I can't believe Olga has been here almost a week already! The time has flown by. We have had a wonderful week and are looking forward to watching her celebrate her first Christmas in America next week.
Olga has been practicing her English speaking skills using the Rosetta Stone set we bought for her. She is doing great with it! I think she was on it a little too long yesterday (3 hours!) as she got a little frustrated with it at the end, but she is excited about using it.
Today we went to the Welcome Party put on by New Horizons for Children. The only kids from her orphanage that are being hosted in this area are younger boys, so she didn't really see anyone she knew or was friends with there. Jeff and I had a chance to mingle with some other families that we met at the airport while we were all waiting for the kids to arrive, so that was nice for us.
Our two younger kids were in school all week so it was good "settling in" time for Olga. They are now out for Christmas break which will be great for us to spend time together as a family. I was able to take Olga to R&M's elementary school to see them during their holiday parties and introduce her to a few people along the way. We've done lots of typical "running around" this week and I'm sure next week will be much of the same. We were able to have lunch with friends and meet my mom (Grandmom) at the mall, which Olga was very excited about. Last night Jeff took O&R and one of R's friends from school and his older sister to play laser tag. They had a *blast* and Olga has a new American friend. I think they are already planning their summer at the pool. :)
America is a completely different culture than what Olga is used to. There are a few girls her age that are very excited to meet her and that just baffles her. I don't think kids in Ukraine want to just be your friend when you've never met them before. I am so happy that she had such a great time with her new friend last night. There is another girl in the neighborhood who goes to the same school that Olga will go to and will even ride the same bus to school. I am hoping to be able to introduce her to that girl very soon. It will be so good for Olga to know a few girls her age before she has to jump into a huge American school!
Olga is very excited to go to church tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it has more to do with seeing her friends she made over the summer than going to hear the word of God, but that is okay for now. Then in the afternoon one of the friends she is so excited to see will be having a birthday party that we get to go to! Olga is really soaking all of this in and is so, so happy to be here.
And that has been our week so far. Nothing too exciting. Just so very happy to have our girl home.
Will update again soon!
S~
I want to see pictures!!!! :)
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