Temperature Rising

I just rolled back in from a quick 3 mile run late this morning and worked up a nice little sweat.  It's April here in Texas so we're bouncing around in temperatures, but it's definitely working its way up to consistently warm on it's way to another hot, dry summer.  We're sun people so we don't mind a bit, and we'll see how much Kayleigh and Michael have acclimated to our warmer part of the world :)

I was chatting on Facebook with a couple of our friends back in Ukraine and remembering our trip last spring.  When we were packing for the trip, we used the predicted temperatures for the 4 weeks we anticipated being there, so it was pretty much all cold weather clothing.  Naturally, you plan the best you can and then wing it from there, which is what we did.  We arrived on the tail end of a very cold winter and basically froze, but our trip extended to 6 1/2 weeks and we hit the warmest May in 30 years! 

We had a great time when the weather warmed up in Zhytomr.  There was a big park down by the river where we walked to a few times, a really good pizza place Alex showed us.  Our pastor friend Andriy and landlord Alex took us around so we could get clothes for warmer weather, and we enjoyed some great time walking around town and seeing the sights.  Both of these men were incredible friends to us, we miss them a lot!  Air conditioning was sparce (our apartment had none....) and ice infrequent for drinks, but it's amazing how fast you become accustomed to it.  It was a long trip (47 days.....) but good friends and nice weather made it a lot better :)

It's All About YOU!

One of the things we've always liked to do as parents is to spend time with each of our kids one on one.  We have found, that as much as we enjoy our family time together, there is definitely a specialness to spending individual time with them.  It's been a practice of ours that has allowed us to deepend those relationships, and to really get to know each of our five precious kids. 

Initially we didn't dive right into this with Kayleigh and Michael.  Being new to our family our three existing (domestics as I call them... :) were the anchor and security blankets for our two new (imports.....) and that family as a whole dynamic was so much better for helping them grow into our family.  I think it helped them not feel like they stood out, which made them uncomfortable, but rather allowed them to blend in while they figured out which end was up.

We've been doing the one on one time with them for some months now though and it really is a special time.  Last night I took Kayleigh out for a dinner date after she finished dance class (Michael was out with Jodi as well...).  We had such an amazing time.  We have such a playful fun relationship.  I love watching her at dance class, and when she sees me through the window she can't help but burst into a big beautiful smile (she will usually try to play like she's not noticing....).  Once we're in the car our somewhat complicated game of car tag begins at some point (there's not a lot of room to avoid being tagged in the car....) and we joke and laugh a lot.

Last night we hit the new Applebee's here in our hometown of Kyle and just had a great time hanging out, giving her lots of hugs, eating dinner (the ribs were actually pretty good....), and watching some XGames BMX event on TV (that one guy bit it pretty hard....).  Afterwards a trip for frozen yogurt (we both love junk food....) and home to chill out. 

This morning I find out in talking with Alyssa that I think she got a very happy report (just about verbatim it sounds.....) about our date.  While Kayleigh will still play it closer to the vest past a certain level, we know that the attention and love we give her is making a huge impact.  It is so exciting to know that her life is totally different than it would have been, and that we get to play a part in that.

AND, just to set the record straight, SHE started the game of car tag Friday, not me..... ;)

Happy 17th Alyssa!

Today is our daughter Alyssa's 17th birthday.  Our family is so thankful to have her, it is hard to imagine a better person or one who seems more blessed by God than her.  She is ridiculously beautiful both inside and out, talented at anything she does, and has a strength to her that drives her to success at anything she does.  She is also probably one of the most special people you will ever meet and has a heart of gold.  It is truly a blessing that God chose us to get to be her parents!

When it came to our adoption, it was a family decision to do it, not just us parents dictating that our 3 kids were going to get some siblings.  I still remember when we discussed it, their answer was "It's about time!".  We took that as a yes :)  All of our kids were just as integral in bringing Kayleigh and Michael home we us or any of the many adults who were involved!  They worked just as hard at fundraising, encouragement, and to this day have been incredibly selfless, always thinking of others before themselves. 

Alyssa was amazing on our trip overseas!  She apparently has the gene for picking up foreign languages and learned Ukranian at an amazing rate.  Kayleigh has gravitated to her since the moment they met in June 2011 when we hosted her for 5 weeks during the summer, I call them our "twins separated by geography".  She has been Kayleigh's anchor in her new life.  We owe so much of Kayleigh's success in becoming one of us to Alyssa's generous, loving heart.  We are blessed to have her :)

11

Today is the 11 month anniversary of our family returning to Texas from our 47 day adoption adventure in Ukraine!  The kids are very wonderful and continue to do amazing.  Life as normal today :)