Missing In Action

You know it's been a little while since you made a post when you start receiving emails like, "Are you Okay?"  "How are you guys doing?"  "Time for another post."  I honestly did not plan on going this long without posting, it was just at the bottom of my list...which I still haven't reached.  Each time I'd think of writing, I'd look out at my garden...well, more like the weeds I was successfully growing.  Pulling myself away from the never-ending work - both inside and outside - has seemed impossible.  But I have been given a mild reprimand by my love as to the importance of updating everyone - especially family - and letting you know... We are not really missing, just missing in the internet world because of action. :)

What have you been missing?  I'm not sure I can fully update you, but I'll try my best.

My plan was to do a post on the most beautiful time to be in Ukraine - Spring.  Our particular area is not the most beautiful place in the world, but when spring comes around, it is breathtaking.  There are pink cherry blossoms, white apricot and plum blossoms...just about every fruit tree you can imagine lining the village streets with beauty and filling the air with their fragrance.

We enjoyed the light sweater weather for the short time we had it and the kids rolled around in the grass picking dandelions before we tilled up the ground for our garden.

Since then, the weeks have just flown by.  One of the biggest events was Slavic and Olea's wedding.  We did not have a ceremony for them at the church since they have been living together, but we went with them when they signed their papers.  They had asked me to take pictures for them.  I was very disappointed overall with the photos, but it was really neat to be able to tag along and see some of their Ukrainian traditions - like paying for the bride. ;)

Even though we didn't have a ceremony at the church, we did let them have a special meal following the Sunday service.  Olea had asked if I would make the cake (not because anything I had made looked good, she just loved the taste).  So, not only was I a wedding photographer that week, but also a wedding cake maker.  My rosettes were all drooping because of the heat, but I was pretty pleased with it overall.
 

These are a few of my favorites. :)

At home, I have been trying the kids out on different chores.  I came in one morning when Lydia was supposed to be vacuuming...

...she was teaching Daniel how to do it.   Don't know whether to be proud of my little mama taking her younger siblings under her wings or to be upset at her trying to get someone else to do her job. lol

In between everything going on, we managed a trip to the zoo.  Thankfully it wasn't too unbearably hot the day we went.  The kids had so much fun.  Their favorite part though was the park in the middle and the monkey blowing raspberries at them.  He took us by surprise, then the kids started doing it back.

Strawberry season is pretty much all over, but we (especially Anna and I since we did all of the work) were excited over our first strawberries.

The neighbor gave us a bucket of strawberries plus some, but Anna said she could tell which ones were ours because, "Ours taste sweeter."

With everything that has been going on, this pregnancy has gone pretty fast.  Only 4 1/2 weeks until baby Abigail is due.  The kids are very anxious to meet her.  And while I am SO ready to be done with these contractions which seem to start earlier and earlier and are harder and harder each pregnancy and be done with these pregnancy aches, I feel very unprepared for her to arrive just yet.  I know I'm going to have to let some things go, but I need to at least get her clothes washed!  We still are unsure about the "birthing" plan.  Emotionally it has been a little bit of a rough pregnancy and I have felt very much alone.  The doctor's visits at least have been easier as they "know" me now. hehe.  On one of my last visits the doctor was looking through the list of tests I am supposed to do and said something like, "Well, I would give this test, but I'm sure no one would do it anyways."  (No one meaning me. lol)  And at my visit this week they were all excited about the test results I brought in.  Lina asked weren't they waiting for them, which they replied no to.  It's nice to finally not have them pestering me about everything and finding something wrong all the time.  Now that she is more relaxed, I actually don't mind this doctor. 

Since my mind is starting to have trouble concentrating, I am guessing it is closing time.  Thank you all for your prayers and sweet emails.  I will try to do better at keeping up with you.