Oklahoma Aquarium

We decided to go to the Aquarium on the special homeschool day. We watched a squid dissection! At first, everyone was interested, then the smell hit them! Jacob and Losha had to go outside for a walk, they couldn't stomach the smell. They said "no understand, crazy America!" We explained, in America we dissect things to learn more about them. We all enjoyed touching the sting rays, star fish and the bamboo sharks!
We've now been home from Russia with our whole family together for 2 & 1/2 months. We've had some adjustments, but all in all it gets better each week!

Tulsa zoo

We decided to go to the Tulsa zoo, so the boys could see the difference between the Moscow and the Tulsa zoos. The really enjoyed the chimps. They were quite entertaining!

A few funnies

Here's a comical moment - Losha was trying to explain to Gavin that he wanted his leftover chicken chimichanga and he was saying "chicken mommymonga" We were rolling!
Jacob scraped his leg roller blading and was bleeding pretty good. I said "come on, let's clean it up", he replied "it's okay Mom" and continued to say that. I explained that it was not okay, we need to clean it! He kept saying something that I didn't understand and I kept saying "tell me in English please". He repeated the same thing. Finally, one of our friends said he's saying terminator. I laughed and replied "I'll be back", he pipes up "Hasta la vista, Baby".
We discovered they will not eat refried beans due to the way they look.
Losha gags at the sight of runny eggs! We have our ups and downs and I just wanted to share a few comical moments.

I went to chemo with my Mom today and was able to share a wonderful thing that is being done for her. Take a look at www.acutagainstcancer.com

My only little girl will be 9 years old tomorrow.

Much Excitement

We have much to be excited about!

As I sit with my Mom at chemo, I'm thankful we only have 2 more to go! October 22nd is the last treatment! I'm so glad she will not have to be put through this again!

Tomorrow is our first day of Foundations class for Classical Conversations. The children & I really enjoy it! You may or may not know: I have my teaching degree. Our oldest is a Sr. this year, we've homeschooled since he was in 5th grade. I tutor a foundations class on Fridays and teach a supplemental Biology class in the afternoons. Losha and Jacob are learning the History & Timeline, Science, Grammar, Math, Geography, Latin and Fine Arts facts right alongside the other children. They write the facts in English at least twice a week. Their penmanship is amazing! I love seeing kid's minds soak facts up like a sponge!

Our only little girl's birthday is less than a month away!

Wow! Excitement and thankfulness go hand in hand!

Snakes

SNAKES! I do not like snakes! Jacob and Losha are entertained that Mom hates snakes! Last week the four oldest boys went hiking to their "camp spot". Jacob and Losha asked Garrett and Gavin if there were snakes at the camp spot. They responded "there are snakes out and about, but we've not seen them at our camp spot". Moments later, Losha picked up a piece of tin and there was a snake! He dropped it immediately! The boys picked it up, Garrett pinned the snakes head to the ground and saw that it was a rattlesnake. They killed it, so it would not cause anyone an undue hospital visit. I was not thrilled at the sight of a snake with 7 rattles at the end of it's tail. This week, as Jacky was mowing, they found a cornsnake "non-poisonous", brought it in the house in a mug with a lid. I still do not like snakes, of any kind!!!! They failed to secure the lid properly! Eeeek, the snake was lose in my house! We could not find the snake ANYWHERE! I found it yesterday! The boys thought my response was hilarious! They had to tell one of our friends at Church about Mom screaming! I pray, I'm done with snakes!

It's getting easier

The past few weeks have been a difficult adjustment! As of Saturday things seem to have become easier. Saturday, we met with other families that have or are in the process of adopting children from Russia. An interpreter was available and the children had a wonderful time. The communication problem is getting better as they pick up more English and we pick up more Russian. I know soon, this will all be behind us and we'll laugh to think of the things we did to get our points across to one another. Oh, the faces we must make!

I'm catching up

As I sit with Mom during chemo, I'm catching up on the blog.
My Dad brought her first thing this a.m. and the children and I drove up later in the a.m. After the Oncologist appointment, Dad & I traded places (I get to stay with Mom and he took all the kids).
My Mom did not have to have a blood transfusion today! YAY!!! She thinks she's made the decision to NOT take herceptin treatments. Herceptin treatments were supposed to start today along with chemo. Her final chemo would have been in October, but the herceptin would have taken an additional 12 months. She feels the negative research concerning the herceptin outweighs the positive outcome. The biggest side effect of herceptin is heart damage. She said "God has been so good to me this far, I just know He'll take care of me, if I don't take this." The Oncologist told her they wouldn't start today, but for her to think about the treatment.
My Mom never ceases to amaze me!!!! One brave women, whom I admire much!