Mothers Day

Well, as you can see, it has been a while since this blog has had my attention. The Passanita Nut house has been in full swing the past couple of years with so many exciting things happening. I thought I would take this time on  Mothers Day to reflect on those things and bless my mom. This was one of her wishes; that I update my blog. So Happy Mothers Day Mom/June/GramMoore/Babushka!

2010 2nd half highlights

• Babushka took us to Disney World for the boys first time ever at an amusement park
• Group went to Ukraine but without me this time. I had to follow along from the web as my guys needed me at home. Very fruitful trip with many making choices to return either on a trip or to adopt!
• Vanya accepted Jesus into his heart and was baptized. He chose his mama to do the honors and what an honor it was to baptize my little guy. Thank you Lord for that blessing :)
• took the boys to the pumpkin patch across the ferry to cut their very own pumpkins 
• wonderful harvest festival at church where we got to sell food to raise money for the Ukrainian orphans
• Uncle Brian came for the Veterans Day celebration at the boys school
• We got to bring over a set of Ukrainian orphans for hosting over Christmas. What an awesome group and what a great time was had by all.
• Christmas at our house with the gang plus Victor S. since he came with the host kids.

2011 Highlights

• Veecha finally lost his first teeth! 2 on the same day and at school.
• Mayra ran her first marathon in DC and we went up to see the finish
• After successful winter hosting many kids are being pursued for adoption.Praise God!
• Veecha started on the wrestling team and was 2nd in his weight class as a rookie
• Spring break found us at Babushkas beach enjoying her paradise and had a cookout with some friends we had met in Ukraine that lived close by
• Cameron (grandbaby #1) turned 1 year old and we went up for his birthday party
• Rob made me a frame for the family pic we had taken. Awesome job
• Travis got engaged to Michelle Hoag in July for a June 2012 wedding
• Vanya was on the swim team again and decided that he would actually try to win this year
• Mayra was able to go with us to Babushkas over the summer for some beach time, dress up, alligator watching and fun
• I started homeschooling Yuri for 4th grade and he loves it!
• We finally got some speech therapy for Yuri and he sounds much better already
• Our friends the Amory's took off to adopt their daughter Anya from #3 in Zap, Ukraine
• Grandbaby #2 arrives Sept 15th and I got to go up to help for the first week. What an honor
• the little boys went ice skating for the first time
• We enjoyed everyone for Christmas at our house

2012 Highlights

• Yuri decided to take up wrestling this year and liked it OK and was very good. Veecha and Yuri did well for the season and participated in the rookie tournament.
• Yuri and Veecha got glasses and even though Vanya didn't need any he wanted to have some too so we got his a pair from Walmart so he could "look smart" too
• Travis moves back home as he has gotten a job here in town as a security officer in Colonial Williamsburg. Nice to have him home again but a little strange to have on return to the nest. Will have to navigate this carefully.
• In February Yuri passed the 4th grade standardized testing. Whew! I now feel better that I am teaching him the right things.
• Veecha joined the drama club at school and played Neil Armstrong and Lewis of Lewis and Clark.  Lots of hard work and he really enjoyed acting. Of course I think it might have been because he got to wear cool costumes also.
• Ukrainian Resource Center get a new website and has soared since then with another group coming for the summer hosting this year and many more families in the process of adoption. Hope God continues to draw and touch the hearts of people for his children.
• Had the wonderful company of my friend Christine for our spring break trip to Babushka's where we went to the circus and the boys learned how to ride skim board on the waves. What naturals! 
• Rob gets a job! Praise God! After a very long, very dry, very anxious time of unemployment and underemployment. Paying for some longevity and prosperity and fulfillment for him. Even though he had to leave today on Mothers Day and will miss lots of birthdays and special events I am happy he has this opportunity to feel successful again and I know he will do a great job.
• We took the boys hiking to Old Rag Mountain and they sure showed us up. Very different than when we took our other kids. We had to ask them to stop instead of them asking us. Tables are turned now.
• Not really liking that aging thing although the grandparent part of it is AWESOME!
• Travis got an apartment and Michelle has now finished her next to last year of college
• Mayra has now run multiple half marathons and full marathon and is helping with a church plant of a Hispanic church in and around Washington D.C. where they work.
• Crystal has lost 75lb since the birth of Aiden (grandbaby #2). So proud of her :)
• Both grandbabies were dedicated on this Mothers Day

Well those are the outstanding things. Those are all in addition to the soccer teams, baseball teams, rangers, school activities.  Have really enjoyed having the grandkids come stay with us many times for a few days at a time.  Loving Travis being around more and seeing how much he has grown in the Lord and how he is preparing for his wedding in a few weeks.  Crystal is attending bible study and has a great church family in Culpeper where she and Max live. Mayra is serving in her church as they reach out to the hispanic community and is enjoying her hobby of running. Really miss seeing her more often though. 
The little boys continue to grow and mature and have come a long way over the years.Now in 2,3,and 4/5 grades and still weighing in at 45, 64, and 78 pounds respectively.  By no means have we arrived yet but every day I thank God for all my blessings.  And on this Mothers Day I have so much to be thankful for: the blessing of a wonderful husband and 6 awesome children, a great set of Godly friends and family to share my life with, my health, a thriving ministry to serve in, my new lemonade dispenser with ice cone in the middle, a beaded bracelet from Yuri, a decorated journal from Vanya, a colored card from Veecha, the first Mothers Day call of the morning from Mayra, a very touching card from Crystal along with letting me love on her boys as much as I wanted, and to top it off Travis and Michelle brought me a cake and a cute card and came over to hang out with me and did all the dishes and made me feel very special.
Don't think I could ask for anything more! Feeling very very blessed and honored.

Happy Mothers Day, mom!

ps. Will add pictures another time. This mama is tired now