Hello - It's been some time (6 weeks to be exact) since we updated this blog and we figured it was about time to do it. There have been many firsts, and many moments that are emblematic of the enormous changes for us all. One that stands out in my mind (Tim) is a moment when I saw Sophie staring at her closet. It was about two weeks after arriving. A friend at work had given us a two bags of girls clothes from his daughters. Sophie (& Charlene) had picked some out and they were hung up and added to the clothes she already had. There she was, staring at a closet full of clothes and 4 pairs of shoes - all hers. I said "
te Amerikanka" your an American girl now and gave her a big hug. She smiled.
A memorable "first" - her first birthday in America (13
th total). I (Tim) took her out to pick up her new birthday bike while Charlene and the Bruce's set up for a surprise party on her return. What a wonderful surprise and party! She had 6 girls over (4 from Ukraine). They had cake and then - put on makeup, did their nails and hair, and took "glamor" photos. Being from a family with 3 brothers and having 4 boys and no daughters (until now), girl birthday parties are
ochen interestna (very interesting). Luckily Charlene took the lead and did an excellent job.
Charlene has been home-schooling Sophie. She has been working on English, math, American history, geography, and 'bible'. Her goal is to have Sophie ready to enter school in the fall. One interesting segment of her schooling has been her bible class & Russian lessons. Learning the basics of the bible is important and a pretty obvious topic, but Russian lessons? Turns out that in her orphanage they speak a combination of Ukrainian and Russian - all mixed together. The goal of the lessons is to speak real Russian - and learn about the bible at the same time (thanks
Iryna).
Many people have asked how she's doing, how she fits into the family, how the boys like her, etc. The short answer is that she seems very happy and thankful. She loves her family, the dog, and being in America. We have learned more about her past and it seems she's been blessed with the ability to be content. We both know that we're likely in the "happy times" that accompany the first several months in the family. We're enjoying them, praying they will last forever, and preparing that they won't.
We have been able to send packages and money back to Sophie's class. Thanks to a very kind and honest friend - her class has new socks, wallpaper in their rooms, etc. Sophie has also gotten and sent two rounds of letters. They're exciting to send and receive. We miss her friends and wonder how we may be able to help them in the future.
A little commercial.... Speaking of the future... We're part of a group that will be sponsoring kids from Ukraine to come to America and perform the "Russian Shoemaker" play. This play and the exposure to the kids and their prospects was the catalyst that led us and many others to adopt. If you're interested in hosting a child in the
Williamsburg area for about two weeks at the beginning of November, please let Charlene know. We will also be raising the money to fly them here and back, and provide transportation while there here. Please feel free to e-mail Charlene direct at
Charmq@cox.net.
(captions - Tim's version of a "glamor" photo & Sophie's jewelry box birthday present)
Tim & Charlene
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