Quick video on Anya - I think she might have a future in tennis!

For those that have been to Irkutsk, you'll appreciate this:

wanna see our pad?

Thought we'd invite you all over to tour our apartment. Take a peek at our new digs...

puffy eyes and broken hearts

I have been going through all of the pictures we've taken of Anya over the years, and was feeling nostalgic. Because I am quite possibly one of the most creative people you will ever meet, I took some time to pull together some of these shots into a video montage.

Well, sorta....NOT!

Truth is, I was reading my friend, Kate's, blog tonight. She has a great video compilation of photos from her first meeting with her little girl. Tore my heart apart. Not sure if the ripping of my heart was from the song or knowing how hard it is to say goodbye after meeting your baby for the first time.

Feeling all weepy, I thought I would make myself sink into an even deeper pit - so I started looking through photos of Anya. Seeing how much she has grown through the years is truly amazing...it hurts my heart, it makes me gasp for air and blind from the tears.

So, I got myself together - ate some potato chips and decided to hunt down the song Kate used in her video. It was a good one. I found it...and so started round 2 of the water works.

Then as to be a TOTAL thief of ideas, I went to the website Kate used to create her video and found myself uploading, editing, creating. Here I am, almost 3 hours later all puffy eyed.

I'll be honest, sometimes I get tired of fighting, I find myself refocusing away from Anya. I've put off doing paperwork because I didn't have the strength. I dread sending ANOTHER email to ask for an update on things. I struggle composing a note to send to Anya, not sure what to say.

Tonight, this is what I needed. I needed to just sit at my computer and cry. So thanks, Kate for letting me (without my even asking) to steal your idea, hook - line - and sinker.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Shake shake in english

I asked Anya to sing 'shake shake' in Russian and then in English. Too funny!

shake your booty

Here is the first English song Anya has learned - yes, I am so proud...

so funny

Anya was having a lot of fun trying to make me laugh. In this video, she is saying tiger - grrrrr (Russian style).

learning Russian

Anya was trying to teach me some more Russian, pretty funny...

still cracking up

One of the parts of this holiday play Anya was in, included these boys doing this circus like thing with hoola hoops - it was HILARIOUS! But, I don't think it was supposed to be funny.

I am not supposed to video or photograph other kids - so I took this short video on the down-lo - you can see how serious these boys are! Check out the little guy front right (with the yellow top on).

poetry

In the holiday play, Anya had this speaking part. Not sure what it was all about, but in Russia, children reciting poetry is a big deal. She's got those arm movements DOWN!


THe movie starts with one of the little boys - sorry about the quality - hope you don't get sea sick!

That's what's it all about - left leg!

OK, no jokes about my dancing ability here - it is hard to dance when you are holding a big girl! Isn't her hair LONG?

Here is me trying to teach Anya the Hokey Pokey...might have been funnier in person than it is on YouTube...

My Little Penguin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_S0EkDOUdc




This is a video of Anya in her holiday program. She is in the 2nd group that comes out - the tall one in the back (right back side).

Anya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcSayFcDvZk

I can't get this to post, I will keep trying! BUt I wanted to get it out so Marty could see it...

inspiring trust

Though one of the blogs I follow, I found this video. It is from a pastor of a church in Nashville. I am trying to fin the words for the video I want to share with you - life changing, eye opening, inspiring. I know people who have had failed adoptions, who have had suffered significant loss, who have seen disappointment with a job or relational situation...if that is you - watch this. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who has never experienced unanswered prayer, or never had a disappointment - watch this.

It is kind of long - but WELL WORTH IT! I suggest letting the entire video load (so, get it going, turn off the sound) - and come back to it so you can watch it without the video feed hiccuping.


Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.

thoughts to blog about

It's funny - every day I think of things to blog about - but then when I get home, I always forget what I was going to say.

Today is a good example - I drug my hubby to the mall - and I HATE the mall (which you wouldn't think, given that I am a professional shopper - seriously - that is my job...) - anyway - we're at the mall, and I think of all the reasons I hate the mall - and think I should share my wisdom with the masses via blog. Truth is, I have very little (or no) tolerance for stupidity or poor customer service. I know - many of you are laughing hysterically now - because in many situations the very definition of the mall is mass stupidity and poor customer service.

Then we go to eat. Went to one of my fav places - Uptown Kitchen. Love that place. Great service (since that is one of my hot buttons) - they seem to recognize me when I walk in (although I know they have no clue who I am, I like the feeling that they remember that I was there before). No stupid people there at all...love it. Good food, good tea...

Then to church - isn't it odd how when you are going through something, you relate everything to YOUR situation - and it's hard to just sit back and take in a message. Does that make us narcissistic?

Got home, and started loading music on my IPod. My plan was to organize songs that I am going to use for 2 HUGE fashion shows I'm producing this week. But - then I get side tracked...and 20 or 30 CDs later - here I sit, singing my heart out to Faith Hill. Have you heard the song "There Will Come A Day"? It's on the 'Breathe' album. That song gets me...and I think Angie H from church should sing it :) - anyway, I know that a lot of pre-adoptive-parents read this blog. I just want to encourage you with this - THERE WILL COME A DAY.

THERE WILL COME A DAY

It's not easy trying to understand
How the world can be so cold, stealing the souls of man
Cloudy skies rain down on all your dreams
You wrestle with the fear and doubt
Sometimes it's hard but you gotta believe

Chorus:
There's a better place, where our Father waits
And every tear He'll wipe away
The darkness will be gone,the weak shall be strong
Hold on to your faith

There will come a day, there will come a day
Wars are raging, lives are scattered
Innocence is lost, and hopes are shattered
The old are forgotten, the children are forsaken
In this world we're living in
Is there anything sacred?

There will come a day, there will come a day
The song will ring out, down those golden streets
The voices of earth with the angels will sing {HALLELUJAH!]
Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace
In the glory of His amazing grace
Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace
In the glory of His amazing grace
There will come a day, there will come a day
Oooh there will come a day
I know there's coming a day, coming a day

Wisdom from a child

I can't even think of what to say about this, except - THIS is the way I want to be able to see EVERYTING in my world! Windom from a child...

Irkutsk - the walking street

Many of you have probably heard me talk about the walking street - this is a road in downtown Irktusk. It's where there are a lot of shops - and my fav restaurant. Here is a video of the street - what you will see is VERY typical. For those of you who have been there - the big mall is behind the camera. The camera is pointed toward Karl Marx street (I think). My restaurant, Fiesta, is the bigger red building to the right (I think...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3PzpDfBGoM&mode=related&search=

Anya's English Lesson

Anya Fun Video

Anya Good Bye Movie

I love this video - it was taken on our last day in Irkutsk (last Saturday). In the beginning, you will hear Anya say "ya tibya loobloo" That is 'I love you' in Russian.

Also, when she is on the phone, she says "hello - how are you" and 'paka' is good-bye.

Just a little helpful translation!