SUMMER!

Can you say *HOT!* That is what everyone is talking about right now.. there was a chance today of it reaching a new record of the hottest recorded temperature ever in Moscow! We did manage to get the garden planted... and then the puppies promptly decided that was a great place to dig.. so now there are only 2 puppies left! (NO ONE touches Mamma's spinach!) Actually it is a completely pathetic garden compared to all my neighbors, but we had fun outside with the kids.

We are getting excited about the upcoming camps in July. This week James went to visit an English teacher to give her invitations to the English camp. He tried to time his visit between classes; but when he opened the door to her classroom she greeted him with 'why James, I was about to start a class on the Ten Commandments and how that helped shape the American justice system but since you're here why don't you teach the class?' Amazing huh! There were also several youth interested in the English camp. Please pray as we invite young people and are just out and about; James has had some great conversations this past week.



Please pray for this 11 year old boy Costya. Our friend Chris Brudi met him last Christmas while giving out presents to needy families. He is blind in one eye, but the problem could be fixed with a fairly simple operation. Chris found a sponsor for the operation and Costya will be having the operation tomorrow. He is such a sweet, precious boy, pray that he will re-gain his sight.

I am sure everyone is sick of puppy pictures :) But Johanna is just too hilarious with her white puppy "Bealitchka" - she dresses her up in doll clothes and pushes her around all day in her baby carriage. I really wish I had a picture of the day I took all 4 kids plus Rachel's friend Svieta for a walk with all 8 puppies... Rachel & David had puppies in their bike baskets, Johanna pushed hers in the stroller and Caleb dragged his in a car, and various other puppies were in the bottom of the large stroller.. and I wonder sometimes if the neighbors think we're a little odd??! Anyway, little boys and puppies are just toooo sweet together, so I'll just add one little picture....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!

I can't believe our precious David turns 6 tomorrow! We had a big party last night and it was so much fun. I always get a little sad when we have birthdays... it's such a joy to watch your own parents enjoying your children so I can't help wishing that grandparents could be here. But then yesterday the verse from Mark kept going through my head ' I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's. But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time'... It is so true that we've been blessed with dear friends over here... when I asked David who he wanted to invite to his birthday party the second person he requested was 'Baba Luba' our special Grandmother friend in her 70's. So we enjoyed friends, Baba Luba, hot dogs, cake and the celebration of life and most of all the Giver of every good and perfect gift.






The kids had a blast making a six layer cake. When we were done David said he wanted to put a plastic soldier from his castle so it would be a 'soldier cake.' So a knight in armor holding a huge ax adorned the cake.. I kept thinking 'this would get the politically correct cake of the year award.'














We have a serious shortage of males in our neighborhood.. so we ended up with 8 female guests... for some reason this made me laugh! :)

Happy May Day!

Well it's snowed every day for the past three days (not enough to really stick though)... I am ready to build a bonfire and burn the snowsuits! :)

Yesterday to celebrate May 1st and the upcoming Victory Day on May 9th, James took a group of young people to Victory Park and visited the WWII museums. They had a really good trip, and Rachel especially loved getting out 'just her and Daddy'.

Just have to include one picture of our 8 puppies... that's right 8!! We thought there were only 6 but we didn't really look closely; so it was quite a suprise to return from Turkey to 8 energetic, eyes opened, adorable puppies. The kids have had so much fun with them... I almost feel sorry for the puppies.. you would too if you could watch how Johanna carries them around... (Rachel with her friend Ira)

Are you sure nobody out there wants one??! Their names are Nutmeg, Cookie (Pechenya), Pumba, Pearsik, Bealka (whitey), Star, Hail (don't ask about that one! :) and Leopard. How's that for creative...