Seven Months as a Family of Seven

Well, the half-year mark passed without fanfare, and without a blogpost - I was just too tired.  We have now been living as a family of seven for SEVEN months, and in general, all is going very well.  Vitalik and Lera are now, in so many ways, just typical American kids.   

The English is coming along wonderfully - we really don't struggle at all to communicate anymore.  We are so blessed to be just living life.  Over the past few months, we have started posting family rules on the white board that sits above our mantle, and keeping track of behavior using a 3-strike system...  anyone earning 3 strikes in a day doesn't get dessert... and we do love our dessert!  We love how this system is firm, but leaves room for grace - which we certainly all need sometimes!  We are working on very typical things like self-control and respect, tidiness and kindness.  We are just very thankful that these are the types of issues we are facing - just normal stuff.  All of our five children take turns bickering and need reminders to take their dishes to the sink and put their dirty clothes in the laundry room instead of on the floor!  Overall thouth, they all seem to feel secure and happy, and we are filled with hope for each of them. 

Last week, Vitalik completed his first official soccer season.  He was fortunate to be placed on a team that was perfect for him.  He played goalie a lot, and scored a few goals as well.  He will play again on the same team in the spring.

Lera continues to enjoy sketching and painting.  She is blossoming in our church family, and is revealing that she may have a real gift for being at ease with people in need of a hug and a smile.  She seems to be particularly popular with the elderly women in our church family, who just think she is so sweet and kind.

Harmony and Grandpa visited during Spencer and Heath's fall track-out. 
We took our gang plus a couple of cousins to a local corn maze and had a great time!

We've been having our season of fall birthdays.  Here, Spencer turns nine.

Harmony visited for 10 days - it was wonderful!  Adam and Eleni came over for Korean food!!  Mmmmm!

V&L on Dress-to-impress day.  Smiling for the camera was just
too much work for Vitalik this early in the morning! ;-)

Vitalik and Mom dancing in the family room. :-)

Lera and Dad - happy at home.

Our silly faces shot at Grandmother's house on Spencer's birthday.

We had the joy of celebrating the homecoming of Christian (Yasha) Hooper - a very special friend from last summer's hosting program.  We are so thankful that he is finally home with his forever family!

Vitalik helped Spencer pose for some slam-dunk photos. 
This picture reveals the true story!