July 7, 2010
Almost one year ago we brought home our wonderful Sasha and Masha. Well, Actually they were escorted home from Almaty by Oleg Semykin (who is absolutely wonderful) and his wife. They started their young lives as American citizens with no knowledge of the English language no idea of American culture and sleeping in a bed in a room with no other children, (they chose to have their own rooms) in a home they had never seen other than in photos. Things were a bit crazy in that home as the parents were busily getting ready for an older daughters wedding and reception (at the home) less than 4 weeks away. Given these factors, their 1st several months went amazingly well and it just got better and better. It took less than 4 months for them to be speaking only English, even to each other and to have an amazing grasp of the language. They would come up with words and phrases making us wonder where some of it came from.
School started 2 months after their arrival. It was rocky at first but that also continued to improve throughout the year and still does. Sasha is continuing to have tutoring throughout the summer so 2nd grade will go as smoothly as possible. He is a very smart and intuitive little boy. Masha completed pre- K and hopefully will be able to start Kindergarten this fall. She is getting additional tutoring and help from her Pre-K teacher throughout the summer.
Both children have the most amazing personalities. Sasha is sensitive, strong, stubborn, loving and helpful. Masha is exuberant, happy, loving, kind, and sensitive. They share a typical sibling relationship and are typical for their ages. They have bonded with us well and us with them. It seems like they have always been here. Life with a 4 and 7 (this week -5 and 8) year old is an adventure every day. Parenting a 5 and 8 year old in our mid 40’s can be challenging and tiring at times but we are loving every minute of it.
We can’t imagine not having them here and loving them every day. We would love to start another adoption if we could. The end result (after the pain and drama of international adoption) for us was well worth it.
We do have some medical and other issues we will continue to deal with but Sasha and Masha are right where they belong, in our family and in our hearts. Thank-you to everyone at Adoption Ark who helped make our family what it is today.
You are all wonderful and special people!
Warmly,
Dave and Kari Speckman
Williamsburg, MI