HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This little guy is so special to me because he truly saved me. I had gone through so much to have a baby and to finally have him in my life was just a miracle. I find it amazing that at just the right time, we surrendered our infertility and decided to adopt. AND at just the right time we signed up at our agency. AND at just the right time our little guy was available for us, a world away, and was chosen for us.
It's all a wonderful miracle.

We adopted Buddah at 9 months and he has been with us for every birthday. I am thankful for this. His sister, was not with us for her 1st birthday, but she has more information about her history and pictures of when she was an infant, and he does not. So, this is something special for him.
As a tribute to his 5 amazing years, I am going to post his MONTAGE, which is of his adoption story and beyond. He has changed so much, though even in his first referral video his personality is evident.
He is a very loving child, though very very emotional. Spoiled, and Strong-willed are other words to describe him. :) Aren't they all?
He is so very bright, and I know as a teacher that everyone thinks that their kids are the brightest in the sky, but there is some kind of spark about him. He is a calm, very calm child. He is a thinker. He forgets nothing. Remembers things very specifically even things that happened when he was 2. He never forgets a place. He even knows directions to get most places. He questions, argues to get his point across, can manipulate anyone or anything, and he is so funny. Again, at a very young age he "got" humor.
He is even sarcastic at times...a trait his daddy has mastered!
He is also a perfectionist.
He is WAY smarter than I ever was.

His birthday was the 14th, and we celebrated as a family. Next weekend, his party will be at the Bounce Zone...such a cool place!
What an amazing little guy, and growing up so fast. Happy Birthday Buddy. You know you're our world!
Mommy ( and daddy too)

In a Parallel World

Right before leaving for FedEx

and the Airport

This is a picture of me after we got home from FedEx. This was pretty much me until about 8pm that night. Very frusterating!

Since I wasn't able to go to Russia this week, I somehow felt like I was in a parallel world...kind of "out of it" all week. Like I was suppose to be somewhere else.

I am currently working with FedEx and Russian-American Consulting to see what reimbursements they will consider doing. I have to admit that things/stress has gotten much better. I know that the trip will happen eventually, but it will hopefully be a time when I can go. I will go again.

On a better note, this week, CQ has really been clingy to me. That's good for me...and her. She keeps telling me that she loves me and won't let me put her down. When other people, even Daddy, hold her, she says..."I want Mommy" This has been going on all week and I am loving it!! My goodness she has come so far. God love her, she is trying! It will be 1 year home in just a few weeks.

Buddah, my little guy, will be 5 on Friday.

Oh my! He has grown

so fast.

It's truly amazing how he's grown. I just can't seem to keep up with him. I am so proud of him. He is a miracle child! He had a very difficult beginning of his life (in Russia) and today, you'd never ever guess that at all. He is a thriving almost 5 year old with the whole world at his feet. Isn't he so handsome?

I continue to keep up with most blogs and it looks pretty good out there in bloggerland. I think we are all just enjoying our kiddos so much that it's hard to find the time and stuff to write about to keep people interested.

I still love to do it though, so I'm hanging in there.

I'll be posting our x-mas cards very soon.