So today we took the kids to gymnastics (their last day) and then I introduced Oksana to the wonder that is the Loganville WalMart. She took the cart from me right away and pushed it all around the store. It was weird not having to push it, but since she wanted to, I let her and tried to enjoy it. I had to walk ahead of her, so I couldn’t see her reaction to what she saw. We just grabbed a few things, and then I had her try on some tennis shoes. I let her pick which ones she liked out of a couple that fit and got her some socks since she came with only one pair. I tried to find checkers, but they were no where to be found.

Later, we went and watched the kids demonstrate what they learned at “gymnastics camp school” as Jadyn calls it. My mom, sister Kate and brother Wesley were all there, so they got to meet Oksana. Then it was home for lunch (which O ate, but I’m pretty sure she disliked….) and rest time. No one except Hadley slept, and then we went to CFA for ice cream.

On a side note, my mom sent a link to Google translator. I type in English and then it translates it into Ukrainian. I am saving this for when I need to ask her something very important or specific or explain something. It’s one sided, since she cannot type a response, but it has been a huge help. Earlier I explained that tomorrow we would go on a picnic and meet up with her friends that she came with. Then I made sure she liked ice cream. This got a big smile and head nod.

We went to McD’s first, but their ice cream machine was out, so we left and went to CFA. The cow-man wasn’t out there, but if he was, I’m pretty sure we would have had to take O’s pic with him. A super nice young man from our church was there working, and he gave us all our ice cream for free. He’s nameless, b/c I would hate to get him in trouble, but it made my afternoon, for certain. so THANK YOU!

We went after that to p/u some clothes and a checkers game from another friend. SHe managed all day not to throw up, although the last drive made her woozey. She flopped on the couch when we got home. Gabe got home and he had stopped at a craft store to get a cross stitch kit (WM didn’t have those either. Boo) He gave it to Oksana and she was incredibly happy. She light up and took it from him and had the biggest smile I’ve seen. Then she ran to her room yelling “Tank you” over her shoulder. She got right to work on it. In fact, after dinner was ready, we had to tell her 3 times to come eat. As soon as dinner was over she ran back to sew some more. She did finally put it down, and I got out the checkers and we played 2 games. (The 3 little kids were in bed at this point) She kicked my tail. Bad. Really bad. The last game she had all my pieces and I only had ONE of hers. She laughed and laughed. Then she played Gabe and beat him too, which was more of an accomplishment than beating me. Then she collapsed into bed.

Tomorrow will be long and hot with a 3 hr round trip car ride. Mom got her some chewable motion sickness stuff, so we’ll see. But say a prayer. Or two.

~Kim

Oksana & Hadley