1 Day from 2 Months

I cannot believe that it has been two months since we have been home with the kids. It really feels as if they have been with us forever. Like they were our children from birth but they just got lost for awhile!! These kids are amazing!!! They are adapting to school, church and family life. We have had battles and times when I want to pull my hair out but then things happen that uplift me and give me strengh. God shows me why we are doing this everyday. A few nights ago I looked out the window of our home after a pretty stressful day, to see my husband teaching our new son how to play baseball. It then occurred to me that Jayse would never had that experience or a father to call his own both earthy and spiritually, if we would have not listened to our calling. We are blessed, and will continue to be blessed as long as we live on this earth for God and listen when He speaks.

God Bless you All!! Todd & Lori

Back to work

This was my first full week back to work since bringing the kids home. I took them to morning daycare at the school early thinking it would be confusing for them. When we walked in, they seen a few of there classmates and said "bye mom" so off to work I went. They have been getting up, dressing, and fixing their own breakfast while I get ready for work. So the week went well as far as going back to work but we had a few disciplinary actions take place. Both kids were grounded for the first time. For three consecutive days NO TELEVISION, NO MUSIC AND NO BIKE!! Honestly they took it pretty well and amazingly survived without those things. We had our first death since they came home this week as well. Both kids had rabbits and Jayson forgot to put one back in it's pen so it became a dog toy!!! It was Alison's bunny. Jayse wanted to blame it all on our dog Jack but I told him it was his fault for not putting the rabbit up so he was feeling pretty guilty while watching Ali cry! Today I recieved an email that Jayse was saying no to the teacher repeatedly and refused to do school work so now the grounding will continue for him and we will reward Alison for her good behavior. Sure that is going to go over well. Until next blog...

Here are a few pictures from Easter at the grandparents. They had a blast! Things are going well. It has it's challenges and sometimes you want to scream but when you see the progress the kids make daily it makes all the bad melt away. I know that there has been alot of talk concerning the child that was sent back to Russia. This is a horrible thing to happen because it could hinder the chances of further adoptions in Europe. However, I can also understand how the family felt. After you return home with your child/children it sometimes feels as if you are all alone. If you have difficult situations happen it can really wear you down. We had such a situation last night and I was so upset and worried about the future. But God reminded me that He is with us and will always be with us through this process. What Jesus did for us what not easy either, was it?? These children belong to my Savior and He had entrusted Todd and I to raise them in His name and honor Him always! This is what we will do and when the days are not so sunny we will PRAISE HIM THROUGH THE STORM!

Almost Two Weeks

So many things have happened since my last post but I will just hit on a few of them. First thing is that the kids started school this week. The first full day was Tuesday and I took them and picked them up this day. Wednesday both kids had dental appointments and did not go to school. Jayse had 6 teeth pulled, lots of tears but recovered well. Thursday Jayse was upset that he did not ride the bus to school, so I allowed them to ride it home. Today is Friday and they rode the bus too school and will also ride it home. They both seem to enjoy it! I have had many battles with both Jayse and Ali and I know that there will be tons more. I just want to establish from the beginning that we are their parents and they have to listen to us. Yesterday Ali and I got into a a battle and she is always wanting to win! Obviously she didn't and I have had to teach her that she needs to fear us a little! She cried and said she wanted to go back to Ukraine (I am sure I will hear this again a few times)!! I told her that she is Mommy and Poppy's little girl now and she will only go back to visit Ukraine but not live there. After she through her fit, she cried and hugged me and said she was sorry! So much for them to learn and absorb!! I will say that things are getting easier and we are all adjusting better. God bless to everyone and I will keep you posted! I will try to add pictures this weekend!

Four full days at home!

All is well at the Thomas Household. The kids are adjusting to new rules and surroundings! Alison tried to put a complete sandwich in the toaster, Jayson feels that the dogs should always be in their cages and for some reason shuting doors to the outside world is just not necessary! There have been a few battles and yes (da) I am tired...very tired! We have ventured out several times. Once to church and then to Walmart and for haircuts. Alison was not listening to well in Walmart when I said lets go (pash-le) about a hundred times, so I just left her standing there. Jayson and I went to the car (machina) and unloaded our goods and she still was standing in the store. Five minutes later I sent Jay in after her and when she got to me she gave me a big hug and said sorry. Don't think she will be ignoring "lets go" anymore (lol). The hardest thing right now is not to spoil them and to remember that we are their parents not their best friends. Today we are visiting my parents so that I could use the computer. They are loving thier time with them. Watching movies, snuggling, eating too much candy (all the things they are suppose to do with grandparents)!! I am rejoicing because of the complete silence I have right now. I think I might hide in this room for a few hours (just kidding). Next week will be busy for us! Doctor and Dentist appointments and visit to the school. My plan is to have them stay at the school for a couple of hours each day to get them familiar with their teachers and classmates. I will be driving them to school for awhile and then introduce them to the big yellow bus. I will try to keep you posted through my blog as much as possible, but please feel free to call or stop by and visit whenever you like. God Bless you all! Todd & Lori

Coming Home!!

We are spending our last day in Kyiv with all the other families! We have all successfully completed the process of adoption and will be boarding our plane back home early Friday morning. We have to leave our apartment at 2:45 a.m. and our plane is scheduled to fly out at 5:30 a.m. We will arrive at the Indianapolis Airport with very tired but excited Thomas children at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening. Wow!! I really feel as if I have been in some kind of "out of body" experience since I have been here. As I have said in past blogs, I am positive that God has sent His angels to watch over us during this process. I am more confident than ever that this all was God's Will. At my desk at work I had posted these words: If God brings you to it, He will see you through it!! I will be glad to see all my family and friends at the airport and breath a sigh of relief when we land on American soil! I will never forget where my beautiful children came from and what they have been through in their lives!! Until we see you again, we love you all!!!
Todd & Lori Final post from Ukraine!

Here are the new additions to the Thomas family! Today we were at the orphanage for a very long time. We were dropped off at 12:30 and then we could not get a hold of Natasha to send a taxi. The kids did not eat and there was nobody around to tell them to go eat. I seen several older children outside smoking. We had tons of kids visiting with us today as well. Which was fine but a few of them were getting into our things and once again there was no adult supervision around. We ended up calling another guy named Viktor to call us a taxi. We still have not heard from Natasha and it is 5:00 p.m. Weird!! Today we were able to visit with a boy named Max. For those who know Griffan, it was one of his good friends. We gave him a piece of paper and he wrote Griffan a note! Then Oksana wanted to write him a letter too as well as a letter to Luba that was also adopted and is living in Indiana. Max stayed by our side the whole day wanting hugs and kisses from us. Then he said Alison, Jayson and Max to America!! It is really time for us to go because I am becoming way to attached to the children. I even told Todd I would stay that additional time to bring Oksana or Max or Denise home!! AHHHHHH!! Help!!