Only three more shopping days till Christmas…are you done???
Well, I am sorry to say that for me the answer’s “No”. I have been successful in most items, including the boys buying for the boys and other family members. But, as far as my #2 sweetness (Bryce) we are still looking for the right gift.
My husband has been working diligently at my requested gift this year…a new pantry. Given the current expenses associated with an International adoption, I have asked for the gift that keeps on giving…and nothing keeps giving more for me than an addition/upgrade to my home.
We have a coat closet off our dining room that is really serving no purpose other than wasted space…so I have asked John to turn it into a pantry for (thanks to many good eaters and Sam’s Club – LOVE my Sam’s Club!) the gob’s of groceries that need to be stored. As it is we have two Gorilla storage shelves full of food out in our garage. Being a neat freak, I am happy to have the larger, less used items out of the kitchen cabinets where they take up precious storage space. (Ya know – Wok, bread maker, pressure cooker, Seal-a-Meal, food processor, etc.)
The most expensive part of this closet transformation is the special ordered pantry door the actually reads “Pantry” in etched glass. My brother owns a door and window store, so I was fortunate to have it ordered at a very good price. The good ones aren’t cheap! This item John was priming last night. His goal is to have this project finished by Christmas. Carrington said “You are not suppose to see your gifts until Christmas morning, mom!” John explained that it is not like he can put it under the tree, now can he? Too funny!
Another interesting event is Carrington and his gift shopping. That child had a list of people a foot long. It included such gifts as Xbox games, Super big Nerf guns, etc…We needed to have a eye opening talk about spending someone else’s money (like MINE). All was well when he thought it was coming out of my pockets, but when I suggested he buy the times for his 29 friends he had listed…that was another story. With this new found information that mom was NOT going to finance his gift giving adventures he cut WAAAY back on his list and shopped a little more frugal. All in all, he did very well.
Carrington was showered with gifts when he first visited us, then was showered again last year when he came home. He just thinks this is the way it should be with everyone. Money, of course, does not grow on trees. A child who grew up with basically nothing, and came to lot’s of everything, has no former teaching in the ways of income and money. So, to improvise, Carrington has decided to make very large amounts of Borsch to give to those he cares about…and I will be more than happy to help. We may even bake some yummy cookies too…
Three more days till Christmas…are you ready????
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The "W" in Christmas
My friend sent me this heart warming story...hope it speaks to you the way it speaks it me...
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant.
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas, I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row - center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing C is for Christmas, a child would hold up the letter C. Then, H is for Happy, and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W." The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her W. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still IS! Amazed in His presence... Humbled by His love.
May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His Amazing Love!
"Submission to God's will is the softest pillow upon which to rest"
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant.
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas, I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row - center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing C is for Christmas, a child would hold up the letter C. Then, H is for Happy, and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W." The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her W. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still IS! Amazed in His presence... Humbled by His love.
May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His Amazing Love!
"Submission to God's will is the softest pillow upon which to rest"
Dossier IS IN ROUTE TO RUSSIA!
Houston, we have lift off!
My friend Stephanie {{ Hugs and more hugs!}} was able to get that last document Apostilled (what a blasted headache that was!) and my Dossier arrived at the door step of my agency yesterday. It is being sent to Russia as I type for translation and on to the place it is suppose to land in Moscow City. Then we get to hurry up and WAIT....It is - after all - the holidays and as I have learned from my experience with the Ukraine, those Russian's really like their holiday time off! As a matter of fact, they close down most EVERYTHING off and on until mid January. I think my employer should look into that :) *wink*
Sooooo....it would appear I am now in what would appear to be my, hmmmm - second trimester?
As we wait for this portion of our adoption to get underway, I find myself in a sort of 'Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde' kind of mood. At one moment I am all butterflies full of anticipation and excitement; and the next anxiety and fear. I ask myself quite often if I am doing the right thing by adoption my daughter so late in life (note I did not say the word 'OLD', but just late in life...'40' is by the way the new '30' is it not???) Either way, it is gonna happen...and all in God's timing - which I have witnessed first hand is always perfect. Rose will arrived pre-picked by God, and I will be estatic!
Aidan and Carrington cannot wait for the arrival of their little sister. Carrington proudly stated at our party last week "I'm gonna have a baby sister!" Very heartwarming. Then Aidan pipes up and says "I am tooooo! Not just YOU Carrington!" Touching....
For the guests who have dropped in and posted some thoughts, thanks! It is always great to hear from others who have gone before me...and to have cheerleaders and prayer warriors by your side...even if it is in cyberspace :)
For those of you family members out there, thanks so much for the fun emails and keeping up! We love you all! This works so well, don't ya think? I know it was a life line with Carrington's adoption! And yes, I know I should post more, and I promise I will when there is movement in Russia. It just takes so much time out of my already busy day. As I type now it is 2 am...no time like night time for a gal to get things done :)
Toot a loo for now!
K~
My friend Stephanie {{ Hugs and more hugs!}} was able to get that last document Apostilled (what a blasted headache that was!) and my Dossier arrived at the door step of my agency yesterday. It is being sent to Russia as I type for translation and on to the place it is suppose to land in Moscow City. Then we get to hurry up and WAIT....It is - after all - the holidays and as I have learned from my experience with the Ukraine, those Russian's really like their holiday time off! As a matter of fact, they close down most EVERYTHING off and on until mid January. I think my employer should look into that :) *wink*
Sooooo....it would appear I am now in what would appear to be my, hmmmm - second trimester?
As we wait for this portion of our adoption to get underway, I find myself in a sort of 'Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde' kind of mood. At one moment I am all butterflies full of anticipation and excitement; and the next anxiety and fear. I ask myself quite often if I am doing the right thing by adoption my daughter so late in life (note I did not say the word 'OLD', but just late in life...'40' is by the way the new '30' is it not???) Either way, it is gonna happen...and all in God's timing - which I have witnessed first hand is always perfect. Rose will arrived pre-picked by God, and I will be estatic!
Aidan and Carrington cannot wait for the arrival of their little sister. Carrington proudly stated at our party last week "I'm gonna have a baby sister!" Very heartwarming. Then Aidan pipes up and says "I am tooooo! Not just YOU Carrington!" Touching....
For the guests who have dropped in and posted some thoughts, thanks! It is always great to hear from others who have gone before me...and to have cheerleaders and prayer warriors by your side...even if it is in cyberspace :)
For those of you family members out there, thanks so much for the fun emails and keeping up! We love you all! This works so well, don't ya think? I know it was a life line with Carrington's adoption! And yes, I know I should post more, and I promise I will when there is movement in Russia. It just takes so much time out of my already busy day. As I type now it is 2 am...no time like night time for a gal to get things done :)
Toot a loo for now!
K~
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Arrrg! WHY can't people get things done right????
My Dossier is in Fresno right now safe in the hands of my good friend Stephanie. She took everything to the Secretary of States office yesterday to be apostilled and wouldn't you know that the clerk in our county office DID NOT sign one of the certificates! WHAT?! HOW do you NOT sign a certificate when you have created 16 of them and they are in front of you in a nice neat pile and you are attaching each one individually to each notarized document. Huh???
So, I had to go home, create a new copy and declaration for my passport, race against the clock to meet 'M' the notary, then share todays lunch hour with a can of Slim Fast waiting for the clerk to call my name and fix her mishap. And would you believe after all this trouble she wanted to charge me???? I DON'T THINK SO!
Needless to say I left the county clerks office today with a newly notarized and authenticated passport - at no charge - and it is in the mail to Fresno today...The only piece left to be apostilled.
A big {{{hug}}} to my friend Steph for all of her help!
I am so ready for a drink....
So, I had to go home, create a new copy and declaration for my passport, race against the clock to meet 'M' the notary, then share todays lunch hour with a can of Slim Fast waiting for the clerk to call my name and fix her mishap. And would you believe after all this trouble she wanted to charge me???? I DON'T THINK SO!
Needless to say I left the county clerks office today with a newly notarized and authenticated passport - at no charge - and it is in the mail to Fresno today...The only piece left to be apostilled.
A big {{{hug}}} to my friend Steph for all of her help!
I am so ready for a drink....
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