Assimilation

One of the things I noticed last year was how many women wore fur here and dyed their hair red. Well it has only been one year since then and I already have a furrier coat and redder hair. maybe next year I'll assimilate even more:)

I can only post one pic at a time today...lots of blogger problems lately:( If you click on this one and zoom in you can see the little bees pretty good:) One bee for every sip...

More Honey!

David took Emma to go see the honey fair thing, she kept talking about wishing she had been able to go so since my language helper couldn't come yesterday David had a chance to bring Emma. They brought back all kinds of honey products. SOme we don't even know what you are supposed to do with:) The little brown ball thing (looks like a big rabbit dropping:) is to chew on they say. The little bead things are to mix in the honey and eat a tablespoon a day or something like that. The cupcake mold is just wax which the lady said you could use for many many things:) and the rest you just eat. Except for a jug of mead which only david was brave enough to drink:) The honey wine/beer had little bees and wings and other things floating around in it and it smelled soooo bad that I didn't even want to try a sip. David downed a shot though and he is still ok:) But we still brought the rest of it to give to our russian friends. David didn't want seconds:)
The fun thing was that when Emma and David were at the honey place a camera crew came up and wanted to film Emma tasting the honey. She was too shy for them to film her but instead they did an interview with David! So maybe we will see him on TV at some point. We don't watch much though and we don't know if it was for tv but you never know. That is pretty good for a language test- a spontanious interview with a big camera in your face. I would not have been able to do it:)
The honey place was pretty exciting David says with all the babushka's argueing over what each kind of honey should look/taste/feel like and what each particular honey cures etc. David would ask the babushka's what this honey heals and they would all get in a big discussion about what it does, I think he would leave before they were done their talk. And watching the babushka's getting honey all over their faces and scarves and double dipping- it is a free event so some people really took advantage of the free honey tasting and the free mead samples:)
Tomorrow I finally have physiotherapy again. I am not feeling too sore, the pain is bearable but I am looking forward to the good massage/cracking. It is bright and sunny outside, really pretty.

Cinderella, Climbing and Consulting

The latest Ballet with the Bolshoi Theater (the real Bolshoi Theater is still being remodeled) is Zolushka (Cinderella). We would love to take Emma for real but I think it might be more enjoyable watching it on tv- no long intermissions and you always can see up close what is going on. It was on tv last night and Emma and the boys loved watching it. Even though the scenes were very different from the disney version she still could tell what was going on, she knew that when it was just the men dancing and running around on the stage that it must have been them trying to find Cinderella and she figured out the characters right away- though she didn't notice that the evil stepsisters and mom were played by men:)!! Emma was so excited when the prince finally found Cinderella cleaning the ballet bars. Even Josiah was excited. Huddy didn't seem to care- he doesn't have romantic feelings yet I guess:)
We are all doing well, Emma has a bit of a cold and I am a bit sorer than I have been- I am looking forward to getting back to the physiotherapist starting on Wednesday. Emma and I went shopping and got myself, David and Emma new winter jackets for next year as they are all half price at the moment. I am starting to look through our stuff and see what things we might need to get here in Moscow before heading off to Siberia this summer. I will send a list if there are some things we could use from the homeside soon as we are running out of time for packages to be sent from home.

David has the opportunity of helping out in two new ways which we are currently thinking about. The first is to help out with a climbing camp in Siberia this June. They could really use David's mountaineering/climbing skills and of course his equipment. Some of you already know about the equipment part of it and are helping out in that area. It would be great if David could go, we are just waiting to see if it will fit into our plans for this summer. David would probably take the train all the way over. I don't mind him going for a while as the kids are older now and it will be summer so we can get around fine on our own. I am so excited at the thought of him being able to help lead this camp- fits him perfectly:)
The other opportunity is for David to help out in the Culture/Language Acquisition Program as a Consultant. Guess David is doing pretty good at it eh- he isn't even done language study himself! Well, we know he is good at it:) It would involve travelling to the various regions that we work in to meet with our folks and try to give direction, help and evaluate in the area of culture and language proficiency. It would not change our future plans but just add to it. He would also travel once in a while to conferences/training seminars to get more training in this area.
Please think about these opportunities with us so that we can make the best decisions. Pretty exciting to us....

Honey Fest

David and Vanya went to sample honey downtown yesterday. Hundreds of people from the various regions in russia gathered to sell their honey. David brought home 2 of the favorites that he had sampled. I'm afraid the white honey won't last long- it is soooo creamy and tastes soooo good.

Staying Warm

It is very cold today. Too cold. When I asked Emma if she would like some chips for night-night snack she asked if she could have some hot tea and oatmeal. It is very cold in our apartment. We had a little meeting at our house this a.m and the 4 of us were taking turns warming our hands on the little lantern. The heat doesn't seem to be on very good or something. We would turn it up if we could but we have no control of it. I don't really know who does decide how much heat we get. Usually it is just right though so I have no complaints. well not many. But today is maybe -30C? We aren't used to it being this cold anymore...
We are having a pretty normal week with classes and language sessions. We only have 2 more months of classes left. We will have a month or so before we leave to get ready/pack/visa trip (maybe to finland:).
I bought a warmer hat today (emma used it to keep warm in the house tonight). I am looking for a warmer winter jacket. I don't have a good winter coat and today I was really thinking about how next year we will be in cold weather like this all winter long. Today is the perfect time to buy a jacket (and hats and mitts) as they are all on sale. Maybe on saturday I will take Emma and we can search for jackets together.
When I was in the store today looking at the hats and mitts, a saleslady came up to me with a package of gloves from the back and said "here are the gloves you were asking about", I said "not me", She said "yes. you asked me if we had these in the different colour but same size", I said "no" to which she replied "yes you did ask for them!". I finally said "I don't even know how to ask that!" I made enough mistakes in my last remark that she finally believed me and then laughed with me about it.
Anyway, I'll update sooner than I did this last time...

josiah helping with supper

today jo wanted to put on the apron and help me stir and fix supper- he even set the table and did an ok job of it:)

a couple more old ones...

I think I'm getting ready for summer....
The first pic is Jon and David in Ocean City, NJ. The second is David and Peter in Mexico with their swordfish and tuna. Nice Catch! (not just the fish- sorry... still in valentine's mode:)

I have been pretty sore the last two days, so I haven't spent much time on the computer. I have kept up with my one hour of dancing a day- feels good to be active again.

We will have a normal week of classes and language helper sessions this week as long as I can handle it- I couldn't get in to see the physiotherapist, he was too booked up- but I made 6 more appt's that start on the 28th. Maybe someone will cancel so I can go in earlier- I'm already wanting a good massage and cracking. David will have to learn how to do it. How long is physiotherapy school? 4 years? :)

more of the same theme:)

David and Peter in Indonesia.

Old David Pictures

Well, I guess they are young David pictures. I was just looking through our very little collection of real photos with the kids the other day and I just thought I'd scan a few of the old ones for you all to see too. The first picture is so good, wish I took it but I didn't even know David back then. It is from when he was in Kenya, and the second is from the first time he went to PNG (not the time when he brought me too).
We are just having a relaxing day around the house, we even ordered pizza. Well, the kids and I have been relaxing I should say- David is in a cleaning mood- the kind that leaves me and the kids a little nervous...we keep checking the garbage can to see what things of ours he is throwing out:) I am pretty sore today, don't know why that is but I still did my daily hour of dancing. I really enjoy dancing in my room (when no one is looking:).

A Smiley Day

 

Yesterday I had another physiotherapy appointment. I am really starting to like going. It isn't the appointment itself that I like but I really enjoy travelling there and back- just getting out of the house and being all alone and wandering around.
David had brought home McDonalds for lunch yesterday before I was heading out the door for my appointment. I didn't feel like having it then, too rushed so I wrapped up my cheeseburger and stuck it in my purse to have on the way to my appointment or whatever. On my way there I was just enjoying the snow and the scenery when I noticed a young girl/lady sitting in a puddle of wet snow. She looked absolutely freezing and incredibly dirty. She had no snow pants, just tights and a longish skirt and a sort of table cloth sort of thing draped around her legs. I walked up to her and kneeled down next to her, said hello and told her to forgive me for my bad russian but I was wondering if she was hungry. She was sort of in shock and said "What?!" I rephrased it to would you like my cheeseburger? Then the classic moment that I will always remember occurred.... When I put the cheeseburger (which was still warm even) in her hand and smiled at her, she made the biggest smile I've ever seen in my life and it gleamed so bright because almost every tooth was covered in a gold cap. She had tears in her eyes and I just wished that I was brave enough, or selfish enough maybe to take a picture of her. She looked at me like I was an angel:) I think it may have been her first cheeseburger. What is their slogan at McDonald's? we love to see you smile? Would have been a great ad. She didn't say a word but she continued to watch me and smile at me while she took her first bite. I wished I could have stayed with her longer to chat but I only had a few minutes to get to my physiotherapy session. Everyone seemed to know I was a foreigner- As I moved on I felt the stares glaring at me through my back for the next few blocks.
Anyway, after my appointment I wandered around red square a bit trying to find some free blini (maslenitsa) but the festivities hadn't started yet for the day I guess. I had to meet a lady up north so I didn't have a lot of time and therefore didn't take many pictures. Emma and Josiah always like to see this horse fountain when we go there so I took this picture for them.
Today my arm and neck are pretty sore/tight/pulled, he really adjusted me yesterday- ouch, but I do notice the huge huge improvement so I know what he is doing is good for me in the long run.

Valentine's Day came to russia

We noticed that this year valentine products were more abundant here whereas last year they were only in the foreign shops or in holiday/gift type shops. (Though when David bought his flower yesterday at our little flower kiosk there wasn't any sign of valentine's day at her shop.) I just read this article in the Moscow Times, most russians seem to like the idea of the holiday I guess and I imagine soon it will just be another holiday here? The thing is that they have a similar day coming up soon, March 8th which is woman's day. You buy flowers and chocolates and little gifts for all the women you love. Could get expensive for the men- better not to have a girlfriend in Feb/March maybe:)

David's 2nd Valentine...

Emma was so thrilled that her daddy got her a beautiful red rose and asked her to be his second valentine. You can see in the 2nd picture how she looks at him (she is looking at him)- almost with tears in her eyes. She told me a little later that she was so glad I married him, because he is so handsome and sweet. Me too:)

She has played with Sasha everyday. It is so great for Emma to have a consistent friend. Sasha has trouble saying Emma's name. She always calls her Kemma. I told Emma not to worry about it because she kept correcting Sasha and Sasha always went back to Kemma. But Emma told us tonight before we tucked her in that the reason she doesn't want to be called Kemma is because it sounds like Chemicals! We were a little suprised that she knew that word so we asked her where she learned it. She explained that the stuff that Grandma Charlotte and Auntie Amanda put in the hot tub is chemicals and the stuff that mommy puts in her hair to change the colour of it is also called chemicals and she doesn't want to be like those things- yuck. Funny. Yes, in that case Kemma isn't a very nice name. Maybe we will have to think of something pretty that sounds like Kemma.

Love is in the air!?

Overheard while standing in line at the post office the other day.
Another conversation- though this time David refrained from speaking:)

1st lady enters the post office and joins our line of about 7 people.

Cashier: We are closing in 5 minutes!

1st lady: I know. I was here a while ago and the line was a mile long, so I went to the store and came back “just in case.”

Cashier: I was warning you “just in case”

Gentleman being served: Oh don’t worry you’ll get your turn she is working really fast. She will get us all done in no time. It’s not everyday that you meet a post office worker that works this fast. There was a real grumpy lady here before her, a big, huge, fat kind of lady and she was going so slow, scowling at everyone and answering everybody really rudely.

2nd lady: Well can you imagine how hard life must be for her if she is that big. You would scowl and answer rudely too.

Agreement from the others waiting in line.

1st Lady: Yes I know she has it hard I’ve known her for a few years.

Cashier: She has a really hard life, a really horrible sickness and what is sad is that she has a young daughter too.

3rd lady: Oohhh, How old is her daughter?

Cashier: She is in second grade.

Sympathy groans from everybody in the line except me and another young man.

Cashier continues: She’s got it hard so I put up with her.

Praise from everybody in the line except me and the other young man.

Someone: Good on you. Don’t meet people like you everyday. Well done.

Me (and maybe the other young man) thinking: “I hope that lady isn’t listening to this from the back room.”

Flirt Outrageously Day! (ok merriment day)

It is maslenitsa week again. There are some good articles in the Moscow Times about it. Maybe when I'm at the physiotherapist on thursday I'll try to go take some pictures of the festivities. Everyday has specific things that you should do to celebrate: read here more info.

Under the doctors orders I spent about an hour dancing around the house this morning, the kids love it, keeps them entertained I guess:) Huddy and Emma are pretty good dancers, Jo mostly just jumps around but this morning he had a couple of good moves that he was trying out. It doesn't seem to hurt to dance too bad (funny how doing the laundry and dishes hurts:) Just kidding, I have started doing more work around the house. I've got class this afternoon, maybe when I am sitting in class the pain will kick in but so far so good.
When I return, I'll let you know if there was a lot of flirting and misbehaving on the bus and on the streets:)

Update: I didn't see a whole lot of flirting going on (it was all old folks on the trolleybus today) but I did see for the first time ever some young men throwing snowballs into the little window of a kiosk, trying to hit the lady that works inside. I have never seen something like that before so it could be the misbehaving part of the maslenitsa celebrations. Or not......

It wasn't too painful sitting in class for the two hours but it was hard especially as we don't have a table to lean on so you have to sit up straight- it is just a little room with two chairs and a chalkboard. I know....sitting up straight is good for your neck and back. Maybe it is because my feet can't really touch the floor if my back is straight and back against the chair- whatever the reason it is not comfortable for me. But we are moving to a bigger cubicle and hopefully there will be room for a little table in the new room.

I could hardly remember any of the grammar but my teacher enjoyed me telling her all about my experiences that I had while I was gone. So in a way I was better than she expected because I had a lot to say though I really really fumbled through it. I need to study more. All the russian cases drive me crazy sometimes. You learn the colour white. So you think you could say white shirt. nope, it is pronounced/spelled differently. Then white coat. White is different again. Then white skarf. again different. Then white scarves...different again..then if it is someone's white scarf they change again. and on and on. Aaaah. I just want to learn a word and then be able to use it confidently. You wouldn't think I'd still be learning on the word white after first learning it over a year and a half ago. I don't know exactly yet (I will still be learning how to say the word white for another year or two:) but there are maybe 20 different ways of spelling and pronouncing the word white. It is really hard for us because we just aren't used to having to think about how to say our words differently depending on what else is in the sentence. In English they pretty much are always the same. white white white. Russian is not so black and white. Hopefully someday white will just come out how it should without me having to think about it and try a dozen wrong ones before saying it properly.

Thankfully my name is one word that doesn't change. Erin is always Erin. David, Emma, Huddy and Jo need to change depending on what you are saying. But I am always Erin. I guess because they don't know what to do with it. So nice, though it is David that really benefits as he is the one who talks about me. I love Davida. I often talk about Davidye. I hang out with Davidom....

(how did I get rambling on about that anyway?)

Emma and her friend Sasha

Baroque: When you are out of Monet:)

No, it isn't that bad yet, but we have had to start paying for the physiotherapy appointments so the next few months will be a little bit tricky. But the appointments aren't as expensive as they were in the beginning. Now they are only about $90/hr- a bargain really:) owell. They really do seem to be working. I almost feel like all I have is a sore neck and cramped tricep now- not the herniated disc thing anymore though I know it still is herniated. There aren't the sudden pain attacks with accompaning tears or screams that I used to get- now it is just a constant ache. but my thumb is still numb/tingly. I wonder when it will go back to normal? Today he told me that I should begin to do a bit of exercising everyday- he said something like dancing would be best. I like the sound of that, dancing is by far my favorite way to exercise. I have never heard a doctor prescribe dancing- I think this guy is good. So I am pretty encouraged most of the time, I can imagine that it will go away and I hope that I will be able to prevent it from happening again.
I am hoping that I won't be in extreme pain tomorrow so that I can go to class.... It has been a long holiday for me though I am ready for another break and I haven't even started back at it yet:(!!!
I'll put some pics of Emma and her new friend Sasha on too, they were so excited to see eachother again. Usually Emma meets someone at the park and then they never see eachother again, but I think we will see Sasha everyday or at least every second day. So good!
Today, though still a little chilly was so bright and beautiful. I took this picture on my way home from physio though I couldn't really see anything when I was taking it- the sun was right in my eyes. Can you see how thick the traffic is on the road. You might have to click on the picture to see it. I like it downtown. I like picking out the foreigners:)

Snowy Saturday

David took the kids out to play in the snow yesterday. (I snuck out and took some pictures but got cold fast:) They had so much fun. Emma made a big snow pile so that she could jump off into it. Huddy enjoyed being pulled around and a bit of shoveling. Josiah pretty much shoveled the whole two hours. I think the workers appreciate it when Jo goes outside, less shoveling for them. If you want to see some of their outside fun you can watch the little video- it isn't too exciting but it does have a great russian multiplication song that Emma and the boys love.

A touch of spring

It may be cold and wintery outside but inside it is quiet cozy. David and the kids spent quite a bit of time outside today, I'll post some pics I took of them later maybe. But I thought these pics were kinda pretty to look at if you are having colder weather like us. Andy and Char and Sandy and Martyn get to see flowers actually growing outside:(

Much more accurate:)

I did a few of these before (no i didn't post them) but I kinda cheated (using pics from the past) so I thought I should do one that is current. So I took this pic this morning and am so pleased that my closest match is a 17 year old! that makes me feel good.... though I did get one with a moustache didn't I:( so glad for digital cameras. I do not like taking pictures of myself. Would have taken me rolls and rolls of film... I either looked too serious, or toooo funny or my eyes were closed or tooooo open or my neck looked too big or I looked too wrinkly and on and on. Some of you can hardly remember what I look like cause I only take pics of others:) So here I am with my celebrities...

Story Time Pics

 

 

 

Story Time

I love it, now when Josiah wants a story Emma can read him one! She is getting really good at it. When I woke up this morning she had been reading her books to the boys. They have pretty long sentences already and she is only on book 5 of 26. Words like- the, and, his, her she seems to just know now by seeing them instead of sounding them out. and when she knows the main character of the book- like Matt- then she just says it without thinking about it of course.
Huddy's neck seems better today, he recovers much quicker than me:) David will be gone all day today- first he has his class, then he is having his language session at a food court and then he is going climbing again before bringing home some groceries.
My physio appointment went well yesterday, he worked a lot more on my neck- twisting it, pulling it, having me push as hard as I could with it, cracking it etc. He told me it should hurt today- something to look forward to:) Without thinking yesterday, I asked him "Kak dela?" (how are things). He replied back "Otlichna" (excellent) and we basically used Russian for the whole appointment. It seemed easier, more comfortable that way as his english is a little strange and I am used to being the one that speaks badly. Once in a while we would use English just to make sure we both new what was going on. But since I am missing so many classes and language sessions I figure at least I can learn some physiotherapy lingo:)

When I came home from my app't yesterday I found Emma and her new friend Sasha playing outside at the park. This is the first time that Emma has been outside by herself. David was out with all three but Huddy was sooo cold and jo was ready to go in but Emma wanted to stay out with Sasha. I could see David and the boys watching out the window to make sure she was ok. It would be so nice to have a backyard, even though we are on the third floor and it wouldn't take long to get down it just isn't the same as her being able to go outside and play by herself. Even if Emma wanted to go out here by herself here she wouldn't be able to reach or figure out how to get out or in because of all the codes and buttons you need to press. I put on some more clothes when I got home and went out and played with the girls. Sasha is a sweet little girl- they really get along great together even though they are 4 years apart. Sasha is teaching Emma russian and Emma is teaching Sasha english. It is fun being with the two of them. And I like speaking in russian to someone little- they don't correct me so much:) Sasha will probably come by everyday on her way home from school. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to get them out today, maybe....we'll see. Emma might have to just wave at her from the window today:(

update: day is almost over- blogger hasn't been working so I'm still waiting for this to be posted. I didn't take the kids out- soooo cold and I just dreaded the thought of bundling them all up:) and my arm hurt:) So we stayed in and played but then I noticed poor little Sasha out by herself at the playground. I thought about sending Emma out by herself too but I thought Sasha would be leaving soon. She didn't. We all sat in the window and waved at her and she would signal for us to come out while we shook our heads. very sad. Emma understood why we couldn't but it sure was sad seeing the two of them wanting to play together. I felt pretty mean:( I did tell Sasha that we probably couldn't today but we would on Monday so hopefully she will remember that and come back mon. Pretty neat that she likes Emma and wants to play with her everyday. She played for almost an hour by herself out there though, putting on a good show for emma and the boys- she was going down the slide backwards etc.

Sympathy Pains?

Poor Huddy! Yesterday he had a little tumble off a chair which resulted in a brief cry but then he went back to playing as usual. But later in the night he was crying like he was in horrible pain, we weren't sure what it was at first though he was saying owie and kinda holding his head or ear or neck:) but we later could tell that he had hurt his neck. If he had to support his head or lean back at all he would wimper or cry. So I kept him in bed with me so that i could rub his neck or I don't really know why, I just wanted him to be close. He slept fine and hasn't cried since but he sure does have a stiff neck:) Looks so funny to see a little one with a stiff neck. What timing:) Funny to see us both turning our whole bodies to look to the side etc. Oh well:) But he is fine, playing as usual with Josiah and laughing and jabbering away as norm so I'm sure he will recover soon. He is not new to pain, he often hurts himself- can you see his black toe in the picture below. I think he is the first little one I have seen to get a black toe too. What a guy:)

huddy and jo

Fun in the snow with Daddy

Finally I got it to work...sort of. You probably noticed that I was at last allowed to switch to the new blogger. I am not so sure I'm glad about the switch, but I don't have a choice- there is no going back and eventually they were going to make me switch. I am not liking posting, takes soooo much longer. And it seems to only let me put two pics in each post:( I wrote a long, really unbelievably good post :) yesterday but because it had 3 photos with it it didn't work- takes me a while till I feel like posting again... The real bummer is my clustrmap didn't transfer well. It was empty:( Just when the philippines and hawaii were getting a big dot too:( But at least none of my worst switching fears were realized- like losing all the archives (which I don't even have the pictures for myself). I was a little nervous switching knowing that there was no going back. I added more links though there are many more of you that have blogs we check regularily-I didn't put them all on for various reasons. We may be getting rid of all links soon but for now we are enjoying the ease of clicking to see you all.

The physiotherapist was right again that the pain would be even worse after our last session. I think he is trustworthy:) David could see when he got home from class tuesday how much pain I was in so he called and cancelled my class and then sent me to rest. When I awoke he had cleaned the house, done the dishes and somehow managed to get the kids dressed and out the door without me noticing. I usually notice everything going on- even when I'm asleep:) I found the kids out the window happily running and playing with David. Well, Josiah pretty much stands in one spot, a little away from all the action just scooping the snow around with his shovel. When Huddy isn't being pulled around on the sled he is chasing a big dog (he found a new one to torment yesterday) or climbing on the equipment. Emma found a new friend to play with as usual. The little girl named Sasha played for hours with David and the kids. She was on her way home from school (she is 8? 9?) and decided to stay and play- hope her mom wasn't wondering where she was... Emma taught her how to play hide and seek using the English numbers:) Sasha told Emma all the English words she knew like Shark, Dog and Cat. I wish the kids around here didn't know any English so that Emma would have to use her russian but hopefully that will be different when we move. We never seem to see the same kids again either which makes it hard to really make friends. Anyway, I should have gone back to bed to rest more but I was having too much fun watching them play from our kitchen window. That is until I realized how cold I was getting- we don't have the greatest windows. I took these pictures from our window and though they aren't so clear I thought it was time for some wintery pictures on our blog.

I had a great language session yesterday with Anya which was encouraging as it has been so long since I have really had a russian conversation. We shared a grapefruit and discussed all kinds of girly things and my lesson (of course:).

Well, this is getting long and might not work which will be a real bummer. I have physiotherapy again tomorrow- ouch.... Just when you start to feel a little better you have to go in again and be manipulated! I think I am already getting a little taller though- well maybe not but I think he is doing something to my spine anyway. Hopefully it will work.

My Pain in the Neck:)

Hi, sorry I didn't post last night. I went to my second physiotherapy appointment yesterday. It went well I guess. Before we got started with the massage I was brave enough to drill him on the plan and give him our situation etc. He was very caring and explained a lot, as best he could in English anyway:) The plan is (and I talked to the normal doctor too) is that they want to at all cost avoid surgery for now. The physiotherapist really sees the big problem as my crooked spine/neck. Until that is fixed it seems that the pain will not go away as the bone spurs and misplaced vertebrae will always cause pain whether I have a herniated disc or not. So, what the physiotherapist is doing is trying to get to the bottom of the problem rather than providing pain relief. Trust me, he doesn't make it feel better:) We discussed acupuncture and surgery and medicines etc. They all could/would relieve the herniated disc perhaps but (in their opinion) won't help with the crooked spine which is the major issue. The herniated disc pain should gradually fade (i think it has a little already) but for the next few weeks I will have an increase in pain due to the manipulating of my spine. (sounds bad) The doctor manipulates me twice a week! Owell. I guess this is good news, in the end I might be taller and walk more gracefully or something like that. There are two problems though that we will just have to trust Him for I guess. The first is the cost- after I go to the next appointment (thursday) our physiotherapy money from the insurance company will be used up. At almost $150 a session going twice a week- it adds up to more than our rent. and our rent isn't cheap:) The physiotherapist figures it will take about 12-20 sessions to straighten me out to the point that I will just be able to continue on my own with proper posture and exercises to help. But 20 times $150 is no small amount. Anyway, the other problem is that the treatment will continue all the way up to about the time that we are planning on leaving for Tuva. If I knew it would be fixed by then, it is ok. But the physiotherapist can't promise anything. He says by about the 8th or 9th session he will be able to see if it is working. Same with the herniated disc, if it the pain doesn't reduce in a few months there is still the possibility of surgery- which would definetely push back our departure. At times I think, despite the risks, I just would like to get the surgery done and get back to life, let david get back to normal and I can just have a scar. It would be covered by the insurance as well. But I know surgery isn't a good thing and doesn't prevent future problems.
So that is how it is...I guess we wait and trust. We will see what we can do about the insurance. I kind of understand why the physiotherapy isn't covered but surgery is though maybe there are some exceptions or there is some way that it could be covered. I'm sure surgery would have cost them more if that was the treatment plan the doctor suggested.
The real bummer is our language study. I already was going sooooo slow and now it will almost be cut in half with all the doctor trips and David too has had to slow down a little. I miss moving furniture around, I miss taking huddy out for a walk in the stroller. I miss sleeping on my right side. I miss hanging up the laundry and carrying home big loads of groceries. And it even hurts to blog:(
But we know that He works these things out for good. Maybe David was getting too good at Russian? Maybe my arms were getting too big? Maybe He just wants us to trust Him more and see things differently than from our perspective.... probably getting closer eh. Well, so that is that. Ask us questions, give us advice, and remember to think about us.

Want to see some reindeer? (if so Click the Moscow Times link to the right) They herd reindeer in Tuva too so hopefully the kids will get to see real live reindeer next christmas:) I hope some of them will have their antlers!

 
Not much new, we didn't have our marriage group yesterday as one couple is in the ukraine and another in krasnodar. We've just kinda been around the house and the grocery store. Other than refusing an apple from an interested and much too friendly marshrutka driver I haven't been getting in too much language practice or study.
My pain has been much worse since the physiotherapy appointment, but maybe that is good? he did say it would hurt. I have another one today and I'll tell him about it and see what he thinks. It has been over a month now and I just want to know what the plan is. I am starting to think that I might do something like acupuncture or get a second opinion at another clinic. I'm hoping I can get in to the regular doctor today too and chat with him about the next steps. I don't mind toughing it out for longer if there is a plan for when the french doctor comes in March/April but it just hasn't been explained to me well enough. I find it very hard to initiate those types of things, I just hope that they will tell me what I want to know, but I guess I'll have to ask this time:) I'll update tonight after my appointment.... 

I'm not sure this thing works....

As much as I liked the thought of looking like Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley and Katherine Heigi.... I'm just not sure this thing works very accurately. Granted the next celebrity to show up on Josiah's was Britney Spears but still I just wouldn't consider these to be look-a-likes for my little Jo. (It wasn't just this picture either, I tried other ones of Josiah and still got similar results:)