This 70lbs dog is insane (Gus)... he bends the strongest tied down I can find until he's able to pull it out of the ground (takes him about 4hrs these days). This time his pulling literally snapped the big buckle on his collar that is only a few months old. He's an angel when he's on his training collar but he manages to slip that from time to time... so I'm getting more creative with that. He's awfully pretty as he's running full speed away from you though :) Dennis helped Ashley and I run the dog down and bring him back.
After that distraction all the kids, except Ashley who was grounded, helped me build a burn pile. Today we finished it up and cut up the branches we are using for firewood next year. In a little bit Melissa should be home, we'll call the county fire control, start the fire, and will roast hot dogs by it of the smaller fire pit once it burns down. The boys helped me run down the hoses, and of course test them on each other. Add a shovel and I think we are all set.
Tomorrow I expect that we'll start collecting the rounds around the property and bring them up to be split. Then follow with some more bike riding.
Today we talked to Snezhana again. Dennis got to talk with her, his old teacher, and several of his friends. I think it is important he be happy here and relay that to the people he knows back there. I know with some kids and relationships it can cause being "home sick" or behavioral problems afterward. Dennis seems too easy going for that and it hasn't caused issues yet. Snezhana did ask him if he'd called his Ukraine gma yet, which he hasn't but we will once we arrange for a translator.... we actually don't really need a translator, just someone to introduce themselves, us, and make sure gma stays "inline" not trying to guilt or otherwise manipulate Dennis. Maybe we can do something for next Saturday.
A BIG praise that the kids and I have been praying about for over a week... Snezhana got our package. This is a first in over 3 months... I kind of wonder if the letter to the director had anything to do with it. The MTC minutes apparently were beneficial... she said "so so" which I'm guessing means she ended up giving them to a friend or using them in a different way... but she did say she'd like more and my commitment was I'd keep sending them as long as she keeps answering the phone.
Snezhana did feel comfortable enough to ask Melissa for some toiletry items and clothes. She seemed a little sad when we started the conversation but was in good spirits after talking with Dennis. We are going to send some stuff we still have for her (like shoes) with the understanding it probably won't work... but we will see if one of the families going in the next month or two can take some money from us and just supervise a brief covert shopping trip.
Hopefully this means Anna got her package this week too. We sent her stationary and are very curious as to whether or not she'll write us.
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