One Year Really?

There was a time when meeting our daughter or son was just a short story or maybe an amazing dream. I envisioned it so many times and it just wasn't happening. It didn't seem real. So many failed fingerprint attempts and little setbacks...things that, at the time left me crying and in despair...things that I now know set us on the path that we were meant to follow. An incredible journey...to E.

One year ago today we stepped off a train and into the snowy darkness. We were met by two beautiful ladies and were whisked away for a quick breakfast and a short meeting before taking what we thought would be the long drive to meet the girl that we hoped would be our daughter. To our surprise...the long journey was really just around the corner (only 5 minutes from the hotel).

One year ago today, a door opened and a tiny girl in a pink shirt and jeans was standing right at the entrance looking up as us (I still remember her with a halo)

One year ago today our hearts became three. We loved you right away. We needed you and you needed us.

One year ago today I could put scent, a touch, a physical feeling...something more tangible to the dream. You sang, you toddled around with unsure footing, you were scared...we were too.

I held you
I caressed you
I loved you

The dream was real. I'm still pinching myself.

Time has gone by so quickly. It really has. I can't believe that it has been a year since the day we met you.

I hope that you are as happy we are your mommy and papa as we are that you are our daughter. I hope that I am living up to the promises that I made you.

Dear daughter, I love you more that words can say.

Happy one year metchaversary!!

I'm A Christmas Warrior!!

Won't you help me reach my goal? Starting November 1st I will be raising money for the Warm Shelter AND for this little honey, Sylvie. She's three months younger that Lil' E and has Down's Syndrome. Isn't she beautiful? My goal is $1000 for Sylvie. The funds raised will go towards helping a family adopt her!! How can you help? Christmas is coming and it's time to clean out those closets!! How about cleaning out the closets and garage and having a garage sale with the proceeds going to Sylvie!!!??? Here are a few more ideas or ways to share the cause:

IDEAS:

• BUDDY WALKS!
• Blogs- Put Sylvie on your blog!
• FaceBook- Ask your friends to support her
• Twitter- Again, share this lil' angel with your friends
• Traditional e-mails to family and friends
• Local Down Syndrome Associations
• Use a Christmas Card Challenge!
• Christmas/ New Year Giving Parties
• Spaghetti Dinners
• High school or college civic group donations
• Coordinate a 5K run or other group activity through our “One Step Closer to Home” program
• Reach out to local businesses for support
• Have a bake sale
• Are you a teacher? Have your class be a warrior for a child!
• Have a video game tournament!
• Give the $1000 yourself!
• The list goes on and on!

If anyone wants to work with me on any of these projects let me know!

~mama

Pinterest Challenge

Ugh...I forgot to post my last Pinterest projects. Little bees for the Little Bee! It was our turn to provide the snacks for snack day! The ones I have on Pinterest are butterflies...but our Bee needed bees so here they are!!

I also made the OTHER oatmeal chocolate chip cookies...and THEY ARE GOOD! I added a dash of cinnamon to mine. These were made as part of the auction and shipped to some lovely and generous ladies!

~mama

Things I Must Do Better Now

There are a lot of things that I thought I was capable of doing before E came into my life. She disagrees. Here's a list of things that she feels I cannot do without assistance from her. I'm not sure how I ever made it this far in life.

1) Closing doors
2) Locking my car doors
3) Putting clothes in the dryer
4) Starting the microwave
5) Pooping
6) Feeding the animals
7) Sweeping the floor
8) Eating any food on my plate
9) Flushing the toilet
10) Turning off a light
11) Turning on a light
12) Brushing my teeth
13) Carrying anything cumbersome and/or over 50lbs.
14) Taking a shower

The list will continue...

~mama

Yum Yum for a Cause!

Hi Everyone! My friend Amy who has been a blessing to fundraising efforts for the Warm Shelter and is just a genuinely good person and mama has started hosting Tastefully Simply parties and giving the funds raised to good causes. Party number one is for little Willow a sweet little girl who needs some sponsorship funds.  Not only is this for a good cause, but I've heard DELICIOUS comments about the products from Tastefully Simple so I don't think you'll be disappointed. Please put AMY LIVINGSTON in as your host

Here is the link to the Facebook event:  http://www.facebook.com/events/104115956411407/

Not on Facebook?

Here's the link: http://www.tastefullysimple.com/home.aspx

Remember to make Amy Livingston your host!!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WILLOW???

http://reecesrainbow.org/38690/willow

Thanks friends!! Enjoy your treats (I've ordered some beer bread mix!)

~mama

Zzzzzz...

March 18th was the first day we woke up in our home as a family of three. Really...it's only been six months? Seems like she's been a part of us forever.

~One lucky mama

Fear and Grieving

I'm not sure that I ever talked about my emotions on Gotcha Day. I was so excited to pick up the Little Bee. I couldn't wait to get to the orphanage and bust her out. I had thought about it for so long...and then there we were. Sitting in the room with all the little children who WEREN'T coming home to a new mama and papa and a family that loved them and wanted to make everyday special for them. Children that weren't #1 to anyone. Children that the Little Bee played with every day, went to bed with every day, dined with every day, woke up with every day...the only home she had ever known and suddenly...

I had a fear of taking her from the only home she had ever known.

I grieved for the children we were leaving behind. 

For the little frozen boy that stood there terrified because he was just dropped off. For little D who only wanted me to cuddle him on my shoulder (forever) when he bumped his head on the floor...for the others. The tiny faces that were part of my dreams since we first set foot in the orphanage 5 months earlier.

I too was frozen.

J kept asking me if I was ready to dress E and leave. I shook my head no.

I stalled.

It took me awhile to work up the nerve to dress her and to say goodbye to the children that I would never see again. That she would never see again.

She cried. I cried.

These emotions were unexpected. I thought it would only be joy and delight, and I had that...but I also had fear and I also had grieving.

Sometimes I still cry for those little faces.

Then I think of E and the laughter and the giggles. Our #1. I am happy to make every day special for you my sweet Bee.

I love you.

~mama

Auction Update

Here's a little update (thanks Amy):

The first purchase with our auction money has been made!! Warm winter clothing was purchased with the first $200 transferred over- the rest will be transferred when our coordinator returns from vacation. Here's the letter from our facilitator:

"Yesterday I went on the market and bought warm things there (in the market of a thing usually cheaper, than in shops). It is overallses and jackets for autumn and winter and some small things for the rest of money. When I told to the hostess of things that I buy it for a orphanage, she gave me one more overalls free of charge. Today I was in the Warm shelter and gave all things. [The nurse] was very glad and surprised that all things new and beautiful. She told that inhabitants of Pskov often bring absolutely old things. The personnel doesn't want to offend people, and thanks them. But then they doesn't know what to do with these things - after all for small children important to observe hygiene. Your things certainly were pleasant to all. At first we considered it with the personnel . Then just children woke up and all started to try on clothes with pleasure. (Though then children were a little afflicted, as they hoped, they are going to conduct for walk). Laura, excuse that I not always do everything quickly. I haven't enough days off, but I want to make everything whenever possible better. For example, if I bought things in shop near to my house, they would be more expensive almost twice. One overalls there cost nearly 3 thousand rubles, and I could buy thus only two and several trifles. And in the market I bought four sets (moreover the fifth get as a gift), hats, a little knitted trousers. I am very happy with result and it was pleasant to me to see pleasure and gratitude of children and the personnel. [The nurse] wrote the small letter. There it is written approximately so: From office the Warm shelter: By us it is received from [our facilitator] warm clothes for children. With huge gratitude to all philanthropists - now we can walk with children in a cold season. Thanks for your kindness and understanding! 09.05.2012. And once again I thank you - you and all donors is such good fellows!"

 

Such good news! I am very excited to send the next installment (once our US facilitator returns from vacation) and will soon work on a plan for another benefit. Please stayed tuned...and as always I will take cash for them anytime. Just let me know!!

 

 

 

 

 

~mama

Pinterest Updates

The Pinterest Challenge is really hard with a two year old. I may not be doing one a week...but I have done a few.

I have made this before, but I was reminded of how wonderful they are via Pinterest and made a giant batch. I don't have a photo of the ones I made as they went to friends...or in our tummies. This is just the Pinterest photo. These cookies are in the style of Neiman Marcus. Pretty yummy.

I also LOVE Halloween and I've started putting E in "Halloween Boot Camp"...practicing saying "trick or treat,"singing songs, and making decorations...also learning the critical things, like what a jack-o-lantern is. I found a cute hand print spider and also a cute finger paint project that involves writing with masking tape and painting over it. I helped her embellish a little bit of web and the spider details but the rest is all E! I combined the two Pinterest pins and made this...I think this should be two points for the challenge (since it involves TWO pins)! She is very proud...and so am I. She's definitely an artist!

This is the inspiration for the hand print:

This is the inspiration for the lettering:

I also found this silhouette of a witch that I loved...

And decided to  make my own..."witch" I actually like better!!

I was looking for a cool oval frame at yard sales (and also eyeballing trash piles while driving), but I never found anything. I then saw this frame at Ross and it was already black! $7.00 for the frame, some black paper, a grocery bag and some ribbon and we are in Halloween business!

I am still working on details for the little store. I want to make a little awning but I haven't found the perfect fabric yet.

Happy pining!!

~mama

Bullets

Hi! A little over 5 months home so I figured I'd give a few E updates

• She's chewing! This is a huge deal. We are now trying to get her to try new foods and textures.
• She's talking A LOT and putting words together like "big red truck" "pink ball"
• She started day care three days a week and is doing great. She says "Fun!"
• She loves Santa and likes watching videos of Santa and carrying around an ugly yard sale Santa (and making me kiss it)
• She calls me MOMMY now!
• She loves to make us laugh
• She had a speech therapy assessment and is on par with a 2 year old!

Overall she is doing great and I thank my lucky stars and I hope it continues going this well. She is a blessing to us and our family.

Thanks for following! I will have more posts on the auction soon, as well as an official amount that we will be able to send to the Warm Shelter.

~Mama

Bee Girl

One year ago today we got six little photos in my IN BOX that changed our lives forever. A sweet little 18 month old girl in a yellow dress. What a wonderful world indeed.

Laura

ROUND ONE- SUCCESS!!

DEAR FRIENDS AND DONORS AND WINNERS OF THE AUCTION!! THE FIRST ROUND OF MONEY IS IN PSKOV!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED!!

~mama

Warm Shelter Update

UPDATE on WARM SHELTER:

To all that have donated or participated in the auction…and those that want to participate or donate in the future. The orphanage has regularly placed a plea for assistance in the media and has had the community give them some second hand clothing, strollers and toys. People from the community have also volunteered to spend time with the children and take them for walks. This is wonderful! The sad news is that the staff has been cut significantly. The biggest problem they are facing right now is the lack of medicine. Our plan right now is to send some of the money from the auction and from generous friends by transfer with the Congress of Russian Americans. At this point we will only send a small amount to make sure that it goes smoothly. I hope to accomplish this goal before August 20th. If it works well we will send more money. In addition, the family that brought our donations last time will be traveling soon on trip two, and they will bring money and buy more medicine and winter clothing when she arrives. Sergey, the loving director/doctor of the orphanage sends a warm hello and a big thank you to all that have supported our efforts! THANK YOU!

 

~mama

THANKS AGAIN!!

XXXXOOO!!!

Auction is Closed Dear Friends

The donations and bids from friends and family to support the orphanage in Pskov is POWERFUL. Thanks so much for the love for these children. You donations will make a nice dent in the needs of the orphanage and for this I cannot thank you enough. In the past two weeks we have made $1290. That surpasses our goal and makes me very happy. I would also like to thank the Pskov mamas that worked so hard on this, particularly Amy who really did all the work! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! Also, a huge thanks to Whitney who will make the exchange happen (after buying all of the donations with your dollars)! Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! Sending you all my love...

~mama

AUCTION ENDS TONIGHT AT 10:00!!

Hi all,

The auction is going great but your bids are still important to help the children at the Warm Shelter in Pskov. If you haven't bid already please take a look at the great things available to you until TONIGHT (August 5) AT 10:00! There are many great things to bid on- some of them with super low bids! If you HAVE bid already please check and make sure no one is swarming in to outbid you at the last second!

This auction is very important to our family, but it is even MORE IMPORTANT to these children in need! REMINDER: The orphanage has lost their funding and they are struggling for even the most basic things such as diapers and medicine!!

Here is the link to the auction: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.346815532061349.79019.346811248728444&type=3
that ends TONIGHT at 10:00!!

If you want to donate cash I will take that too! Please email me at lkn_56@yahoo.com!

Thank you!

~mama

THE AUCTION HAS BEGUN!!

Hi everyone! The auction to save the Little Bee's orphanage has officially BEGUN!! Please bid and please share the link with your friends (and ask them to share it with their friends!). There's tons of cool stuff...including original artwork by The Bee herself! Thank you thank you thank you!

 http://www.facebook.com/WarmShelterAuction

~mama

Sneak Peek...

Hi everyone! The online auction starts tomorrow at 1:00 EASTERN time and will run until Sunday, August 5th 10:00 PM EASTERN time. Please note that this is just a sneak preview. If you bid before the auction starts your bid will be deleted so please wait until 1:00 EASTERN time. Thank you for bidding and for helping the Little Bees first family.  :)

 http://www.facebook.com/WarmShelterAuction

~mama

Hearts on Strings...

AUCTION SUNDAY and PINTEREST UPDATES

Before you start thinking that I have abandoned the Pinterest challenge because I am busy looking for stuff and making jewelry for the auction STARTING SUNDAY, let me just tell you what I've been up to...

1) Pinterest cleaning challenge. The idea was that I could put a few caps full of vinegar in 2 cups water and microwave for 5 minutes and then my microwave would wipe clean. After microwaving for 20 minutes it still wouldn't wipe clean. Granted I had spaghetti sauce blow up in it, but clearly it wouldn't clean in 5 minutes no matter what. Here's the pin that failed me. That's pretty what my microwave looked like before(on the top) and also after. I opted for the good old Meyer's Clean Day to finish the job. Mrs Meyer's never fails me and the basil scent makes me almosy like cleaning. Vinegar, the microwave is not your specialty.

2) Working on woodland party items. Sure, Little Bee's birthday party isn't until February but I want to make a lot of the decorations. I saw some little bird houses that were round on Pinterest. I know I saw some painted red with white polks dots but I can't find the pin (they were on a table somewhere). This pin has unpainted bird houses but I am painting mine. I found my bird houses on the dollar rack at Joanns. Stay tuned for the final project.

3) I have wanted to make the Bee a little store ever since I bought her shopping cart (before she was home). I was looking for a base for the store at the right price...that price being under $10. Look what mama found on the side of the road!! Yay! A folding book case! I have now put the base paint on and added a few details. I will post a photo when it's done. This is my big project and with a 2 year old and a full time job I can only work on it on the weekends. I am posting a picture of the book case after I found it...and also a photo of my inspiration from Pinterest. Enjoy and stay tuned for the final store photo in the upcoming weeks!

~mama

P.S. I knew I would like being a mama but I LOVE being a mama!