One last week in Colorado.
We're spending three days with my parents, then three with Eric's. And suddenly, the reality of our departure to Russia is hitting home. In happy and sad ways...
Listening to my sister tell about her garden, I'm so sad that we can't share in the harvest. I'm trying to soak up the sunshine, relish in the green grass, and capture the impossible beauty of the Colorado sky. When I watch my parents with my kids, I'm so sad that they won't see each other for over a year. Playing with my nieces, I am overwhelmed at the pain of separation. When we see them next, they'll probably be three!
But I've been also looking forward to unpacking for good. We've moved 8 times through this summer, and it's getting really old. And I'm looking forward to using the kids' toy shelves, bunk beds, and a even a real bed for Ella! She's been on a mattress on the floor almost everywhere we've stayed. Though I'll miss the huge American washers and dryers, there's something to the rhythm of doing our laundry at home.
The boys can't wait to get back to Russia. They just spent their allowance, and bought mostly Star Wars toys. And they are upset we won't be able to play with Nate and Nick for another week. I'm glad they're not upset about leaving, but am trying to help them appreciate the things we enjoy here alone.
We fly to St. Petersburg on August 5th, arriving the 6th. After a week at home, we will go just outside of the city for a few weeks of staff conferences and theological classes. So, I'm trying not to get too concerned with how that's going to feel!
The Girly Girl
Ella has really developed her girliness in the last few months.
When we arrived in May, she didn't even know her colors. Now she tells me every day, "My fav-rit color pink.... I like pink... I like pu-pul, I like geen." We have tears every day she doesn't get to wear a dress. And among the growing number of dresses, she has her favorites--mostly the pink ones! In fact, she won't wear my favorite, which is a beautiful deep blue covered in tiny stars.
When she's in a dress, she tells me, "I look p'etty!" And sometimes she follows by saying, "Danya Tima not look petty." At times, she walks around singing, "I look pet-ty, I look petty."
Today, she was decked out in her pink-flowered swimsuit, pink polka-dot dress, and even pink hairbands. I must be honest, most of the pink items are purchased by Eric. I'm still learning to like the color. But my little girl is teaching me to embrace my feminity!
When we arrived in May, she didn't even know her colors. Now she tells me every day, "My fav-rit color pink.... I like pink... I like pu-pul, I like geen." We have tears every day she doesn't get to wear a dress. And among the growing number of dresses, she has her favorites--mostly the pink ones! In fact, she won't wear my favorite, which is a beautiful deep blue covered in tiny stars.
When she's in a dress, she tells me, "I look p'etty!" And sometimes she follows by saying, "Danya Tima not look petty." At times, she walks around singing, "I look pet-ty, I look petty."
Today, she was decked out in her pink-flowered swimsuit, pink polka-dot dress, and even pink hairbands. I must be honest, most of the pink items are purchased by Eric. I'm still learning to like the color. But my little girl is teaching me to embrace my feminity!
4th of July
Who knew I could decide spontaneously to take three children out to see fireworks, at 9pm, in their pajamas?
Who knew we could find the public display by just weaving around the roads till we saw a bunch of parked cars?
Who knew the kids would be fussy in the car, and I would lead us along the dark path to sit outside with the crowd ... still in our pajamas?
Who knew that momma's lap would just be too small for two squirmy children who want to stretch out and cuddle simultaneously?
Who knew the little girl wouldn't be scared of the booming noise?
Everybody knew the seven-year-old would love every minute!
Who knew a five-year-old could fall asleep while watching fireworks?
Who knew I could carry the two-year-old while pushing the five-year-old in the stroller?
Who knew that there would be a lot of crying when she had to walk up the stairs because her brother was completely asleep?
Who knew that it would be worth it anyway?
Who knew we could find the public display by just weaving around the roads till we saw a bunch of parked cars?
Who knew the kids would be fussy in the car, and I would lead us along the dark path to sit outside with the crowd ... still in our pajamas?
Who knew that momma's lap would just be too small for two squirmy children who want to stretch out and cuddle simultaneously?
Who knew the little girl wouldn't be scared of the booming noise?
Everybody knew the seven-year-old would love every minute!
Who knew a five-year-old could fall asleep while watching fireworks?
Who knew I could carry the two-year-old while pushing the five-year-old in the stroller?
Who knew that there would be a lot of crying when she had to walk up the stairs because her brother was completely asleep?
Who knew that it would be worth it anyway?
Tima is FIVE!!
For Tima's fifth birthday, we had a small gathering... since three of the families we would have invited are out of town, I was worried it would be too small. But we ended up with 11 kids and 12 adults! Pictured from left to right are Tony (arm) and Addie Dormish, Danya and Tima, Clyde and Tess Kertzer.
Tima was absolutely hyper from receiving so many gifts. Since I'm the person who remembers that it's appropriate to bring gifts to birthday parties once I'm there, I was surprised that everyone brought him something! And it's a good thing his big brother is well-practiced in assemblying toys. Bionicles, Legos, Transformers... we have enough spatial manipulation to make engineers proud. Maybe this is why it's such a male-dominated field!
Just a note to say that Tima started acting like a five-year-old a few months ago. He has become very helpful, especially with Ella. Often, if she's upset, he'll hug her, or run and get the object she's throwing a tantrum over. He's started to really be interested in how things work, and imagining solutions to problems (the solutions are usually quite fantastic). It's official, too, that he knows all of his letters, though N and Y are still sticky.
Tomorrow we're going to participate in a kids' fun-run in Erie, CO. At bedtime, Tima said that he would win because, "I'm going to use my super powers and you won't even be able to see my legs!"
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