tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53683240049532770952023-11-16T08:35:06.959-08:00Blessed By My BrothersRescue those who are being dragged to death, and from those tottering to execution withdraw not. If you say, "I know not this man!" does not he who tests hearts perceive it? He who guards your life knows it, and he will repay each one according to his deeds.
~Proverbs 24:11-12~Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-11456142146238312152011-09-30T10:47:00.000-07:002011-09-30T11:01:38.717-07:00If anyone reads this...If you read this blog, please pray for me. I'm pretty stressed out. Also, if you or someone you know needs prayers, please let me know. I'll be more than happy to pray for those intentions. PLEASE invite your friends to my blog. The more the merrier :)<div><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></div><div> <img src="http://www.valleyviewbaptist.com/clientimages/38487/prayer.jpg" id="il_fi" height="331" width="390" style="padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; " /></div>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15442788074274178282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-40639647009031588382011-09-26T10:45:00.000-07:002011-09-26T16:05:07.147-07:00Haunted<div style="text-align: center;">I'm in study hall right now. I can't concentrate on schoolwork. That's because I can't keep my mind off those little faces. The memories of that orphanage are haunting me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet little Anya. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/annemarieukaine20101.jpg" style="" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alexander.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Kory."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The children whose names few know, whose mere existence few will ever know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON?</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can only do so much. "You are right where God wants you to be." Yeah, I get all that. All I want to do right now is be with those children. I want to hold their hands, hug them, kiss them, hold them. <i>I don't even know that they are still alive</i>. I can't even begin to pretend I never met them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">CHILDREN ARE DYING.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What am I to do? I've been praying and will continue to do so.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">WHAT WILL YOU DO?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15442788074274178282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-58896805506452285092011-09-21T14:34:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:56:57.244-07:00Please keep me in your prayers...<div style="text-align: center;">Hello everybody! I've decided to take time out of my schedule to post an update for you all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Summer was great, you can look on my mom's blog for more about that. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">School is... school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What's been on my mind recently is how much I still miss those sweet little children, those that I met over a year ago on the other side of the globe. I wish I would have done more for them, and I am convinced that I could have. I had the chance to put even a little joy into those children's lives, and I wasted it. I know now that there is more to life, a greater reality, and I cannot go back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One thing I really want right now....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">is a sister.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just any sister, one of <i>those</i> little girls.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As happy as I am for other families who are adopting, there is still a part of me that breaks, like a recurring wound. </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, God put me right here right now for a reason- but why am does my heart ache like this? I've been praying and will not give that up, but what more am I to do? I just want to spend my life in the presence of the fatherless, to love those who have been so deprived of it and need it the most.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please keep me in your prayers.</div>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-91563743184194434972011-09-02T19:53:00.000-07:002011-09-02T19:53:49.810-07:00Just ONE more 4 us!?: Does it Matter?<a href="http://justonemore4us.blogspot.com/2011/09/does-it-matter.html?spref=bl">Just ONE more 4 us!?: Does it Matter?</a>: I have heard from an adopting family they never had to "giveaway" anything to raise money for their adoption. That people just donated. So...Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15442788074274178282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-70198953912047449532011-01-29T11:09:00.000-08:002011-01-29T11:35:14.931-08:00I'm still here!Hey everyone! I know I haven't posted anything since November, and I have several ideas for my next post(s). Final (exam)s took place last week, so we just started our second semester. Apparently it's never too early to assign homework.<br /><br />Here's a preview for my upcoming posts:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My experience: memories, reflection, i</span><span style="font-style: italic;">nspiration,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> action, healing... I want to learn more about that <a href="http://ready4ross.blogspot.com/2011/01/ukraine-orphan-trip-2004.html">video</a> Mom has on her blog!</span><br /><br />and...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My dream, heavenly consolation and comfort</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rosaryhouse.com/images/Prayer%20in%20Honor%20Divine%20Providence.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 184px;" src="http://www.rosaryhouse.com/images/Prayer%20in%20Honor%20Divine%20Providence.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now let's see if I can get that homework finished before Monday!<br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Gretchen/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-12.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Gretchen/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-13.png" alt="" />Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15442788074274178282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-84197240377740297852010-11-03T14:43:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:22:02.199-07:00Anya<div>Since the day that I found out that <a href="http://ready4ross.blogspot.com/2010/10/heartbroken.html">Anya</a> passed away, I've wanted to post some sort of tribute to her. With school, though, I obviously haven't had much time for blogging. Monday evening, I was working on my homework (really?!) and looking for music to listen to (other than the usual iPod routine) and came across this video. This says SO much of what I was reflecting on after Anya's death. If you knew Anya, or even anything about her, I don't see how you couldn't cry while listening to this song. PLEASE let yourself cry! Mom used to say that when you cry it's harder to think straight (straight? straightly?!), but again, I know more than her about something :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh my gosh. I just appreciated something new about homework... or should I thank my procrastination? or perseverance... Wow. Deep.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Anyways... </i>I don't think you can watch this on my blog, but I know you can find it on YouTube. If the video doesn't work, try <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_WynYBz-Ao">this</a> link.<i> Thank you</i> Matthew West!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_WynYBz-Ao?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_WynYBz-Ao?fs=1&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-3055043599314343802010-09-12T11:31:00.001-07:002010-09-12T11:31:24.644-07:00Stas's OrphanageNot a day has gone by without me longing to be with them.<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=beb804b1f978dad19e4bb9" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="600" height="526" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=beb804b1f978dad19e4bb9&skin_id=601&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:600px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-71562544189846015262010-08-26T12:09:00.000-07:002010-09-02T13:21:42.064-07:00Prayers, pleaseSome days it seems like Ricky won't speak in sentences for years, if ever. Today is one of those days. The ASL is such a blessing (Thank you, <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/">Signing Time</a>!), but he still only signs one or two words at a time. Otherwise, he is doing very well.<br /><br /> Stas will have tubes put in his ears sometime next month. He may be able to hear after the procedure, but there is still a chance that it will not improve much. It's funny how this all works. You welcome someone into your family, knowing that they will have special needs. You don't know how significant those needs will be, but you happily welcome them into your life. How, then are these things (Ricky's trouble talking, Stas's lack of hearing) so disappointing?Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-43396152174899567072010-08-22T11:52:00.000-07:002010-08-22T12:49:00.380-07:00Stas's GlassesWe've finally decided on a pair of glasses for Stas! Mom (still) has to order them, and we will have to wait about 2 weeks after she finally does. We've chosen the- Ha! I'm not telling you yet ;) Maybe I would, except that... "<em>you know who</em> with 51 followers"(I might have to work on passing her up somehow) would not be too happy. Looks like everyone will have to guess* (for now)!<br /><br /><br />Is it:<br /><br /><br />A.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lGefkhebCCfEJ_Ki22Q9hJBLVNHHuPAGW4SbvyZ-Wq6ahWrKRDpym2nNk7kzGXo-zqPxqY-NHfWEtpdpes_bRMFsCpSO-cW9s_UrX0tQ6H085ljvVL-pY3c36-sowFosu64U_ryXidOP/s1600/glasses+Ricky+blue+round.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lGefkhebCCfEJ_Ki22Q9hJBLVNHHuPAGW4SbvyZ-Wq6ahWrKRDpym2nNk7kzGXo-zqPxqY-NHfWEtpdpes_bRMFsCpSO-cW9s_UrX0tQ6H085ljvVL-pY3c36-sowFosu64U_ryXidOP/s1600/glasses+Ricky+blue+round.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />B.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCszwELSP5kZaSdRNMiF0GgZAZavnJhilnyfub_ReSDG598rohw0wTvPhlFfpp44Hqqm-jM9Kx-Nfuoshv76wRpSHE1eU_s9d4SLmnj_sN8Yb1p7-uaA-9hTTnAR6_c6JKFAlULskVEOuD/s1600/glasses+green.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCszwELSP5kZaSdRNMiF0GgZAZavnJhilnyfub_ReSDG598rohw0wTvPhlFfpp44Hqqm-jM9Kx-Nfuoshv76wRpSHE1eU_s9d4SLmnj_sN8Yb1p7-uaA-9hTTnAR6_c6JKFAlULskVEOuD/s1600/glasses+green.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />C.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDIOT4Nl4XBhL1iUc8sEizv86PMczQ4L6nicaf38ayqtIc5Gbud_1u-PHXjpg4MWqdFpO2wWUeJcnv6opMFNIsus1e7SNUD_DBuIuhrOsPSCunzNiPEiN05MRTVahpE3cr94ymv7iZiCD/s1600/glasses+bright+blue+rect.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 102px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDIOT4Nl4XBhL1iUc8sEizv86PMczQ4L6nicaf38ayqtIc5Gbud_1u-PHXjpg4MWqdFpO2wWUeJcnv6opMFNIsus1e7SNUD_DBuIuhrOsPSCunzNiPEiN05MRTVahpE3cr94ymv7iZiCD/s1600/glasses+bright+blue+rect.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>or D?</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiQDjJfnxDlottoufgfwVniH5CTqYMwWLYGkSxC2zXuSypMQcdZ8PKU2Dib8rA9gC43WVFYjeOQYHJVSCN3l8FhvYpU_JwCcR8TCmgrQqkI_zRxb0VRQY-myzZMzWctbANCnU5EmSU24f/s1600/glasses+blue+round.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiQDjJfnxDlottoufgfwVniH5CTqYMwWLYGkSxC2zXuSypMQcdZ8PKU2Dib8rA9gC43WVFYjeOQYHJVSCN3l8FhvYpU_JwCcR8TCmgrQqkI_zRxb0VRQY-myzZMzWctbANCnU5EmSU24f/s1600/glasses+blue+round.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">*Unwritten guesses will not be accepted :)</span></div>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-74912599672724801902010-08-16T08:50:00.000-07:002010-08-20T13:55:33.772-07:00Quick UpdateOkay, so you've probably learned from "Ready for Ross" that we are now on vacation in Keystone, Colorado. We are renting a friend's cabin in the Rockies. Unfortunately, I forgot to pack my camera, so photos are limited.<br /><br />We've gone for a few walks and hikes in the surrounding mountains. We've enjoyed "panning" for gold in a nearby river/stream. We have found TONS of fools' gold, but we think Jimmy may have found a small piece of real gold. On Monday, Mom took all of the kids except for Ricky and Stas horseback riding. Dad took us whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River on Tuesday. Our whole family went biking down a mountain path for a few hours on Wednesday, and we visited some friends for a little while afterward. The boys left to go fly fishing early this morning, and the rest of us walked over to the little shops down the road. We ended up watching a 45 minute <span style="font-style: italic;">Rapunzel </span>play.<br /><br />We will leave for home early tomorrow morning. *sigh*<br /><br />Here are some random pictures from the trip:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLYhLUN6u8NHqoNTqzXGLJilIsbEJ0gWLyI4tussqBtFHJ0wcHgeTc_dqTBFEAvEOeK2qtbktSWD3YFdXoLUf-HG4MOYwPeP4hecE6WSfm7-ZvyxWxsh7ur3MeM3oRwKlTrkK87LJ6Xw/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLYhLUN6u8NHqoNTqzXGLJilIsbEJ0gWLyI4tussqBtFHJ0wcHgeTc_dqTBFEAvEOeK2qtbktSWD3YFdXoLUf-HG4MOYwPeP4hecE6WSfm7-ZvyxWxsh7ur3MeM3oRwKlTrkK87LJ6Xw/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507590675957434322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYGbpSu-epz021VUp_4W17fcQT5MvMl3LMC-_hBmrpxj92I9mMx66AsjlEqXIfIs5NNF4Jw7j0YHRG1v-x9cKN5KluEFcZvvR9348AMy8wtaXKbaQniYQYUFT6WgrjKI_jM-Ll27pWIE/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYGbpSu-epz021VUp_4W17fcQT5MvMl3LMC-_hBmrpxj92I9mMx66AsjlEqXIfIs5NNF4Jw7j0YHRG1v-x9cKN5KluEFcZvvR9348AMy8wtaXKbaQniYQYUFT6WgrjKI_jM-Ll27pWIE/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507591552252394434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woo_grom1nKk1YA8u_bAkF21jMJU6fCW3zkfH0MJyzcd0kQth1glu_iRKw1_RSOtUvFv66cC4_z7-WxMht7W0f7ojCiYRDuv3X5c0fhE-ZUUfR8uKGZcjM4ZorY3tRV1XEpdJjdL3Pk/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woo_grom1nKk1YA8u_bAkF21jMJU6fCW3zkfH0MJyzcd0kQth1glu_iRKw1_RSOtUvFv66cC4_z7-WxMht7W0f7ojCiYRDuv3X5c0fhE-ZUUfR8uKGZcjM4ZorY3tRV1XEpdJjdL3Pk/s320/IMG_2493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507592149800963874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD_LnfQGbOF6qS9b_imPyDKhGMpMycvBnYBArf1V1Ka7DhVh4vDa33LXQ1j6PYfxAdsk8ndOSC9Ox8zcSm-gAfpAfHDc6r-0VIaOLNna777hPfS0maOdpSIF7X22kXcN9MgU2XvIIABQ/s1600/IMG_2499.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD_LnfQGbOF6qS9b_imPyDKhGMpMycvBnYBArf1V1Ka7DhVh4vDa33LXQ1j6PYfxAdsk8ndOSC9Ox8zcSm-gAfpAfHDc6r-0VIaOLNna777hPfS0maOdpSIF7X22kXcN9MgU2XvIIABQ/s320/IMG_2499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507592842720699106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ibzwmTOKIGFLvptSxCRwp2E4DXXuQQuqhMVzVeoatymS_bEtyTff86ys3EbkftI-REIeCNDSBJswoROmyzy6oNCKy4PekWBymMdWqH1K23ATiJWDM_aaIT6NWFR8O1SfV_7aBPH_afM/s1600/Ricky+and+Stas+in+stroller.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ibzwmTOKIGFLvptSxCRwp2E4DXXuQQuqhMVzVeoatymS_bEtyTff86ys3EbkftI-REIeCNDSBJswoROmyzy6oNCKy4PekWBymMdWqH1K23ATiJWDM_aaIT6NWFR8O1SfV_7aBPH_afM/s320/Ricky+and+Stas+in+stroller.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507594276876843634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s6Aut7kHpmmkKK_g7EVTwRYw8Aa0_yPJ4CEalD1sA2wwYfZp6G8JPZMOAE1z6e7Qt9ObY5hRhgR7Bdu6M_f6702VZKa4qU1JVech6KRvObtQ0Bf7JkGYYz3ZIpMAmB6Q571dQYdczVA/s1600/IMG_2544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDHRThHX0lwXQrj9-yd2EIxGGs0SiaYeCtPjjey3Gr_P-rEJ8xlEKQEOZB0_n4jqRiElmKzPRpPaIRKxM-u1ZpKFJrrQhyHdR0WtDN7M0dgpCH7cG31321-SQnHh3cJ0i9hvEOkMvgCs/s320/IMG_2536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507596695292838034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSR6uURoTLbqNHAVWlyJ9guSFcdJzrxsF7NZCGOMd4N7tccLORsUuT3bNEMQfluEnaE_0L72THvjtX7ZwemXvZZWg9VZltEpK41bd3DrJGLsqteQEStmmJBbeBqmETTexeYyHobCefLY/s1600/IMG_2535.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSR6uURoTLbqNHAVWlyJ9guSFcdJzrxsF7NZCGOMd4N7tccLORsUuT3bNEMQfluEnaE_0L72THvjtX7ZwemXvZZWg9VZltEpK41bd3DrJGLsqteQEStmmJBbeBqmETTexeYyHobCefLY/s320/IMG_2535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507598531683599778" border="0" /></a>Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-18630773850426453502010-08-10T12:22:00.001-07:002010-08-16T09:25:49.837-07:00Bound to Be BittenStas loves to BITE! He hardly ever means to actually hurt anyone. It's more of a sensory thing. I wouldn't mind it so much except that he's still got those piranha teeth! And yes, he is getting stronger- I almost hesitate to practice jaw strengthening exercises with him :)<br /><br />He not only tests toys or other nonliving things with his chompers. His favorite is...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBM6SuYiQL4DEZA4-JRogEK4YCKcd0BaL_dBqEb9zYViuigRQ52Xw9rPZIX7VeU7T4tP4aqdRQFRArDwYAm7b6REmcDLaTlFn4GjVHhwsGpmBc-Q6es4q62lQdlXUS6s-oFVEY3zgQd4/s1600/IMG_2392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBM6SuYiQL4DEZA4-JRogEK4YCKcd0BaL_dBqEb9zYViuigRQ52Xw9rPZIX7VeU7T4tP4aqdRQFRArDwYAm7b6REmcDLaTlFn4GjVHhwsGpmBc-Q6es4q62lQdlXUS6s-oFVEY3zgQd4/s320/IMG_2392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506044640805074482" /></a><br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse9_Q5U-_F8Fp5qUJNE0-dvcvvbJK3ML8LXJ29SJ2IO3c_HhjpSIZtLGpQI8t_sQs6EE_04kT9T8S0-9oOfmXur4c40Cni3qqP6s-T9Kpcc53BKDZbnoQbHvhBoXSVzpPu3Ix8ctuwEA/s1600/P1010136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse9_Q5U-_F8Fp5qUJNE0-dvcvvbJK3ML8LXJ29SJ2IO3c_HhjpSIZtLGpQI8t_sQs6EE_04kT9T8S0-9oOfmXur4c40Cni3qqP6s-T9Kpcc53BKDZbnoQbHvhBoXSVzpPu3Ix8ctuwEA/s320/P1010136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503886601887676226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIlVfe-jNzFjbu2uCLkDptJixc6AFEv1J0G-RsVx_rUUIAVcB-DOT1jFjK8qTHxvDcP01kUJmcIoXEDas8c09F1MV3dROUqPYF-dqJ9SuIWV3935Rl-XJbeB-8d8BrpUOb_tpNc39zKA/s1600/P1010165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIlVfe-jNzFjbu2uCLkDptJixc6AFEv1J0G-RsVx_rUUIAVcB-DOT1jFjK8qTHxvDcP01kUJmcIoXEDas8c09F1MV3dROUqPYF-dqJ9SuIWV3935Rl-XJbeB-8d8BrpUOb_tpNc39zKA/s320/P1010165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503886596321891218" /></a> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Feet!!!</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />You have to watch your feet whenever Stas can get to you- Whether you're on a couch, on a stool, or Ricky with feet dangling from a highchair... learned that the hard way! :OLizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-50927228231073978702010-07-10T16:59:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:19:35.956-07:00Ukraine #1The first time I met Stas...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r_SmeyX9p3k8zLgw0Hq8CK1c4sHIuxz6bCyszq5ZbYwetIvGGgeo32TvZSr1NY2nAfFhAvARwbmtudqu0vtHW7ErC9JmkfgMcX9xjJp2CHwL6-wxX1TYWxEwuVQ_rAGxyitCF84AqTE/s1600/2010-06-181.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r_SmeyX9p3k8zLgw0Hq8CK1c4sHIuxz6bCyszq5ZbYwetIvGGgeo32TvZSr1NY2nAfFhAvARwbmtudqu0vtHW7ErC9JmkfgMcX9xjJp2CHwL6-wxX1TYWxEwuVQ_rAGxyitCF84AqTE/s400/2010-06-181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507263845579473330" border="0" /></a>When I first started planning on what to write on this blog, I expected to share my many encounters with Ukrainian culture: "squat/Turkish toilets," the variety of foods, generous hosts and hostesses, my unforgettable experience with poor quality tap water, train rides, air travel, souvenirs, Russian and Ukrainian languages, etc. Most importantly, though, I was meeting my "soon to be little brother." But today I'm going to write about more important things- things that I hope to always remember, and the things that I will remember, that I selfishly hope to forget.<br /> When I stepped out of the taxi at Solnishko for the first time, I tried to take in everything about the scenery that I could. I don't remember what the weather was like, where we parked, or the clothes that I was wearing. But I do remember, quite clearly, the sound of children crying through the broken down windows. I'd heard stories about life in these orphanages, and I'd seen many pictures of this one in particular; but that distant world was quickly becoming reality. I subconsciously forced the noise out of my mind, and focus on what I had looked forward to for several months; I was finally about to meet my little brother, and despite our tight schedule that day, I was determined to meet him. I rushed up the stairs with Dad and he (or Mom) rang the doorbell. After a few moments, a woman led us into the humid "locker room," which possessed the distinct smell of dirty diapers, which were rarely changed. As Stas’s favorite caretaker went to take him out of his crib, I looked around the room in front of me. I suddenly remembered the crying that I heard earlier, and saw a few kids crying. One little boy rocked himself and jerked around on the floor. Of course, no one was there to comfort him, and there were many other children to take care of. One child army crawled along the floor; another slumped over in a walker. I started crying when I first saw Stas, and I was overwhelmed when the rest of them looked up at me. They were all miserable, and I knew that they longed for me, but I'd heard about the consequences of visitors making too much contact with the orphans. I felt guilty for only choosing one of the healthiest children in that groupa. As much as I love my brother, my heart aches for those other children who I've met, and I wish I'd done more for them. When you are a 12 hour flight away from a place that you remember so clearly and children such as these, there is only so much you can do when you have left them.<br /><br /><br /><br /> Words cannot describe all of my memories and the feelings that I have for all of those children. They are no longer pictures; they are children. They are lovable, have their own personalities, were abandoned and sent to that horrible orphanage, and face possible death unless they are adopted by a loving family. Many of the children who I met in less than three weeks will not have the opportunity to be adopted. They will be sent to institutions, where there will be little or no hope of them surviving. Few people, if any, will care for them, love them, or treat them anything like the precious gifts that they are. Many sees them as little more than unproductive beings that are a waste of time and valuable resources, a problem to "take care of."<br /><br />Well, now that I'm in a pleasant mood…..<br />I'm going to take a break and visit my cousins... I think they arrived about 20 minutes ago ;)Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368324004953277095.post-6960073965766903192010-07-09T14:02:00.000-07:002010-07-09T14:05:08.255-07:00Still working on it...Tips and writing ideas welcome!Lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03973775963616144288noreply@blogger.com3