Wow! Where does the time go?!

I just can't believe it's been since December 13th that I posted about our new kitten, and wham! Here it is Christmas Eve Eve! ha

Christmas Eve Eve is a big deal here to us you see... since Cala's first Christmas with us, we have spent December 23rd together as a family, camped out (or in since we're always inside)- in our living room. (wherever that may be! lol).

Tonight, well, it's a little past 1 a.m. (so technically, it's already Christmas Eve)- we started a new tradition for us- of getting new pajamas on this night. I caught the baby (who by the way refers to himself as "Papa's big boy, Mama's baby") in his new garb, complete with robe:

Isn't he adorable?! No! I'm not prejudiced a bit! ha

And here, in the second picture, he was looking up at Papa (Glenn), who was telling him we were heading upstairs to watch "Rudolph".

There's just something so special about children at Christmas! I can hardly wait to see my kids this year as they open their gifts! Seth was just a baby last year so this is all new to him. It should be lots of fun with all three of them.
Glenn and I are so truly blessed with these precious children! What a wonderful Christmas indeed!

My inlaws are also here.... that's a major reason to my busyness and lack of posting! We are keeping the roads hot! I am excited that they are here. Unlike many folks and their inlaws, I actually get along with mine and love them very much! I only wish my parents could be here too.

Another wonderful thing was that due to my inlaws being here, Glenn and I got to go out ALONE last night! First time in months of course, because well... I don't yet have a babysitter here- don't want to just trust anyone with my kids. Hopefully in the coming year, with our church growing, that will change and I will have someone.

Well, got to run! Cala has already fallen asleep (she made it to just past midnight), but the boys are still going strong! I remember Cala's first year doing this- she was wide awake at 2 a.m. when WE finally said, "enough is enough, we must sleep!" Of course, we are about to get them to bed too, as church is here in the morning!

Catch you later! (hopefully much sooner than last time!)

The Kitten post

Here's the latest member to join our family! We named her "Keeska" or the Russian word for kitty. I did give Cala the job of a middle name for her, and she came up with "Matroshka" (Russian nesting doll). So, our please meet our kitten,

"Keeska Matroshka"

She's special to me for a couple of reasons. See, my husband has always said he "despises" cats. He just really doesn't like them. However, the "psychologist" in me (lol) says that's because as a child, he had a cat that he loved and it died.

ANYWAY!, on our 10th anniversary (which has now been almost 3 1/2 years ago), Glenn presented with something I thought I would never have once marrying him! (we lived in Russia)- he brought me a beautiful Russian blue cat! I named him Nikita and I loved him so very much! However, it just wasn't feasible to bring him to the states, so Nikita now lives in a home where he is as equally loved.

I must add that I wasn't sure my heart was up to another cat, but it was GLENN once again, who came home with the idea. Last week, he brought a flyer home from then grocery store that was telling about this 9 week old calico kitten with a stunning coat. (Free to a good home). I called, no answer. It was the following day when we got in touch with them, went to get the kitten, and surprised Cala at school! Actually, we brought the cat home praying the whole way it wouldn't "meow", but it did. I coughed really loudly to cover it up. The expression on Cala's face was priceless as she opened up what we called, "an early Family Christmas present."

We are all now in love with Keeska, and she seems to love even the boys who follow her, pick her up- love on her!

** Pray for us- Glenn, Cala and I are all feeling pretty lousy. There is a cough/cold going around our town here. SEVERAL kids are out of school sick right now. **

My First Drive in the Snow...

Yesterday I decided to go out and do a little Christmas shopping on my own. The town I wanted to go to is a good ways through the country. It's an absolutely beautiful drive! On my way back home, not only did I get lost, (took the wrong road turning out of the store and ended up in the middle of nowhere), but I ended up driving through snow with near zero visibility!!!! It was really strange having that happen as I had only seen flurries moments before. Then, it was just through this one little spot in the road that it was very difficult to see.

To make matters worse, when it seemed to be taking longer than usual to get back to the next store I was going to, I became concerned I was lost again. I started thinking Glenn should never let me out of his sight! ha ha No sooner had I picked up the cell phone to call Glenn, did I see this beautiful red barn that is a "landmark" for me on that road. I knew I was going the right way.

Snow was definitely not sticking- didn't last long... still praying!!!!!!

I did it again

Yes, I know- I said I would post more and sure enough I've been gone from blog land quite awhile! ugghh

Since last I posted, my baby son had his 2nd birthday:

We visited a Christmas tree farm this past Saturday (an absolutely great time!, and new tradition for us :o)

And then, spent some time putting pictured tree up in our downstairs family room:

It's been very very cold here lately, but with just a dusting of snow! Now, spending years in Russia- we sure lived about living with cold AND snow. We knew Minnesota (or MinneSNOWta as it's been called) would be no different. However, this year so far is starting out very slow snow wise. We are told by plain folk and weathermen alike that this is highly unusual for this time of year. Having seen much snow through the past years, I would not complain much, and would relish in the fact of not having to deal with the hazards that the snow and ice bring. HOWEVER, this is our first year here, new house (to us), first time to have a fireplace, etc. etc. etc. and it just feels like Christmas! I want the snow. I also want to see the snow because my inlaws (from FLorida who never see snow) are coming for two weeks at Christmas time.

We are COLD though. We're having temps dropping in the single digits with wind chills below zero. To me, give me the snow and the 30's. This very cold weather with no snow, well, to be honest is just irritating! lol I am praying for snow! :o)

**** Note to secret blog pal: Thanks for the package that came today! ****

Yes, we got out on Black Friday and shopped! What mean parents we are getting those kids up BEFORE the crack of dawn! We put them to bed super early Thanksgiving night, and then hit the stores early early Friday morning. (up at 4 a.m.!) We spent 9 hours out and had an absolutely wonderful time! The kids were all very well behaved and Glenn commented several times at how nice it was that day being together. We came home and actually put up some Christmas decorations. We are a "work in progress" around here- we went to Wal-mart but bought very little decorations as we truly were so exhausted by then we weren't thinking straight! ha ha (that was the second Wal-mart we had been in Friday and it was already 1 p.m. by then).

Yesterday we spent relaxing in the morning, cleaning in the afternoon, in preparation for church today. Glenn lost his voice yesterday, and it has yet to return. He is not hurting at all, feels fine, just can't talk. This happened a few times in Russia. I used to say it was the devil, as many times it went on Saturday, and would be back on Monday- so he couldn't preach! I am interested to see how he is tomorrow.

Church went well regardless. Glenn had printed out a lesson for us to read since he couldn't talk. So, the young man that comes, and I discussed it. We also sang a lot. By the time the morning was over, my throat was so dry, but I was just happy to be here at that particular moment! Make sense?! Just seeing God work.

I am looking forward to the week ahead. Who knows what will have taken place by this time next week?! Look forward to the adventure!

Where Have I been?! Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! I didn't even realized that the last time I post was a week ago!!! Yikes! I do have someone who faithfully mentions when I lapse behind in posts :o)

Let's see... the reason for my not posting?! Uh, er, um... we could blame it on Cala's sickness. After she came home last Thursday and started running a high fever, we became concerned. You know, it hits me when my kids are sick, the lack of medical info we have on birth parents. It does make me a bit nervous not knowing possible things to look for. Add to that, that Cala has never been sick much through the past 5 and a half years, and well, I just hate seeing her so sick. It's in those times I realize how much I LOVE that girl! How much I am thankful that she's my daughter!!! I would have given anything to take that sickness for her.

We did take her to the doctor yesterday- she has a viral throat infection, but unfortunately no antibiotic would really help the doctor said. So, it's Children's Motrin, and Children's Tylenol for her. (and lots and lots of fluids). Cala, poor thing hasn't been able to swallow well, and so, her Thanksgiving was limited in what she felt like eating.

What else could I blame my absence on?! Um, um, uh... oh yes! It could be blamed on my doing so much more now for my family! This is a HAPPY thing! You see the past 2 weeks I was unable, due to a really bad flare up with fibromyalgia, to do much at all. Glenn really had to do everything- cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. etc. So, now that I can do these things again, I am so very happy to be doing so! I've been busy.

And then, there's the probable answer, the um, truth to my absence... my MEMORY! Because of fibro, I do have a horrible memory and simply have forgotten this blog! I will do better! I promise.. well, I promise, IF I remember! ha ha

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We do indeed have much to be thankful for... as a nation (as I have traveled much, and lived in foreign lands, I feel I can attest to this)- we have our faults, but we're still truly blessed to have soooo much! We have an abundance when many have nothing. We still indeed have our basic freedom.

Personally, I have much to be thankful for. I had wonderful parents growing up (and still do! They are still around :o)

I have a husband that loves me, truly in good times and in bad. He's seen the "in sickness and in health" lately.

I have three children, three precious precious children. Three children from three different heritages, and still my very own.

I am blessed.

A night I don't want to repeat

Cala came home yesterday from a field trip (a production of Charlotte's Web), very very tired. I thought it strange when she didn't even say hello to me, but opted to hit the couch and fell fast asleep!

When she woke up, she was hot, and I mean hot! She ran a high fever for a couple of hours, it came down, and all seemed well.

Now, I am a night owl, but ever since having to get up at 6:45 a.m., I have been falling asleep much earlier. Last night though, I was up a little later. I was actually just getting ready to go to bed, when at 1 a.m., Cala appears at our bedroom door, hot again. Her temp was not as high, but still too high. She slept in a sleeping bag, on our floor. Glenn got her some medicine, and I decided to stay up until I knew she was asleep and o.k. The time was 3:09 a.m. when Cala finally fell asleep. I was soon out.

Knock Knock-the time is now 5:00 a.m. and I hear Glenn up talking about getting back upstairs to your room. It was Ethan- he had wet his bed. sigh... Once he was settled back in (thank you Glenn!), we were all back asleep.

Then came 5:45 a.m.! I should interject here that since becoming a mother over five years ago, I can indeed be a light sleeper when it has to do with the kids. It's only increased since having the boys home, especially since Seth was just nine months old when we got him.

So, it was 5:45 a.m., and I looked up to see this cute brown face staring at me saying, "Mama, I caca." It was Seth (age 23 months now) saying he needed a diaper change. ha ha Too early for this, but I did my motherly duty... I hollered "Ethan! Bring me a diaper please!!!!!!" (oh yes.. Ethan had come downstairs with the baby). "Oh yes! Baby wipes of course."

I then sent Ethan back upstairs, back to bed. Wanting not to disturb Cala or Glenn (who had just fallen back asleep), I sat there in the dark, forgetting to turn on the light! ha ha I just remember saying, "Son, I hope you're truly clean, I can't see well in the dark, but that'll do until I'm back up." lol

Here's hoping tonight is much calmer.

Voice of the Orphan

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Please listen to The Voice of the Orphan

Nov 13 Dr. James Dobson, Ryan Dobson, and Jim Daly
Nov 14 and 15 Dennis and Barbara Rainey
Nov 16 and 17 Steven and Emily Chapman

to listen, click here >>>>>>ONE PLACE

You can listen to any broadcasts you have missed. These are very touching broadcasts concerning adoption. I urge any of my readers who may not even be interested in adopting to please listen to these anyway!

Voice of the Orphan is a coming together of many organizations to find families for the millions of orphans in our world. The agency we used to adopt Cala, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, is a partner in this ministry. (as well as many other reputable agencies).

Taken from the Voice of the Orphan website, "The United Nations counts 143 million kids around the world as orphans, 143 million children waiting for love and support."

Feeling Official

Today in the mail, we received our Minnesota driver's licenses. I must confess I just stared at mine for awhile. Something so simple, yet another step to feeling "official" here.

Yes... it's a slow news day :o)

Crying on Memory Lane

If you watched tonight's episode of Amazing Race, then you've seen a taste of my favorite city in the world! I simply LOVE Helsinki, Finland. What was so very neat was the other cities in Finland where the teams went, we've been through as well, on the train.

When we lived in St. Petersburg, Russia, we would twice a year take a six hour train trip to Finland's capital-Helsinki. It was there we would get our visas (to stay legal in Russia) renewed. We looked forward to those trips as anyone living in St. Pete could understand. It was a real place of renewal for us, a time to refresh from the daily struggles that is life in Russia.

I confess to having a tear come down my face as I watched tonight's Amazing Race. I wanted to see more of these places I had been. It was so neat to see places in Helsinki that we had frequented. To hear one of the teams say, "kiitos" (thank you in Finnish) did my heart good.

Sigh... It appeared in the clip of next week's episode, that they were in Russian cars! I can't wait to see where they go!!!!!! If it were to be St. Petersburg, you may find me bawling. While content in Minnesota, knowing God wants us here (and no, there is no doubt about that!), I still miss Russia. I think a part of me always will.

Sad Statistics about Guatemala

I saw this posted today on an adoption list. It is sad but true:

Out of 100 children born in Guatemala:

1 will be adopted by a US family
5 will not make it to their 5th birthday
16 will be born with low birth weight
22 will never see the inside of a school
28 will never learn how to read and write
54 will grow up in extreme poverty and malnourished
74 will never make it to the 7th grade
84 will need to travel over an hour to reach a health care facility

Reading statistics like these make me so very thankful, grateful and full of emotion when I think about my precious little boys! Pray for the children of Guatemala! May many more make their way to their forever family!

Fun for Cala

Cala began the Brownies (Girl Scouts) last month. She really enjoys it, and typically will have two meetings every month. This afternoon though was the "Investiture" ceremony at the roller skating rink! This was when the new scouts got their pins and official induction to their troop. She had never been skating ever, and so this was a whole new experience for her.


She said she really enjoyed it even if she did fall over and over again. She came home very very tired, as evidenced by this picture, but there's a student holiday tomorrow, so she can sleep a bit longer in the morning. Of course, that all depends on her pesky little brothers. :o)
Looking at this picture took me back to her being a wee little girl just home from the orphanage, and sooo sooo sleepy. It's hard to imagine she is now 8 years old and has been our daughter for 5 and a half years! I just wish she would quit growing so fast!

My Boys are Sweet

Today has been a really, really rough day with my fibromyalgia. I woke up unable to walk. I had to get up to go to the bathroom, but literally had to hold on to the walls, and anything I could find as I went.

Glenn had gone to take Cala to school and as I tried to get back to bed, I sort of slipped. I ended up in a kneeling position at the bed (good position to pray!). Since the school is not quite a mile from us, I was sure Glenn would be back soon. As it turned out, it was one of those days as I've had when taking Cala, when everyone seemed to show up at the same time.

Anyway, the boys came in my room and noticed my dilemna. Ethan (age 3) says, "I hep you" and proceeds to come over and put his arm around me :o) Seth (age 23 months) comes over and actually tries lifting me up! Ha Ha! He had just been told to put the lollipop down and comes over and says, "Mama, here, you take my candy. It help you." ha ha

What sweethearts my sons are! They love their Mama.

Glenn soon came home and helped me, but I was sure to tell him how the boys had helped their Mama. They were proud to hear it and I was proud of them!

2 Heroes, 1 Clown

Wonder Woman in Minnesota HAS to be layered with a long sleeve shirt PLUS a sweatshirt, plus tights if she's to make it out of the house without a coat hiding her costume!

As my good friend, Suz, said... this is a smile that just melts your heart. It's like Kryptonite!
Yes, we could have gone all Justice League and gotten Batman, or even just Super Heroes and gone with his favorite, Spiderman... but uh, we needed some comic relief!

Why Don't They?

I enjoyed today. Cala and I went to the grocery store and the post office together. I like living in a small town where I feel safe enough to let Cala run in the post office and check the mail for us. She loves doing that, and I have fond memories of doing the same as a child. Not so anymore in the area I grew up in, for I would never allow a child out of my sight at all there! Mind you, I still have that mentality now, so none of my children are truly out of my sight still. I just mean, I can stay in the van and watch Cala as she runs in the post office without fear of someone nabbing her, and that's nice.

On the way to the grocery store, we had a deep theological discussion. Yes, she's 8, but so full of questions about God! It's wonderful. Children are so simplistic in their ideas of how things ought to be, and yet we could learn a LOT from a child. Today, it was like this: "Mama, are there two Gods?! There aren't are there?" I responded with, "No, just one." She asked, "But I heard Jesus, God's son was actually God." "Well, you heard right Cala, and that's hard for us as people to understand, but it's true." Then I hear, "Mama, why don't some people believe in God like we do!? Why don't they just believe it's true?!" To that, I have no real response but I did say, "Dear, I love you, you're my daughter, but the honest truth is I can't MAKE you love me. It's the same with God. He loves us all soooo much, but He wants it to be OUR choice." She simply said, "I wish everyone would just choose God." "I do too, dear... I do too."

I thought I would share a couple of pictures from Cala's 8th birthday a few days ago. We keep both American and Russian traditions at birthdays and holidays. Russian birthday tradition is to have a birthday pie. Well, I didn't get around to making one, and baking the greeting in the pie crust as I did in Russia. So, my sorry attempt was to buy a pecan pie (which is what Cala asked for!) and to uh... yes, I put Cala's name and age in COOL WHIP! It didn't work so well, but as you will see in the picture... either Cala loved it!, or she was making fun of me. I choose she loved it. :o)

It's true... I'm still here :o)

Wow! I've not been this long without blogging in a while! No excuses, just one thing after another I guess keeping me from it!

I'll not try to "re-hash" everyday just will say this: We had a great time with my inlaws, and are very much looking forward to them coming back in the middle part of December. They'll be here two weeks then, and that will include Christmas.

A couple of days ago, we had to apply for our Minnesota driver's license. We had to take a written test. We were allowed to miss 8 questions. Glenn missed 8. I missed 10! Boo-hoo. So, yesterday, I was not sure if I would go re-try or not as I was having a very rough time with fibro. At the last possible moment before having to absolutely get ready in time to make it, I decided to go! I'm glad I did! I had a different test that time, and passed, missing 7. Now, in Florida, it's never possible to turn left on a red light, but it is in Minnesota. AND how much space should you give someone on a bicycle when wanting to pass them?! Well, here in Minnesota, it's 3 feet. I had originally answered a car's length. I was trying to be nice! ha ha

Yes, I do feel like quite the expert at this point on Minnesota driving laws. I will receive my license in the mail- in 4 to 6 weeks. (in Florida, you get them on the spot, so this was new to me, but alas, "we ain't in Florida anymore!" lol). Glenn will get his in a couple of weeks they said- different city/different county where I went yesterday. (the original place was closed yesterday but suggested I go to this other city).

Yesterday evening, I went to Cala's school for a parent/teacher conference. That was really nice and this teacher has really studied a lot on things that pertain to Cala. I am so confident that Cala is right where she needs to be. This school is refreshing, very much on top of things!

That's about it for now. Hope all is well with ya'll! I hope to soon post some pictures- Glenn cut all the kids' hair yesterday. That was quite comical.

Still here, just busy....

Just wanted everyone to know I haven't forsaken the blog, just way busy with my inlaws here. They are wonderful people, and I feel very blessed to have them as my inlaws! I know people who absolutely do not get along with theirs, and I think that's awful! I feel sad for them. My inlaws are like another set of parents. They really are. I've known them since I was just a baby.

We've been keeping the roads hot here, even took them almost 2 hours away to a cheese factory in Wisconsin! Yes, we are dedicated cheese lovers.

Today they got to see snow. Now, to a Floridian, that's a real treat. To a Floridian who has since lived in Russia for years with countless measures of snow fall, it's not so thrilling. I do admit I love to watch it, but not to the extent of those who rarely see it. (never in their home area, that's for sure). I was happy for them to see snow coming down, even though it was too wet to stick. I assured them not to worry, for there will be plenty of the white stuff coming down and on the ground when they return in December.

Tomorrow is yet another day of hitting the road. This time, we are heading to North Dakota at least. This is a new state to all of us, so I am happy about that! We may go into South Dakota too, not yet sure.

I know one thing... it will be sad around here when the grandparents leave on Saturday. I will assure everyone that Christmas time will be here before we know it!

Eight Years Ago Today in a Land Far Away....

Eight years ago today in a land far away, my daughter was born. No, I didn't yet know her, she wasn't born TO me, but I feel she was born FOR me. She was so very tiny, weighing in at just three and a half pounds, and very, very early. (yet born in God's perfect time).

We had longed for a child so long, and were sad to not have yet have one. We were in Arkansas around her birth, because we know where we were when we got word about our niece in Paraguay being born. (she's just 12 days younger than Cala).

Eight years ago today, a precious baby girl was born, and she struggled. She struggled for her very life. She would spend the next two months in the hospital before being placed in an orphanage, and she would spend the next year sick off and on from various ailments. She was so frail, I can imagine.

At age 2 years, 1 month, she would meet her parents. We would meet our daughter. It would be at age 2 years, 7 months, that she would forever come home to live with us. We would at long last be a family.

I look back today and am thankful. OH, I am not like many in the adoption world. Admittedly, I don't long to really meet the bio- mother (I have a hard time even saying that word really), but I do thank her. Cala has asked me if she will be in heaven. I said, I hope so. We can't know, we can only pray so. She lives in a place where we are very familiar with the spiritual condition. It's sad to think this woman may very well die in her sins. YET, I pray she's in heaven. You see, I do want to thank her if she is... I want to say thank you for having my daughter. Thank you for not taking the road many many do in Russia, the road of abortion.

Thank you for giving life to this precious girl. Her loss was truly our gain.

My daughter is my joy. I am grateful to God for what happened in a land far away, eight years ago today.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Last of Spirit Week

Today was Spirit Day, by wearing the school colors of blue and white. Tonight was the high school's homecoming game. (we've heard the hollering from our house, and we live about a mile away!) :o)

Cala said she walked in her class this morning and told them, "Hi! I'm your new gym teacher!" She's a character. I would love to be a "fly on the wall" at her school sometime to observe her there.

Well, not much news here... just getting ready, and getting excited about my inlaws coming in tomorrow! It's going to be nice having them here! They love to play card games like we do. So, we are looking forward to some late nights next week.

Catch you tomorrow!

The place I missed the Most

All the years living in Russia, when someone here in the states would ask, "what do you most miss about the U.S.?", I would without a doubt answer, "Wal-mart!" My other answer would sometimes be "a bathroom where both the toilet and the sink are in the same room." Today, I spent way too much time in Wal-mart and had a cultural moment. I started having flash backs to Russia, actually longing to be there, no matter how little choices I had in products. It seems there are many different kinds of green beans here, and I am left wondering which one to choose! Made a mistake recently, and bought a brand that I will never choose again. Now, I go with the Great Value (Wal-mart) brand! There's 50 choices of cereal or more, where as in Russia, I would have given anything to see more than 5 ! My baby son and I today went up and down the aisles, and I just absoulutely had a moment of, "what has happened here? Is this me?! My son?! Me? Living in the states? ME?! Living in Minnesota????????" I guess it still takes time to let it all soak in.

Here's my precious baby girl as I call her- Today was Crazy Hair Day. We sprayed her hair blue and white. It mostly showed up blue in the back, and looking gray in the front. She was happy anyway. I enjoyed picking her up and seeing mowhawks, pink hair, orange hair, just all out crazy hair! What fun for these kids! Tomorrow concludes Spirit Week with Blue and White Day- their school colors. I think I'm having too much fun. lol

A Blustery Day Indeed!

Ok! So, I don't think I've ever, ever used the word "blustery" but that's the way they're describing it in our local weather. Another word for tomorrow's forecast is "raw". That just makes me giggle. Sorry. ;op It's currently 28 degrees as I write this and getting colder. We had snow this morning, but thanks to the wind, nothing stuck. More of the same is forecasted for tonight, as well as tomorrow.

My inlaws get here Saturday afternoon, but it's supposedly warming up to 35 for a low, 50's for high. That's still really cold for them! They will be sooo cold while here. To us, it's just feeling like Russia in the winter.

Today for Cala was Sportswear Day. She wore a shirt that says "Football" and has a football helmet on it, and then wore her brother's (yes, her 3 year old brother's size 4T) coat. (her heavy coat got left in Florida, but thanks to her grandparents coming this weekend, she will soon be reunited with it). Cala also wore a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap today, something probably a tad dangerous here in Vikings territory! lol. She looked this morning like she was heading off to a game, and should have had a cup of coffee in hand! ha Tomorrow is "Crazy Hair" Day. Should be fun- we're spraying her hair blue!

Thank you to my Blog Pal

SO I just HAD to write a second post tonight, and say Thank you to my (secret) blog pal. Today at my door, I received a big block of chocolate, personalized from Hershey's in Hershey, PA. What a nice surprise! I thank you, and my children thank you! lol

Can I sit down now?

It's been one of those "go, go, go" days. I was so happy to see tonight come, get supper done, and the kids in bed. Now I can breathe a little bit :o)

I was so thrilled to see that I finally made something that we can have left overs from! ha ha. Seriously, not so many moons ago, when it was just Glenn, Cala, and me, I could make soup and it last us two nights. It's not happened since having the boys home. Two extra mouths to feed makes a difference (especially when one of those mouths, the 3 year old one, loves anything I make!). Tonight, however, I made a soup that made a lot and so that's one good thing to think about tomorrow. No extra cooking :o) Yippeeee! Honestly, I don't mind cooking, but there are days when I'm just glad not to have to.

And now, without further adieu, here is Cala from today- Mismatch Day. Doesn't she look HORRIBLE!???! ha ha

Cala's school day- and a day of remembrance

Cala really enjoyed PJ Day at school! Isn't she cute?!



I enjoyed taking her and seeing all the kids who came in their pajamas, some even wearing a robe!

It's also Wheels Week at school, so Cala took her scooter. She just got it right after we moved in this house, so it's still all new to her and she loves riding it.



*** *** *** *** ***

I've done o.k. today I think. It was 13 years ago today that I had my first miscarriage. I have thought about that baby today, and what might have been (wow! an almost teenager- as he or she - I refer to the baby as Evan- would have been born in May, so would have now been 12.) Yet, I am choosing to think about how wonderful it is to know that Evan is in the presence of our Saviour! Isn't that amazing to think that this precious baby of mine is there with the Master!? He is also there with his brother or sister- I refer to her as Faith- (miscarried in September of 2003). That's a true blessing to know one day I WILL know my other two children.

Please on Sunday, October 15th, remember to pray for those of us who have lost children due to miscarriage or still birth. While in office, President Ronald Reagan declared it a day to remember and honor those we have lost so young. God, in His mercy, chose to give me a daughter with that same date as a birthday ;o)

You can visit my memorial site to my babies in heaven, as well as a memorial for anyone wishing to place a note there at http://www.angelfire.com/blues2/evanfaith

Oh to be a kid again :o)

Cala is super excited as this coming week, beginning tomorrow, is Spirit Week at her school. So, stay tuned, my dear readers as I hope to add a nightly picture of how she dressed for each day. Tomorrow is PJ Day! Yes! She's going to school in her pajamas, and might I add, her padded feet pajamas!!! I laugh just thinking about it. She's had a blast since Friday just talking about this coming week, and what she would wear each day.

Here's a picture of Cala on her first day of school ever! She was not quite 3, and I homeschooled her in K3:

AND, here she is the first day of school THIS year:




Oh to be a kid again! Hmmm... wonder what I would choose to wear?

The Current Topic in Our Household

The above picture was taken on August 13th of this year. That was our last Sunday in Florida, was the boys' dedication day, as well as being Ethan's 1st Family Day (year since he came home to us :o)
The folks in the picture with the kids are my inlaws. They just happen to be the current subject of discussion in our house. You see, good 'ol Grandma and Grandpa are coming to see us in just, let's see, (I could run upstairs and read the big countdown, but uh, no, the stairs are involved! lol).... oh yes, EIGHT sleeps! (eight more times the kids will have to sleep before they come). My father in law gets three weeks vacation each year, and so they've chosen to spend those weeks with us. This time, it will be just one week. They are returning for two weeks at Christmas time. (that will really be exciting!).
I am blessed. You see, I know there are plenty of horror stories out there about inlaws. I don't deal with that, and neither does Glenn. I love his parents very much, and he loves mine as well! I am about as excited to see them as the kids are! I would only be more excited if it were my own parents coming. I really miss them and wish they could visit.
Of course, we joke that the grandparents are really not coming to see US (Glenn and me) at all, but rather our 3 precious kids (who incidentally, can do NO wrong in the grandparents' eyes). ha ha
I am happy for my kids that they know their grandparents well, and know that they are loved. Our parents are very close to each other as well. My Dad is a Pastor, and my father in law is one of Dad's deacons!
My kids seem to get a big kick out of having all of them together... when in Florida, we would sometimes ALL go out together and our kids would comment on "I have four grandparents all with me".
Yes, we're all excited around here, planning what we're going to do while they're here. They'll probably not get any rest at all, poor things! I'm just happy Cala has 2 and a half days off while they are here.
We're in for some fun :o)

My children, my accent and other ramblings

These are my babies :o) This picture was taken last Sunday during church, as they all got up to sing a special. They were singing, "Grow Grow Grow" as Seth calls it. The real song is, "Read your Bible, pray everyday, pray everyday, pray everyday. Read your Bible, pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow." I want my kids to always be as happy to sing as they are today. I do mean literally, today. The scene: Wal-mart. The boys were each in a buggy (or as some of you out there say, a "shopping cart"), and Cala was sitting next to me on a bench. We were waiting for Glenn to finish paying for something. One boy looked at the other one and began a rousing rendition of "Hallelu- Hallelu- Hallelu- HALLELUJAH! Praise ye the Lord!" I thought it was very cute, as my baby son (the one on the far right in the picture) got to "praise ye the Lord" and threw both his hands up! Now, we're Baptist, so you'll know we joke with him that "son! you're not a Pentecostal anymore". (as his foster family was in Guatemala).

** ** **

I know my post last night was a downer, but hey! It was keeping it real. So, tonight, I thought I would return you to your regularly scheduled program:

Seriously, here's something cute! I've told ya'll before how folks here think I talk differently :o) and I do. Anyway... last night, I ran into a grocery store. As I was leaving, the cashier says to another cashier, "I just love when she comes in here. She talks so funny! I love to hear her!" I found that cute and it gave me a smile that I needed.

Thanks for being out there in blogland, blogville, or whatever you want to call it. :o)

An Unforgettable time of Year

Sigh... October just so happens to be the time of year when I struggle the most with my emotions. Yes, I recently said that Fall is my favorite time of year, and it continues to be! However, the month of October has been wrought with terrible things throughout my teen years- into recent years as well.

Let's start back when I was a young teen- I'm a PK- preacher's kid- We had some real troublemakers in our church back then, and it all came to a nasty scene one October. I remember the hurt I felt at how these long time members treated my Daddy (and Mom too of course). Thankfully, I had some really good friends (one just so happens to now be my husband) that helped me through that awful time, ensuring that I was nowhere around when things got bad.

Then, it was 15 years ago today that I had an asthma attack that forever changed my life. Basically, I began passing out time after time and as I recall or as it was explained to me, I had a loss of oxygen that affected me. I lost my memory completely! I was in a foreign country at that, and looking back, can see that God was very much protecting me!!!!

A few days later, I was attacked which further shaped the person I am today :o( It's not something I so easily talk about, but at this time of year, I feel the need to do so. Please quit reading if you prefer... it really won't offend me.

As if that isn't enough, October 9th marks the 13th anniversary of my first miscarriage. My second one, 10 years later was on Sept. 17th, which I am so grateful to the Lord, was a wonderful day this year. I found myself becoming "blue" around that time, but quickly made it through.

I guess I am writing all this to help me through this difficult time of year and ask you to remember me in prayer, especially this month. It's not just one day here and there throughout this month, I really get down the entire month it seems- and yet, I find myself thankful for much.

You see, I look back and know that as a teen, God sent me good friends to help me. 15 years ago, God was protecting me further by allowing the events to not result in my death. Both miscarriages?! God protected my life and I have the assurance that my babies are with Him, in the presence of the King! I've never held them, but He can!

I find it comforting this year to realize that October 14th- a bad date for me-well, this year my inlaws are arriving that day! What a blessing, as we are all so excited and on that day, I know I will be too busy to really fall into depression. What a further blessing that the very next day is my daughter's 8th birthday! You can bet she is excited enough for us all! :o)

Due to the tragedy 15 years ago, I fell in love with my husband, a boy at the time that I never never imagined dating, much less marrying! Yet, I know God knew what He was doing.

To those of you who are reading this and you walked that path with me all those years ago, (you know who you are), I want to publicly thank you here for being there for me... for never giving up on the thought that I WOULD indeed see "the light at the end of a very, very dark tunnel", for being there through the nightmares (please pray they stay away this year!), and most of all, for praying me through the heartaches that followed.

To those of you who didn't know me back then, but do now, and I have told, well.. I can only say thanks for letting me talk to you when need be, for listening, for praying when flashbacks of the past come on me like a ton of bricks.

To those that this is the first time you're hearing of this, just know I went to extensive counseling, am "all better" now. (well, you know what I mean, was dismissed from counseling). I have much, much to be thankful for!

Sorry for this to be a downer. I don't mean it to be.. I truly mean it to be a testament to God's goodness. My favorite verse is still in the Bible-

Romans 8:28- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Just Remembering

We are all sick in this house to varying degrees, still ! Well, our 3 year old, Ethan is not! Got to appreciate the orphanage building the immune system. Cala was this way for a couple of years, not catching anything, and STILL (five and a half years later), she rarely gets sick.

Anyway, all meals have been as low key as possible. I am feeling much better than I was, thank the Lord, but Glenn just got this mess on Saturday. I'm praying he's better tomorrow. Due to my fibro, it takes me much longer to get over things, so perhaps his illness will be better much sooner!

SO, lunch was peanut butter and jelly on Saturday, the day Glenn first started feeling sick. I was struck down with a bad headache, near migraine and Glenn took care of lunch. Remembering the boys' doctor in Florida said no peanuts for Seth until age 3, especially since we have limited medical history of the biological family, play it safe. So, Glenn said, "what do you think? I know what the doctor said, but remember that incident a couple of months ago?" I agreed and said, "sure, let him try it."

Now, before you go berating me for giving my child something potentially harmful, wait around for the "rest of the story." You see, two months ago, I was sitting in my parents' living room (in Florida), and Seth was right behind me. I was sitting up on the edge of the couch, and he was literally right behind me, his back against the couch, his feet touching my back. My purse was also on the couch, next to Seth.

Being the major chocolate addict that I am, I had an emergency pack (lol) of peanut M&Ms in my purse. I was ever intent on the show I was watching, and did not hear Seth open that pack of candy. (my purse is toooo easy to open without anyone hearing, so that part is very understandable).

By the time I looked back to see if Seth was asleep, since he was so quiet, it was too late. I sure wish I had a camera at that exact moment. He looked up at me with those big, deep, dark eyes like a deer caught in the headlights! ha ha His lips were stuck out, because his mouth was FULL of those peanut M&Ms, and then it happened! His eyes lit up as if to say, "Mama, this stuff is goooood". He was unable to say anything as there was no room in his mouth! ha He had stuffed nearly the entire pack in his mouth, but ever so quietly so as not to alert his Mama.

Then, we waited... waited to see if by chance he would have an allergic reaction, but thankfully, he did not. He hasn't had anything with peanut since, not until a couple of days ago, when Papa gave him his first ever peanut butter and (grape) jelly sandwich. Glenn said Seth got excited looking and looked at Glenn and said, "Papa, this good!" lol

That baby knows a good thing when he tries it!

Fall

I had to get some new Fall decor for this blog. You see, I just love Fall! It's my absolute favorite time of year, and always has been! It's even nicer living in a place where you can truly see the leaves changing, and the changing of seasons. Of course, whether it's Russia, or Minnesota, Fall means things die and just around the bend is a long Winter.

I choose though to look at the beauty of Fall. With each season, change comes (just like in life by the way!). With Fall, beauty comes in the form of leaves bringing out their beautiful colors. It appears as if God has used a different "paint brush" at this time of year, using various colors along the way.

I'm just glad to be able to see it all.

And So....

There are days when I think of some great something and say to myself, "hey! I need to blog about that". But alas, the thought slips my mind (thanks fibromyalgia!), and by this time, I have long forgotten what it was I wanted to tell the masses.

So, tonight I sit here, coughing, sneezing, achoo moo moo achoo moo moo (for all you Veggie Tales fans- you'll understand :o) ..... and thinking what can I write?! Here goes something...

Today, Glenn took Ethan out for a time with just the two of them. Ethan (he's 3), has waited for this all week. "I go big truck wih Papa?" "Cala no go, baby no go, Mama no go, only Ethan go wih Papa in big truck?" (translated: "Am I going in the big truck with Papa?" (that's Glenn and his truck) . "Yes, son, you're going with Papa in the big truck- just you". This has been my line at least 5 times a day for the past few days! And so, I am thrilled the day finally came. ha Ethan has a fascination with his belt. He's wanted one for a long time, and when I bought him a new one, well... you would think I gave that boy gold or something! He was just excited today when he got to wear his belt. He kept saying when he went to Cala at school, he was going to tell her about his belt. I reminded him that she already knew he has a belt, but to no avail. He told her, so I heard.

The baby and I were in the bed, and in walked Ethan. He tried his "I got a belt" line on Seth. I looked at Seth and said, "say something baby." So, Seth who loves his big brother (really, he does! even though HE bullies his older brother!)- says, "Oh wowwwwww! Ethan! Wowwwwwww!" It was precious, and Ethan was thrilled that someone seemed to be impressed that he had his belt on! :o) I was just laughing because it was as if Seth was as tired as the rest of us with hearing about the belt, and when I said "say something baby", he responds "oh woowwwwww, Ethan! wowwwww!" ha

I am ever in awe at my kids. Some days I sit and look at them and just am amazed that I am the Mama of a beautiful Russian girl, with eyes that are sooo very mysterious, that seem to hold a secret. She looks at you as if she knows something you don't.

I am amazed that I am the Mama of a 3 year old boy from El Salvador, by way of Guatemala. This boy of mine who talks like a mouse, in a really high pitched voice, which can be really irritating when you have a migraine!, but who is so excited about the little things- is priceless.

Then, I am in awe at my baby son. This precious little guy with the deep dark brown eyes from Guatemala- Mayan at that, who smiles sweetly and says, "I love you" so very clearly for a child his age (22 months), well.. he melts my heart. He cries when I go to the bathroom and he can't go with me. I admit it touches my heart. It won't always be so of course, and so I will enjoy this time. (remind me of that when I complain that I never REALLY get to go to the bathroom alone anymore) :o)

And so... I really do have a lot to talk about.

Thankful

I am only feeling worse, in the midst of a cold. That's why I'm so thankful for my husband!

I'm thankful that this morning, he got up with Cala to get her breakfast and let me sleep. He asked if he needed to take her to school, but I really wanted to get out if only for that little bit (just a couple of minutes down the road :o) .

I'm thankful that tonight, he cooked a soup. Actually, he'd been taking care of that all day, as he prepared it in the crockpot. I'm thankful that he kept the kids up stairs when I just absolutely had to get some rest.

I'm just thankful ! I've been truly blessed!

I'm Thinking It's Not Allergies....

Cala has been quite "sick" the past few days- coughing, just miserable. I really thought it was allergies as she deals with them quite a bit. This morning, however, I woke up with a miserable sore throat, and now as I type this, I'm just miserable, plain miserable. Sneezing, itchy eyes, you name it, I could be a commercial for the cold medicines! ha I'm beginning to wonder if Cala has a cold/cough instead of allergies, and just gave it to her Mama. :o/

So, all of ya'll who read this daily (you know who you are! lol), will just have to check back on me tomorrow! I'm too miserable to post anything riveting right now. Pray for me! A choo.

Did I mention I'm miserable?!?! lol A- choo!

What language?

I was just watching a commercial talking about some families speak English, some families speak Spanish, and some speak Spanglish. (mixing the both). hmmm... I'm trying to figure out what you would call us! You see, at our supper table you will hear English, Spanish and Russian. ha ha What a mix up!

Just this evening at supper, had you been a guest, you would have heard:

Papa: (which is Glenn, by the way- Papa is the Russian word for Dad)- Dasha (a Russian nickname that we call Cala some)- "Dasha, tee hoh-chesh mah-la-koh" (Russian for "Dasha, do you want milk?")

Mama: Seth: Sientate ahora mismo! (Spanish for "sit down, right now!")

Or even Spanglish when I said, "Ethan! Drink your leche ahora!" (Drink your milk now!)

Oh my! I didn't even think about what a mess we are at times. It sure keeps it interesting though :o)

The Russian in Her

I like some of my things slanted, at an angle. It's just "my style" I guess. However, I've started noticing lately that when I put things out that way (a picture, or one of my Coca-Cola knick-knacks), they will wind up perfectly aligned! Finally realizing that it was Cala!, it all made much more sense.

You see, in Russia, the same thing would happen. I've seen it (with my own eyes), over and over again. Our Russian friends would come in our home, and upon seeing my things slanted, someone was bound to straighten them out. At first, it was comical. Then, it became down right annoying. I had one friend in my home daily. I saw her in action helping me place my things in order, as certainly I didn't mean for them to be slanted. I had enough. I politely said, "oh! I want them slanted." She was surprised. "Really?! Why would you want them that way?!" ha ha I laugh at the scene and have thought of it often. Then, today, my Russian daughter brought it all back. :o)

And Sure Enough...

It got better. Today was a much better day for Cala, and I really appreciate those of you praying! She came home talking about how many kids played with her, and how she really does like this teacher too. She said only one time, "I do miss Mrs. ____, but I think I will like this teacher too." She was also very excited tonight as she read to me! This has been a major struggle for her, so I was happy too.

Today as we were putting more of our things away (from our move), we came across a paper Cala brought home a couple of weeks ago when school first started. It was for the Girl Scouts. Glenn and I had briefly talked about it, but forgot I guess. Cala never even realized what it was about! ha So, Glenn mentioned it to me as he looked at the paper and noticed we had already missed the registration in our city. I decided to go ahead and email, and then ended up calling the woman in charge as well. She said tomorrow she would mail the info with application for us to fill out and send back with $10. That would mean we would get the info on Saturday.

However, while we were eating supper the door bell rang. It was a woman who had been asked to drop off the info for us! How's that for living in a small town? :o)

Cala was super excited as we explained what the Brownies are (what she will be in). Oh yes! I called because I want to make sure the meetings don't happen on Sundays at all, and Wednesday nights for that matter! The Brownies meet twice a week, and we don't yet know which days or nights. It's left up to the general consensus of the mothers. You can bet I'll be at that meeting to say "any day or night but Sunday or Wednesday."

Sad for my baby girl

Please pray for Cala. Her first day in a new class went o.k. I really believe, but she's sad at not being still with her old teacher. Please pray for her to feel better tomorrow about things. We are confident we made the right choice, but the right here and now is not easy. When really pinning her down about it, she admitted that she likes the new teacher and the kids already are playing with her (which didn't happen in the old class), she gets so sad and just doesn't understand.

It hurt my heart to see my daughter feeling so sad. Please join my in praying that she will love it, and will make new friends in this class.

BRR it got a bit chilly out there...

It's now as I write this 37 degrees, and getting colder. They say during the night, it will get down to 29 F. We're used to it from living in Russia, but this time it sort of took us by surprise. I know we're crazy, but we love the cold weather! :o)

As for the school meeting: Thank you to those who prayed. It went well, and we are blessed to be in this school! They are so very nice and really seem to care about Cala and her well-being. We were able to come up with a good plan for Cala. They also complimented Cala, stating that she is very polite and gregarious.

Got to run get under the covers....

Amy

Child Speak

Frequently, I'm smiling about some mispronounced word my kids say. Today, was one such day that really tickled me! Our 3 year old son, Ethan came to tell me something about the refrigerator. Now, Cala has called the good ol' fridge a refridge-a-ray or even a refridge-a-raver, and the baby can actually pronounce it just about right, but today- Ethan took the cake!

He came to tell me that his drink was in the "fridge-vee-voo" :o) HA I have a special book that I started writing things down the kids say. In it are things like when my Mom told Cala, "I'm sorry if Grandma gets irritated with you, I'm just ..." (and hesitated). Cala was quick to respond, "you're just old?!" Grandma got a big kick out of that one!

There's also the time that we were discussing how these were our boys, but we still plan to adopt one more girl. Cala asked if we ever got another boy (we jumped in, "but Cala, we're planning to adopt a girl, these are our boys- that's it).... "But, Mamaaaa, IF, I'm just saying, if, can we name him "Superman"? I think we may have agreed to that one! ha

Since Seth is now getting to say funny things, I'll be paying closer attention and writing that down, but so far the book is filled with the "cute baby" things he did- or not so cute- like how he started biting a few months ago, but ONLY would bite ME! He recently has expanded the biting operation to include his brother. :o/

There's the hilarious time when I was in the bathroom and heard a knock at the door- SO surprised that one of my kids didn't just barge in, but actually knocked, I was sure it HAD to be Cala, as she at that time would knock 70 percent of the time. (more like 98 percent now, thank the Lord!).

This time it was Ethan, age 3. I asked, "Yes? Who is it?!" Ethan replied, "Mama, it me E-tan". I asked, "What do you want son?" He responds with "Mama, I need to talk!" hA HA A 3 yr. old "needing to talk!" He then shows me what our subject matter would be- no crisis, he just said, "I read este libro" (I read this book). " I read 'bout B-buhd." (Big Bird).

Now my precious book will have the "fridge-vee-voo" written down to talk about for years to come.

In more serious news: We will be meeting in the morning -7:40 a.m. Central- with Cala's school. Praying this goes really well, and they will be able to get her the individualized help she needs. :o)

A Good Sunday and a ramble about flies!

What a good day we had! Just having someone else come that grew up in a church like ours, it was really nice. Glenn is going to be busy this week seeking places for us to meet in the city we want to plant a church. (so keep praying about that!)

I am always thinking of something I want to blog about and then, yep! I forget it! ha ha So, one of these days you'll really have lots to read!

What's going on exciting around here?! Well, I'm on a rampage after 2 flies that have taken up residence here! It seems my children love to leave the deck door open just a little too long and I can't stand these little things! (the flies, NOT talking about my children! lol) Funny thing is we killed two already. (once again, the flieS!) Problem is, the kids went back outside and left that door open too long once again. The first two flies we had came in with furniture delivery men. These last two, with the kids.

I will WIN! I am bound and determined to kill these menaces too!

Armed with a fly swat... until next time.

Storms a Brewin'

Wow! You would have thought we were back in our home area of central Florida (lightning capital of the world, by the way!). There were some pretty close lightning strikes tonight and thunder, rain, etc. We were under a tornado watch for quite some time, but all seems well for now.

We spent most of the day today working on boxes that we had yet to sort through. Remember I told you about those yesterday?! Well, we did make a lot of progress. Our bedroom is drowning in stuff right now, but we have our church area ready for tomorrow :o) The storm set me back as I had planned to go ahead and have most of my cooking done for tomorrow- but no way was I standing in the kitchen during that storm!

By the way... today was a day of memories. Going through the boxes, seeing momentos of Russia- which STILL seems like home by the way. (I know that will change, it just takes time). Cala has clothes that we bought in Russia that I was saying how I feel the need to hold on to as long as possible... especially a cute house dress that a (Russian) lady- member of our church there- made for Cala's 6th birthday (so almost 2 yrs. ago). Cala gets taller, but doesn't get much wider, and so she can wear things for a very long extended period of time- at least in the waist she can! So, I said once it's just waayyyy too short, "you can use it as a shirt". I went on to say how I feel the need to hold on to our little pieces of Russia for as long as possible.

Then, Cala said, "Mama. I'm your little piece of Russia forever!" :o) Holding her ever so tightly, I said, "da, my-ah dochka, eta pravilna" (in transliterated Russian- yes, my daughter, that's true!)

Pray for us! Excited for tomorrow! Goodnight.

The Weekend Ahead and various other ramblings :o)

This past week, we saw an email through an email group we're on, asking if there were like-minded churches here in the twin cities area of Minnesota. (meaning a part of the same association we're in). We were excited because we are the nearest, as there's only one other one in the state, and it's 2 1/2 hours away. SO, long story short.... there will be a visitor for our services on Sunday! He's a college student here on a baseball scholarship, as well as through his grades. He's used to being a part of a mission (small church work), etc. etc.

Up until now, we've been holding services with our family here at our home, and going to a near by church on some Sunday mornings. Area churches here tend to not have a regular worship service on Sunday night, and Wednesdays are usually for kids/teens. That's something we aren't accustomed to in the states (common on the foreign field when first starting out!).

We've been planning all along to begin looking for places to meet (did that this week, but to no avail as of yet), and holding our first official service (in other words- advertised service) in the coming weeks.

However, we are just thrilled that already someone is here, wanting to come.

SO... now the fun begins with turning our downstairs family room into a church area. *until meeting place in a near by town is found*

That means we will spend tomorrow going through the rest of our trusty Rubbermaid containers and putting things in their place! Good to have to do this! Otherwise, we keep saying, "your parents are coming next month, we've got to get it all put away by then!" (Glenn's parents are coming Oct. 14th). :o)

PRAY for us, as we officially meet with someone other than our family this Sunday! Continue praying as Glenn is seeking places for us to meet. We are interested in a nearby city to hold our English speaking services. Our Russian services, we want to hold closer in the Cities.

Oh why can't it be sweet?!

I believe I posted one time about how I heard a cashier tell another one that she couldn't understand me when I spoke. I know she asked me three times to repeat myself! HA HA! She told the other cashier it was because I was southern. Ha ha SO, I thought then, "wow. how interesting life is going to be around here for awhile!" I was right.

It's becoming a daily thing- if I'm out in town and open my mouth, I get asked, "where are you from?" or "where in the south are you from?!" One day Glenn and I were together at a furniture store. I said, "yes, sir." He replied, "just where in the south are you from?" and Glenn who I tell you NEVER says this, said, "Flar-da" like some folks pronounce Florida. We laugh about that now, but it was as if Glenn was playing into the guy's question about where I was from. ha ha Glenn is from "Flarda" too, but I tell him sometimes he sounds like a yankee (or excuse me, a northerner) because he pronounces a couple of things totally differently than I do. hee hee

SO, I'm asked this constantly and because of it I have really started noticing people's accents. I've had to tell my Russian princess on many occasions that it's not the people around us that "talk funny", it's us. It's all a matter of perception. In the south, it's definitely the other guy that comes down and doesn't know what grits are (this has actually happened- I have a documented case from a few years back), but anywhere else... it's us dear.

Today Cala asked me for "mulk". I said, "WHAT?!" She replies, "oh, I'm sorry, Mama, but you just knew it was going to happen. I mean I hear these kids ask everyday for "mulk". Uh, Mama, can I have some "meelk". (said more like we say milk). I just smiled and say, "why certainly, bless your heart, you can." ha

Why you ask is my post titled, "oh why can't it be sweet?!" I guess because I long to go in a restaurant and order sweet tea knowing it's there. sigh... I'll just have to make it myself. (I do, and coincidentally, my El Salvadoran/Guatemalan born (oldest) son LOVES LOVES LOVES!!!!!!! sweet tea!). I'm raisin' him right. (which he says the word "right" way more with a southern accent than I do!" ha ha)

I do like it here by the way... the people have been the friendliest I've EVER met. I must admit that.

Just Call Me Tia Amy

Praise the Lord! I just heard about an hour ago that my brother and my sister-in-law went to court today and the adoptions were approved!!!!!!!! Yippeee! If all goes well, they should be picking up their new son (he's 3 years old) around 4 p.m. (same time as Eastern time) tomorrow! They will then go pick up their baby girl (I believe she's now 7 months old) around 6 p.m.! They are both in foster care, at different homes.

I can't wait until they all get back to their city (about 5 hours from the capital of Paraguay- where the adoptions took place- in the capital- Asuncion.) I can't wait because I know my brother will then call me! :o) Tonight, he called our parents and told them to be sure Glenn and I knew.

I also can't wait to hear them tell me how having three kids instead of just the one is sooo different! I told them so :o) They are in for an adventure! It's a great one, but a wild one at times :o)

I am just so happy for them! It's been a looooonnnggg time coming! (they originally placed their paperwork around 3 years ago! Yes, THREE years ago).

The Lord is good! Thank you to those who have prayed!

Zonked!

zonked
–adjective Slang.
1.
stupefied by or as if by alcohol or drugs; high.
2.
exhausted or asleep.

No other way to describe it but zonked! Of course, I'm number 2 in those definitions above! Out of it, asleep and can't get awake! That's been me tonight. After the kids went to bed, I was on the phone with my oldest brother. It was 8:00 p.m., and after I got off, I fell asleep and just now woke up at 11:30 p.m.! Of course now I should just stay in bed, but I never got the shower I need to take! So, I will do that next.

Now, I know that's just a thrilling, thrilling post, but it's about all I got tonight! ha

Do pray for my brother and his family. Their baby girl that they are adopting is in the hospital, sick with some sort of virus or something. They will be going tomorrow to see about the adoption, as well as visit the kids.

Goodnight friends... zzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzz

That Day

We are still sick here, but I just couldn't let the day pass by without posting a bit about that dreadful day five years ago.

We were missionaries in Russia, but had been "home" in the states for furlough, having brought Cala home from Russia (had just adopted her that May). We flew through JFK airport (New York) when we brought her home. I remember thinking how neat it was she immigrated to the U.S. through the modern day Ellis Island.

When September 11th rolled around, we were staying at my parents home. I was laying down on the couch watching tv (probably had just gotten up with Cala a few minutes before). I remember Glenn saying something about a plane had just hit (the first plane) and at that point we thought it was some sort of terrible accident. We had the news on and were watching live as the second plane hit. That image replays in my mind as I write this. My Daddy was at the post office, just returned and I remember almost crying out, "did you hear about the twin towers?!" Someone at the post office had mentioned something about it he said, but at that time he too thought it an accident.

I remember trying my best to keep Cala, who was not quite 3 yrs. old, away from the tv. (To this day, Glenn and I try to "shelter" the kids from the horrible news of the world, the horrible images- what's the point of them seeing and being terrified?!).

I remember talking to my brother Ted ( he was a missionary in Albania at the time), telling him that I was a bit scared. Scared of what might happen next. I believe he was flying to the states soon, and we were all wondering about the flights- as the airport had shut down.

I remember going to Wal-mart either that day or the following day, and the employees were gathered around in the front discussing security issues!!! This was Wal-mart!!!!!!!! It was very very strange to go anywhere for days, and EVERYONE was quiet!!!!!!! Everyone! It was an eery quiet, as if the whole world knew you had suffered some great loss. People would have tears in their eyes and I remembering feeling like we all needed a group hug!

Being the PK and PW I am, I also remember that there were a few extras at church the following Sunday.

I remember watching every bit of coverage I could get on the subject, and wishing I was back in Russia, where strangely enough, I felt safe. Our friends in Russia were very, very concerned for us, and just cried at the news. Their thoughts were, "This is America! It's not supposed to happen in America!" They were extremely sympathetic, and in the following years, by the way, I had a few conversations concerning that day with my good friend in Russia. Trying to tell that story in Russian none-the-less, brought tears once again.

In the weeks and months that followed, I remember feeling comforted by President Bush's comments and speeches, and being comforted by the country song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?" by Alan Jackson. I remember thinking, "just maybe, just maybe this will bring the U.S. closer to the Lord." I think for a time, perhaps, it did.... sad how that slips away.

I read Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer, widow of Todd Beamer that was a passenger on Flight 93. I recommend that book to anyone wishing to read a bit about a victim, a hero of that tragedy. Something I carry with me always is that Todd Beamer had September 11th circled on his calendar as the day he was going to start his diet, the day he would start a few new routines. I remember also that Lisa said in that book how thankful she was that the week before, they spent in Italy, a place Todd was so happy to be.

I have been sad today for our country, sad today for the victims' families, and prayerful for our President as well as our troops.

I remember. Let us not forget.

Sickies at our House

Ok, so as not to disappoint those of you who read this religiously (you're out there, aren't you!?), I thought I would at least post this morning (since I missed last night). I have nothing much to say except please pray for us!

Seth (21 months) is just miserable with some sort of cold- runny nose, congested, sneezing- miserable! It started yesterday morning. He ran a fever in the afternoon, but it quickly went away, praise the Lord! Still, the sickness remains this morning, and Cala went to school not feeling great. (she battles allergies though, so praying that's "all" it is with her).

Glenn has lost his voice, and I am coughing. Ethan even has begun the runny nose (I say even because Ethan is rarely sick).

SO, pray for us- and be glad you can't catch anything through the computer screen! cough, cough.....

Brother's Adoption Update

My brother called me today (from Paraguay). It was good to talk to him and my sister-in-law, but I remember all too well the feeling of sadness they are going through. My sister-in-law particularly sounded very emotionally drained. The endless waiting for your kids to officially be your kids is so hard!

The worst part was being there today, visiting with their kids, and then having to tell them bye. Their little boy (he's 3) ran and got in their car, wanting to go home with them. :o( I know how heart breaking that is! When we went on our visit trip to Guatemala to meet Ethan and Seth, Seth was just 5 months, so of course, no problem for him really.... but for Ethan.. he was 2. The night before we left, I started talking to him a bit to prepare him (and me) for us leaving. The next morning, as we returned him to the orphanage (they got to stay with us the entire week at the "bed and breakfast" we were staying at), he looked so sad as we said bye.

You see, to a little guy like Ethan, and like my soon to be nephew, it has to be confusing! "These folks say they are my Mommy and Daddy and that they love me, but they're leaving?!" I mean to them one day seems to be an eternity! They really don't have a concept of time.

Please tonight, pray for my brother, his wife, their 7 yr. old daughter and their new little ones who are waiting for their time to come home forever!

One Year Ago Today

Today we celebrated Seth's first ever Family Day (one year since he came home :o) Glenn cooked Mexican food to celebrate with, and we sang, "Happy Family Day to you" ALL DAY long it seems! Of course Seth knows nothing much about this all at his age (21 months), but he still enjoyed himself! Here's an email I sent out to a couple of groups I'm on:

It was one year ago today that Cala, newly arrived Ethan (he had been here 3 and a half weeks) and I drove to a hotel to await Glenn and baby Seth's arrival from Guatemala! Seth was 9 months old. Both Glenn AND Seth were sick as dogs! Seth was feeling better overall, but Glenn was very very sick. I remember them arriving at the hotel, Glenn saying, "Here's the baby", and going to bed! He was so sick! Glenn proceeded to collapse on the bed and the baby didn't want anything to do with Mama. After all, he had only seen me for one week back when he was 5 months old, so he had since forgotten dear 'ol Mom.

Over the past year, this baby has become such a joy to me! He's a stinker, he's a bully to his older brother (loving to irritate big brother since he knows that Ethan is a tender heart and will usually do nothing about it!), he's soooo very cute, melting your heart with a smile. He can get into stuff (which he constantly does!!!), and then look at me, flash his teeth and do this thing with his right eye that looks like he's winking at me. It melts me and he knows it! ha

He's so many things to me, but most all, I am truly blessed to have this baby boy be my son.

Tagged- I'm It

Well, I've officially been tagged for the first time here in Blog Land :o) Thanks to my good friend, Susie, (you can visit Suz over at

Russian Adoption Dva

So, here's a little about me. Yes, there will be a second post I'll write later on tonight, but for now, here you go:

Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. babysitting as a teenager, on a daily basis in my home.
2. Daycare worker (hey! babysitting at a higher level, and getting paid a tad more)
3. Pre-school/K5 teacher (guess I love kids!)
4. Missionary wife/Mama (pay is no money, but it's the best I've ever had!)

Four movies I've watched over and over:
1. Sabrina
2. Serendipity
3. Borrowed Hearts (I watch my copy every Thanksgiving season)
4. The Tigger Movie (I just love that bouncy guy :o)

Four TV shows I love to watch
1. 24
2. Amazing Race
3. House Hunters (yes, on HGTV!)
4. Design Star (also on HGTV, but the finale is Sunday!)

Four places I've been on Vacation:
1. Palanga, Lithuania (for a missionary retreat in 1999)
2. Helsinki, Finland (well, we went there on visa business several times when we lived in Russia, BUT one time we had to stay extra and counted it a vacation- my favorite city in the world!)
3. Vermont (our 7th anniversary back in 2000- I LOVE it there!)
4. All through my childhood, we went to my parents' home area in the upstate of South Carolina.

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Mexican Food (my absolute favorite! My favorite favorite is Chimi-changa and chile relleno)
2. Lasagne (strangely enough I do not care for Italian food, but I love lasagne!)
3. Heavenly Hash Ice Cream! (no joke)!
4. Chocolate Cake (my mother in law and I have this on going deal about finding the BEST one out there! I've come close to making a great one before :o)

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. hmmm.... just got here to Minnesota, so really I am happy here! but if we MUST answer this, I'll say..... Apopka, Florida seeing my Mama and Daddy. I must say I miss them. :o/
2. Paraguay seeing my brothers (waving hello to one of them who reads this daily now :o) Hey brother!
3. Helsinki, Finland (just because)
4. St. Petersburg, Russia (still in my heart are the precious friends we have there and well, the city itself is something else)

Four people who will respond: (hopefully the four I've tagged- they'll respond in their blogs :o)

CC

Labor of My Heart

Mama2cuties3

Lindsay

Miscellaneous

The latest from my brother's adoption process is they are awaiting an official who didn't show, that needed to be there with a certain piece of paperwork. SO, they believe now tomorrow will be the day. Having gone through the adoption process three times, I do understand how frustrating it can be! Prayer is the only way to make it through! :o)

****

In other news, our cable/digital phone/dsl internet was set up this afternoon!!!! It is so nice to have this all set up, and help it all even further feel like a home. ha We bought a small desk for our office space (it's a built in, really neat area in our room). Glenn spent a couple of hours putting the desk together. It looks great in here, and is so nice to be able to sit here now!!!!! I thought the 7th would never come!

Keep praying for us! Glenn will be going tomorrow to a city we are interested in beginning a church. Pray for God to make it plain to us.

All Went Well/ PLEASE PRAY

Cala had a great first day of school. Yes, I was teary eyed at the thought of her growing up so much, but all went well, and honestly, the day seemed to fly to me! I missed her lots and so did her brothers! Strange how quiet a house can get when you take just one person out of the mix!!!

I must tell you she's had this fear of the principal (I think it's due to watching a cartoon called "Recess" and the principal on it is sort of mean). So, it's funny to think about the following: Cala went to the bathroom today and got lost- couldn't find her classroom. So, she said she stopped another teacher and asked where Cala's teacher was. On their way to the office, Cala hears the PRINCIPAL's voice over the intercom saying, "Cala McCarver, please come to the office. Your teacher is waiting." HA She said she wasn't nervous because he's really a nice man.

*** *** ***

Now, to my PLEASE PRAY: My oldest brother and his wife will be in court tomorrow (in Paraguay) to adopt two children. (they have a daughter that is 12 days younger than Cala). The two children are a 3 year old boy and his 7 month old sister. Please pray tonight and tomorrow for them all! We are just thrilled with this news!!!!!!!!!! Our family is now full of adoptions :o)

Before I Know It...

Before I know it, I'll turn around and my precious baby girl (age 7) will be off and married. It will too soon be the night before her wedding and her leaving us, instead of tonight- the night before she starts regular school for the first time (up until now-she's been homeschooled).

Before I know it, my oldest son who's 3 and sounds like a mouse WILL develop a deep voice and be a young man off on his first date, or off to college.

Before I know it, my baby son (not even 2 yet) will be graduating from high school instead of like tonight- spending his last night in the crib, as his and Ethan's bunk bed comes tomorrow!

Before I know it, my not even here yet daughter (we plan to adopt in about 3 years) will be following in her big sister's footsteps.

Sigh...... a bit melancholy tonight as I watched Cala trying on her new school clothes. We had an absolutely GREAT time together today! Those who know her would agree, Cala just has this way about her that brings you in to whatever she's doing. She's so full of life, and such a blessing to me! I am truly blessed to have my beautiful Russian princess :o)

Take N Bake Pizza was very good by the way!!!!!!!!!! We played Connect Four for our Family Night and Cala told her brothers she would miss them tomorrow. Ethan replied with "I meece my girdle tomorrow". HA HA (I will miss my girl tomorrow, meaning Cala).

Something cute- yesterday I told Cala to always remember that God would be with her even in school. She wanted to know if that meant He would need a backpack too! ;o)

I think God must smile at many conversations we have with kids, don't you?

Girl Time Planned

It's now past midnight as I write this, so to me it's still Sunday! Yes, it's technically Monday, but not to me. I'm a rebel, what can I say? ha ha

I plan to spend my Monday (Labor Day) with my precious 7 year old daughter. She's a real character, so I plan on having lots of fun conversations! We are spending the day together, going to some nearby cities to do some school clothes shopping. Cala calls it "our girl time". She asked me just Friday when we could have some real girl time. She was thrilled to know I had Monday in the works. We will leave after lunch, as the boys go to bed for nap. (thus making Papa happier :o)

Monday is our weekly Family Night. We've done this since it was just Glenn and me! We play games, have something simple for supper (many times it's pizza), and just enjoy being together as a family. It's one of those "making memories" things that I hope our kids will one day look back on with fondness. (a real cozy warm feeling :o)

I am thinking Cala and I will pick up pizza at a place here in our town that is what they call around here a "take and bake". I had never heard of such a place but sure enough- you pick up a pizza that they have assembled, and bake it at home! Seems silly to me, but it's made me want to try it for some reason.

Whatever your plans are for Labor Day, I hope it's a nice day for you, the traditional last hurrah of summer!

From the floor....

I come to you tonight, live from my bedroom floor! ha ha Seriously, we are making memories sitting on this floor! I've even got my favorite place to sit. ha What will I do when our bed gets placed here, covering the precious spot I've sat down on for the past week?! lol

Our bed and dresser will be delivered tomorrow! Praise the Lord! The inflatable mattress hasn't been too bad, but it's now going to Cala until her bed arrives on Tuesday (shopped at two different furniture stores.)

We still eat Japanese style until Tuesday when the dining room table and chairs arrive, and I will be so excited to see my house with furniture!!

In other news... we attended Cala's open house last night. She seemed a bit overwhelmed in the big school building, and was excited to see she has a locker! Glenn and I were excited to see she has the seat that we were wishing she would get- front row, dead center! The teacher said, "Cala, you have the expensive seat!" We also learned her teacher loves art and Cala will be spending time in art classes. That's great, because it's right down Cala's alley.

Cala met yet some more kids today, from the neighborhood. It's really been an education for her. She came to me a few days ago asking what a step-mother was. She also came in telling me that one little girls' Papa (daddy) was spending the night in a motel. :o/ Oh brother. I had some 'splaining to do about life to her.

Pray for Cala and for me as Tuesday approaches. I feel good about this decision- her going to school, as they will have programs available to help her where she needs it, but I still will miss her terribly during the day. Her 3 year old brother said in a Spanish accent, "Cala, I going to miss you". Try saying "miss" like "meece" and you got it! :o)

Never Fear, I'm Here!

:o) Yes, it's true! We are able to get a temporary (at least) connection to the internet! Come September 7th, we will have cable and dsl set up, so no problem whatsoever.

We have been staying busy doing all the things you do when you move! We went today and got our final load of stuff that Glenn had put in storage (on one of his trips here).

Best news right now is our living room set that we bought last week will be delivered tomorrow! Praise the Lord for that as we have been sitting on the floor! I'm coming to you live right now from my bedroom floor!

Really, this is the stuff memories are made of. I mean, when else will we be sitting on the dining room floor eating our supper?

Tomorrow: I hope to get Cala enrolled in school. Yes, she's going to try regular school this year. I will lose my homeschooling job, but I am excited to see how she does. She's excited! She asked if since we are in the states, if she could try it, so we are going to see how it goes.
She's already made friends with 3 neighborhood girls. I am thrilled! AND, she's already asked them if they know Jesus :o)

That's it for now... check back tomorrow for another exciting edition of my life in a Mini-Apples suburb.

And Finally....

We got the call to close on the house at 3:00 p.m. (central) TODAY!!!!!!!!!

Glenn is (as I type this) on the phone here at the motel trying to get our phone and internet/cable set up!

Since that could be a few days getting on, then I don't know when I'll be posting again... but never fear, I'll be back! :o)

Don't forget me! Pray :)

Good News/Bad News

We checked out of the motel today at 1:00 p.m. We then went to a neighboring city and ate lunch, trying to kill some time until we got word about the closing and when we should be there.

I want to stop right here and say that yesterday, we were discouraged about the delays and were out and about. I said, "Let's go by the house and pray." That's what we did too. We pulled next to the house (out on the road), and led by Glenn, each one of us (yes, even the baby at 20 months prays!), said a prayer for the house and our situation. We truly just wanted God's will. Our daughter is 7, and can be a real prayer warrior when she decides to be. She prayed a similar prayer to what Glenn and I did, praying that God would let His will be clear... if for some reason not for this house, then for another one. Ethan (he's 3) prayed, "deh Lord, hand sanitiz-a-yoh, chemo, house, Papa say this house my house, my room, Jesus' name, Amen." (Let me translate- we use a LOT of hand sanitizer and Ethan sometime started praying for it!, and chemo- my Dad, Ethan's biggest fan-"Gampa" is taking chemo for prostate cancer. Ethan ALWAYS prays for chemo, as he has been told Grandpa is sick from the chemo).

Then there was Seth.... he's 20 months and in his simplistic child like manner, folded his hands, bowed his head and said, "Houuuussssseeeee, Mama, Papa, Amen." I am blessed to know he will always pray for me :o) , but just thinking about how he simply said, "house". You see, in his little world, all is o.k. I am sure he thinks, "Who cares I'm only eating fast food or at restaurants? Who cares I'm staying at a motel? My Mama and Papa are with me, all is right in the world."

AND, what am I getting at? Within about 30 minutes from those prayers, we got word that things were going well.... they simply needed 2 papers (very easily obtainable papers) and things would proceed with a new lender.

THEN, to the good news/bad news part.... Today, when we ate lunch, I prayed that we would hear word concerning the house, and within minutes... we did! It was good news- everything is settled, completely settled, the house is ours.... Bad news- we can't close until tomorrow, because of a matter of time... no time at that point for the mortgage company to make the transfer to the previous owner's bank.... so that has to happen tomorrow.

I can live with that sort of bad news. :o) We had already checked out of the motel, so we called them back, and got the SAME room for the same discounted price. Thank you Lord! :o)

Do pray for us... as I type this, it's almost midnight and a storm is really here.... a bad one with hail and lots of rain and wind. This Florida girl is used to it, just would rather be in my home when it happens. :o/

Waiting is the Game

Closing once again passed us by today. However, our mortgage broker has another lender setting on go, ready to close tomorrow. We have two documents to take care of for them (their paperwork is somewhat different than the first people, but they seem much more reasonable!). We have one done, and the other one is from the company that did our taxes. The accountant will get that done in the morning, and then we should be ready to close!

I just continue to ask you to pray! Thankfully, we are all together, we're happy to be here, just frustrated.

**** ****

On a lighter note, we are enjoying listening to the differences in accents here. We commonly hear "yah" and "you betcha!" Can't wait to use "Ya'll" :o)

Still in the motel, dreaming of home.....

Our new home that is! Paperwork got taken care of, but closing was re-scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Central tomorrow! (Wednesday!) So, we had to reserve this room again for tonight. What are we going to do from 11 a.m. tomorrow (at check-out) until time for closing, with 3 kids in tow?!

Can I scream now?! Today I was just really tired feeling (kidney infection) and so the baby and I stayed in today. Actually, Glenn went and got Subway for lunch, and then at supper, he took the two oldest kids out to another town for Chinese. (something I don't share their love of!) The baby had left overs from lunch and Glenn brought me something back from Culver's (a chain of restaurants here in the mid-west).

The baby and I really enjoyed our time together. So nice how a child can bring a smile to your face no matter how you're feeling! He truly lives in his own little world, happy as can be, full of joy and blissfully unaware of the cares of the adult world. Oh that we could all be so carefree!