Peta Murgatroyd is focusing on family amid the tough times.
The Auckland, New Zealand native, 35, took to Instagram Thursday alongside her son Shai, five, as husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, continued to work on behalf of his native Ukraine from Poland, as Russia’s military assault on the country entered its second month.
The Dancing with the Stars alum was seen seated with her son in a series of shots with the caption, ‘My guy … always pulling a funny face and can never be serious unless he’s in trouble.’
The latest: Peta Murgatroyd, 35, took to Instagram Thursday alongside her son Shai, five, as husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, continued to work on behalf of his native Ukraine from Poland, as Russia’s military assault on the country entered its second month
Murgatroyd added, ‘I love him so much it hurts. My twin. Always and forever XO.’
In the images, Murgatroyd had her blonde locks down and parted while wearing a khaki jacket, while Shai wore a blue T-shirt and had his locks tied up.
Murgatroyd opened up on her family in an Instagram Stories Q&A earlier this week as she fielded a number of questions from fans about the past month, as Chmerkovskiy was initially in Ukraine to film a dance show before making his way to Poland and later back to Los Angeles.
He has since returned to Poland to use his platform to help people impacted by the invasion.
The Dancing with the Stars alum was seen seated with her son in a series of shots
She said in the caption, ‘My guy … always pulling a funny face and can never be serious unless he’s in trouble’
The mother and son smiled as they tinkered with the filters on the social media site
Chmerkovskiy was initially in Ukraine to film a dance show before making his way to Poland and later back to Los Angeles; he has since returned to Poland to use his platform to help people impacted by the invasion
Murgatroyd told fans that she has not explained in detail to her son about the situation in Ukraine, and wants ‘to keep it that way until he’s old enough to understand.’
‘I don’t see the point in putting worry into his little mind,’ she said. ‘I also don’t want him seeing these images and for them to have a lasting impression. He’s too young.’
Murgatroyd said she has used a number of activities to channel her energy toward amid the difficult stretch, including prayer, focusing on her son, and ‘keeping Maks calm and in a place where he is still actively working on helping people but also spending time with family.’
Other activities she listed included: ‘Finding the balance. Breathing. Meditating. Talking it out to friends and family. Having gratitude for what we have here in US. We are so blessed.’
Murgatroyd told fans earlier this week that she has not explained in detail to her son about the situation in Ukraine, and wants ‘to keep it that way until he’s old enough to understand’
Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd were snapped in December in LA
Chmerkovskiy took to Instagram on Wednesday from a warehouse in Rzesow, Poland in a clip alongside businessman-humanitarian Michael Capponi, 49, whose Global Empowerment Mission is working to help the people of Ukraine amid the invasion
Chmerkovskiy took to Instagram on Wednesday from a warehouse in Rzesow, Poland in a clip alongside businessman-humanitarian Michael Capponi, 49, whose Global Empowerment Mission is working to help the people of Ukraine amid the invasion.
‘I am really excited to partner with @globalempowermentmission to provide aid to those affected by the war in Ukraine,’ Chmerkovskiy said, adding that they were at one of three ‘warehouses created to hold supplies and relief for those in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries.’
Chmerkovskiy thanked Bethenny Frankel and her BStrong foundation for involving him in the ongoing efforts.
‘I am looking forward to establishing this partnership and using our resources together with [the charity organization Baranova 27] to help as many people as possible, as quickly as possible,’ he said.
Murgatroyd, who wed Chmerkovskiy in July of 2017, said in her Q&A that while she has had her ‘anxious days’ watching her husband travel abroad amid the crisis in Ukraine, she feels ‘he made the right decision’ to return to Europe to help.
‘There wasn’t a way that he could stay and watch,’ she said. ‘I’m just proud.’