Life is Good!

The kids have started their second year of school. Michael is in sixth grade and Elizabeth is in ninth grade. For the first time in their lives they are going to separate schools. Michael is still in middle school and Elizabeth is in high school. So guess what? They both needed cell phones. This is a first for Elizabeth. She now has her own cell phone. She loves her phone. She is very responsible and as the school year has started with lots of homework - there is no one that works as hard as she does. Now, Michael refuses to ride the bus and only wants to ride his bike; rain or shine. Amazingly, Michael never brings home a book. Their progress reports were excellent. They are both doing well in school. We got to go to both of their open houses at school last week. We can't say enough good things about their schools and their teachers. Excellent programs and teachers!

Michael's birthday is coming up. We are going camping. Our weeks are very busy with homework, cooking, and family living and we love every second of it. Elizabeth is learning to drive.....SCARY. Dad has taken on the challenge and Elizabeth is doing pretty good. As a father I only wish they still had cars with bench seats so I could get my darn foot on the brake. Every lesson starts with an apology and a kiss in case Dad goes western.

Michael is playing soccer again. He moved up this year to U14 and the kids are a little bigger, but Michael is holding his own. He gets to play forward this year and he's taken a shot on goal in every game.
Tim

We get together with the adoption group often. The kids always look forward to it! They have made friends at school, but they will always have a special connection with their friends from Ukraine. We had a skating party and a birthday party at the skating rink. The kids love to skate! It's great because it's something they can all do together. We visited Mom and Dad over Labor Day weekend. The kids love to go to Grandma and Grandpa's. They have cousins that live near G & G and they really look forward to seeing them too. It's heartwarming to watch them with their cousins, aunts and uncles, and G & G.

We talk to their brother often. He is doing well. He is continuing to study welding and transportation. He is a very responsible young man and we hope that he can come for a visit again soon.

Sharon