Special adoption prayers to my friends and blogger buddies including:

 

 

A family I can't wait to meet that lives so close and adopting TWO SN children that is AWESOME!

 

Or the Boylan family with five the ages of... well look and see for yourself!

 

 

Or a quite shout out to our own friends Sandy and Scott and Drew(adopted Oct 05 UA) getting their little brother in Russia.. Blessings and safe travels home our dear friends!!!

 

 

 

I was contacted offline one day by drt press and the author of this book:  Mishka An Adoption Tale 

 

 

The book was sent for me to review and keep in hopes that I let others know about it.  It is a wonderful little story and my kids have really enjoyed it.

 

I love the title too!  I know few Russian words but Mishka or Bear is one that I can always remember (and a few other animals too)!

 

I guess blogging does have a few bonuses (like a cute free book)

 

We have a few other Ukrainian themed children's books like THE MITTEN and Ukrainian Fairy Tales

 

What are some of your favorites?

 

 

Oksana watching Elmo in mommy's bed (LOVES ELMO)

Mommy catching up around the room

 

Mommy:  Time to brush teeth

Oksana: No Elmo

Mommy: That is okay you can sleep in mommy's bed when you are done.

Oksana:  Mommy's bed?

Mommy:  Yes mommy's bed

Oksana:  (little cheer)  Mommy's bed YEAH! Mommy's bed!

 

I love that voice.  What a blessing. 

 

***Vitaly and Nikolai mad at us for bedtime:

 

Daddy with Oksana and hears the "scheme" BELOW:

 

Vitaly to Nik and Vice versa

 one of the boys:  We need to live somewhere else.  We need another house."

Other "Yeah"

 So on:  "We need to live at Aunt Rah and Uncle Marks or Aunt Judy and Uncle Gerrys house"

Other "YEAH!"

 

 

So they are already plotting against our rules and they are only 6 and 8!!!!

Our photos from September are posted:  September 2007  ((to see any pics full size you need to double click the picture please))

 

We have Oksana's third (sniff) birthday party with her cousins and our friend Ms. Kat.  The party was held at a local kids place with pizza, cupcakes and putt putt. 

 

The next photos are when Uncle Wes arrived from Germany for a weekend and came with us to cheer Vitaly in a football game (Oksana cheering). 

 

Then Ms Kat and Mommy took Nick and Oksana to the columbus zoo on free passes from our friend Sandy.  Quick shout out for Sandy and Scott and Drew.  They are soon on their for their new toddler boy from Russia!  YEAH!!!

They adopted their first son in October 05 from Lugansk Ukraine- we cant wait to meet number two!!!!!

 

Last we had our first weekend in October.  It was like having a July 4th weekend in Ohio rather then October. 

The kids were in their swimsuits staying cool! 

  

Now we are back to jackets and long pants, and I am ready for Fall!!!!

 

Side Note::::: No I did not win my category at the gala from the previous message, but I did win the FIRST door prize  () so my winning streak continues LOL!!

Today at work, I attended a ceremony for employees nominated in about 13 categories for excellence in different things by a peer or customer.  Over 250 nominations were submitted and panelists picked the top "three" finalists in each category.  I couldn't believe I was a finalist in a category that defined such things as work ethics, dependability etc...  So tomorrow night, Larry and I will be going to big gala, to see which finalist wins in each category and receives a nice &&& bonus and trophy.  But today at the ceremony they were holding a door prize drawing and my name was pulled and I got a $20.00 visa card- yeah.

 

So my winning streak continues:  in the past four years here are some big prizes I have won:

 

Nestle/Ice Mountain Water six flags RV trip to five states with five friends and money and lots of goodies  (Ps taxes on this were brutal, but the memories were priceless right brothers!!)

Two round trip tickets anywhere Air Tran flies in continental US (radio)

two tickets to a broadway series production (radio)

25 dollars in lottery scratch offs (radio)

disposal camera with free film developing (radio)

Stereo system (grand prize at a festival door drawing)

$100 gas card (radio)

and today 20.00 visa card (work)

 

Maybe I should play the lottery

 

Anyone won anything they want to share?

 

 

 I wanted to share a list I received today. 

 

wow * way to go * super * You're special * outstanding * excellent * great * good * neat * well done * remarkable * I knew you could do it * I'm proud of you * fantastic * super star * nice work * looking good * You're on top of it * beautiful * Now your flying * wonderful * You're catching on * now you've got it * You're incredible * bravo * You're fantastic * hurray for you * you'e on target * You're on your way * how nice * how smart * good job * that's incredible * hot dog * dynamite * You're beautiful * You're unique * nothing can stop you now * good for you * I like you * You're a winner * remarkable job * beautiful work * spectacular * you're spectacular * You're darling * You're precious * great discovery * you've discovered the secret * you've figured it out * fantastic job * Hip hip hooray * bingo * magnificent * marvelous * terrific * You're important * phenomenal * You're sensational * super work * creative job * super job * fantastic job * exceptional performance * You're a trooper * you are responsible * you are exciting * you learned it right * What an imgination * what a good listener * you are fun * You're growing up * you tried hard * you care * beautiful sharing * outstanding performance * You're a good friend * I trust you * you are important * you mean a lot to me * you make me happy * you belong * you've got a friend * you make me laugh * you brighten my day * I respect you * you mean the world to me * that's correct * You are a joy * You're a treasure * you're wonderful * you're perfect * awesome * A+ job * you're a-ok-my buddy * you made my day * that's the best * cool * A big hug * A big kiss * I love you!!

 

It is very easy for me to get irritated with little boy and girl craziness.  So the next time the kids have pushed my last button, I will try to choose from the list above and turn the situation into something positive!

If you must only buy designer clothes for your children and don't care about the price then disregard this post.

 

As a mother of three, I am always ready to save when I can on new clothes for the kids!! 

 

I stopped in Kmart to get some Halloween lights and much to my delight - All kids clothes summer clothes are $1.99.  I was able to get Oksana three swimsuits (joe boxer brand) for six dollars all.  Boys Joe Boxer swim trunks were also 1.99, and I scored one for Vitaly.  I got O lots of casual knit shorts for next summer and tank tops and halters.  V got some athletic shorts and tanks as well.  I did find a cool Cars outfit for Nikolai that made him very happy.   

 

Looks like I need to take a quick peek in Children's Place, Kohl's, Gap and maybe Gymboree to see what everyone else has on clearance.

 

I just love to bargain shop for the next year!!