7 years later...

...I'm still strolling down memory lane this time every year. It's hard for me to believe, but seven years ago today we were standing before a Russian judge, in a Russian court room presenting our petitions to adopt Olga and Nina!

Olga's High School Graduation (in pictures)

To God be the glory, GREAT things HE has done!

The happy graduate!


Olga receiving the "CHEF (Christian Home Educators Fellowship) Scholarship"


Olga receiving the "Jaron Holliday Music Scholarship" from Jaron's father. Jaron Holliday was killed while serving in Iraq in '07--he was a local home school graduate, accomplished pianist, and lover of music. This is the second year the scholarship has been awarded.


Olga with her scholarship certificates.


Olga with her high school diploma from Grace Academy (our home school) and certificate from CHEF (Christian Home Educators Fellowship)


Nina congratulating big sister!


Mom and Dad with our graduate!

College Graduation--sort of!

It was a rare joy tonight to watch our oldest daughter participate in her college commencement exercises -- a week before she walks in her high school graduation!

During her junior and senior years of high school, Olga has been attending college concurrently. In the spring of 2008 she earned her "International Language Certification" in Russian with honors (requires 20 college credit hrs. in target language).

In case you are saying/thinking, 'That's nothing, she grew up speaking Russian!' please remember that she has been completely immersed in English since Oct. 2002. She has not had the advantage living with family who converse at home in Russian--we try, but we are NOT fluent by any stretch of the imagination (although we do valiantly try for the sake of BOTH our girls!). Russian has been a part of our girls' daily home school schedule since very early on, but it still requires a great deal of hard work to retain a language you have little opportunity to use regularly. Congratulations Olga!

Happy Graduate!

Hmmm, the cap fits Nina, too! Someday... :-)

Olga's 'Senior Recital'

Olga and five other high school seniors study music (piano and/or cello) under the same teacher. So, we were treated to a very special "Senior Recital" and reception today in a beautiful turn-of-the-century home.

Fantasy No. 3 in D Minor, K. 397 ~ Mozart

Tarantella, Opus 23 ~ Squire

2009 ~ Resurrection Sunday

How is it possible...

...that our Nina is a freshman in high school?


We recently submitted this picture of her for our home school yearbook--she's growing WAY too fast!

Olga's Senior Portrait

Our Girls...

...continue to grow and 'blossom'--too quickly. :-)

July 2008

Olga's first car!

Olga has been saving her money and is now the proud owner of her very own car!

NOT "born in the USA", but still an American!

Olga got to vote in her first election today--and a "Presidential Election" at that! (Trivia: She was born in Russia while it was still under Communist rule.)

Fall 2008 ~ Cello Choir performance

"The King" and I...

...err, and my daughters!

On our way home from vacation we stopped at the Memphis Visitor's Center, and just look who we ran into!! :-)

The Many (silly) Faces of Nina

This one was taken the first day of our 2008 vacation.

Readoption ~ 2008

We spent part of our afternoon today in court--readopting our girls so that the state can/will issue American birth certificates. Their new birth certificates will have all the original information (Russian birth place, etc.), but will be in English and issued by and in the U.S.

FYI - we were given Russian issued birth certificates that list us as their parents, but of course they are in Russian with an attached English translation. :-)

I'm still adding stories (and pictures) to our adoption story!

Here's a post (and pictures) I just added to our 'history', "Locks of Love".

Piano Recital ~ 2008

Nina played, Journey in the Night, by Gillock



Olga played, Sonata No. 25, Op. 79, Presto alla tedesca, by Beethoven

2007-08 Yearbook Photos

These are the individual photos of Nina and Olga that we submitted for the yearbook of our local home school group (CHEF - Christian Home Educators' Fellowship). Clearly, our girls are growing up too quickly!

I've Posted Some New Pictures!!!

Getting Acquainted During Our First Trip ~ July 2002

Welcome Home party ~ Oct. 2002

Mother & Daughter Tea ~ April 2003

First Family Vacation ~ Sept. 2003

Born Again ~ January 2004

Mother & Daughter(s) Tea ~ April 2004

Family Vacation ~ July 2004

First College Football Game ~ Oct. 2004

Sisters ~ Fall 2005

Family Vacation ~ Sept. 2006

Christmas 2007

Christmas Recital and Party ~ 2007

Today was the girls' annual Christmas recital and party! It's always an informal fun time of enjoying music and seeing how the kids have progressed in their studies! Oh yea, sorry about the great photos of their backs--it would have been disruptive to get up and try for a better shot!


Nina (far right) playing piano trio--that's her teacher playing for an absent student on the left! :-)

Olga (left) playing piano duet.

Olga playing during cello trio.

Olga (center) playing in trio (that's her teacher on the right!).