Crane Vs. Crane

It was freezing and I didn't want to get out of my warm little domichka so Anna Kate volunteered to document the arrival of the long awaited container. Wow... words can't express the trouble/waiting/worrying this little[BIG] container gave the Kellys but man was every moment worth it. This HUGE thing was filled to the brim with clean matresses, baby supplies, medical equipment for wounded/amputee soldiers and clothes for families in the war zones.

As I said on Facebook, "Our 'job' for the next couple of days... Sorting this huge crate is a big job but also such a ginormous blessing for the people here!!!!!! So glad it finally made it from Abilene, Tx to our baby village out in the woods!!!!! If crates could talk, this one would share quite a story." So thankful that Andrei & Misha (orphans that stay with us on the weekends until the Morrows move in January), all the older shelter kids, 2 of the refugee dads, Uncle Ray, Zander, Lindsay, Anna Kate, Andrew and I were able to get the stuff unloaded and sorted in record time with minimal scrapes and bruises that night!!!! It was cold and snowy at some parts, but everyone kept pushing through and working with good attitudes. 

Training Thankful Hearts

Since we are behind in school (rushing, rushing, rushing) I usually feel like I'm a chicken with my head chopped off. Thanksgiving snuck up on me but also came just at the right time. It is easy to rush through the day instead of pausing and thanking God for all of our blessings. Here are some pics of the crafts we did and the joy we found in living in the moment.

 Thankful Pumpkins- each side of the pumpkin has a thankful thought

It took us 10x longer than expected to make these Pilgrim women to make these because of all the contagious giggling!

On Thanksgiving Day, friends and family gather around and have a traditional meal with turkey and all the fixings. We went around the room and listened to everyone say what they were thankful for. It was hard to keep dry eyes as Ukrainian refugee families shared how thankful for being safe, clean, and fed when so many of their friends and family members back home went without. God is moving and working in ways that go beyond anything I could have imagined! On a side note, Jenny went above and beyond being sweet by making me gluten free green beans and pumpkin pie (my 2 favorite thanksgiving foods). Hard not to be thankful when surrounded by wonderful friends and good food!!!!

After lunch had settled in our tummies, Natalie, Nathan and I decided to brave the weather and take pictures in the snow! Anna Kate chickened out and got cold but not before we could take this precious picture.

What's All That White Stuff???

Yesterday plain boring   Today breathtaking

First Snow Day of the winter so that means we go out and take pics, right?!?!?

*Snow before Thanksgiving??? Oh boy is this going to be a long winter....

 

           *btw snow on trees tastes disgusting.. yuck

My Little Loves

Today was a good babysitting day with the girls (Noah went with his parents to Kiev). The girls picked my favorite disney princess movie for lunch time, enjoyed the fresh air & took action pics/vids, AND maintain good attitudes even if I said no to them.

Love these little girls more and more each day!!!

Koo-Koo in Kiev

Sometimes it is nice to get off the property and change up the scenery. This weekend I went home with Anna Kate to the Cranes' house in Kiev. I always love getting to spend time with this family and  leave their house feeling recharged and ready for the next week! Borscht and homemade chocolate chip cookies, crafts, laughs, giggles and selfies are what the dr. ordered for this weekend! Thank you Crane Family for adopting me and continuing to shower me with love <3 p="">