anoter happening...the Wokurka family!

About the same time we were in Chicago (a few days prior) our friends in SC (the Wokurka family) got home from Irkutsk with their son, SV.  We are so excited for them!  Thanks to all of you for remembering them during their time in Irkutsk, and lifting them in prayer. 

I wish we could have met them at the airport - but getting to the Carolinas just wasn't possible.  BUMMER! 

This photo I borrowed from Lisa's Facebook page.  It was taken at the airport as they entered the US and were reunited with their other 2 boys.  And may I just comment on one thing - do you remember how haggard and almost ogre like I looked when I got off the plane in South Bend when we returned from Russia?  Look at Lisa!  Seriously people, she looks like she has been on a 30 day spa retreat!  ...although I know she was NOT!  ...but she looks amazing! (a little jealous!)

Congratulations to the Wokurka family!  We love ya, and are so happy for your Christmas miracle!

Christmas - part 1, the Chicago edition

I have NOT been good about updating this blog.  I get all these great ideas for Blog posts, and then forget.

So I thought I would just sit down tonight and remember all that has been great about this holiday season - anyone want to take bets on how much of this "writing" I actually get done?

Our holiday celebration started the weekend before Christmas when we went to meet our friends, The Ninmann's.  They are from Wisconsin so it was nice to meet them kinda in the middle.  I can't tell you how much this family has come to mean to us.  Every time we get together I find myself wishing that we lived closer together.

Their son Nathan (seen in this pic...he is the one with the bunny ears) is also from Irkutsk.  Our kids all love each other, and play together so well.  Anya just adores these boys.

We had a great time in Chicago...ate WAY too much.  We walked Michigan Ave., went to the museum, of course hit the Shops at North Bridge and 900 N Michigan (because really, it wouldn't be a trip into the city without a stop at both of these places).  I will say, however, now my stops at these addresses is a bit different than in the past.  In my BA (before Anya) life, North Bridge meant that I would spend some time at Nordstrom visiting with the personal shoppers there.  Getting caught up on the latest in the shoe department, and maybe stopping in to see some familiar faces in the cosmetic department. This trip...I only went into Nodies to use the ladies room!


Debbie hurt her leg before they got on the train into the city...and Marty and I were fighting colds.  So it was an interesting trip for the adults!  ...but the kids had a great time, so that is what matters!

a year ago today...

A year ago today, I posted THIS:

After 5 years, 4 months and 3 weeks…

After 5 trips to Russia,

After working with and through 2 agencies, 4 Judges, 3 lawyers, the Secretary of State, Embassy and DHL…

After unmentionable sums of money, energy, frustration, anger, humiliation, praise, glee and prayer

OUR DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE JUDGE IN RUSSIA…and we will have a court date the end of January.

The emotions are still raw.  The memories haven't yet faded (good and bad).  And some days I still wonder if reality has hit me yet. 

So many times people told me that soon after we get Anya home I won't remember the torturous wait.  I remember.  

People have said that I will have such fond memories of our 2 month stay in Russia. My memories are not fond.  Yes, I miss our friends - but thinking about the apartment, being asked time and time again for money, missing home and everything that was normal and familiar...I do not miss that. 

A year after the hardest chapter of our lives; after losing friends, respect and losing my sanity at times, I have never questioned if it was worth it.  

A year later I am amazed by Anya.  I look at her with awe and pure joy.  The gut level feelings I have to protect her is something I never NEVER knew I would have. 

There is so much I know about my daughter today that I didn't know a year ago.  That makes me sad.  I had no idea how funny she was.  How sensitive she would be.   I didn't know how much she would love gum, soccer pants, ice cream or music.  I had no idea that she would hate mushrooms, green beans and mustard.  

I prayed that God would protect her.  That HE would keep her in a little bubble and not let any harm come to her.  We prayed with callused knees that she would be safe, happy, healthy and feel peace. 

He heard our prayer.

the saga continues

Child thought she wanted a ping pong table, but she really wanted a foosball table.  Mommy, Daddy and Santa found this out AFTER they already purchased a ping pong table...and now, more of the story...

The Mommy and Daddy think about taking the ping pong table back to the store, and looking for a foosball table; but they can't.  Daddy thought it would be a good idea to "hide the evidence" so he took the box to the burn pile, and it went up in flames.  [Burn Pile: noun / a word that describes how you get rid of burnable trash (i.e. paper, boxes) when you live in the middle of nowhere]

There isn't enough room in the house for BOTH a foosball table and a ping pong table, and the Mommy and Daddy don't think it is a good idea to get BOTH things for Christmas in one year.

Oi!  What is a family to do?!

Houston...we have a problem

Houston, we have a problem.

Child told Santa she wanted a ping pong table. She has been talking about how much fun ping pong is, and how good she is getting at the game.

So, Santa (and Mommy) had a conversation and decided that maybe a ping pong table would make a fun family gift this year.  Santa searched high and low for a good priced ping pong table, and just when he thought it would cost too much money to get a ping pong table this year, he found one for a very good price. 

Many preparations were made so that Santa could get the ping pong table in the car with out any children seeing it.  The coordinated effort was something that fairy tales are made of!

Then...it happened. The child was looking through a toy catalog that came in the mail.  She saw a picture and came running to Mommy saying, "Look!  It is a ping pong table, it is JUST what I want Santa to bring!  It will be SO MUCH fun!"  ...it was a picture of a Foosball table.

To Be Continued