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!