the Life of Olena

I am panicking a bit, not nearly as prepared as I would like to be but school is starting next week and I know that Olena will be thrilled.  I had full intentions of schooling through the summer but with work and my cousins son staying with us a few days a week, it just never worked out.   She loves doing school work and I know she has been a bit bummed we haven't done much lately.  Today she raided the school closet and pulled out all of the workbooks and sat in her room working on them.  Hopefully she maintains that enthusiasm throughout her life!!  I figured I would share what we will be working on this year. 1st grade! Science: Exploring Creation with Zoology. She is absolutely obsessed with animals so I figured this was hands down the number 1 choice. Math: Math U See Olena is a kinesthetic learner.  This means she learns better by using her hands and manipulative's.  This program does exactly that, by incorporating math blocks...

We stayed in a gorgeous 5 bedroom, 4 bath cabin called Norton's Creek Hideaway in Pigeon Forge. It was cozy, warm and  it was the perfect size for all 14 of us.   It sat on a pretty big piece of property and had a beautiful creek that ran right through the "front yard". There was a complete wrap around porch with a porch swing and several old rockers, which is where us adults spent lots of our time. The sounds of nature and the creek made for perfect relaxation and plenty of entertainment for the kids. I only wish we could have stayed longer.

To see it bigger, just click on the collage. 

After the Kissacks left on Sunday afternoon the Whites and us decided to go for a drive through Cades Cove.  It was a very pretty drive! Angelina and Olena  Olena was taking tons of pictures with my old camera...she took this one of the Whites!

These are not very good pictures, sorry.  Playing down in the creek.  She had a fabulous time hanging out with the boys too.  She followed them around all weekend trying to do everything they do!   She fell a few times trying to keep up with them but she was a trooper, jumped right back up and kept on going.

The kids found a few big crawfish in the creek so the boys cooked them up on the stove, cut them open and gave everyone a taste.  Olena was not very pleased with the outcome....but it was fun anyhow! Once it was turned into lunch, she was brave enough to hold it! when alive, she said it would pinch her. All the kids watch as Noah tried to find the good parts to eat. All little crawfish teasing is always fun.  This was her reaction to tasting it! Not to happy.

Daddy and Olena in Gatlinburg TN

November 30th, 2006 Jason and I left for Ukraine November 10th 2006.  We were on a journey of a life time.  One that would lead us to one of the most amazing little girls I have ever known, and she would become our daughter.  I thought of her every day the previous 2.5 years.  How old would she be? What color hair would she have? What kind of things would she like? lots and lots of questions. I was traveling half way around the world to bring her home.  Little did any of us know that not only would I gain a daughter but a whole family.  That November the Whites (Brian, Pam, and Angelina) and the Kissacks (Landon, Tonya, Noah, Micah, Silas, Solomon, Lyra and Karys) would be on the same journey; looking for a their little girls.   Adoptions had been on hold for over 11 months, we had all been invited to the SDA from different parts of the country and we all had different stories that lead us there.  Fi...

One of the more exciting stories of our reunion is about the great bear encounters.   Saturday morning around 6:30a, just about everyone was asleep so I decided to wander outside and check out the morning.  Quietly I came out the door being sure not to slam it, walked down the porch and came around the corner, much to my surprise and his, there was a young black bear cub.  Yes I freaked, let out a little scream and he took off down the stairs and down to the creek.  As soon as I processed it all, my heart started pounding and I realized, where there is a cub - there is usually a mother so I of course ran back into the house...a bit excited I have to admit.   Landon and Brian where sitting at the table enjoying some coffee when I came in trying to explain what happened.  They both looked at me like I was a bit crazy but then quickly realized I was not so they too went outside to get a look.  While it wasn't the best view, we did get to see the...

Sorry for the hiatus. I have been pretty busy and just haven't had much desire to blog...blogging blues I guess. There are quite a few things brewing in the Warchol household though so I figured I might as well share. One thing I did forget to mention for awhile now is Jason and his new....old....job!  If you have been a follower for some time you already know, Jason lost his job of 16 years due to the economy back in 2008.  He was off for a pretty lengthy amount of time with one job that wasn't a good fit, and then he did land a decent opportunity in January which is where he had been working up until June.  It is a fabulous company and he loved the job but the pay wasn't all that great, the hours were not the best and it was a far drive.  When Motion called him back it was lots more money, he gets his sonority and PTO back,  PERFECT hours for us, and 15 minutes from home.  He has been there now a few months and it has worked out wonderfully fo...

Believe it or not, this is her first trip to the roller rink.  Needless to say, we have a pretty good roller skater in the family so we will be returning again soon.  She had a blast, it was cheap and fun! Not to mention 2 people gave us a couple free passes so now we get our next 6 visits for free.  Can't beat that.  While I feel some what guilty admitting this, Jason and I had a great time people watching.  There were many victims falling all over the place, it was like watching America's Funniest Videos.  It was a great afternoon.