Oops I did it again!

It has been a really, really long time since the last update...so where do I begin. Another school year has come to end and both of the beauties made me very proud. This year was challenging but we are no worse for wear and things are looking up!



We have a new member of the family who just joined us last Friday! Meet Katya our West Virginia rescue dog. We went through a dozen names before finally agreeing on Katya.



Julia worked really hard on her gymnastics and won a bunch of medals since joining the K*inetic K*ids team as a level 4 gymnast. I am so proud of how hard she worked this year. She even scored a couple 9s this year.



Christopher worked really hard at soccer, tennis and golf. He is just a good all around athlete!



It's hard to believe that July is coming to a close. Fall will be here so soon but until then we're having a lot of fun enjoying our not so lazy days of summer. My best bud from Florida is here and I can't wait to see her on Tuesday! Julia and Chris both have exciting things coming up in August so stay tuned....maybe the end of summer post will go up before New Year's Day!

We are the TRUTH

I was so sad to hear about the child "returned" to Russia last week. I was also stunned. I can't imagine putting a child on a plane after promising to take care of him forever. I was also ANGRY. I was angry for this young boy and for all the children and parents who want them. I don't know the whole story but I can't even come up with one reason for treating a child this way. I can't come up with even one excuse that might make me understand. I've read reports that the "Mother" (and I use that term just for explanation for she is no Mother) says that Russia lied to her. Are you kidding? Did she do one second of research? Did she know the risks? Did she expect perfect? Newsflash lady...there are no perfect kids--not in Russia, not here, not any where!

Parenting is hard work. It is the hardest, best job I have ever had. Nothing compares to it, but it's HARD.

So my truth.. My kids are awesome! They are smart, funny, cute, happy, sensitive, clever, athletic, beautiful, spiritual, deep, good, complicated, stubborn, wonderful, talented, healthy, cheerful, strong, ambitious, loving, warm, caring, brave, bright, courageous, delightful, crazy, fabulous, friendly, generous, gentle, jolly, kind, wise, ...okay I'll stop now, you get the point.

Is our family perfect--of course not! We have our flaws and problems and personalities, but that's what makes it interesting and I wouldn't have it any other way. Our family is perfect for us and that makes me happy. My two Russian beauties make me happy.

XXOO beauties Я тебя люблю.

Update in Dashes

Okay I copied this update idea from D* but I honestly can't think of a better way to do a long overdue update. So here it goes:

-August found us in Disneyworld with the Walsh family again! We had a wonderful time at the Port Orleans French Quarter although we all agreed the Wilderness Lodge is still our favorite. Finally, everyone rode the Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain this trip and Julia decided her new favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Christopher really likes Buzz Lightyear's Spin. Soon they will both only want to go on the thrill rides and I'll be sittin' on a bench waiting. We also squeezed in a trip to Gatorland where Julia wrestled an alligator.

- September saw a new school year begin. It is so hard for me to believe that Julia is now in THIRD grade and Christopher in FIRST grade. Time is racing. Julia also started practice as a level 4 gymnast and Chris started tennis lessons.

-October saw Julia's first gymnastics meet. She did great! It is however so stressful for me watching. I always have aching muscles from sitting so still watching her perform her routines. Halloween found us trick or treating with our friends and attending a very crazy Halloween party. Julia dressed as a vampiress and Chris was a crypt keeper. I was Mary Poppins and Anthony was a very creepy Joker.

- November ushered in yet another one of my birthdays-Yikes! Thanksgiving was spent at our house with friends and family and I wouldn't have it any other way. Julia had a fabulous showing at the Turkey Tumble and qualified for the State Gymnastics Cup. We also went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Stamford with the S Family and had so much fun. Next year it will be even better because we'll know where to sit not to have people shoving us back (LOL)!

- December brought another wonderful Christmas and we spent it with family celebrating the end to 2009! As we all know this hasn't been our best year but good things are on the horizon I just know it!

- January welcomes a new year! I cannot believe it is 2010! I spent New Years Eve with my 3 favorite people and favorite dog. We all stayed up past midnight. Anthony celebrated another birthday and is officially as old as me (LOL).

ahhh that brings us up to February. So far so good and more to come. XO