Souvenirs of Ukraine...

To help us remember Ukraine and share it with Bella as she grows, we purchased a variety of souvenirs. Here are a few with a description...

The hand-painted plate was a gift from our dear friend and translator Natasha. She found out I love daisies and had a friend paint this especially as a gift for my birthday. The other piece is from Nicole (from Seattle) who lives and works as a missionary in Kyiv. She knew that Bella's Berizka Orphanage means "white birch" so she gave me this picture made of white birch for my birthday. Two very thoughtful, beautiful women! We miss them so much!


I 'had' to purchase a set of Matroyshka dolls from the stands on the street by the SDA building. Natasha helped me pick out this set because she said it is painted in the Ukrainian style and also tells a story of how a young family came to be...


Then, of course, Kevin had to buy a set painted in the authentic "Vikings style!" He also gave his best friend Clint a Lakers set.


Look what I found in Elizabeth's possession just today! A half-eaten Korona chocolate bar. Say, she isn't home this weekend. Do you think she would miss it? We loved this chocolate and gave bars as souvenirs to friends and family. Would anyone like to bring some to me as a souvenir if they go to Ukraine soon? PLEASE....I'll pay you!


Natasha took us to a great bookstore at a University in the City Center. The librarians there went out of their way to be sure I got the best books for my family including a Ukrainian/English children's dictionary, an authentic cookbook, and a beautiful Ukraine photo book...


Ok, this will take a bit of explaining especially the men's briefs...it was our 22nd wedding anniversary while I was in Ukraine, so I couldn't pass these up as a gag gift for Kevin. Boy did Natasha and I laugh when we bought them! However, Elizabeth was mortified! The Urkainian shirt was for me and the soccer shirt for Sam...

And the BEST souvenir of all...Bella Bogdana Burckhard!