Winter 2021 - Ukrainian Boys Visit Our Family

  So, I can't believe it. These boys leave on Sunday. I am doing everything I can to learn more about how I can help these boys, even if adoption is never possible or they are hosted through another family, I want to do what I can to help.  I am so thankful to Industrial Dance Project in Crown Point, IN. My son participates weekly in a jr parkour/ninja course. I took N and Y to a class last week. To say they loved it is putting it mildly. They were so pumped on adrenaline that they couldn't sleep when they came home. I surprised them this week with another class, and they will be able to to do open gym on Friday (again, thanks to Miss Bunny and Coach Chili).  When these kids do the parkour, EVERYBODY is in awe. Both N and Y are really in their element. Coach Chili loves watching them and is regularly pushing them to do harder obstacles. It really is like watching an episode of American Ninja Warrior Jr. Check out the videos below! While I may never really know how I impac...

 I can't believe these sweet boys leave in less than a week. All of our lives have changed dramatically. It will tear me apart to send them back and to send them back to an area that is in the middle of political issues with Russia. There has been so much that I have learned over the last few days. I don't even know how to wrap my head around it.  When I started on this path, I did not know what to expect. Heck, even after the honeymoon period ended, I was not sure how we were going to get through it. These boys arrived, smaller than expected (my 10 year old is smaller than Hunter and my 13 year old looks more like a 10 year old), but with very big personalities. After a week, I learned so much about them. They have siblings - a 6 year old sister and a 16 year old brother. Their parents rights were terminated. They have been in the system since 2018. They live in a very poor orphanage. They are both developmentally behind - struggling with the math that Hunter is doing. Their ...

Today may have been the first full day where we had the full day together without school, work, etc.  To say that I'm getting a bit emotional as my days with these boys decrease is putting it mildly.  I've always loved a full house.  My favorite memories growing up were always those at my grandma and grandpa's house with all the aunts, uncles and cousins.  This house and my heart have never been so full. We had a few woodworking kits that I thought the boys might enjoy putting together, and boy did they! So we spent the afternoon putting them together. Lots of pounding, measuring, nailing and lots of fun!  We also decided to go and look at some puppies.  Because I recently had to put down my dog, my other dog has been pretty lonely and depressed.  I plan to get a rescue, like all my previous dogs. But I wanted to see the new pet store in the area.  We went and the kids were in heaven! They even got to play with one.  They kept asking to take ...

My oldest bio son started back to school this week on Tuesday.  He comes home with homework daily - either written or on the computer.  We normally try to do it right when we get home otherwise we forget.  Well, N and Y wanted to join in.  It was amazing to see how eager they are to learn! It was also sad to learn where they are at academically.  My son is 7 and in kindergarten.  N and Y are 13 and 10 respectively.  They did not easily finish the same work that my son was doing.  But that didn't seem to bother them.  So I asked my son's teacher if she'd send home copies of the homework my son is working on.  And boy did she! And did these kids enjoy doing it! Oh! I've also taught them a new card game - golf. And boy do they love it! They'd play it for hours if I'd let them.  But it's great being able to do this with them. We have finally gotten into a good routine regarding food.  I'm pretty lenient with lunch and dinner as lon...

I wanted to take some time to reflect on this experience. No, it is not over yet and many things can change in the next 11 days as they leave on January 16. However, there is so much I have learned over the last 3 weeks. I want to share as much as I can.  First, I want to discuss how this has impacted me. I have learned that these kids have had a very traumatic life thus far. They have only been in the system since 2019 and the parents' parental rights have been terminated. Therefore, these kids had parents in their lives - for N for 13 years and for Y for 10 years. And I have been told that in Ukraine, it is very hard to have parental rights terminated. I can now have a better understanding how angry these kids can be and where it comes from.  I also wanted to share some comments from other Ukrainian kids that were adopted. Some of the common comments: Large orphanages are horrible. The kids often do not leave to go to school. Many of the helpers try to teach them to the best...

The last day of winter break for my kids. Some schools had started back up.  So I saved two special activities for the last day.  It wasn't busy at all and the kids had a blast! We first went to jaks warehouse.  N and Y had so much fun on the climbing ropes. They spent half of the time there.  They easily went to the top level multiple times.  It was fun seeing them so happy! My oldest son Hunter participates in a parkour class in Crown Point weekly. After watching N do flips and such on the school jungle gym I knew he had to try it. I spoke with the manager and she allowed N, Y, and Hunter to join an upper level parkour class.  To say they loved it is putting it mildly.  They couldn't fall asleep afterwards! They've already started asking when is Monday so they can go again! N at parkour see  video

The last two days have been pretty good.  We are definitely getting into a routine.  N is an amazing help.  He always takes out the trash even without me asking.  He also even shoveled the driveway and the trampoline! He's been such a big help.   Yesterday was the first big snow of the season.  So the kids have played outside a little. I don't believe snow is new to them but going down a slide on a sled is! My friend made a chocolate bomb board and so we had hot chocolate after playing outside.  Today was movie day! We went to the movie theater and saw the new Spiderman movie! It was great! We sat close, had most of our area to ourselves and got to eat some movie snacks.  I also introduced the boys to our themed movie nights. We watched Sonic and ate chili dogs, golden rings (funyons) and ate sonic cake! The kids had a blast. My friend Andrea joined us and I think she had the most fun! She taught them how to shuffle cards and play poker! ...