Finally an Answer!

Sorry I've not gotten around to posting to tell the answer about the charms! YES! PRAISE THE LORD! They were found the next day!!!!!!

We "threatened" the boys with no toys until the charms were found. Ethan went on a search again and here he came around 11 a.m. Wednesday morning. He had found them in the family room up on the ledge (it runs around half the room- of course it had been missed in that spot during the initial search). The really great thing is they were all still there, separater beads and all, still attached to the main charm that says, "Mom's Kids".

I'll still have to buy a new gold chain, but I am thrilled to have these charms at least!

Sad but deeply touched

This evening, I had a conference to go to at Cala's school. I originally planned to blog about how the teacher said that Cala overall is doing well, she's really taking off on her reading- she's distracted some (that's "normal" for Cala), blah blah blah....

BUT NO! I am blogging to ask for PRAYER that we recover a very important necklace to me :o/ This is the set up- be prepared- it involves a 2 year old and a 4 year old! :

Before leaving to the conference, I stood at my jewelry box and thought, "my special necklace would go well with this outfit, and I so often forget to wear the necklace, this is a good time!"
Oh that I would have forgotten!......

I was in the bed, watching American Idol, when Glenn notices something gold at his feet. He remembered the baby (2 yr old!) had something in his mouth earlier. Glenn noticed it was a gold chain of mine. I said, "At least it's not my special necklace, it's on!" Then, I had the sudden sinking feeling, checked, and it was not on! :o/

By this point, the boys were in bed, but Glenn quickly went and asked. It was admitted by Seth that he had it, but he has no clue where the charms are- the chain- it's RUINED! Who would have known that gold was that fragile. Ethan, well... he's the biggest tattle tale known to man, and he didn't say anything?! That's totally strange which only means he was in on it. Ugghh.

This was a necklace that I had wanted for ages, and last Christmas, Glenn and the kids got it for me- it had a charm holder that said, "Mom's Kids", and then each charm was a girl with Cala's birthstone, a bead to separate, a boy with Ethan's birthstone, a bead to separate, then a boy with Seth's birthstone, and another bead to separate, just waiting for our next child.

After the boys looked a cursory look in the family room (I really think it's all in their room! We'll look tomorrow!), they were sent back upstairs (and told no toys tomorrow until they search, search, search!).

Glenn was sooooo frustrated and sad about this. I was heartsick! Then, I began crying because of the following:

Cala was all, "I can't believe my brothers! ugggh! " (she was at a Brownies meeting during the time it would have happened). She then says, "Mama, I am going to save my money and buy you a new one!" OH! I just boo-hooed! How precious! How very precious!

We explained that of course she isn't going to do that, but that I really appreciate her tender heart.

I am praying tonight that I find the charms to that necklace- especially before the cat does!

Rays of (Oreo) Sunshine

While sitting at the computer (so that I don't fall asleep while my husband is gone to get our daughter, and go by the store!), I opened a package from my Secret Blog Pal. Thank you so much!

The box is of the picture to the left- Gourmet Oreos! Belgian Chocolate Oreos they are called. Yummy! Yes, I shared right on the spot with my boys, and will share with Glenn and Cala when they return..... not that I want to! ha ha Yes, I will share.... Maybe, I tink so (as my 2 year old would say.).

Anyway, what a ray of sunshine it was to get this while I'm feeling so low. Thank you!

Iron Deficiency, ugghh

Oh where have I been you ask? I have had a problem with iron deficiency for several years now. About 2 years ago now I was diagnosed with anemia. So, I actually have iron deficiency anemia! Suffice it to say, I have had trouble with it this past week, and that is why I have not posted. I am only up now for a bit and wanted to post something, anything! lol

It makes me very, very weak, and so I've been bed ridden for most of the past few days. I should be in bed now but honestly, I just HAD to get up awhile!

A special thanks to my dear friend for calling to check on me a couple of days ago. It was nice to chat with her, and chat did we ever! I think she said she was cleaning house while I was in bed, as we talked. As long as we talked, her house should be spotless, no doubt! Great to have good friends like that!

The kids are doing well by the way. We continue working with Ethan through "I miss 'cool" when he's home, and then "I miss you" the other times.

Sad Ethan

Ethan had a setback yesterday afternoon. I believe it had to do with me not being awake when he came home from school. Due to my fibromyalgia, I was extra tired today. Seth normally takes a nap at 3, right when Ethan comes home, and takes one as well. However, yesterday (Wednesday), Seth and I were in my bed talking and we both fell asleep! Glenn said Ethan seemed almost ready to cry when he went to his nap.

While I was cooking supper, Ethan came upstairs to get something. I held him a few minutes and noticed he was extra sad looking. Before it was over, he said, "I sad. You goin' leave me at cool." I explained that I would never ever leave him at school!, and I honestly have it figured out that he is associating school with the orphanage he was in (Guatemala). We even talked a bit about Guatemala and I explained (with the help of Cala I might add :o) that back when he lived there, I would have given anything to have him home with me. It just took time and we came for him as quickly as we could. Of course I don't know how much his four year old mind is grasping, but I will keep explaining whenever he needs it. I held him really close, made him make eye contact and said in English AND Spanish that I am his Mama forever and nothing is going to change that. Cala said, "you know we can't do without our Papito". (I call Ethan "mi papito"- my little daddy, a Spanish term of endearment).

Oh how my heart aches thinking about the losses Ethan has gone through in his short life. Strangely enough, it was age 4 when Cala began talking a lot about living in an orphanage, wanting a Mama and a Papa, etc. It was around the same time that she began talking almost daily about us never leaving her, etc. Now at age 8, she has that all straight in her mind and is trying to help re-assure her brother.

I sincerely pray that we get through to Ethan how much we love him and we aren't going anywhere... I told him, "you just try to get me away from you! You're stuck with me!"

Ethan's First Day of School

On Sunday night, Seth cried when he went to bed... that's unusual! When I asked what was wrong, he said, "Ethan's goin' leave me tomorrow!" It was so pitifully sad and cute. Big brother Ethan took Seth by the hand and walked him to bed. Going down the hall to their room, Ethan said, "Baby! I not going leave joo- I leeeeve, but I come back" It was nice to hear the very words I had been telling Ethan as he questioned whether or not I would still be around the next day. :o/ (o.k. so my words didn't have the cute accent)

Ethan was so excited on Monday when it was time to get ready. No, he was THRILLED!
He asked all morning long if he was still going to "cool." We had talked it up for weeks and now that the time had finally come, I think he couldn't believe it was actually happening!

I love the following picture because the whole scene was so sweet: Papa and son talking it over, waiting on the school bus.

When it came time to pick up Ethan that afternoon, I went inside the school, and he gave me the first real hug ever, or what I would call, "Mama, I am soooo glad to see you!" It honestly took me by surprise! Oh, he's given hugs before of course, but usually he backs into me, or gives a really quick hug. To the outside world, Ethan is a very loving, very affectionate child, but that's just it... we've had to work on inappropriate affection with him! To those of you reading that are "in the adoption world", you may have dealt with this, or may will deal with it. We had a bit of it with our daughter, but she was quicker to get through this phase than Ethan I believe. (or at least that's the way I remember it! ha). To get this hug on Monday, just meant so very much. Ethan and I have fought for our attachment to one another. Am I attached to him?! I can definitely say I am now. Want some proof? I followed the school bus on Monday (not even a mile down the road from here!) just so I could see my little man get off the bus. We ended up parked so far away that we weren't sure that was him! ha ha
I was soooo happy to see Ethan, as I really missed him. This time away from each other will do us good. I am convinced of that.

When Ethan came home he told me, "Mama, I tried to cry at school today. I missed you and Papa." My heart just melted then and there. He does miss me when I'm gone. He DOES care if I'm there. Ah... there's hope yet.

Make Shift Musicians :o)

Cala has had a vivid imagination ever since she came home to us at age 2 years, 7 months. Now, at age 8, she definitely has not slowed down a bit in that department! She just increased her audience by 2, when her brothers hit the scene.
This was the scene in our home a couple of days ago. Cala as you see is playing the guitar, Ethan is on the drums, (some toy with a pencil as a drumstick) so what does that leave Seth to do? He's using an empty vitamin bottle with a Coca-Cola cap in it for noise. When I asked what instrument he was playing, Cala replied, "the shaker of course!" ha ha
If you'll notice in the left, Cookie Monster passed out from the excitement of it all!!!

Memories in the Making

Cala and I had a good time together today, a good mother and daughter day. We decided with yesterday being Women's Day, that we would start an annual tradition of shopping together around that time.

I had been wanting to visit a new consigment shop but since Cala was planning the day, I figured Wal-mart would be included (Target was already planned) and we probably would NOT go to the consignment shop! Well.... it turns out, no Wal-mart, but the consignment shop was our first stop! ha ha

We pulled in to the KFC drive thru (for me- Cala chose McD's- yuck I say!).... and I just happened to mention, "Cala, there's the consignment shop I'm planning to come to next week." Cala asked, "can we go now?" Well, of course! Who was I to say no? ha haaaa (no, I did NOT "lead the witness")

We didn't find any clothes there we wanted, but we bought some books (all books are $1 unless otherwise marked). We bought one big book- 20 stories for $2.50. I LOVED buying that, because we never could before! Always when flying back to Russia, we couldn't take something like that with us- it would weigh us down too much, so we chose smaller books. Now, I can buy it, because we have the spot for it! :o) We also bought other books there for $1.

Then, we went to Target. We had a good time there, and I bought a couple of summer shirts for the boys for $1.98 each. Not sure why they would already be on clearance! when summer has not yet begun! ha ha What does that tell you? Also bought Cala a nice thin, long sleeve YELLOW shirt!

Anyway... rambling on here.... While in there, I started feeling rough (fibro related) and prayed silently, "Lord, please help me keep going for my daughter's sake. She's having such a GREAT time!" No more than I mouthed that prayer and Cala says, "Mama, can we buy everything you need here?" I said, "yes.. everything I need like foil, etc. can be bought here, why?" She said, "because if we go to Wal-mart I will want to buy something and I already found stuff here." HA HA!!!!! I couldn't argue with that, because it was definitely true!

THANK YOU GOD! We had a great time! She talked about the great time we had all the way home, and then was sure to tell Glenn and her brothers!

I really want my children to have great memories of their childhood- good times spent with Mama and Papa.

Happy International Women's Day :o)

International Women's Day is celebrated in many, many countries. We celebrated it in Russia, and have kept it up since moving :o) It's a time to celebrate not only the women in your life that are important to you, but also the girls. Glenn always has bought Cala and me flowers and/or candy on this day. (he just happens to be "out in town" right now!). ;o)

I must say, today I am really missing my dear friends in Russia. I always looked forward to March 8th when I was sure to hear from those friends. Inevitably, I would receive a little gift from the teenage girls in our church there. Many times, a "doily" or something else they had crocheted just for me. How special it always made me feel that they included this American in their holiday.

Glenn began giving me gifts on this day even before we had a Russian daughter... from the beginning of living in Russia, we decided to celebrate the more important holidays there, and have continued to so- especially now for Cala.

I have an Albanian sister in law whom I try to remember to at least email on this day. I need to do so shortly here, as this was a big day to her too!

I was thrilled this morning to see an e-card from a dear (American) friend of mine, wishing me a Happy Women's Day. That brought a real smile to my face, since I honestly thought I wouldn't hear from anyone other than Glenn today. (o.k. of course, I just miss the "old days" today).

Yesterday's fun

Yesterday we got the kids outside to play in the snow. Now, mind you, it was 11 degrees with a windchill of 0 (oh, guess that's WHY no other kids were out yesterday! lol), but never fear... we had to get out of here! Cabin fever you know can really make you just NEED to get outside! ha

We really enjoyed being outside playing with the kids and they had a great time! We hope to take them this week to a nearby hill where they can slide down.

Here's my first attempt at uploading a video here on my blog! Sorry it isn't a tad longer- two things about that- I at first didn't realize I had it my digital camera on "record" mode, thought I was taking a picture of Seth- once I realized, I tried to quickly get everyone in! ha

Thing number 2- my camera hand was soooo cold being outside that glove, I couldn't possibly video any longer!

Without further adieu- I give you- yesterday's fun:

Round Two of Snow, pictures included

Two snow storms in a week's time.... got to get some sort of enjoyment out of it, right?! Here the boys demonstrate how tall the snow was from the two storms: (going out from our garage)

I for one am happy to see the snow everywhere, so that everything is pretty now :o) Yes, I will be happy to see Spring come so we can get out more, but there wasn't really much snow until now. Spring break is this coming week, and we have plans to get out and do some things with the kids! I am hoping to get them out in this snow and just have fun!

Thanks Secret Blog Pal!

Thank you Secret Blog Pal for the shirts :o) As promised, here's a picture of the kids in those shirts, yesterday. The kids said, "thank you!"