Week 17

September 16

Dear Family,

We hope you are happy and well. So many little things happen throughout the course of the week that I intend to include in this weekly update, and when they happen I’m sure I’ll remember them, but then as soon as I sit down to the computer my mind draws a blank. Let’s see … we went to church today. The primary practiced singing in the sacrament room for our musical number next week … and let’s just say, if it’s not a total disaster, Benj and I will be thrilled. Ella is the only one who stands and sings, while the other children (there really aren’t that many to begin with) run around in circles. 

We had the sister missionaries make invitations for the kids to invite people to church to see them sing, which is good for all involved (though unfortunately the invitations have grammatical errors).

Yesterday was sort of a rainy stay at home day – we went to Bubbles to do laundry but it was so busy (each washer had a line-up at least 3-loads deep!) we had to go back later in the night to do our wash. A good sign for business, and we now know not to wait for the weekend to do our wash. The second iron is running and working, also a huge improvement, and not a moment too soon. For dinner we ordered pizza/pasta delivery – it was efficient and delicious and strangely “western” which was a cool experience (plus, no cooking or clean-up, and much less stressful than eating out).

Friday we went to the ballet as a family which was really fun. We had a box, and the lady who takes the tickets (who thinks Benj walks on water) said she’s going to start reserving the larger box for our growing family … so we’re on the “in” at the opera house. Amazingly it cost less for four tickets in a box to the ballet here than it would for us to all go to a movie in the States.

Thursday a friend, Ira (she’s UA, her husband is from Nebraska - and has been here for 6 years working for Global Farming Solutions, a Swedish based farming group) came over and taught us how to make “Okroshka” – a cold summer soup with dill, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, ham, cucumbers, sour cream, and carbonated whey as the liquid base … it was surprisingly delicious, and it’s always fun to cook something new. I also got my hair cut … 17+ weeks in Ukraine, and my split ends were showing the wear and tear of the journey.

Wednesday we all went to the water park together in the morning – which was of course a blast. Later the girls attended their first dance class. They were cute, and aside from the teacher being a little over-zealous about making them stretch (which they both complained hurt), I think everyone had a good time. We’re going to try it again this week. We also went to the Rainbow play room with Ira (farming husband) and Nadya (solar panel husband) and their kids. We’re inviting both of their families to church this Sunday to see the girls sing … and it would be great if they came with us.

Tuesday we played at the park and then the sister missionaries came over for dinner and to plan the primary singing in sacrament meeting. Monday was our regular grocery/ mall day, and the elder’s came over for dinner and family home evening. That’s sort of the nuts and bolts of our week – nothing too monumental.

A German group offered to buy Bubbles (concept, brand, machines, location) and while we’re not yet ready to sell, it was encouraging to see that we’re on the radar for foreign purchase (which is the end goal). So that is good news … and as I mentioned earlier, the store is busy! Both with individual clients (mostly wealthy locals who drop off their wash) and contract work. Still a few more contracts we’re trying to get before we head back to the States in 4 weeks – and we’re still trying to open up various drop-off/pick-up laundry locations around town. When we think about where we were a year ago with Bubbles and where we are now, we are grateful and amazed at the progress (and hold-ups) we’ve had.

Anne continues to astound us with her imagination, and the passion with which she shares her stories. Yesterday we took a family walk (when the rain stopped) to a bakery for treats, and on the way she stopped and wouldn’t go another step because she needed water. Without any warning the following monologue ensued: “I’m so thirsty! I’m going to die! Do you want me to die? Is that what you all want? If I don’t get some water right now I’m going to go up and live with Heavenly Father and Jesus! Do you want me to leave Earth? To not be a part of this family? Is that what you want? I’m so thirsty! I need water!” 

Fortunately there are little product kiosks at every corner and we were able to quench her thirst in a timely manner. Then this morning, during breakfast she announced that she couldn't go with us to church, she just couldn't!  “Because if I leave there is no one here to take care of my friends and my animals. And Larky (the shark she got for her birthday) will cry! Is that what you want? For Larky and my friends and my animals to cry? And this whole house will be flooded with their tears if I leave! Is that what you want, Daddy? Is it? Our whole house to be flooded? Okay, then, fine, I’ll go to church, but our whole house will be flooded!” Fortunately we came home to a flood-free zone, so Larky and the others managed okay during our absence.

Ella is independent and a great help. More than once this week, she put Anne down for a nap (tells her a story, and tucks her in) while I put Mary down. She can make anything out of yarn, a table and chair for Ashley (her doll) to eat at, complete with fork, knife, and spoon, books, blankets, watches, and anything else she can think of. She’s remarkably good at entertaining herself, continues to ask lots and lots of questions on every topic imaginable, and generally has a logical retort for any and all of Anne’s out-burst. For example, yesterday after Anne said she was dying of thirst, Ella explained to her that you have to go at least three days without water, and she drank out of her sippy-cup just moments before we left the apartment, so she couldn’t possibly be dying just then… and then Ella probably gave a little huff and eye-roll.

Mary has happy moments, which are really happy, each day. She still seems frustrated that we don’t understand her grunts and jiberish as we should … so she often just repeats (ever louder) the same few words she knows communicates meaning … egg, Egg, EGG! Or park, Park, PARK! She loves to kiss the new baby (my belly), sing songs to the baby, and give her hugs. She also loves her own little baby dolls and Minnie Mouse – she does a great job holding them, rocking them, changing their diapers, and singing them songs … getting ready to embrace her new “big sister” roll. Mary loves to sing and dance and never misses an opportunity to do either – fortunately at the ballet we had a box so she had a plenty of space to conduct the orchestra herself, and “feel” the music without disturbing anyone.

We love and miss you, thank you for your love, support, prayers, emails and encouragement, and look forward to seeing you soon!

Love,

Meagan+