Thinking of...

all of my adoption friends that I've met throughout the years. If you are reading this, leave a comment or send me an e-mail. Give me an update on how your family is doing?

Too Much Information

But it's just the life with kids!

I'm trying to track down the booger boy... Someone is leaving boogers on furniture and walls!! Only boys! And we're reinforcing hitting the toilet or they are cleaning it up now... Ug!

Me: Katie go potty so we can leave.

Katie (on the potty): Momma it won't turn on!! No Potty!

Family time-Bowling

It was cold (-10s) on New Year's Day, so we snuck off early to the bowling alley while it was quiet and all were asleep, except for our children! Here's Katie at her first time bowling... And Sammy... Notice his shoe is off... If you know Sammy you are shaking your head, as this is so him. He can never keep his shoes on his feet!!! He is constantly fiddling with his shoes or socks...

And Alex watching the lanes...

The boys are at such a great age that it's fun to do family activities as they can do things on their own now!

Happy Birthday Alex!

Happy Birthday Alex! I cannot believe you are 8 years old already! He is on the outskirts of manhood as he tries to emulate the men around him. He wants to wear his hat everywhere (just like his father and grandfather). He was happy to have a real leather belt for Christmas (thanks Nana) and will come in and say these pants need a belt, just so he can be like his men! He also is thrilled with the Steelers watch he got for his birthday. He's growing so fast!

Here's a birthday shot from our early birthday party... Yep, I was not tackling a Monday party with first day back at school and work so we held it in 2009 instead ;)

And who can believe that I turn 35 tomorrow. Wow! Where did the 20s go?

Happy New Year!

2009 was a good year to our family.

January began with Alex turning 7 years old. He has grown so much since he came home from Russia in 2005. He is developing into a mature, responsible young man (with the occassional relapse!). He has a true love of athletics and any sports. He spends a lot of his time at recess running the milege club on his mission to reach 100 miles (he's very, very close). He takes his status of oldest child very seriously. He can be a quiet thinker and you just aren't sure what is going on in his head sometimes. He is also quite the storyteller and true or false he can spin a yarn to anyone.

February was a bit agonizing as we waited and waited for a court date from Russia. Finally the judge went on vacation and the sub judge was in a hurry to clear the dockets. This gave us very, very little notice to get tickets to get to Russia and a scramble to get the money to do so!

March found us trying to fly out of Alaska on spring break with no tickets to be found. We hopped a jet to Thailand and made our way West to Khabarovsk with the boys in toe. Memories were made watching the boys meet Katie the first time, the great judge granting the adoption quickly, the boys getting to visit the orphanage and hand the donations to the other children. Then it was 4 weeks in a tiny apartment with 3 kids, who behaved amazingly. The quick runs to the playground in the freezing cold windy weather. The hours spent watching out the window at the city happenings. And the daily treks to the grocery store. Khabarovsk is a great town that has given us many precious memories.

In April we flew from Khabarovsk to Moscow and spent 4 days finishing up citizenship paperwork. Taking the kids to the Red Square and St. Basil's. Then finally the long flight home, via Paris (I've always wanted to go there, wish I could have seen a few things!).. Kissing the ground in Seattle (good to be back on US soil!). Touching down in Anchorage, happy to be home again.

I was lucky to be off most of May to watch Katie grow, adapt and be totally welcomed into our immediate family. She is still a little miss sunshine. Her English was slow to grow at start but at 6 weeks she opened up and just began to talk...

June headed us back to Pennsylvania to our very large extended families. All 3 kids are great travelers and love to see new places. We were welcomed by so many in the family, it's nice to add a little girl back in the mix. Never forgetting the long drive back to Phila to catch the plane in the crazy traffic and messed up directions!

July was extraordinarly beautiful and it was a great time for camping as a family. The boys fishing on their own this summer with real hooks (scary) and both hooking into their first pink salmon! And Katie with her pink fishing rod trying to keep up with her brothers.

August brought school for us. Alex heading to the last grade level in his school, 2nd grade. My how he's grown. And my baby boy heading into first grade with his mind on stories and writing and absorbing as much as his sponge mind can. Katie turned a big girl 3 and became so much more independent and capable. Lots less carrying by mommy and more I can do it and Katie's turn.

September/October brought some medical issues for Sammy and he was amazing through his surgery and recovery. He is an open book and loves to see and experience new things. He's bound and determined to be a doctor someday.

November brought a great thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for just by looking around the table at the health and happiness of those around us.

In December, Sammy turned 7 years old. He is still darn skinny even though he eats more than anyone. He is very academic and things come easy to him, when he tries or listens! He loves to write and illustrate stories and has copied at least 50 of his favorites from books. He's developed his skills as an illustrator and a writer. Christmas break was a joy of fresh snow, nice weather and 3 kids happy to play.

I cannot wait to watch the kids grow in 2010! They are my joy and my life. Wishing you and yours a HAPPY NEW YEAR!