Hmmm...

It's been several days now since I last posted. Hmmm... let's see, what's new?

Actually, there's not really anything 'new' to post about. I just thought I should post something so no one would wonder where we are. :D

This past week has kept both David and I busy as we try to adjust to being students again. Language learning is now one of our main topics of convesation and is our focus right now. We are so, so very thankful for the two young people, Asis and Snyezhana who are our language helpers. I think Snyezhana is just perfect for me! She articulates very well and you can tell that she is a teacher at heart. Since she regards the Tuvan language as something extremely important, she enjoys teaching me her language and telling me about her culture. I am really enjoying getting to know her too and I hope that our relationship will develop. She has a 6 month old son, so we enjoy talking about our boys together! :D I meet with her three times a week, for 1 1/2 - 2 hour sessions at a time. It's very difficult for me to study while the children are awake, so I usually don't try. :D But, whenever the kiddos are napping or asleep for the night, I do my best to learn as much as I can.

The weather has gotten some-what colder, but it is still bearable. I think it averages around minus 10 - 15 degrees C (around 5 degrees F) right now during the day. I still try to take the kids outside once a day, but it is for a lot shorter period of time now. As soon as Micah's little nose starts to turn pink, we go inside! Even if we are outside for only 15 minutes, I think it was worth getting everyone all bundled up. After being out in the fresh, cold air, the kids seem to eat and sleep better, and aren't as restless. Here's just a picture taken the other day of our two snow girls... (those are rock piles covered in snow... not snow piles :D).

I really miss the socializing time that the kids and I had outside with others while the weather was still nice. Now, we are usually the only ones outside. Instead of being able to talk to my 'mom friends' once a day, I now only see them occasionally, about once a week. I miss them and really enjoy 'catching-up' with them whenever our paths cross outside or in our entry way. I am still very burdened for them.

Well, I think that's about all for now. I will continue trying to post as regularly as I can. Yet, as my evenings are now filled with language learning and we use the computer for filing, recording, ... well, I'll do my best. :D Thanks to all of you who read this and take an interest in our lives and what is going on here in T-land. Have a great week!