Our slice of heaven...

This is our backyard. It wasn't like this when we moved here last July. Jim has worked hard putting in a pond complete with fish, a tree house for the kids, rope swings, grass, flowers, mulch, and so much more. It is a nice tranquil place to relax in the morning with breakfast and coffee or in the evening with a glass of wine. Great job honey!

These swings entertain not only our kids, but the kids from the entire neighborhood. It seems they are in constant use and the squeals of delight are music to the ears. The older kids climb the ladder holding the swing, tuck it between their legs and jump! They say it is like flying as they sore through the air and into the leaves on the tree.

Jim's pond. I think he should start a pond business when he retires (I secretly hope that is awhile away). The kids love to feed the fish, turtle and frog. I love sitting and listening to the water trickle and the birds singing as I am enjoying a glass of wine at night, but Jim likes the morning with the quiet of the early morning, the cool air and his breakfast...

Lights on or off at night this little corner is just so tranquil.

Recovery

Ella's 2 front teeth are still a bit wiggly, but the bruising is gone. We are not sure if the teeth will tighten back up, but if they don't the tooth fairy has been notified these teeth are special losses - hopefully, she will be generous.

This is Ella with Izzy, our boxer, who is almost 10 months old. They love each other! I am not sure what the conversation was here, but I bet it had something to do with the bone in Ella's hand. Hard to believe 8 months ago Ella was scared to death of (sobaka) dog.

A new baby...

...Introducing

Thor our new baby boxer who is 6 weeks old!

Pictures

Split lower lip and lower gum line

Injury to upper lip, gum and chipped tooth - both front

teeth are loose.

Ella saw her dentist today. Basically he said yes it looks bad, but after an x-ray he said there is really nothing he can do. She did not break any bones or cause any deeper damage than what we can visually see. The teeth are her baby teeth and they will either tighten back up or not....we just wait. The swelling and bruising will go away and she will be just fine. Her chipped tooth is not a major concern since it is a baby tooth. He could repair it, but again it is a baby tooth.

She is on Motrin & Tylenol and a liquid to soft food diet for awhile in order to give the teeth time to tighten. She is complaining of "Big Ouchies on Ella's eip"

Thank you for all your private emails, calls, prayers, and messages for her and us.

Emergency Room

We made a trip to the ER this evening. Ella Grace was hit full on in the mouth by a swing from a good 'ole fashion iron golf club. Her bottom lip was split open - deep (no stitches since it didn't pass the wet/dry line) and she has damage to her upper gum, frenulum, 2 front teeth, and her lower gum (not nearly as bad as the top). We will be headed out in the morning to see the dentist/oral surgeon for the next step. She is in pain, but resting comfortably now in bed.

Support

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have had several personal emails in addition to the postings from parents who are experiencing the same behaviors from their children.

I don't feel so alone now!

We are continuing to move forward with love, support, and encouraging the "right" choices.

On another note, the young men are doing great and are looking forward to summer. We have continued to home school, putting in extra time working on expressive speech, pronunciation, spelling and math skills. We are considering some time at Sylvan Learning Center over the summer.

Thanks for following along and again, thank you for your emails and messages!

80% Wonderful 20%.....

I'd have to say we feel so blessed Ella Grace is healthy and happy, and while 80% of the time life is wonderful there is 20% that makes my head spin! Lately, those moments are the sneaking, disobeying, lying, and shifting blame - particulary to Christian. For example, her bangs are cut....so I asked her, "Ella, how did your hair get cut?" Ella responds with, "Christian did it." hmmmm. I asked Christian, "Did you cut Ella's hair?" and of course, I knew the answer would be no. When I go back and ask Ella again she will say, "Ella cut it." Grrrrr. I have explained to her we don't cut our own hair and we don't tell fibs even if we think we might get into trouble that God, Mommy, and Daddy, prefer honesty.

Now, we will move on to the next example. I had just fed her 2 nice sized pancakes, yogurt, a banana and some juice. I think that is a sufficient sized breakfast for any little girl. It's actually more than what Christian and Carson will eat. Not 15 minutes after I am finished cleaning up the kitchen and I have gone to another room, Ella will come into the kitchen open the pantry and stand there eating dry cereal! She says she is hungry. I think not!

Other issues...when I am home she closes the door to sleep, but when Jim is home she screams until he leaves it open - this is called getting over on papa or having papa wrapped around your little finger! She will not stay in time out which is sitting on her bed without toys. No, she finds her way quietly into my bathroom and goes through all the lotions, perfumes, and my expensive make-up until they are destroyed. I have tried moving her to a time out some where closer to me but then she wants and tries to carry on a conversation. Then there is the if I have said no r not to do something she will go seek out papa or Patrick....or the reverse.

Overall, she has adjusted beautifully and had bonded and blended right into her family and to the United States. She has picked up the English language wonderfully and is now picking up Spanish all while retaining her Russian (understanding but not speaking). I am sure these things I have mentioned are minor in comparison to other issues other adoptive families are experience, but they are big for us.