine. Then to the library to pick up some films, and drop some books off, then to get Daddy as we have had our big van getting the air fixed. It's fixed down and much better.

Then Katya and I went shopping for fitness clothes. Sophia had a hard time with that, why do we love Katya more, etc. But all is well after, and she knows it is her turn next. We need to go through her closet today with Natasha and see what's keep and what's not. We did that with Andri yesterday and put shorts in his drawer. Remember there was snow on the ground when we left for Ukraine, so I have a little Spring/Summer organization to do.

After supper we all went swimming again at the community center. That was really fun.

Boys went to bed after swimming and got up about 3 times before sleeping and went back and there were no problems. Natasha and I practiced her violin. Sophia & I did her piano. I mowed a little but have troubles with the current mower not working for me. So Chris mowed.

Sophia did my nails, Natasha did a little computer, Katya did computer and then it was lights out. Jaclyn snuggled with the girls after I tucked them in. Chris & I had a "date" doing mail from who know when.

Love Alesia & Chris

Katya's Birthday/Our Anniversary

Ice Skating is 1.5 hours and we hope to get on the ice 3x a week. It's $5 per time per family at St. Croix Arena, and that is AMAZING! Of course all the gear is expensive, but that will last a long time.

James is learning how to use the camera : ) . Katya & Sophia waiting for Jaclyns violin recital.

Jaclyn did great at her recital. We are really proud of her. Natasha started lessons today and like them.

I'll blog frequently for a while, and then once a week.

Katya's birthday was wonderful. Lots of e-mails (even though we can't read them yet in Russian). They get all messed up with our Juno account so we need to do some homework there. A neighbor girl stopped by and gave her a home made card with Bible verses on it, and she talked to some friends back home.

Our Anniversary could have used some work, however, Chris had to go and fix the van's battery. And we're adjusting to our new family, so, I guess we'll post pone a date until next week. We know 2 older sisters that can come and watch the kids. Katya's capable, but I don't want to put that on her right away. And the girls need new companions as well.

Some interesting details/problems:

-Toilet problems upstairs & down! Chris fixes them.
-New van, no airconditioning, Chris is fixinging it..and it's hot.
-Natasha went to close or open the door and the door knob fell out in her hand, Chris fixed it!
-Kids aren't used to closing the doors when the air is on.

-Sophia cried last night for the first time since I have seen her in Ukraine. Chris said lights off, door open, etc. firmly, and she said she wanted to go home. In some ways I was sad, and in some ways now as I think of it, I'm so glad she finally cried. She said she gets to stay up until 11/12pm at the orphanage. I think it might be a tale, and maybe some days that is true.

-Yesterday at the recital we all went into the church, but someone must have played with the lock and locked Chris out. He got in and everything was fine.

-We went through 4 loaves of bread in 2 days.

Update on all of us:

Chris, is busy working, fixing stuff, and laying down the law. When things are settled, he's a lot of fun and makes everyone laugh. We had imitation crab last night and said it was perfect for him. He knows he needs to soften a little, but is doing good. I think their Dad prior to the orphanage was very harsh and abusive in some ways, so the kids seem wary at times.

Alesia, I am trying to get things in order, need to start a routine (want to after the holiday weekend), am getting the kids geared up in their activities, I say yes way too much, and needs to tighten up a little! I am doing good and feeling good. I am really glad to be home and spread the word about adoption.

Katya, is doing well, loves her new computer, cooks great soup, has a great sense of humor, enjoys night time tuck ins, and hangs out with us when that works. We enjoy e-mailing each other, and seeing if our Russian English works, and it doesn't.

Jaclyn is a great help. Also she needs her mom. She is doing well and loves the kids alot. She is sad when Daddy cracks down on the rules as well. So in some ways her and Sophia are at that same stage of life. She put on a little weight while we were gone, so hope her hockey camp will help with that and Daddy will get her out running. She loves having her friend Kassie over as do all the kids. We still need to plan her birthday party.

Sophia, has been doing well, until last night when Chris cracked down on some night time rules. We put the kids to bed at 8pm as we needed some time, and the night before it was 11pm after the Sound of music. She loves to help Jaclyn with her hair. And when she was skating she found a little 3 year old to help skate.

I think I would like start a little babysitting drop off program or something this summer for $1/hour per child, with me being there. The kids will love the chance to see babies, and make a little money. We tried to start a bank account yesterday, but they need their social sec numbers.

Natasha is full of life, almost so excited she wants to literally crawl inside you and kiss you all over. She loves piano and violin. She loves skating, but her skates hurt her and I might ask about it today as they are new. They hurt around the rim of the skate digging into her leg (not her foot like normal).

Jonathan is literally addicted to Chess, and is reading about people from Russia & Ukraine that won tournaments. We are checking out a local "professional" type chess club. He is doing well, but said the other day that we love Natasha & Katya more because they got to do computer. Mind you, Natasha swept and mopped the whole upstairs kitchen/dining room floor, and the computer was used for Ukrainian praise songs to listen to before church! He has been running a bit with Papa and was happy to get on the ice. He almost forgot how to put his gear on!

Andri is running around and loving life as well. He likes to help take care of Chance our dog. He is very sensitive. He and Natasha picked up piano very fast. No tears from him yesterday. He is excited to have so many clothes, but he wears the same ones every day. We'll work on that. Jonathan does the same thing too.

James is very serious right now. He doesn't want hugs or touch from anyone most of the time. And when he does he wants it from me. He wants me to snuggle with him, so I need to take turns with him and Andri. I think they understand. He took some photos yesterday and enjoyed that. He loves playing chess with Jonathan & beat him yesterday which was "high" for him. He enjoys the girls and Jonathan tickling him. I hear him laughing a lot. He cries if anyone raises their voice at him. I am wondering how things went when I was in Ukraine.

At dinner we all pray and so far I have heard Andri pray at night, and Natasha at the table. It is a sweet time.

We try to take a quiet time each day, so I don't go to crazy.

We will work more on English today and write some thank -you's. However, we get English everywhere we go, so I'm letting them decompress a little. I know how it was for me in Ukraine, it took awhile.

Ok...after Memorial Day weekend coming up, I'll blog once a week. Just wanted you to know how things are going : )

Love Alesia & Chris

Today is Katya's Birthday & Our Anniversary.

Piano Lessons with Mrs. Everitt. She did great with the kids!

Natasha with a Guinea Pig at our friends home Sunday Evening.
We shared our CHAI message with them, and the kids had a lot of fun together.

It is the start of the day here, 6:27am on Our Anniversary & Katya's Birthday.

We suited up for skating and hockey yesterday. Had piano lessons for Andri, Natasha, & Sophia. All went great. I can honestly say that all our children are quick learners.

Katya has been trying out her new computer, and I will send a message to as many people that I can with the address. The only problem is we don't think Juno can handle the Russian/English input, or something. So we might need to get a different account. Our next Step is Skype.

Katya cooked soup for us yesterday. It was great. Jonathan doesn't like any kind of soup, so I had to explain to her that it wasn't her soup. He sat at the table for awhile "trying it out".

Yesterday I biked with Natasha & Sophia while children took turns on the computer in 1/2 hour increments, and when Natasha & Sophia took their turn, I biked with Andri. A great way to get a little excercise in! Did some laundry as well.

By about 3pm I was shot and everyone took a quiet time! We finished the evening with piano lessons, and The Sound of Music movie with popcorn and 1 can of pop.

I have more photos on a different camera of the lemonade stand they had yesterday with a neighbor girl.

Our only problems are keeping up with anything left out, or not put away, and for me it's pretty loud around here so I ask them to keep it down. And when I say no, it's sometimes a huge disappointment, so a few things to work on. Andri & the boys had their first "big" fight yesterday over turning the fan on or not. It was all a misunderstanding, and we worked it out. Those 3 need to use their WORDS...will be my schooling to them. A few tears, and no bumps or bruises. And they made up as far as I can tell.

Andri prayed the other night and thanked Jesus for Mama & Papa, and I'm not sure what else as it was in Ukrainian. He asked me yesterday when he is going back to Ukraine, so I think he's still trying to figure things out. He said he was happy to be in America and loved it. I think because he came once and returned, it just seems like that will happen again.

I have told all the girls that on good days or bad, that we never want them to leave us. And I am not sure if I have had that same "conversation" in my broken Russian/Ukrainian/English.

Please pray for 4 more host families for children this summer. The deadline is this Friday! Thank-you so much!

Love from Chris & Alesia

Saturday & Sunday

Photo from Birthday Party on Friday

Hammock at Friends on Friday.

Jaclyn & Natasha with Hamock! Welcome home sign (maybe I posted this twice?).

Picnic Picnic Picnic : )

Saturday we went to our Home School Picnic, which had lots of people, jumpy things, food, and many friends. I think the kids loved it.

Then we went to my brother's 40th birthday and I didn't bring much for them to do, so it was a little long for them. We got out scrabble for a bit, and we talked about that we have Russian Scrabble as well.

Sunday we had church, then a big church picnic. I asked friends to take the older girls here and there to help them make some friends. Natasha & Andri had no trouble integrating. That went good. After that we shopped at Sam's. Everyone helped us unload and now we are doing quiet times.

We are all doing great. I heard the boys laughing, Pasha & Natasha are playing cards in bed. Katya is trying out her new computer. Jaclyn is resting. All is well : )

We have offers for food, but maybe offers for laundry and cleaning would be better : ) Today Natasha was BIG help in the morning. She swept and mopped, while I did some dishes. We asked Andri to move the chairs back, and he did it, but complained.

That's about it in a nutshell. Normal family stuff so far. : ) We have a small group meeting tonight with our friends and will show them photos of Novelselki, and our trip.

Love from Alesia & Chris

Happy Birthday & Home Sweet Home

Papa made a welcome home sign for us when we came home.
Katya & Jaclyn are blowing out the candles of the carrot cake that Mima & Papa made for us for last night, but we used it for tonight, as I was a little overwhelmed when we finally got home.

The girls got their ears pierced Friday as Jaclyn has been waiting and waiting for Natasha Joy, and Sophia (Pasha) to come. They were all a little afraid and very excited now to have it done. We were invited to a friends home for breakfast and to look at her daughters harp. It makes the most beautiful sound. Sophia played the bandura in Ukraine, and this is much different, and she was disappointed, but liked the sound. The teacher is right near our home. I hope she will want to do it. Natasha seemed quite interested. Natasha starts violin on Tuesday.

This is Andri on the 2nd airplane home from NY playing with the camera. He looks so sweet. He is kind a "comedy" boy when it comes to photos. I see I need to fix the calendar on my camera. Just trust the blog until I get that fixed.

TODAY (Saturday), I am still a little on Ukraine time so I woke up at 4:30am. I am blogging to the sound of birds chirping, and a not much traffic in the way way distance.

We arrived safely at 10:30 Thur. We sat 2, 2, and Katya 1 on the smaller flight. Katya was able to sit by a young man who only spoke Ukrainian. It was all so smooth. THANK-YOU for your prayers.

We had a really nice (crazy) Happy Birthday part for Jaclyn & Katya, and they received a lot of clothes and nice things from Chris' Sister's family, and parents. The kids said they were SUPER with thumbs up!

We are getting slow at getting "communication", e-mails, etc. Ran out of calling card minutes, etc.

Yesterday morning I had 4 little ones with me walking the dog, in a light rain with umbrellas. Andri, Sophia, Natasha & Jonathan. Today they are all sleeping well still at 5:10.

We need to do shopping, and I think I'll wait for Chris to help with that, as it's so hard for me to do alone. I want to give them some things, and make sure they have enough of even the bare essentials, but they see all this cool stuff and want it, so we need to go together.

Not too many problems, but I'll fill you in anyway. Andri didn't get enough sleep in the last couple days, and lost his flashlight. Jonathan had 2. Andri tried to say he took his, but but they were both Jon's. He wouldn't put his jammies on..etc. Chris found the flashlight...gave it to Andri..we spoke firmly, yet kindly to him, to say "Excuse me Mama, Excuse me Jonathan", his whole demeanor changed when he figured out Jonathan didn't take his, but then we wouldn't let me take him to the toilet before be. He went right to sleep, today will be a new day and all will be fine for the start. Also, if something bad happens, he wants to blame one of our children right away. Natasha knocked some clothes off the shelf at the store, and Andri quickly said it was Jaclyn. Natasha quickly said it was not Jaclyn. Andri just needs reassurance that if mistakes happen we still love everyone the same.

Natasha gets bent out of shape if I buy one thing for someone (like a bra), and not for her, as she does not need one. Then she hangs at the back and walks slowly. I do plan to take them shopping for some essentials one on one. But Natasha has a lot of beautiful things that fit, so it's best if we all go separately, so it's not a competition of who gets what.

Katya has been catching up on rest, and helping me organize some shelves. She's really good at it. The house was pretty dirty when I got home, so it has been nice to clean it up. We found some songs on their Hill Song CD that we sing at church as well, so that has been really fun!

Sophia likes to help Jaclyn look beautiful, play with Jonathan, check on me. She has not cried about anything since we first came to Ukraine, so in some ways, I'm a little worried about her, and when it does come out how it will be. She shares a room with Natasha Joy, and is not excited about it, but I think it will all work out. She asks me a lot of intimate questions about Papa & I.

We went swimming with the kids Thurs night after returning to home. They are all such wonderful kids, and really wanted to "show us" all their tricks in the water. The younger 2 do not have a concept of safety and one hung on me to tightly, and one almost choked Papa, so we spoke to them and after that it was much better.

Today we have a picnic & another birthday party. Tomorrow Church and a picnic afterward.

We'll try to catch up on E-mails soon. Thank-you for your prayers! Alesia & Chris

Travel Time

Hi, just an update on the travel. Alesia and the kids have made it safely to New York and they now have an overnight stay. They will be flying home again tomorrow (Thursday) morning and myself and the MN Haak contingent will collect the whole crew at the airport in the Sprinter van.

The flight was good, a bit delayed, but they all made it and went through immigration and customs. Unfortunately because they have to lay over night, they had to haul all of their bags with them to the hotel and then haul them all back to the airport again in the morning. And, of course, it is up early to catch the flight.

We are all looking forward to seeing them and getting everyone home safely and having our entire family together again for the first time in over 8 weeks!!! Then it is on to the business of reforming and integrating our new larger family. Lots of work I'm sure, but also lots of fun times and rewards ahead.

Also, today was Jaclyn's birthday and it was a bit sad that we could not all celebrate it together, but we will have a party Friday for her birthday and for Katya's birthday with is early next week.

So, please continue to pray for safe travels for Alesia and the kids, for a good healthy intergration of our larger family, for our marriage, and for Godly parenting wisdom as we will surely be working through a number of yet unknown issues as we move forward together as a family.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

Tue/Wed

It's officially Wed (3am). I am mostlly packed. Laid down with the kids so they would settle a bit, fell asleep and then woke up to do some chores.

We said good-bye's again today at their home home in Novelsilki, and even said good-bye to our Fruit Man companion. There were tears by many today, large and small people and tears.

Our flight is at 11am. Pray for safety, and a stand-by flight in NY and no problems.

We had a few problems today, with a day of little eating for Sophia, she got woosy on the bus, and weak, so we stopped the bus, and fed her some cheesy bread stuff that was right there, and she was fine. Andri found broken glass from who knows when in our apartment, and thank God he didn't step on it. Some of us had issues with each other, and that made for more tears and frustration. I prayed at dinner and it opened a few flood gates.

THEN..when we were doing ok, and a little teary, Andri broke into "fake" crying comedy and we were all laughing! At one point Natasha didn't want to go to America (because she didn't know where to pack her stuff), and the next moment she was all giddy kissing me all over!

Just to give you a taste of what packing was like tonight!!!

Love from Alesia, Katya, Sophia, Natasha Joy, & Andri. We are excited to get home!

Sunday & Monday

Sunday, Katya made borsch and salad, Num Num! We still have some for tomorrow as well. Today we picked up our Visa's (a 2 hour process). Then we went ice skating again (kartok). The same security gaurd is always there, Sergey. He is really funny and kind to us, and gets a kick out of us, so we took his photo and had some laughs with him. We invited him to come visit us in America some day.


Tomorrow we head to Novesilki to say some good-byes again, and get ready to pack and head out Wednesday morning. I hope I can find space for all our things! Keep us in your prayers for a good flight and a standby flight so that we do not need to spend the night in New York.

Love from Ukraine! Alesia, Katya, Sophia, Natasha Joy, & Andri : )

Saturday

HydroPark beach on Sat.


Show on Sat night. Friday night Tanya came to visit us, made us all cry for joy, and took us out for icecream. She gave the kids a little money for stickers, but we haven't found any yet.



Beautiful photo of Katya.

We pick up Visa's on Monday, and all should be well with our flight out on Wednesday.
Keep us in your prayers for safety, and a standby flight so we don't need to stay overnight in NY city.

Love from Alesia and kids in Ukraine.

2 Hours!

Today we slept in a little. Had oatmeal for breakfast. Had chicken for lunch. Watched 2 movies, Aladdin, and the Chipmunks on television. After we cleaned up, we headed for Minska for more skating.



When we got there we found out that we had to wait 2 hours! So we sat down for 30 minutes, you'd think it was torture for the kids! It was the best thing that could have happened for me in my quest to slow things down. I let each of the little ones play 10 minutes of games on my cell phone. And when they weren't playing, they were with me learning how to play solitaire. After 2 games of solitaire, I played go fish with Andri. 30 minutes went fast! Then Sophia wanted water..I said ok, there was a Producti (grocery store) just outside so we left the bit mall, and went outside and bought water and juice for 9grievna ($1 about), then back to the mall after we watched a downpour. Then we went skating again. Natasha scratched her elbow a little, otherwise all 4 are showing great improvement on their 3rd day. We talked a lot about skating when we get home.

We forgot out camera today, so we'll update with photos tomorrow. The kids get a daily allowance of stickers and they love looking at them. We have started using the airconditioner a bit as it's getting humid and we're hot alot.

We seem to get home at 7pm a lot, and I'm keeping the kids busy, but I think they need a little more rest. They want tv tonight, but I said showers and Chapter 2 of Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe (in Russian). Katya is reading it to them, and they seem to like it.

No tears today, except a little mine when I think about not being able to shop and prepare for Jaclyn's birthday back home.


Natasha helped me cook today and accidently added saccharin tablets that were in the cupboard. We made eggs and they were too sweet! It was comedy for me, and a little embarrassment for her. I said no big deal! Andri & Natasha ate with bad manners and spilled a lot so they cleaned up the kitchen tonight.


All is well, busy, and keep praying for a wonderful successful day tomorrow for paper work. I feel a little alone out here, and cherish your e-mails and notes, even if I don't have time to respond.

Love Alesia & kids in Ukraine! : )

Wednesday & Thursday...

Ok, I must have hit a button twice so my blog didn't go and I am short on time, this will be shorter...

We are doing well, but busy, so not much time to blog. We are skating, shopping, picnicking, picked up the Famine Museum Book in Russian, and are now on a budget. We will be talking about this a few times I'm sure.

PLEASE pray for our document travels tomorrow, we have a lot to do in a short time, and don't want any problems to arise.

We miss everyone in MN & Noveselki, but we are doing good here! Kids are used to lots of friends so it's fun to see them bonding with each other!

Keep praying! Love Alesia, Katya, Sophia, Natasha Joy, and our Melenke Moshina, Andri.

Socks & Skating : )

We found a really nice reasonable place to go ice skating and had a great time. We plan to go tomorrow and maybe Thursday as well, as it's a good outing, fun for the kids and about $15 for all of us! During the week it's buy one get one free for kids.


I see that my camera has a smudge on it. I wonder how that happened ?! The kids did great skating, the younger the quicker they picked it up.

Later we picked up shoes for Katya as her feet were hurting. Sophia & Natasha came with little or no socks, so we looked and they were pretty expensive so we didn't get any. Then on our way out of the Kreshatyk metro, there were pairs for 12 Grievna...we picked up 7 pairs for about 80 greivna ($10), I think she gave us a discount for buying so many! The kids were so happy, I told them "Spaciba Esus" (Thank-you Jesus), as it was such perfect timing!

Our routine is a little off, we stay up a little late, and sleep in a little, and then we go for the day, bring a lunch, walk around slowly talking and laughing. In the mornings we make beds, and brush teeth, and vacuum and half of us shower and half of us shower at night. We have been finding English speaking people here and there and that is fun for the kids to here me speak "perfect" English. We do a little too much TV, and computer. My goal is some day this week to start the Lion the Witch and Wardrobe, or Tom Sawyer, for Katya to read 1 chapter outloud to the kids as a quiet time.

Found some fun paper, glue and scissors to add to the craft paper for little grievna, so that was nice as well. Eating chx, salads, milk and water and occassional treats, juice, McDonalds.

Sounds like we will do all our running around on Friday. We were told not to worry. And if I have any problems I was told that the kids can come back to the orphanage for a day or 2, but I said so far so good. We love getting to know each other. Our biggest problem is figuring out who is in charge, too many "pleases", too many woman and too little men : ) and I sometimes get homesick, but we all work together in all of it, and we are generous with hugs.

Love from Ukraine! Thank-you for your prayers. Sophia gives us the countdown every day for us to go home! : ) Love Alesia

A Walk in the Park...

Famine Museum

Monday, today we went to the Arsenala stop, after a Gastronom stop for lunch fixings.

I found a good place on Kreschatyk to get cheese reasonable, which is nice. Anyway, we went to look at the Famine Museum once more, but it was closed as today is a holiday. I did call home quickly and woke Chris up which was not good, but he said all was set for 2 teen girls to watch our children this week which is a huge blessing for my peace of mind. I can't wait to hear how it is going.

We walked through a park, Katya talked with a woman that she knew and I hope some day she will share with me how she knows her. I asked her to share with me some day when she is older, like 15 or 20, and she said ok, she understood.

Well, it's night night here, and I need to check and answer a few e-mails. No tears today, except mine when I looked at a card I wrote to the kids about the words to Jesus Loves me, and how I wished I could send myself in a card. I cry because I don't know how to get through to them how much we care and love them, and have waited so long. I tried to explain a few things to Katya and I cried through half of that, but mostly we laugh, and have fun.

Our latest discussion is about how hard it must be for Andri with 4 "women" and no "men" to play with. Andri asked for deodorant today, so I got him some. I call him our "little man" Melenky Moshina (in Russian).

We keep busy with crafts, "typying" on the computer or some computer games, doing our nails, braiding hair, making kieffer ice cream, laundry, dishes, and cooking, and outings. We walk a lot and both Katya and Sophia came to me with "pretty" but uncomfortable shoes. I found shoes today for $290 (grievna), that is the best I could find. I know that Sophia has a nice comfy pair back at the orphanage that we gave her last summer. Shoes are $500+ and $1000+ (8x is approx for exchange rate) anywhere around here, and these other shoes were in Arsenala. It's so frustrating to not be at home where I can run to Target or Sam's and get a pair for under $20 dollars ($160). Andryusha only had 1 shirt, as I don't think it mattered to him to ask for more, and I didn't double check all their stuff.

Gotto go...kids don't want to sleep until I do : ) Love Alesia from Ukraine! (I'll add photos tomorrow or later tonight).

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day..........Picnic on Kreschatyk

Parade, just one of many photos. Katya & friend cooking.

Andri at our picnic on Kreschatyk.

I think yesterday was a combination of all three! Today was good after we figured out what we were doing. We tried to find a good place to watch the parade, and a good place to find Katya's friend, but after we found her and our place to watch the parade and had a few pictures, it was hot and the kids wanted to go. I didn't but, it was good that we went as we couldn't see the rest of the show from where we were. So we went home. I was a little upset, as I love picnics on Mother's day (but now I know why I was upset as it is that time of the month!). Anyway, we came home, and Katya and her friend cooked an amazing soup! WOW...I can't wait to have her make it at home as well, and I asked her to cook it the day before we go home as it was so healthy. They made a great salad as well.

While they were cooking, the kids did crafts, and we watched the parade. It was great! And everyone was calm and relaxed. Katya's friend stayed with us for awhile, and then when she had to go, we walked her to her bus. Then we went to church in English. It's kind of boring, but the people are nice, and they serve treats there, and we sing hymns in English so thats fun. During Church, I was thinking about if Chris would call, and I was worried my phone would ring, so I took it out and looked at it, and 2 minutes later, Chris called me! : ) It was during a hymn so I could talk a little! There is one family there that "fosters" children, so they are really fun to talk to as well. They have invited us to their farm. We just don't know know when or if we will go out there.

After church we picked up a shirt for Andri, as some how he came home with me with only the shirt on his back. It cost 99grievna (about 12 dollars, and that was the cheapest one at Benetton store, the only store we could find easily.

After the shirt we picked up a couple more photo albums, as they keep the kids busy, with their stickers and writing. Natasha would like stickers for her birthday in July : ) She is sitting with me right now smiling asking what I wrote about her. Katya is on the phone. Sophia just got done with her album, and her and Andri are watching "Machina" Cars.

After the little shopping, we had a picnic on Kreschatyk with juice and chips. Now we are chilling out at home doing computer etc. We will head back to Kreschatyk for the show.

Mother's Day: Sometimes I feel like a "super mom" being here with 4 new children, and sometimes I feel like I have lost my "motherhood" by not being with my other 3 children. sometimes I miss them and cry, and sometimes I am very happy to be growing our family. I will be so happy when we are all together, and I think we all will be.

Sophia and I had a nice talk last night while drifting off to sleep. I held Andri's hand while he fell asleep. No crying for him, except today when Katya wanted him to change into his clean WET shirt from Jonathan's too big jersey! We survived and went on with our day.

All is well. Thanks for your prayers. We do not have plans for tomorrow yet. Maybe a museum, maybe Hydropark. We'll see. Some of the metro's were closed today for the parade, but I'm assuming they will be open tomorrow. The parade was a big deal on the TV today.

Love from Ukraine. Alesia

Today is not as good as some days..

I don't know if its that I miss Chris, or it's that time of the month, or if it's being all together and us all being different but today is a little "foo" like they say here when things are bad.

Natasha has a fever, but otherwise is doing fine. We went shopping and bought some art supplies, and projects to keep the video/tv/computer to a minimum. Also, there is a big difference in music styles. I'm just trying to slow the "hype" down.

I need to sign off and "sleep" with the kids, so they slow down and rest a little. We are all camping out in one room, so not much space for privacy.I wish I could tell everything, but I'm sure people are reading this, and I don't want to compromise privacy.

I love you all and appreciate your prayers. We just need to work on right attitudes, truthfulness, and being able to say we're sorry. We will watch a parade tomorrow which should be fun.

Love Alesia

Comedy Club....

Today we said good-bye to Chris & Jonathan and as I write this they are in the air headed for NY, and then on to MN. I was able to ride with Natasha (helper), to pick up a new child for the orphanage, boy age 9, beautiful, kind boy. Then we headed to Noveselki where the kids were packing and getting ready to go to Kiev with me.


When we left their home, there were a lot of tears, mine included! Everyone is so beautiful there. One babushka came and gave me a HUGE hug and said Spaciba (thank-you), Mama! I did not get a photos as I was thinking of the luggage and other things, but Natasha(woman) will give me a copy of the photo.


We did some business at the Passport office, and now need to wait for passports. They all had photos, so I don't know if passport photos were even needed before. I will find out.

Once at home, we unpacked, had a little snack of pickles and drink. We then went shopping without Katya. She called companions. We bought tooth brushes, and eggs and a few other little things.

When we got back, we had been back for awhile and someone came to our door and rang our door bell. I knew it was a salesman, but Katya said I didn't understand what he was saying. So she called our helper from the orphanage, and he talked to the man and said it was a gift and to accept it...however, it was just buy some of these at a discount...and it took me a while to explain to him that YES I understand, and NO I do not want any!!! And after I explained to Katya that next time Mama says, Niet (no)...it's niet.... : ) and she understood. And during this visit Natasha started holding the woman's hand who was here, and I pulled her aside and asked her "WHO" is this woman that you hold her hand..and that it hurts Mama's heart. And that if we were on the main street of Kreschatyk, and I saw a little girl who I didn't know, would I run up to her and hold her hand..and she understood. It was a "Comedy Club" for us for a few minutes!!!

I am so glad we are all together, as we need to spend time alone together. Also, I feel as though I am taking my kids from a high speed fast forward, to slow down and calm down. I hope to get some art supplies tomorrow somewhere. I think tomorrow we will go to a museum we went to before, a park that is close by, and then we will look and see how much ice skating is. We need to be on the move, or they go crazy inside our little apartment.

Lots of laughter today, and no tears, except saying good-bye, and when Andri wanted to buy a tooth brush, but earlier he said he could use the extra one we had in our apartment. He was just sad to not get a "new" one. And he had about 3 tears.

We hope Chris and Jonathan make it home safe, and we pray for bedtime before 10pm with sleeping children. Katya has a favorite show on for the kids, so I am doing e-mail, blogger & shower. Right now we are eating Keiffer "ice cream" that we made ourselves with kieffer, jelly, and a little sugar and put into the freezer. They love it, and it's 0% fat! : ) Yeah!

Love Alesia