Our Year in Review (enjoy)

With it being the last day of  a very interesting and exciting year for our family I thought I would recap some of our adventures.

For those of you that have followed along with us we wanted to thank you for all of your support this year as we embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. Your friendship, love and support throughout this year has made the journey all the more enjoyable. It is so nice to know that there are people all over the world (some that we have never met personally) that care about us and are hoping and praying that we succeed. We (especially me) really appreciate all of you and your kind words, acts of service and love as we have shared with you all the ups and downs of the year.


Here are some highlights:

January: As we prepared for our pending trip to Ukraine Olena was entered to win a new smile at our orthodontist. (I am not sure if I updated you all on this. Olena didn't actually win this competition, but our fabulous orthodontist graciously offered to donate his portion of her treatment to help our family. If you ever need orthodontic work done, he is the best around!! Dr Graff, thank you for all the great work you are doing to help each of our children and their smiles!)

We arrived in Ukraine after a long tiring journey. Enjoyed the cultural differences and the excitement of finally being there. Had some interesting grocery shopping experiences and finally made it to an apartment, where we tried to be patient and wait for our appointment with the SDA!

Hit a bump in the road and were told we couldn't see Olena until we re-did some paperwork.

Spent some time exploring and learned to navigate the Ukrainian underground. We welcomed our good friend T.J to Kiev and did some more exploring with him while we waited for word about another appointment.
Two weeks after our first appointment we are finally given our second and we receive referrals for both Olena and Anastasia.

February: We begin the long drive to Balta to meet Anastasia. Along the way we break and axle on the van and are forced to wait over night to be rescued by another driver. After finally arriving in Balta we get to stay in a hotel with no heat. We try to stay warm by piling anything that isn't stuck down, onto the bed, but to no avail we still freeze all night long. Balta is like jumping back in time to the 1920's.
After meeting with officials in town we arrive at the orphanage where we get to meet Anastasia (Nastia). After a few minutes of communicating with her, with the help of our translator (Really I knew as soon as she walked in the door) Mike and I knew that the reason we had been made to meet with her was that she was also our daughter. We decide to adopt her as well. We ask Nastia if she would like to be in our family and she says YES! Happy day!
We spent a few days meeting with and getting to know Nastia a little. Then we leave and spend a couple more days driving down to Izmail. (The 2 schools are about 460 km apart but with the state of the roads and the non direct route that we have to take we have to stop over night in Odessa each time we traveled between towns.)
We FINALLY get to Izmail and see Olena. She was very excited to finally be seeing us.
Visited one more time with Olena and then more paperwork and more driving to Tarutyne and then Odessa, with one more stop in Balta before heading back to Kiev.
2 week wait for court begins. We decide to make the most of that waiting and jump on a plane to Italy. This is a dream come true for me. Mike and I got to spend the next week driving around Italy and visiting places I only ever dreamed about. Then we hopped on a second plane and visited Paris before heading back to Kiev.
25th our first official family day. The judge grants us permission to adopt both Nastia and Olena.
We head home to wait some more!

March: I (Debbie) head back to Kiev to start the last part of our process and bring the girls home.
I picked up Nastia from her school. Sadly there was no ceremony of any kind. She just ran outside and jumped in the car with us and we drove off!
Nastia and I spent another cold night in a hotel just outside of Tarutyne. We picked up the girls birth certificates and then visited with Kola (the girls brother) and their father. It was a sad visit, but one I was glad for Nastia to have.
Drove from there to Izmail to finish up paperwork and pick up Olena. The girls are reunited for the first time in years. Great day!
Arrive in Odessa where we will stay while we wait for passports and Visas for the girls. Get to go shopping with the girls and learn they are not used to picking anything. I enjoy being able to spend time with them.
Give the girls their first experience with church.
Take a day trip back to Balta to do the last of the paperwork.
Waiting, waiting and more waiting for passports.
Recieve passports and drive back to Kiev to finish Embassy stuff.
Wait for 2 more days before we can leave. We are stuck in our little apartment watching Ukraines got talent, because there is a bad snow storm.
25th exactly 1 month after the judge grants our adoption and 9 1/2 weeks after we first arrived in Ukraine, The girls and I arrive in America and they meet/see their new family!
The girls celebrate their first American Easter with us.

April: Nana and Grandad, Uncle Jordan (from Australia), and Friends Bronwyn and Dave (from England) come to visit for 2 weeks.
Mike starts his new job at Usana.
Nastia speaks a sentence in English for the first time.
We attend the baptism of Alina and Albina Truax (also adopted from Ukraine at the same time as our girls)

May: We Meet Robyn Christensen. She comes to church with us and translates every Sunday for the girls! (She has now become a huge part of our family. And one of my best friends! Thank you Robyn for all your help with the girls)
Carter graduates from Kindergarten!
We celebrate my first mothers day as a mother of 6 children.
Nastia attends her first track meet.
Miranda performs as Puck in her school play Mid summer nights dream.

June: We take a family trip with the Murray family to Zions National park. Lots of swimming and hiking and fun!!
The kids zip line for the first time :)
Nastia and Olena start their first American school (ESL summer classes)
We celebrate 3 months of having the girls home.
We take the family to Lagoon and each of the kids goes on roller coasters for the first time! So much Fun!!
Mike and I Run the Wasatch back Ragnar Relay with our "family" (Liz and Damien Bear and Matt and Amy Beatty). Awesome time!!

July: Nastia and Olena go on their first ever camping trip (sleeping in tents and everything) they also repel for the first time ever!
We were lucky enough to meet Mai, a 14 year old girl from Japan. We had her come and stay with us for a few weeks. We loved having her be part of our family, even if it was just for a little while. Mai you are welcome to come back any time. We love you :)
Mike and I celebrate 14 years of marriage.

August: Miranda, Nastia and Olena attended girls camp.
Uncle David, Kingston and Tusi came to visit.
Nastia and Olena get Baptised and confirmed Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Miranda is accepted and starts school (9th grade) at a performing arts school.
Olena and Nastia start 9th grade at the local Jr High. Talon starts 6th grade, Lucy 3rd grade and Carter 1st grade.

Mike turns 41

September: Talon turns 12
 I start working! I got a job working for the Nebo School district. I love it.
Nastia and Olena are sealed to our family in the Provo  Utah Temple. We are now a family forever! (A friend of mine, one of my neighbors told us later that "she felt very strongly during that moment that the girls parents were in attendance and that they were pleased with their decision and that they were in the right place.")

October: I had to cut back my hours at work so I can be a better mother! Hard choice, but the right one.

November: Lucy turns 9
Olenas best friend Svetlana arrives from Ukraine. She was adopted by a family that lives here in Utah! Yay!!
First Thanksgiving for the girls. We had a quite one at home.



December: Carter turns 7 (my baby is not a baby anymore!)
Svetlana gets baptized.  Olena gives a talk at the baptism, Nastia prays and the rest of us sing!
Miranda turns 14.
Olena turns 15
Nastia turns 16 (it was so much fun to see them both experience what a birthday should be really like! The 3 girls will be having a birthday party this coming saturday! I will post some pictures of the adventure)
Debbie turns 37 (ugh)
First Christmas in America was a success. Joy had by all! Skype with Family in Australia.

Now it is New years eve and I feel like it has been a roller coaster of a year. BUT I wouldn't change it for the world. I have learned so much about myself and about what I am capable of. I still have a lot to learn, as we all have, but it sure has been an interesting journey. Thanks again to everyone who has joined us for it and stuck with us through the hard emotional times. Life is never boring and hopefully it never will be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Our latest....

Life in the Maurin Family house is never boring! It is sometimes a struggle, but it is never boring.

Yesterday we celebrated the 1st of 5 birthdays this month. It was my youngest child Carter's 7th birthday. It is hard for me to believe, and I made jokes with him and the other kids last night, that he is that old. I don't feel like I am old enough to have my baby be 7 years old. But sadly I am. I was also reminded that I have a 16 year old daughter, so I must be old enough (she will be 16 very soon).

Carter makes life in our house very interesting, ALL THE TIME! he is a whirlwind of energy and can get himself into trouble without even thinking, but he is a joy to have in our family. I also know that  Heavenly Father very wisely saved him for last so that I would not stop having kids!!! 

He is a funny child!!

A lot has been going on since I last updated. So let me quickly touch on the interesting stuff.

Olenas best friend Svetta, from Ukraine, (we have some pictures of her on here) was adopted and now lives in Utah. We get to see her every couple of weeks and she has even come and stayed with us a few times. We love having her here and are  so excited that she has a family that loves her. She was baptized a couple of weekends ago and asked our family to be a part of it. We of course accepted, even Nastia, who reluctantly accepted to say her first public prayer. The chapel was full of people and when it was time she got up nervously and offered a beautiful prayer (in Russian). She was very proud of herself and a little embarrassed when she was done. I was so proud and it made me quite emotional. Next Olena was asked to give a talk on Baptism. I helped her write it but asked her to share her own experience and feelings from when she was baptized. Her testimony and her poise while speaking were beautiful to watch. Again I was emotional. After Olena the rest of the kids and I were asked to sing. We chose a song that they had already sung in our ward, but I jumped in and sang with them. Not the best idea!! I was already emotional at all the things the girls had just done. I can not be trusted to sing anymore without crying. I tried, and I held it together for a little while until I saw someone else crying and then, that was it for me. But overall the song turned out great and Svetta and her family and the other guests that were there all appreciated our efforts.

These 3 beautiful girls Natasha, Svetta, and Olena. All friends from the same orphanage, all with new families! YAY!!

Stasia and Lucy!

Svetta and her Dad

Me and Miranda after the Baptism

Party games!

Begging for candy! (maybe)

looks like she killed it!

New Member!

Svetta and her sister Stasia

Best Friends!! (They sure have come a long way!)

                                              
                                                  

I was also given an opportunity to help the kids learn how to recognize the spirit. I have the privilege of being part of an organization that collects food from grocery stores that they would ordinarily throw away, (things like day old bread or close to use by stuff or damaged boxes, things they can't sell) and taking it to a food pantry. Well this particular day the food pantry was not open. I had a car FULL of food and no where to take it. So instead of getting rid of it, I decided to take it to people that needed it. Only we didn't know anyone that needed it. So The kids helped me pack it in bags and load it back into the car. We prayed and asked for direction and decided to just follow the promptings of the spirit. We drove around our town to the homes of people we didn't know and I waited for the children to tell me where to stop. On more then 1 occasion all the kids (including a couple of our neighbors) all pointed to the same house and said "that one, definitely that one!" Each of the kids and Mike took turns doorbell ditching the food at these houses. It was a really fun activity. We will never know if the people we gave bags of food too actually needed it, but it was an incredible experience to feel the spirit in our car and to see the kids listening to the promptings of the Spirit.

An update on the progress of the girls!
The girls have been with us in America for almost 9 moths. I am constantly asked how everything is going with them? How they are doing? My usually answer is "It's going....!" Here is a little breakdown.
Olena has transitioned really well. She is progressing at school and is not having to have her work modified much, if at all. She is speaking pretty fluently in English and even sometimes has forgotten how to say things in Russian. She is doing great.
Nastia has come in leaps and bounds from when she arrived here almost 9 months ago. She is understanding almost everything you say to her (sometimes she pretends she doesn't, don't let her fool you!) There are obviously big words that she doesn't understand, but the use of the translator is very minimal now. She is progressing as well as is expected in school. She doesn't like going, and frequently there are battles of wills when it comes to homework. Her teachers all love her though and say she works well in class. She is feeling more and more like we are her family but with that comes behavioral things that weren't evident when she was in honeymoon phase! We are all learning the new rules :) I am still unsure if she really likes me sometimes and that can be hard on me emotionally. But she is starting to open up a little more some days and will at least tell me (after some pushing) why she is mad at me. Plus with her turning 16 soon, comes some fears and reminders of what would have happened to her if she were still in Ukraine. We are trying to help her know that she is safe and will always have a place to live and people that love her.  Over all, even though there are some struggles she is doing remarkably well. I feel  blessed that the Lord allowed me to be their mother.

Christmas is coming and we are not at all prepared. But we are on our way. I feel a little overwhelmed with trying to make sure that the girls have the best Christmas ever! Really what I need to do is just make it a good one. I think that no matter what happens this year will be amazing for all of us. Our family is together and they are going to experience what Christmas is supposed to feel like. We already went Christmas caroling, what could be more festive then that?? :)

Lets Go Back In Time

This is something I have been thinking about for a very long time.

While we were in Europe we were blessed to be able to visit many different museums. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see the beauty that was in them. What stood out to me the most was what was considered beautiful to people back then. Their were sculptures and paintings of women everywhere and not one of them were what we would now consider skinny.
Women of that time period were prized for their God given bodies. These paintings and sculptures, that I had the privilege of seeing, were focused on these women who today would be considered fat. However, back then, they were considered the height of sexiness.
What changed? Why is our perception of what is considered beautiful so starkly different, from even 50 years ago? Why is it that unless we as women choose to starve ourselves to death, we will never be remotely skinny enough to be considered 'beautiful', by ourselves or by the world? At five foot two, and weighing approx 117lbs I consider myself overweight. I see and feel every ounce of fat I carry on my body. I study myself in the mirror each day and am only able to focus on all of the things I want/NEED to change about how my body looks. All I want is to feel beautiful, but until I am 'skinny' I will never feel beautiful.

Women of the Renaissance period did not concern themselves with things like a few extra pounds of weight. In fact, just the opposite was true. The ideal beauty of that era was more voluptuous than perhaps any other time in history.
Why is it then, that when I look at myself, with my few extra pounds, that I can't see myself as beautiful like one of those women? Sometimes I wish I could go back in time.

The sad thing for me is that I am unconsciously teaching my kids to worry about how they look. I have tried really hard to not talk about myself in front of them, but I know they are aware of how I feel. I have heard my teenagers talk about how they think they are fat. How do I teach my children, especially my girls, to look at themselves as beautiful, just the way their Heavenly Father made them, with so many other people and things telling them different? I think each one of them is beautiful just the way they are. But without first changing my own opinion about myself, I think I will struggle to tackle the other things.


Here are some sad facts I found here :

• 95% of people who diet instead of following a healthy meal plan will gain back the weight they lose in between one and five years.
• 73% of teenage girls who abuse diet pills and 79% of teenage girls who self-purge frequently read women’s fitness and health magazines.
• At any given time, one in every three women and one in any four men are on a diet.
• 9/10 of girls who are high school juniors and seniors diet while only 1/10 of high school girls are overweight.
• Individuals who frequently diet often experience depression.
• 35% of individuals who diet only occasionally progress into pathological dieters.
• 2/5 of women and 1/5 would give up 3-5 years of their life to realize their weight loss goals.
• The diet and diet-related product industry boasts annual revenues of $33 billion.
• By 1990 the average age that a girl began dieting had dropped to eight from fourteen in 1970.
• Roughly one half of girls in 4th grade are on diets.
• More than half of nine and ten-year-old girls admitted that they felt better about themselves when dieting.

Body Image

• Often, one of the first seating disorders symptoms to manifest is poor body image.
• According to a study from the University of Central Florida, nearly 50% of girls aged three to six were already concerned about their weight.
• A study showed that women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about their body each day, while 97% of women admit to having at least one “I hate my body” moment each day.
• Roughly half of the women in the U.S. wear size 14 or larger though most standard clothing retailers only cater to sizes 14 and smaller.
• When asked to choose their ideal body shapes, 30% of women chose one that is 20% underweight while 44% chose an ideal body shape that is 10% underweight.
• A Glamour magazine survey showed that 61% of respondents felt ashamed of their hips, 64% felt embarrassed by their stomachs, while 72% were ashamed of their thighs.
• One study showed that women overestimate the size of their waists by 25% and hips by 16%, while those same women could correctly estimate a box’s width.
• One study showed that 75% of women consider themselves overweight when, in reality, only 25% were.
• Four out of five women in the U.S. are unhappy with their appearance.
• 81% of ten-year-old girls experience a fear of being fat.
• 42% of 1st through 3rd grade girls say they wish they were thinner.
• Adolescent girls are more afraid of gaining weight than getting cancer, losing their parents or nuclear war.
• More than half of white, adolescent girls who are a normal weight view themselves as fat.
• Seven out of ten women felt angrier and more depressed following the viewing of fashion model images.
• A study that offered preschoolers a choice between two dolls that were identical except for weight, the preschoolers chose the thinner doll nine out of ten times.
• Children were asked in one study to rate pictures of other children based on attractiveness. The obese child was rated less attractive than a child with a facial deformity, a child in a wheelchair and a child who is missing a limb.

Models

• The majority of runway model meet the Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria to be considered anorexic.
• Vogue magazine stated that they chose Gisele Bunchen as their “model of the year” due, in part, to the fact that she deviates from the typical “rail thin” image. In fact, Gisele weighs only 115 lbs. and is 5’11 – 25% below her ideal weight.
• At 5’7 and 95 lbs. Kate Moss is 30% below her ideal weight.
• Fashion models’ weight averaged only 8% less than the average women 20 years ago. Today the average fashion model weighs 23% less than the average woman.
• 25% of Playboy centerfold models meet the criteria to be considered anorexic.
• Many magazines create images of women that don’t really exist by using computer-modified compilations of various body parts.
• Playgirl magazine centerfolds have grown increasingly muscular with less body fat over the last 20 years. However, the average man’s weight and body fat percentage have increased.
• Miss America contestants have grown increasingly thinner over the past three decades.
• Plus-sized models averaged between size 12 and 18 only ten years ago. Now, the majority of plus-sized models on agency rosters are between size 6 and 14.
• Mannequins closely resembled the shape of the average woman in the 1950s; the average mannequin and woman both had the hip measurement of 34 inches. Since then, there has been an increasing disparity between mannequins and the average woman. By 1990 the average hip measurement had increased to 37 inches while mannequins had decreased to 31 inches.
• Based on their theoretical body-fat percentages, most mannequins would cease to menstruate if they were real women.
• The average U.S. model weighs 117 lbs and is 5’11 while the average U.S. woman weighs 140 lbs. and is 5’4.

Television and Movies

• One quarter of all television commercials convey a message related to attractiveness.
• The rate of eating disorders in Fiji surged following the introduction of Western television programming.
• A study found that viewing music videos featuring thin women correlated with a jump in body image dissatisfaction.
• In Allure magazine model and actress Elizabeth Hurley stated, “I’ve always thought Marilyn Monroe looked fabulous, but I’d kill myself if I was that fat.”
• Actresses Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts and the singer Diana Ross meet the BMI criteria for anorexia.
• A People magazine survey showed that 80% of female respondents felt that women in movies and television programs made them feel insecure about their bodies.

We as a society need to look back at what used to be considered beautiful and sexy, and go back to that. We can make it easier for our daughters to find happiness with themselves, by first changing what we consider beautiful. I can look at myself in the mirror and say "my stomach looks like Marilyn Monroe's". She is known as one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL women in history. Her tummy isn’t tightly toned, her thighs touch, her arms aren’t skinny, she has stretch marks and her boobs aren’t perky. I am just like that. I can be sexy and beautiful just like her. I don't need to be a size 0 to be beautiful, neither do my girls and neither do you!
 

 

Difference

Sometimes I have to remind myself (or be reminded by my much smarter husband) how very different our new daughters lives were before they came to our family. I forget that they have seen and experienced things that some adults here, have never, or will never experience. They have seen things that a child should never see.
I think a big part of me had hoped that wasn't the case for my girls. That somehow they had ended up in the orphanage because of some terrible mistake. That their lives before they were taken away weren't as terrible as all of the stories you hear about orphans. But those hopes are dashed, and my heart literally breaks for them, each time I get them to open up a little about some kind of memory from before they were mine.

I never realized, and maybe I will never know entirely, how very different things were for them. It's hard to fully comprehend how, what feels like something trivial to me, like raising my voice at my husband when I am frustrated with him, can so easily trigger a horrible, painful memory for them. The worst part is I don't yet know, (and again I may never know all of them) what those triggers are.
I wish that I could take away these memories, take away all their pain and suffering. I wish that I could go back and stop them from having to go through these experiences.  But, of course that is impossible. Life doesn't work that way. I can't fix what happened. I can't change it. I can only help them deal with it and move on.
For now, I need to be aware of them, pay attention, as closely as I can, to their behaviors and reactions to situations and hope and pray that they will open up to me when something is wrong. But mostly I need to reassure them, as well as my other kids, that they are loved beyond measure. That we know that they are meant to be here with us. I know this without any doubt. I only hope that I am strong enough to help them through their sad memories and help them create happier ones from here on out. 

Get It Right

"What have I done?, I wish I could run, Away from his ship going under.
Just trying to help, hurt everyone else. Now I feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
What can you do when your good isn't good enough, and all that you touch tumbles down? Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things, I just want to fix it somehow. But how many times will it take for me to get it right?"

I am going to share a little secret with all of you. I am someone that has never had a lot of confidence in my abilities to do, well anything.
We were so blessed to be able to find ways to pay for our adoption, but it has left us with some obvious debt. I took my job at the start of the school year for a couple of different reasons. Firstly, I really thought it would be fun for me to not be stuck at home when all my kids were at school. I knew I would find myself feeling a little stir crazy, so I decided that this would be a great way to counteract that before it even began. I also took the job so that I could help a little with paying off the loan that we got for our adoption. I feel like it was such a blessing to be able to so easily find a job after not working for 15 years. And, I absolutely LOVE it. I Love to work with the kids around the district, and shockingly, I actually feel like I am good at this job. It makes me feel good about myself, and I feel appreciated, which for a stay at home mom, is kind of a rarity.

This past week has been extremely hard on me. I truly feel like I am in a ship that is going under. I feel like, while I set out to do something for myself, for the first time in a while, I have taken on too much. And I now feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. My best really isn't good enough, and I just keep making a mess of everything.
I really thought that I could handle it all, but it turns out that I actually can't. I have done some very deep thinking and pondering about what I want. But it was a comment made by Mike yesterday that really made me re-think everything. He told me that "I am not any fun anymore. I am always so stressed and he hasn't seen me smile in a while."  I decided that I don't want to be that person. I don't want to be that kind of wife and mother. I like being the fun one :)
I had put off praying about it, (because I think I already knew what that answer would be) until today, and I was right.
I can't be the kind of mother I need to be at the moment if I am also working. My good will never be good enough if I am spreading myself too thin. At the moment that is exactly what I am doing.

I hate the idea of quitting my job for so many different reasons. The biggest one is just the idea of quitting when life gets hard. I am constantly trying so hard to teach each one of my kids to not do just that. What kind of example am I setting for them?!
I also feel like I have quit so many things in my life, I didn't want this to be another thing to add to that list.
I also just really like doing this job. I like feeling like I am good at something. I like being appreciated by my co-workers and by the kids I see. I have built up a relationship with each one of them and I hate to lose that.

But in order for me to get things right with my kids, I need to put aside my needs for just a little bit longer. I need to focus on them and their needs and be the best mom I can be. Maybe I can do this job again in a couple of years when things have settled down in my crazy mad house.

"I will throw up my fists, throw a punch in the air, and accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair."
Sometimes life isn't fair and sometimes you have to put aside the things you want, 

 to get things right.  

I want this job, BUT my kids are more important than a job, and how they turn out is what I need to get right. So hopefully one day they will think (and so will I) that my good was good enough.

Some Maurin Family Updates

(This blog post was written a very long time ago. I just hadn't had a chance until now to post pictures. So i have updated a few things with progress we have made)

 It seems like forever since I have been able to sit and blog. I am sure that no one really cares what is going on with our crazy family anymore, but I am going to try to update frequently just for my own benefit.
The summer ended and our life got nuts.
The girls were baptized August 3rd and it was a beautiful day. We had many friends and family attend and  we were all so grateful for the support that they all showed to us. The girls were glowing and happy and it was a really great day.The YW (all that could come) sang a beautiful musical number during the baptism. The girls had got to know each of them a little better during girls camp, a few days before their baptism.

Miranda was accepted into Pioneer High School for the performing arts and decided that she would like to attend. No big deal, right?! Accept the school is in a 30 minute drive from our house. Still we decided that this would be a wonderful opportunity for her and that she would love it, so we made some sacrifices and adjustments to the budget and worked out a way to get her to and from school each day. Unfortunately this makes for an even busier afternoon for me! (It seems to be working out really well and the school is a perfect fit for her. I am so happy that the hard work and effort is paying off for her)

Everyone else started school (including Carter) a few days after Miranda and then life really took off. You would think that I would be jumping for joy because I would have a few hours to myself. Well I was until I was offered  a job working for the school district. I thought, "Hey I have no kids at home anymore I could work during school hours and be home when they are and it will be great!" Well I was right, but I didn't expect it to be as hard as it has been. I neglected to take into consideration that there would hours of extra time spent helping the girls understand and doing their homework each day. While also trying to find time to help the other 3 and do laundry, cook dinner and generally take care of the chores that I would normally do during the day. Needless to say, my house is falling apart. I am constantly embarrassed whenever anyone comes to my house because I am either to busy to pick stuff up or I am to exhausted to do it. Luckily for me, I don't get too many visitors. Lets hope I can figure out how to fix the mess. (The kids are helping with their chores each day and have been really good about it, but it just doesn't seem to be enough! So if you happen to come by, no judging, i am trying :) )

School has been interesting. When I enrolled the girls in school I specifically asked to have them tested, but the Councillor said they would put them in normal classes and see how they do. I was a little worried about how Nastia would handle that and it turns out I was right to be (shocking, I know). I mentioned that it takes literally hours to get homework done with them both, I wasn't kidding. I am learning that their may be more struggles to come with one of the girls and I am hopeful each day that I am up to the task. I am not used to having to work so hard to have my kids understand any given topic. I am not sure I am equipped but I am doing the best I can for her. I am hoping that the school will get their testing done for her so that she can be put in appropriate classes. She is constantly feeling like a failure, and that is making it really difficult to have her want to be at school at all. This could be a very long year! (update from when I wrote this, Nastia is still struggling with a lot for things but the school as been wonderfully helpful. Each of her teachers has put together a plan to make sure she can succeed in their class. They all recognize what abilities she has and what she still needs work on and are willing to do what they can to help her feel good about school. I feel very blessed to have her at a school that is so willing to work with her. Funnily enough the Dean of students speaks Russian and they also have a Math tutor that works with her 3 times a week that speaks Russian. I guess they were meant to be at this school!)

Two weekends ago on September 7th we had the privileged of having our daughters sealed to us for Eternity. It was such a beautiful day and the spirit was so strong. I had been worried about whether the girls would want to be sealed to us or whether the would feel like it was betraying their other family. I was pleasantly surprised by the response we got when we asked them if they wanted to. Olena very matter of factually said "Why wouldn't I, you're my parents!" Nastia wasn't quite so exuberant about it but happily agreed.
During the sealing our sealer mentioned something about how angels were in attendance. A friend of mine, one of my neighbors told us later that "she felt very strongly during that moment that the girls parents were in attendance and that they were pleased with their decision and that they were in the right place." After hearing that I of course lost it and felt such a huge relief that they were pleased with the girls choice to be sealed to us. It made an already fabulous day, full of smiles, Even Better. Thank you to every one of my friends that came and supported our family. It meant so much to us to have you all there.

The missionaries that taught the girls were able to be in the sealing with us. So special for them and us :) As well as some of my closest friends. 

I love the colors in the picture. You can see our real personalities in pictures like these :)

 

We went out to lunch after the sealing with some friends and the missionaries.

The kids had a water fight after we got home, but Nastia wouldn't participate.

Our forever family!