This and That

 After unusually chilly temperatures this winter, it was wonderful to get a break from the chill and go ride scooters on Saturday afternoon and then take a family bike ride Sunday afternoon. It was 68 degrees on Sunday! Thanks to a generous Christmas gift, we were able to buy a bike rack for the van so we can transport all the bikes with one vehicle. It's awesome. We are thankful.

 During our bike ride, you can count on a non-stop commentary from our little miss. Every bump, you hear "ouch" or some other sound effect. She announces every stop sign, speed limit sign, dog walker, EVERY thing that she sees and knows the word for. Her voice projects very loudly. "DAA DDY" "LOOK Mommy!"

 We've continued to keep her pretty close. Partly due to her not wanting to leave our side and partly because she continues to need to catch up developmentally. It continues to be a challenge to remind ourselves that this vibrant, joyful girl is still learning how to be 10. Stressful situations bring out more toddler like behavior. We haven't left her in Sunday school yet or in the Community Bible Study homeschool class yet. I think we'll know when the time is right, but for now she is our little shadow.

 She was so excited for it to be February because there are "only TWO" until her birthday. Two more months, that is. She has been planning and planning her special day. I finally figured out that after studying our family photo albums day after day, this smart cookie has an image of what birthday's are all about. She's seen photos of the gifts, the special meals, the special cakes and happy kiddos. She can't wait!

Irina asked Darin to make a list of all the foods she is requesting for her birthday and the specific gifts she wants. Then she taped the list on her bedroom door. When we walk in her room, she points to the list and says "Irina prize."

 Every day for lunch, Irina usually wants warmed up cheese on wheat bread with tomatoes and lettuce, carrots and apples. Lately, she has been asking for a big salad. "Irina love salad." "Kak Mommy" (like Mommy) I've been teaching her how to cut all the vegetables for her salad and I'm happy to say she is learning quickly. Don't worry. She also enjoys lots of other savory treats. :)

 Her major dental surgery is scheduled for February 14th at a local hospital. It is going to be a 3+ hour long surgery and she'll be sedated the entire time. She has lived with so much tooth pain for so long. Can you imagine the effects of never brushing your teeth until you are 8? And then from that point, only brushing them one time a day at the orphanage. The past week she has begun to complain about pain in her mouth again. There is one tooth in particular that is causing a lot of pain. She only ever mentions it at night.  Maybe she is too busy during the day to notice?? Or she is just used to suffering? We cannot move up the surgery, so please pray that we can comfort her while we wait 11 more days. And of course pray that we'll be able to communicate appropriately with her before the surgery and after. Please pray that this experience will help us to further bond as she learns we will be there to comfort her.

 Today marks 2 months since we returned home from Ukraine. 62 days. Some days it feels like we've gotten our groove. Other days I wonder if we'll ever find our groove. Some days it feels like we've always been a family of 6. I can hardly remember what it was like with just Luke. Those days must have been so quiet and boring. ;)

I still have to remind myself to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. I've not been very successful at that lately. The busier I get, the more I don't make time to be still with my heavenly Father, the more my eyes tend to wander from my perfect Savior to me. When my eyes are fixed on me, I miss out on so much joy that the Father has planned for me.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

Do they look happy or what? They enjoyed the warm day riding bikes together! 

It's a good thing because rain is in the forecast all week. Oh dear!