The LA Times published a funny, snarky, obnoxious, nasty [fill in your own adjective] article titled How to Shop for Kids the Brangelina Way. It is suppose to be a sarcastic article aimed at Jolie. She made a comment that that she and Pitt are "looking at different countries" for their next adopted child. Of course, she just gave birth. And Brad hasn't adopted her 2 children yet. Jolie is getting way ahead of herself.

This ... more

I love this news article about Ukraine's World Cup team.

Suddenly, all the old divisions don't seem so important. Ukrainians _ bitterly split over language, politics and whether they belong in the West or with Russia _ have been savoring a rare taste of unity with their country's gritty advancement to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

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Politicians are salivating over how to capitalize on the unusual sense of unity, but also grumbling that it took a soccer team to do what they could not. For others, it's another... more

There is going to be a press conference tomorrow June 29 July 3 with the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports. Topic is the opening of the SDA to the public.

For anyone new to Ukrainian adoption.

All Ukrainian adoption has been shutdown for the last few months (April, May and June). This is to allow Ukraine to transition their adoption processing from the Education Ministry to the Family, Youth and Sports Ministry. Child protective services are already under the Family, Youth and Sports Ministry. The new adoption... more

Symptoms of Language Based Learning Disability are located here. This blog is about Natasha's specific symptoms. They are seen by anyone who interacts with her on a daily basis.

I have collected some conversations with Natasha to show what I am talking about. First up is a conversation about Snicki. He is Natasha's 7 month old puppy. According to the lady on the street corner, (Snicki entered our lives about 2 months ago but that is another story :) ) Snicki is half Boston Terrier,... more

I saw an article last week, which flashed me back to November 2004 when my daughter was diagnosed with Dyslexia. Blogs on my flashback are found here and here.

I started looking for symptoms lists for Language Based Learning Disabilities. It impacts verbal communication more then most people realize. So I went back to my favorite book on the subject; Overcoming... more

Prior blog on this subject is located here. I saw an article last week, which flashed me back to November 2004 when my daughter was diagnosed with Dyslexia.

I was enraged that my daughter had to endure some really sucky life experiences... because of her language based learning disability (dyslexia). It wasn't something that she could make better by trying harder.

I was angry with myself and... more

Picture: Natasha (my darling daughter) June 2006. Her eyes are grey. You may be thinking they are blue, but trust me. They really are grey.

I recently traveled back in time with an article titled Discovering Language Disorder in our daughter. It discuss the signs of a language based learning disorder. The author, Carolyn, mentions one of my favorite books; Overcoming... more

Wow... Ukraine is moving onto the quarterfinals. How much longer can they hold on? Probably not much longer.

Here is one of my favorite articles.

It was the good old battling Ukrainians on Monday, as the World Cup's most eccentric team turned in a sterling performance, and then defeated Switzerland in a penalty shoot out.

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[Ukrainian team coach] Blokhin was on his feet for much of the match and, as has become traditional for the World Cup, managed to demonstrate his still excellent first touch by fielding... more

Here is the SDA's web site. Unfortunately they don't have an English version yet. It is in Ukrainian. But email friend has translated part of the information.

Director: Volinets Ludmila Semenivna

First Vice Director: Balym Ludmila Volodymyrivna

Vice Director: Hrischenko Fedir Volodymyrovych

Vice Director: Savchuk Inna Victorivna.

Address: Desiatynna Street #14, Kyiv 01025

Fax: 278-37-54

The rumor part... Staff are working in the... more

It has been amazing watching the Ukrainian team. Everyone seems to think they are just out matched. And it is amazing that they have lasted this long.

It's very unlikely that Ukraine will go on to win the competition, but the country shouldn't be completely written off. Its captain is Andriy Shevchenko, one of the world's best footballers and the team coach is Oleg Blokhin, who was one of the Soviet Union's most successful players.

From: Ukraine... more