Big Brother Noah

Here's Noah being a good big brother.

No Water!!!

We're going on the 6th day with no water or low pressure water! Praise God that today we had enough pressure to do two loads of laundry before the water turned off completely. We found out from the neighbors that something at the bread factory (where we get our water from apparently) broke, so the pressure is really low. When added to the fact that the neighbors across the road are all filling their swimming pools for the summer, there's not enough pressure to get the water to us. I have a desire to go over to one of their houses and ask if I can bathe my newborn in their pool. :) This is life in Ukraine. What can you do?

Put Me in Coach!!!

Nikita went with Andre to help some baseball guys, and he decided that maybe he'd like to play baseball too. So, as of right now he wants to play baseball, soccer and basketball. :) I have a feeling I'm going to be a busy women in the next few years.

PS. Look how tall Nikita is getting!!! He almost has the same size feet as me, and he's in 3rd grade!!! Maybe we should think about football instead!!!

I love my sister!!!

This is my sister, Nicole!!! (And her youngest son, Soren.) I must say, I have always enjoyed my sister. She was always nice to me when I was little. She even played Barbies with me. When I was going through my teenage years, she sympathized with all my dramatic situations. As a college student, she helped me avoid mistakes and taught me to really value that special time in life. As an adult, she's supported me and has become one of my very best friends.

Nicole is always there for me, and she's so sweet and laughs at most of my jokes. She has the best laugh. Throughout this pregnancy, Nicole has given me such encouragement, and even more so at the end. She recently told me that she just can't wait to meet this little guy. It made me realize that I feel the same way. I want to meet him, too. I am still ok with knowing him only from inside me for a few more weeks, being given the chance to rest more and such. But I'm sure whenever the time comes for him to make his appearance in this world, I will be excited!!! So, thank you Nicole, just for being my big sister. I love you!!!

Cosby Show!!!

Ok, so seriously, the Cosby Show really is one of the best shows that has ever been made. Andre and I received the first 2 seasons on DVD, and we both agreed that it's funny, wholesome, and has some really good parenting tips.

One thing I really noticed was that Clare laughs a lot. She has a great sense of humor when it comes to her children and her husband, and she doesn't seem to sweat the small stuff. I really want to adopt more of this mentality. I want to remember that life is too short, to pick my battles, and to love my kids with all that I have inside me. They are growing so fast that it's scary. Nikita is going to be 9 in a few months, and Noah is almost 3 and a half. I don't want to miss anything, AND I want to enjoy it all. :)