Thanksgiving

(Thanksgiving plates for 2011.... of course this is Dana's awesome idea)

Yep, this one is going to be a sappy entry so get ready. So thankful for this family that God is putting together in such a miraculous way. Thankful for all my children and their healthy bodies and happy hearts. Thankful for Sergei and Max's Mother, may she rest in peace, for bringing her children into this world and truly being my guardian angel. For my family...who loves me unconditionally, who would raise one million dollars for me. Thank you, for letting me lean on you and always knowing I can. To my dear friends who cheer (and pray) for me. Letting me cry, making me laugh and loving me even though I am TERRIBLE at returning calls, emails and text. Sweet, sweet Kevin, without you I would be lost. You are the Ying to my Yang, so thankful for the life we have had for the last 12 years together and can't wait for the next 50!

Max and Sergei have been unreachable by phone. The phone is in the orphanage office which is in the basement of the building with 280 kids. Nobody can hear the phone ringing! I thought for sure one or two naughty kids would walk pass and pick up but we tried for an hour and a half and still nothing, blah. We have mailed our first stack of form to Ukraine to be translated. We are being told March is going to be the soonest we can travel because Max is only 5 and that puts him on a “baby” list which slows the process down. I know it seems slow but everything is moving pretty quickly and according to schedule. Still makes us ache not having them here. March is the goal.

So grateful for all we have....so grateful for you.

Get out and Boat!

Yesterday was go vote day.  Me (this is Kevin typing) and the girls went out at five in the evening to vote.  The girls were very unhappy to learn that going to vote had nothing to do with going on a boat.  "Bery unhappy".  Anyway this video is from a get out and vote web site.  I love this video.  Who knew Newt Gingrich had something in common with Willie Nelson!?

"Smashing" Home-study, Check!

Sergei at Aunt Dana's with his melting face paint.

What was I thinking? I just took the first appointment we could, "Nov. 1st at 9am sounds great, see you soon!" I said it alright, but on October 31st I was kind of wishing I had scheduled our Home-study appointment for the 2nd.

Halloween on a Monday people...really...who does that?! Got Suzy off to school, check. Pearl refused to wear anything at all that day, let alone a costume. Finally convinced her clothes were not negotiable but still could not talk her into wearing the cutest Halloween shirt from her Aunt Lisa. Oh, well...she is wearing clothes, check. Saved stray puppy in road, check. Visit at Grandma Suzan’s and then off to pick up Suzy from school. My moms last words as I backed out of her driveway, “Don't hit my car!” Damn...too late. Smashed into my Moms car, check. SORRY MOM!!!

Trick or treating, check. Kids finally in bed, check. Whew! Oh wait I have a home-study in the morning and I have to fold 8 loads of laundry, clean my house, wash my kids Halloween makeup off in their sleep and look rested and fresh. Fast forward to the morning....House was clean, Laundry is folded (I thought she might check my van for car-seats so I decided I couldn't hide it there). Kids were perfect and left over Halloween make up is endearing, right?

The Home-study was great or I guess I should say, our caseworker was great. We were so excited to finally be getting to this point in the adoption I was giddy. After questions and interviews, I think we passed with flying colors, minus my shoplifting shenanigans at age 12 (Listen to your parents kids, they are always right!). I was finally able to hand her the packet we had been working weeks on to compile. It felt so great to know that we can't do anything else right now but to raise funds and wait for the next step. There is still a lot left, but such a relief to know we are this much closer to getting Sergei and Max home!