bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: March 2008
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Thursday, March 27, 2008. Rachel started gymnastics a couple weeks ago, and she loves it! She also started ballroom dancing lessons! Our local “Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance Studio” has a spring session for 4th-graders at our elementary school, and Rachel is a natural! Ballroom Dance is my weakness – I used to dance back in Ukraine, and Alex took several years of Ballroom Dancing as well, so my goal now is to find partners for both girls and start the formal lessons ASAP :). Of course her happiness! She...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: First Mother’s Day with Rachel!
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008. First Mother’s Day with Rachel! About a month ago Rachel started giving me some hints about a special gift for me :) Something like this: “Mama, I’m making something for you, but I won’t tell you.” It was very cute! Then the last week or so both girls were very mysterious and tried to cover their art projects when I was nearby :) And finally on Mother’s Day I’ve got gifts from all 3 kids, and it was a VERY special day. May 13, 2008 at 3:22 PM. May 13, 2008 at 4:31 PM. Our lilacs ha...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: Pen Pals
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008. While preparing for our trip to Ukraine, I virtually "met" Kelly. Kelly and her husband came home with 2 kids – a 10-year daughter Diana and a 4-year old son Will, and now Rachel and Diana are pen pals! But I think it’s a great idea to exchange real letters, and Rachel thinks so too! What else is new? A couple of days ago we celebrated 3 months since Rachel came home. And you know what? We also went to the circus – the Damascus Shrine Circus was in town. Though Rachel...Another...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: October 2007
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007. The Order of Toasts and 19 days to go. After I wrote about the customs and superstitions last week, my friend Kelly asked me to write about the order of toasts for gatherings. The following is Odessa's version, so it can be totally different in other parts of Ukraine :). Rule #1 - don't drink without toasting! You can be considered an alcoholic! The first toast is always for the occasion. If it's a birthday party - drink for the person whose birthday is celebrated. On the adopt...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: April 2008
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008. While preparing for our trip to Ukraine, I virtually "met" Kelly. Kelly and her husband came home with 2 kids – a 10-year daughter Diana and a 4-year old son Will, and now Rachel and Diana are pen pals! But I think it’s a great idea to exchange real letters, and Rachel thinks so too! What else is new? A couple of days ago we celebrated 3 months since Rachel came home. And you know what? We also went to the circus – the Damascus Shrine Circus was in town. Though Rachel...Another...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: August 2007
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Wednesday, August 29, 2007. Day 21 - no date yet. We don't have a travel date yet, but I didn't really expect to hear anything this week. I heard from my facilitator today, he told me the invitations are issued by SDA on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yesterday they were announcing the dates for the dossiers that were submitted up to July 14th (we were submitted on the 30th). So my online friends who were submitted on the 16th should hear something really soon! On Labor Day (! And Oleg and I had a great time:.
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: September 2007
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Tuesday, September 25, 2007. All kidding aside, the packing list is a big deal in our family :) I know I need to pack light. But how light? Here is a list of things I compiled from reading various blogs and boards:. Travel pack of toilet paper (some public restrooms in Ukraine don't have TP). A small bottle of antibacterial soap (for example, Purell). Ziploc bags (a lot of people say it's a life saver). Grocery bags (the supermarkets in Ukraine don't give out grocery bags). The list goes on and on and on...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: May 2008
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Thursday, May 22, 2008. We finally had our family pictures taken! My friend and co-worker Teri came over to our house to shoot our first ever professional pictures as a family of 5! She did an amazing job, and we spent all weekend trying to choose the best ones out of 140 images she took! Teri, thank you VERY MUCH! And this Saturday we are leaving for a much needed weeklong vacation to Cancun! Tuesday, May 13, 2008. First Mother’s Day with Rachel! Wednesday, May 7, 2008. After the crazy week of mid-80s a...
bringingraisahome.blogspot.com
Bringing Raisa Home: December 2007
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Monday, December 24, 2007. Planning a trip back. I was really hoping to come back to Odessa when the passport is ready, pick up Raya, go to Kiev, get the visa and fly home, all in less than one week. What a wishful thinking! Apparently, it's not going to happen :( I didn't think we'll have a problem getting a birth certificate - I haven't read one adoption blog yet with the birth certificate problem! Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Happy 5th Birthday, Victoria! Our youngest daughter turns 5 today! It feels l...