Sweet Dreams

For the last two weeks, I have dreamed about Karis. I'm not sure if this is normal during the adoption process, but I'm not alone. Kevin, too, has dreamed about her often. Spiritually, I wonder if God is talking to me. The dreams are very sweet, and I feel very peaceful when I wake up. I learn about our girl through the dreams. The dreams also make me think about situations we will experience when she comes home.

I, also, wonder if I'm somehow "channeling" Karis when I'm sleeping. After all, she is well into her day, since where she is, is 8 hours ahead of EST. Perhaps she is thinking about us, exactly when we are dreaming about her! Hmmm...

We miss her, there's no doubt. A lot has to happen however before March. We somehow need to find the funds to complete the adoption. That is the only concern right now. Somehow though, although the number is staggering, I feel total peace. I feel that God has more to teach me before the adoption is complete, so I really just need to seek Him. He has brought Kevin and I so far in our faith, I know he won't turn his back on us now!

That's all for tonight... I just needed a few minutes of writing therapy.

Grandfather Frost is coming!

Thinking of our sweet Karis Yuliya tonight, as it is almost Christmas in Russia. Russians celebrate on January 7th. We mailed her a package, which I pray arrives safe and sound. I'm also hoping that the orphanage was able to gather some special treats for the children. We can't wait until Christmas this next year!

Karis Yuliya

A New Year!

I have a few minutes to sit down and do one of my favorite things... write! I don't get a lot of computer time these days, so I just have to make it count in spurts, I suppose!

I hope you all are having a great start to the New Year! We certainly are! The best part... we are in the right mind-set to kick off a new year! We are refreshed from our trip to Russia, although, I must admit, it really did us in for about two weeks straight! To suffer jet lag, a stomach bug, a show up in Toledo (for my publicist job) which always requires little sleep, emotional stress of leaving Julia behind in Russia, and ho, ho, ho... "better be ready for Christmas" - - wow, that was a lot all at once! The only thing that got us through was support from our family and friends. My super thoughtful step-mom and sweet sister did an amazing job, keeping our household running while we were gone, and when we got in at 1 a.m. (after flight delays in New York), we found our home immaculate... fresh sheets on the bed, dishes all done, floors swept, food in the fridge, laundry done... are we blessed or what?! All of this helped us to ease into life and recover from the trip, indeed.

So... back to the "right mind-set" part I mentioned above! I want you all to know some New Year's resolutions I've come up with, which by putting this out there, you all can hold me accountable!

1. I want to live a more simple life. My inspiration... God and the trip to Russia. Less of worldly things that cloud my mind and cause me to be less productive.
2. I want to slow down... I try to squeeze in too much in a day's time. Instead of constantly worrying about clutter and messes, I want to take in fresh air, sunshine, and silence. Yes, busy body me plans to sit down daily and just... listen... to nothing!
3. I want to read a daily devotional. (I did this last year, and it was very healthy for the soul.)
4. I want to help get the children at the Zhukovka Orphanage adopted. God has placed this on my heart, and I look forward to how he'll lead me in this.
5. I want to continue praying with my galz weekly and meeting with my wonderful adoption support group.
6. I want to make healthy meals for my family nightly... no more garbage-always a result of stress and lack of time.
7. I want to exercise a lot more to help my body -and- my mind... the goal to limit chiropractor appointments!
8. I want to write more, and I want to read more... both healthy for the soul.
9. I want to spend time with and support all of my friends, because without them, I am not me.
10. I want to soak in every precious moment with my sweet husband and three children, be mentally "present" around them at all times, and know in my heart that God has placed me... exactly where I'm meant to be.

Well, those sound good for now. I'm sure there is more I wish to accomplish in 2011, but for now, my children happen to be in bed, so I think I'm going to go do #2 from the list above.

Silence is Golden!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We can't believe it!

Our agency called Tuesday, and we will be meeting our daughter the first week in December! We have the referral for "Julia"!!!

Kevin is working on the technicalities... cell phone useage, computer useage, learning Russian online through the library...

I am working on the family logistics... my wonderful sister is stepping in to take care of Evan and KK for the week! I am, also, collecting items to take, to the orphanage. I'm figuring out what to pack, how much we can pack, and trying to find things to occupy us with Julia, just in case she gets to stay with us, in the hotel! We are really hoping she will get to stay with us, the three days we are there!

I am making her a scrapbook, showing our family life. Hope it doesn't scare her away!!! : )

Also, all week I've been crafting, in preparation for a show this weekend. I hope to make money to be used toward our travel. We are still short but know that God will provide.

Things are coming together, and God has certainly paved the way for Julia to come home, to her forever family! We can't wait.

More details to come... and thanks to all, as always, for your love and support.

Past, Present, Future

Ok, y'all... not my typical blog post. None the less, just a day in the life...

I've been pondering if I'm hitting an early mid-life crisis. Not the kind where I plan to run out and purchase a new car or perhaps plastic surgery. (Not that I wouldn't consider either of these if we had the funds!) Just the kind where I reflect on the life I've led, what I've accomplished, and what I still hope to accomplish.

The internet tells me a mid-life crisis can happen anytime between age 30 and 45. I am 36. So what leads me to ask this question? I seem to keep reflecting on the past. I begin at age 25 when Kevin and I lived in Westlake, Ohio and worked downtown Cleveland, in TV news. Back then, our weekend mornings were so nice and relaxing. Over coffee at Panera, we would have brilliant, adult conversation... all the while, sharing a cinnamon roll. We would discuss and plan our fabulous future together.

From Westlake, I fixate on Streetsboro, Ohio. Kevin still worked at the Cleveland TV station, and I worked as a TV news reporter in Youngstown. It was while we were in Streetsboro that our work schedules permitted us to have "date night" each Friday evening, after I got off of work. It was always the Winking Lizard where we would dine and relax.

Then, it was on to Marysville, Ohio where I always say, our lives truly began. We bought our first home, brought home a baby boy to that new home, and three and a half years later, brought home a baby girl! I ended my full-time career then to become a stay-at-home mom.

After 5 years in Marysville, Kevin was transferred to Cincinnati, and that is when our present journey began, here in southern Ohio. I really like our town (we have been here three years), I love our schools, and we have made some wonderful friends. Things really are good, but yet, I reflect. On one hand, it seems like just yesterday we were a care-free couple up in Cleveland. Other times, it seems as though that was so long ago!!!

I think the biggest reason I reflect now is, because never in a million years did I see our life path headed in this direction... adopting... an OLDER child! Never did I think I would give up a career in TV news... but then, I became a mom. Never did I think I would give up a career in corporate PR... but then, I became a mom of two. And never, ever, ever, EVER did I think we would be on a journey pursuing the adoption of a child, from Russia!

This recent choice (to adopt) has made me do a double-take of my life! I'm sure Kevin is feeling some of the same things but doesn't feel the need to vocalize things like I do. Anyhow, adoption is the ultimate commitment! One example, I will be home-schooling our 11-year-old daughter for several months until school starts... helping to teach her English. Who would have ever guessed I would do something like that? Additionally, I'm trying to decide what I will do for employment when I go back to work in two years. (Karrigan will be in school full-time then.) One thing I know for sure, is that this time around, I want to do something meaningful, and I would prefer it had something to do with orphan care or adoption. Never did I imagine this, as I was preparing my course load at Ohio State, back in the day! I believe this new passion of mine stems from personal growth... from God. As we mature (and get some gray hair) we begin to see life in new ways. We start to see the things in life that really matter. We begin to take note that our days are numbered. Not to be depressing by that statement... it's just acknowledgement that in the grand scheme of things, we only have a little bit of time on this earth, so we be better do the best job we can! A song I recently heard had a line that stuck out... "We gotta do better than this 'cause we've only got one chance to make a difference." So true... it's now or never.

Sooo... my conclusion. I am happy with the way my life has turned out thus far. I am happy with what I've accomplished, professionally. I am happy with what I've accomplished, personally. (I continue to not only be thrilled but amazed by the man I married! And I thank God daily for the children he has given us... one healthy boy and one healthy girl.) Life has been good... so I should reflect. I should remember. I should reminisce. And... I should be so grateful that God is giving me more to accomplish, this time a job from Him... that I didn't even need to apply for.

Referral is coming!

Oh my all...

Many things have happened with the adoption, the last two weeks! It truly has been an emotional roller coaster filled with uncertainties, questions, and surprises! I can't wait to have more time to write about exactly what has happened, but the end result is all GOOD... no- - it's not good, it's GREAT!!!

One of the biggest things we have to share is that our daughter's name isn't Sveta (Svetlana) as we were originally told. There was a translation mistake, and our daughter's name is actually Julia! The little girl who we have been dreaming about, praying for, and staring at her photo on the fridge is actually Julia, not Sveta!

Sveta is another little girl at the orphanage who is Julia's friend. Sveta is 10, and Julia is 11.

Our agency e-mailed us Friday with wonderful news. The lady working on our behalf, in Russia, plans to get the referral of Julia for us on Nov. 8th! This is a huge deal!!! Once we have the referral, we can make our first trip to meet Julia, then plan for court, when we will finalize the adoption.

We, also, received new photos of Julia, and she is just beautiful! I'm not just saying that as the proud mom- -she truly is a beautiful, little girl, who is getting too big, too fast!!! She has bright eyes and a very sweet smile. Her features are so very similair to our Evan.

Anyhow, because of all of the new information that has come our way, the missions trip with my dear friend, Julie has been put on hold. Instead, Kevin and I will be traveling in the next few months for our actual adoption. We will take supplies, clothing, vitamins, etc. then. We can't wait to meet our girl, face to face! Kevin was just talking about it this morning, and we were wondering what that first visit will be like! We're also wondering what Julia must be thinking right now- - last week, they took photos of her at the orphanage, so she probably knows something is up!

We hope to travel to Russia with a friend, also, adopting from the same orphanage. Our friend lives in California, and she too, is adopting an older child.

Well, must get the kiddos ready for a Halloween party this evening. We are enjoying the fall season and are ready for our harvest to come in... that of a sweet, 11-year-old girl who will complete our family.