Our Wonderful Caregivers!

We wouldn't be able to stay here and feel comfortable without the "A-TEAM" of caregivers we have in place! We have been so blessed to not only have Grandma & Papa, but also Jen & Kara!

Jen is our noon to five shift. She is a special ed student at our local university and has been our main go-to person this past year! She is great at trying out new methods with Grace for discipline and learning! In fact, a day before we left I asked Jen that while we were gone if she wanted she could make a chart for Grace to be able to count the days until our return. The NEXT day she came with a beautiful poster size chart made out of foam pieces with pockets with butterflies and hearts on sticks for Grace to move as she counted down the days! I was thinking maybe just a print out from the computer, but no, in usual Jen style she goes the extra mile! We so appreciate you, Jen.

The 5:00 to 9:00 pm shift is covered by no other than the sweetest girl you will every meet- Kara! Now, Kara has a smile on her face no matter the circumstances. Her positive attitude and baking skills have also been a blessing to our family! Grandma informed me that Kara is a "great little baker" and has been treating the kids, and allowing Grace to help, to home-made brownies, cake, and cookies! Not something they ever get from their mother! Ha ha (Cuz I don't bake....)

Kara emailed us this funny story today:

Grace has always been really easy to please and take care of.. however, one day she was a bit crabby and annoyed with Sam and I.. so Grace and I decided to go to Brett's Pee Wee game and THEN the park.. well.. on the way there she found a volleyball in my car (not unusal)... I hear
Grace- "Kara, what's this"
Kara-"That's a VOLLEYBALL! :)"
Grace- "Kara,Watch me"

As I look at Grace in the rear veiw mirror, I see that she is about to attempt a serve. Now as you know my car is not big.. nor is it enough space to throw a vball around.

Kara-"Grace, I wouldn't do that... you might hit me or yourself.."

Welp, Grace served dispite my warning!.. and the ball hit the seat in front of her and then came back to hit her in the nose.. needless to say, she was not a happy camper!
Before I go on, I have noticed she loves to play with the electric windows.. and whatever makes her happy is fine with me... but after listening to the window roll down, I hear...

Grace- "There.. alll better."

As I looked in the rear view mirror to see what she was talking about,.... I saw a car slamming on its brake to avoid hitting the volleyball that was thrown out the window and bouncing across the road.

Kara- yelled "Grace did you just throw that ball out the window!!"
Grace- in fear that I was mad.. "No..."

After that.. I knew I just had to laugh.. haha.. "serves" you right volleyball! luckily I wasn't on broadway!! haha

AND, last but not least is the night shift! Grandma comes before 9:00 to take over for the evening. She sits by Grace's bed when she gets there and Grace asks her EVERY night, "Grandma are you SURE Mama and Daddy come back?" Ooh, break our hearts! But Grandma is very reassuring and Grace snuggles in and goes to sleep.

Grandma and Papa are the best! Nothing else to say...we love them dearly and have been blessed a million times over by their thoughtfulness and compassion and deep love for their whole family.

So, as Wednesday in Kiev is beginning, I can rest during this uncertain time knowing that our children are in the best hands possible....God, Grandparents, Jen & Kara!

Thank you, our precious caregivers! Love in Him, Paula