So much to say....so little time

Almost on a daily basis I think of updating the blog but I just can't find the time to do it. In fact as I type this I already know that I will soon be saving it so I can come back and complete it later. That's just life right now and it's perfectly fine with me!

Most of our days lately have been spent homeschooling and going to therapy. Both have their good days and their bad days! Oksana is in a phase right now where she follows me EVERYWHERE I go. If she doesn't know where I am she will go through the house saying "Where's the mama?" and when she finds me she says "There it is!" It was cute for the first few days but I've found myself hiding just to have 5 minutes alone! It's not just me either, she will gladly follow Daddy or the boys if they are more convenient. Obviously attachment is not an issue! Despite her desire to know where we are at all times she is doing fantastic when any of us have to leave the house. She finally knows that when her family leaves they always come back and she happily says "Bye" when we go out the door.

It's been interesting to see the relationship she is building with our boys. Clayton loves kids, especially kids with special needs, and has always been excited about Oksana. Evan, on the other hand, is our shy, quiet, and reserved kid who would prefer not to be around younger kids and we figured this adoption had potential to be really bad or really good for him. Thankfully both boys adore her. Clayton takes on a much more typical big brother role. He helps her and cuddles with her. She and Evan; however, have become great buddies! They play together all the time and Evan LOVES to make her laugh. It has been wonderful to see Evan come out of his shell and love this little girl.

We've had so many fun experiences as a family lately. We all enjoy living these experiences through Oksana's eyes. A couple of weeks ago we went to a pumpkin patch where we got to go through a hay maze, pick a pumpkin, and take a hay ride. They all had a blast. Last weekend we went downtown to see a sculpture show, got pizza at our favorite pizza place, and rode the trolley. We also loaded up our bikes and took a long bike ride through a local park. It was such a fun weekend! Last night the Kiev Symphony Orchestra came to a local church. We knew it might be risky expecting Oksana to sit through a symphony but we decided to take our chances and sit in the back so we could leave easily if need be. It was amazing! The kids all LOVED it. Unfortunately we had to leave at intermission because it was well past bed time already. Before we left we were able to find someone to speak Ukranian to Oksana. She completely and totally ignored the nice lady and only said "Hi" when I told her to! The lady said she wasn't even sure Oksana understood her. Whatever the reason we thought it was an interesting response. If you want to learn more about the Kiev Symphony Orchestra you can go to their web site at www.musicmissionkiev.org. They are Christians who spread the gospel through their music and also do work with Ukraine's orphans and widows. Very cool!

Well, times up and I've only been interrupted once but now I'm typing with her on my lap so I'll leave you with some pictures.

Oksana before church. I'm loving the huge hair accessories :)

Larry, Evan, and Oksana on the trolley in downtown Little Rock.

I love this picture! In the van Oksana often likes to hold Evan's hand. He is not a fan of hand holding and she knows it so she holds his fingers as tight as she can so he can't get away!

My kiddos at the pumpkin patch.

Our family on the hay ride at the pumpkin patch.