It has been a while since our last post. We have been so busy getting back to "normal" (whatever that might be) that time is quickly passing by. It has been a wonderful experience so far with Erin but it has not all been a bed of roses nor did we expect it would. Erin has proven so far to be very smart, very sensitive, very beautiful but very stubborn and a perfectionist. Erin is in the local middle school along with her little (although Abby towers over her at 5'5") sister. She has been doing very well in math getting a 99% on her first test on her second day in school but civics is a seemingly nightmare for her. Can you imagine trying to learn about our confusing government having come from another country at age 13 speaking only a little English. It's extremely difficult but she is trying. The school has been wonderful trying everything to help her including a twice a week English as a second language (ESL) tutor doing a great job with her. That said, she is a very proud young lady and as you can imagine doesn't like all the attention. She thinks she is a failure at times and has had a couple of melt-downs despite all the teachers encouragements and hugs as well as our constant communication with her that she is very smart and that she isn't expected to do everything 
perfectly. But I think we are all making it through. We have spent many a late hour working on homework. We have found a nice resource in Dictionary.com's language resource at the bottom of their website. And 2-3 very nice online translators. But, for those families who have adopted more then one child at the same time...may God Bless You!!! God must have known our limitations when we couldn't bring back Vika last fall.
Another issue has been food. Basically, Erin doesn't like American food. Even if it's the exact same thing label and all as she got in Ukraine. Our friends that have adopted ahead of us (like the Hathaway's and their 3 daughters) said that it was the same for them so we know we are not alone. It is very much a control thing similar as any normal teenager but on a grand scale. But she does seem to be finding things she likes such as Wendy's Cheeseburgers, pepperoni pizza, and fresh fruits and veggies. She'll even slice up a couple of radishes, cucumbers, & carrots and mix it with sour cream. Yummy!? Also, Bev found a nice European Grocery Store down in Newport News that has a very nice Ukrainian lady that has offered food guidance.
Overall, Erin and the rest of the gang are doing well. Erin is very loving and sweet. The pictures above show Erin with her little sister Abby (age 11) at Sea World Orlando just before Christmas. The other picture is Erin with her 2 sisters Brittany (age 21) on the far right and Abby on the far left with her cousin Tristan (Gary's sisters daughter) sitting next to Erin holding a little stuffed pig. It was taken at Gary's parents house in Florida. Erin loved it there as she was able to pick and eat all the oranges she wanted in her grandfathers groves and swim in their back yard pool. She also loved spending time with Bev's father in Orlando playing with his dog Hanna, meeting all of her new Aunts, Uncles and cousins and going to Sea World.
So, lots of fun so far in the Bruce household. We are having a big birthday party this Monday, 15 Jan for Erin who is turning 14 on 18 Jan and Abby who is turning 12 on 17 Jan. Should be a lot of fun.
We thank you all for your thoughts and prayers throughout. We continue to lift up our friends Stan & Terry and Tim & Charlene as both couples head to Ukraine this month to adopt. We pray for a relatively smooth process and that God shows them who their new children are.
