The End of Summer

Lucas (with his new glasses) and Emma

Playing darts (unfortunately...not very well..haha)

Emma Diva!

Memorial service for Chris's dad

Emma's Birthday

First Birthday Cake

Chuck E. Cheese

Second Birthday cake

First day of school!!!

Well, summer has come and gone...but we had a great time! So much has happened since my last post...

Chris's father passed away after a recurrence of colon cancer. It was a peaceful ending to a full life and we are happy that he is in a better place, though we are sad because we miss him dearly. We had a memorial service for him at the lake where they used to own a house. We scattered his ashes off the same pier that we had scattered Chris's mom's ashes 13 years ago. It was a lovely way to honor him, surrounded by his friends and family.

Emma had her first birthday in America! We had a family birthday night on her actual birthday, which consisted of her choice of dinner (she requested peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...but we eventually settled on pasta). After dinner, I asked her if she thought that she would get any presents for her birthday and she looked at me and said "I didn't get any presents today". I then asked her if she thought that mommy and daddy got her any presents and she said "no...I don't think so". She truly had no idea that she would get presents on her birthday! Can you imagine? Seven years old and never a birthday present. I then told her to sit down in the gameroom and I brought in her presents. I don't think I've ever seen a more surprised or excited look on anyone's face...it was so sweet. After the presents, she blew out the candles on her cake. I asked her if she had cake in Ukraine for her birthday (I already knew the answer) she said "no". I then asked her if anyone ever wished her a happy birthday and she looked at me and said "Mama, I didn't have birthdays in Ukraine"... to which I said "have another piece of cake honey"...

She had a birthday party with her friends at Chuck E Cheese (her choice...NOT mine...haha). Everyone had a great time and I could tell that she felt special. She doesn't like to be the center of attention so when we sang happy birthday to her just prior to blowing out the candles, she covered her face. I think she was a little overwhelmed by it all. I'll admit...it brought a tear or two to my eyes to see her take it all in. She was so happy and she told me it was the "best birthday ever!". ...Mission accomplished!

The first day of school was the day after Emma's party. We had attended the open house at the school several days prior and Emma was very excited to get back to class. Lucas, although excited to finally be starting school (like big sis), was very nervous. He likes to know what to expect and he was a little overwhelmed with not knowing what to do. He kept saying "I don't know what to do. Mama...you need to show me". Fortunately, Lucas is in the same class that Emma was in last year so we are very familiar with his teacher, and so is he. On the first day, we took Emma to her class first so Lucas could see how it was all done, then we took him to his class. We looked for his assigned seat...which we found at a table with 4 girls. When he saw that he was going to be the only boy at the table he said "ooooohhhhhhh nooooooooo!". It was so funny! They had a great first day and they were so excited to go back the next day. I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten!!!

We took the kids to get their eyes checked before school started. I was concerned that Emma's strabismus (lazy eye) may cause her some issues. Well...her eyesight is fine...Lucas...not so much. He is farsighted (like me...go figure) and he has to wear glasses. I had to wear glasses starting when I was four and ended when I rebelliously refused to wear them at age twelve. He looks so cute in them...but I am also sad because I know how difficult it can be on a kid. He seems to like them and doesn't mind wearing them...so I'm happy about that.

Well, I'd better get this posted. Hurricane Gustav is heading this way (though it probably won't be too bad for us).

Lisa

In the midst of summer...

Astos Game (Emma's first)

In front of Minute Maid Park (Astros)

4th of July Parade

Cutie Lukie!!!

Our beautiful Emma!

Well, summer life continues and the kids are having a great time. Their new daycare takes them on several field trips per week and so far they've been to the zoo, the children's museum, the weather station, the library, the local PBS tv station, a WNBA (Comets) game, an Astros game, and various other places that I can't remember. I wanna go to daycare!!!!!

We continue to spend most of the weekends in the pool and they are now quite adept at swimming. A few weeks ago they were using arm floaties, but now they are swimming (sans floaties) all around the pool and are even able to pick up the diving sticks that we throw into the pool. Emma has some difficulty because she's light...and she can't seem to sink very well but she is able to fight her way down to the diving sticks in the shallow end. Lucas is able to pick them up from the bottom of the deep end. Simply amazing!!! I think we will put them on the local swim teams next year.

The attached photos are of an Astros game a few weeks ago and at the 4th of July parade. It was very special watching Emma wave her little American flag.

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of our SDA appointment which is where we first saw a picture of our beautiful little girl. I can't believe it's been a year!!! I'm so happy that so many of you have continued to stick around for updates and are able to see the progress that Emma has made in a year. She continues to be a joy and we feel so blessed to have her in our lives. I am following some other families in Ukraine right now and I have a strange sense of envy. I can't believe how I sometimes wish I was back in Ukraine. Maybe because its been a year and I've forgotten all the hard stuff but I really miss it at times. I hope we travel back some day for a visit...I doubt we will adopt again though. We were told by so many people prior to our last trip that lightning doesn't strike twice (meaning we would never find a kid as great as Lucas). Well, lightning did strike twice...but for it to strike three times...well that's just pushing it...haha.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Keep posting comments if you get a chance...we love to read them.

Lisa

The joys of summer

At camp...awaiting cabin assignments

At Poppy's house

At Poppy's house

Fun in the pool

Watching Emma perform in her last day of school concert

Last day of Kindergarten

At Poppy's house

Emma's bunk at camp

Summer is here and the fun has begun!!

The kids went to the YMCA camp last week for 2 nights and they had a blast! Two news channels even did a story on the camp and Lucas was in the background of some of the footage...that was cool! I couldn't wait to pick them up on Tuesday because a) well...I missed them terribly and b) I couldn't wait to hear all of their stories. They went swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, did archery, crafts, ate smores, and sang songs. I want to go to camp!!!! Emma received the "Most Cheerful" award. Which just made me so proud considering 10 months ago she was in an orphanage and now she was recognized for being her sweet, happy self. She is amazing!!! Lucas received the "Dust Buster" award...which makes sense to anyone that knows him well. He LOVES to clean! His cabin counselor came up to me and said "Luke is just so organized!!". He was astounded at how meticulous Lucas was with his "stuff" and with cleaning the cabin. That's my boy!!

Emma graduated from Kindergarten and will be going to the first grade in August. We are so proud of the progress that she has made. Her teacher was so great to her and we are hoping that Lucas will be placed in her class when he enters Kindergarten in August (she has told us that she has requested Lucas to be in her class). Lucas is nervous to start the "big" school but he's also excited. Chris was teaching him the Pledge of Allegiance this morning...it was cute....especially when Lucas said "indibisible".

We're just spending time in the pool every weekend and enjoying the lazy summer days. Work for me has been quite busy and I'm hoping it slows down a bit, but that seems unlikely. I'm just fortunate to have a job that is challenging yet rewarding with a boss who is very supportive.

Well, hopefully everyone is having a great summer. Thank you to all who continue to post comments. We love reading them. And to all those who are just getting started on your adoption journey...I pray that your path is smooth and your courage is plenty. You are embarking on the greatest adventure of you lives! ...Worth every moment...

L, C, L &E

Summertime is here

Well...it's been awhile...sorry!

We had a wonderful Mother's day weekend and the kids were so excited to give me their handmade cards. Lucas also made me a popsicle stick note holder which is proudly displayed on my desk at work. Emma kept giving me hugs saying "Happy Mother's day Mama". It was very sweet!!

We finally made it into the pool this weekend. Well actually...the kids made it in...it was much too cold for me. They had a blast splashing around and jumping off the side. They are wearing their floaties for now until they get back in the swing of swimming...and I can be in the water with them.

We are sending them to a 3day/2night YMCA summer camp in June. When we asked them if they wanted to go they were so excited. I don't think I've ever seen such happy faces!! Lucas even said "You and daddy can have a party while we're gone"...hmmmm....indeed!

Well, I've posted some of the swimming pictures and another singing video from tonight's semi-final American Idol. Enjoy!

Lisa

Easter

We had a great Easter weekend and the kids had a ball. We went to our neighborhood Easter Egg hunt...which only took about 10 minutes for all the eggs to be collected. Unfortunatly Lucas and Emma were separated into different areas because of their ages so we were only able to take pictures of one...and since it was Emma's first Easter egg hunt...she got all the pictures. They had a great time!

We colored eggs on Saturday afternoon (an annual event that is even more fun with two) and Emma really enjoyed getting creative. As a result, I am sick to death of eggs and I do not want to eat any for a REALLY long time:)...

Easter Morning, Lucas and Emma woke up excited to see what the Easter Bunny brought them. They searched high and low for their baskets. The "Easter Bunny" hid them behind the curtains in the dining room and it took them a while to find them. Of course, this is nothing new in our house...if it isn't in plain sight...no one can find anything...including Chris!! Unfortunately Lucas became quite sick throughout the day and he didn't even eat any of his treats. Oh well...more for mama!!

We had another parent/teacher conference with Emma's teacher last week and she continues to be doing very well. We asked the question "Is she going to pass to first grade" and her teacher responded "absolutely!". She told us that she is so attentive and she sometimes explains the teachers instructions to some of the other kids. Not bad for a kid who didn't understand English 6 months ago!! We are so proud of her. Now...if she would just stop writing her name on everything...closet door, carpet, bedskirt, walls, tables...

Lisa

6 Months Home

Lucas Graduation photo: Pre K

Emma school photo: Kindergarten

Taking the truck for a ride

Lucas and Emma Playing at their favorite park

It's hard to believe that we have been home for 6 months with Emma. She has come so far in such a short amount of time. Last weekend she pulled her "homework" out of her backpack and told me she needed to read her books. With her on my lap I was settling in to read one of the books to her, with her pointing out the sight words that we have practiced. Apparently my reading expertise was not necessary as she proceeded to read the whole book herself! I was in shock!! It was a short book with simple language but when she read "rectangle" I almost fell off the chair! How is it possible that this little girl, who didn't speak a word of English 6 months ago (and she couldn't read Russian either), learn to read a whole book? I certainly couldn't read in Kindergarten. I am so proud of her...my admiration for her just keeps growing.

Lucas has been having some problems at school with one of his little friends. Every day he comes home crushed because this little girl "isn't very nice" to him. Nothing too serious... just typical kid stuff...he just tends to take things to heart. Anyway, after discussing with him ways for him to deal with it, Emma comes over to me, puts her hand on mine and whispers "It's ok Mama...I'll take care of Luka". It is amazing how she sees her brother hurting and she has taken the roll of "big sister" very seriously. I imagine she will "take care" of him for many years to come. She is small....but she is mighty! I have no doubt that she will protect him, as I am certain she "protected" the smaller kids at the orphanage. It is her nature. Such strength wrapped in a package of pure kindness is truly humbling to see. I don't know that Lucas will truly understand how blessed he is to have Emma as his big sister until he is much older.

There isn't anything else going on. Life has settled into a pleasant routine with daily reminders of our many blessings. I pray that those families that are in Ukraine right now find their pleasant routines as well.

Lisa

Life is Good

I'm sorry I haven't updated recently. I've been pretty busy lately and I realized I haven't even taken any recent photos. Sooo...I thought I'd take a video of one of our favorite Tuesday/Wednesday night pastime. Lucas absolutely LOVES American Idol and we have had to endure months of "When is the singer show coming on??". Now that a new season is upon us I wanted to share a bit of our weekly ritual. While watching AI we each take turns during the commercial break to perform. We typically make up a name, age and a song in which we perform for the "judges". Since this has been the first round of competition, each of us performs and gets a "yes" or "no" from the judges. "Yes" means "Your goin to Hollywood!!!!". Tonight I took a video of Lucas and Emma performing. I've spared you any piece of the hideous performances by Chris and I...because...well...I have too much pride and posting a video of us butchering "You light up my life" on the internet is just more than I am willing to share. But I have absolutely no problem exploiting my children's "talents". I hope you enjoy!

We have been keeping pretty busy lately and things are going really well. Emma continues to flourish and we are so proud of how well she is adapting. While picking her up from school one day last week, Emma's teacher said to Chris "Emma has made my year!! She's my little sponge. I love her enthusiasm". She loves going to school and her reading and writing is improving weekly.

Lucas also continues to bond with his sister. They are two peas in a pod and only occasionally want to throttle each other. The other night at dinner while having yet another conversation about how unfair it is that I am the boss and they don't EVER get to be the boss, I told Lucas that he could be the boss when he is grown with children of his own. I tried to impress upon him that he can boss his children around all he wants. He stated emphatically "I'm not having kids!". I said that that is fine but that he might change his mind someday. He took a few moments to think about this and then he said "Ok...but you'll have to go with me". I answered confused "what do you mean?". He said "When I go to Mycraine to get my kids, you'll have to go with me...cause I'm not gonna go alone!". After recovering from my laughter, I instructed him that not all people go to Ukraine to "get their kids" but if that's what he wanted, I'd be more than happy to go with him. The conversation moved in the direction of how people go about "getting children"...but I won't bore you with those details.

Emma is starting to talk more and more about her life at the orphanage, now that she has a better understanding of the English language. It is heartwrenching to hear some of her revelations. We try hard to reinforce that she is a forever member of our family and when I say "You know you're not going back right"...her face lights up with a beautiful smile and she sighs contentedly and says "Yes". (of course Lucas teases her with "tomorrow we're taking Emma back to the orphanage"...but she usually responds with "well then we're taking Lucas back toooooo...na na na na na na...."). I asked her what she likes most about her new life here and she answered "I get lots of hugs and kisses". She does indeed!!!!

Well, I promise to be better about updating more frequently. Please feel free to continue to make comments (just click the comments section). Lucas and Emma love to have me read them over and over again.

Lisa