Boys will be boys, right?

Boys will be boys, regardless if they are born in Ukraine or the good ole' USofA!! Isn't that right? As I am getting Clark dressed this morning, I begin to take off his pull-up and put on his underwear...he gets a HUGE grin on his face, grabs his "manly equipment" and starts making a peeing sound...pppppssssssssssssssssss!!!!! He was oh so very proud of himself for being funny. Meanwhile, I bite my cheek to not laugh and give him the motherly "that is not very polite" speech!! Hardy har har har......yep, gotta love boys!!

Four months ago today...our lives changed forever!!

Four months ago to the day...we loaded up the black Lincoln Navigator in Kiev and headed on a 4 hour journey that would change our lives forever. (I will mention that it WAS a 4 hour journey that should have been at least a 5 hour journey..heehee...remember that story?) On the afternoon of July 13th, we met a 3 1/2 year old little boy that we new nothing more about than his name, Ruslan...and he stole our hearts from the moment he was escorted into the room to us. He gave us a shy smile with his head tilted down...and here we are 4 months later and he is an active, talkative, and (trying at times) little one that has learned to receive love and give love in return. God, in his infinite wisdom, made the more than 2 year wait all worth it. We knew from that moment that God chose this child to be our son before the creation of the world. He brought me into this world to be his mother. How awesome is that? Maybe not flesh of my flesh, but nothing short of a miracle. A daughter and a son...oh how we have been blessed beyond measure.

Just thought I would post some more beach photos. We returned to the beach on Monday for a little stroll along the sea wall. Our kiddos can't get enough of that place!

beach

Ali's first 200........

Ali swam her first 200 this weekend...let me just say...she HATED it! She was so mad that her coach signed her up for a 200! It takes a lot of endurance to make it 200 (and she doesn't have a lot of that). But you know what, she finished it and we were proud of her...ok, so she was the last one in her heat...but SHE FINISHED IT! It was quite funny...on her last lap her coach finally started yelling "Ali, just finish." Ha!!! Me, now I would have sunk to the bottom after the first 25...ha!! However, she did well in the other events. Between today and yesterday, she swam in a total of 9 events. Her backstroke really improved today compared to yesterday (yesterday it was another one of those...she was just glad to finish sort of things). This was her first "REAL" swim meet. The summer league meets were much more relaxed...this was the real deal. It is all about your swim time at this point. In the end, your time gets compared to all the other kids in your age group. It is interesting to see where she lines up. She was pretty much right in the middle...so not too bad for her first real meet. But let me tell you....there are some majorly overzealous sideline parents. UGH! We would just stand around and listen to all the yelling and screaming...that was something else. One mother yesterday completely tore into her little girl (maybe about 8 years old) saying how "she had wasted her whole day at that swim meet and she didn't swim like she should have"..the poor little girl just kept telling her mom she was sorry. I thought it was quite sad. The mother just packed up their things and left the kid standing in the hall (because she was still trying to get her clothes on). Anyway, I don't think Ali has another meet until after the new year. One of the coaches is already asking us why Clark wasn't swimming yet. She wants me to bring him for a trial lesson soon...she doesn't know what she is getting into!! Heehee...he has no fear.

swim meet

Any grandchildren in my future?

We were in the car today and Clark was looking at a book (that happened to be one of Ali's when she was little)...he started to get a little rough with the book, so I began to explain that it was Ali's book and we wanted to save it for her children...then I said we would save his books for his children. Without a second thought, Ali informed me "I already told Dad...I AM NOT HAVING CHILDREN after watching Clark." Well...guess she told me.

Because the world needs poets...

In case you didn't see the previous post, we have a budding poet on the loose here in the Judd household. Rachel posted a couple of her pieces on Monday after her post on our beach soirée, but I'm going to promote Ali to her own post and her own label (poetry)...because she deserves it and because the world needs poets:

"Colors of God"
Colors are one of God's miracles,
We see them every day.
Do you wonder how they came to be?
Or if they're here to stay?

What if the world had no colors?
What if it was black and white?
If there were no colors in the world,
I would rather not have sight.

We need the reds and yellows
and greens and purples, too!
And blue and pink and orange
In every different hue.

God's gifts are grace and mercy,
and lots of others too.
One is the great gift of colors,
He gave to me and you!
by Ali Judd

---

"A Colonial Blacksmith"
One day I was walking home from school,
and looked into the shed;
I saw a busy blacksmith
A'hammering at some lead.

He stopped, looked up, and smiled
and then he said, "Good day!"
He started all his work again
A'chewing at some hay.

Blistered hands, a'workin' hard,
How I think they must be tired.
Big, black mustache, grease black hair,
Molten steel, he shows no fear.

He always goes to Sunday church,
and sits way in the back.
I look there and he smiles,
and politely lifts his hat.

When he prays he cries, "I'm a sinful man,
I sin every day."
He kneels to pray a prayer or two,
and wipes each tear away.

After church is over,
he walks around to me.
He gives me a nickel to buy some gum,
and happily walks away.

by Ali Judd

I never knew..........

I never knew I could be so excited over an inch......ONE WHOPPING INCH! But, I am! Clark had his monthly height/weight follow up with his pediatrician today. I was initially disappointed because he has not gained any weight since he came home in Aug. His weight today was the same it was last month... 26 1/2 lbs. However, our boy has grown a whole inch since we got home. The doctor was really excited about that, as was I. He is still only the average size of a 2 year old...she showed me his growth chart. So...he still has a lot of catching up to do. But, she said she is more concerned with the height issue than the weight. If he continues to grow...we might not have to have the test run checking his growth hormone. YIPPY! All in all things are going well. She said his incision is healing well, he finished up his antibiotics this morning!

Ali has her first swim meet since summer this weekend. YES...both Sat. and Sun.!! It will be interesting to see how she has improved since then. Nona and Poppy are coming to watch her on Sunday, so she is excited about that.

I will explain the pictures....the other morning Clark put his boots on as soon as he got out of bed. He then decided to climb into our bed...boots and all...and he had put his shoes on his baby! Too funny. Then, the ones of him at bath time need some explanation. T.C. made the mistake one night when drying him off after bath, of saying "oh baby Russie...look how cute..." (on and on and on...because he was all wrapped up in his towel like a baby) WELL....Clark LOVED it so much that he demands we do that EVERY SINGLE night. As soon as I get him out of the tub...first thing out of his mouth "BABY...PAPA"!!! Translation..."where is Papa, I want him to do baby!" Ha!! (every night!!!) It is really pretty funny...he loves it. The poster is Ali's geography project. She had to draw a map from a country of her choice and tell about the country. She, of course, chose Ukraine. It came out very well.

boots in bed, baby Clark, and Ali's map

Just another day at the beach.....

Today was Clark's official first day of preschool. Ummm, ok...maybe we are just working on letters and colors...but it's a start. He knew his colors in Ukrainian, but is having to relearn them in English. He likes "doing school" like Ali. So it only took about 5 minutes or so, but you gotta start somewhere. Ha! We worked on the color red and the letter A. (he is clueless about the letters...but I think he gets the colors)

T.C. has been working CRAZY hours the past 2 weeks (due to being in mission control), so we headed to the beach for some relaxation this afternoon. The kids (including T.C.) built a huge sand castle and Clark loved helping tear it down before we left! He loves going to the beach, as does Ali. Ali was disappointed that we didn't hit the old fashioned ice cream parlor on The Strand!

Sat. we took them to Build a Bear to build a new bear. They both chose a cute dog! Clark thought that place was pretty fun! Ali has loved going for years now.

I thought I would include a couple of Ali's recent poems. She enjoys writing poetry...but she should really do it more often...she is actually pretty good at it! Enjoy.....

(T.C.: OK, I moved her poems here)

Build a Bear, first day of schooling, and Galveston

Tea party anyone?....Halloween....and cowboy boots!!!

What a combination...all in the course of a few days here in the Judd house Clark had a tea party for one of his stuffed animals, went trick or treating, and absolutely fell in LOVE with his cowboy boots. He had a doctors appointment today and actually wore shorts (yes, it is warm here!!), t-shirt, and cowboy boots. (black boots at that!) I probably used to think..."why would a parent let their child go out of the house like that?" But...now I am the one doing it. Ha! He even wore them with his pj's this morning. So, I honestly just didn't want the battle of trying to get them off of his feet.......so off to the doctor we went....boots and all. I remember with Ali every hair had to be in place with bows to match. Heehee!

The video is so cute of Clark having his tea party. I just came around the corner the other day and found that.

Well, another American first....TRICK OR TREATING!! I am sure he was a little confused at first, but he got the hang of it. We went with some friends from the neighborhood, and he tried to keep up with them...then he just quit trying and wanted to be carried. His little legs just couldn't make it. He loved it when the people were standing outside with their dogs dressed up! He would kiss them all...the dogs that is. (ick, but he did it) After trick or treating, Ali went to a fall festival with her friends that we trick or treated with. I didn't want Clark to be overwhelmed with Halloween...so I brought him home. She had a great time though.

Clark had a follow up appointment today with the surgeon. He said everything looks great with the exception of the redness. He said it should not be this red after a week and a half. He put him on antibiotics to be safe. Pray it heals just fine and that there isn't any infection. (you always hear about people getting staff infections from hospitals)

Oh yes, the picture of his "baby" on his potty chair is hilarious! I heard him in the bathroom this morning and that is what I found. He just looked at me and said "baby, potty!" Like...DUH, Mom!! Ha!

tea party and Halloween

Why is it?????

Tell me...why is it that when a kid gets a sour stomach it HAS to happen in their HIGH CHAIR and CAR SEAT? Couldn't it happen...oh say...as they are walking past the restroom or as they are standing near a trash can? OH NO...it is much more fun for it to go all over their high chair tray and ALLLLLL in their car seat and clothing just as you are dropping the other child off at swim practice. (of course at a time when I did NOT have a change of clothes or any wet wipes in the van!!) Just thought I would share the fun that was had today. The little guy took it all in stride though. He was happy for the most part...just didn't have an appetite. I HOPE he doesn't have a stomach bug...they spread like wild fire.

This is really funny...tonight as I was drying Clark off after his bath, I was talking to him about some dry patches that he keeps on his tummy. I said that next time we go to the doctor I would ask for some good cream for his skin. He looks down and points to his "manly parts" and says "DOCTOR!!!" I laugh and tell him that it is a different doctor...not THAT doctor. He looks down again and shakes his head saying "no doctor." Guess he was having flashbacks of last weeks doctor visit.

The star of the show.....

We are back from Shreveport, and Clark didn't know what to make of being the star of the show. Our joke for the weekend was that he had his own fan club and was being followed by the paparazzi. (everywhere he looked there were flashes!!) Lisa, he will be calling his agent soon...he is wondering where all the photographers went! We had a great time visiting with family for a few days. We had not been there in WAY too long. Clark was able to meet his Uncle Sam finally. I hope to visit there more often. Friday evening there was a get together at my cousin's house. It was so fun for us all to be together and for them to meet Clark. Ali was able to spend time with her cousin, Christopher, and they had a fantastic time together. It really made me appreciate that we are closer to them now that we are in TX. THANKS SHREVEPORT CLAN FOR A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

This evening we took the kids to a Trunk or Treat. We kept wondering what was going through Clark's head. (so you mean I have to dress up...say trick or treat...and I get candy? HUH!)

Well, this is short tonight...I am exhausted from the trip...and have miles to go before I can hit the sack...(bags to unpack...yuck!)

Shreveport trip and Trunk or Treat

3...2...1...Blast Off!!!

The space shuttle Discovery launched a few minutes ago...with T.C.in the "safety" mission control room. He is assigned to this flight...so he will be working 11 days straight with crazy hours. He will be ready for a day off when his 11 days are over. I am packing up the kids and taking them to Shreveport on Thursday while he works mission control. Samuel Clark hasn't met his Uncle Sam whom he was named after as of yet. We are all excited to be going and seeing some of our family there.

Clark did just fine during his surgery yesterday. The hospital is a trauma center, so we knew there was a possibility that his surgery time could be bumped. Well, it was! We arrived at 6am and he wasn't taken back to surgery until 10am. It was a rather long morning in a small hospital room...with a toddler. We were so glad there was a t.v. in the room so that he could watch cartoons. He did such a good job being a brave boy. When it was finally his turn, they gave him some medicine to relax him mixed with some Tylenol. So after he took that, we were able to walk him down to the holding area and we met the nurses and doctors that would be working with him. The medicine had kicked in at that point and even the medical staff was cracking up watching him. One doc said "I looked like that on my 21st birthday." He was just laughing, jabbering, and rolling around. I was laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face. I caught a little of it on video...which I am sharing...shame on me...I know!! But, the laughing ended and reality hit...our sweet boy was undergoing surgery. He tolerated the anesthesia well, which was my main concern. He awoke slowly while I was with him in the recovery room. They like for children to wake up on their own as they tend to wake up more happy that way. It was sad, he would wake up for a minute...cry...and drift back off. After several episodes like that...the nurse gave him some morphine for pain. That knocked him out yet again...and we had to wait for him to wake up enough to drink some juice and potty. He did so, and we were able to leave the hospital a little after 2pm. However, the ride home ended up being more than his tummy could handle with the anesthesia. I won't go into detail...but after returning home his WHOLE car seat had to be taken apart and scrubbed...as did the van seat. Poor little fellow. He ended up eating some in the late afternoon and even played with his train set. I asked him when we got home..."do you want to go lie down"...his response "no, Thomas!" Well, ok then! However, the hospital pain meds wore off in the early evening and our little man was miserable! He was in so much pain last night before bed. The Tylenol with codeine helps take the edge off some...but he is definitely fighting getting his ointment applied. He is pretty happy today...already fighting with Ali...so definitely on the mend. Ha! He is still VERY sore and in quite a bit of pain. I hope this intense pain doesn't last long...we hate seeing him like this.

Well, that is about it for now. I am off to get him some chicken nuggets...his all time favorite food!

lookin' cute and hospital....

Toddlers are just so precious....

Remember when I would go on and on about what an angel Clark was....just so precious....wow...what a difference a week can make. He is testing his boundaries left and right! Here is a glimpse into our daily lives..."Clark, I said not to do that...if you do it again you will go to time-out...what did I just say...(meanwhile he decides he will try it again)...ok, you are going to time-out on the stairs...(then followed by scream, kick the floor, you get my point)" I have said a million times...doesn't he know there are going to be consequences? Human nature I suppose! But, as quickly as the madness comes...it leaves...and he is our sweet boy again. To be expected with toddlerhood, I suppose.

I am posting some recent pictures. We took the kids to the Houston Zoo this morning for the Halloween at the zoo. Clark enjoyed getting a little candy, picking out a mini pumpkin, and coloring a couple of masks. There are a few from a park yesterday evening. A co-worker of T.C.'s has a wedding photography business on the side and he offered to take our first family pictures.
http://sivanov.exposuremanager.com/g/judds&gallery_page=&gallery_all=&view=1&photo_page=1#photo_s

I love the picture of Clark over T.C.'s shoulder. The few I took are funny...if you notice the ones of Clark by the water...he is wet...he decided to pretty much scoop the water out of the pond and put it all over himself.

Pray for our little man on Monday morning. We are to have him at the Children's Hospital in Galveston at 6:00AM for his little surgery. (getting circumcised) I am nervous, but we are just trusting God to guide the doctors. I hate the thought of him being in pain afterwards.

Houston Zoo, park, etc.

Did he just say DINOSAUR?

Yep...Clark was playing (as usual) this morning and low and behold he blurts out "dinosaur"... You see, yesterday Ali had given him a little dinosaur toy that she came across and he remembered the name. It was so cute...such a tough word for a little guy just learning English. T.C. has been a little sad lately because the little mister is loosing his Ukrainian words. He now picks up his cars/trucks and calls them cars and trucks...not "machinas" anymore! Our little fellow is growing up....HA....all 26 1/2 lbs. of him. :)

For those of you that might be interested...I am re-reading the BEST parenting book ever...in our opinion. (and I have read a few...or at least bits and pieces of several) It is "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! Read it if you haven't! It makes so much sense. It talks about our goal as parents isn't to have "perfect" behaviour from our children, but to train their hearts in God's ways. To help our children see why their actions are wrong, and point them to the cross. It is awesome...

Praise God!

Praise God, I just got a call from the pediatricians office and Clark's blood work was NORMAL!! Yippy!!

Funny........Clark was lying down for a nap today and I went in to check on him....low and behold he had a bed FULL of toys. I put the toys back in the toy basket and told him he couldn't have toys at nap time. I told him to choose ONE baby, but that was it. He was so mad at me...he started crying so loudly. I left the room, went downstairs and we hear "I WANT TOYS!!!!" Ha! Yep, his English is coming right along!

Fall??

I know it is Oct. 14th.....and officially it is FALL, however, it is too stinkin' hot here in TX to feel like fall. I kind of miss that about Kentucky...the cool, crispness of the air in the fall. Oh well, it is what it is...right? So, even though it was 85+ degrees here in TX yesterday...we still did our annual outing to hunt for a pumpkin to carve. Clark just doesn't get why we would go and pick out that funny round orange thing! But I know he will enjoy scooping out those OOEY GOOEY seeds. (what kid doesn't) Oh another thing we REALLY miss is going to Huber's Orchard up in Indiana and picking our own apples and pumpkins!! The closest pumpkin patch I could find around here was like an hour away...how sad is that? Ok, enough about what we miss.....we truly do like it here. It just doesn't quite feel like fall to us.

I wanted to get some "fall" pictures of the kids this weekend. It takes me about 50 pictures to get even a few good ones of Clark. Ha! He either just stares at me with a blank look on his face...or moves RIGHT as I am snapping the picture. But, some came out cute. The ones of him with our pumpkin were so funny. He just kept saying "oh pretty."

Fall pics

You know you have a preteen when.....

You know you have a preteen in the house when she looses her LAST baby tooth and when T.C. jokingly asked her where her tooth fairy pillow was she replied, "I don't know, maybe Santa Clause took it."!!! Ha...gotta love it!

On a more serious note...please pray for some blood test results on Clark to come back totally normal. He had a doctors appointment this morning for some blood tests and he has lost a few ounces. He was below 27 lbs. this time around. The doctor would just really like to see some weight gain by now. Just pray all is normal and he is healthy, just small. THANK YOU!!

Clark the puppy....what is going on?

I thought I would share a little humor from our lives and then get on to something a little more serious. Clark has discovered that it is totally fun to pretend he is a dog. Yes, he is continually all out canine! When he gets into his "puppy mode" he won't even speak...he crawls around, follows Timmy, rubs his head up against things, rolls over on his back, when we ask for kisses he rubs noses, etc. It sort of freaks me out a bit, but T.C. thinks it is hilarious. Ummmm, the jury is still out on that one. He will, however, snap out of it if he knows MOM is serious...I can only take so much puppy business! (he even crawls up/down the stairs) A friend of mine assured me that her son did the same thing and even went as far as barking at people when they asked him a question. Thanks, Suzanne, for letting me know we didn't have the only puppy boy out there!!! Ok, and to clarify the pictures of Clark pushing the vacuum...NO, we don't really put the kids to work...he was having a fit when he saw me vacuuming...so I had to let him push it a little! He kept telling me "me, me, me".

On to other things....
I still smile every time I say the word "kids"...it hits me again and again and I tell myself "it is plural..KIDS...it is finally plural." I waited so long for this. I truly believe I was put on this earth to be T.C.'s wife and my children's mother. That is what I live and breathe for. I can't imagine my life any other way. However, there were days I doubted everything. Most of you know that we suffered several miscarriages when Ali was a toddler. It was devastating. That is all I ever wanted to be was a mother...and I felt like I was being held back. I questioned God every single time it happened. Why me, God...why? I never understood, but trusted in God's sovereignty over our lives. I knew he loved us and had a plan for our lives. Now, we fast forward 7 years and God is allowing us to catch a glimmer of his plan. Had we carried another child/children, we would have never considered adoption. Oh, what we would have missed! He sent us a little angel..so full of life and love and so ready to BE loved. We would have missed so much. We would have missed watching our son enjoy an ice cream cone...chase frogs with his big sister...play at a park for the first time...eat his first chicken nugget (and oh how he loves them!!)...meet his grandparents...and anticipate watching him discover who God is!

I have always LOVED this song by Mercy Me (one of my favorite Christian groups) called "Jesus, Bring the Rain"

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there will
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain
- Mercy Me "Jesus, Bring the Rain"

How true it is! We are here to bring God glory regardless of our circumstances. Though that is so easy to do when things are going well, isn't it? We have all been there...then things turn dark and we question God...but God is still God and STILL the ONE in control. I think we have to go through difficult times to truly appreciate God's amazing power. He is the only one that can sustain us.

Enjoy our blessings from heaven...

Ali and Clark

A day in the life of Rachel.....

Well, there isn't anything new going on in the Judd house really...just trying to keep up with school work, a toddler, and swim team. (that in itself doesn't allow for much else!)

However, my sister in law, Sarah, wrote the funniest blog entry this week on her blog and I am going to copy some of it here. Sorry Sarah...but stealing yours is MUCH easier than coming up with my own! Not to mention the entire time I was reading yours I was going "uh huh...yep...no kidding!!" Ok, here it goes....

You know there is a toddler in your house when:
…it takes 5 minutes to open a door or cabinet.

…you don’t remember what it was like to go to the bathroom by yourself.

…you clean out your car and find a petrified goldfish cracker.

…you realize that puppies are not the only creatures who will eat paper, shoes, and food on the floor.

…you find yourself answering the same question 10,000 times.

…the most “popular” song you sing is “Old MacDonald had a Farm.”

…you find yourself eating mini corn dogs for lunch.

…you find yourself secretly laughing because someone (under the age of 4!) has passed gas during a meal…and has NO IDEA that it is funny or inappropriate.

….you can discipline a hysterical, yet inappropriate behavior (such as passing gas at the dinner table) with a stern and serious face while your spouse is across the table secretly laughing into his napkin.

…you find yourself driving in the car saying (w/ MUCH enthusiasm) things like “yes that IS a cherry picker.” “yes that IS a cornfield.” “yes that IS WalMart.”

… you aren’t embarrassed to wear stickers on your shirt (even in public).

Good job, Sarah! Now for a few of my own...

-to add to the going to the bathroom alone thing..I find it funny that Clark will open the bathroom door and want to talk to me..acting like he doesn't even realize where I am sitting. Meanwhile I am thinking "can't we talk about this in a second?"

-(this happened last night) I wanted some juice and grabbed a plastic kids cup off of the drying rack in the sink and T.C. asks me why I was drinking out of a kids cup when we have nice glasses? (Ummm, because that was easier!!!)

-we used to pride ourselves in a very neat house...now neat to us is when all the cars, trucks, trains, and Army men make it back to the baskets before bedtime...who cares if they are ALL over the floor the rest of the day!

-my purse now consists of fruit chews, sippy cups, disposable bibs, wet wipes, Hot Wheels...

Ok, I could go on...but this is probably getting a little boring. I will, however, share with you a day in the life of Rachel. This week Russie Clark had an appointment with the surgeon that will preform his circumcision on the 22nd. His appointment was at 10am in Galveston (about 20 minutes away). Well, we leave early so that we can stop by the social security office to apply for his social security card...along with ALL OF GALVESTON!!! We waited a few minutes, our number wasn't called...so we leave to head to the hospital to see the surgeon. We get called back rather quickly..I get a little full of myself thinking "wow, that wasn't bad at all"...we meet the doctor, hear the scoop...learn that if we want to go ahead with the surgery we need to go to 2 other visits while we are there. Ok...no problem...we get walked down to registration...enter the waiting room and HOLY COW...are there REALLY that many people waiting to register. I am seriously thinking of paying off some people, but decide I must wait my turn. It is now around 11:30...we finally get called back to the registration/finance office and find out how much this is going to set us back...OUCH...then when I regain consciousness...I find out we have to meet with the anesthesiologist...yep, you guessed it BACK to the waiting room. We again finally get called back...yada yada yada. Keep in mind that we are dragging our school books around, missed lunch, and have now missed nap! Ummm...he was finally lying on the floor with his cars and trucks. My first instinct was to shiver with the reality that he is LYING on the floor of a hospital...GROSS...then my mother side took over and thought "heck he's quiet for the most part." I heard an older lady tell another lady..."he is lying on the floor." I bit my tongue from saying "hey lady...I can pick him up off of this floor and hand him to you...could you do better?" Heehee...but I didn't! So...we finally leave the hospital around 2:15...grab some fast food and head back over to the social security office. Shew, I was tired when all of that was done!! For those mothers with 4 and 5 children...I quote Wayne's World in saying "I am not worthy!"

Clark is still doing great. He finally starting saying "yes" today. He had been saying "da" which is Russian. He also said "oopsy daisy" and "looka here." He surprises us all the time with a new English word. He is still jabbering his heart out and we usually just say "oh yes"...He also said "careful" the other night in the bath. It is funny knowing he is listening and hearing all that we say...even just the little sayings. We went to story time at the library this week. He loved it and did so well. However, it was rather funny as we were walking out to the car...Ali was going to have him jump off this thing and she was counting...1..2..3 and we both look down and at the say time say "oh my goodness"...his shorts were around his ankles. OOPS! Told you he was small...and those were 2T!

Just a few random pictures from this week....

pictures

It's all in the PANCAKES!!

On Thursday, I loaded up the kids and headed over to Lake Charles for a quick visit with my parents and brother/sister in law/niece. It was a quick trip...but very good to see them all.

Pancakes are of the utmost importance when we make a trip to Nona and Poppy's house. Is it because pancakes are just THAT delicious? Probably not, in all honesty...but Ali and Abby sure think they are a MUST have when they visit. Why? It is because since Ali and Abby (and now Clark) were able to eat pancakes, Nona made them "pancake ladies" (just like she did for me when I was a little girl). "Pancake ladies" you ask...yep, pancakes in the shape of ladies (sometimes perhaps a little oddly shaped...but the girls just don't care at all!). At 10 and 8 these girls still want their pancake ladies first thing in the morning. Clark got his very first "pancake man" this weekend. Who cares if he totally didn't get it yet...oh he will! Before long, he too will be demanding those pancake men! Nona lets them put all the chocolate chips their little hearts desire all over those pancakes...and syrup...yep, they each get their very own little bottle of syrup...to empty on those pancakes!! It will be a very sad day for Nona when these girls no longer ask for the blessed pancake ladies! But not to worry yet, Nona, I think you have many more years of pancake cooking ahead of you. :) Ali, Abby, Clark, and one day Addison...will grow up remembering their special pancakes from Nona!

Congrats to my brother, Jay, sister in law, Paula, and niece, Abby as they have made it ONE step closer to bringing home their daughter (and sister), Addison, from China! They made it to the "review room" (as they call it in adoption lingo)...which is when the "powers that be" in China are actually reviewing their adoption package and will ask for questions to be answered (if there are any...and we are praying there aren't as it will slow down the process even more) and then send them on to the next phase of the process. China adoptions have slowed down significantly over the last year...which is delaying their entire process. They have been logged into the China system for one year now...and have quite a while to go! However, each step is a praise and ONE STEP closer to holding their precious china doll. T.C., Ali, and I can totally relate to the wait...that is for sure...but now being on the other side, can also add that the wait is most definitely worth every second.

I am adding a few pictures from our quick trip to Louisiana. The motorcycle belongs to some friends of my parents. We decided to take Clark by and let him play on it. To say he loved it would be an understatement. He was so sad when we had to leave...he kept saying "motaaacyyycle"...

Lake Charles

San Antonio....

Well, we had a great time in San Antonio over the weekend. Sea World was crazy crowded and hot...but we all had a good time. Friday we went to The Alamo, the San Antonio Missions, and took a boat ride along the River Walk. Since the missions are a National Park, Ali earned another Jr. Ranger badge. (which she has been collecting since she was 3 years old and living in New Mexico) She has earned many badges with all of our travels...we love going to National Parks.

Saturday was our trip to Sea World. We wanted to hit the shows first...so we saw Shamu and then a dolphin/beluga whale show. Russie Clark was fascinated with the Shamu show and sat for the entire 25 minute show just staring!! We weren't expecting the crowds to be like they were, so it took longer to get from one thing to another...with a stroller. But we managed and we stayed at the park until 7:00pm! Ali really enjoyed a ski show, but Russie Clark decided to sleep through that..ha! He and I walked around while Ali and T.C. waited an hour to ride a "rapids" ride...they got SOAKED! It was so sad...Clark and I were watching from "the sidelines" and we saw T.C. and Ali ride by...I was pointing and waving...and I thought he was glad to see them...then when they were out of sight he starting crying his eyes out! He didn't understand where they were going. Anyway, he finally calmed down and was glad to see them when they got off the ride. From there we headed over to the dolphin touch pool and the aquarium building. He LOVED watching the dolphins...as you can see by the pictures.

Hope you enjoy the pictures...we can't wait to go back to San Antonio and explore the town some more. There seems to be a LOT to do there.

San Antonio

Watch out Shamu...here we come!!

Thanks to "Here's to the Hero's" program at all Anheuser-Busch owned theme parks...we are heading to Sea World in San Antonio...FOR FREE!! All members of the armed forces get into 1 of their parks for 1 day for free, all 4 of us! We are so excited. We are heading there this evening when T.C. gets off of work and will stay until Sunday. Tomorrow we will visit The Alamo, the missions, the River Walk, and whatever else looks like fun! (Ali can call it a field trip, right?) We can't wait to see what Russie Clark thinks of Shamu.

Well, we will post pictures as soon as we can...have to go pack...I do things better under pressure! :)

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears...OH MY!

Russie Clark had his first visit to the zoo today! We went to the Houston Zoo for the first time since we have lived here. Aside from it being a little hot (no...not in TX!), we had a great time. Ali brought her friend, Sierra, and fun was had by all. Clark loved the monkeys best of all...I do believe. It is just so neat for us to watch our little guy experience all these new things. It is wonderful to imagine seeing things through his little eyes....everything is new, everything is exciting. He examines everything...a plane up above, a flower on a bush, a frog in the yard, OR...a monkey in a zoo! What a gift we have been given to be able to watch him explore and learn so much about our world.

zoo

Just couldn't make it through lunch.........

Just wanted to post these funny pictures from lunch today. I had walked out of the kitchen for a minute only to return to a sleeping boy. Now as I type this Clark is thinking he already "napped" and can't seem to fall asleep in his bed. :)

The video is of him kissing all his babies after he put them to bed. Yes, he is in his underwear...the babies just HAD to be put to bed as I was trying to get him dressed. (then I couldn't resist a couple of cute shots in his undies!!) The end of the video clip looks funny...Ali had walked into his room and he was showing her the motorcycles on his undies...too cute!!

I will be sharing some studio pictures with you soon. I took the kids to JCPenney's yesterday and had their pictures made together. They turned out so cute. I had purchased the kids traditional Ukrainian shirts while we were over there. The shirts were too pretty not to have their picture made in them! I will get a link to the pictures in a week or so and will email it.

sleeping boy and putting babies to bed

Firsts

Sometimes people make some boneheaded comments when they find out you're adopting. Most folks, even the most wonderful, have a hard time making polite conversation about subjects that make them uncomfortable...and somewhere in human history, the subject of adoption has come to rank alongside such pleasant topics for public conversation as death, divorce, incurable disease, and sex. Complicating things for us is Ali, "Yes, she's ours...biologically."

At some point in the past few years, someone said something to Rachel along the lines of, "Aren't you sad about all the 'firsts' that you'll miss by adopting a toddler?" This individual was surely talking about such traditional firsts as first laugh, first smile, first steps, first words, etc. To give them the benefit of the doubt, I'm sure they weren't trying to be idiotic and insulting, but let's face it, there's really no good way to take such a question. Personally I'll rank it right up there with the unfortunate but all too often overheard funeral comment, "They did such a good job on him." What the heck does that mean, anyway? But I digress...

Since we've had some time to think about this comment, Rachel and I were not long ago discussing a list of 'firsts' that we'd get to experience and share with our son, including:

• First smile (for us, anyway)
• First words...in English
• First time to fly in an airplane
• First time to see the ocean
• First pets
• First room of his own
  
• Etc.

After going to Ukraine and seeing how the orphans lived (which really wasn't too bad, all things considered), a few items have made the list that I wouldn't have thought of:

• First yogurt (you've seen the pictures)
  
• First nap in mommy's arms (you've seen this, too)
  
• First time to sleep in an air-conditioned room (no really, it happened on Friday, Aug 10th)
• First time to run barefooted in the grass (sandals only in UA)
• First doughnuts
• First time to catch toads in the back yard (we've got a yard full)
• First Thanksgiving (forgot this totally American holiday)

Oh, yes, and let's not forget the obvious one...first family. Looks like we've a lot to look forward to!

Grandparent's Day

You gotta love grandparents, don't you? I called my dad on Saturday evening to tell him about a Grandparent's Day breakfast at our church the following morning...and you know what...he hopped in his truck and headed over! He didn't want his grands being there without a grandparent. My mom was out of town visiting her brother that had 2 strokes last week. (pray for him, my Uncle Sam...whom we named Samuel Ruslan Clark after) Anyway, he came over Saturday night and came to church with us the next day for a breakfast, and then after church there was a luncheon for the preschool department. It was a lot of fun. THANKS DAD (POPPY)!!!!

Russie Clark is still doing very well. His new thing is gathering up his "babies" (about 3 teddy bears) and putting them to bed. He will put them in his bed, cover them up, and kiss them all "night, night"...it is so precious. He also loves his Playhut set that we bought for him before we traveled to Ukraine. It is little tubes and cubes that connect together and then you dump balls in one tent on the end. He loves crawling through it all and tossing the balls around.

Ali is still enjoying swim team. It will definitely keep her in shape...she swims 3 times a week for an hour and a half. (I should jump in the water and swim also...but that won't be happening)

Here is a sweet poem I came across that I thought you might enjoy reading...

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.

--- Unknown

Enjoy the new pictures and video clips...

Grandparents Day, Playhut, etc.

A future astronaut.......well, perhaps!!

It occurred to me this weekend as Russie Clark was admiring a space suit at Johnson's Space Center...that he could possibly grow up to be an astronaut, a doctor, or the next president. The stars are the limit for this little guy, who a mere month and a half ago was parent-less with probably not much hope for a future. Now he can do whatever God leads him to do. No, he may not grow up to be any of those things...he could be a pastor, missionary, engineer...hopefully a father one day, etc!!! My point being he can do anything! Isn't that an awesome thought? Well, for me... his mother... it sure is! People have told me many times over the last few weeks what a lucky boy he is...but my response is "no, I am definitely the lucky one!" God chose us to be his parents...what an honor!

Well, we have had an exciting weekend. Russie Clark was able to meet his other set of grandparents for the first time on Friday. T.C.'s parents came in...his dad had to leave today (Monday), but his mom is able to stay until Thursday. He was a little shy at the airport...but it didn't take long for him to warm up. It is just taking him a little bit to understand this whole "family" thing. Saturday we took them to Galveston and Sunday we went to Johnson's Space Center.

School is in full swing for Ali and me. She also started swimming with the new swim team that she joined (Space City Aquatic Team...SCAT). The first day of practice she and her best friend, Sierra, were walking out to the parking lot and Sierra's mom and I asked how practice went...and their response was "you don't want us to answer that question"..hahaha. I think it was a little difficult getting back into the swing of things. The summer league ended the end of June, so it had been a while since they had practiced. The second practice went better, though. She thinks she will enjoy it. The team meets Monday-Friday, but they only have to swim 2-3 times a week. She is also starting guitar back up next week.

Well, the pictures are pretty self explanatory. All the ones of Russie in the chair are funny....I wanted to capture what it is like trying to get an active 3 year old to sit still for a picture. I obviously wasn't all that successful. Ha!! Enjoy...

meeting grandparents, first week of 6th grade, being silly...

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to school we go.....

Ok, so maybe not OFF to school...but you get my point. As of yesterday, Ali is officially a 6th grader. Please tell my how that happened? I don't know how my baby girl got to be 10 years old and in the 6th grade! Anyway, enough about that...but school is definitely going to be more of a challenge with a little one around. Russie wants my attention also. Understandable, but a little difficult when I am trying to teach oh say a math lesson. I know we will all settle into a routine eventually. He plays well by himself...but he also likes to say "Mama" a million and one times! :) (not that I am complaining...I waited a long time to be able to hear that)

Since my last post, Russie Clark had his first hair cut since being home. He was SO good. He just sat there as still as could be the entire time. The gal couldn't believe it. Then on Sat. Jay, Paula, and Abby (my brother and his family)were able to meet the little man for the first time. Russie was able to meet his cousin, Abby! She wanted to hold him so badly but he was having NONE of that. Though Paula did manage to get in some snuggle time. He also had his first donut this weekend...but to my disappointment he wasn't all that excited about it. Ha! I thought "you just have to love donuts...who doesn't LOVE donuts!!!"

Sunday was our baby shower. It was held at a friends house from church...they live in our neighborhood. We received quite a few clothes, pj's, books, truck and cars, and you gotta love it....his first drum set. Ummmm, thanks gals!! Maybe they don't love us very much...hahaha...all joking aside I am sure Russie Clark will love it. They told me after I opened it (2 ladies went in together) "you may never speak to us again, but we will be his best friend"...you got that right. Heehee...

My time is limited (surprise, surprise)...so I best cut this short. Oh yes, we are anxiously awaiting a visit from T.C.'s parents this weekend. This will be there first trip down here to see us and first time to see their new grandson. We are all excited. Though we aren't sure how to handle the name thing...you all know that Russie calls T.C. Papa...and well, that is what Ali calls his dad. We will see how that goes....major confusion! A couple of people suggested Grandpapa...that is pretty cute.

Another funny story...we were in the van on Sat. and out of the blue Russie called us all "coocoo". Yep....coocoo....and boy did he think it was the funniest thing ever. He also called T.C. "tato" (which is Ukrainian for Dad)for the first time. He has since called him that several times. He seems to switch between Papa and Tato. See, he had caregivers that spoke Ukrainian and others that spoke Russian...he seems to know some of each. Anyway, he would say "Mama, Tato, y Ali...coocoo"...then followed by laugh, giggle, laugh!!! Guess the truth comes out....even from the mouth of a toddler. Ha!

Enjoy the new pictures....

random pictures

ABCDEFG......

Ok, for starters Russie Clark and I were standing in the kitchen this afternoon...he loves to play with the magnets on the refrigerator...and he starts singing the ABC song. He has a Leap Frog ABC magnet set that sings the song and says each letter...anyway, guess the little guy was paying attention. It blew my socks off. Then, as I am typing this he is in the tub and he started counting (in English)...so he went from 1-4 and then skipped to 7...but it's a start. He has the cutest little voice...we want to capture his voice on video, but haven't been successful.

Let me see what I can tell you...he had his first dr. visit the other day. Everything went well except that the dr. is a little concerned about his small size. He isn't even on the chart...except for the 1% in either height or weight (can't remember which one). She told me to give him Pediasure once or twice a day. She said she would like to see him on the chart very soon. He is 1/4 of an inch taller than Ali was at 18 months...if you can believe that. (she has always been TALL though)But that is amazing to me. He weighed 27 lbs. and is 34 1/2 inches tall. He wore a size 2T shorts today and they came to his mid calf...man capris(as T.C. calls them), if you will. :) He fits best into 12 months shorts. (and he is 3 1/2!!!)Anyway, I know he will start growing with more protein and vitamins. He is doing better with eating...which is a relief.

We ventured out to the beach yesterday for the first time with him. He LOVED it. He played in the sand and T.C. took him to wade in the water. I think he would have stayed for hours! The boy was covered from head to toe with sand by the time we left.

This weekend he will get to attend his first birthday party with Ali. After the party, we are meeting my brother and his family half way between here and Lake Charles (only about an hour and a half away) so that they can meet Mr. Russie!

Well, summer is officially over for Ali. We will begin school on Monday morning. (about 3 weeks later than we usually start) It will be interesting to see how that goes with a toddler under foot. Ummm...might be interesting. We will probably try to cram a lot in during his nap times.

Ali has decided to do year around swimming starting this fall. Registration is this Sat. Her best friend, Sierra, is joining also...so I think they REALLY like the idea of seeing each other several times a week. :) She is excited to get back in the water. She absolutely loved swim team this summer.

Our church is giving us a baby shower on Sun. We can't believe they are doing that for us, since we have only been there a few months. It is a huge blessing, though! With he and Ali so far apart...well, we are basically starting over.

I am posting some pictures from the last couple of days. He also has become quite fond of his Little Tikes car...as you can see from the photos.

Life with Russie...

At home with Russie Clark

I am finally posting some new pictures! This will be a quick post...we are headed out of the door for Russie Clark's first dr. appointment. We will see how that goes! We have such a limited medical record on him that I don't know exactly what the doctor will choose to do.



We have had a fun time having our family together. We went to the neighborhood pool yesterday for the first time since being home. OH MY GOODNESS....the boy has NO fear of the water...which is a little scary. He walked right down the steps like it was nothing. He was jumping off the side, going under, etc. Looks like he might be a little swimmer like his big sister. We had to watch him so closely because he just doesn't understand how dangerous the water can be. I had to make a Target (darn my bad luck..heehee..remember that is my favorite store!!) run this morning to get a float with leg holes. We can't wait to take him to Galveston and see what he thinks of the beach. He will love digging in the sand.



I am posting pictures of the kids on the plane up until this morning playing with his kitchen set. We will be posting pictures from Ukraine as well. I am hoping T.C. will make a slide show of pictures.

Russie Clark at home...

And toddler makes 4........

We are home in the good ole' USA....and finally a family of 4. We waited a long time for this moment, and we are loving every minute of it. (ok, minus the screaming in Target earlier today...heehee)



Where to begin? Ali and I were in Ukraine for a total of 5 weeks and 1 day, but who is counting? :) There were some moments that I wondered if we would ever make it home. But God got us through it...and your support and prayers were immeasurable. Thank you so much. I wasn't able to post while we were in Kiev due to not knowing where to find an internet cafe' (as they call them there). We drove to Kiev last Friday. We were pretty much on our own as the other 2 American families that we were with were all in different apartment buildings in other parts of town. That was a bit of a bummer, but we survived. Monday morning we were picked up around 7:45AM and we began our visa process. Before you can file for the visa, you have to have them evaluated by a doctor. We had the doctor visit first thing, and then headed right over to the American Embassy. The Embassy visit took at least 2 hours....so you can imagine what that was like...4 children that had not had lunch or a nap and we didn't leave there until 1:00. Ummm, we were all glad when that was over. From there we went to TGI Friday's for a celebratory lunch....I know, I know...how sad but we were all desperate for some American food! After having lunch we were able to head back to the Embassy around 3:30 to pick up our visas. We were so thrilled when those babies were placed in our hands...that meant it was all over and we could all go home!! Hip Hip Hooray! Since we already had our tickets for Wed., we had an extra day in Kiev before flying home on Wed. Wed. morning we were picked up at 4:30AM by one of our facilitators and wisked off to the airport. What a scary ride that was.......remember the driving we described in earlier posts....well it was raining on top of the horrible driving. I was really glad to see the airport that morning. I basically had not slept in around 30 hours or more by the time we finally made it to Houston Wed. night. Actually it was way more than 30 hours because even the days leading up to us leaving I was only sleeping in small blocks of time during the night. You see, Ruslan Clark is an extremely rough sleeper. A very deep sleeper mind you, but a rough one at that. He moves constantly all night long. I was having to stay awake most of the night making sure he wouldn't fall off the bed. I even tried sandwiching him in between Ali and I in the bed and he would even crawl over us (in his sleep) and almost fall off the bed. Ali finally opted for sleeping on the couch. :) So anyway....back to my NOT having slept much prior to boarding the plane...then fast forward 24 hours to us landing in Houston...I was beyond tired! Not to mention we missed our flight in Atlanta and had to wait another 3 hours to BARELY make onto another flight. We were stand by and the only way we were able to make it is that Ruslan had to sit in my lap. Let me just say that I would have had Ali and Ruslan sit in my lap if it got us home. Know what I mean? Oh, here is a not so funny visual for you....and for the weak stomachs...you might want to stop reading....ok, were were all doing fine and had made it through a very long flight from Prague (like 10 1/2 hours) and were making the descent into Atlanta...seat belt lights were on...we happen to hit an air pocket or something and it was very turbulent...all of a sudden Ruslan gets sick all over himself and the seat...I get him cleaned up and clothes changed and look over and Ali has her eyes closed tight (never a good sign) and then she leans over toward me with her hand over her mouth (again, never a good sign) and I have just enough time to grab a plastic sack that one of the flight attendants had given me for Ruslan...and Ali gets sick. Ok, let me point out that I was already feeling sick myself...and if catching my sons...um, you know...in my hands...and watching Ali and cleaning them both up...I was feeling REALLY good at this point. But, thank heavens I was able to get off the plane and make it to the bathroom in the Atlanta airport....before I ended up getting sick. But I have a feeling mine was from some of the airplane food...it was terrible and I felt sick up until this morning. But, after a good nights sleep last night...I felt much better this morning. Was that like way tooooo much information or what? I just thought I would share a bit of what it was like flying from Ukraine to the U.S. with 2 kids. Back to my original point...after all that sickness...we finally get through passport control and customs (which takes a while with an adopted child...you have to turn in a packet of paperwork), and I look down at my watch......LOW and BEHOLD our flight was to leave in like 15 minutes. (keep in mind I am NOWHERE near our gate) Needless to say we missed our flight (I was about in tears from fatigue) and had to wait stand by to see if we could make it onto a later flight. We DID and here I sit...so thankful to be home.



I still have not even begun to unpack...though I shall tackle that tomorrow. Ugh...ugh! But I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Ruslan Clark explore his new home. He has been so cute. He loves Timmy and Happy...though not sure they feel the same. If one of them does something he doesn't like he points at them and says "no"...too funny. We had to make a Target (my oh so favorite store) run today to pick up some boy toys. He (and T.C.) are the new owners of a Thomas the Tank Engine train track. We bought a small starter set and he can't get enough it...neither can Ruslan...heehee. Russie loves anything that makes noise...and lots of it. I am sure we will be adding to the train set in the future. As I am typing he is crying his little heart out because it is time to go to bed and he is having to say good night to Thomas...it isn't going well. It is very hard for him to understand that his toys are HIS and they will still be his in the morning.



Well, we will be posting some new pictures soon. I took a ton of pictures after T.C. left. But it is getting late and my jet lag is still lagging...so I had better close for now!

Back home again...

After leaving Kyiv early (that never happens on American airline flights!), a four-hour layover in Prague, missing their flight from Atlanta due to a hangup in American immigration (the 3 year old looks suspicious?), and getting the last two seats on a the red-eye...the gang made it back to Houston at 10:30 p.m. last night...safe, sound, happy, and exhausted!

They're all sleeping it off...more later!

Homecoming...

After five weeks and two days...today is homecoming day!!! Expect a brief update tonight when everyone gets home.

Countdown...

Believe it or not, everything is set for the gang to come home tomorrow...as planned! The embassy came through with SRCJ's visa yesterday (Monday), so after packing everything up, the gang is just spending some time walking the streets of Kyiv a final time this trip and enjoying not having to stress about paperwork (for the first time in a month). When I spoke with them this morning (three o'clock in the afternoon), taking it easy was the order for the rest of the day because our facilitator is picking them up at 4:30 am to begin their adventure trip home! Regardless of what the gang does today, tomorrow night the girls will be sleeping in their own beds for the first time in 36 days and Russie in his own bed for the first time...ever.

Countdown...

I just got off the phone with Rachel (in Kyiv) who was heading to the U.S. Embassy to pick up SRCJ's visa and finish up paperwork! It looks like they'll have everything in order a day ahead of their flight out on Wednesday, which is a total switch for a change, ha, ha. Anyway, all is well and the gang is looking forward to getting home Wednesday night. Like Becky S. said, I'm sure Rach will kiss the ground when they land in the U.S. of A.

Rachel...the unsung hero of our family

Let me begin by saying that I'm a sentimental sap from time to time...and now is one of those times. Going through 200+ pictures from Ukraine (see below); making reservations for the crew to come home; and talking to them long distance where I get to hear the joy, fatigue, despair, and hope in Rachel's voice each day has compelled me to say what has gone unsaid for too long...my lovely bride is the unsung hero of our family. While I get to zip around the world for the Air Force and NASA doing Lord-only-knows-what from day to day, Rachel not only manages but excels at making our house into our home whether we're in renting in Florida, living in ancient base housing in New Mexico, squeezing into a tiny apartment in Kentucky, or settling in to our first home in Texas. She's the best wife and best friend anyone could ever hope for, without a doubt.

So in a totally sappy mood tonight, I put together some pictures from the past few years. Some of them are serious, some of them are thankfully silly, but all of them have my beautiful bride in them...my 'hot wife' as I call her for fun. Anyway, for all you do for us every single moment of every day, I love you, my dear. You ARE everything to me...

A whole bunch of pictures!!!

Hey all...I've been meaning to sort these pictures and get them posted for over two weeks now, but with the gang coming home soon and me in the middle of working twelve days straight in support of the shuttle mission, it ain't happening! Anyway, here are 200+ pictures of our first two weeks in Khmelnytskyy at the orphanage with Russie. They are in chronological order, and I've put captions on some of them to give you a glimpse of what was going on, but that's all the organization we're going to get.

It's funny to look through them and see how clothing changed in the span of two weeks: from sweatshirts and jackets, to shorts, to the kids in underwear and sandals (w/ socks of course), back to shorts, and back to underwear and sandals (and no socks because it was really hot)!

I enjoyed reminiscing and thinking back on these two weeks...it will be good to get the gang home in a couple more days. Until then, have fun with these!

Khmelnytskyy/Orphanage Pics

The gang is in Kyiv...with passport in hand!

A bit of good news to pass on to everyone...Rachel, Ali, and SRCJ headed to Kyiv yesterday (Friday) in a caravan of taxis with the two other American families in town. They all arrived safely after a multitude of extra stops between Khmelnyts'kyy and Kyiv due to one of the young ones fighting a rough bout of carsickness and getting sick over and over and over...yuck! Fortunately, Rachel said that Clark had a blast in the car and was no problem at all, which is a tremendous blessing considering the marathon airline flights that await them!

But in Kyiv the plot thickens...(stage direction: ominous music begins playing softly)

So everybody heads to Kyiv without passports for any of the children...just more promises that the passports could be picked up in town. No sooner did they arrive than they found out that the passports were on their way to Khmelnyts'kyy and probably passed them on the highway going the other direction!!! (stage direction: ominous music reaches a crescendo) But never one to be troubled by logistical problems, the mysterious Mr. X. hires a courier to chase them down and return them to Kyiv, where they arrived this evening, Saturday (stage direction: angels begin singing Hallelujah chorus).

Now, parents, children, and passports are all safety together in Kyiv, where our gang will head to the U.S. embassy on Monday to begin their final paperwork and visa applications. I almost hate to say anything yet, but it looks like everyone will finally get to head back to the States by mid-week. Rachel and Ali are still having the time of their lives but are also ready to be home after so long apart. Clark is probably totally confused and wondering why he gets to talk to Papa everyday on the phone but hasn't seen him in two weeks. Between my Air Force training this year and our adoption trip, we've all spent more time apart than we ever did on active duty--so much for stability, ha!

Anyway, in honor of the safe return to Kyiv, here are some pictures we took way back in mid-July when we first got to town. These are from our day-long walking tour of the center part of the city of Kyiv and reflect, in part, what a wonderful city it is. Enjoy...

Kyiv Photos

A great day was had by all......

What a great day God blessed us with! He knew I needed a little pick me up today. He gave me the thought this morning as I was getting ready....to call my facilitator and see if I could take Ruslan to the hotel for the day.....he called the orphanage and they said YES! It was so much fun. We took a taxi, went to lunch (he was a good boy..ate a little food...then wanted in my lap to rest on my shoulder)..we then came back to the hotel and he took a nap for almost 2 hours. He and Ali played and played...watched a little of "Cars" on Ali's DVD player, etc. It was fantastic. He wasn't scared at all. A funny little side note as I am not used to taking boys "potty"...I had him sitting on the toilet and he shot tinkle all over his clothes....OOPS!! I will learn! He kind of looked at me like "Mama, what are you doing"...pretty funny stuff.

We were told today...again...that passports were being printed today and SHOULD arrive here tomorrow. We PRAY!!!

If all goes as planned (that is a joke by the way)...we HOPE to fly home maybe next Wed. Oh we sure hope and pray!!

Thanks for all the comments...I love reading them. Just knowing everyone is praying means more than you could possibly know. I will keep you posted or if we leave tomorrow, T.C. will probably post for me. LOVE YOU GUYS!

Hurry up and wait.....some more!!!

Well, here we are on Wed. here in Ukraine...and we still do not have a passport for Ruslan. There was a mix up with some code the children need that had to be updated when we changed his name...well, his name was printed wrong and had to be updated....therefore delaying his passport being processed. The other family had the same thing happen, so we are both waiting. Our facilitator has been "promised" that it will be here on Friday....haven't we heard this before? We were promised last Friday. So, we have to once again change our flights...keep in mind that we had to purchase all new airline tickets to get home...now these have to be changed. I don't know what the cost will be for this. I just want to get home!!

My mom made it home safely Tuesday afternoon (your time). There was a little problem in Kiev, but was resolved and she left on time. I believe she was very nervous and probably has NO desire to travel international by herself any time soon! :) I will probably be saying the same thing after I fly with both kids all the way home....I believe I will have had enough traveling for quite some time.

I thank you for all your prayers...I know God hears them...I am just discouraged at the moment. It is tough being this far from home without T.C. and not knowing when the end of the wait will come. I just want to be on the plane headed for the good ole' USA! For that I am certain.

I didn't have very good visits with Ruslan Clark yesterday or today. I don't know what is wrong. He won't listen and just seems to be out of sorts. I know he has to be confused as well. I am trying to be patient. Wish I could post some new pictures...I am just scared of wiping out our memory card again.

Oh yes, to top off all the problems I have had getting his passport.....I also have an issue with customs and immigrations. Well, my fingerprints expire Aug. 16th (next Thursday)...if I don't fly out by then...I will have to be re-fingerprinted and who knows HOW long that would take. T.C.'s expire on Aug. 23rd....and I was told that "worst case scenario"...if I haven't traveled by then, that T.C. will have to be re-fingerprinted in the states as well. Isn't that grand? Just adds to my headache. Ok...I will quit complaining now!

Would love to hear from you all........email me.

Still no passport...crunch time

I just got off the phone with Rachel (8:30 pm her time) and found out for certain that no passports came in today! Our facilitators will find out before lunch time tomorrow whether or not they will arrive tomorrow (Tues), which will still allow everyone to fly out on Thursday morning...with zero room for delays or hiccups. Anyway, if they don't come back, we're essentially stuck in the same situation with airline tickets that we were this time last week when we were assured that they would come in no later than Friday.

Please keep the whole situation in your prayers, especially Rachel, who was really looking forward to finally having a concrete date for coming home. We'll find out more tomorrow and let everybody know! Until then...

What is love?

As I sat and watched my daughter and son playing today....I contemplated this thought. As a 30 something adult...I, of course, know the answer to that question. However, watching my 3 year old play I realized he does not. He has never known love...never felt love...he has just survived. Ali, on the other hand, came into the world knowing love...from the moment she entered the world she felt our love. She has always known that Mom and Dad pick her up when she falls, kisses her boo boos, wipes her tears, gives her more hugs and kisses than she knows what to do with, and will ALWAYS love her no matter what. So my question is this...how do you teach a child what love is all about? He will have to learn all that Ali has learned from birth....only he is starting 3 1/2 years late. But he WILL learn! He will learn that Moma and Papa will always love him, always take care of him, always wipe away his tears....and just as we would do for Ali...we would do all in our power to protect him...even giving our own lives for his. That is what our little man will have to discover about love. Not only that...he will have to learn that God loves him even more than we are capable of loving him. He will have to learn to trust in God whom he has more than likely never heard spoken of before. God has truly entrusted us with such a gift as our son! We are blessed beyond measure....more than words could express here. The wait was all worth it. When I lean down to kiss Ruslan (Clark) and see him light up... I know it was all worth it. God planned his birth before the creation of the world knowing full well that he would be our son...and we would be his proud parents. All I can say is that I am humbled.

Please continue to pray for us as we await to see if Ruslan's passport is ready tomorrow. I want it in my hands!!!! We are packed up and ready to head to Kiev.

Just another day.....

It is so strange being here and doing the same things day in and day out. I am used to being at home and constantly running here and there with Ali. This has been so different for me.

Ok Kathy....so why did you have to go and bring Jason's Deli into this? Huh, tell me why!!!!! heehee....we sometimes joke around here about where we would like to eat when we get home or what we miss eating. Today our friends, the Seals, mentioned glazed donuts...YUM! They don't have donuts here. We also talked about Texas Roadhouse...and I have wanted Mexican food like crazy. I am used to eating that like once a week back home. Yes Kathy...we will have to share a treat and let the kids play....that sounds sooooo good right about now! We miss you guys...Ali will SOOOO look forward to playing with the kids again.

Well, today between visits Mom, Ali, and I did a little shopping. We still lacked some souvenirs to take home...so we went in search of some. (don't worry, T.C., they don't take credit cards...haha) I still need to pick up a couple of more things...but I found what I wanted for the most part. I really wanted to take quite a few things home from Ukraine to put around the house. We want Ruslan (Clark) to know we love his birth country....and want him to feel like his birth country is woven into our family. I want to be able to pull things out on Christmas, etc. that are from Ukraine....I think that will be neat for him.

We will pack up our things tomorrow......YIPPY SKIPPY!! However, we still do not know what time we will be leaving town. The sooner the better! I can't wait to pick up Russie from the orphanage. I just wonder what his reaction will be? He had a great day today at our visits. Ali wanted to bring the stroller to see what he would do. He loved it....had a huge smile on his face while she pushed him around.

I am having trouble logging into my email account...so I am going to put a couple of notes here to people I can't seem to email. Suzanne...why were you in the hospital? I hope everything is OK! Email me soon. April, we found some marigold plants today and we picked a ton of seeds for you. I will bring them when we come to Louisville or either I can mail them to you. I think we will keep some and plant them also...what a great idea! I love hearing your stories that you have posted of your experiences! I will be emailing you about questions regarding how it went with getting Hailey settled in at home, etc. Miss Faye...so glad you are able to keep up with us. Can't wait for you to see Ruslan...very cute if I might say so myself. ;)

No passport as of yet....

Well, today brought the news that Ruslan's passport will not be ready until Monday. Bummer! But, God did bless us with a taxi driver here that does speak a little English...and he agreed to drive us to Kiev on Monday. He is charging us a fair rate...which is a huge blessing...this trip has cost a nice bundle...as you might imagine.



Our visit with Ruslan Clark went well today. He was as cute as ever...of course! Ali bribed him with food and had him repeating some words. He has a cute little voice. He said "Mama, Papa, Ali, I love you, MiMi, Nona, Poppy"....we haven't figured out how to introduce T.C.'s dad (Papaw) to him yet....you see...over here they call fathers Papa instead of Daddy...so we aren't sure about that one! :)



I spoke with T.C. today...he had a meeting at Kennedy Space Center yesterday and today. He will return home Sat. evening, I believe.



Well, there really isn't any news around here.......it is a strange existence...wake up...go to the orphanage...find something to do all afternoon...then head to the orphanage again in the afternoon...have dinner...go to bed. Ha! Sound exciting? Ali is looking forward to getting home and seeing her friends. She is already planning a sleepover....ummmm, I told her Mommy gets a day off when we return home. Ha...yeah, right! The truth of the matter is that Mommy doesn't get a day off because Daddy has to get up early and go to work the next day....he has something that he can't get out of. Bummer! So it should be interesting with 3 of us suffering jet lag all at once...and one being a 3 year old that will be totally confused on top of it all.



I found a stroller at a shop today. I was so glad to find one. I had not seen any at all...but I knew I had to eventually walk into the correct store. And....finally...I did. I knew I would HAVE to have a stroller in the airport...with 2 plane changes. It will help out so much. I just hope I can pull my carry on and push a stroller. It should be an experience of a lifetime traveling from Ukraine to Houston with 2 kids....that will have gotten up around 4:00 AM to make our plane on time.



I will close for now. I will post as I know more about when we are leaving for Kiev!!!! You might here my shout from here. heehee

Hello again...

Seems I could not log into our blogger account yesterday to make a post. So, I will back up a day and fill you in. We still do not have Ruslan with us in the hotel. Everyone fought me on that...seems "everyone" thinks it would be a bad idea to have him in the hotel for several days. Ugh...we really wanted to get him out of the orphanage.

We are currently waiting on his passport to be processed. We had an appointment with passport on Tuesday and had his picture made, etc. We are now being told that it SHOULD be ready either tomorrow or Monday. Please pray it will be tomorrow so that we can get to Kiev over the weekend and begin our meetings there on Monday morning. Can you tell I am ready to come home? :) T.C. made our returning flight reservations for next Thursday...pray it will all be finished by then so that we will not have any added expenses with our tickets! My mom will fly out on Tuesday morning. Pray for her as well...she is nervous to make the trip alone again. It was just more economical for her to use her return ticket and just pay a $200 change fee...where we actually had to buy all new return tickets for Ali and me. I told her..."just think about me...I will be flying alone with 2 kids"...that hopefully made her feel better. Ha! So one week from today we will, God willing, be landing on U.S. soil again.....and I think I might actually kiss it!!!!

We had a good visit with Ruslan Clark this morning. He took a pretty bad fall and got a goose egg on his forehead. Poor little man.....Mama had to give him extra kisses for that one.

T.C. is on his way to Florida (lucky dog) for a 2 day business trip to Kennedy Space Center. Something about there is a shuttle being loaded and he had to attend some meetings down there. You know...he so totally didn't have to rub that one in!! I was a tad bit envious.

Ali once again was able to bring some joy into the kids lives at the orphanage. They just LOVE her. Several children played with her on some play equipment for the longest time today. As they were leaving one boy kissed her on both cheeks...so cute. She will remember them forever...I believe. I hope it gives her a heart for orphans. There are so many beautiful children that need homes and love and they have such bleak futures. They may never hear the name of Jesus. Oh it just tears your heart out.

As you can see...I don't have much exciting news. Just know we are still coveting your prayers. Please pray we get Ruslan's passport tomorrow...and we can travel next Thursday! Love you all.