Girls....becoming Godly Girls....

Well, usually I do not post about this stuff. One of our daughter's was getting ready for school and she had on her Halloween costume. She forgot to put clothes underneath. So we talked about Modesty and why it is important to respect our bodies.
She did not want to hear what I had to say. I had her look at me, to make eye contact. She still has a hard time with this. I told her the most important thing is to respect ourselves. If boys like you for your body, then they are not worth your time. They need to like you for what your heart shares and your brain tells. I told her, I believe she has a BIG heart and is VERY smart, so she has ALOT to offer. That the way her body looks is the least important thing. So don't ever forget that.
As I wiped her tears from her eyes, my heart aches. I pray that they undertand my heart. I pray that they understand that I want the best for them. I am their mother and I want to protect them. I pray that they understand my teaching, God is my teacher.

We been having alot of talks about "Sex" I want the door to always be open when it comes to this subject. I do not want them to be or feel embarrassed. I am forward and straight to the point. I have always been. Ask the boys.

In Ukraine sex is not a big deal, as far as what you wear, if you sell your body, If you are not married. How short is the skirt and how high are the heels. This is all OK there, it is normal.
Having adopted teenager girls, I have not been the one to show them what is appropriate. (God's standard's) What they had learned was much by watching the older girls in the orphanage and by watching MTV, so now they are learning. It is hard for them. It is hard for them to understand why they cannot watch MTV, when they could at the orphanage. I tell them you watch things that are racy, things that fill your thoughts up with UNGodly thoughts, you to will start acting like them.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good,pleasing and perfect will.


We talk alot about what God says. I tell them "Sex" is great, when you are married. That is the way God intended it to be. Between man and woman. They agree and then tell me but what about so and so. God still loves them. I tell them yes, you are right, but that is a whole different discussion in itself.

Ephesians 5:31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

They are becoming more open with me. They share about their pasts. What they have walked through as young children. The neglect, the physical abuse, no food, no love, heartache. It breaks my heart. I wish I could take all their pain away. I cannot.

God will use all for his glory. I always tell them that they are strong. Stronger then anyone I know. I tell them that I am so thankful that God was so awesome in bringing us together as a family. A family that is going to love and protect them no matter what. A family that will help them (with God's guiding)become the women of God that God so designed for them to be. As they grow and mature in the Lord, I see his plan even more so. I am excited for when they walk on their own with the Lord. They will do great things unto him(God)

Ephesians 6:4 Father's do not exasperate your children: instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.


I wanted to leave some statistics about what happens to orphans that are not adopted..
As Mike and I seek to love orphans, we need to know who they are, particularly the orphans of Ukraine. It is hard to imagine ourselves as children growing up without the love and guidance of our families. Who are these children? What happens to them?

In a country where the average standard of living has decreased by 80% over the last 18 years, poverty and sickness are brought on by the inability to provide adequate nutrition and healthcare. Least able to fend for themselves are the children who are abandoned and orphaned.

There are over 100,000 children in Ukraine's orphanages.

There are more than 450 orphanages in Ukraine.

90% are orphaned due to their parents' alcoholism, imprisonment, or abandonment.

10% are orphans because of the death of their parents.

After "aging out" of the orphanage system at age 16,* 10% of orphans commit suicide before the age of 18.

60% of the girls end up in prostitution.

70% of the boys end up in crime.

Only 27% are able to find work.

The older a child gets, his or her chances for adoption drastically decrease.
(Statistics from Ukraine Orphan Outreach)

Baby Project...

Big Brother babysitting for a bathroom break




Getting ready for bed


This was her first wake up call at 12am. She was so funny. Julianna said, Toma the baby is crying. Toma wakes up, says the baby!! Rolls over and goes back to sleep. I tell her Toma the baby, she proceeds to try and stick the key in the lock of the car seat. Julianna and I stand there watching and smiling. Man I should of had the camera. Darn!! She finally gets the key into the slot on his back and falls asleep. My moment to snap a picture. :D




It was Toma's turn for the baby project. She wanted me to come pick her up from school. The baby is heavy is said. I said you can do it, we live a whole 10 blocks from the school. She was such a nervous Nelly..
She was not excited that she had to bring the baby to youth group. She is Mom, we need to hurry and get to youth. If the baby starts crying you need to pull over, so I can take care of him. I was NO, she just looked at me. Then I told her yes, that is exactly what we had to do when the boys were younger. We would pull over and see what was happening, change a diaper, feed them.. It was good to see her in action with the baby. She even asked me to turn down the music, so she could hear if he cried. It was not even that loud. While at youth she was about to come tell me her baby was broken. He had only cried once since she had been home. Just at that moment, he started to cry. She ran out. When she came back in. I told her you cannot run with your baby like that. She said, I know I thought of that afterwards. It is good to see that she does have some mothering skills that come naturally. It was a long night. I forgot how much sleepless nights you get with babies. The whole house was tired and a little grouchy the next morning.

Toma's roped her sister into helping her in the morning, She woke up to the baby crying and had only a few minutes to get ready. So she woke up Julianna to have her watch him while she straightened her hair. At the point I told her if she was home alone she would of not had time for that. Babies do require you to do a little more planning. Most of the time they plan your morning for you. I am so Thankful that it will be a long time till I am a grandma. At least until the oldest gets married. :D Toma did well on her baby project, she received an A.

Student of the Month..

You think she would be more excited... She recieved Student of the month in her Math class.. Way to go!!!! Nadya...

All about a box..

This is one of Abby's favorite past times, besides water bottles.. And we thought only kids like boxes..

Mail is here!!!!

Dad (OFOB) and Rosie, have not ventured very far since my dad's accident. So they sent Olya's Bday present in the mail. So when she came home, here she is trying on her stuff. I have to say a BIG THANK YOU to Rosie, she has really filled in the place of my Mom, since she past. She is always thinking of the kids, and me. She sent us a Halloween card. It made me cry, Halloween is one of my Mom's favorite holidays. I cried tears of joy, that card could not of came at a better time. Thank you Grandpa (dad)and Rosie.. We love you..

Birthday Fun..

We took the family bowling. It has been a long time since we have gone. Some of the kids enjoyed themselves and some did not. I just made sure that Olya was having fun. It was her Birthday so that meant she was to be the center of attention.
If I remember right. Either Olya or Toma went to bowl and the ball flew the opposite direction.. When Chris went to bowl, he did a butt plant right on the lane.. He is so tall. He just scooted himself all the way off before he decided to stand up. They all were a nice shade of red.














We had to get out furry Family members ready for the Party...











Time for the Blow dryer....This is by far Abby's (white dog) favorite thing. Rusty hated the whole process... Toby just loves the attention. You will see him given a high 5. He is so Happy.. :D

Happy Birthday

Today the 11th of Oct, we celebrated Olya's first American Birthday. We celebrated with immediate family. She woke up wearing her Princess crown. She was so cute. Very patient, as we did not open presents until the evening. Everything was set up first thing in the morning. She was shaking the presents, I told her she had rocks in one and a brick in the other. She just smiled as she usually does, knowing that I am joking with her. Her spirit is such sweet spirit. I often think of the things she has had to deal with in her short life. I know that God has BIG plans to use this young lady in a mighty way. She is so loving, always ready to give a hug, smile, or just sit and chat with you. We are sure blessed with such a lovely girl, that often reminds us that life is all about LOVE..and 2nd chances.. We love you Olya. Papa and I wish you the happiest of Birthday ever. We could of not asked God for a better you. :D

I'm Bored..

I heard that famous saying again. I'm BORED.... Either you find something to do, or I will give you something to do. So here is what they did..









This is what Olya and I did... We made bannana bread with raisens and chocolate chips..Yummy!!!