Saturday Summary...

Rylee got her appliance on. Her upper jaw (like mine & Kambree's) is to small so she's been fitted with an appliance that we crank each day and slowly it will widen her jaw. It was an ordeal getting it on Friday. It fits into the roof of her mouth and is held in place by four bands, two on each side. The back teeth are permanent teeth but the front teeth the bands were to go on were baby teeth and they were so sensitive, she cried and cried and although I was there holding her hand, she would cry for me and tell me "I just want to go home." After one last try that turned into screaming more than crying, the assistants trying to fit the appliance before the doc cemented it on, gave up and turned her over to the orthodontist (who is fabulous by the way). He took the appliance in the back, shaved off the front bands, slid it on the back teeth only, cemented it in place and it was done! Thank heavens! My poor Ry. She was breaking my heart.
Thursday I went to our parent lunch and it was so fun to have Amy & Julee there fresh from Urkaine. I felt bad that it was so noisy and I felt like I didn't get a chance to talk with everyone, I'm hoping our new lunch place (1st Tuesday of each month, Archibald's at noon!) will be more conducive for mingling and chatting.
It's Memorial Day weekend and Alex is excited to have three days out of school. I'm sure everyone is excited, he's just the only one that mentions it four times a day! We don't have any fabulous plans or anything-with James being gone-but I'm trying to come up with something fun to do on Monday.
Last night I went to Jen Benson's bow making party. She's leaving in June to go get her daughter and we made lots of hair bows last night for the girls there. There are three families leaving in June to go adopt their children. When I first got home I felt so sorry for them but now I'm excited for them. The idea of going back when I first got home was so overwhelming. I had been there so long that I just felt dread for them but now that I've been home and able to reflect on my trip and adventure and realizing this is all new to them, I'm excited and happy for them. What they're about to embark on is a once in a lifetime adventure and they will be changing not only a child's life but their whole families life by bringing this child home to be a part of a family. If any of you three families are reading this post....you better post a lot about your adventure!!!
It's Saturday morning and my house is calling for me to clean it, everyone is still asleep except for Rylee and I should go make breakfast or start cleaning but what am I doing?? Reading blogs and posting this ever so boring one....

"Me English!"

Tonight we went to the airport to see the Rasts and Bunchs arrive home.
Oh, seeing them reminded me so much of how tired I was and how long that day was. Can it be that it was less than three weeks ago that Alex and I arrived home?
On the way into the airport Alex glanced at me in my new, very colorful sundress-that I bought today- and waving towards my dress he told me "Me, no cute." Which I interpreted as "I don't like your dress Mom." That made me laugh. I think it's funny he even noticed what I was wearing, let alone have and voice his opinion.
In the airport he had fun saying hi to his friends but he refused to speak Russian to them. Jeff Rast asked him the Ukraine word for brother and he said "Me don't know-me English." And then he'd tell me "Ukraine" and then make talking hand motions and say "blah, blah blah..." like he use to about English.
On the way home I asked, "Alex, could you really not understand Ukraine?" He replied, "Me speak, me no ear." Does that mean he can speak it but doesn't understand it when spoken? I said, "Alex, you have to remember your Russian, how will you speak to Ivan?" He shrugged and said "English?"
I, of course think he can understand still and speak just fine, he just chooses not too. It's his way of being "Me, American boy!" He refuses to read any of the Ukraine books I bought or the illustrated Russian book of Mormon. He also is trying many new foods and finding he likes quite a few, and he loves to drink his drinks with ice in them and ask, "Me, American Boy?" Everyday he becomes more and more American. He only refers to bad thing in Ukraine. Like when we drive over the train tracks or a dip in the road he says "Dniprozerzink." Obviously referring to all the potholes in the road there.
I tried to get him to tell me good things about Ukraine and he couldn't come up with any. I love that he loves America but I don't want him to hate Ukraine, I want him to be proud of his heritage, maybe in time that will come? For now he just hates everything about it. Except for Ivan & Snezhana. I tried for the last two Sundays to Skype with them but they haven't been on line. With our three hour church block in the middle of the day it makes it difficult to catch them with the nine hour difference in time.
James left for work today and Alex kept thinking James had left without saying goodbye as he'd pantomime driving and ask "Papa?" No, Alex he hasn't left. He will say goodbye. Then when James did say goodbye Alex said "Fifteen?" and made a sad face and then imitated papa coming home as an old man with a cane and he said, looking up from his old man posture, "Alex....big!" Like Alex is going to be grown before James returns in two weeks. What a funny boy!
He's been so much fun lately. Playing with Rylee. Playing with friends. We found a fabulous sight for reading (starfall.com) and he is doing so well. He can read the word then click on it to hear the correct pronunciation. He can go at his own speed and his own level and it holds his attention.
He wore his cub scout shirt to scouts today and he looked so...American! I need to get a picture of that next week.
I bought him a couple more shirts for summer and when I told him he said "Good job Mama."
He also called me on my cell phone today. We've been working on him memorizing the number and obviously he has it down. I wasn't home right at two but I wasn't worried as everyone was out of school at two today so I knew he wouldn't be alone. He called and I was able to tell him I'd be home soon and to stay with the kids.
He is also an incredible flirt. He loves to flirt with Kambree's friends. In church I could not keep him from turning around as Kambree's very tall and blond friend Sami was sitting behind us and he kept making faces at her and her sister Kaysha. It got to be a little out of control.
He's really a very good boy and he's trying so hard to fit in and find his place in our family. He's already found a place in our hearts. Devree was rough housing with Alex before bed and I had to go kick her out of his room, Austin is very sweet with him in his crazy Austin way, Kambree likes him-just not when he tattles on her and Rylee in her prayers tonight thanked Heavenly Father for her new brother....Alex.

Confessions of a Prima Donna....

Last Tuesday Kambree asked if I was going to try out for Murray City's summer production of "Grease". For the past two summers Kambree and I have performed together, first in "Peter Pan" and then last summer in "Footloose". This summer I wasn't really planning on auditioning. I was worried about Alex and rehearsing but mostly I just felt there wasn't a part for me. I'm a little old to be playing Frenchie-a high school drop out. Kambree left for the auditions and I goggled the Broadway cast of characters and found the cameo part of Miss Lynch. (Note, the Broadway production is not like the movie-there is no woman principle or dingy secretary) and from what I can tell, Miss Lynch is the ONLY adult part in the entire cast.

Character Description: Miss Lynch is a strict, old-maid English teacher.

Hum... I youtube the part and can only find it in Spanish but it looks like a funny character part. I called Kambree, "Maybe I should come up and audition for Miss Lynch?" Kambree, "Oh, yes Mom do!!" So how can you not go audition when your almost 17 year old daughter WANTS to be in a show with you. So of course I did.
Now, I'm going to sound sort of prima donna-ish but this is a very little part-no singing or dancing required-but I think a funny part-I'm not too sure because I've yet to find a script or a performance in English-but anyway, I auditioned. The director sends me to dance-which is kind of crazy as I don't think Miss Lynch dances at all. But I dance-not well mind you-dancing is not my forte-where Kambree got it is beyond me?
We knew call backs were Saturday but....
we didn't get a call.
Either of us.... hum??
Saturday came and went and I can't tell you how bad I felt. Like really bad. Kambree felt bad too.
Now here comes the prima donna part...um...who the heck did they cast over me? Besides being pretty confident about my acting ability, I swear I was the ONLY adult I saw up there and Kambree can dance circles around most of the girls there so... what the heck?
Monday I consoled myself with "Maybe it's for the best. Maybe rehearsals would be too much?" Kambree was resigning herself to the fact that she should probably work as much as possible this summer.
Then the thought of what would we do all summer hit me. Seriously, this is what we do each summer and WE LOVE IT! I spend the days with my children, make dinner, eat together and then they're on their own for a few hours each night while Kambree and I go to rehearsals. With James being gone two weeks at a time, it's sort of fills my nights while he's away. I'd be in a play all year long if I could butI limit myself to one show with a quick run as being an actress and performing each night is not conducive to being a good mother. (You know, home work, dance class, scouts, tuck ins etc all happen at night!) I comfort myself with the fact that I'll play all the grandma parts when my children are grown.
(Yes, I was a theater major and had dreams of being a famous actress. I currently play the part of mom, wife & daughter and try to act like a real estate agent!)
So tonight, I'm sitting waiting for Devree's 2nd show with Guyz and Dollz to start and Kambree calls me with excitement in her voice. "Mom, Saxton (the theater teacher at Murray and director of Grease) just called and you got the part of Miss Lynch!" I hold my breath. "AND.....I'm in the chorus!!"
Whoot whoo!!
Funny how much this little part-that I really hadn't planned on trying out for-made me so happy! And Kambree too!
Bring on summer....we have rehearsals to start!

Tutor Anyone?

Calling all parents with children recently adopted from Ukraine!
I've been weighing ideas for summer tutors. I've talked to other mom's, I've read others comments and I've come to the conclusion that I am not patient, disciplined or creative enough to teach Alex English all by myself. We work together for about an hour a day before he goes to school and although he tells me "Mom-Alex school cool!" I'm just running out of ideas....
So, I put an ad on Craig's list and have TEN qualified applicants willing to come tutor him during the summer, three days a week, 2 hours a day. Then I got a hair brain idea, and asked my favorite applicant what she would charge for a group lesson as opposed to one on one. She said $15 an hour. If I could find four more children-I think five would be maximum-we could each pay $3 per hour per child! Doesn't that sound lovely? The lessons would be held here at my house. If anyone is interested in joining us, please let me know. (I know it would be a quite a drive for some of you!) And I'm thinking mornings, but time and days of the week are up in the air. Let me know what would work for you.
Tonight was Devree & Rylee's Guyz and Dollz recital. They did great! Alex got bored towards the end and kept asking me how many more songs. Then in order to go out to ice cream he had to read the rest of his book on the way to the ice cream store. I know reading is really hard for him right now, he can sound out the words pretty well but he has no idea what they mean.
We had a pretty hot day today and Alex was so disgruntled about it. He kept saying "HOT!" like I didn't know it was hot or something. He had on shorts, I had the air on in the car but it was like he'd never been in 90 degree weather or something. I tried to explain that it's hot like this for four months out of the year, he'll need to get use to it but I don't think he understood.
Yesterday I went out to call him in from riding his bike and found him across the street playing soccer with some neighborhood children. I was so happy to see him in group play that I let him stay out until almost dark. Today when he plopped himself in front of the TV after school (well, he did go to Costco with me) I tried to explain that this was his time to play, that we were eating and going to a dance recital. He didn't go play with anyone but he did turn off the TV and go get his Digi.
Before dinner James, Austin & Alex all put on the boxing gloves and boxed. James and Austin get really rough but Alex held his own okay. I know they were much nicer to him then they are to each other but he's such a light weight compared to them. My only rules about boxing is don't cry to me when you get hurt and stay out of the kitchen! I have found that sometimes boys just need to hit each other and as long as they have gloves on, I don't mind if they do.
Last week I dressed up as an old lady to sing a silly song for my friends grandmothers 80th birthday party. I have a terrific old lady get up-complete with a polyester dress, gray hair and a osteoporosis hump. I looked a sight. Alex looked at me so puzzled. How in the world do you explain that? All I could say is I'll be back in a little bit. I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy!
Kambree tried out and made dance company again this year and is going to a member of the dance company presidency. She is also going to be a member of PLT (Peer Leadership Team).
Austin is struggling with his grades but besides that doing well. But really "besides that" only consists of hanging out with his friends and eating us out of house and home.
Devree received an award for having 3 consecutive 4.0 report cards and is busy working on getting her 4th 4.0. She also got her braces on last week and has a very sore mouth.
Rylee is doing well. She really had a tough time being fit for her appliance. She gets it on this Friday and I'm sure that will be a day of tears.
Alex's doctors office called with great news. All his test were negative. BUT they forgot to run the Hep B and want me to bring him back in for another blood draw. I told them no. They can wait until we go in in two months for his booster. I am not subjecting him to another poke right now. Not after the tears and drama of last time.
James is busy trying to get the sprinklers running, the air on, the sinks draining and all the other many things that need fixing and repairing done. He was complaining about how many things need fixing and I tried to make him feel better by telling him I wish people would stop getting hungry, clothes would stop needing laundering and the house would stop getting dirty!
Anway, here's to tutors, boxing, dance recitals & housework!

Orthodontist & Award

Rylee getting molds made and fitted for her appliance:

Devree getting her braces on:

And with them on....

Posing for her picture that night with her award....
(She didn't want to show her mouth!)

But then I got her! I think she looks beautiful!

The Week In Review

This was Alex's prayer tonight:
I started him off with
"Dear Heavenly Father.
Thank you for my blessings."
and then from here he was on his own...
"Thank you eating.
Thank you bike.
Thank you Mama lova me.
Thank you family I love.
Amen."

We've had a good week but got off to a rocky start Monday morning. I don't know if Alex is just testing me or what but all weekend and then Monday morning he has been sulking and grumpy and barking at people. Monday morning he yelled at Rylee during breakfast and made her cry and then stormed off and sulked and I had had it! I marched him to his room and told him he could stay there until he was nice. Then when I had cooled down I went up, laid out his clothes (I find that is easier than letting him dress himself as he has no sense of matching and gets mad when I make him change) and told him curtly to get dressed that we were going to have a talk. Up until this point when he's been acting like this I've been overly sweet and asking what's wrong and trying to comfort him but I was done with that.
I sat him down at the computer and with a prayer in my heart I hoped I would say the right things. I started off with I love you but right now I'm mad. That his behavior is unacceptable, that he hurt Rylee's feelings and he hurts my feelings when he pouts and sulks. That America has a lot of great things (bikes, own room, lots of food) but that it takes work to live here and his work is to learn English & go to school (he'd been sulking a lot about studying and school) and to be part of our family and to be nice and kind.
Then I felt inspired to tell him it didn't matter what he did or said that he was staying her and would be our son forever.
He did really well through this computer translated talk, nodding when he had finished reading each sentence. Although he's eyes filled with tears, he didn't out and out cry.
(One thing about lecturing via the computer, you really have to think about what you're saying and make it concise and spelled right. I'm glad I had a chance to cool down before we sat down for this "talk".)
I asked if he could try harder and work on being kinder and nicer and he agreed.
And since Monday I've had a whole new Alex. I don't know if it is the realization that no matter how bad he is, we're not sending him back or that he didn't know he hurt our feelings or what. I'll probably never know but he has been fabulous ever since. Happy. Willing to try new foods. (Another source of sulking in the past) Playing with his siblings. Willing to study and go to school. I thought he might have a melt down or sulking session after taking him to the store and me not agreeing to buy him a Sponge Bob Square Pants CD player but he just got a little quiet for a few minutes and then snapped out of it.
James made gumbo Thursday night and James cooking is always an adventure. I privately asked Alex if it was good before I tried it and he secretly made a yucky face to me but continued to eat as to not offend James. This made me extremely happy and of course I let him stop eating it and found him something else. (It really wasn't that good!) I had made homemade wheat bread and served Snezhana's yummy jam she sent home with me. Alex was very proud of her jam. We had my father in law and brother in law over for dinner as my father in law had never met Alex and drove two hours just to meet him and spend the evening with us.
I've decided I need to find a tutor or class for the summer. I'm running out of ideas on how to teach English. I have everything in our house labeled. My brother in law was making fun of my sign by the sink that proclaims what it is until I explained what it was for.
Tonight was the school carnival and I sent the kids with Kambree and $10 each and they had a blast. James and I had some time to ourselves and so we romantically planted the garden together and then grabbed a Red Box. The kids came home before our show was over and finished watching it with us. Alex noticed the girl in the story was pregnant and then he pointed out by making ring on the finger motions that she wasn't married. That's right Alex, we get married before we have babies! Good boy!
Then Alex and I checked out blogs of our friends in Ukraine. He's excited that Lena and Sara should be home on Wednesday.
Rylee fell asleep on my office floor while Alex and I were blog lurking and he sweetly woke her up and said "Rylee, no sleeping. Upstairs."
He's very excited for no school tomorrow and he has loved having James home. Today when leaving for school he was sure to find James for a hug goodbye.
We also went to the orthodontist for an evaluation this week and he needs braces...soon!
He's 12 year old molars are already in and you can even see his wisdom teeth in the X-ray and his mouth-like all my other children-is a mess! My orthodontist asked if I was sure he was only 10. I'm pretty sure. I have his little tag from the hospital. I don't think we'll do his braces too soon as he is not excited and I don't want to traumatize him. Maybe in the fall?
This morning while I was doing Alex's hair for school he pointed out that we have the same hair color and eye color. Can I just say that he loves me? He's so very sweet, I still get about 10 hugs a day and kisses right on the lips and I even got a letter from school this week that says:
Dear Mom
How are you today?
I like the United States.
I like my house.
I like my family.
I like the food.
Then a Love Mom in a heart
Obviously he had help with this but I like to think he really does feel this way.
Another thing he's good at is tattling on his siblings. Especially when they don't do their chores or something I've asked. Kambree was getting a little miffed-because she rarely does her chores-and told him to stop tattling. I laughed and told him he was my little KGB spy and we winked at each other. I'm sure soon enough he'll have more alliance to his siblings but for now, I'm enjoying it.
Anyway, I just had to share his sweet prayer while it was fresh in my mind and then I thought I should document our week.

Mothers Day & Monday

Not my favorite holiday. Too much guilt associated with it. You know, you hear stories about all these fabulous mothers doing stupendous things and I think, "Dang, I'm not doing so good!"

So this year, James was out of town with work and it was just me and the children. Rylee made me breakfast in bed. German pancakes with plenty of powdered sugar (notice the bag on the tray?) Then we went to church and Alex was mad because I spiked his hair-but he looks so cute with spiked hair-and he sulked through most of sacrament meeting.
Rylee sang with the Primary but Alex refused to go up then he pointed out that my mom (sitting next to me) was there and I should go up and sing to her. He had a point....
We came home and I was showered with gifts from my youngest three thanks to teachers and church leaders. When Alex notice that Kambree and Austin didn't give me a "prisint" he asked them. "You no lova Mama?" Needless to say, they felt a little bad about that.
Alex & Rylee also presented me with two little loaves of bread from Primary. We left everything on the couch and ran to my Grandma's while dinner was cooking. When we got back I asked Rylee to go get the little loaves of bread and we'd have them with dinner. She couldn't find Alex's loaf. I spotted it outside the doggie door. Ella had taken it. I sent Alex out for it and he sadly brought it in-it was half way eaten.
Alex turned up his nose at most everything I made for dinner and sulked through the entire affair. He did this Saturday night too when we went out to ice cream and refused to eat any. Saturday I think he had too much sun, too much frustration with learning how to live with a family and he complained of a headache. When we got back from ice cream he cried for about an hour but allowed me to hold him and comfort him until the ibuprofen kicked in.
So, after dinner on Sunday I asked him to come to the computer for a "talk". I've yet to talk to him through the translation program. I was pretty sure he was bent out of shape over dinner and his hair. I sat him down and before I started typing I asked what is wrong. His eyes filled with tears and he said in this little voice, "My...cake." and he burst into tears. He was upset that Ella had eaten my "Mama Day's" bread. Again he let me hold him and comfort him and within 15 minutes he was okay.
That night we went to my parents for dessert and he had fun playing freeze tag with his cousins and siblings. They were playing so well that I stayed longer than I planned as I didn't want to stop their fun.
Today when he went to school he not only wore a helmet (hurray) but asked me to spike his hair.
See isn't he cute?

At 2:00-when Alex gets out of school-I was still at the grocery store checking out. I called Alex and he picked up the phone immediately. We managed to have a conversation with me explaining I'd be home in five minutes and to stay in the house. When I got home, he helped me load in all the groceries and it was a lot! We were out of everything. Alex was so impressed with how much I bought he wanted to take a picture to show to his brother Ivan. That made me laugh.

Mothers Day Pictures...

Devree's Missing Teeth & Austin's Dutch Oven Pictures

Devree had her spacers put on in preparation for her braces next week She lost two teeth in the last week and a third one just now. Look at that "hillbilly" smile!

Hayden & Austin preparing for Dutch Oven...

More Dutch Oven....

Dutch Oven Cook Off & Alex Update

Crazy Day!
We had to have Austin up to school at 7 am for the 9th Grade Dutch Oven Cook Off.
Rylee and Alex rode their bikes over around 7:45 and the Ry went to school at 8:25 and Alex happily said "Goodbye Rylee" and waved...he's loving this going to school late idea. Then he rode his bike around and hung out until he went to school at 10:00.
Dutch Oven ended right around the time Alex got out of school and I took him and Rylee (as she came home earlier due to her aching teeth) to the doctors to look at his TB test and it came back negative! Hurray!
He came home from school with his "Happy Mama's Day" gift and couldn't wait until Sunday to give it to me. It's a recipe holder and he copied a cute "recipe" for a Great Mom. He sat on my lap while I opened it and was just so very excited to give it to me. What a sweet boy. I feel sometimes as if he craves having a Mom. He'll just come up and wrap his arms around me and bury his face in my arm or neck. Sometimes he'll sigh and say "My Mama." I am so lucky to have such an affectionate little boy.
Kambree made dinner tonight-much to her dismay and ALex contributed with one of his famous salads and then rode his bike over to play with Brach-who wasn't home so he played with Tyler and Loyd.
He had his first dish night last night and was pretty put out about it. I feel like I'm being so strict but I've been told by other parents to not slack off at the first-treat him and expect from him what you expect from your other children. I helped him and had to call him back a few times to show him things were not done but with some exasperated sounds on his part and a lot of patience on mine we made it through.
I also paid allowance yesterday and gave him a little bank with a key to keep it in. (We pay $5 every two weeks) He was thrilled to have his own money. When I went in to tuck him for bed, he had set up some elaborate contraption involving magnets, string and his new bank and demonstrated how if someone tries to come in and steal his money it will make sound and wake him up. He had the little key for his bank tied around his wrist while he slept.
He also told me he's saving his money for a "Big car-Infinite!" Oh, my.
Tonight we were watching "Yes Man" (we skipped the "bad" part-thanks to my daughter who'd already seen it!) In this movie you see a quick clip of the main character watching that terrible horror film "Saw". Alex sees it and hides his eyes and blurts out:
A: "Ukraine-yucky."
Me: "What? You have watched this bad movie?"
A:"Yes"
Me: "In Ukraine?"
A: "Yes."
Me: "Where did you see this movie?"
A:"Internat" (Which is the Ukraine word for school/orphanage.)
He watched this horror movie in the orphanage ? He is 10 years old!! It just hurts my heart to know he's been exposed to this kind of violent gross stuff. How in the world did he see a film like this? Where is the supervision? I mean, I did see the children watching Desperate Housewives (with Russian voice overs) but that's a TV show, not a blatant violent horror flick. Can you imagine young children watching this then going to sleep in an orphanage?
He is now upstairs-supposedly brushing his teeth but I can hear him teasing Rylee and Devree by hiding and jumping out at them.
I guess I better get off the computer and get everyone settled down.