Refugee Status

 I haven't posted any updates here in over two months. That is most definitely the longest period between posts since we started this blog twelve years ago. But, we have never had to evacuate a war zone either, so there's that. I'm writing this from Alexandria, VA, where we have been living since late January. The girls and I evacuated first. Peter and the dogs joined us a couple of weeks later. We haven't begun to process what is happening in Ukraine. It's surreal and horrific. Our hearts are broken for all of our Ukrainian neighbors, friends, and colleagues. 

But, on the bright side, we have been extremely fortunate with our transition back to the US.  We are living in an Air B and B that is just around the corner from the house where we lived before. The girls are back in their old elementary school and have picked right back up with their old friends. Our supper club has welcomed us back with so much love and I've already attended my old book club.  I'm still teaching online with KIS and Peter is working crazy hours so I haven't had time or energy to take many pictures. Below will be a few photos from our last month in Kyiv and the first two months in Alexandria. 

Our January highlight was no doubt watching Georgia win the National Championship game. 

Peter and I got up around 5 am and woke the girls up shortly thereafter so they could watch the win with their breakfast.

Adrenaline and joy pumping at 6:30 am on a workday.

I couldn't help myself and made all of my classes watch the highlight reel before we started class.  

One thing we miss is the sweet book club meetings our neighbor Rebecca planned for the kids in our neighborhood.  This was the last one. 

Our last week in Kyiv was beautiful. I took my students outside this day to soak up the glory of the fresh snowfall. 

Sarah Avery's class took time to enjoy the snow every day too.  

Reading on Mommy and Daddy's bed has become a nightly ritual that we continued here in Alexandria.  

Susannah had a big school presentation the week before we left.  

She and her best friend Maja also finished their board game project for Cultural Studies. 

I took this photo fifteen minutes before we learned about the ordered evacuation. We were topping off a fun week at school with ice cream treats from the snack bar. 

The next week was full of crazed packing (we were able to take two suitcases per person) and writing sub plans. We found out about the evacuation on Friday and left the following Saturday.  It was a sad and stressful seven days.  

We were so fortunate to have the kindest flight crew.  They invited the girls up to the cockpit before take-off.

Peter upgraded us to first class which was awesome.  

                                                  

The pilot was a woman.  She sent back this thoughtful note during the flight.  Such kindness.  

Two tired girls and all of our belongings.

The first stop upon arrival was hugs with these ladies.  And my favorite spicy margaritas from our neighborhood taco spot.  

Those women and the love their families offered us was the oxygen that kept us alive those first couple of days.  

Seeing our friends from Kyiv helped too.  

We loved showing these friends our neighborhood favorites. 

My view every morning at 5 am.  

Peter's last couple of weeks in Kyiv were busy, including this day that he spent in Chernobyl.  

Frozen waffles for breakfast are a definite pro of life in the US.  

And the tooth-fairy visited with American dollars!

These girls have amazed me with their bravery.  This was their first day of American school.  

One of Sarah Avery's classmates met her outside and walked her in.  

We spent another Saturday with other Kyiv friends, including our favorite therapy dog, Kosmo. 

Seeing these girls was good for our souls.  

Two weeks after we arrived, Peter and the dogs joined us. The girls thought we were at the airport to pick up the dogs only.  Daddy was a surprise.  

A really good surprise.  

In other news, Susannah is learning to play the ukulele.  

One Sunday, we hosted a little ice cream date with some of our besties. 

Another new development.......we bought a new car.  We figured that made more sense than paying Hertz for the next few months.  

All of the evacuee kids from Kyiv organized a bake sale to raise money for Save the Children in Poland.

We baked brownies and cupcakes.  

Ready to head to the farmer's market. 

It was a special day.  And the kids raised over $25000!

Sally is such a good therapy dog.  

Honey, not so much, but we love her too. 

Susannah seems like such a teenager lately.  

On weekends, Sally and I take the long covid walking route that I walked every day during the first lockdown of 2020.  It's so beautiful and we both love it.  

The last news to report is that both girls are trying a new sport this spring, Lacrosse!  Sarah Avery had her first scrimmage on Friday night and she did great.  

We are so grateful for all the prayers and support our family and friends have offered during these past two tumultuous months. We are incredibly thankful to be safe and settled, but our hearts and minds are always with the brave and beautiful people of Ukraine. May this nightmare end soon and may we all do our part to make it so.