painting piggy banks

Here are some pictures I took in January of the boys painting piggy banks that they got for Christmas. They both LOVED the project. After they painted them, we put them in the oven for a bit and they came out nice and shiny/glossy like. Very cool. They both love looking for coins or asking us for our coins to put in their banks. They were both very intent on their coloring. Max was very 'into' it himself. :)

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The View from our Apartment

I absolutely LOVE where we live now. It is great. We no longer live downtown, in the center. That was convenient in a lot of ways, but not for kids. It was noisier, dirtier and on our side of downtown, didn't have a lot of places the kids could run around and play. And, there weren't a lot of people who lived there either, especially not young families. 
Where we live now, in Saltovka, it is quieter, there are more trees, and our apartment building is surrounded by places for the kids to run and play. Plus, we live in one of the most densely populated areas of Kharkov. I think it is estimated that at least 20,000 people live in our 1/2 mile X 1/2 mile block. There are people of all ages out all the time. We live near a metro station and 1/2 mile walk from Kharkov's 2 malls. 
As for our house, it is much smaller than our last house. I love it! Now I don't spend so much time cleaning the house or living with a dirty one. The only downside is we can't host the big parties and get-together events that we used to in our old place. But we still find ways to fill up our house now!
As for the pictures, one is from our window (8th floor) during the summer. The other is from just a few weeks ago when we got our first light snow. I missed a picture of the prettier, more colorful fall leaves. Maybe next year. 

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A Great Dad

Some of you may have seen these photos already on Dougle's facebook. But I wanted to post them for those that didn't, because I think they are great. I woke up one morning to this scene and felt so blessed! Not only does Dougle help a lot with the cooking and cleaning, but here he was including the kids. He was teaching and modeling for them how to be a great husband. He was spending time with them and was taking the extra time it took to include them in his work. This is what I strive to do, as a mom, but often run out of time or patience. 

I thank God for such a wonderful husband and father Dougle is. What a blessing to have him in my life! 

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Ukrainian moments

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Hello, all! I've been so bad about writing lately. It seems that life is always changing in how much time I have able to devote to writing blogs, putting up pictures on facebook, answering e-mails, and all that other computer sharing of our family's lives. I go in cycles. The internet in general has been on a back burner for me recently. I've had more focus on reading, people, and just daily life. But, I'd like to find a balance one day to which I can do a bit of everything. But, I'm not sure I'll ever find that balance, so you'll just have to put up with my fickle-ness! But for now, I'd like to put a bit more time into blogging! 

To the story for this post: Here are a few things recently I've noticed that reflect a bit of our lives here. There are so many more, many of which we are so used to, that I don't even think they are different any more. Others pop up periodically, and I remember that our lives are a very colorful collection of various cultures. It is fun! :) Here are two things; there are so many more. I'll try to post some more if I can think of them. Just because I think it is fun to read about. 

What Do You Call It?
Living with two languages always presents great times and interesting insights into life. We aren't necessarily a bi-lingual home; both of us parents speak English as a first language. However, we live in Ukraine, the Eastern part, where the primary language around us is Russian. Because of this, we've adopted some Russian words into our daily talk in English at home. I haven't thought much about it until the other day. We've been in Hungary, so we haven't been thinking in Russian at all. I told Canaan we needed to go to the pharmacy. He said, "What is that?" Puzzled at why my almost 5 year old didn't know what a pharmacy was, I started to explain that it was a place where you buy medicine and bandages and other stuff like that. He said, "Oh, you mean an аптека (ap-tyek-a)?!" Of course, we'd only been using the Russian word, even when we speak in English, something I didn't even realize!

Since that time, I've been thinking of some works that we use in Russian, even when we are speaking in English. There aren't a lot of them that we consistently use only in Russian. We use a lot of words equally in English and Russian. But there are a few we use only in Russian. So, if you come to our place, you might hear these Russian words used instead of the English counterpart:

аптека (ap-tye-ka) - pharmacy
тапочки (ta-pach-key) - slippers
метро (metro) - subway
ложка (lowzh-ka) - shoe horn

Matchboxes
Second, I thought I'd share a picture of what our most recent matchboxes look like. I thought they looked so cool and pretty and wanted to share. I don't remember those in the States looking so nice or decorative. But, I didn't use matches as much there. Here, I use them to light my burners and oven. So, everyday. Several times. I think it is nice they are so pretty!

I Know Not...

I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. 

They arrived! We are so excited. They have been long prayed for, anticipated and talked about by our team. Who are these great people? Kharkov's first AIM (Adventures in Missions) team! Cody, Caleb, Dawna, EJ and Jordan arrived yesterday evening. And they seem great! After spending the day with them, eating breakfast at our place, being at the park with them and a bunch of our friends and team to celebrate Dougle and I's birthdays, and then pizza at the girls' apartment, I am even more excited. As my teammate Denyce wrote on her blog, we are probably more excited than they are. They are excited about the unknown. We know some of what awaits them: the joys, the hardships, the friendships, the sorrows, the complications, etc. Most of us on our team have been there. (In fact, I am sure they will soon grow tired of the phrase, "When I was in Mexico...." or "When we arrived in Moscow...." And we all know the great things that God leads you to and through when on a foreign field. Now, each of them will experience something unique and totally their own. They will have their own stories to tell about the language blunders and culture shock, the joy of seeing your friend become a follower of Christ, etc. Maybe one day they will tell their stories to future AIMers or other young people whom they will influence and encourage in the Lord. Only God knows. 

Being so excited after spending the day with our great, new AIM team, I went home and started rummaging through some old photos I have of my own days in AIM. I don't have many. This was before digital cameras, and way before I ever was interested in taking photos in the first place. But, I have a few specials pictures that I brought along with me to Ukraine to remind me of my times. I dug through a still packed box (from our recent move) and reminisced. The first picture is of my sis, my mom and me. We were at the airport and the pic was taken (probably by my Dad) right before I boarded the plane for Mexico City. My mom didn't cry. At least when I saw her. Later I learned she saved her tears for after I had gone to make it easier on me! So much I did not know then.... Alas, and it was almost 11 years ago! 

And below my photos are some of Dougle when he was in AIM. (He went to Moscow.) That was even longer ago....! 

But, the quote above really resonated with me my whole time in AIM and some afterward. I have had it on a bookmark for  years, but had forgotten it. While looking through my photos, I found it. It seemed appropriate then, and continues to be so. At each new beginning and each turn during my life, I am confident in Him. No matter what comes, I am certain of this: He will always be there before me and with me. What a comfort! What a joy! I am so blessed, and I hope you are too!

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Catching Up!

Life, as usual, has been all-consuming. We seem to have had an extra amount to do recently, and my time that I don't spend with the boys, my hubby, working around the house, ministry, and sleeping, is very limited. But, I found myself with an extra few moments today and wanted to sit and post some pictures of the past month (or two!). 

The best thing is that we are in Spring and headed for summer. The weather is so nice. At the beginning of these photos, we were wearing coats and scarves and hats and boots. Now, we can "go outside with only our shoes!" as Canaan puts it! He loves being able to head out the door, only stopping to put on his shoes-no jacket, gloves, etc. He does spend a few extra seconds to slap on a cap. He and Max are very fond of these. Sometimes I think they just feel like their heads are too bare with nothing on them! :)

Well, we've been sick a few times (once our family was 'out' of life for over 10 days passing sicknesses to each other) and we've looked for, found and moved into a new apartment. We are very excited about where we live now, but it has been a feat moving. It just takes forever to get set up in the new place! But, we are getting there, meeting new neighbors, enjoying our ministry, and just trying to enjoy all the blessings the Lord has showered on us! He is good!  

Thanks for checking in!
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My boys enjoying playing with the cousin Caleb. Max loves to surround him with toys. 

 

 


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 Canaan practicing writing his Russian alphabet. 

 


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 Me with my awesome Nephew!


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 Enjoying the playground, dreaming of Spring!

 


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 Making Russian bisquits. I love these. They are made with a cottage cheese- like ingredient. However, I am the only one in my family who really enjoys them. Dougle eats them, but neither of the boys is a fan. Sad. You can eat them topped with anything in the background. 

 


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Max's newest love. He mainly fed, gave a drink to and put to sleep this bear. He was getting really attached to it, to the point of worrying me that it would be another thing he 'needed' to have around. Then we accidentally left it at Brandon and Katie's one night. It was there over a week, and that helped. He still plays with it off and on, but not everyday like before. 

 


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 Katie and I talking on the metro. Notice- lighter weight jackets. Spring is coming. 


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 Max reading his newest favorite book- a Lightning McQueen Seek and Find. And reading them with Mr Potato Head glasses! :)


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 Canaan can't get enough of 'tape' roads. 


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 Making Easter cakes. They weren't like the traditional Ukrainian cakes, because they were chocolate and flat. But, no one complained! We gave them to the church, some neighbors, shop keepers we knew, and friends. The boys helped some! :) Mainly with the sprinkles. Canaan couldn't get enough of them!


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 Bike riding is much better this year! He enjoys it more.


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 Max rode or pushed his airplane. 


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 EASTER EGG HUNTING PICS BELOW


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 Brandon Price on his blog has a much better photo of all the boys!  http://www.brandonandkatie.com/?p=2053

 


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 IN and AROUND our NEW APARTMENT (more pics of the inside/outside when it gets cleaned up more!)


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Auntie Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So, you all know I am an aunt again. It is the first time I've been an aunt to a baby. I became an aunt to three great boys almost 7 years ago when I married their uncle. But the youngest was 5. So, this is my first experience being an aunt to such an adorable baby. I am loving it! Even thought I don't get to see him as often as I'd like (he was gone from me so long at first! and then we were sick....), I am trying to make up a bit of time. Canaan and Max are enjoying their cousin too. The just LOVE him! Max loves the "baby" and they both like to get in his face and pet his head. At least for a while. And Caleb loves to watch them play. At least for a while! Max always tries to give him toys if he cries. Or his pacifier. Since Max doesn't have constant access to his paci- normally only in bed-he thinks Caleb should always want his in his mouth! One day, Max kept putting it in his mouth, and Caleb kept taking it out and playing with it. Max would then put it back in his mouth, and Caleb again took it out. Exasperated, Max said, "No." and put it back it. Too funny! And, Liv and I think that Caleb LOOKS like his cousins too! I'll have to post pics of the three of them and let you see!

Oh, and the first pic is of me and my boy in his "My Aunt Rocks" T-shirt that my coolest sis ever bought for him!! Isn't she just the sweetest ever????!!!

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The Alphabet

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If you don't recognize some letters, that's okay. The other day Canaan wanted to write the alphabet on the white board. I proposed he should write the Russian alphabet. So, he printed it. I have since learned that he needs to learn it in cursive. Read the print, write in cursive. Anyway, Dougle printed up the alphabet for him and he just copied it onto the board, several mornings in a row. Way to go, Canaan!