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