Should So Be in Bed

I am not even going to admit what time it is... we leave in just a few hours to head to Florida! I am super excited about seeing my Mama and Daddy. We should arrive Monday evening sometime. The kids are beside themselves about going and it was hard to get Ethan to go to bed since he kept asking me was I SURE I was going to wake him up in the morning and take him to Florida?! ha This came right after questioning me thoroughly to see whether or not we had packed his toothbrush! HA Funny how biology has little to do with some things-he is SO like my oldest brother, it cracks us up!

The picture to the left is of Ethan at Mt. Rushmore last week, or as he calls it, "Mt. Mushmore". Ethan is so full of joy these days and he and I are having a great time as Mama and son! I am ever thankful to God for my children! Here they all are at Bear Country (a drive thru wildlife park), in South Dakota:

I really better get to bed! Before you know it, it will be time to get up and head out. I am looking forward to seeing what memories we will make this trip. Since it's "home", it won't be like a true vacation as last week in South Dakota was, but it will be nice just the same. My kids can't wait to see their other grandparents and I am quite sure the grandparents feel the same!

Past Exhausted!

After missing their flight in Orlando, my inlaws flew standby to Minneapolis, arriving at 12:38 a.m. Sunday (after midnight on Saturday). They were of course very tired, but got here none the less, happy to be here. We got home and in bed by 2:30 a.m.!

Yesterday morning, we took off around 5 a.m. (I am so NOT a morning person), and arrived in Rapid City, South Dakota in the evening around supper time. (we are in the mountain time zone here). We are here until Thursday morning. What a great time we had yesterday on the way here, seeing the prairies where you can just imagine a wagon train coming across the way! After all, not much has changed at all in much of where we traveled- of course billboards are now seen and the occasional cell phone tower, but nothing else has changed it seems.

Today, we visited Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Bear Country, U.S.A. (a drive thru wildlife area). What a time we had! Mt. Rushmore is a must see! It was a place that throughout my life I wanted to visit. I was so impressed with the work that went into carving Mt. Rushmore. What detail ! I will post pictures when we get back home.

Tomorrow, we are heading to Deadwood, a city that is a national historic landmark! My father in law is really looking forward to that as he is big into the "Wild West" and Deadwood is where Wild Bill Hickock was shot and where Calamity Jane once roamed.

Since they have never been to Wyoming and none of us have been to Montana, we are hoping to cross into both these states tomorrow as well. (when planning this trip, Glenn and I did not realize how close we would be to Wyoming and Montana! We just "have" to cross into them to say we did! ha).

Going to bed tonight- exhausted but having a great time!

Delays

What!? Do I not have anything to say?! Wow! I never knew I waited so long to post! We are staying busy- and as I write this, we are supposed to be in the van on the way to the airport, to pick up my inlaws. Problem is, they missed their plane- and so we wait to hear if they catch another one. They are on standby.

My kids however don't understand how we are only talking a delay of hours, and are very upset that Grandma and Grandpa "aren't coming." Of course, they will be here late tonight (after midnight) or in the morning, but the kids don't see it that way.

We are looking forward to my inlaws being here. I am one of those folks who are blessed with great inlaws and we get along very well. Same can be said for Glenn and my parents. I've always been happy about that since I know many people who can't say the same.

We are planning on Monday morning to head to Mt. Rushmore, where we'll stay 3 nights, return on Thursday sometime. We have lots planned with my inlaws. Then, when they head home in 2 weeks, we are literally dropping them off at the airport and heading to Florida, where we'll be for 2 1/2 weeks. When we return home, we'll be bringing my niece with us (she's 15), and she'll stay a week. I can hardly wait for all this! I feel like the kids myself!

Happy Birthday Glenn, Happy Birthday St. Pete!

Today was Glenn's 35th birthday. As the picture to the left will demonstrate, if you're sick and don't want to risk blowing out the candle on the cake, what else can you do!? You grab a hold of the flaming wick and take it out that way! lol


Cala and Seth were both sick last week, and as kids are, they didn't cover their mouths enough. Glenn and I battled the same mess for the past 3 days. We are thankfully much better today, and were able to celebrate Glenn's birthday. We were sort of thinking it funny to be sick today because we were both sick with strep throat on MY birthday back in February! Ugghh! Something has to give! Next birthday in our family?! Not until October! (when Cala turns 9). Glenn has enjoyed today he says. After church this morning, I cooked Sunday dinner (lunch) of Mexican lasagne and refried beans. Tonight, we went to eat and had a great time. Our kids are really behaving lately out in public which is an added bonus!


Today was another special birthday, for today was St. Petersburg's (Russia) birthday! 304th to be exact! I miss being there today. There is nothing like the fireworks you hear on holidays in St. Petersburg. Now, had we still been living there we would not have gone out today. No, not a chance. You wouldn't find us amongst the party goers, you wouldn't find us out watching the fireworks.... it's a mad house there at times like this, and you can see fireworks just fine from any apartment window. I may miss Russia at times like this, but I don't miss the public displays of drunkenness. I got used to soooo many things, countless things, but never got used to not going a day without seeing almost everyone carrying liquor. It saddened me so very much.

I was looking at old pictures tonight, and in honor of Glenn's shared birthday with St. Petersburg (which by the way he always loved celebrating birthdays there because he said, "it's so nice of this city to have a special holiday just for me!" lol). So, I found the following:




Glenn preaching in St. Petersburg, Russia. This was taken in 2004. Yes, he was preaching completely in Russian then.



The next picture was Glenn in the elevator at one of our apartment buildings. (this would have been taken in 2003, because we eventually moved to an apartment on the first floor in a different part of the city.

Happy Birthday Glenn! Happy Birthday St. Petersburg!

Seth is sick

This has been the scene for a couple of days.... we've noticed Seth is sleepier in the mornings like he used to be (as a baby). We can find him all wrapped up on the family room floor like this picture shows. This morning however, he came downstairs and said, "Mama, I'm cold". He was shaking. Yes, it was 41 degrees this morning, but he was burning up! His temperature was a whopping 104.1. We got it down during the day to normal, and he was once again his cheerful (comical) self. Sadly, by night time, he has a 104.5 temp! As I type this, he is upstairs watching a movie with Glenn.

I think he has caught something Cala had for a day or so. (she had a fever but not that high- and a cough). I sooo hate to see my children sick!

Me and my Kids

Just a quick post to show you my kids and me on Mother's Day.

One morning a few weeks ago, I came out of the bathroom, not hearing my boys had come downstairs. I opened the door and screamed as there sat my sons indian style (or excuse me, "criss cross applesauce" as so many refer to it now! lol) right outside the door. They thought it was hilarious that they had scared Mama!!! Thus began a tradition of theirs to come downstairs in the morning and sit right there. They seem to think they still scare me each morning~!

Sunday morning however, I didn't hear them and simply thought it strange but that they just hadn't gotten up yet. I was wrong, for there they sat outside the bathroom door, sweetly smiling at me. Ethan said, "Happy Mutter's Day, Mama" and Seth chimed in with his slightly different pronunciation of, "Happy Mudder's Day, Mama". I about melted. I said, "Ah, how precious". They just smiled and smiled and began to hug me.

The day was a great one from start to finish! I was treated royally honestly, not having to do anything at all that day! Glenn made all three meals that day, and he along with Cala cleaned up. Remember the chain that a few weeks back Seth chewed? (the one that held my children's birthstone charms?). Glenn and the kids gave me a new chain, so I am now able to wear that again! They also gave me a book by Karen Kingsbury, called, "A Treasury of Adoption Miracles." From what I've read so far, it really looks good. I will be sure to give you updates as I read it :o)

I hope each of you out there had a good Mother's Day. To those whose children have yet to come home, may this be the last lonely Mother's Day you'll ever have. For years, pre-Cala, Mother's Day was miserable for me. It was just a reminder of the baby I lost to miscarriage (I've since lost another one, but while equally sad, that was after Cala), and a reminder of my arms being empty.

As you can see from the picture, my arms are full, very very full ! I am a woman truly blessed!

Pictures from Family Day

This is Cala on her Family Day (last week- May 8th). I still can't believe it's been 6 years that I've been this precious girl's Mama!

She brings me such joy!

Each year for Family Day, we give Cala something Russian. She had been wanting this doll, "Anya" from Language Littles. She was excited to find that was what we bought her this year!

The fun thing to Cala is her Russian name is Anya. We call this next picture, "The two Anyas".

Our "Anya" has come a long way in 6 years. It's been my since privilege to be her Mamoochka.

Happy Family Day, Cala!

It was six years ago today that this precious girl came into our lives. Life as we knew it would never be the same. The following is long, but it's my blog and I want to post it! ha

This was an email I sent out on May 10, 2001:

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I have been able to write! We had internet trouble, but that is all settled now, thank God!!!! I know so many must be wondering about Cala and us!!!!! Here's the report........

Tuesday morning, we took care of the necessary paperwork at the courthouse and Ovir. That all took about an hour and then it was time to get our daughter!!! (Of course, that was the happiest time). :o) We arrived at the Baby House and took in our gifts. I handed Dr. Olga the clothes we brought for Cala to wear home and then in about 10 minutes at the most, in came Cala and a caretaker I had never met. Of course, Cala was beautiful!!!! She went right to Papa as Mama was busy writing down information that Dr. Olga wanted me to have (more in depth info on her schedule and what she likes and dislikes). We were also given her list of vaccinations.We were soon on our way home!

We sat Cala down to see what she would do. She walked cautiously into each room, but it did not take long at all, until she was up and running, jabbering away. It is now day two (the second full day) of being home, and we are amazed at how her personality is coming to life! She is full of smiles and relishes in hugs and kisses! To kiss her neck makes her laugh hysterically. All those visits at the Baby House, I would say I knew there was a bubbling kid, just waiting to come out.... Now we are seeing that child emerge!!!! She is like a whole other little girl!!!! It's wonderful to see. She came home very congested and with runny nose, and today has a fever. Yet, she stays happy while sick. We are planning to have her sleep with us until we return from the states. (she will HAVE to sleep in the same room with us while in the states anyway). When we return, we will make the transition to her room. She plays in her room very well, and we change diapers there. She has that routine down well (been through MANY diapers so far!)

The only sign we have seen of mourning so far came this afternoon, for about 5 minutes. I was at the computer and she was sitting on the chair next to me. She was looking at the same picture book she has seen many times when we visitedher at the Baby House. She looked through pictures and would say "Mama" "Papa" "keeska" (her way of saying "koshka" (cat); we gave her a stuffed cat on our first visit). She was fine, then suddenly turned the page and saw Papa and her in the Music room at the Baby House. She started crying loudly, and with tears streaming down her face. She wanted me to pick her up and I took her to the living room. She was o.k. within about 5 minutes of my holding her like an infant, telling her in Russian that I love her and always will.

I believe Cala has lost weight in the last few weeks. Her 18 months sizeclothes are LOOSE on her, and the 12 months size pants fit best. I know this will change with the proper nutrition. I would definitely estimate her developmental level to be that of a young toddler, or older baby. She is more like an 18 month old in many ways. This too will change all too fast I am sure,and I will miss this stage! :o) There you have it..... Life with a toddler!
Gotta love it!!!!!!! Amy a tired, but HAPPY Mama to Cala

This morning, Cala and I looked at her scrapbook before she left for school. We saw a picture that was given to us by our adoption agency of when she was 14 months old (she came home at 2 years, 7 months). It's precious to us! We then saw the pictures of our first meeting with her, and of course the ones taken 6 years ago today!!!! We need to get the videos transferred to DVD so we can watch them again too!

Our daughter has good taste! Many weeks ago she requested for this day, steak, baked potatoes, corn, rolls and chocolate cake. That is what we had! (steak on a new grill her Papa bought yesterday). We gave Cala an "Anya" doll from Language Littles (I'll post pictures tomorrow). She's thrilled!

I am so very happy thinking about how fortunate we are to be this precious baby girl's parents! How did we get so blessed?!

What a week!

I really didn't intend not to post all week! It just so happened that last week was something else! Last Monday morning, as Glenn was stepping down to the garage (to take Cala to school), he fell. We had just noticed the night before that the step had come loose. Glenn hurt his middle back and was out of commission for most of the week. That left me to do all I normally do plus a lot of what he takes care of, so last week sort of got away from me!

We were all thrilled that Glenn was able to make it on Friday. It was Cala's class field trip to the Minnesota Zoo. It was planned several weeks ago for Glenn to be a chaperone, and when he fell, we were all concerned about him making that trip. Thank God he made it, was just a bit stiff, and had a great time! He was one of 4 or 5 fathers that went as chaperones. They were the majority!

A couple of weeks ago, Cala made this imprint of a zebra on a shirt for both her and Glenn. (they did this at school so they would be easily identified at the zoo).

This was taken Friday morning before they headed out.

Cala coming out of a cave at the zoo:

Of course, she was all smiles and full of stories when they returned Friday afternoon. Our weekly Family night was filled with zoo talk or the "joom" as Ethan calls it (no idea why!), and we even watched Cala and her brothers perform a "play" as if they were doing a dolphin show. We also had stuffed animals to play the part of the zoo animals. Glenn and I "visited" the zoo right in our living room. (of course I feel like I live in the zoo on some days with the top animals, but hey! that's a story for another day!) :o)

Brownies

No, not the kind you eat, but rather girl scouts. Cala has really enjoyed her first year of being in Brownies. Tonight was the end of the year awards ceremony, so I thought I would share some pictures we took:

This one was taken right before we left home. I admit I'm prejudiced, but I believe Cala is just plain beautiful :o)

After the ceremony, Cala posed for this picture with her certificate. She also received tonight, a gold star pin for her first year in Brownies being completed. You can see it right under her troop number.

Mark Across America

Back in March, Glenn and Cala attended a Mark Schultz concert. (we are all fans, but Glenn especially). His parents gave him the tickets as his Christmas present and since we don't have a babysitter, I had already determined that Cala would go with Glenn. They had a great time!

Mark was adopted at age 2 weeks and is about to embark on something wonderful in order to help orphanages across the world! He will be biking from the west coast to the east coast (making a 3,500 mile trek) throughout May and June. His inspiration for this came as he and his wife visited several orphanages in Mexico. Mark said he realized how easily it could have been him in an orphanage.

I'll be following his blog at Mark Across America as his trek begins the first week in May.

The video that follows tells all about it:

Outside

Thought I would share some picture of my kids, from yesterday. After being cooped up all winter, they are sure enjoying going outside everyday!

Of course I think they take beautiful pictures, but perhaps they aren't the most cooperative things! ha ha Here they are in between "takes". lol

Smile everybody! Then maybe Mama will let us back up to play!

My Precious Son

I've mentioned before how Ethan is the one that has had a harder time attaching to me, and I to him. I would be remiss not to give an update! It seems that since Ethan began school, things have really really changed for the better.

Today I went to pick up Ethan from school (and then get Cala). Ethan saw me and came running, wrapped his arms around me and squeezed tightly. He knew I was coming today (Cala didn't), but was just as happy to see me as if I were a surprise!

After his nap this afternoon, he came to me so sad looking and climbed on my lap. I asked what was wrong. Now, I must say here that for the past couple of weeks when this happens, Ethan's response is, "I miss 'cool. I want to be dere." (I miss school, I want to be there).

Today, when I asked Ethan, "what's wrong, son?" He looked at me, and said, "Mama, I miss you in class today. I was sad because I miss you my Mama." He held complete eye contact (also a major step forward for us!) with me and wouldn't let go. He was actually sad when I said it was time for him and his brother and sister to go outside. He wanted to be with me, and I with him. We spent a lot of time together this evening... so very nice.

Special Prayer for Russian Adoptions

Just wanted especially my blog friends in the Russian adoption community to know, we prayed today (as a church) for ya'll.

We prayed for accreditation to take place sooner instead of later! We prayed for peace for all the parents caught in the mess of waiting and waiting and waiting!

We prayed for our dear friends who are currently in the process....

AND we prayed especially for the precious children who are suffering the most by having a prolonged stay in an orphanage.

To my other friends out there (outside of Russian adoption), please join our prayers that things will change soon. These children deserve a chance at a real life!

Please remember, I've visited several Russian orphanages.... these kids need a home!

Thank You for being adopted

This morning, I was sent an email concerning some disturbing news re: Russian adoption. I sincerely am praying with my whole heart for those of you in the process, and especially for the precious children of Russia. They are in my heart!

Then, tonight as we had our family prayer time, Cala prayed (without knowing a thing about what I had read)..... "Thank you Lord for being adopted. Thank you I have a family. Thank you for the best Mama and Papa in the world!"

It made me cry. Glenn's eyes didn't look much drier.

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This Part TWO

A few days ago, I posted "Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This".... yesterday I couldn't even begin to post because I was still exhausted from the events of yesterday.....

It all started out so well.... I went to Wal-mart alone to do grocery shopping. I was very happy that I felt so well (fibromyalgia wise- very little pain- pain I could live with). All was great in the world.

I enjoyed my time in Wal-mart, yes even grocery shopping, I was having fun! lol I went on over to the kids sections', checked out the clearance- got Cala two new shirts (3 dollars each!), and a pair of jeans for 9 dollars! (she is sooooo rough on jeans!). I moseyed on over to the pharmacy side, picked up some deodorant and proceeded to check out.

All was great. Did I mention all was right with the world?! lol

It was when I got out to the van that things changed..... I couldn't find my cell phone! I panicked. I looked in the grocery bags, nothing... I re-checked and re-checked my coat pockets, my jeans pockets, my purse. Nothing. Not there. I really panicked! I went back in the store, asked all along the way as I re-traced my steps. Remember how I went through all sections of the store?! Yikes.... I was now in such a hurry to find the cell phone, I picked up my pace from brisk to almost running. I went to the cash register again, I went to customer service. No cell phone. The cashier asked me what type of phone it was... I felt stupid as I went blank! I replied, "I just know it's red, it's a flip phone, and it has a Florida phone number". ha

I had just talked to Glenn not 10 minutes earlier. I was in the cottage cheese/sour cream aisle. I thought about who was around me at the time...... did I mindlessly leave it sitting out and someone took it? No, just two sweet old ladies were around me then. Hmmm........ unless they were great at "what they did", then uh, no.

Once I gave in to "defeat", I went to the van to come home. I kept thinking that if I hadn't made that call to Glenn (actually to Ethan). Then I immediately thought "at LEAST I GOT to call Ethan". You see, Ethan was leaving for school before I got back and was SAD about me not getting home first (which is a FIRST for him- means he's attaching more to me! YAY!). I promised to call him, and I did. I was then choosing to see it as a "at least I got to call Ethan" moment.

On the way home, I got that sinking feeling of "what if someone DID lift my phone from my purse- better check for your credit cards, etc." I started feeling through my purse- and couldn't find my debit card! I pulled over and checked thoroughly. At last I found it (not in its normal place- I had "thrown" it in at the cash register.).

I got home, told Glenn my tale, said, "I just couldn't go to the post office yet before coming here... Please call my cell phone, just in case someone answers." And then.... Glenn went to unload the groceries for his distraught wife.

There in a bag that I was sure I had looked in, was my red, flip phone, SAMSUNG- T-Mobile cell phone! :o)

So, was all right in the world??? I went to the post office, and just broke down! Yes, I at this point cried like a baby. I don't know why. I have no clue- I called my Mama and Daddy! (hey! they have T-Mobile- it's free :o) I just felt at that moment like a big baby. Mama said perhaps I had looked in the same bag twice, it could happen to anybody, etc. etc.

I dried my tears, went in the post office, needed to buy a stamp for a large envelope, and it only cost 63 cents. Uh-oh- I am the worlds' worst about not keeping cash with me. A debit card had to be used for a whole 63 cents!!!!!!! The kind post office woman assured me that many folks are the same nowadays, not keeping cash. I went along my way.....

I called Glenn, asked him to please heat me up some leftover soup from a couple of days before, only to find there really wasn't a true serving size left, but at that point, I was happy to be home with my little bowl of soup! I went to the fridge for water, only to find none was cold! HA HA Yes, I laughed... it was so pitiful, better to laugh than cry!

I went to bed last night SO VERY EXHAUSTED, fibro making my feet and legs throb, but very happy to know that I truly had lost nothing, and I could at least sleep a few hours. Wouldn't you know it?? Too exhausted to fall asleep easily! lol

This morning, all is right in the world once more. :o)

Easter

I really enjoyed our Easter Sunday service. We sang many songs about the death of Jesus, and of COURSE the resurrection, the real reason we celebrate Easter! I especially love the old song, "Christ Arose!" "Up from the grave He Arose!". I just miss having a piano for that song especially. (we have a keyboard here, with plans to buy a piano one day). Glenn spoke about Jesus' sacrifice, and last night we quizzed the kids to see if they were listening yesterday morning. It's amazing what they get when you really think they aren't paying attention at all!

Ethan (4) said, "they did this to Jesus", and then proceeded to get up and pretend to spit as Glenn as done yesterday morning, and even Seth (age 2) said "they did this", and pretended to slap. Cala (8) told more in depth. What a blessing it was to see that they are in a small way understanding more and more about God and His amazing love for us!

In the afternoon, after a ham dinner, we had a nice Easter egg hunt inside our family room. Yes, it was just too chilly outside to venture out, and we noticed the same took place throughout our neighborhood, not a kid to be seen- except to peek out every now and then. It made me remember how in Russia, we would hide eggs inside our apartment. (since it's not a custom there.).

We did also boil eggs with a red onion as we did in Russia, to signify the blood of Jesus. We even remembered to say as we did for so many years, "Eee-soohs Vahs-kress!" "Vah-ees-tee-nah Vahs-kress!" ("Christ Arose!" (Glenn said in Russian- to which I replied- "Truly He arose!" or He is risen indeed!)

Here are some pictures of the kids from yesterday:

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Today we began trying "in earnest" to potty train Seth. (age 28 months). I am not a fan of pull ups but went that route because of all my carpet. ha I however had just put Seth in underwear alone, when the following happened.....

Glenn has been working on gathering paperwork to send to the lady who does our taxes. He had been at the desk and had receipts, etc. all spread out on the floor. He needed to go outside to get something from the van and said, "Amy, please don't let Seth in here right now because of all these papers. I will get them up in a few minutes." He leaves, I am on the phone and Seth is playing in the next room. I hear something break, and in comes Seth: "Mama, you candle broke". (all by itself I guess?! ha ha) I asked him to please bring me the candle itself, and sure enough it was a new candle encased in glass- so I needed to take care of that soon. However, Seth comes in, is coming to bring me the candle itself, and all of a sudden, "Oh no, oh no, I sorry, it a accident... pee pee coming!" and he moves back to the carpet. YES! He peed on a bunch of papers! How nice of him to move back to the carpet. lol I saw the whole thing and yes, it was a complete accident (and of course, he had JUST gone to the bathroom 10 minutes before to try).

Glenn of course was thrilled when he walked in to see me with papers in one hand, hair dryer in the other! I told him, "well, they are all dry... just don't sniff them too closely!"

Growing Up

Saturday evening, Seth (age 28 months), announced to Papa (Glenn), "I no want a sippy cup no more!" "I not a baby". We took him at his word, and said, "Ok... no more sippy cup except for the van". All was well and he seemed very proud of himself at supper that night.

Yesterday morning during church, Seth was in my arms and whispered to me, "I want a sippy cup, Mama." I whispered back, "I thought you told Papa last night you don't want one anymore." Looking like he had been found out, he replied, "Yes, I said that, but now, I want a sippy cup." HA HA This child sometimes has near adult conversations. He cracks us up!

I said, "No, not now... I don't have one here, now hush son", and he fell asleep. While he slept, and I listened to Glenn preaching, my mind wandered I confess to thinking about how fast my children are growing up.

The local Christian radio station that we listen to here has a commercial that always makes me laugh and almost cry. It goes something like, "Ever notice how the stop light takes forever to change, but your children grow up in the blink of an eye?"

I'm trying to savor each moment with my 3 kids. All too soon they will be grown up.

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!