Merriest Christmas Ever!

Okay, our Christmas was awesome..how about yours? I didn't get great pics though I was so lost in the moment that I snapped a few but then had to put the camera down to help Hope unwrap...eeeeughh...boy I wish I would have snapped more;( I'll have to redeem myself New years Eve! God bless you guys, enjoy your holidays!

December 22.....

Ohhhhh this date forever remains embedded in my heart and special! Today was our offical D.O.E. meeting in Russia, one year ago exactly! With our nerves shot, jet lag and a long sleepless, unsure night...we were numb. Until they presented us with a little black and white photo of a baby girl. I had seen this little face before in the data registry, but never considered this girl as a possibility for us, because she was too young, born only in 2009! We were also lucky enough to be able to leave and meet our daughter right away...well I wasn't sure if she was really going to be our daughter but I was sooo excited to be at this stage in the adoption!

When we drove up to the baby house #3 (the orphange for babies with mental disorders); it was ever so cold, and everything was just frozen, the squeaky gate opened and we were minutes away from seeing the child that was for so long kept inside thise building.

Inside a dark dreary room we waited, where some plants were kept, and a little goldfish swam...the only highlight of the room, along with all the old toys that were neatly on a shelf. Did we really come all this way for our child? Was this really going to be our child? Was this a predestination?

In came the translator, as she sat us down and began going over the little girl's history. No name, just the birth mother's supposed name and minimal info. They had the girl as mentally delayed, hypoxic ischemia, vision problems, and weak bones. I knew that all these children would be listed with such diagnosis and that I had to be aware of the health and condition of the child....a lot for a parent to go through when you are just meeting your child, and after waiting so long and traveling afar......only we IA parents can understand as to why we are willing to go through all of this.

Soon after a baby was brought in a teeny blue dress. She was so chubby, and he hair had been cut bluntly. She was pale and coughing....I absolutely froze! She looked much different than the picture, and her crying was so loud. I needed to ask myself if I was right for her? Thank God my husband Freddy took over and immediately embraced the screaming baby. I finally found the mother instincts in me and went to take over....even if she was going to persist screaming, I just held her close and let her cry. She had right to cry, she had been through so much already....she didn't know what a mother and father was.

When we were finally left alone we pulled out a blanket and placed it on the floor, where we played with her and tested her reflexes and got to know who this little girl really was. She didn't smile or wasn't ticklish, but she sure loved snuggling. We even took her out of her too tiny blue dress and dressed her in her first Christmas dress. Watching my husband dance with her, and twirl her around was just darling.....the best Christmas ever! We ended this day by changing her name, and giving her one of her very own, along with her mommy & daddy's name.

Hope Isabel, we are approaching your first real Christmas...and I cannot wait to see your face, this Christmas maybe the one you remember as your first, I remember my first Christmas with you when we were in Russia together....I am sure this year will be another memorable one with you, for you are so alive now and so aware. God Bless you Angelka!



Mommy
xox

FLASHBACK!

Was stepping out the door and hurrying to dress the kids...I pulled out a familiar sweater/dress and put it on Hope..then I had to stop and take a picture..because hope once was a shorty cake in this sweater..now she's a big girl! Take a looksie at how much Hope has grown and changed;)

Meeting Santa...

So we arrived home yesterday from Disney! Taking Hope this second time around was soooo much better...she just was aware of everything and the characters, the fireworks..which frightened her at first but by the end she was clapping;) She just loved the rides so much. It was just pure joy watching her..I really recommend taking a child atleast 18mth-2yrs to Disney, so they can really get something out of it, but every child is different..you just never have enough time at Disney and when you go in a big party its very difficult to all comply and stay together...it was magical anyway for many reasons. I had my uncle's little girl in the same photos with my children and my nephews..that in itself is a magical experience! AMEN! God is soo good!

When we finally got home (Hope hates long drives, she complained the whole time lol). I decided to add to the excitement and get them all bathed and dressed to see Santa! I made sure not to put Hope onto Santa's knee, I asked the boys to first go to Santa and let Hope go to him herself...she was excited at first..but as she got closer she kind of cringed and just stuck her hand out and waved 'Hi'..lol, then I asked her to sit on her big brother Frederick's knee, and that was better for her, but because she kept slipping off they set out a little chair for her. The staff from Santa's workshop were the same as last year, and they remembered us-that we were waiting for Hope...and they were just in disbelief and awe that we finally had her..and just how beautiful she is;) Awwwwwww I'm gushing again haha! It is such an honor to have my four kids really. To have three boys and a girl,...I couldn't have asked for a better order of children, (more or less) I am just so happy with our kids. Around Christmas, it is really difficult to budget for buying..because I just wanna spoil them so much! I guess we really are Santa huh?

Blessings! All of them...all these children that God makes are pure Blessings!


I will post Disney pics a lil later...

Happy Birthday MACKENZIE JACK!

My middle son Mackenzie turns 7 today..sighhh..they just grow up too fast..he is already getting older looking also, losing all of his baby fat cheeks;( Tomorrow we hit Disney to celebrate at Mickey Mouse's very Merry Christmas Party!

"HAP"

Well...aside from Fred hacking into my blog;)...all has been awesome! I have been doing some Christmas shopping..can't say its been easy with 4 kids..but its been fun too. I just want to buy the whole girl section of the toy store;) I have been buying then returning...coocoo...I know..but I just can't help it! Hope has just surprised us by her vocabulary these days! You ask her what her name is and she hits herself on the chest and says "HAP" haha...its so crazy adorable! When I was bathing her, and I dropped the soap she says "fall down?" And when her brothers are annoying her she yells "MAAAAAHHHHH" and points at Noah and complains (its always Noah) in her baby babble...lol! Its hilarious! Quite a mature young lady! She poopoopied three days in a row in the pottie, and has us quite impressed, never have seen a child so consistant!

Little Hopee, has this annoying habit recently (grr..can be dangerous too), when I am in the kitchen talking or preparing something, she climbs into her high chair to sit down near me and listen to all that is going on-NOSSSSSY GIRL!

When I redirect her to watch t.v. she gets annoyed with me and calls me names I guess lol...in her bla bla bla. Hope's favorite program is Sesame Street and she loves Elmo & Abby..atleast she can sit and watch t.v. for a while. She takes naps everyday as well for about 2 hours-she's super moody when she wakes up though! And when I am on the phone...so is Hap!

i hacked into Jeanni's blog and decided to add this...

Our Turkey Turkey was a Blast!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was as blessed as ours was. We had two! Hope had so much fun..I gotta post the pics of our sweet girl, who is just growing like a weed! As we leave November and enter into the month of December, we can only just be left in disbelief that it was a year ago that we had received the phone call on a little girl in Russia who was nearing a year and needing a family! Our little Hope Isabel! No name, no photo, no info...just waiting on God's plans for her...God's plan for us and our family. To be given such a gift of love, and innocence..she is just a joy to us and our boys. She loves animals, and now her dolls, her hair and her shoes...she loves affection..and she is sooo attached to us..it all just feels so natural with my daughter. Hope just did a potty yesterday on thanksgiving evening..she was a little confused but thrilled with our claps and cheers..lets see how she does today. I haven't been pushing it, but she keeps making these grimaces when she gets wet or wants nothing to do with wearing a diaper, so I figure it only makes sense to try and rid of it. Hope will turn two in January (God willing), and I can't believe she's only two! She is a five year old in a toddler's body. Her maturity is so amazing! She tries to feed her baby cousin, and pick him up..she tries to feed the kitty outside and gives her water...wow what a child! Lord you are too good to us, this child is a dream! Everything she wears she is just stunning..hehe (parent's brag). She is always defending her bros too...only she can get mad at them not us!

I can't remember if I had posted this or not-but Hope dislocated her arm a few weeks ago..while we were in a dept. store;( we all freaked out by the way she was crying..we rushed her to the E.R. and they had to snap her arm back in place! Yeeoowch!I think we screamed louder than her...it was quite an experience...its hard to keep Hope sitting in one place-she's very active and curious, and she can now open any door in the house (except the ones with locks)..she also is determined and will not give up until she gets what she wants! my kind of girl...my husband says-she's just like her mother!! HEHE.

Anyway, I gotta post more pics!!

"Hero" by Abandon with Lyrics

November

Oh so-November is here....huh?

Wow! Is this year going fast....yes we are having fun, but we are soooo busy, and busy and busy. Why do we get this way? Why do we do this to ourselves? I feel so guilty taking on projects when I can't even get the house clean. I swear I will not hire someone to clean until I am working...but I better clean too...sooon!

I will need to take a lot of pictures this Thanksgiving.

I am getting some shopping in for the cooler weather...its almost so confusing shopping for a girl and boys...I get dizzy, and actually cannot focus at times..lol but I am loving it;)

Hope is repeating everything like: "Peekaboo, Iseeyouuuu"
"hot" "stop" "ow" "MAAAAAAHHHHH" "DADA" "poopoo"
"Peepee" "ouuuahhhh"(Noah)


She likes to play with my hair with a comb (ouch) and she lieks to tickle feet.
She loves her tricycle, and loves to run around and play tag. She isn't fond of staying in the strollerrrr arghhhh. She likes getting dressed up and now let's me do her hair. She walks around and never leaves without her purse;)

I can go on forever about her..but I'll just get the pictures and outfits togther for our baby girl and baby boys;) I am so proud of them, all of them-they are darlings of our hearts, and they light up our days. At times I feel guilty for starting school and taking away from them...but eventually it will be only to better them. I want Hope in ballet and gymnastics, and the boys to continue pursuing sports and activities...and non of these are cheap anymore. God will provide anyhow.

He gave me an awesome family and love.

Hallooooweeeeen CUTIES!

Fix It Yourself!

When the kids are left alone with dad....hmmm?

On Stage!

Happy October!

Soooo have not posted in a while...hmmm wonder why with 4 kids flying in every which direction;)

A little update on the Hopee girl-She likes Sesame Street and gets a little more distracted these days (weewwwww).

She understands everything we say...and even giggles when she is purposely ignoring us;)

She is getting so tall! Can't believe she isn't even 2 yet!

She loooooves her daddy....and follows him everythwere he goes.

If I get mad at Noah, she is always there to yell at me back and hug Noah..awwww

She loves animals! She calls out to our outside cat...'Poo Poo'...its adorable!

She still is quite clingy to Mama..and misses us so, when we leave her with grandma.

Bathing is still not her favorite.

She loves her tricycle.


Well, October is almost gone...this year has been sooo exciting with a lot of firsts for Hope-guess that is why we haven't been able to stop and post...its been even too fast for pics at times. Hope tried her first pony ride and screaaaamed! I got scared my first pony ride too-but she was just shaking all over...hmmmm guess her Kazak/Kyrg genes haven't kicked in yet?


Anyhoo, here are a few photos. Hope your season is jamming;)

Happy Six Months Hope..

This month mommy got a new minivan;) and today Hope has been home offically, for six months now...wow! Feels like yesterday we met her little pale face, bundled up in a too-little, blue dress. Hope you are just fabulous! Your intelligence just amazes us, your kindness and affection is a gift to the world and people around you.

You will be 19 months old this month and your hair is just getting so beautiful. You are starting to get curious about the potty and your songs are endless through out the day;)


America is under a lot of stress these days, not everyone is living comfortably-but those who are know that its a blessing, to still be able to smile and focus, on what is truly important in life.

GOD will take care of us sweetheart, I love you so much Hope Isabel.


P.S. Hope loves to look at pics of herself on my blog, as soon as she hears the music, she knows I am looking at my blog...and so she begins to wiggle with delight.

Another Month Gone By...

We are soon saying good-bye to the month of August..our kids are all in school and will soon all be a year older before we know it;( Fred's B Day is even coming up! Time just goes by so so fast...my daughter still feels so unreal and such a dream to us-God is too good.

Unfortunately, when days go by..some pain does resurface of loss..loss of our dear beloved Arturo, my uncle Arturo. I see him in my Hope and it just hurts sometimes that he isn't here to see her...see my dream finally to life. Sometimes life is just like that I guess...sometimes I am just selfish I guess. He's in a better place, but we're still here, we will still face more suffering in this world. I know God is teaching me and shaping me for his future, a future I look forward to also. It's hard to not look back though isn't it? Before we take those giant steps, we want to look back a few times more..to be certain that we are going the right way? Look back, to hold on some more to what once was...I was watching such a good movie with Freddy tonight, and after such a good church session on 1 Samual, young David's perseverence and strength and protection from GOD...I guess I just feel inspired tonight to say:

Persevere, persevere, fight, fight folks..its only one life, so it's worth it...it's worth tripping & falling before you try again..because, you will get there eventually, if you see it. I still have these desires some days, to think about more children, adopting more, saving more...I dunno, I guess I will wait for GOD's queu, he'll let me know...Just keep your prayers open for your neighbors...its one tough life, and there is just so much need these days. Pray for those who have no job, who have lost someone, who are ill or just struggling with life these days. It is so much easier if we care. God built us to care.

We were all supposed to have a good life...remember that.

good night xox.