tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24785673674060252652024-03-06T00:30:54.641+02:00Grinn LifeJournal of perspectives as Tammy sees life here on earth.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-86414754713549193752016-12-07T04:44:00.001+02:002016-12-07T04:44:20.661+02:00DecemberThe month of December is laced with much meaning at the Grinn house.
First of all, and probably most importantly, it means the holidays are coming! And with the holiday season comes a nice long break from school! This is a happy truth for all seven Grinns (since there are five students and two teachers among us).
Secondly, December brings with it the heavy sense of finality. Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-10190307246928425552016-05-13T19:22:00.002+03:002016-05-13T19:22:46.750+03:00Meet the kids! ;)
We had such a great trip this last month! Introducing: Sasha (Alexia) and Dima (Tyler) who were a sheer delight! Sasha (Alexia) loves to ride a bike and listen to music (Tanya, you better learn how to ride a bike soon so you can join her! ;) She is very quick-witted and a great cook! She made cookies and Ukrainian blini for us! Dima (Tyler) loves Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-52801726333350163562016-04-23T07:35:00.002+03:002016-04-23T07:35:49.087+03:00Even if the Mountains Don't Move...
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
Oh ye of little faith...
The longer I live on this planet the more opportunities I get to see how God is faithful to His promises. Which in turn means Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-53800329734895451712016-04-06T05:22:00.000+03:002016-04-06T05:22:16.958+03:00Tiny
Do you ever get the feeling that you are a small part of something really great? Like the tiny piece of filament inside a glass bulb that when combined with all the proper elements actually shines forth light! By itself it can do nothing but lie there looking like a sad little piece of a bigger lamp puzzle. However, without that filament piece the lamp would not work and Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-18106234267584396432016-02-17T01:41:00.001+02:002016-12-07T04:45:19.517+02:00Hearts and Hugs
Many of you have asked about the adoption so I wanted to give you all an update. :)
Since we started the process back in September, we have been able to complete every last little document for the US requirements and the Ukraine dossier requirements! This is a true miracle!
So the next step is to head to the state capital to get all 45 pages stamped with the state Apostille stamp! &Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-21676840556917365792015-11-16T17:34:00.000+02:002015-11-16T17:34:50.889+02:00Thankful for Forced Smiles :)
I love getting family photos! Something about having to bunch up together and smile that just warms my heart! I know... by the end of this particular day; all the boys were groaning, but they kept on to appease their Mamma.
Yes, there are times when we frown. Times when we cry. Times when we are hurt and upset and fight. But, did you know that it takes more Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-84078650455247755402015-11-04T04:14:00.001+02:002015-11-04T04:14:11.475+02:00Update on the Journey...
For those of you who are following our Adoption #2 story, here's a little update.
We FINALLY received our Homestudy! It took a record 2 months but the wait was worth it. While we were waiting for the final approval we heard that a few families were rejected in Kiev and had to spend 8 weeks adding an addendum to their Homestudies... So our Social Worker decided to add this to ours Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-17734257158536970252015-09-26T02:15:00.002+03:002015-09-26T02:15:27.025+03:00Imagine"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
Our Bible study group has been looking at this verse this week and it's been ruminating deep in my soul. The Apostle Paul was trying to getTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-69153746907736897682015-08-31T07:30:00.001+03:002015-08-31T16:47:36.600+03:00Here We Go Again...
As you all know now, our heart strings have been pulled yet again.
Our Savior has ever so gently whispered his encouraging words to our hearts... Words of hope, faith, trust, love, and adoption. At first we tried to shut out His whispers all together. Let's be honest here. We could make just about anything louder than our Savior's quiet nudging. Besides, we're Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-84414176524165721392013-11-05T02:42:00.000+02:002013-11-05T02:42:32.052+02:00Creature Comforts3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
It's an understatement to say that I am a creature of comfort. Of course I love adventure, traveling, Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-23772445000461514802013-10-08T20:06:00.000+03:002013-10-08T20:06:14.093+03:00Ukraine vs. Grinn Family (round #432)
Many of you know that once we built the house out in a Tatar neighborhood, we hit the ground running to register the house and all the documents. This took about a year and around $4500.00. But in March of 2011, we were able to claim full ownership of not just the land but the two structures on the land as well! This was a victorious day for us. But like so many of our Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-92212537539592456032013-07-01T18:35:00.001+03:002013-07-01T18:35:32.144+03:00Six Month CheckupThe last six months of our intense family learning curve can be summed up like this:
A cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other titled:
"Have a New Teenager by Friday -From Mouthy and Moody to Respectful and Responsible in 5 Days" Dr. Kevin Leman.
Yep, we are suckers for quick fixes, especially when it comes to advice on how to parent teens.
So let's catch up. Over the last six Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-56427636467400020162013-04-22T12:47:00.001+03:002015-04-21T05:47:20.179+03:00Some Firsts to Consider...Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-7430001485918805162013-04-22T12:42:00.000+03:002013-04-22T12:42:17.851+03:00Visas!After two years of running around, gathering documents, pulling our hair out and bending over backwards to accomodate each office worker in what felt like every region of the country... we were finally able to apply for our kid's visas!
I don't know what I was expecting. A big 'Congratulations' or a surreal feeling of happiness? It was just so non-climactic.
After three days of Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-80571161233437935282013-02-19T12:53:00.002+02:002013-02-19T12:53:34.754+02:00New LensesWith each day we are discovering something new with and about our kids.
Some firsts for them include:
1. escalators
2. bowling alleys
3. home made pizza
4. french toast
5. movies and popcorn
6. hot showers
7. using soap!
8. playing X-box
9. making home made thank-you cards and delivering them to a neighbor (who recently cooked us dinner)
10. Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-3455263385345970122013-01-27T20:25:00.001+02:002013-01-27T20:25:13.782+02:00Learning TogetherJust a few thoughts as we embark on our new rolls as Mom and Dad. :)
1. Beans and rice are only appreciated the first night they are served.
2. Boys of all ages like to 'win.' (We've been playing lots of 'wii' games lately.)
3. Even 'clean' clothes from the Orphanage still need to be washed... and fabric softener makes people feel special.
4. You need extra sleep Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-21274134536868985982013-01-22T21:59:00.001+02:002013-01-22T22:01:20.157+02:00A Day to Rejoice and Remember...
"I've seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and every time I see it, I say to myself, hate is too great a burden to bear. Somehow we must be able to stand up against our most bitter opponents and say: We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you...Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-69056497710556444282013-01-19T16:04:00.000+02:002013-01-19T16:04:42.204+02:00Do not be Anxious...Really?
How can we really make ourselves not be anxious. We pray, we fast, we distract ourselves, we trust the peace of God to flood our hearts and minds... but low and behold we are still anxious.
This holding pattern we have been in can stop any time now, thank you very much.
We have distracted ourselves with a cruise (intended for all five of us), the holidays, a puppet show for 100+ Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-29401217130715799292012-12-11T21:17:00.000+02:002012-12-11T21:17:37.117+02:00Cruising Along...
So, many of you know that way back in July, we bought five tickets for a 13 day cruise back to the states! Don't judge... it totally made sense at the time.
1. Same price as airlines tickets with a two week vacation in the middle
2. Gentle easing into a new time zone
3. 11 other friends who speak Russian and English and who all happen to know our soon to be adopted childrenTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-18870149490816225522012-11-10T17:03:00.002+02:002012-11-10T17:03:55.214+02:00MommaSuch a simple word... 'Momma'.
Today I went to visit with Tanya at the Orphanage. It took me about 30 minutes just to find her! I looked everywhere, nobody seemed to know where she was hiding. Finally, I ran into her best friend, Sasha, who told me that she was in the kitchen helping and learning how to cook. When I found her I noticed that she was the only student Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-81539575357521262772012-11-02T09:51:00.001+02:002012-11-02T09:51:19.108+02:00The DecisionMany of you have been wondering what the details of the Judge's decision really were.
Here is a brief description of his reasonings for saying no:
1. There are not enough bedrooms for each person.
2. Dima said he would like to maintain or build some kind of relationship with his younger sister in the future (his sister is in Foster care in Crimea). Therefore his desire to be Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-26047292340394794122012-10-30T19:23:00.001+02:002012-10-30T19:23:45.484+02:00Help the Grinns!Many of you have expressed interest in helping us financially complete this adoption. We are so humbled by your desire to give! Thank you!
Now after meeting with a few individuals and a Lawyer, it was clear that we will need to raise around $5000.00 in order to complete this adoption and for future transportion costs.
It is frustrating to come so far and feel like your Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-27630156354266841492012-10-26T12:03:00.003+03:002012-10-26T12:06:27.008+03:00FaithfulnessHere's a record of what happened, as best I can remember it...
October 12th: After the 6 hour ordeal, the Judge even leaned over to Matt and said "everything is going to be okay, do not worry, your paperwork is fine. You just need to fix this one problem."
October 13-24th: Matt, Lena, I run around to gather the one document that the Judge said we needed for our paperwork to be complete. &Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-6151944684170451632012-10-20T12:56:00.005+03:002012-10-20T13:17:02.628+03:00NothingnessOn October 12th, we had- what we were told- would be our final court date. We were instructed that it would take about 30-45 minutes to go over the papers and for the Judge to interview us and the kids. With hopeful hearts and brimming with confidence and faith, we marched into the court room. However, yet again our hopes were dashed on the rocks.
In reality, the session began Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478567367406025265.post-38644498502988487912012-10-10T13:36:00.000+03:002012-10-10T13:36:27.607+03:00A Victorious MeetingCourt is scheduled for this Friday. However, without the 'agreement' letter from the main Adoption office in Kiev, we cannot meet.
So, this last week, I have been in Kiev waiting to hear if this letter would be ready in time for our court date. In the meantime, I have been helping out a friend who has four kids and whose husband is on out of the country.
When I would call this main Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278957059744846680noreply@blogger.com0