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!

Silver Dollar City

I'm so glad we went!





We made it to Branson and the children had a blast at Silver dollar City! I think they enjoyed swimming with Papa at the hotel, almost as much!
They enjoyed the time with three of their cousins also!

Birthday Bash

An amazing birthday bash was planned one and a half days after our return! Aunt Sheila and Nana & Papa, did a bang up job! The kids enjoyed jousting, swimming, a water slide, bubbles, hotdogs, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, friends and family!








We celebrated all our August birthdays together at Nana & Papa's house! Trisha (my niece) turned 17 August 10th, Jacob turned 15 in May (we celebrated his too, since he wasn't with us in May), Gavin my charmer-was 14 on August 9th, Losha became a bouncing boy of 13 on August 12th and our youngest "Jared" is now 7, as of August 3rd. I was informed 7 is not a baby anymore! That part breaks my heart!

Almost 2 weeks

Tonight will be two weeks, since we've returned to America! I have to show you some of the pictures of my house when we walked in that night! Balloons, groceries and goodies on the counter were all a part of the welcome home from our local homeschool group! Thank you so much, my dear friends!!!
I also wanted to share the photo of our family and the Vincent family at the airport. Two families together that have adopted from Russia, through the Russian orphan lighthouse project. The Duncan family returned with their children this past Friday!