Today is a day I did not think would come for a couple of weeks, but thanks to some amazing Oklahoma Hospitality, a lot of water, and one amazing little Ukraine girl it was about as good as it gets. My day started not so smooth with a trip bathing suit shopping for Masha and running out of gas about 1/8 mile from the station, but it was all down hill from there. First we met with our girls Russian tennis coach Marina. I was a little nervous about it due to the fact she is always so stern as a coach. She quickly eased my mind by taking a very relaxed non verbal attitude. It was like sitting next to someone born in Oklahoma speaking Russian to Masha. She helped us get through a good myriad of questions that I believe helped ease all of our minds. It was also the first time we really got to hear Masha's real voice, which was only the beginning today. Next on the list was a trip to a neighbors pool. That was when the day really took off. After a hour at the pool with kids ranging from 1 year to 12 years of age she was all smiles and giggles. We attempted a small swimming lesson, which was to frequently interrupted by all the other kids. Masha, Keira, and I spent most the time playing basketball in the pool. I thought she may just be playing because I kept throwing the ball to her, but when I got out she continued to play on her own. Towards the end of the pool time we broke out the water guns, which started endless amounts of laughing. I was unsure how she would take being squirted in the face, but was put straight as I took several direct hits in the ear hole. I could see the disappointment when we had to leave. My personal favorite moment at the pool is my little Keira swims up to her gives her a big huge and says, "Ya Tebya Lyoo Blyoo." (I Love You for Non Hosting People that Read this) Masha returned it with a big smile, a near tear, and a huge hug. After that moment she has treated Keira like a true big sister, helping with food, adjusting bathing suits, and protecting her at the neighborhood party on the water slide.
I really did not think we could top the first part of the day with the amount of laughter, chatter, and smiles we got, but some how we did. I wish I could say I was part of it, but I have to give credit to an amazing community of neighbors. After swimming we had about a hour down time. That hour gave just enough time for our 11 year old neighbor, Kylie the sweet, to come over and spark a friend ship with Masha. All of sudden she was just another one of the girls in the neighborhood. It felt really good watching her chat via google translate with the other teen girls. The neighborhood party that I was extremely nervous could not have been more perfect. I'm willing to bet she will be sore tomorrow after the number of times she went up and down the massive water slide that was rented for the party. The party also lead to some first for her. Probably the biggest first was eating a hot dog. Everyone brought an All American dish, and she on her own accord tried a lot. In fact she tried enough that I am hoping we do not have an upset stomach in the middle of the night. We are no longer worried about eating. She ate 3 good meals today, and after the party maybe enough calories for the rest of the week.
Not a single concern today other than how can I get her back here for Christmas. With her sweet demeanor I can see her being a permanent fixture in the Atchley house. I really hope she feels the same way. I have felt this good about something 3 times in my life. The first was the night Liz said yes to my proposal and the other two were the birth of my daughters. If this is the only day I get like this out of this 5 weeks it was all worth it to see Masha get to have that much fun. I can not wait for this weekend though. We showed her a picture of the SeaDoo and her eyes lit up like a Christmas Tree. I think today was just a beautiful start to something that will grow into something so much more.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The First Full Day
We had our first full day with Masha. Half of it was spent traveling in a car, but we made the most out of it we could. First hiccup we have had was our inability to guess sizes of clothes before she got here. Even though we purchased all XS and 00 she was too small. So while the girls were at gymnastics tonight we took a shopping trip to the mall. I think her first mall experience was a positive as Liz is an excellent/pro shopper. We ended up with 2 pairs of shorts, one pair of jeans, and just a couple of shirts. She's definitely a teenager as she likes to pick it out herself. I at least give it to her, because she definitely has taste. I feel a little bad as most the day was still traveling around in the car. She did retreat up to the room we have for her for the few moments we were home. I was some what concerned about that until I saw that she drew a heart with our smallest daughter's name in the middle written in perfect English.
Liz did ask her today if she was home sick and she responded with "da." I am hoping after the end of a week or two with us that will fade some. I've been trying to put myself in her shoes all day, and consider how she must be feeling. Foreign place, with foreign food, with foreign language, and a family that is moving 100 miles per hour until bed time. I am sure it is very intimidating. I know I would not thrive in that situation.
I am not really going to post any first day concerns, because I figure it is just an adjustment period. She was very quiet and we got very little English out of her today. I am worried that we do not seem to be able to find anything that she will eat though. She has eaten one pancake and a coke since she has been with us. Liz went to grocery store tonight to hopefully prepare something she will like tomorrow. I think Liz talked to our translator, our tennis coach, and Rach on the phone to get some ideas.
Tomorrow we are going to let everyone sleep in as long as possible. After that we are going to spend most the day at home probably preparing to go to the lake. There will probably be a lot of baking going on in the house. Hopefully Masha will enjoy that with the girls. Our neighborhood is also throwing a welcome to the U.S.A. party tomorrow for her. We had our translator explain that to her, and she appeared to be very excited about the idea of a party.
Again please be thinking about us in your prayers. We are really hoping that through our family we can show her what it is to be loved and wanted. I know 15 years is a long time to not be loved or wanted by a family, but hopefully we have enough in our house to make up for some of it.
Liz did ask her today if she was home sick and she responded with "da." I am hoping after the end of a week or two with us that will fade some. I've been trying to put myself in her shoes all day, and consider how she must be feeling. Foreign place, with foreign food, with foreign language, and a family that is moving 100 miles per hour until bed time. I am sure it is very intimidating. I know I would not thrive in that situation.
I am not really going to post any first day concerns, because I figure it is just an adjustment period. She was very quiet and we got very little English out of her today. I am worried that we do not seem to be able to find anything that she will eat though. She has eaten one pancake and a coke since she has been with us. Liz went to grocery store tonight to hopefully prepare something she will like tomorrow. I think Liz talked to our translator, our tennis coach, and Rach on the phone to get some ideas.
Tomorrow we are going to let everyone sleep in as long as possible. After that we are going to spend most the day at home probably preparing to go to the lake. There will probably be a lot of baking going on in the house. Hopefully Masha will enjoy that with the girls. Our neighborhood is also throwing a welcome to the U.S.A. party tomorrow for her. We had our translator explain that to her, and she appeared to be very excited about the idea of a party.
Again please be thinking about us in your prayers. We are really hoping that through our family we can show her what it is to be loved and wanted. I know 15 years is a long time to not be loved or wanted by a family, but hopefully we have enough in our house to make up for some of it.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
While Everyone is Sleeping
Airport pickup went pretty smooth. All the kids that got off the plane looked exhausted, nervous, and excited all at the same time. They all appeared very sweet and if able to we'd keep them all I'm sure. Masha gave us a huge smile and my girls returned it with a huge hug. She appears to have a very sweet demeanor. First thing she asked to do was take a shower then go to bed. It's all me and Liz can do is sit quietly in our hotel and watch 3 precious little girls sleep. I had little doubt when we signed up to do this that it was the right thing. Now I know for 110% that it was the right thing to do. I felt that it was us providing a gift/opportunity for a child when we started this, but now I think maybe we may be the ones that are going to be blessed by her. I'm pretty sure we will be having a home study as soon as we can get it done now.
Pick Up Day
Well the day is here to pick up Masha. The excitement in the hotel room is almost tangible. We are trying to come up with a plan to keep us busy until she gets here. We have to wait until 8 this evening for her to arrive. Liz has had her earphones in her ears all morning brushing up on Russian. I've just decided to wing it mostly. I got through basic greetings, but that's about it. I figure my non verbal communication skills will be challenged this evening. I haven't had any nervous feelings today. Other than the excitement I'm feeling really calm. Of coarse the calm could be due to the 3000 calories of cinnamon rolls I ate this morning though. I guess my wife's super nesting has paid off for me as well in the calm department.
Liz and I have spent a lot of the morning going over the things we are unsure how to communicate with Masha. Most of it centers around the bathroom. As we are having the discussion, Keira our 5 year old proceeds to go in the bathroom leaving the door wide open to potty. We both laughed thinking one problem solved by the five year old. Now we just have to make sure the door gets closed. I figure Lizzy will have to be leader of most the other discussions. I guess that's one bonus to getting another girl in the house. I've decided my job will be the swimming, bike riding lessons, and all things fun. Never thought I'd be running up and down the street with a 15 year old teaching them how to ride a bike. At least I have all the safety equipment known to man. I'm sure we will be flying by the seat of our pants with just about everything. Some reason I feel that my two little girls are going to make most things much easier. They speak in their own language half the time anyway.
Last, but maybe the most important thing I want to ask all that read this blog is to keep us in your prayers. We are really wanting to make a difference in this litte girls life. If it is just 5 weeks or turns into a lifetime, Liz and I both really hope to show her what it is like to be loved and appreciated like every little girl should be.
Liz and I have spent a lot of the morning going over the things we are unsure how to communicate with Masha. Most of it centers around the bathroom. As we are having the discussion, Keira our 5 year old proceeds to go in the bathroom leaving the door wide open to potty. We both laughed thinking one problem solved by the five year old. Now we just have to make sure the door gets closed. I figure Lizzy will have to be leader of most the other discussions. I guess that's one bonus to getting another girl in the house. I've decided my job will be the swimming, bike riding lessons, and all things fun. Never thought I'd be running up and down the street with a 15 year old teaching them how to ride a bike. At least I have all the safety equipment known to man. I'm sure we will be flying by the seat of our pants with just about everything. Some reason I feel that my two little girls are going to make most things much easier. They speak in their own language half the time anyway.
Last, but maybe the most important thing I want to ask all that read this blog is to keep us in your prayers. We are really wanting to make a difference in this litte girls life. If it is just 5 weeks or turns into a lifetime, Liz and I both really hope to show her what it is like to be loved and appreciated like every little girl should be.
Monday, June 20, 2011
And We're Off
Summer for most families is a time to kick back, relax, and vacation. Not so in the Atchley house. The energizer bunny, my wife Elizabeth, has us off and running at a sprinters pace that Usain Bolt would be impressed by. Quick update to the start of the summer; my off weekends are spent at papa's lake house, Keira makes Level 4 gymnastics team while Carley moves up to Level 5, girls start swimming lessons, Carley makes swim team and wins her very first free style race entered, Liz runs girls all over town like a chicken with her head cut off making the most out of the summer for the girls. Oh, for me it is mostly tons of work and triathlon training when ever I can fit it in.
That is only the beginning of our summer. We are now preparing for our biggest adventure, hosting 15 year old Masha from the Ukraine. It has been quite comical in the house to see the preparation that goes on for just bringing a girl here for 5 weeks. For Lizzy you would think she is about to have another baby. She is in complete nesting mode. She has been on every teen clothing, furniture, and bedding website known to man. I keep having to remind her initially this is only a 5 week hosting program. If I did not, I think the walls would be painted, new Garnet Hill bedding set, furniture, and art to match. She has also memorized an insane amount of the Russian Language that will probably really help get us through the first few days. I have not seen her in this mode and level of excitement since we had the girls. Carley and Keira are just as excited. I do not think there is person they do not tell within the first few minutes of a conversation. Their conversations usually lead to more lengthy conversations with adults about what is actually going on in our house. Our neighborhood has even gotten in on the excitement. At first we were just suppose to have a welcome to the U.S.A. party with the people in our little culda sac, but the party has now turned into a neighborhood wide event. It has gotten so big Liz has asked for our Russian Tennis coach to come by and explain what is going on so Masha does not get terrified of all the crazy Okies. The next week leading up to going to get her looks to be very filled with activity.
My thoughts continue to swing in all directions on our decision to host. I go between positive, nervous, excited, pessimistic, and hopeful. Some days I am living in the day like I should, and have a very positive outlook. Especially if have gotten to spend some quality time with my two little girls. They seem to always improve my mood in a positive way when we speak about Masha. Plus, they tell me daily that I am the best dad ever. I actually get excited when I talk about to family, people at work, or personal friends. Not all share the same view as Liz and I do about it, but I enjoy sharing our adventure. My nervous and pessimistic days mostly come when I think about things in the future. I worry that I will not give her the experience that she needs, that she has to go back to a place were she is not wanted by anyone, that the experience will not be positive for either side, and mostly if we do fall for this little girl how are we going to get her back here so that she can have a real chance in life. I feel the situation is hopeful after spending quality time with Liz, or spending quiet meditation time in prayer by myself or with Carley and Keira before bedtime. Needless to say this summer is going to be a learning experience in the Atchley house. More updates to come after we pick Masha up next week.
That is only the beginning of our summer. We are now preparing for our biggest adventure, hosting 15 year old Masha from the Ukraine. It has been quite comical in the house to see the preparation that goes on for just bringing a girl here for 5 weeks. For Lizzy you would think she is about to have another baby. She is in complete nesting mode. She has been on every teen clothing, furniture, and bedding website known to man. I keep having to remind her initially this is only a 5 week hosting program. If I did not, I think the walls would be painted, new Garnet Hill bedding set, furniture, and art to match. She has also memorized an insane amount of the Russian Language that will probably really help get us through the first few days. I have not seen her in this mode and level of excitement since we had the girls. Carley and Keira are just as excited. I do not think there is person they do not tell within the first few minutes of a conversation. Their conversations usually lead to more lengthy conversations with adults about what is actually going on in our house. Our neighborhood has even gotten in on the excitement. At first we were just suppose to have a welcome to the U.S.A. party with the people in our little culda sac, but the party has now turned into a neighborhood wide event. It has gotten so big Liz has asked for our Russian Tennis coach to come by and explain what is going on so Masha does not get terrified of all the crazy Okies. The next week leading up to going to get her looks to be very filled with activity.
My thoughts continue to swing in all directions on our decision to host. I go between positive, nervous, excited, pessimistic, and hopeful. Some days I am living in the day like I should, and have a very positive outlook. Especially if have gotten to spend some quality time with my two little girls. They seem to always improve my mood in a positive way when we speak about Masha. Plus, they tell me daily that I am the best dad ever. I actually get excited when I talk about to family, people at work, or personal friends. Not all share the same view as Liz and I do about it, but I enjoy sharing our adventure. My nervous and pessimistic days mostly come when I think about things in the future. I worry that I will not give her the experience that she needs, that she has to go back to a place were she is not wanted by anyone, that the experience will not be positive for either side, and mostly if we do fall for this little girl how are we going to get her back here so that she can have a real chance in life. I feel the situation is hopeful after spending quality time with Liz, or spending quiet meditation time in prayer by myself or with Carley and Keira before bedtime. Needless to say this summer is going to be a learning experience in the Atchley house. More updates to come after we pick Masha up next week.
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