Silence is TORTURE!!!

We are still waiting for our homestudy to be processed with the Ontario Government.  It should have been submitted a month ago but due to changes the Ukraine Government has made there was another couple of glitches.  Not to mention that Dale noticed his passport was about to expire and needed to resubmit it.  Finally, we have our homestudy on the way to the Ministry’ Office.  Things are quiet now, too quiet.  We are suppose to be working on some forms, but they were outdated and an need to be redone. 

It’s been three weeks now since our last email from our adoption agency and I am restless.  Trying to stop myself from going insane, computer games have been in the forefront of my life next to writing while the kids are at school. 

I don’t want to be a pesty parent, but I think I’m going to have to be.   Right now I’m waiting for Olha, my Russian tutor to arrive, but due to stormy weather I think she’s decided to bail.  All well, I have a fully loaded pasta dinner to enjoy,  and I can practice my newest Russian phrase. 

Hold my hand, please.   Держи меня за руку, пожалуйста (and yes I can actually read Russian now.  I may not know what I'm reading, but I can say it pretty goood.  LMAO )

Buying For Our Child...

I started shopping today, and I'm so proud of myself that I didn't go over board.  The reading that I've done suggests buying clothes here, as they are more expensive in the Ukraine.  But how does one go about shopping for a child when you only have a hit and miss guess as to what size they are?

I hit the clearance rack at Walmart.  I figured that whatever didn't fit could be donated to the orphanage.  I am assuming that we may be getting a girl around the 8 year mark, but we have been approved for as young as 5.  That's a big jump in sizes.  I figured if things were a little too big she'd grow into it, but for now I purchased two pairs of jeans, size 7 & 5, two tops, a hoodie, and a package of socks and underwear. 

It was a very surreal experience knowing that I was buying clothes for a daughter that I've never even met.   It's not like picking out baby clothes, where you know pretty much everything will fit at some point, and they won't care what colour it is, or if it has kittens or hearts on it.  It should have been enjoyable, and it kind was, but it felt frustrating at the same time.  It wasn't the same as shopping for my nieces, when I know their hair and eye colour, and style would best suit their body type.  There is a certain satistfaction in finding that one outfit that you know will look great on someone special, and instead I felt like my purchases will have to make do.

So while I have to accept my "make do purchases" for now,  it does bring a smile to know that it won't be forever.

Schoolitis Anyone? (When a Child Fakes Being Sick A Lot!)...

From Math attacks to making himself throw up, what is one to do with a child who refuses to go to school?   And when I do send him he often calls home complaining of being sick. 

I believe in school, I often tell my kids it is the best thing they can do for themselves when they complain about it.  I attend parent teacher meetings, even for my high school child.  (I was shocked to learn that none of the LD parents made the effort to speak with their child's intergraded teachers).  I am a firm believer that words without actions mean nothing.  It is one thing to say school is important, but by God they will know "what" and "how" they do at school matters to me.

It is harder for them due to their learning disabilities, and Cyrus is struggling, he is in a regular grade 4 class with an IEP (indivual Education Plan) and has extra support.  Though, I don’t object to the occasional day off, which rarely happens and even then it is Alex, faithful in his attendance, who asks for it.   Cyrus is missing about 1 day a week.  

I used to do lunch dates with my kids in rotating shifts, once a month so they can have some special one on one time with me.  However, I haven’t been able to do since my youngest is constantly (and sometimes Preston) is  playing sick.

I know Grade 4 is hard, but the fact that he is making himself sick has me concerned.  I’ve called the school a couple of times and spoke with his teacher.  This morning, however, after another plea and a bucket line with chucky spit accompanied with empty wretchings, I called and spoke with the special education teacher. 

It is amazing how a phone call to the right person can change things. I really hope it works out better for Cyrus.  We did come up with a plan that Cyrus would come see her first thing in the morning, instead of going straight to his regular class, as he seems to thrive better with her.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that things will be going better now.  Next year we both are hoping that Cyrus will go into a smaller class that will lessen his anxiety.  But for now, we will have to wait and see.

What To Pack???

Well the New Year has arrived and I couldn’t be happier.  We started the day with homemade egg McMuffins and took the boys to see Mission Impossible 3.  They were on the edge of their seats for the entire movie.  I loved it, and so did everyone else.  Then after the theatre everyone seemed to have had their cranky buttons pushed, and I was having none of it. 

I told the kids that I wasn’t going to join in their “Its not Fair” cries, and that even though we couldn’t do lunch at a restaurant, because we are being more responsible with our money,  I had hamburgers waiting to be tossed on the BBQ along with a special treat of curly fries.  And knowing the man I love best in the world , who was grumbling about the kids not understanding things,  among other things, he received a playful slap on the derriere and a plate of food in front of him to snack on while I set about getting lunch started.  Now that everyone is fed and in a much happier place I can focus on this.

So with the New Year here, my mind is focusing on traveling to the Ukraine. 

I’ve been doing a lot of research into what to bring.   But the one thing that is chaffing me is I can’t seem to find a place that sells an anti theft purse.  It is a purse with metal mesh in the lining, and straps to prevent someone cutting it open.  I am hoping to purchase one before we go.  I’ve also been buying small packets of wipes (because I’ve heard that they stingy or don’t even use toilet paper).  I want to pack light but when you expect to be staying there for several weeks it’s really hard to know what exactly to bring.

So far on my list is besides the obvious ~ I don’t think I need to tell you how many pairs of underwear I’ll be bringing and such lol.

Ziplock bags

All in one makeup kit.  (This is hard as I do enjoy makeup but I figured getting a makeup kit with travel brushes would take less space than bringing several containers that I’d really hate to lose.)

Small package of laundry soap

Adapter/ surge proctector  ~ not sure where to get this, but I haven’t really started looking yet.

Small backpack for our daughter.

Stuffed toy (already purchased)

Extra prescriptions for eye glasses/ medications

Phone numbers for embassy

Papers in pocket file folder ~ complete with photocopied passports.

Deck of cards / Travel games

Complete Guide to International Adoption and other reading material

Pens/papers

Sleep masks

Gifts/gifts bags for Orphanage directors.

It seems that I may be missing a lot without listing toiletries/clothes but I have never travelled before. Or rather I should say that the only time I went on an airplane was when I was 7 and my mother did the packing for me.   If anyone has further suggestions I am open to them.  ~ to be quite honest I feel that my list seems to be frightfully lacking.~

Wishing Everyone A Happy New Year!

2011 was an amazing year! New connections were forged, some were lost, but all and all, it has been a blast. 

I had my first short story about a garden fairy and a gargoyle king called "Killing Kindness" published in "Shelter of Daylight."  I have to acknowledge Tyree Campbell who is the editor of Aoife's Kiss who has accepted almost all my poems that I have submitted and has given me a firm belief that I do have talent!  THANK YOU!

Currently I'm working on a Novel series, I have several started, but after writting about half way through them I've learned I needed to go further into the history, so having three half finished novels, with brief outlines on a few others I found the start of the series. Which seems to be flying now that I've set a word goal of 5000 words a week (with some exceptions coming into play).

I've enjoy the time I've spent with my sisters and friends, and I always look forward to hosting potluck Friday nights.  My kids are growing up and are happy, Alex has started working a McDonalds and is such a hard worker.  He has a girlfriend whom he seems to adore and she him.  Preston has friends this year and I'm hoping this year we can have a party with him.  Cyrus is my Prince Charming, the one who always watches out for me in the way that little boys do.  His smile is quick, and his is my darling.

I've rediscovered my love of fishing, and have often taken the boys out over the summer.  I'll even confess that I'm seriously considering ice fishing this winter.     

Life with Dale continues to be amazing, he is my sun and touches every aspect of my life with such wonder.  He is my best friend, and I love him more with each passing day. 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the coming new year will bring new friends, new experiences and most importantly that we will have a daughter to call our own. 

I wish you all well and hope that the coming New Year will bring many joys to you life.

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

A Moment to Share....

As we are getting ready for Christmas the boys have been excited as they know they we'll be getting a new game system (just not which one) and it has been a heated topic of debate between them.  While his two older brothers were in another arguement over what games they would purchase with their Christmas money at the kitchen table, Cyrus asked what my favourite colour was.  I told him purple, but lately I've been into pink, making a joke about how I have to make up for all the boyishness in the house.

Cyrus laughed and said, "don't worry mom you won't be alone cause we're getting a sister."  His expression because serious and then he said, "you know what Mom, I love her already."

I hugged him and and told him that I do too.  It touches my heart to see how open he is to having a sister to share his life with.  I know I shouldn't be surprised, as Cyrus has been asking for a sister since he was in kindergarten, but this is the first time I've heard him him say this.

Merry Christmas Everyone & Have a Rock'n New Year!

Waiting to start Part 2 (completing the dossier)...

Things have been quiet on the adoption side of things.  We are just in a holding patterned for the most part until our adoption agency tells us when we can start working on paper work.   I know people said the adoption process is a long one, but somehow I had hoped that things would be faster for us.  It certainly didn’t help that our former family doctor’s office put a 2 month delay on us and then another “friend” delayed us another few  weeks on top of it.   

I was hoping for a late winter or spring adoption but I am not certain it will happen before summer hits.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and my spirit in good faith.  I feel so close to having a daughter in our home for Christmas, and the fact that I don’t puts a damper on me this year.  I enjoy my boys’ excitement at this time of year, and there are plenty of giggles and laughter going around, but that feeling of not being a complete family sticks like a thorn in my heart.

If I don’t write more this month, let me say Happy Holidays to all, and may your holiday celebrations be filled with all the happiness the season has to offer.