A Couple of Pictures and a Video

Here is a picture of Peyton ready to leave for her first dance.  She had such a great time and talked and talked and talked about all she did and who said what and who did what.  So funny to listen to her.

Next is a picture of her artwork from school.  Pretty Awesome!  She got an A.

Last, and sure to entertain, a video of Caleb and Carson.  Funny boys!

~Tina

One Year Home

Where did the time go?! My kiddos have been home 1 year. They are doing so well and I really couldn't ask for it to be any better. Lest I sugar coat it, we have had some struggles but nothing that really took us by surprise. Peyton is doing so well with her English and will now speak up if she doesn't understand a word that was spoken to her. Who knew English could be so hard when you have several meanings and spellings to one word; to, too, two and by, buy, bye. You know what I mean. School is a struggle since she is so far behind but she seems to be up for the challenge. Some days it takes all that I have to try and teach her that to take a test you have to study and when the teacher says homework you bring that work home to do and the textbook as well. Reading anything to her takes a lot of time because it all has to be explained over and over and over. Reading or labeling a map is new to her as well and man oh man is that a struggle! So many basics that she just never learned or was taught. It is so hard to build on something that is not there. But it is so awesome to see her face when she finally gets it. I am just thankful that she picked up speaking English so quickly. Socially, she is still a little immature and that is why we have her in the 6th grade which is where she should be for her age. The school has done pretty well working with her and her teachers are really so patient and they keep in touch with me. She enjoys being outside, playing with her brothers, jumping rope, riding her bike and playing with kitty. She also likes to color, build Leggos and watch movies. And I guess I am going to need to learn how to braid hair. Her hair has grown so much and she wants me to braid it. I have tried but I am really lousy at it!

Caleb, where do I begin. ;) He is speaking a little more English since starting school so that is encouraging. They have him in the regular class room because he is not that far behind. After all it is Kindergarten and that is where it begins. They get such a kick out of him at school because he just has not had the stimulation from birth like the other kids have therefore everything is so new and interesting to him and he needs to touch it, explore it etc. He is doing so well with learning his letters and the sounds. He knows his colors and can count to 20 without missing any numbers. (Seeing how well he is doing in school makes me feel bad for Peyton, that she did not have this same opportunity from the beginning and catching up is just hard!) Socially he seems to be doing pretty good, just a little behind. He has his things he does at home that still need correction, some just being a kid and some because he was never disciplined. The lying is happening a lot less but there is still an attitude he has if he doesn't get to do or have what he thinks he should. The result, he wets the bed on purpose. We always know when it is going to happen and it is really a struggle to figure out how to stop it. We are a work in progress on that, time in/out, time in his room, yeah, not really working. Aside from that, Caleb is a sweet boy and loves being with his siblings. I think he would ride his bike alllll day if he could. He loves to be outside and he is a little daredevil. He has the scrapes and bruises to prove it. :)

All I can say is, WOW God, what a journey you have given us. I am so thankful you chose us to be their parents!

~ Tina

Court in Ukraine, One Year Ago

One year ago we woke up in Ukraine nervous and excited about what this day had in store. We were going to court today and would hopefully be given the opportunity to adopt Yulia and Bodgan. Of everything that happens in the international adoption process, this is the one thing I dreaded most, speaking in court. I am not a public speaker. I have the introverted, shy personality and I just wasn't sure how I was going to be able to do this. But, I didn't have an option, there were 2 kids depending on me and my sweet, sweet husband, well, he is just not much of a talker to those outside his comfort zone.

At 2 pm we left our hotel room and swung by the orphanage to pick up the kids and a nanny, their escort. We had no idea that Bogdan would be coming with us to court. Wasn't he too little to speak for himself and why were they putting him through this, were my thoughts. When we got to the courthouse there was a guard manning the doorway and we were not allowed to have our camera inside. We sat on a long bench in one of the hallways as people scurried by here and there. After a bit, the social worker and the orphanage director arrived. We tried to give them our seats but they refused and told us to sit. The kids sat so well and quiet and it was noticed by the social worker. She commented on how good they were and that we looked like a happy family. She was concerned that I would be cold with what I had on but believe me, I was hot and sweating because of my nerves.

Court was to be at 3 pm that day but the judge was about 30 minutes late. At 3:35 pm we were all called back to his courtroom. In the courtroom were, the stenographer, the social worker, the orphanage director, two town witnesses that sat on either side of the judge, the orpahanage nanny, our facilitator, the kids and us. The judge entered the room and everyone stood up, just as ususal. There were things said that we obviously didn't understand and so we just took our cues from our facilitator. We had to stand and state our names, address etc. The social worker and orphanage director each stood and answered questions. Bogdan was asked to come and stand in front of the judge. He walked so slow up there and stood and shook his head yes and no to the questions with the biggest smile on his face. (This boy always has a smile on his face even when he is being scolded for a bad choice that he makes.) They must have asked him who his mama and papa were or where we were sitting because he turned and pointed to us. When he was done he sauntered back over to us and jumped back up on Gary's lap. Next it was Yulia's turn and she acted so shy and quiet.(Ok, so this girl is not shy and quiet once you break through that shell of hers.) She answered lots of questions and it eventually got around to, you know you are leaving everything and everyone you know and you are going far away and that this is your mama and papa. And, she said yes she understood all of that. As I sat there that day I was amazed at her bravery but as I reflect back on this I have come to the conclusion that she was not seeing it that way.(the leaving everything and everyone part) What she was seeing was what she had dreamed of for a very long time, a family that wanted her and a life in America where she could be free to be what she wanted. She was seeing the glass as half full not half empty. My awesome daughter!!!

Next came my turn to speak and oh goodness was I nervous. I stood and the judge asked me questions, through my facilitator, for what seemed like forever but was only about 20 minutes. The judge was suprised that I was answering some of his questions with just yes and no because usually "Americans like to talk." Well not this girl! After I was finished, the judge said a few more things asked if anyone else wanted to speak and then took a recess to decide if he would grant us our wishes. The children were then wisked out to a waiting taxi and off they went back to the orphanage. I wish they would have been allowed to stay as this was a very important day for them. Needless to say that all happened so fast that I do not have 1 picture from that day. :(

We went back inside the courthouse and waited. Then we were called back in to the judge's chambers to hear the sweetest words, I will grant the adoption, they are your children, Peyton Mae Bell and Caleb Fredrick Bell. Praise God!

And so today it is hard to believe that it has been 1 year. One year of some difficult times but much more good than bad. One year of learning so much about myself and just how much patience it takes to raise not 2 but 4 adopted children. Yes, I know, it takes alot of patience to raise 4 children whether biological or not but it is different when they were not born to you. They have "things" in their past that are so much harder to break through and overcome. But I love them the same as if they were born to me. God took us down this adoption road and I am so very thankful. He brought us the children we are supposed to have and oh how blessed we are. ~Tina

PS - Yes God, I am still willing to go back to Ukraine for more children if you want me to. : )       

The Day I Had Waited For

Today, 1 year ago, is the day I had waited so long for.  This is the day we "officially" met Peyton.  She was in a mental hospital being evaluated to see if the diagnosis of "mental delay" in her file was accurate or not.  If not, which is wasn't, she would have been moved yet again to another orphanage for higher functioning children.  (These are not my words but the words as translated by my facilitator.)  I was so excited and really did not know what to expect.  When we got to the hospital we, the social worker, orphanage director, our facilitator and us, all got out and waited at the gate to be told to come in.  Once inside the gate we walked down a long path, down another path then another.  I remember thinking how pretty and peaceful it seemed on that walk but how run down all the buildings were.  I know I must have had a permanent smile on my face as very soon I was going to meet my daughter.  We went in to the building that she was in and waited for what seemed like an eternity.  They were very hesitant about us coming in and the words flew back and forth for a while.  Finally, we got to go in and we were told no pictures, put the camera away.  So we sat down where they told us to, a little lobby area with some toys and books, and then down the hall came Peyton.  I walked very quickly to her and just hugged her so tight.  There she was, finally,  after all these months but wait, what had they done to her.  Her hair had been cut, at least 8 inches, and she was not as neat and clean as I had seen in the pictures of her.  But none of that mattered, when I saw that light in her eyes and smile on her face that said finally, finally you are here.  The social worker asked her who we were and she said mama and papa.  Then the social worker commented about how much she looked like me.  The orphanage director asked her if she wanted us to adopt her and go to America and she said da (yes).  They gave her paper and had her write her wishes.  They then grabbed it up and said time to go.  I was really shocked as we had just got in there to see her less than 5 minutes earlier and now we had to leave.  Didn't they know how long I had waited but further more how long she had waited for her parents to come?  Didn't they care?  We were rushed out the door not knowing when we would get to visit her again.  Little did we know it would be more than a month later, the evening before court, before we would see her again. I treasure that 5 minutes we got to be with her as that day it all became real.

~Tina

my sweet girl

The Day We Met

One year ago today we met Caleb.  We were able to pick up his file early that day from the SDA and we travelled 2+ hours west out of Kiev to Berdychiv.  We met with the Social Services Director and she was so nice.  She really didn't ask us any questions, just looked at our passports.  She commented to our facilitator that we were so quiet, not typical for Americans.  She pegged us right on as we are both so shy.  After we got the paperwork, we headed to the orphanage which is in the country outside of Berdychiv. I was so excited to finally get to meet him and we were both just a little nervous.  We had no idea what he would look like as we had only seen a baby picture and he was now 5.  We met with the orphanage director and the orphanage doctor who went over his file with us.  Nothing we didn't already expect but the orphanage doctor and our facilitator exchanged words as she thought we already had too many children at home why would we want more. When they got to Peyton's file there was nothing to tell.  They knew nothing about her before age 9 and could only say she was moderately mentally delayed.  Then they told us Peyton was in a mental hospital getting evaluated, just routine.  She would be there until the end of August.  Caleb was in the hospital for Bronchitis but they would go and get him as he was to be released the next day anyway.  So we waited for what seemed like an eternity to meet our new son. Then in he walked and sat right between us.  The social worker, two nannies and our facilitator were all watching.  He played with the toys we brought, ate some candy and leaned in to both of us.  It was like he knew he belonged. The social worker, our facilitator and one of the nannies left the room and we got to play with him for about 10 minutes.  Then they whisked him away and told us we could come back to visit two times a day for two hours each time.  Our facilitator talked with the director and social worker at length about us visiting Peyton at the mental hospital.  They had to call and do some talking as outsiders are not allowed to visit.  They were able to schedule a visit for the following Monday as they had to get her written consent if we were to proceed. 

I will leave you with a picture of us and Caleb from that first meeting.

~Tina

     

One Year Ago Today We Saw Their File...

and we knew that we had just been given a blessing that we had waited so long for.  It was our third and final visit to the SDA.  Our first visit in July we found out that Peyton was not yet available and wouldn't be for several months.  Our second visit 2 days later, we found out that Caleb would be available soon and so we came back to the SDA on this day one year ago. 

I still get emotional when I remember that day.  We had waited oh so long and not even the pouring down rain was going to stop us on the 20 minute walk to our appointment. I knew in my heart that God had this and we were going to see the children that He had already chosen to be ours.

As we sat there in that room at the SDA it was so surreal.  We were soaked from head to toe and the rain was still coming down as we looked out the window.  This was our fifth time to be in that room (two times from our previous attempt at adoption in 2010) and all the technicalities and hoops you jump through were thrown out the window.  They had Peyton and Caleb's files ready for us to see and then they asked if we wanted to see any other files?  No, not a chance!  And let me tell you, at that moment the rain stopped and the sun was shining bright through that window that just a few minutes earlier had rain beating against it.  I remember thinking, thank you God for showing me you got this. 

(I will be writing more about our adventure in the days ahead.)

~Tina

First Day of School

Today was our first day of school, two in Kindergarten, one in 3rd and one in 6th.  They were all just so excited and the older two couldn't wait to see their friends.  They all road the bus and Caleb had the biggest smile when he saw the bus coming down the highway.  The day went well and when I arrived home they were all talking over each other, trying to tell me about all the things that happened. Looks like it is going to be a good year. 

~Tina

  

End of Summer Fun

We took the kids to opening day of the Missouri State Fair and that also happened to be Gotcha Day for Cash and Carson.  Has it really already been a year since we adopted them?  Time sure does fly!

The Summer Day Camp that the kids attend had a Talent Show for their end of Summer Finale Week.  Carson's talent was showing how well he could kick a ball, Cash did some silly skit with his friends and Peyton decided she would sing a Ukrainian song.  On one day each of the different age groups performed against the others in their age group.  Peyton got first in her group and moved on to the finals the next day which included 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place from each age group.  She ended up winning 1st Place and was soooo excited to tell me when I picked her up at the end of the day.  The camp teachers said she did such a great job and she has such a pretty voice.  I was so proud of her!

The kids have enjoyed there last few days of Summer playing outside blowing bubbles,  drawing with sidewalk chalk and of course, playing with MR Kitty, yes you read that right, our cat is actually a male.  When we got him as a kitten and the couple told me it was a female I never questioned it.  : )

School starts next week and the kids are excited to go.  I am excited that they will all be in school.  It has been quite a Summer of juggling. 

~Tina

at the gate and we can't wait

 

 

 

 Carson loves to play drums and the
tongue sure helps.

 

 

 

 

 

Caleb loved the roller coaster.

Carson thought these cars were awesome.

 

Cash couldn't wait to go on this very tall slide.
Do you see the speck of blue towards the
top of the orange lane?  Yep, that's him.

 

Peyton loved this surf board the best. 

 

the Butter Cow 

 

 

 

Peyton with her winning sash and trophy.

 

Summer

Summer is passing so quickly but we have had such a great time.  We didn't do any vacationing but just kept it simple, just how we like it. Here is our last month in pictures. 

~Tina

Hand-picked for me by my sweet kids.



Caleb's "Moosetache"

Working so hard shucking corn.

The reward for their hard work.

dirty neck

Caleb's tower he made with such a steady hand

Carson's 6th birthday

Carson got a kick out of this birthday card - "I like to
move it, move it."

This is a Morning Glory I planted, a reminder of
our walks in Ukraine. 



The beauty among the thistles.



Wow, Where Did The Time Go!

 It has been a while since I have posted and to be honest,  I really have not felt like writing. Not really much to say that is not just your ordinary family stuff.  The kids are really doing great.  So I shall leave you with pictures.
~Tina

DENTIST             

Peyton's 2 permanent teeth that were
pulled.  She had cavities on most of her
other teeth as well.

PEYTON'S 12th BIRTHDAY

at the Chartruese Moose, a pottery

place where the kids painted a piece

of pottery.



   

Caleb really enjoyed painting his
piece but he dropped it on the floor
and it broke.  He didn't seem to care
as the owner has her dog there and he
was more interested in playing with Mabel.

And when this day was done and we

were on the way home Peyton said,

"Mama, this the most fun birthday

I ever had." Love this girl!

BASEBALL (T-BALL) 

Carson running home.  This is his first
year to play and I think we may have
a ball player in the making.

STITCHES 

Caleb has 4 stitches in the top back of
his head.  He fell down the concrete
steps.

FIRST HUMMING BIRD SIGHTING

MISC PICTURES 



Mr. Blue Eyes!





on the way to Summer Day Camp





This just needs no caption.



And of course I can't leave you without telling something funny that one of the kiddos said.  I want to preface by saying that we do not say this at our house and my guess is he has learned it at Summer Day Camp.  We were going to town one morning and I had K-Love playing on the radio.  Peyton asks, "Mama, what mean Holy?"  Before I could say anything Carson says, "You know, holy crap." 



6 Months Home

So hard to believe that Peyton and Caleb have been home from Ukraine six months or that we have been away from there that long.  I still remember things so vividly and some days I wish I were still there.  I have truly changed since our time in Ukraine and there are days that I have to fight to keep focused on what I am doing because my mind wants to drift back and I wonder how this kid or that kid is doing. 

Peyton is doing so well with her English, at least I think so.  She has embraced this life and says she does not miss Ukraine.  She is doing as well as can be expected in school and she enjoys going everyday.  Her classmates are so nice to her and they even nominated her to represent the class for the Super Cougar Contest.  (Cougar is our school mascot.)  One boy and one girl from each class, grade 3 through 5, were nominated based on exhibiting the character qualities of respect, honesty, confidence, etc.  This contest is a fundraiser to help the school raise money but Peyton is so excited that her classmates voted for her.  Win or not she really is a super kid!  She was thrilled recently when someone spoke to her and she was able to answer their questions.  When the person left, Peyton said, "Mama, me talk to her English."  Oh sweet girl you have come such a long way.  I couldn't be more proud of this daughter that God has so graciously  entrusted to us.   

Caleb, sweet, smiley Caleb, English is coming along slowly for him. He will say 2 or 3 words together sometimes.  He is getting better at naming his colors, recognizes most letters on the flash cards and he can write some of the letters in his name.  He is so curious about the world around him and so that presents a problem at preschool when he needs to be sitting at the table working on his assignment instead of playing with the things on the teacher's desk or around the room.  He has just started wanting to sit on our laps to have books read to him so that is a step in the right direction.  Before he just didn't know how to sit on our laps and he would squirm and wiggle around and really showed no interest in the books.  He had his first t-ball practice on Saturday evening and he was so funny.  He didn't seem to want to be out there at all.  After his turn at bat and running around the bases his coach told him to get his glove and go stand in the field while his teammates batted.  The next thing I know he is back up at home plate putting his glove in the pile ready to bat again before everyone else had batted.  The coaches got him back out in the field and then he started running the bases with the other runners. Finally I guess he had had enough and he headed for the dugout and put his glove down.   He has also had a rough time with wearing glasses.  I have taken them 3 times to get them fixed and this last time they were not repairable.  He popped one lense out and was chewing on it and well, that lens can't be fixed, bent one ear piece way out and broke the other off, and folded the glasses in two at the nose piece.  All of this while he was supposed to be taking a nap at daycare. Oh, my, goodness.  So yeah, things aren't always sunshine and roses but Caleb is such a sweet boy.  Over all, even though he seems to be progressing slower, I think that in time he will catch up. 

We went to the dentist a couple weeks ago.  There is going to be ALOT of work ahead.  It is too much to even go in to but Peyton's dental work will all be done at one time, under anesthesia for 3 hours because she is just a little afraid of doctors.  After that all heals, then will come the discussion about braces.  Caleb will have 4 separate visits because of the amount of work that has to be done.  I am really not sure how these kids are not screaming out in pain with the holes that I can see in their teeth!  I realize complaining did no good at the orphanage so why would they say anything about the pain.  My poor babies have suffered way too long and yet they still have smiles on their faces.  I just want to say it again how incredible these kids are and how very blessed we feel to have them call us mom and dad.

For those that are still following, if you have any questions I would be glad to answer them, even if you want to ask anonymously.

And, at last, here are some pictures.

~Tina



Gotcha Day - October 8, 2012
 





Home 6 months - April 19, 2013



Easter



After the Easter egg hunt at Grandma's house.


 

and how could I not include a picture of Ms. Kitty