Summertime Growth

Summer is almost over, and its been awhile since I last visited our blog. We have grown together as a family, experienced some high's, and some low's. Despite our erratic summer,  it has been full of growth.  Sasha has grown into a lovely little lady and has made impressive progress. We continued her summertime pre-school placement(Same as last year's summer program) and her development is as others her age.  We have traveled this season to Zions Nat'l park, St. George, and will be going to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho in 2 weeks. 

We had an abrupt encounter with Sashi while in Zion. Out of nowhere she said, "I have a Mama, and she lives in the mountains. She left me." I looked  at Scott with eyes of disbelief. I knew this was coming, but now? luckily we have an excellent psychologist that prepared us for this, but seemed to draw a blank at that exact moment. Scott and I decided to kneel to her level, and take her hands and while speaking softly told her the reason she was with us is that her mama couldn't take care of her, and that she trusted us to do the job. We followed that with a group hug. End of story, moving on. I phoned my psychologist when we returned, and he commended us. We were also told that we have hit a good level of trust.

Sashi has experienced a lot of death this summer that has affected her both indirectly, and directly.  Our pugs passed this summer within 3 months time, unexpectedly.  The first death she was just a little whiny, and had a weird week. The second death hurt her badly. She was close to this pug(Female pug,very nurturing animal). She repeatedly watched a video of this pug recorded on my phone and cried. She still has a hard time dealing with the concept of death, and asks when the pugs are coming back. We tell her that they are in heaven keeping God good company.  

  

Sashi's 5th Birthday

 Sashi's Birthday party

 Zion Nat'l Park @ the Lodge.

 Sasha and Papa Zion

 Zion

 Sassy

 Puppies!

Mama and Sasha out to eat.

We still love being parents, and our family bonds so much stronger as time goes by. I pray to God every day how grateful I am to have her in our lives. I have also prayed for another child. I hope our time comes again. Sashi would make an excellent big sister.

1st Year anniversary

 Meeting for the first time 2/17/11

to: 

 Sashi, it has been a  year now since papa and I have known you. What started as a tough beginning for us all, has blossomed into a strong, and beautiful bond. You are such a adorable and bright little lady.  At the beginning of our relationship, it took you almost 2 weeks to smile at us. This was huge  because it gleamed a bit of hope for potential trust.  This past year you have come out of your shell, and eager to learn the American language. You are miraculous our little one.

Sasha's first American Christmas

 Sasha posing in front of the tree @ the City County Building

 Christmas Eve

 Excited about her new dog and bed that glammy got her.

 Papa and Sasha

 In Heber waiting to get on the North Pole Express.

 Santa  giving Sasha  her own bell on the North Pole Express

 Nana & Sasha Christmas Eve

Great Grandma Palmer in her sweet Christmas Sweater

It has been a fun month of December with starting new family traditions, giving, and learning about the true meaning of Christmas.  We planned a lot of events this month to help her  recognize the spirit of Christmas, and all of it payed off. On the night of Christmas Eve we made peanut butter cookies, and left a plate of them along with one Yablaka(Apple) for St. Nicolai. When Christmas morning approached, I filmed her getting out of bed to following her into the front room to capture her expressions. She was just amazed of what Santa left for her almost to the point that she didn't want to accept the gifts. We had to prompt her to open the rest as she wanted us to have them instead. When all of her presents were unwrapped, she went into her room, grabbed her altoid tin full of Coins, and proceeded to give everyone who was there a quarter. After everything said and done, Sashi told us that she wanted to hug Santa.

 1st Trick or Treat

 Silly with Glammy Glasses and so sophisticated!

Glammy and Sasha 

Sasha and her BFF 

I see you! 

  Sasha and her friend

 Happy 4th Bday friend!

 Sasha carving her 1st pumpkin

 Sasha and completed pumpkins

Halloween was so much fun! Sasha took the tradition and ran with it. She was a little scared at first with all the decorated houses, but finally got in the spirit the night of.  Zelda, the good witch of Halloween visited our house the night of and left her a gift. In exchange for the gift, Sasha left 3/4's of her candy in shoes out for her in hopes that Zelda would pick her. 

    A very sweet sleeping girl with her 2nd momma, Suzie pug.

     We have been very thankful to be a part of Sasha's life, as well as, lucky.   We were told that our adoption was "Model".   There were no problems that we experienced while in Ukraine. I do believe in addition to others, that Sasha was meant to be ours.  

     

As time goes by...

 Brisk Walk @ the Zoo

 Sasha hanging on a elephant trunk 

 Mama and Sasha

 Pretty Princess

 Sasha and her new buddy, Emma

Sasha LOVES water! 

Sasha in a tree house

     Another month has passed since my last post. My time has been spent on this new mom business :) It sure has enlightened my perspective on life. Sasha's progress has astounded me.  In just the 7 months she has been here, Sasha is speaking 4 word sentences, great with numbers, being more aware of what is wrong and right(In small amounts), can direct us to our home while in a neighboring block, on track with her age group, and so much more!   She loves to learn, and again, an intelligent little girl. 

     It is interesting to see and observe the world around her.   Her social interactions with kids foreshadows how we associate with others as adults(I learned this one today). I will spare you the muse.  This is just one of many epiphanies that show themselves in random selection.

  

School Starts!

Sasha & her buddy Corbin @ Wheeler Farm 

 First day of Fall Pre-school

 Her flower "Pretty's"

 1st attempt to ice skate

Tracing ABC's

Sasha had a good week at her new school, and seems to be liking it so far.   I got to co-op for my first time on Thursday, and at the end of class I developed a soft spot  for pre-school teachers.  It also gave me a chance to see where Sasha's learning style is currently.  Sasha is on board with any 4 year old, but her communication continues to delay her.  She understands more than she speaks.  

I am in the process of making her a visual schedule board. I have all the pieces for it, but need to put it together.   My hope is that this will help her communicate and learn on another level. She is also making big strides to learn everything around her. Sasha wants to be a part of everything.  Today, I decided to pull out a worksheet out of one of her workbooks. We are going over just basic primary colors, and matching two objects of the same kind.  She enjoyed them both, but needs a little more help.  I am going to make it a goal to learn, and trace a 3 new letters of the alphabet daily.