Birthdays

Our kids celebrate birthdays within weeks of one another. Louba's is at the end of May, Jules is just a couple weeks later in mid June, and JD has a birthday at the beginning of July. (Emma, my niece's birthday is just a week before Julianne's). We didn't have parties this year because we have been spending so much time at the ballpark with JD's travel team. We had some small family gatherings and the kids got to choose where they wanted to eat. For Louba, she wanted pizza and slip and slide; Jules wanted Mexican; JD wanted Buffalo Wild Wings. And, of course, I made cakes that they picked out. Louba wanted a barbie cake with a pink dress, Jules had a beach themed cake with candy shells, and JD wanted homemade oatmeal cream pies. We didn't go overboard with gifts either. The each received a new bike from us, and a few small things or money from everyone else. All-in-all, I think they still had a good birthday.

Why Me?

I ask this question a lot. Not for pity from anyone, and not that I am angry at anything or anyone. But why did God choose me to parent three of the most precious children in the world? I am not the kindest, gentlest, or even most compassionate person. I am selfish, needy, and like to be left alone. But He gave me three of the most amazing things in the world.

My first born. My all-star. My sweet little man. I love this kid. I love his kind heart, his dirty knees, and the way he holds his sister's hand when she is scared. I love how he gives everything 110%, no matter what it is. I love that he still holds my hand and gives me kisses. He is a helper. He wants to help others. He is learning to serve alongside his daddy at church and that just makes me smile.

1 Corinthians 15:58

So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don't let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.

My princess. My dancer. My softball sweetheart. She is FULL of personality. I see so much of me in her and it scares me. She has the most beautiful blue eyes. I love how she tries new things. I love how she makes up songs and belts them so loud. I love that she tries to teach her little sister how to pose for pictures or what she should wear. She is growing up way too fast (and frustrates me beyond belief). She is growing in God and I see how he is truly working on her heart to lead her to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

My Russian. My unexpected surprise. My smile in the morning. This girl is amazing. She surprises me everyday with the new things she's learned. In four short months, she has learned English, gone to school, and left everything she ever knew to join our family in the US. She loves. She loves to get attention by asking everyone she sees, "What's your name?" or "Whacha doing?" or "Where you goin?" She loves to give me hugs and kisses even when I don't ask for them. She loves her bubba and sissy. I am excited to see what God does with this little one. I know she is going to move mountains with her personality and like-ability.

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 


I am blessed to be the mom of three beautiful children. I am still in awe that my God has given me this amazing gift, one that I am so not deserving of. 

Sweet Big Sister

We played around with perfect365.com...JD wouldn't let me post his "perfect" photo, but Jules looks beautiful (not that she doesn't already). I love this big sister. She has done amazingly well the past couple months giving up her role as little sister and assuming the big sister role. She's had a little trouble not getting as much attention as in the past, but you can tell she loves Louba. We ended up spending a few hours of just me and her Saturday. We went to her small group party at Chuck E. Cheese and she didn't have to share her tokens with anyone, then to Justice to get some new sun glasses and earrings, and Michael's for some craft supplies. She kept telling me thank you for letting her buy the sun glasses.
She has her moments, and we decided that we would take a date night every other week or so and do just what she wants without her brother or sister tagging along. I don't know who's more excited about the dates, me or her.

A new hobby...

Jules decided she wanted to try something new this fall instead of dance. It didn't hurt that Eric offered her $20.00 to try softball. Today was her very first softball practice, and she LOVED it. As much as it hurts me to hear her say she liked softball more than dance, I'm glad she found something else she liked to do. I want her to try other things as well. I don't want her to just do something, because that's always what she's done. The other night, he asked her, "Jules, I know I kinda made you play softball." Her reply, "Dad, you didn't kinda make me, you MADE me."

On the way to the car after practice, "Mom, can we get a new softball bag?" How can you say no to that sweetness.

In the dugout waiting for her turn to bat...

Softball ready at 2nd (bad camera phone picture):

June 2011

This month has been so busy; I don't know where it's all gone.

This week alone, I took the kids bowling (for FREE). We're heading back Thurday for two more free games of bowling. All we have to pay is the $1.00 shoe rental fee. If you haven't signed up, you can get free bowling for the kids all summer long all over the US at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/. Eric and I signed up to for $24.00 we get to bowl with them, and we scored $24.00 in restaurant.com coupons.

Today, we tie dyed shirts out front. The ground was still a little wet from the storms last night, but I think they had a good time. I'll post the finished product when they are washed and worn. I lucked up and scored this $30 kit for only $3.00 at Joann's clearance section a few weeks back.

We've also been super busy with baseball. JD has a tournament almost EVERY weekend. So, we spend all weekend at the ball park Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. But, there's nothing I'd rather do than watch the boy play some ball.

We're still waiting on a court date. We found out today that our home study agency is on the "R" black list and the court won't accept our homestudy. The agency director is trying to find out what the problem is and get it fixed. If she can't get it fixed, we'll need another home study, which could take three-four more months. We know that this is just a bump. It really hasn't put us "behind"; we're truly ahead of the game. We're about 8 months in, and we were told when we started that it could take over a year to finish the adoption. Now, I would LOVe to be in the "R" country in July, but if it's not in God's plan, then we won't be. I know we will get our girl home in His time. I have faith in that. She will be home when she's supposed to be home and not a day sooner. It's just hard. You have a date in mind, and it comes and goes, and then you hit these bumps. We'll get her home.

Right now, I'm just focusing on the kids at home and enjoying my summer with them. I'm gearing up for the new year. I'll be teaching two blocks of Reading/Language Arts/Writing and one section of Reading. I'm looking for information on block scheduling so I'll be prepared and ready for those 90+ minute classes and controling 25+ 8th graders. I'm super excited about this new schedule. I love writing and teaching writing. I know these blog post aren't super well written. I usually just type as I type without any revision or real thought into what I write. It's all just off the cuff writing, my sloppy copy. :)

I've done a ton of sewing this month. I've monogramed some things for a friend, made a couple baby gifts, sewn Jules a couple outfits and made bunches of doll clothes for Emma and Julianne's dolls. Next up is a matching outfit for Jules and Lyubov and a couple pairs of shorts for JD.

Princess Jules

Happy birthday to big sister Jules! Today (June 14) she turns six and I wonder where the time has gone. She's not a baby anymore, and I'm not sure I like that. About my #2:

*she loves to dance. This year's recital dance was hip hop "whip your hair" by Willow Smith. We did major curls and lots of glitter. She was beautiful!

*she can make you laugh in a second. She's ssoooo funny. Her new favorite saying is "that's what I'm talking about, yeah!" love it.

*she not so patiently sits at her brothers ballgames every weekend all weekend. She does actually cheer for him when he's up to bat.

*Emma, Chloe, and Madi are her best friends (Maddux is by default).

*she really likes school and is already asking when we go back (she's only been out for two weeks).

*she lost her first tooth in May.

*she can't wait for little sister to get here. She can't get enough of the videos of her and pictures.

The things I love (part 1)

This girl:

Jules is the princess in the house. She's our hip-hop dancer. She's the one who whines the most. She loves to have her nails painted and do "girly" things. She has finally mastered her "r"s, and can now say those words without problem. She can read almost anything she wants. She loves her big brother's piggy back rides. She loves homework and begs to do more than the one assignment a night. She sleeps as late as possible on school days. She loves Selena Gomez. Tangled is a new favorite movie of hers and it made her cry when we saw it in the theatre. Movies do make her cry (like Babie which she watches over and over and over again). She loves icing and would rather have it than the cake. Her favorite color is anything with sparkles. She wants to be a "little kid" teacher when she grows up. Chloe T. and Emma R.are her best friends, and she talks about them constantly.

Jules and Emma hiding in the TV cabinet in Gatlinburg (summer 09)

She is going to be such a great big sister. I can't wait to see all she teaches her little sister.