Uncle Louie

This weekend, I had to tell Colby one of the hardest things I've had to say. I learned early Saturday morning that my Uncle Lou passed away. It was very sudden. He was out with his friends riding his snowmobile. Something he has always loved to do. We still are unsure what happened.

My Uncle Lou is my mom's youngest sibling, and only brother. He was full of life, silly, even a little crazy at times. As a little girl, he would bring me with his buddies to see the car races nearby. I grew up loving to watch Nascar, cheering on Dale Earnhardt. These outings were very special. My uncle, his buddies, and me. In the summers we spent many days at my grandparents' cottage on Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire. I was put on waterskiis around the age of 4 with Uncle Louie right next to me. I remember falling once and he stooped down, grabbed the back of my life jacket and picked me right back up. He was always right by my side if I would fall.

Uncle Louie has 3 kids. He was able to see his oldest, Stacy, get married last summer. But he will never see his other kids get married or any of his grandchildren. Everyone is in such shock, I still can't pull my head around the thought that he won't be there to teach Colby how to waterski this summer.

Last year we lost Mike's grandparents as well. Colby was close to them but they were old and also very sick. This just seems so different. I wasn't sure what to tell Colby. So I told him the truth. Uncle Louie was on his snowmobile and had an accident. Colby asked how he's going to walk again after hitting his head. I had to say that he isn't. I had to say that Uncle Louie is now in Heaven. Colby felt a little better knowing that Uncle Louie is in Heaven with Mamie and Poppy (his parents) and Nana and Poppy (Mike's grandparents). He has asked many questions since then. The hardest one being "How do you get to Heaven?". I had to state simply, "I don't know." Colby was also concerned about not being able to call Uncle Louie on his birthday and the one that stung the most, "But Mommy, who's going to call me Goober now?". Uncle Louie has always called Colby and my nephew Keith his "Goobers". Colby also was worried that Keith has someone to give him hugs too, that Keith would be sad too. I just love my kid! So caring.

I'm not sure Colby has truly processed this whole experience. Then again, I'm not sure I have either. I guess the best I can do is take it one day, one question, at a time. And Colby's smile and laugh will help me do just that.

4 Years!!!

On February 21, 2009, our first adoption journey ended. Mike, Colby, and I landed in New York after a very cold month in Russia. We landed that night and were met by the most amazing sight ever, Mike's parents and my parents waiting with open arms. I was overcome by the emotion and ran with Colby in my arms to my mom. That was the best hug I have ever received. Everyone was so excited, that is except for a somewhat sleepy 22 month old. Court was over, no more visits in a baby home, no wondering when the crib would be filled. Colby was home and he was ours. Ou adoption journey to Colby was over and our journey as a family of three began. And now I was a mom! I couldn't believe it.

Now, 4 years later, my little baby is in Kindergarten and doing well. He makes me more proud of him every day. I still stop and wonder how I became so lucky to have him call me Mom. Sure there are toys everywhere, I step on Legos and cars everyday, there's a lot more laundry, and the food bill has doubled (boy can he eat!). But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, how are we celebrating? Well, we call this day Family Day. I picked up Colby from day care and we found a yummy looking chocolate cream pie for dessert today. And tomorrow, our social worker comes. She wrote our initial home study and hasn't seen Colby in 4 years. But, she is coming to write our next hom study for our second adoption journey. This time to China. Yes, we are starting our next adoption right where we left off with Colby's. I love these happy coincidences.

So, HAPPY FOURTH FAMILY DAY!!!

Family....4 Years

I can't believe that it is already February. Four years ago Mike and I had just completed court and were waiting to bring Colby home. We were staying in an apartment with limited computer access and without a phone. We had Russian TV, I will say cash cab isn't as funny when you don't know what they are saying. Although since it was Feb I was able to watch lots of college basketball and hockey on ESPN America. Our daily routine included a walk in -25o weather to get groceries or just to stroll on the very frozen lake. We had Valentine's dinner at a Scottish pub along the river, actually quite romantic I must say. But we didn't have our son. We wouldn't be a family for another 2 weeks.
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So, I guess February has been a special month for us for a few years. And now it will be even more special. We completed the first papers for our next adoption on the first. Hopefully this will move along quickly and we can be a family of four soon. But today, we brace for a snowstorm and a special snow day at home with my guys.

3 Plus China Makes 4!

http://www.3pluschinamakes4.blogspot.com/

Ni hao!

I guess it's never to early to start learning!

More to come later!

Already a New Year....Looking Forward...Pics Added!!!

I can't believe that it is already a new year. It seems like 2012 went by so fast. I wish I could bottle this time up and hold on to it forever. I think age 5 has been the best one yet.

2012 was not without it's troubles but overall, we had a great year. Some notable events:

1) Colby lost his two bottom front teeth (and he wasn't even 5 when the first one came out).
2) We bought a new house and moved in August. The house is I think the perfect fit for us, or it will be. We have already redone the upstairs bathroom and Mike has plans to add on in the back to make a "great room".
3) Colby started Kindergarten. He's growing up way too fast!
4) Colby learned to ride his bike without training wheels! And boy is he fast. Now he has a skateboard, a Christmas present from my Uncle Louie. We'll see how that goes in the Spring.
5) Both Mike and I are doing well at work, and overall we have all stayed pretty healthy.
6) I finally got to see Washington, DC. It was amazing. We went after Christmas to visit Trisha and AJ. What a great trip. I can't wait to go back again!
7) And, we just had a great time together as a family.


I know that we have had some struggles, and we have seen some family and friends pass on, but I have made it my resolution this year, to look on to the future and focus on the good things in my life. I have a wonderful family and friends, many who I met through adoption. Colby is blessed to know all of his grandparents and to have them in his everyday life, along with a big extended family. For the future, who knows what it might bring? We will celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary in April, Colby will start first grade, hopefully we can expand our family to include a daughter (that it my deepest wish), and perhaps a trip to DisneyWorld to visit with our adoption family of friends. But for now, a few great pics of our family at Christmas and in DC.