So we stopped at a large garage sale today, where V found a walkie talkie type toy for .25 cents that talked back like a police case.  So as I was looking at some things, I hear him say (into his walkie talkie):

 

" we are shopping"  pause...

 

" Yes, We are at the dollar store!"

 

 

Well I got my water/sewage bill the other day and it was almost 400$ for three months! On top of that I usually pay 50$ per month to help offset the costs.  I am not sure what other cities pay or states but I live in Ohio and in a suburb, not exactly New York City!  Well anyway my usual quarterly catch up is around 150$.  So you can see why I was dumbfounded.  It is not even summer so can't say I have been washing my car or watering my flowers.  Since today was a day off for me I had the water people come on out to "check" for leaks.  The nice gentleman did inform me that my next quarterly was going to be around 500$.  Oh wait I still havent paid this quarter!

 

Anyway, so he sleuthed throughout my home pinpointing in the direction of a line leading from my kitchen and laundry room.  All I could think was if the plumber comes over we are out another $800-1000 dollars.  Just coincidence but we had been working on a small leak under our kitchen sink on Sunday, that Larry needed his BF to look at (J is the fix all of everything)!  As I took Nik to soccer, who scored a goal by the way (g0 NIK what POWER) I came home to the news that they had found the damage.  Turns out our expensive water filtration system has been running and leaking for awhile, but problem SOLVED!  That is all that matters.  So we will fix it, pay the water company (grr) and go on.  Hope the central air is not next!!!

One year ago I was traveling from Kyiv to Paris to Atlanta to Dayton.  M dropped us off at the airport way to early!  Just FYI you cannot go to the waiting area or check in more then two hours prior to your flight.  But there is a internet access, so I spent some time at the computer while I waited.  When we were allowed to enter to the check in area I was excited that I was near the front.  I was hoping I could check in, get through passport control and then let Oksana run for awhile before the plane departed.  Well that did not happen...

 

Although I mention a lot of it in April 2006 entry, I am filling in the details for those that might run into the same thing (lets hope not )

 

I spent the next two hours getting pushed aside as they tried to figure her ticket out, then I was rushed upstairs to the end of passport control line.  Then I was again pushed aside as they documented her adoption.  As I hurried through security, I began to panic because I wasnt sure where to catch the bus for Paris.  Finally someone showed me the door and I got onto a full bus ready to depart with a SCREAMING toddler.  Everyone was looking at me (or so it felt like) and we got off to get on the plane.  They asked me for my stroller so I gave it to them (thinking I would have it in Paris- LOL- bad mistake).  Then I carried a screaming toddler, coats, carryons up the stairs to the plane, where I quickly dumped her into a seat and sat down exhausted.  By now she was not only hungry but very tired, but she did not fall asleep for very long. 

 

We arrived in Paris, where I was informed my stroller would be in Atlanta and not Paris.  I had @ 45 minutes between flights and needed to get to the international terminal (which meant a bus ride).  A nice gentleman informed me that it was quicker to walk but I took one look at Oksana and decided to try for the bus!  Somehow we managed to get to the waiting area for the bus where to my amazement we met a lady that we had met arriving in Ukraine for her adoption.  She was actually heading home and her husband was still in Ukraine finalizing their adoption, sadly she was not on the plane to Atlanta.  She did help me get O on the bus though.  Then we exited to head to security and check in.  I had noticed my ticket for O was incorrect and she did not have a seat (although I had purchased one in Kyiv from Delta- we were now on Air France).  Checking the time I knew we were in trouble or getting close.  Still I had to walk a very long corridor, dragging O behind me with my arms full.  I was about to cry from stress and exhaustion!  We got to security and I gladly dumped everything on the belt.  At that same time, O jerked her hand away and proceeded back down the corridor.  The guards all looked at me.  I took a glance saw she was running and looked back at them, then looked at my passport and money heading on through and proceeded through security.

I think they were a bit shocked having seen that my choice was the money,and finally one of them ran to get her. 

 

We quickly made our way to the customer service center.  Luckily there was not a line.  I dumped my stuff on the counter and felt like crying.  O jerked again and was OFF and running again.  I ran after her and placed her on the counter.  The lady saw the mistake had been made and it was a full flight, but I think she saw my despair and gave me three seats together for my troubles.  Now I saw the line was gone for the bus to take us to the plane and thought I was going to miss it.  She said they knew I was coming.  What a relief.

 

Getting on the plane to Atlanta felt so good as I knew in about 14 hours I would be HOME!  O was running a raging fever and was crying again but after we were airborne she fell asleep!  hallelujah!  Having the third seat was Luxury especially since she was ill and needed to the seats to sleep.  I dared anyone that eyed the seat to just try and take it from me!!!! 

 

We arrived in Atlanta and of course still no stroller.  I asked the stewardess' if they could get me a wheelchair or transport since she was so ill and my stroller had been confiscated.  They said no.  I almost cried.  We had to walk what seemed like forever to immigration.  Of course the lines were 20-30 people deep.  So O laid on the floor crying.  I was hoping she would make enough of a scene that SOMEONE might say here go ahead before us, but of course that never happened.  We finally made it through and there was the stroller.  The stroller I had purchased just for the airport leg of my travels.  The stroller that I didnt get to use.

 

We had a long wait in Atlanta but we grabbed a bite to eat and she played in some kids area. Then she was as happy as a lark as the tylenol was finally in her system (was in my checked luggage) and she no longer felt hot.  The plane for Dayton finally left and I looked over as she slept.  I talked to people around me that were in awe of her and our story. 

 

We departed and I took my stroller and O down the long corridors heading for the exit that was home.  There stood my two boys with a stuffed sheep for O and Larry.  I began to cry.  I hugged them so hard.  We were waiting for the luggage, so I got O out of the stroller.  I stooped down to give Nik another hug, when O ran between us and promptly pushed him very hard with a grumpy snide look and put her arms out.  She was saying NO WAY BUDDY!  This is my mama!  Dont you touch her or you will get it again!  I said no no this is my baby too and hugged him to her despair.  Then she began to cry very hard!  Then she saw Larry was near and cried harder! 

 

We rounded up our luggage and went home, it was an awesome feeling.  We finally had our daughter where she needed to be at home!

 

 

 

 

I have been nominated.

 

Not to go into much detail about where I work, but I have been nominated for ....(federal regional award for all employees in this group) Employee of the Year; as well as, AS of the Year, for where I work!  I truly doubt I will win, but to be nominated is completely a shock to me, and really puts your job mindset into a better place about your job.

 

Now this is quite a surprise to me, as we all know I was off around 45 days for my adoption, and then spent the next two months getting back into the groove.  I am surprised and humbled. 

 

I am one of those employees that is definitely dependable, as I have NEVER called into work, unless I or my children were truly ill.  In fact, I had seven years perfect attendance at my job prior to this one, and that included adopting two children!!  At this job now, I once came to work when we had a "blizzard" and was the only one in my department to show up!  I almost got lost in a snowdrift walking across the parking lot, I had no choice but to try and cross and it literally came up to my shoulders.

Of course the only other crazy person to brave the elements was waiting to see me test it.  He laughed so hard' I thought he might leave yellow snow!

 

I am excited I have been recognized by my collegues for a job well done, even after an extended absence and thank you.  It gives hope to all post adoptive working parents and those just beginning their journies.

 

 

 

There comes a time in every parents life when they realize their children are growing up and moving on.  For me, the reality hit home yesterday.  N and V were invited to go to the circus with a neighborhood boy (their first real hang out friend) and his dad.  Well, the boy walked over and said he was there to get the boys and take them to his house.  I had pinned some money on N, and then with barely a bye or a glance over his shoulder, he ran to catch up with the older boys.   As they all crossed the street and headed towards the boy's home talking and skipping, it hit me.  They were growing up and going on a big adventure, without their mom or dad.  They no longer needed us to hold their hands to cross the street, or go to a friends house.

 

My two beautiful boys with a new friend exploring the world, the way little boys do.  Growing up and having fun. If they had stopped to look back they would have seen mom, with tears running down her face, as she let them go.

Okay so Easter has passed and I want to add some new photos.  So check out my photos from April and the snow storm Easter weekend!

 

First we went to church, then Oksana did her first egg hunt.

 

The boys already know the "good stuff" is in the baskets but they played anyway.

 

Oksana loved to dye eggs too.  She is a sport!  So far noone will eat the eggs that were dyed except mommy because they are "gross"

 

We went to have a birthday/easter celebration dinner at your local buffet!  When I saw my dad his comment was "keep your blog open that is the only way I know what is going on in your life"  I laughed and thought I guess what grandpa says is the word! 

 

So thank you for the emails and comments since grandpa says YAH then we are staying kaput for now- or until my brain finally fries (maybe my ((shiver)) 40 th birthday)  GRRRR!

 

Happy Easter here are the pics.

So one year has passed and our story has been told.  I have been debating whether to keep the blog open or close it down.

 

This is a good stopping point at least for now, if noone cares to follow.  If others feel it is a source of information and want it to continue please let me know.  Please leave a comment or two.  If I feel this blog has been beneficial to others, as I hoped it might,  then I may continue...

 just leave any comment saying yeah or nay

 

Peace and blessings

 

Leanna