Ringing in the New Year... Ukrainian Style

This was the first year in a long time that Ty and I actually saw the New Year come in!  I guess we are generally pretty boring homebodies and for many years now we go to bed long before the "ball" drops.  The only reason that we know it still drops is that our four kids who incidentally tuck us in, stay awake til midnight and then report to us in the morning all that happened.  

But this year we were informed early in the day that the New Year's celebrations would start just a little before midnight.  So being the "party animals" that we are we quickly headed to bed to take a much needed nap.  Much needed, that is if we were going to be able to stay awake.

Around 11:30 we headed upstairs to hang out with some great kids from Father's House and their awesome houseparents.  After a blessing on the food and the New Year, given by Sergai (grandfather), we got to enjoy many Ukrainian dishes that are New Year's favorites.  And just like in America, we ate way beyond feeling full.

After enjoying the food and hearing Ukraine's president speak on TV (I'm sure it was very presidential but for all Ty and I knew he could have been reciting nursery rhymes), the karaoke machine was plugged in and we all took turns (except me... somehow I managed to get out of it) singing Ukrainian karaoke.  Ty did sing, "Wonderful Tonight, by Eric Clapton, (they did have some selections in english.)  He was definitely coerced by several persistent teenagers, but he was a good sport anyway.

Sergai and Natasha (father and daughter) doing karaoke.

Some awesome kids that we had the privilege to hang out with.

After karaoke we went onto play Mafia and charades, which Ty and I were at a slight disadvantage because we had no idea what everyone was saying.  Nazar, one of the houseparents did help to translate.  But I am sure we still missed some things as there was a lot being said and only a little being translated.
What I wouldn't give right now to be able to speak and understand Russian!

Ty, Nazar, and Sasha

Katya and Mariana's houseparents are Sergai and Marcia (grandmother and grandfather) and they are the parents of Natasha, who is wife to Nazar.  These two families do a lot together and between them are about 12 kids.

Here is Natasha and her Mom, Marcia... two extremely special ladies.

After awhile Marcia and Sergai headed to bed and the rest of us headed downstairs to the gym to play many rounds of volleyball.  It ended up being a great night!  

You can really tell that the kids here are very loved and cared for, which is not always the case in these situations.  We continue to be very impressed with all that goes on at Father's House.

We are so grateful to get to be a part of it while we are here AND we are very thankful that Katya and Mariana have lived in this very protective and nurturing environment.

Hoping to hear this week about a court date!