World's Most Horrible Blogger

I should be kicked out of the "association of bloggers" b/c I've been a terrible member lately! Our life has been so full it has been overflowing lately! Ever since Gavin was sick and in the hospital life has just moved at full speed and my blog has been left in the dust! ... my family was here, our car was hit, we started back to school, I was sick, we didn't have electricity for 2 days because of a would-have-been electrical fire in Gavin's room, Nick came to visit, JB having medical problems... which leaves me at today-

Last night we returned from Moscow after 3 days of tests at the European Medical Center there. We found out that JB's symptoms are the result of a very large polyp that has to be removed. The soonest they can do the surgery is Wednesday, so- we returned to Krasnodar to be with Gavin and await the results of the biopsy they did, as well as to prepare to return to Moscow with the possibility of having to return to the states to recieve treatment if the polyp turns out to be malignant. As you can imagine our minds are filled with all the possibilities of what might happen in the very near future. We're thinking through who will take care of our home and all that's associated with that while we may be in the states, as well as our classes (that would continue to move along during our absense)... we've already missed a week of school from this last trip to Moscow, and will miss all of next week also as we will leave on Tuesday to fly to Moscow and we have no idea when exactly we would return to Krasnodar. So, all that said, please keep our family in your prayers when you think of it- especially JB as we found that he has an allergy to the anethetic that was used during his last procure, so please pray for safety for him and wisdom for the doctors.

During our time in Moscow JB and I were able to spend time together without Gavin, as he stayed with friends here in Krasnodar. We found an evening to take the METRO across town to Papa John's, IKEA and McDonalds! It was the first time we have been out, just us, since my birthday last November! So, we have decided to make a better effort at getting out, without Gavin or friends- just us- at least once a month! Though it was very hard to leave Gavin in Krasnodar while we traveled, it was wonderful to get away with JB- despite the circumstances.

You know you live in Russia when:
-The lines are the roads are merely a suggestion, and perhaps only there to confuse drivers!
-Drivers always create an extra lane using the shoulder of the road (and occasionally the sidewalk!)
- You plan yearly trips to Moscow in order to have McDonalds or go to IKEA!
- The passengers on the plane always clap when the plane lands- (I don't know about you, but I EXPECT the pilot to land the plane...isn't that part of the job description?!)
- Whenever you go to the grocery store you have to pay extra for bags to pack your groceries in.
- Passengers on the plane wrap all their luggage in cellophane or brown paper.
- you can see fireworks any given night from your balcony.
- women wear boots with capris all fall and winter.