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.

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.

Staying Busy

Well, we have begun that time of year. It is getting cooler out, the sun goes to sleep just a little earlier, there are apples and pumpkins everywhere, and the kids have returned to school. It must be FALL!! Yup, and those lazy days of summer that Colby and I enjoyed together are gone. Back to school for both of us. But we have many happy memories to hold on to.

This was a summer full of books, camping, two trips to New Hampshire, and lots of changes. Both Colby and I started new schools this year. Colby entered Kindergarten. And in the midst of it, we moved. Not too far away but just enough to change a few things. Colby won't be dropped off with his Grandma Laurie in the afternoon anymore and I kow both of them will miss their times together. We were lucky to find a great afterschool program and Colby has made friends there that are also in his Kindergarten class. He is settling in nicely to the new school routine although he is VERY tired everynight. Kindergarten is much tougher than PreK you know! We asked Colby if he told his teacher he could read and he said rather matter of factly, "No. Then she'll make me work." Oh boy! But thankfully he really likes school still and he keeps learning more and more everyday. I just love our conversations.

I am settling into my new job with all its new responsibilities. The teachers I work with are great and were very welcoming. The little kids are so cute and really starving for attention and love. I know I'll love opening up the world of reading and the many adventures we can take through books. However, I do miss my reading partner from last year. We worked well together. Thankfully she lives nearby and we can get together soon.

Ok. Photos. Here are a few great photos from our last summer trip to New Hampshire over Labor Day Weekend. It was nice to have my parents, my sister Kristin, Steve, and her son Teddy, my sister Karin and her boys Max and Alex, and Mike, Colby, and I all together. We don't get together often so it was nice to have the 4 boys together. I know they missed their cousin Keith though. It was a beautiful weekend of boats, tubing, shopping, and just relaxing. And now we look forward to fall and the many local fairs, apple picking, and more parties.

God's Timing (taken from a good friend's previous post title)

I have been thinking about this next post for some time now, but I still am not sure where to start. No, there haven't been any big changes to our family. And no, I don't think there will be for awhile..... I guess that's where to start.

Colby has been home almost 3 years. 3 of the most amazing years of my life. I still am often amazed that I have been entrusted with this little guy to be his mom and to guide him through life. It is an awe-inspring thought at times and I often wonder how I will be able to do it. MY biggest thought has always been, Can I be as amazing of a mom to Colby as my mom was to me? And at this moment, I can honestly say that I think I am doing a pretty good job. We have our moments and we certainly aren't perfect but I can see just how much Colby has grown both physically and emotionally and just what a great kid he is. I can already see the makings of a true ladies' man. Watch out world! So for today, I guess I will give myself a pat on the back. I am proud of how far we all, Mike, Colby, and myself have come since that Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009 when we first stepped out of that baby home carrying Colby, forever as a family.

But, now what? I feel the need to give more, do more. I don't know. I know that in my heart I do not want Colby to be an only child. I want him to experience the love and support of a brother, sister, a larger family. I know I want, and have always wanted, a daughter of my own. My mother has always been my best friend and I want to experience that bond with my own daughter. But that's  MY plan. And once again we hit many obstacles. Things just shouldn't be this hard. Why are they so hard and seem so far out of reach???

I have been thinking, ok obsessing about this for a few weeks now. And then this Sunday, in church the sermon was titled, Decisive Manuevers. It was about the story of Jonah and the Big Fish and how Jonah was trying to get away from God's plan and make his own. Boy did that hit home. I have tried to hard my whole life to make things fit into "My Plan" and I have often hit many obstacles and even large barriers. I WANT it to be my time, I even think I NEED it to be our time to move into a new house in order to expand our family. But what if it isn't God's time? What if there is a different plan? I don't know if I can sit by and let it be God's plan. I almost feel as if time is running out. God better hurry up and make it OUR time. But as the saying that Reverand Gordon used during his sermon, "If you want to see God laugh, tell him your plans." I don't mind God laughing with me but can he work with me a little too???

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great Thanksgiving with our family this year. We had dinner with my my parents, brothers and sisters, and my Aunt Doone's family. The kids all had a great time playing together and the food was delicious. I only wish we could have gotten more leftovers! My sister Kristin wasn't there along with her boyfriend Steve and her son Teddy. They were missed but it was nice to have my sister Karin and my brothers Keith and Chris there along with 3 of my nephews Max, Alex, and Keith. Colby loves playing with his cousins.

After dinner we were able to get to Mike's family's for dessert. Colby loved the apple pie and playing with his cousin Logan. She is Colby's age too so they have become great buddies. It was nice to see everyone there too. Thankfully everyone lives pretty close so not too much traveling but it was a pretty long day.

And today Colby had a play date with his cousin Keith. So no shopping for Mommy but lots of singing, playing, and fun at the park. I am so thankful that my family is all closeby. I love watching Colby play with his cousins and having fun. I can only hope we stay close as the boys grow up.

So, lots to be thankful for this year. I am especially thankful for my family, my wonderful husband Mike, and my big boy Colby. He is growing bigger everyday and surprises me more and more with amazing personality. We are so lucky to have him in our lives.

So, enjoy our Thanksgiving pics. Let us know. What are you all thankful for?


P.S. Here's a link to some pictures of Colby sitting at the same chair 2 Thanksgiving's ago. Wow! Thanksgiving photos 2009 and 2010

Christmas 2010 Recap and a Big Wow (edited for the Big Wow)

Better late than never, right? We all here would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope the new year brings everyone much happiness and love.

Our Christmas was hectic but fun. We enjoyed spending time with both families. Thankfully everyone is nearby so our travel isn't very far. We spend Christmas Eve with Mike's family and Christmas Day with mine.

Christmas Eve we went to Mike's parents and then his grandparents'. Colby loved playing with Lizzy and her toys. And Lizzy loved Colby's toys too! He received an amazing hand-made book from Grandma Laurie. It is all about animals with a fact for each jungle animal and a cute saying about Colby and his family. It is something we will definitely treasure forever. He also received an Alphie, a cute learning robot that some might remember from our childhood. I know I had one but they certainly have updated them. At Nana and Poppy's he received a couple things but his favorite is his Hess Truck and Jet. Of course the jet is motion sensored so it goes off constantly!

Christmas we had fun opening our presents at home. Santa and the reindeer ate the cookies and apple (sorry, the carrots were bad), and the milk and water. Colby actually woke up late. He has been exhausted. He woke up and wanted to crawl in bed with us. I'm not sure he really thought it was Christmas. But after seeing the presents he was ready to go. Santa left him some dinosaurs, a LeapFrog Tag reader with books and a U.S. map (ok, yes, I am showing my teacher side), and a digital camera. He also left a remote control F-150 for Mike and Colby to share. Mike also got parts for his HO Model Train set and I got a new lens for my Canon digital camera. Colby made me a cute red apron and chef hat. We went to my mom's house for a late brunch with my brothers and sisters. Grandma Donna couldn't wait to give Colby his Cars Guitar. Yes, a guitar!!! Grandma's was followed by a trip to my Uncle Lou's to have dinner with my mom's family and of course more presents.

I'm not sure Colby knows what to play with. He is so excited about everything. He seems to really enjoy Alphie, the Tag reader, his GeoTracks, and of course the Hess truck. Thankfully the holidays were lots of fun and Colby loved playing with all his cousins. However, this post is late because I proceeded to spend Sun and Mon on the couch with a wicked migraine headache. Thankfully that has finally gone away and I can now spend my vacation cleaning, running errands, and trying to catch up with school work. We have lots of reading testing coming up and of course CMT's (CT Mastery Tests) to get ready for. Ugh!

But for now, here is the little man enjoying his Christmas and the blizzard we had the next 2 days after Christmas.

Ok. I posted this a couple hours ago and just came back to check on things. I noticed my timeline at the top of the blog. It has been just over 22 months since we brought Colby home. He has now been here for as long as he was in the baby home in Russia! Simply Amazing!

First Camping Trip....We Survived!

This weekend we went to Lake Warmaug. We have been there before for an afternoon to picnic and bring the kayaks out but this weekend we camped. Yes, I spent the weekend in a tent! We went with Mike's parents. I was a little worried about how Colby would do sleeping somewhere strange, and not in a bed, but he did great! He LOVED it!

We went up early Friday and spent the weekend swimming, walking, kayaking, fishing, and just having lots of fun. I did leave for a few hours to help my mom at my grandparents' house. We are still trying to sell some things and Sat we had another tag sale. Friday friends of Mike's parents came up with their grandkids, Jair and Brin. They had a great time playing with Colby. It was fun to watch them swim, play in the sand, and blowing bubbles. Late Saturday, when I returned, David, Jocelyn, and Lizzie came up for dinner. Lizzie is getting so big. She and Colby played great together. By Sunday we were all tired and ready to go home. Even Colby was ready to get back and sleep in his bead. We left early Sunday and just spent the day doing some chores and catching up on sleep. Overall the weekend was great. Camping was fun, but I do know what Mike will get for his birthday: an airmatress. Ugh! The ground was so hard and bumpy. Not much sleep.