Two days ago we received a package in the mail from our missionary friend Esther.  The package contained letters from Olia's friends at her orphanage, pictures drawn by her friends, photos, and a CD of photos and videos.  Olia was SO EXCITED!  She read all of the letters.  Her friends all told her that they loved her and missed her and thought about her all of the time. Some of them wrote poems and songs to Olia. Her friends Natasha and Christina wrote that all the fun was gone after she left. They told Olia that she was their best friend. They both also wrote that Olia was so lucky to have gotten out of there.  That surprised me as I didn't think it was such a terrible place to be.  I guess the girls are realizing what their lives will be like when they are older. Several of them also asked us to send another package.  We sent a box of jump ropes, balls, and jewelry for the girls. After Olia reads letters from her friends, she always seems a bit sad for awhile.  She always asks if we can go back and visit her friends.  I am glad that she did not just forget about how much she cared about her friends when she left Ukraine. Olia has deep feelings for friends and family. 

   Friday was pumpkin decorating day at Olia's school.  Every year her school has a huge three day "Pumpkin Festival."  There are games, food, prizes, etc.  It is a school fair with a Halloween theme.  Every child in the school decorates a pumpkin.  Olia gathered all types of craft items and took them to school yesterday.  She told me that she decorated her pumkin to look like a rock star!

   Olia came home so so so excited on Thursday night after cheerleading practice.  All the girls got their competition cheerleading warm up suits.  They are just right up Olia's alley!  The suits are glittery and glamory and her name is embroidered on the jacket.  She just LOVES the outfit.  Even the one piece body suit is a sparkly silver.  They didn't get their cheerleading skirts and vests yet.  She had to model it for me when she got home.

   Olia is at a Bible School camping weekend.  She was excited because one of her friends from her Awanas class was going.  This child was adopted from Russia and looks very much like Olia.  When we got to the church, the other girl basically ignored Olia because she had other friends there.  Olia went up to her and she basicalIy ran off with the other girls and left Olia standing there alone. I felt bad for Olia and thought she would decide not to go because she didn't really know many other kids.  Very few kids from her class went on the trip.  Many families who belong to this church homeschool.  And all of the kids go to the church one day a week for art, music, crafts, etc.  So they know each other very well.  But she just found someone else to sit with on the bus even though I am sure she was disappointed. Olia seems to rebound easily when kids hurt her feelings.  Maybe she had to develop that quality because she lived with so many different kids in the orphanage. Olia actually did not take her winter jacket with her for camping.  When we got to the church and she got out of the car I noticed she was only wearing her light sweatshirt jacket.  Dan had to go back home and get the winter jacket because it was cold out!  She was worried that the bus would leave before Dan got back with the jacket.  But he made it with plenty of time to spare.  The letter about camp told us not to  have the kids bring any electronic games or cellphones. I didn;t give her my cellphone because I am a rules oriented type person. But  I wished I  had given her my cellphone so that she could call if she were sad or lonely.  I noticed that most kids did have their cellphones with them. 

  Today I wrapped Christmas presents! Really!  I had purchased several items when a toy store near where I work went out of business.  So I wrapped the toys and put them away since Olia is gone for the weekend. I also bougt a ton of summer clothes for Olia for next summer because they were on clearance at Kohl's. I wrapped them for her for Christmas too. Dan and I were sitting on the couch watching a movie this morning.  He said that he was thinking, OK what do we do next?  Then he said....I don't have to do anything next because Olia isn't here.  I can just sit!!! Usually he is on the go with Olia because neither one of them likes to stay home much; they always want to go and be doing something.  I am happy just to stay home.

   Next weekend I think we will go and see High School Musical 3.  I am sure that Olia will bug me to take her Sunday night when she gets back from camping.  But she has homework to do and that comes first!