A Brief Update

I've been wanting to write for a very long time, but when I finally have a chance, I'm so exhausted my brain won't work. Three months since my last blog is far too long, though, so I thought I would try and post a brief update.

As I read the blogs of families now in the Ukraine, so many memories rush back. Looking at photos of places we've been, it's hard to believe it's only been 5 months since we were there. So much has changed. Both Anna and Misha have grown rapidly in their English. Anna is using lots of English words in her phone calls to her Babushka each week, with Misha providing the Russian word on the side.

Discipline with Anna is much better. She is a very intense child and I still feel like I have to be "on" all the time and watch closely, but usually the reminder of time outs is enough to curb certain behaviors. There are lots more hugs and kisses, too. She and Mason (when not irritating each other) play really well together. It's hilarious to listen to them talk, mixing Russian and English together along with all their made-up words.

I have been attempting to "homeschool" Anna and Misha this year. I say this with quotes, because it hasn't been anything consistent or super structured. Everything they are learning about culture, family, English...IS schooling. Misha has had math (my favorite), phonics, literature on tape, and we have found some novels in Russian for him to read (he's not a big reader, though, and would love to skip this). He is also going to a homeschool academy every other week for a chess class and a hands-on-science class. Anna's schooling has included dot to dots, cut & paste, some phonics, tracing, and listening to stories. Since Mason is also in Kindergarten, his teachers have sent extra papers home for Anna to do. Typically, she chooses a few activities she wants to do from these. It's much better than doing battle over something I choose that she doesn't like.

On Monday, Anna will officially start Kindergarten full time in the classroom next door to Mason. After much prayer and many sleepless nights, we decided that she would benefit from a structured environment and from the opportunity to play with more kids her own age. She has spent several 1/2 days hanging out with Mason's class as I help the teacher and has done very well. She is very excited! We even bought a new purple lunch box. I'm hoping that this will give me more uninterrupted time to teach Misha (and maybe even get to the gym)...

We have been very blessed with loving friends who have supported us in many, many ways.

• One friend has taken my kids to the library every week (+ many other things) so I could have time to myself for a few hours .
• One friend has helped me clean my house and has been available for whatever I've neeeded.
• One friend has fed my coffee addiction, let my kids play with her daycare stuff, and listened - A LOT - to my frustrations.
• One friend has been my advocate in helping to get Anna into Braly School.
• So many people brought meals when we got home (3 months worth!!!!!)

Life has also been full with gymnastics, laundry, holidays, birthdays, laundry, Anna learning to pedal a Big Wheel, dogs, laundry, soccer, more dentist visits, laundry, ice skating, church activities, and friends. We continue to grow and settle into being a family of six.

Throughout this process, I've asked myself several times "If I knew then what I know now, would I still adopt these kids?" The answer has always been a resounding "YES, Absolutely!" God was very clear that this was His plan to bring Anna and Misha into our family and I learned many things about myself through the adoption process. Now, as we settle into our new roles, He continues to teach me, mold me, and refine me. It's not always easy, but it is well worth the struggle.

So it looks like my "brief" update isn't so brief (no surprise there), but at least I finally got it written. :0)