Lots of fun here...

Well, it is Wednesday morning and I'm just getting the girls up. They are staying up and playing every night and sleeping late in the morning. Next week is going to be tough as we are going to be at Vacation Bible school and will have to get up early.

Yesterday Mom, Sarah, Almira and I rode up to Lake D'Arbonne, to my parents' camp. The girls had so much fun. My Dad showed Almira fish that he had caught and she got so excited. She kept making a motion like a fishing pole, I think she really wanted him to take her fishing. He promises he will before long. I then took the girls over to the state park where there is a big nice swimming pool. At first Almira was quite shy and kept her towel on. Of course she has a swimsuit with a tank top and a skirt, but she did not like so many people being there. Sarah and I got in the pool and left her sitting on the side in a chair in the shade. After a little while she finally gave in and came and got in the pool with us. Then she loved it. We played in the pool for about an hour and then headed back to the camp.

After lunch and a nap (for me) Dad took us boat riding. Almira loved it and Dad even let her and Sarah drive the boat. She definitely likes the lake and I think we'll have more fun there this summer. I will post more pictures when I get them downloaded.

I hate to ask this on the blog, but I have Natasha's foot outline and measurements. I'm sorry but for the life of me I can't remember who asked me for these. Can you please e-mail me and let me know who wanted these from the regional and I will mail to you right away?

Also, Boris e-mailed me this morning and sent a letter from Zhenya at the orphanage to Almira. I printed it off and Almira was in her room reading it. She seemed quite excited to hear from her friends. Almira also called Laney last night in California, Jill's daughter and they got to talk for a while. While they were on my cell phone, I had a chance to call my friend Jody and get caught up on her trip to Akkol. I'm so glad she is home safe and sound and I know is ready to get back and pick up Josh, her new son.

That's all for now. I'll update with more pictures later. We're just having a great time.

Good times in Monroe

We had a really good time Almira's first day home on Saturday. The girls slept in and I fixed breakfast, just some fruit and yogurt. We went to the farmers' market and then to the grocery store. Almira got to taste of lots of things and really liked some sausage they were giving samples of. We were grilling last night so we got some and cooked with our hamburgers. After lunch we went to Mom and Dad's and Almira got to see my parents' house. Then we headed out to Doug and Katy's house and she got a tour there. We all ended up outside with the kids playing frisbee.

Sunday morning we took it easy again and I cooked lunch for Mom, Dad, Doug, Katy and the kids. That is the fullest my table has ever been. I think we need to expand. There are now 10 of us. Wow! Almira got her first full southern meal of roast beef, fresh green beans and new potatoes, squash and corn bread. She didn't care much yet for the green beans or corn bread. But I pulled out the potato salad I made last night and that was a hit.

After lunch the girls drew some and just played. Almira motioned to me that she wanted to knit. I didn't have the things to knit or crochet so went headed out to get some. Almira made me a beautiful crocheted doily and brought it to me in Almaty.

We are having such a good time. Tonight my friend in California, Jill, had her daughter call and talk to Almira. They talked for almost an hour in Russian. Jill's daughter Laney was adopted last summer from the Regional orphanage where Almira was. Jill, I hope I got the time right on that. It was so good for Almira to have someone to talk to. I had some questions and some things I needed her to tell Almira and she was able to tell me some things. I think it was really good to hear things from another girl that was adopted not too long ago and has been in the same situation that Almira is in now.

After that the girls got in the hot tub and ate some ice cold watermelon. I just had to send a picture of that. They were so funny. It's like they've been friends forver. I don't know how the communicate, but they talk and play games. Just too much fun.

Kathy