Errands

Because the traffic jam took up so much time and we had a 6 hour drive home, we were just in the door long enough at Ramon's to use the modern facilities, have a very short conversation and be on our way. Anya, their oldest girl was home sick, having had a fever the last couple of days. Evelina put two chair cushions on the floor and all three were thoroughly enjoying them. Anya and Evelina were turning somersaults and little Sasha thought he should be there, too. The first picture is Anya coming out of a somersault, trying to hang onto her skirt in order to be more modest.

We did spend a short time at Allona and Vova's birth mom's house as well. Our heart breaks to go there because their mom was once a beautiful young woman. Now she looks as old as I do, although she is around 18 years younger. All her teeth are missing from the left side of her mouth. Often there are signs of fresh beating/fighting as there was this day.


For the sake of privacy and compassion we won't put all the sad pictures here. Here is Dennis, Allona and Vova's little brother, being goofy, wearing an adult's boots in hopes of going outside. And here is Dennis and Allona.

Side note, yes, Ukrainian boys do wear tights in the winter along with the girls to help keep their legs warmer.

We headed straight back to Nova Odessa after this visit, arrived at home at 9 pm. Dave and Seth went on to take Marina, (above)a sweet girl whose dream was to see Kyiv, out to her home in Ulyanivka, while I'm posting these blogs and Allona and Vova are going to bed.