Women's Retreat, Field Trip, & Life

Oct 14th-16th I got to go on our church's annual women's retreat. This year it was up in Schroon Lake, NY, and I was thrilled to go. Last year was the first time I'd ever missed a retreat, but I had a pretty good excuse because I was in Ukraine for Slava's adoption. This year about 30 women converged on the Silver Spruce Inn for some fellowship, fun, and awesome teaching. Carol and Jocelyn Heneghan shared on God's love, how to receive it, live it by dying to self, and give it to a needy world.

Saturday morning a bunch of us hiked up a mountain for a few of Schroon Lake. Here I am with some of my hiking buddies:

L to R: Shannon, me, Catherine, Sandy, & Gabrielle

Kerri & Shannon strolling outside of the Silver Spruce.

Nothing brings you back to reality like a home school field trip. More than 50 of us converged on Conbeer's organic farm in Fonda, NY this past week. The kids enjoyed a hayride, hay maze, wagon train, a corn maze, a sunflower hunt, a petting zoo, and cider & donuts.

Slava feeding a goat, another first for Slava!

It was a fun, fall experience, and the weather cooperated - we were freezing!

October is certainly topping September's busy-ness. Lately I'm feeling like I just can't cross all my "t's" or dot all my "i's." Last week at a glance:

Mon: school, Tues: school, piano lesson, Bible study, Wed.: school, prep for church, fife/drum/flagging & Missionettes and Royal Rangers, Thurs.: dentist appt, school, help parents move, Fri.: field trip, lunch at Panera Bread :), grocery shop for birthday party, Sat: cook, clean, party, clean up, Sun: church, help parents move. And on top of all the daily stuff, I'm working on an art camp for our homeschool group, an adoption message for church, and did I mention moving my parents? A glance at my calendar reveals the next 8 days straight are just as busy. Please don't even mention there are only 63 shopping days until Christmas!

Yet again I could not put everything in 1 post, so please scroll down and check out Slava & Anna's birthday party post. It amazes me that exactly 1 year ago we travelled to Ukraine to bring home Slava. That little boy who, a year ago, didn't like hugs or kisses now pounces into my bed in the morning declaring, "Ooo, Mama warm" and "I love cuddle." His latest obsession, asking me 100x a day, "Why Jesus die on the cross?" "Big cross or little cross?" "Why bad guys hit him?" I do my best to answer each question, "Because Jesus loves Slava." That seems to satisfy him for about 5 seconds, then he asks, "Why Jesus die on the cross?" His bedtime prayer: "Thank you, Jesus, for the food and Jesus, and God, and Lord. Amen." Priceless!!!!

Happy Birthday Slava & Anna!

On Sunday we celebrated Slava's 6th & Anna's 12th birthdays. For Slava it was like his very first birthday ever since birthdays go by pretty much unnoticed in an orphanage. He was so excited!

Here he opened his present from Missy, slippers! He was thrilled. He loves slippers. Missy commented how cool it was that he'd worn them to church this morning...something I hadn't noticed until she pointed it out!
Here Anna is surrounded by her friends relishing the special day. We got her a portable dvd player which she'd asked for. She loves movies!
Uncle Aaron & Aunt Becky got Slava this power tool. He loves tools. I wish I'd gotten a pic of him with the Thor hammer that Curtis got him. It's a giant foam-rubber hammer, exactly what this little guy loves. He went to bed that night with his new flash light. hammer, and drill. He's one happy little guy.
Slava with his first ever birthday cake. I made 2 ice cream cakes, one for him and one for Anna. He loved it when we sang "Happy Birthday" which he yelled at the top of his lungs. Surrounded by friends and family, both Anna & Slava had a very good day.

I'm feeling a bit sentimental since exactly 1 year to the day (Oct 23rd) we had just arrived in Ukraine for Slava's adoption. The 24th marks our appointment day and very first visit with him in the orphanage. That very difficult little boy has grown into a very loving, cuddly, and much loved little boy. God is so good!

I've got so much more to post, but yet again I've got to break it up into 2 or even 3 posts. The days and weeks are so busy that I just can't always get to it, but I'm committed to keeping you all updated on our shenanigans.

Autumn Amusements

This is my favorite time of the year. The foliage, the apples, school, the crispness in the air...ah make that mosquitoes in the air. Anyway, I love it! But it doesn't matter what time of the year it is it always seems like a busy season around here.

A couple weeks ago Sierra forced me to go bowling with a bunch of her friends. I in turn forced my daughter-in-law to join me for back-up. We really did have a good time though...all 10 of us!

Slava lost his very first baby tooth. He had no idea what was going on and was upset with the fact that his tooth was loose. Thanks to big brother Andrii, it came out in one swift pull. We had to explain that it was ok and now he'll get a big boy tooth in its place.
Missy and Slava had some fun playing in the leaves. She kept throwing them on the trampoline and he kept bouncing through them. The trampoline is a great tool for burning off Slava's steam. However, I think we'll need to be purchasing a new one since the springs have been literally popping off.
Looking through my kitchen window I can view my favorite tree all dressed up for autumn. Andrii captured this picture for me.
Tonight Wayne & I are headed out for a "date night" which are few and far between these days. So when he mentioned that he'd like to see the new Courageous movie, and since men's Bible study is cancelled for tonight, I seized the opportunity. I'm also looking forward to this weekend for our annual women's retreat. About 30 of us are heading up to the Silver Spruce Inn in Schroon Lake. I can't wait! I missed the retreat last year because of our Ukraine trip to get Slava. I cannot believe it's been almost a year. Sometimes I find my sentimental self reflecting back at what we were doing this time last year. I even find myself missing Ukraine.

I'll be sure to bring my camera so I can share some pics of the retreat. Until then, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to read about mine!