A visit to Tatiana's Datscha

This is Tatiana's datscha...which is really just a country cottage.The government

gives them a plot of land and you have to use your own money to build

a house. This is where most Belarussian people spend the summers and

where they have large gardens (to can and freeeze).

My Ihar....

Happy Mama!

This is Tatiana's "bana" or another name could be "european spa".

They burn wood fires to heat the bana which will get 160 degrees....then they use leaves

to beat you (like a massage) and in the winter, you go into the snow to cool down then back again to the heat....No, I have not done this before! Yes, Ihar has been in a bana.

Americans are rather more modest than europeans (at least this American is!!!)

This is Tatiana's oven in her datscha in which to cook.

Tatiana and Ihar

Tour of churches...Belarus 2011

Ihar is standing in front of a Russian Orthodox church he helped lay  brick for. The main part of the church is behind the wooden building behind him.

 This is the smallest Russian Orthodox church in Belarus...it is one of the traditional places all newly married couples visit for photos....we saw several wedding couples.

It has a natural Spring where the water is clean and icy cold. I have seen this on previous visits to Belarus but the water is frozen in the winter!

This is a pool of water for "holy cleansing". It was busy while we were there.

 Catholic church

Three very "Russian" looking women! This is actually me, Tatiana and Linda. This is at the convent where nuns currently live and work. There is a small building which has a celler full of skulls and bones and a nun sits round the clock praying for those bones.

Ihar and me in front of the oldest part of the convent.

Inside of the convent which is beautiful. It was built in the early 1600's.

 

A burial plot for one of the saints of the church.

Convent....

On the drive to the airport we passed this church.

Russian Orthodox church in Mogilev.

Ihar's 15th Birthday Celebration July 30, 2011

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...."!

Saturday night I bought drinks, pizzas and birthday cake (torte) to celebrate Ihar's 15th birthday (which was July 22). The party included Tatiana, Sasha, Linda, myself and Ihar.....We sang Happy Birthday in English. Yes, there were 15 candles on the cake! What was his birthday present besides my visit? A cell phone! He has wanted one from the first time I met him !!!! I think it was about time! My prayer is that he will be responsible with it. In Belarus, you cannot use a cell phone until it is registered with the state....so Ihar had to wait several days to use it! That's called patience for a teenager! Ihar even liked all the clothes and shoes I brought him from America.....now that IS being a teenager!!!!

Reunion Day!!! July 30, 2011

On Saturday, we (me, Tatiana and my friend Linda (who traveled with me)) picked Ihar up from camp! Ihar is now 15 but was still happy to see me (it had been a year and 7 months since I saw him last). This photo says it all, "Hi Mom! Welcome to Belarus!". It was an emotional time for us both. I was so happy to see him! I think he was happy to see me too!

Do I look slightly happy or what? He is a good looking 15 year old!!! That's being a mom!

He has grown so much I almost didn't recognize him! He is much taller than me and wears a size 10 shoe! He is fit and works out with weights....

This photo was taken at the creek where the kids keep cool in the summer! It was a little muddy for me!

I also got to visit with Anastashia (my friend Cheri's daughter). She was also at the same camp at Ihar. She is very beautiful! She is now sweet 16 (almost 17).

The front of the camp....this would be the main building...the kids do "disco" outside in front of here.

This is a view of the back of the building where the dorm rooms are....The girls are on the top floor and the boys are on the bottom floor. The pavement here is their tennis courts and where they play soccer and basketball.

The creek where they swim....

View from the entrance...colorful. The camp is not at all like I pictured!

Ihar Spring 2011

My Ihar...a photo taken the end of March 2011 by some wonderful friends who traveled to Belarus and were kind enough to send me these photos....enjoy!!! Ihar will be 15 in July. I am hoping to be in Belarus for his birthday!

and another.....this last photo is Ihar and the Atroshkins children and their grandfather...

Happy Birthday Ihar!!!!!

Today is Ihar's14th Birthday! Another special moment missed; however, I did send him a musical birthday card which sings the Happy Birthday song in English. The tune is the same in Russian.

My Prayer for Ihar on his birthday:

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May He make His face to shine upon you,
And may you know He made you speical and
He loves you with an everlasting love.
May you draw near to Him as He whispers His
love to you. His strength is your strength.
He hears your every prayer. God Bless.

My Ihar

Most parents attend special events in their children's lives. This is our son, Ihar, at his graduation ceremony a year ago when he was promoted to rank of vice-sergeant upon completion of grade 7 to grade 8. I have spent the past 6 months trying to get these pictures! Anzhelika attended and took the pictures.....what else have I missed? We're still trying for a student visa...so keep praying with us. Ihar's at camp until the end of August. He will then return to cadet school and go to a week of camp prior to school beginning.