Random stuff

 Danik got his new glasses, very happy about that :)

I love our new table, we all can fit now and have a meal at the same time. :)

Denny had his first dentist appointment, and will need to have a lot of work done with his teeth in near future.

Danilka is off medicine for a whole month and nothing yet.

Our bunnies have a new cage, Sergey build it all by himself! Very proud of him!

Our anniversary is coming....

In the beginning of this month was my birthday. I dont' really like my birthday, and never did.  I just not use to celebrate my birthday and get all the attention.
 Sergey had to be in Oregon for two days (exactly on my birthday). I was home with kids all by myself on weekends, and I did great :) Kids were great and weekend with out Sergey was fun!
Before Sergey left to Oregon, we all agreed that we will celebrate a next weekend when Sergey will be home.
I was very surprised to wake up to this:


little notes were everywhere...I dont' think I took pictures of all of them....

This was my breakfast....tea and sandwiches...and a  green crown :) ! It was ready when I woke up!

later my sister came with this cake, she made it for me. It was so nice of her. She is great sister!

 Sergey was gone , 5 kids in the house, and I was able to sleep in till 9 am..:) Boys usually awake by 6:30-7 am, it doesn't sound real, but I am so proud of my boys, they tried to keep their voices down (unbelievable), no argueng, no running around, nothing.... They played very quietly in the room with legos. Even Elliana didn't  wake me up, and she does sleep in our room. She   woke up around 8 am, and went quietly to play with boys! Older boys got dressed, brushed their teeth, helped to dress little ones, all kids had breakfast together(cereal).  ( and I was sleeping)... :)
Usually I make something special on weekends for breakfast, but my boys told me when I woke up, " Mom, we didnt' want you to make us breakfast, so we just had cereal"!  I am so proud of my boys! I have best kids! :)


And this what kids made me during next weekend, when we actually celebrated my birthday. 29 balloons  and kids wrote or draw what they wanted on them :) We had Sergey uncle , his mom, and my sister over for lunch,  I forgot to take pictures :(, so no pictures..

I have a best family!

One of those days.......

It's been busy around here, and today we had one of those days....:(  Now when all kids are in bed, and I had some time just to my self, I am ready to talk about it :)

One of the boys was not honest  in the morning about something that happen and also was not honest about his homework (for 4 weeks), teacher gave him more homework and he never told us about it. ( and I specifically did ask him every week about it). Sergey went to school today and talked to boys teachers.

Another child decided to disobey school bus rules, and got citation for not listening after being told, like a 100 times.

I found out that one of my boys been using inappropriate language at school, but on other hand I was so proud of him to come to me and tell me all by himself.

Three of my boys decided to sweep our backyard with tree branches, our backyard is pure dirt, and after this all of them had to take very long showers(plus ElliAna because she was there too). When I opened our backyard door I almost chocked, dust was everywhere. I barely could see our kids :) now I can smile, everyone is clean and peacefully sleeping in their beds :)

One of the boys decided not to listen, and after I told him to come into to house, did refuse it for 5 times.

Another child got citation for continuing play with a ball after "stop time"at  school, and not keeping his feet and hands to him self(kicked and pushed another student).

There was a lot of drama and other little things all day long...


Boys went to bed early, and their is no tv and mario time for next few days.

But there was many good things, and I am so proud of all my kids. We had many conversations about God, and why it is very important to be honest, respectful and be polite, and how God is watching us. It's hard for kids to understand how God can be everywhere and watch them, I did explain but I really need to put it better way for them to understand better.

Danik came to me with a question " Why can't we go back, and at the end of the day relive our day again and what we did wrong just fix it this time? I wish to be able to live  some days again,help more or just make better choices?". I tried to explain that every day make us who we are, and who we will be. From our today's mistakes we get a lesson, and try not to do it again, because now we know that  our choices might make happy or hurt other people, people we love. Also I said that our today will never come back, and we have to try to have a better tomorrow, so we never regret it. I have to think more about how to explain better to our kids.

I am so ready for bed....

Progress....

I just want to share and document this day, 9-8-12, after  two month being home, I cut Stasik's toenails for first time. I know it doesn't' sound big, but it's huge.... Also there is no more scary little boy, we have happy, and confident Stasik.

While adopting boys,  we talked to his foster mom, , she said that she never in 2 years cut Stasik's  finger or toe nails, Stasik would bite all nails off . I can imagine and picture biting off his fingernails, but how do you get to your toenails ? Yes, Stasik did it, and no matter how many times caregivers talked to him, and asked him not to do it, he would still do it. Most of the time he would do it during night time, or every time when he is alone.

Before....
When he first came to our house, he would tell me every evening before bedtime that he is really scared. Stasik would not even go to the bathroom at night by himself , he always asked his brother to go with him. During a day Stasik would not even walk in the bathroom, because lights were off, he would ask anyone, and many times our 2 year old would go and turn on light for him. He would never stay in the room by himself, or even brush his teeth in the bathroom by himself. It was bad.... Only after around 4 weeks being home, Stasik shared and told me that he was scared that his "dad" would find him, and come for him. Both boys tried to tell me their story, but they still don't' want to talk about their past, they are still not ready. This is heartbreaking, and really sad. It took some time to explain to our boys that no one will come for them, and we are their family forever.

****back in the orphanage, boys foster mom shared, that Stasik started to wet his bed, and would not go to the bathroom by himself even during day....He would go in the trash can, or bed, or something else. He was scared.

Today..
About 3 weeks ago, after talking many times with boys that they are safe, I heard from Stasik one evening , Mom I am not scared anymore! I am so proud of him, and thankful to our God! Stasik was so proud of himself, and was repeating this every day, every evening for almost two weeks. We never had any wet accidents since we brought boys home. I was really worried about Stasik wetting everything around him for first few weeks, but there were not even one accident!:)

Yesterday all kids went to bed, and 2 hours later I was still in the kitchen when I heard one of the bedrooms doors opening, and I saw Stasik. He was by himself, and was  going to the bathroom with out his brother! I am so happy, and we are proud of Stasik!

I think that Stasik just got a huge step forward! I am so proud of him!

Two month home 8-29-2012

Exactly 2 month ago our boys entered United States as Mironyuk's. Our newly adopted sons are doing great! Yes, we do have our trials and bad moments, but I would not trade our boys for anything. Actually now, as we get more older/ wiser :), I know that when boys making bad choices, and have behavior problem,  this is a  part of the bonding process, they feel more comfortable with us. The progress in two month is huge.

Danik is getting more open, he can talk to us about many things, before it was very quite child and we were never sure what he was thinking about. Lying was a huge issue, and we were warned by others(back in Ukraine), about Danik not being honest and lying about almost everything. Honestly, we never saw a lot of lying, we had few moments but it's almost gone in this two month. We had many talks, Danik knows all the consequences and we don't see any lying, he is smart boy. I know that he will still try, and will test us, but we already see a lot of progress, and now we are wondering if he was lying back in the orphanage , maybe he was just scared to be punished...?

Danik has quite personality, doing his best when someone is watching him, love when we praise him for good work, and will do almost anything for praises and to be recognized. He is trying to make good choices, and learning to not get in other people business. Danik is getting better at sharing. He doesn't understand what is family, and how we protect and helping each other, because we are one family. Danik is still has behavior of not thinking about others, but it's getting  better, and more often we see him sharing and thinking about others, but we do have long road to learn and help him to fully understand why it's not all about one of us, it's all about our family. More and more he is offering his help to others, and this is huge progress... :)

Now, he comes for comfort to Sergey and I, before he would never say what bothers him. Even a little scratch on his leg, or arm , we will know about it :)  He is still having hard time to bond, and accept Danilka as older brother. Even at school, when Danik is hurt, he would run away from Danilka, and all what Danilka tried to do it's to translate to a teacher what happened and to ask his brother if he needs any help. Danilka and Danik are very competetive, and I think this is number one issue, but they are learning :)

Danik love his little sister , and always trying to help and play with her. He is very good big brother to all younger ones in our house.

We hear more I love you's. :) More eye contact! :)We hear many jokes, and stories from him!

At school we see a lot of progress, he is catching up quickly on English, and improving his math.

He is learning and we just love to watch him grow, opening up and becoming loving happy boy!

Stanislav, our Stasik is very active little boy. Most of the time he can get out of hands, if we dont' stop him. He is very playful, and sometimes it's too much for others around him. The very funny part is that everyone fell in love with him instantly, and everyone usually ask us to get him out of the room, out of their faces :))) Stasik is getting better, learning to behave, and not getting in other people face.

His personality is very open, loud, and happy! What he will do while you watch him, same thing he will do when no one is around. He is always helpful, love little ones, doesn't' like when older brothers tell him what to do. This little guy has a taste :) Most of the time he will take to choose his clothes to school, and will not wear just anything... Sometimes he is not in mood, and would were anything like other boys, but usually he knows the way he wants to look :)

School is not so easy for Stasik. We decided to place him in second grade, even he was never in school before he came to us. In Ukraine, they never send him to school.
Before school started, Stasik had no idea what plus and minus is. He was able to count only till 10. Couldn't do 1+1, and would get very frustrated when I would try to work with him and teach him anything. I felt really miserable, and even thought that we made a wrong choice by sending him to second grade. I still tried to work with him, and teach 5 minutes at the time, and by playing or promising him something like: playing on my phone, or wii :)  But......today, only after two weeks of school, and working with him after school, I have a child, who made so much progress that it's unbelievable... He is counting almost till 20, but can do + and - up to 10 with out his fingers and plastic stick that i gave him at first:) He is understanding math :)
He can write numbers, he still does write many numbers backwards and for 13 write 31 but there is huge progress.:) He barely could write anything, and he is so proud of himself to be able to write his name now :)

He love to cuddle, give kisses and repeat : you are my mom, only my mom, I love you! :) very heart touching :) I think for Stasik life is game, and he is very easy to correct and teach something new, maybe because he is still small? He is always entertaining others!

Both boys doing great, and we just love to get to know them more. I really think that two summer month spending home as one family made huge difference in their behavior and our bonding.

I will write more updates on their behavior, and problems we have, when I get more free time. In the morning I have Sergey at home, and we do most of the shopping, appointment and etc, and I try to spend some time with Sergey and little ones.


When boys come from school, Sergey is already at work, and I do spend all my time on homework's, correcting behaviors, explaining why is not ok to pull down other kids pants at school, why is not ok to try to stop a bus, and open manually entrance door  to get in the school bus, why is not ok to chase girls and hug them, why is not ok to shake others when you are excited, why it's not ok to bite your friend even if your older brother told you to do it(as a joke, but it's still not ok), why it's not ok to punch others, why it's not ok to climb up things and jump off them, and looks like it never will come to the end :) everyday boys come up with different things and I have to come up with good reasons to explain why it's not ok :)


My awesome life :)

Life goes on...

Updates ..

Vadym left, and we do feel really bad and we do worry about him a lot. I got few pictures of Vadym in the orphanage, and it helped, and he looks ok. We miss him a lot, and I didn't know that it's so easy to get attach to someone in short period of time. When making food, or setting up our table for meals, we still get everything of 8, counting Vadym. :) When we are out in the public places, I am counting heads, and sometimes would get , oh why only 5 heads, where is the 6th head ?:) Thankful to our God for Vadym, and for this opportunity. In next few weeks will be sending a little package to Vadym with photos, his new glasses, maybe some clothes.


It's been 2 weeks of school, and kids doing great. I am so proud of them. Stanislav has the most warnings, and even got 1 citation but I thought it would be worst. :)

I am home with two little ones, and bunnies. We have 3 bunnies now

Just got new dining table, and we can enjoy our meal together as one family.

Moved Elliana from our room to her new room, and she is a officially big girl now :)

We got something going on in our family, some kind of cold. Everyone  not feeling too well, please pray it go away quickly.

Trying to find time, and put my words/thoughts together and make a post about Danilka and his medical problems. For now I just want to say that we are thankful that we got to today, and he is doing great. Praise our God!

Said goodbye to our Vadym

This week is very hard week for our family. Monday we took Vadym to San Francisco, and dropped him off with his orphanage director, and other kids who were in US for hosting. We couldn't take him straight to the airport on Tuesday morning, so we had to take him on Monday.

Older boys went to school, and we headed to San Francisco. We spend our last day together with Vadym, and we had a great day. Most of the day, I couldn't' keep my tears to myself. When I was looking at Vadym, and feeling his little warm hand in my hand, and getting hugs from him, when I heard "mommy" from him, my heart was torn in little pieces.
I tried hard not to show it! I knew that saying goodbye was extremely hard for Vadym too, but he was holding really good(at least it looked like), he is very brave little boy.

When we said our goodbyes to Vadym, and headed to our car, I started crying. It's hard! I saw Vadym's faces, stiff and with no emotions! No expression on his face, stiff hands, and no reaction to people around him. Same expressions on his face was when we first saw him at our house. When Vadym came to our house he was not reacting to our voice, questions, or anything around him. For first 2-3 days with us, he only replied with 1-2 words.  If he was in-trouble, he would go in the block mode, and not reply to our questions at all. I think he thought that he will get even more in-trouble. I think he does this every-time when he is nervous or feels uncomfortable, he just blocks/zoom-out himself from this world, and this is his protection. By the 3rd week with us it was gone, even when he would get in-trouble, and we asked him questions he would reply, and talked to us about what happened. It took a lot of time talking, and working with  him, but I was so proud of him when he would reply and would smile at me:)

I tried not to think that I am sending this child back to the orphanage, back to nowhere, back to his previous life! I know, we never made any promises to Vadym, or to anyone, but it was hard because I couldn't' do nothing about this situation. The only thing I promised Vadym, that we will always love him, pray for him and will do everything to find him a family. This little boy needs mommy and daddy!

Rest Area stop:)

 Took Vadym to Rain forest cafe to have lunch!

 Walked around San Francisco for a while.

 Saying goodbye! Vadym's already blocking himself!

 Picture from airport....Vadym is so sad...

 We couldn't go to airport but one nice lady took this picture...

Have to say goodbye

In 2 days we will have to say goodbye to Vadym, our hosting son. All the emotions I am going through are really hard to describe. Vadym spend 3 weeks with us, and we got to know him more. He is awesome little boy, and how I wish that he would have a family already! We are praying for him, we are asking God to give Vadym loving family. I will post more about Vadym after he leaves.
We are really busy, with school already started, preparing Vadym and all of us for goodbyes!

I don't' have any energy to post ,and lately I don't know what to post about, the only thing I am thinking about is Vadym, and how to help him to find his forever family. It's so hard to send a child back to the orphanage! It's soooo hard!