Four Weeks at HOME

FOUR WEEKS...she continues to make huge gains and leaves a permanent smile on her mama's face.  I was just talking to a good friend last night, about how it seems like yesterday I was telling her "I'm no good at waiting...how long must I wait...I want her here now!!"  And here she is, HOME for four weeks already, and it seems like only yesterday.

Finally, a wonderful Russian experience!  The O'Shields' arrived Thursday afternoon to finally meet Vika.  Their son, Nathan (Sasha) was adopted from St. Pete, at the age of ten.  He is the first Russian here in the US that has really been able to get Vika to communicate in her native language.  It appears as though the adults speaking Russian intimidate her, and thus our Russian tutoring wasn't going quite as planned.  I'm hoping that having it explained to her, that she is mine...all mine...and that she will NEVER have to go back to Russia, will calm her nerves. I know their presence brought a smile to her much joy (as it did me)!!

Sasha explaining to Vika that NO ONE will take her back to
Russia so she doesn't need to fear the Russian speaking adults

First time chewing gums

 First Experience Bowling

Lookin good Vika

STRIKE!!!

waiting with papa for her turn

giving papa some sugar

and loving on manna :)

 Freddies Ice Cream...a new FaVoRiTe

after eating mama's...it's time to share with Papa

And make sure we get every last drop... :)

 More Fun with Sasha 

Justin, you aren't the only one to receive the "special" treatment anymore! ;-)

"Mama, Sasha a princes,s too, see?!?!?"

 Trip to the Farm

Trip to the Stubbs farm

Yes the horse is kissing Kevin

I am still amazed at how the Lord crossed our paths, and built this lasting friendship.  Thank you so much for all your love and support Kevin and Ang!  You guys inspire me in so many ways.  I pray that the Lord will shorten the distance (milage) that separates our families, in the near future.  I am continuing to pray for your ministry in Stone Mountain...may God continue to move mountains and stir the hearts of those around you.

I will leave you with some videos...

These videos aren't fun to watch but they're priceless to listen to.  Every night, when I put Vika to bed, I read her a story and then sing to her.  This week, I caught her singing my song, to herself in bed (hence why the screen is black).  This lil' girl KNOWS who LOVES her!!  It is simply priceless...so thank you to each of you, who have made your love known to Vika!  She recognizes and is singing about you!!

This lil' girl is the biggest blessing the Lord has given to me, thus far, in my life second to my salvation.  I continue to be humbled that He would choose to bless me with His precious daughter. 

Three Weeks at HOME

I still cannot believe we have been home for three weeks TODAY.  It just doesn’t seem possible!

Vika is nearly completely potty trained now.  She is rarely having any accidents, and when she does it’s when our environment has changed…or in the case of one of the two incidents this week, mama continues to drive seven more miles after two warnings of “mama, pee pee”.  So, I count that one as my opps and not Vika’s.  She continues to wear a pull-up at night.  However, I’m going to start waking her up before I go to bed and see if that helps keep her dry through the night. as I don’t want to restrict her fluid intake.  So, we shall see how this next week goes, with me waking her up.

She continues to be a very picky eater.  I am trying to introduce nutritional foods into her diet but that is difficult as I’m having little success in adding variety into her diet.  I “fear” I have a vegetarian on my hands…not that a vegetarian is bad but this mama enjoys her beef with her potatoes!

Last Friday, I had a staff meeting up at the school that I needed to attend.  So I had to leave Vika for an hour…it was so difficult for me.  Luckily, Myndee was able to keep her up, at the office, for me.  What a “relief” as Vika loves her Nana very much!!  Anyhow, she did great!  They watched Russian cartoons, drew pictures, and practiced “writing” her name and the names of other people.  I don’t know how I’m ever going to go back to work…but in two weeks, that’s where I’ll be going.

Here is a video of Vika singing in Russian…precious…