Two Sweet Kids and One Lucky Family: June 2014

Time passes so quickly when life is happening. So many things since the last post.

The kids are doing great. Learning is slow. They are out of school now for the summer and I am going to try to work with them some so they won't get too far behind. They really have come such a long way and I am very proud of them.

So, I have a rant. I am always amazed when people assume that just because my kid is 6, 7, 9 or 12, whatever the age, that they know how to do xyz. And even after I have written it down and even after I explained it by talking, that my child grew up in an orphanage and they were not exposed to things like that, it still takes me explaining that 2 or 3 times before the light bulb comes on if it even does. Even then, well, for those of us that have been inside the orphanages, that can never be explained to the strength and magnitude of what we have seen. And you see, that is why my heart breaks for the orphans. Because most people don't get it! They see my beautiful children and outside appearances are deceiving. They have no idea about what goes on inside them. I am mostly referring to Caleb here as Peyton has really just adapted sooo well. Yes, he is smiling and shaking his head yes but he may not have a clue what you just said. Yes, I know, you told him not to do that but you will have to tell him day after day and be consistent and mean it. And, when he smiles at you with that sweet smile and gorgeous green eyes when you are scolding him please don't smile back at him because guess what, it just became a game and he won. You have to be strong and determined with him so that he can learn what he was not taught those first critical years of his life. So people, pleeeease, listen to what I am saying, he is not like a "typical" child his age. And, please don't refer to him as "is he your child that has the problems." Really!! Rant over.

The kids are having such a great summer, black eyes, teeth falling out (but the tooth fairy is having a hard time finding our house : ), baseball, Summer Day Camp, which means swimming every day and yes, Peyton is 13 today. She likes to tell people she is going to be a "teenager." She is blossoming in to a beautiful young lady and I am so very proud of her. She is a far cry from the girl we first met in that Ukrainian hospital that had her hair cut short with a somber face but oh how her eyes showed the hope that her heart knew.

Peyton often talks about Ukraine and the friends we left behind, wondering what they are doing. We follow a blog, http://bibleorphanministry.blogspot.com/, that goes to minister at the orphanage my children were at. I do get to see pictures of her friends and that is very hard for me. They are growing up and I can't believe it has been almost 2 years since we were there. Two years has really changed them from innocent children in to young adults that realize the reality that is going to meet them in a couple more years. I see it on their faces. I really thought when I left there that I would go back and bring a couple of her friends home but I guess God has other plans or it just is not His timing yet. I am willing when it is. I often have people say to me aren't you glad that you are not in Ukraine right now. My answer, actually no, I wish I were there bringing more kids home.

Hope everyone has a great Summer and I will try and post more often.

~Tina