Where did the Summer Go?

Wow! September! Where did the summer go????

Although we are in no way complaining about the Memphis temperatures getting back to a more humane range, we sure could use some more summer. It just seems to go a lot faster than it did when we were children. Fortunately there is still a weekend or two to get in a little more swimming before it gets too chilly.

School started August 18th, but Cathe had to be back on the 11th to begin setting up her classroom and attend all the requisite meetings. This year, setup was a little more stressful since her classroom had been painted and new carpet installed so she couldn't start early. David and Kate wanted a few more days off, but were very excited about getting back to school and seeing their friends. They also have been following the Antares Orphans blog (http://antaresorphans.blogspot.com/) to see what their friends back in Petropavlovsk are up to. (Monday September 2nd was their first day back at school). And there is no escape from school uniforms!

Summer was also a time for many visitors. In addition to Masha, Svetlana, Katya, and "the younger Masha," Cathe's sister and niece visited from Michigan, Hilton, Suzanne and Darryn visited from Richmond, Virginia, and Paul came from Baltimore, Maryland. It was a busy time for us, but nothing compared to the very busy schedule "The Masha's" maintained while trying to visit as many families as possible. This past summer was also an opportunity to grow more as a family and for David and Kate to further prepare for school. No time to be bored!











Now that school has started, so has fall soccer. Both our athletes are off to a great start with their teams winning their first games today. However, Kate almost didn't make the starting line-up. Since she was in such a hurry this morning, Kate grabbed the first two cleats she found in her size. Unfortunately, only one was for soccer. (We recently learned that softball/baseball cleats aren't allowed for soccer since they have an "extra" cleat in the front). Fortunately, we were early and there was enough time for "Pops" to run home and pick up the misplaced soccer cleat.

As Paul would say, in his most Homer Simpson-ish voice: "Doh!"

In addition to keeping busy, both David and Kate have been busily growing. Each month we have been marking the kitchen door frame as they grow. But all the growth isn't just in height. On the top is one of Kate's new shoes from last October. We bought them a half-size large so they would last. The bottom shoe is one of Kate's new PE shoes, also just a half-size large for her current foot size. We hope it lasts until the spring semester!

This month has also been a nostalgic one for us as parents since we have been thinking back on what we were doing just one year ago "today." We had just worked out our travel dates and tickets and Bill made one more trip up to Nashville to have another set of documents apostilled.

What does any of this have to do with the two pictures to the left? Well, that's a very special tree for us. Our "stick tree" started as a volunteer in one of our flower beds about the time we made our decision to pursue adoption in 2006. In March of 2007, Bill transplanted it to the front yard. At that time it was about as tall as a broomstick and had no branches. By the time we left for Kazakhstan, it was about 7 feet tall and had some stubby branches. Now it is at least 10 feet tall and filling out nicely. (All the prayers and fertilizer are having the same affect on our tree as they have had on the children).

So, as the summer winds down, we are still on the look-out for fun things to do. Two weekends ago, the Animal Planet Expo visited Shelby Farms while Paul was visiting. Both our youngsters made their "fashion statements": Kate in her typical "easter egg" colors, and David wearing a "homework protest shirt" advising teachers to save trees by reducing the amount of homework (thus paper). He has such a great sense of humor! Too bad it won't save him from homework!

If I had a Half-Birthday, it would be Groundhog Day

Happy Birthday Kate!

Since we now have all the summer months covered, so our cake man has been BUSY!

Although he only makes cakes part time as a hobby, he delivered another winner. Just a couple ideas and a choice of flavors is all he needs. If anyone needs a GREAT cake guy, just send us an e-mail. Duff (the Ace of Cakes guy) had better watch out if our guy decides to go full time!





After cake and ice cream, Kate opened her many presents, then the the girls watched "Enchanted" (Kate's current favorite movie).




















Thursday we went downown to see "Sleepless in Seattle" at the Orpheum. It's one of Masha's favorite films, so when Cathe found out that it was being shown on the big screen at the very ornate, art deco theater, we had to go. All summer long they show classic movies on Thursday and Friday evenings. If you time it just right, you can watch the ducks at the Peabody at 5, get a bite to eat, then catch the 7pm show.

Meanwhile, David and Kate are trying to squeeze in just a little more fun before summer ends. David's not very happy that only a few days of summer vacation remain, but Kate is excited about getting back to school!

Hot July in Memphis!

July has been Hot and Dry!

Well, not much rain, but VERY humid. There is little if any breeze in the afternoon, and you're drenched in sweat as soon as you leave the comfort of the air conditioner. After all, it is summer in the Midsouth.

Again, we have to ask ourselves: Where has the time gone? All we can say is that it's flying by and there are only a few more weeks of summer vacation left, but we're going to pack in as much fun as we can!

Once the temperatures started hitting 90+, both the kids started complaining about how hot is is here. Taking a daily look at the temperatures back in Petropavlovsk is still a habit. Daily highs there are usually only slightly warmer than the Memphis lows, but this past week they have been hitting the low 90's while we have been hitting the 100 degree mark. Stifling! Another interesting Petro factiod is that on June 21st sunrise was at 4:42am and sunset at 10:06 pm. That also accounts for how short the days were in November when we were getting ready to come home. Despite the complaints about the heat, we don't seem to recall hearing them complain about how cold it was in January (at least not in Memphis!)... 8-D

We took in several fireworks shows in honor of the 4th. Several suburbs coordinate their shows so that there is opportunity to see more than one. Bellevue Baptist put on a great show June 29th. We met up at the school parking lot where Cathe teaches and had an unobstructed view. Several other families and friends we know took advantage of the show, so everyone had fun while waiting for the show to begin.

There have also been a few opportunities to dress up for dinners and church events. David and Kate like to come to an occasional event, but when given a choice a pizza and a good movie usually wins out over boring adult conversation. Fortunately, we have a couple high school students and an ever growing social network, giving us the opportunity to get out for some occasional mom and dad time.

We are truly amazed at how much progress the children have made and how much they have changed in such a short time. Looking back at photos from October and comparing them to today's photos, it's as if years have passed as we have grown into a family. Even Bob is happier to have someone to always play with!






In addition to playing with friends and savoring the occasional invitation to go swimming, we have also taken in a few baseball games. David took a few minutes to have Rocky Redbird sign his baseball cap.



This past Tuesday, July 22nd, we had the honor of taking Masha and Svetlana (our translator and attorney from Kazakhstan) out to the ball game as well. They came to the states to meet with some agency representatives and to visit as many families as they could fit into their busy schedules.

Although we know how much progress the children have made in just 8 months, we don't see the day to day growth since see them every day. Both Masha and Svetlana were beyond amazed! They have stayed in touch with many families over the years, so they have see children blossom in their new families, but never so much change over such a short time.

In addition to the baseball game, we went across the street to look at the Peabody Hotel fountain where the ducks swim every day. The ducks actually live in a penthouse on the hotel roof and are brought down to the lobby at 10 am. The red carpet is rolled out, defining a path from the elevator to the fountain. When the doors open, the ducks waddle down the carpet and hop into the fountain. The process is repeated in reverse at 5 pm. Masha had to try on the duck footprints for size before we headed up to the roof to see the ducks and take in the evening view.

The highlight of Svetlana's visit was a "reunion dinner" at Grisanti's on Thursday before her return to Kazakhstan. (Masha will be traveling around a little more before heading home). Lynn, who was Masha's first client, came as did Amy who has used Svetlana's services when adopting from Pavlodar. There was also a couple whose dossier is now at the MFA, hoping to receive their Letter of Invitation any day now. Svetlana's daughter and Katya who translates in Uralsk were also with us. It was really a neat event and we took well over two hours out of our hectic schedules to visit and relax.

Stray observation:

Remember the "For Men" chocolate bars we mentioned back in October? (Oct 5th and 27th posts have photos...)

We were in the "World Market" store by the mall and found the Yorkie Bar ("It's not for girls"). Both are made by Nestle'. Yorkie has a Wikkipedia entry and you can even Google a "For Men" tv advertisement.

Grand Slam!

Hey Ken Griffey Jr: Watch out! Kate is getting a head start on your record!

Who says Friday the 13th is bad luck?

Kate was batting 1.000 today with two base hits when she scored a Grand Slam Home Run for her third at-bat. It wasn't quite enough to win the game, but she did win the day's game ball!

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Here she is, right after telling grandpa all about it.

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Both Kate and David are adjusting to the Memphis climate, which is quite a bit warmer than they were used to in Petropavlovsk (and it's only June!)... Though the past few days have been quite a bit warmer back in Petro, hitting the mid 80's all week. Maybe it's due to the very long days they're enjoying: Sunrise today was at 4:44 am, and sunset at 10:03 pm...

That sure is a lot better than the cold and short days back in November!

13 Going on 30

June 11th we celebrated another milestone: David's 13th birthday! Although shamelessly using the title to a recent movie, it's very applicable since he is maturing beyond his years.

First came many Birthday cards. He was impressed with one that Bill bought in Kazakhstan since the picture on the front even looks like David, but REALLY liked the ones which came with money or gift cards.

As quickly as he and Kate mstered the art of gift cards, you would never suspect that they weren't born in a mall somewhere! David has also dubbed Toys-R-Us as "Toys for Us!" (afterall, the backwards "R" is "Ya" in Russian, which means "me")

In all honesty, David was overwhelmed and thought that all the gifts were just too many.

One of the most thoughtful gifts came from our neighbors Carl and Suzie a few doors up: Two Harry Potter books and "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" (sequal to Charlie in the Chocolate Factory) in Russian. (http://www.adoptedfromrussia.com/ is a great resource!)

In addition to the books, cash and gift cards, David scored a few other cool gifts like a tennis racket, a couple games for his Nintendo DS, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little (also in Russian) and a couple gag gifts which parents everywhere will appreciate: socks and pajamas (we decided not to embarass him with new Панталоне (underwear)).

Before long, it was time for cake and singing. Cathe found a guy a few years back who makes custom cakes as a hobby. Who knows, he could give the "Ace of Cakes" team a good run for their money!










Last, but not least, was a very thoughtful card that Kate picked out. Her inscription: "To a great brother. I love David." She really appreciates all that he did for her during their though years and really shows it.

Citizenship Certificates and School

Great News: After several months and MANY calls to USCIS, bot David and Kate now have their certificates!

A process that should have taken 6 weeks or less ended up taking almost 6 months.

After finally working our way through the phone tree, clerks and supervisors on several occasions, we were finally referred back to the adoptions desk at our local USCIS office in Memphis. From there, both the Mesquite, TX and Buffalo, NY offices were put in touch with one another and the paperwork was finally re-routed to the right desk for processing.

Anyone else who runs into issues should refer to the Child Citizenship Act and ask to speak to a supervisor if the clerk isn't knowlegeable on that topic.

Meanwhile, school's out for summer and both David and Kate are lining up their summer activities between camps, lessons, sports, and just plain relaxing in the a/c. Both did amazingly well in school. We are VERY proud about their accomplishments and just how far they have come in such a short time!

We've had a few hot days, definitely nothing like what it will be like in August, but both are complaining about how hot it is in the Memphis area. Since Petropavlovsk is on the same latitude as Hudson Bay, it just doesn't get as hot there. In fact, we've been watching the temperatures and noticed that the highs this past week were pretty close to the lows in Memphis.

The days are much longer there though! Today's sunrise in Petropavlovsk was at 4:52 AM and sunset at 9:50 PM (17 hours of daylight). That's quite a difference from last November when we left Petro and the days were very short (less than 8 hours of daylight). We'll have to remember to make notes on June 21st and December 21st to compare...

May Flowers

Happy May!

And a Happy Kazakhstan People's Unity Day (May 1st) and Victory Day (May 9th).

May has been a busy month for us and now it's almost June. May 1st we celebrated our anniversay and Bill's retirement from the Navy Reserve. May 23rd was the last day of school and we enjoyed a relatively quiet Memorial Day weekend at home.

We celebrated the weekend with a cookout, a pool party, and some yard work to take care of the flowers we planted last month. With all the rain we've had, they're doing pretty good too!


Along with the rain, we put a little fertilizer on the flowers and bushes and they're growing like crazy. So are the kids! Since October David has grown 2 1/4 inches and Kate has grown 1 3/4 inches.

In addition to putting on a few inches, they're both filling out and very athletic. David wrapped up a great baseball season and was recognized as the team's outstanding rookie. Kate enjoyed her basketball season as one of the team's top scorers and could hardly wait for softball to begin.

Here she is, back-peddling to make a catch. All the time spent playing catch with David has paid off! Both David and Kate were happy school was over, but happier yet for all the summer activities and sports get-togethers. David is anxiously awaiting baseball and swimming lessions while Kate is looking forward to tennis and swimming.






Until then, we're all just "chillin' out" and sliding in a little humor!