Well - we were going to stop posting but have been asked to continue. So - we will keep this going but won't be updating quite as often.

All continues to go well in our newly expanded family. Last night we went to the New Horizons farewell party. Deniss wanted to see Ruslans and Zenta again before they went home to Latvia. It was fun to see some of our old friends from New Horizons - but the best part was knowing that we wouldn't have to go to the airport on Wednesday to say goodbye to Deniss! My heart ached for the families that will be going through that sad time.

I have to leave today to go to continuing edcation and a partners meeting. Deniss said he wanted to go with me but he and Aaron have soccer practice. Last night he said at least we know it is not a year but only a few days that we will be apart. Today will be the first day that I won't see him since we picked him up on June 4th.

Ken has been telling me that I need to cut the apron strings but I am just not ready to even consider that. I tell him that Deniss just got a Mother, he needs to be able to enjoy it.

Last Friday night, Deniss and Aaron's soccer teams played against each other in a scrimmage game. It was a lot of fun to finally see Deniss playing in a game. That was the first time in his life that he has played with family on the sidelines! At one point in the game Deniss and Aaron were going at it one on one. I couldn't look - I can't take sides! In the end, Deniss' team won - but they are older than Aaron's team. The first real test of both teams will be the weekend of the 11th of August. They are both playing in a tournament. We don't have the schedules yet but it may also be the first time that Ken and I have to go in different directions and each pick a kid to watch.

Deniss and Aaron start High School on the 16th of August. That is going to be the next major hurdle in our lives. So - big changes are coming!

More later
Robin

Deniss and Aaron started soccer training this week. They are running about four miles several times a week. Deniss went to the dentist yesterday. He may need braces. He says if he has to have braces, then he won't smile all of the time they are on. So - this should be interesting.

Tonight we are going to take Zenta, the director of Likumi to dinner. She is here for this summer's hosting program and we promised to take her to dinner. Besides, we wouldn't want to have her in America and us not get to spend some time with her.

I don't know how much longer we can keep up with the blog without invading Deniss' privacy. At this point, this can get a little personal. It has been a lot of fun letting folks keep up with our adventure this way. But - Deniss is a teenager and wouldn't want his personal life open to the whole world.

I will up date a little while longer regarding soccer and school. I will let you know when we plan to stop.

Robin

Another week behind us

I took Deniss to have some fun with his Latvian friends on Friday. It is really strange to sit at lunch with your child and three of his friends and not be able to understand what they are saying! But - I could tell that they were really enjoying being together and that is what counts. Deniss had a chance to speak in Latvian for two days. The other boy in the group is being hosted this summer. He came home with us and spent the night. We met back up with his host family at a New Horizons event at Stone Mountain Saturday night. It was fun to see some of this summer's families. We also got to see Zenta, the orphanage director.

Ken and Deniss went to the first meeting for Deniss' soccer team. Ken is going to be the team manager. We are looking forward to seeing Deniss play. Camp is next week and I think there is a tournament shortly after that. Aaron's team meeting is tonight.

We are all continuing to adjust. No major hurdles - just normal teen issues.

Robin

Well - another week has past. Bobby and Lana were here until Saturday. They stayed in Deniss' room. He had to sleep on the couch. He was sad to see them go - but was very excited about getting his room back. Last night he asked if he could rearange his room, which he did.

He continues to ride his bike for long periods of time. I think that he enjoys that sense of independence. He was used to having some freedom at the orphanage, so we don't want to confine him too much.

We are arranging to get together with the twins who now live in Marietta. They are 12 year old girls. Deniss talked to them on the phone last night. They talked for a long time. I think he really enjoys the opportunity to speak to someone in Latvian.

We are going to Stone Mountain this weekend to meet up with the hosting group from New Horizons. Zenta, the director of the orphanage and Ruslan, another kid from Likumi will be there. Deniss wants to see them as well.

Deniss' lanquage skills continue to develop. He talks more and more all the time. He gets much less frustrated when he doesn't know a word. Sometimes he draws pictures to help explain things.

Deniss and Aaron are continuing to find their places in this new family. They are testing each other and us - not in a bad way - just feeling their way. We have not really hit any snags yet that we could not have anticipated. Just stuff that is normal. I am amazed sometimes at the concepts that I have to explain to Deniss. Stuff that we all take for granted about being part of a family. He didn't seem to understand at first when I asked him what he had been doing while I was at work. I think he felt like he needed to defend himself - rather than the fact that I was just interested in him.

We are adjusting very well at this point - but I am sure there will be some unexpected snags before long!

Robin

OK - so we were having fun!

We had so much fun - it was been hard to slow down and write an update. We got to WDW on Friday night. Saturday, we picked up Bobby and Lana from the airport. Saturday night we went to Chef Mickey's for dinner. We had a late reservation which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Apparently we had one of the last seatings of the night. The characters loosen up a bit when it is quitting time. We had our own personal show!

Deniss really opened up during our vacation. He can speak and read a lot more english than we suspected. We always knew that he understood most things, but he admitted to Bobby that he thinks it is funny when people say things over and over trying to make him understand.

We did most of the must do things at Disney World but we didn't do everything. We like to take it easy - we don't like to stand in long lines. Hartzog family plan - go to a park early, go straight to a very popular ride and get fast passes. then go on rides with short lines until time for the fast pass. when you finish the ride with the fast pass, it will be about lunch time. Get lunch, nap, go to pool.

We are now back in PTC. We went to the parade this morning. Craziness as usual - if you have never experienced the 4th of July parade in Peachtree City, then you are missing something. Tonight we are going to a church gathering for the youth.

More next week - soccer practice will start - and we are having family photos made.

Robin