Thanksgiving fun!

Make a Smilebox greeting

We had a blast with the Jerger's this week. They arrived on Monday evening and left this morning. The week was full of fun, family, food and fantastic conversation. I think when you spend such a month of emotion and strain with other people you are bound to become close. Such was our case. I am so grateful the Jerger's could join us for this special time and spend more time creating wonderful memories with us!!

Baby it's Cold Outside!

It has been so cold lately. . .highs in the 30's and 40's and lows in the 20's. This morning it was actually 19 degrees when I got up! We haven't had any measurable snow, but we have had several flurries. . .Fun! But, winter is still a month away and we're having temperature more typical to late December and early January. . .what will this winter be like??? I'm afraid our Floridian friends, the Jergers, are going to feel like they are back in Siberia. . .

Today starts the last week of the season of Pentacost. Next Sunday begins the brief season of Advent--a time of reflection and preparation on the coming of our Lord, Immanuel. . .I'll probably do my duty and give you all weekly history lessons throughout the season! : )

This has been an incredibly busy weekend. . .preparing to add 6 people to our house for a week and making sure I have all the groceries needed for that and for Thanksgiving Dinner and getting our family portrait done. . .Yes, we finally did it! Some of you will see that picture soon. . .: )

Today Pat took Aidan to Grandma and Grandpas and Mama was able to go to church alone and actually listen to the sermon! Because of this rare treat, I went further and went to the later service, the one that speaks more to my Catholic heart--it include more genuflection, kneeling and crossing of oneself! I know I'm a strange Protestant! You all don't have to tell me!

Birthday Celbrations!

This week we celebrated Grandma's birthday. It was actually on Tuesday, but we did our big celebrating on Sunday. Mosby and Maggie wanted to be included. . .


After dinner, we came back to the house for cake and presents. Aidan wanted to help blow out the candles. . .




Then, he had to help open the presents!






Christmas is going to be fun!!!!!

The Best Laid Plans. . .

ALWAYS change for the better!!!

I cook Thanksgiving dinner at our house every year. Love it! I love preparing the whole thing and even love preparing it for lots of people! It's such a fun and wonderful thing to have all of those great smells of cooking in my home with lots of friends and family around to share it all. Each year, I begin planning my menu sometime in mid-October and usually have it finalized by the end of October. When I say finalized, I know how many I am cooking for what ingredients I need to buy and even have my shopping list prepared.

Such was the case last year. . .and then we found out we would be leaving the U. S. on November 20th and then spending November 22nd (Thanksgiving Day!) meeting our son for the first time. Cancel the plans! So, after our exciting time at the orphanage meeting Aidan, we asked to be taken for a traditional Russian meal for our Thanksgiving dinner. While everyone was back home preparing their birds for the oven, we sat down to Russian fare extroidinaire! Instead of roasted turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and a host of other delectible items, Serge (our driver) and Yelena (our facilitator) ordered us some bread; a cheese tray (several different cheeses); a veggie tray; a Meat tray which consisted of pork, chicken and beff tongue (I kid you not!); Fish tray of raw and smoked tuna, sturgeon and some other kind of fish; caviar on quails eggs (which I fell in love with!); latkes; and a broth like soup with wontons filled with a mix of pork and beef. All in all, it was fun, exciting and with the exception of some of the raw fishes and the beef tongue, not too bad! It will always be a very memorable day for us. . .

This year, I had our menu, etc. all planned out as per usual when I got a surprising email from Lori Jerger saying they were planning on begin up this way the week of Thanksgiving, what were we doing??? Well, we're now adding the six Jergers to our plans and increasing the amount of food. . .I can't wait! We are going to have so much fun seeing everyone and getting the kids back together! After spending a month with people in a strange and foriegn country, you can't help but become family. . .And Aidan and Ellie--having come from the same place . . .I can't wait for the pictures and the tours around D. C. and Northern Virginia!

And now for a few pictures from this weekend:




The first one he was a really good boy while mama and daddy did some shopping so he got to ride the "carosel" ride at the Outlet Mall.

The second one is Aidan all dressed and ready for church--isn't he adorable???

And the third one is funny: I was cleaning a couple of cabinets out in the kitchen and Aidan was playing. . .then I hear the dogs come up behind me and make a huffing noise. So, I went to see what Aidan was doing: and here he is! Salt glazed antique pot upside down so he can step on it and reach the antique horse and buggy toy I have UP on a ledge! Little stinker! : )

Stay tuned for more pictures soon of Grandma's birthday party!

Half Birthdays

Aidan is 2 1/2 now. . .and he had grown over 4 inches since we have been home. He is not looking much like a baby anymore. . .except when he sleeps. HE IS GROWING UP TOO FAST!!! Sound like a mama to you? Yep. I thought so. . .So bear with me. Here are some picutres from trip 1 and trip 2. I can't help it! I love it when he mimicks me and says he is Mama's baby boy. . .

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Daily Deployment

I'm sure everyone has a morning routine and also carries much to and from whereever you go each day. Let me tell you about our mornings. . .

I get up early (I won't mention the time) and get lunches ready for me and Pat. Then, I head downstairs and usually put a load of laundry in, feed the cat and then run my 3 and (now) 1/3 mile. When I finish running, I put the laundry in the drier and then head upstairs again, usually with a dry load from the night before. I then start my coffee, get my ice water (I must drink my jug a day!) and do some prep work for Aidan's breakfast--either eggs or oatmeal, plus get his milk and water ready. Then I head to the family room to drink my first cup of coffee, while I "cool down" and fold the laundry I just brought up. Then, after about 1/2 hour, I head upstairs, with a second cup of coffee and the folded laundry and hit the shower. 45 minutes later, I make sure Pat is up, make the bed, put the laundry away and then head to Aidan's room, where I spend about 10 minutes waking him up and coaxing him out of bed. After out of bed, I dress him, watch and smile while Daddy gets him riled up and says good bye, say goodbye to daddy myself, and then take Aidan into the bathroom to comb his hair and brush his teeth. After we settle on the toothbrush we will use for the day (he has an insane choice of 3!) and get his teeth scrubbed, we head downstairs and finish fixing his breakfast. Then, I spend about 15 to 20 minutes coaxing Aidan to finish his breakfast. Meanwhile, I gather the assorted bags needed for the day:

I assure you it is all essential stuff--my bag of book and budget info, my purse, my peet, Aidan's backpack, Aidan's peet, our coats, my lunch. . .

Then, when Aidan is finished eating, I clean up his dishes and then take him over to the counter to be cleaned up:

Isn't he cute here? He's dressed like Daddy!

Anyway, then we get our coats on, and mommy loads up with purse, bag, backpack, lunch, mommy's peet, and Aidan's peet. Then, after getting the dogs to stay in the kitchen, we head through the mud room to the garage and out the door, about which time Aidan either wants me to also carry his truck or hold his hand. Then, we get out to the car and load all the stuff in the front seat and then I wrestle Aidan into his carseat. I can then hand him back his truck. It is always about this time that Aidan says, "uh oh mama! Choos!" I then look down and realize I am still wearing my slippers. . .

After getting to work at 8:00, I've been on the go for nearly 4 hours and am totally exhausted! But, I smile and fix my oatmeal and think how great it all is!

Remembering our Veterans

This is the tomb of the unknown soldier in Moscow. . .somewhere I have one of the US tomb, but I can't find it! We took it last June when my dad was here visiting to meet Aidan. . .Both of these tombs represent the same thing, though: men who fought and paid the ultimate price for their countries and their ideals.

Today we remember our Veterans. . .actually, today commemorates the signing of the armistice--thus Armistice Day--at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to end World War I. That was the Big One.

But, I think it is an excellent day to remember alllllll of our Veterans: for their sacrifices and determination to help preserve our freedom. And, therefore, I say "Thank You" to my dear father-in-law Van Harrison, veteran of World War II--the second Big One. His love for his family and for his country are examples I hope to always be able to hold up to my son. I am so proud to be able to call him my father-in-law--Dad!

More Aidanisms

Daddy huntina BIG BUCK! Trasnlation: Daddy is hunting for a big buck.

Aya wanna huntina BIG BUCK! Translation: Aidan wants to hunt for the big buck. (not for a few years, my little Man!)

Aya roide da cool bb in a wood (rhymes with road). Translation: Aidan got to ride the four wheeler with Daddy in the woods.

Mama BB too big for garach. Translation: Mama's car is too big to fit in the garage.

KEOW! Translation: Cow!

Ollypop! Translation: Lollypopp! (Always, always wants one!)

Aya wanna dood it! Translation: Aidan wants to do it by myself!

Hi Amy! (picks up any cell phone available and says Hi Amy! I do talk to my sister nearly everyday. . .)

Mama baby boy Aya. . . Translation: Mama's baby boy Aidan. (I say this to him a lot and he will say it to me if he is wanting reassurance or security from me! It's really cute!)

Confession: As we have been pulling out the warmer clothes: slacks, sweaters, turtlenecks, etc. . .I have found a few pieces are still nauseating to just look at and have been refolded and put back, way back, in the deep dark recesses of my closet. . .Sad to say, the Sloppy Joe's Tshirt is not one of them! sigh. . .

Halloween Special

As promised, here are the Halloween pictures:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

11/5/2007

One year ago, I received a phone call from our Social Worker asking if I had checked my email. I said no and frantically began signing into my email account. She stayed on the line while I did so and here is what I found:

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I immediately began to cry. . .We still didn't have a travel date, but we were told that we would be traveling before the end of the year. We got our travel dates 4 days later with the word that we had 9 days to get our visas, plane tickets, clean cash and to pack! Insane. But oh so worth it!

We met Aidan for the first time on November 22nd, which was Thanksgiving Day. . .Thanksgiving will now always be a special day for us as that was the day we became a family of three. . .

Get out the Vote

Just a friendly reminder that is your right and your responsibility to get out there and vote.

The polls opened in Virginia at 6:00 am. We, all three of us, left our house at 7:00 and I got back into my car at 7:30--not bad, having cast my ballot for President, a Senator and a Congressman. We also got to vote on whether or not we wanted to increase our food tax (really???) plus they were asking for more money for the schools. . .again. . .There was only one electronic machine, and the line for that was long with it taking each person about 4 minutes. So, we did the old fashioned fill in the blank ballot and then Aidan got to put the ballot in the ballot counting machine. Pretty cool!

Coming soon to this blog near you: More Template changes (as I figure it all out), Halloween pictures (finally) and other interesting pictures. Stay tuned!