Babuska's new kitty

Bubuska is Grandma for those of you who don't remember.

All the kids were very sad that Bubuska didn't have a kitty anymore. I think I was the saddest though. So yesterday we decided to go to the SPCA to see what we could find. Of couse they all wanted another cat or more than one. I tried to explain Papa would not be happy if we got another kitty. Kristina especially liked one which kept rubbing on her cage and meowing, (it was in heat). They each picked out the one Babuska should have. I told them only Babuska would be able to decide which one she wanted and she probably wasn't ready for another kitty yet. Michael enjoyed watching a pair of rats run around in a cage and managed to stick his finger in and get bitten.

Then we went over to Babuska's to pick her up to take her back to the SPCA. She 'visited' with a few different cats trying to decide if she should adopt one of them. Then a girl came up to her and wanted her to see her cat which she had to turn into the SPCA. The cat was a cute Maine Coon about three years old and she wanted her to go to a good home. Well Babuska decided to take her. All the kids were so excited that she had found a kitty. She decided to name the cat Emerald, (Emmy) for short because of her green eyes.

Washington DC, Nov 5

Monday we got up early and drove into DC. Kristina likes to watch a show on the Disney Channel which takes place in the White House. So they already knew that 'Mr. President lived there. I really don't think they understand he is the President of the USA. They did keep thinking they were going to see people from the TV show. We then walked to the WW II Memorial, it was such a beautiful day. Unfortunately while we were there we got the sad news that Penny had died, (Babuska's kitty). She had developed congestive heart failure very fast. It was very sad. :-( We only spent less than two hours in DC before heading home. Some day we will come when we can spend more time.

Pennsylvania, Nov 3-4

They children are out of school Nov 5-6 for teacher work days so we decided to take advantage and go on a mini vacation.

Saturday we had the car packed by 3AM and got the kids up and in the truck by 3:15 and we were off for Pennsylvania. We had hoped the children would sleep for most of the trip, but they were awake for the first hour. They were so amazed at all the streeet lights and the fact that there were very few vehicles on the expressway. They were finally asleep by the time we got to Williamsburg. They were able to sleep until about 6 when John stopped to get coffee, unfortunately they didn't fall back to sleep. They amused themselves playing tag, and rock, paper, sissors. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Martinsville, WVA to eat breakfast. The rest of the trip they enjoyed looking at the mountains and valleys. They really liked to leaves in different shades of orange and red. They kept saying it was beautiful. Beautiful in their new word, eveything they like is beautiful, even Papa in a suit. We tried to explain handsome, but it didn't work.

We arrived at Concordia at about 1 PM. They were glad to be done driving. They kept saying Pennsylvania was far away. The children enjoyed trying to play ping pong while the adults were able to sit and talk. We were also able to take a nice walk around the lake outside before going to the hotel. We all ate dinner together at the Old Country Buffet, (13 total). The kids enjoy picking out what they want to eat. When left to their own choice they tend to come back with vegetables from the salad bar. They do also really love the soft serve ice cream. After eating we were all very tired so we went straight to the hotel. All five off us were in the same hotel room. Michael was excited to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor.








Sunday, we were able to sleep in a little and then go down for the hotel's breakfast buffet. They really like to eat eggs! We were able to have the kids play in the play area at the mall before we met all the relatives again to eat lunch. After lunch we went back for some short visits before starting to head home. We enjoyed seeing Robert and Dorcas' trip to Alaska. At the Walborns place the kids all had to pretend they were singing with a microphone. We had to leave
by 5 PM and drove all the way to Hagarstown. Again they slept in the car for a short period.










Thanks for all your prayers,

John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, and Michael

Halloween

The week started with the fall festival at church. They enjoyed eating chicken and playing on multiple different rides including a slide and a place for just jumping up and down. They also had fun riding the train around. The weather was just great. They really liked the 'ride' in which they wore a harness and had to run as far as they could before the bunge cord pulled them back.

On Tuesday we carved pumpkins. When the girls realized they had to put their hands inside the pumpkin to get the seeds out they decided they didn't like it as much. Michael kept saying, 'Mom, I like it this.' We kept the seeds to bake and eat later. They were all so proud of their own pumpkins.

Wednesday when they woke up they couldn't understand why they had to go to school since it was Halloween. We explained it was just a day not a holiday. When they came home they did their homework as fast as they could so they could get dress to to 'Trick or Treating'. Everybody came along including Papa, Mama, Mama parents and Allison and Brian. All of them caught on very fast about what was going on. They couldn't believe they could walk up to a house and be given candy. They got so much candy they will probably be eating it until next year!

Thanks for your prayers,

John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, and Michael

Dentist for Kristina and Luba

This past week was slow compared to the past weeks. There were not as many appointments and just a few errands to run. Tuesday Kristina and Luba went to the Dentist to have a few teeth sealed. We have spent a lot of time trying to explain the upcoming holiday season and halloween. Everytime they see a pumpkin or whitches the just yell, 'Halloween!!' They don't understand what will happen on Halloween. They know they have costumes and that they will be walking around the neighborhood.

Vistor's and Michael's surgery

This past Monday, 10/15, Avie came to visit us bringing along with Oksana and her daughter Alyona. They are from Sevestopol, Ukraine and are in the US so Alyona can have surgery. We wanted to children to meet them because they speak Russian and very little English. It was very interesting because Kristina was able to converse with them, but Luba just kept saying, 'I don't know what you are saying.' They said she seems to have forgotten much of her Russian, and it has only been three months! This seems amazing to me, but also a little sad. She does know a lot of English words, but still is using many hand motions. We really hope Kristina will remember her Russian.

Wednesday, 10/17, was the big day for Michael! He seemed so excited to have the surgery, but he has no idea the pain he may be in afterwards. Hopefully, he will recover fast and be feeling back to normal by later next week. He is doing well so far and is still refusing to wear any pants to bed and he manages to stay on his back! He is walking slowly and very gingerly.

Thanks for your prayers,

John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, Michael

Second UVA game 10/13/07

The kids were so excited today because we are going to another UVA football game. This time the weather should be much better than last time, not nearly as hot. We are bringing long sleeve shirts along just in case. They all love to go and eat sandwiches and chips outside. We didn't have to get up as early this time since the game was a 3:30 instead of noon like the last one.

UVA won the game 17-16! They are doing well so far this year and it's nice to have the kids see a win. Kristina keeps watching the scoreboard to see who's winning. After the game we are a McDonalds before driving home. Since we were much later than the last game they slept most of the way home and we didn't have to stop at all.

Thanks for your prayers,

John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, and Michael

Taylor Farms

Today Luba's class had a field trip to Taylor Farms. I was able to go as a chaperone and bring Michael also. I had tried to explain what we were going to be doing, but how do you explain a hay ride when they don't know what hay is? All of their experiences are new and they are always so excited. They love petting the baby goats, although Michael kept trying to chase them around. They also got to see ponies, cows, pigs, and fish. They liked the hay ride which took them to a pumpkin patch where they got to pick out their own pumpkin! They have been noticing pumpkins in yards around the neighborhood and want ones of their own. After the hayride everyone ate lunch at picnic tables and the children were able to run around and play on different wooden structures.



Also this week, on Wednesday, Kristina had her second laser treatment. There was a slight difference which could be noted after the first laser treatment.

Thanks for your prayers,

John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, and Michael

A day at the park

Today, it was such a nice day, so after church we decided to go to the park. They loved it. It was good for them to get rid of some excess energy.

Doctor's visits for Michael

This was a week of doctor's visits for Michael.

On Monday 9/24 he went to the ENT because he keeps snorting. Luba had her adnoids removed while in the orphanage so they must have been very large. Everytime Michael snorts Luba explains to him about her surgery saying if he has surgery he won't snort. They doctor wanted to give him a nasal spray for a month, take X-rays and then see how he was doing. I asked if we could take the x-rays right then and have him look at them to determine soon what needed to be done. We had to go to the hospital to have the x-rays done and made it back to the doctors office in under 2 hours. Once the doctor looked at the films he said Michael could use the nasal spray but, he needed to have his adnoids out. We hope to have this done next month.



On Tuesday, 9/25 he went to the dentist. He was so excited. He had seen the girls get their teeth cleaned and had wanted to have his done too. The girls at the office kept saying he was such a good patient and he just kept smiling.


Friday, 9/28, he went to see a general surgeon. He needs to be circumcised. At least this surgery can be done the same time as the adnoidectomy. Poor boy, but he will be much happier later once the pain is gone.

Thanks for your prayers,
John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, and Michael