Just for Fun

Borscht!

I loved the Borscht in Russia. I ate it twice in our favorite cafe on the first floor of our apartment. Our facilitator told me it is very easy to make and basically how to make it. So, last night I made Borscht for dinner!

The kids were a little skeptical at first, but they all liked it. Their least favorite part was the cabbage, but they each enjoyed the beets - much to my surprise.

Zeb thought it was wonderful. We're pretty sure the flavor profile was extremely familiar to him. He ate two bowls full. His, though, was blended since he still doesn't really know how to chew properly.

Scarfing it down:

Borscht covered face:

Here is the recipe that I used. I didn't use the beef broth, just water. I think it may need maybe half broth, half water just for added flavor, but all broth would be way to high in sodium for my taste.

It was very simple to prepare. I will definitely be making it again.

Mike even gave me a high five for a well prepared, delicious Russian dinner.

Aren't you proud of me Marina?

It IS a rescue!

So many people wonder WHY anyone would want to adopt a special needs child.

WHY would anyone fundraise to bring a child into their family that might be a burden?

WHY would anyone travel to the other side of the world to adopt a child who may not ever leave their home?

WHY?????

Here's the current stats of a beautiful little girl who is being rescued.

And, yes, it IS a rescue. There is no other word for it.

Katie is 9 1/2 years old. YEARS, not months. Her parents will be bringing her home , by the grace of God, this weekend. They expect to take her directly from the plane to the hospital.

Her stats:

Weight – 10 pounds, 9 ounces

Length – 29 inches

Head circumference – 16 3/4 inches

Waist – 12 inches

Leg, hip to heel – 12 inches

Foot – almost 4 inches

Upper thigh circumference – 5 inches

Ankle circumference – 3 inches

Arm, shoulder to fingertip – 10 inches

Upper arm circumference – 3 1/4 inches

Wrist circumference – 2 3/4 inches

Reading that just now was the only reminder I needed to beg again for the children on the other side of the world that I love.

They all need families.

They all DESERVE families.

Please visit Reece's Rainbow and find out how you can help RESCUE a child.

These precious blessings are still waiting:

Tyler: 12 years old

Marcus: 8 years old

Bridget: 5 years old

Langley: 4 years old

You can get to any of these children's information through the links on their pictures on the left side of my blog.

Please, also, pray for Katie.

The Gift of Vision

(the brown frames were temporary until the gray ones came in)

Ok, thanks to a couple of nice people who pointed out how long it has been since I posted anything here, I decided to come back and update you. So much has been going on that I haven't had time to post. Not to mention, I keep wearing myself out and ending up sick. But, I'm on the mend now and ready to share our little Zeb with you again.

Zeb got his glasses a couple of weeks ago. The change wasn't instantaneous, but very noticeable nontheless. He did NOT want to keep his glasses on the first few days. It was a constant battle. Literally, every few minutes you would hear, "Zeb, where are your glasses?" "Zeb, you have to keep your glasses on!" "Zeb, don't take your glasses off!" It was challenging. But between Ainsley, Max, Lillian and me, we persevered and now we don't have to fight him about his glasses. In his own (nonverbal) way, he asks for them when he wakes up. Although, he still doesn't like to wear them in the car and we also have to wash them about forty times a day. Oh well. It'll get better eventually. Right?

The most obvious change since getting the glasses is his walking. Zeb has almost quit crawling completely. He is still pretty unsteady, but he stays on his feet. He is not a quitter. No matter how many times he falls down, he will always stand back up and walk some more.

Less obvious, but still definite changes are sitting still for Signing Time and actually looking at books.

Five more weeks until his evaluation with the Neurodevelopmentalist. I'm counting down the days!