We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This picture is from the same photographer that did our "Celebrating Adoption" photos.
http://kristihibbetts.com

CQ'S GOTCHA DAY!
Happy Gotcha Day Baby!
It's flown by, and I just can't believe it! It has been a year.
1 year ago, Daddy and Mommy were in Russia getting ready to bring you to your new home.

It was a whirlwind trip.
Look at you before... And now Look at you!

Words cannot describe how you have changed our lives in so many wonderful ways.
When we first saw a video of you, we didn't want to get too excited because we had already been to Russia for another referral and it fell through.

We didn't want to get too attached...but we were really hoping it would be you!

After 1 long week of waiting to confirm our trip, our trip got postponed another week. Then, we finally got the word that we could go and meet you the week after.

Going to Borovichi was very emotional because your brother was from Borovichi too, so it was like we were re-living his adoption.

When we arrived, we were greeted with smiles and hugs and kisses because all of the caregivers remembered your brother and really enjoyed seeing his pictures.

Every other parent (who was there to adopt too) was sitting around the table listening to the medical/history reports from the orphanage doctor/chief director. We were last to hear about you, but the social workers whispered in our ears to get up and leave the room because they were just too excited for us to meet you.

Before we even got to the music room, one of the social workers was walking with you down the hall and you were all dressed up with a hat on ready to see us...or were you?

You began to cry because you were so painfully shy and held on for dear life to the care-giver, but mommy came up and kissed you on the check and picked you up. I told you that everything was going to be alright! I said, "Mommy is here now...shhh shhh" and finally you calmed down, but still wanted nothing to do with Daddy(yet).

We played with you for about an hour, then the music teacher came into the room and waived at you. Your eyes lit up! She brought out a CD player and began to play a song and you began to dance! It was so cute! When the music went off, you, again, went to the shy little one from before. Would barely even look at us.

Daddy and I noticed that care-givers kept coming in and out of the room...we think that they were checking on their little lady to make sure all was well...which it was.

Next, you were ready to eat. Boy did you eat. When we walked into the room, it was full of all boys...about 12 of them(all blonde hair blue eyes) and then...there was you. Curly BLACK hair, olive coloring and in a bright red dress. OUR GIRL!

I can honestly say that they spoiled you there. We could tell that they were pretty much willing to do ANYTHING for you! Hummmmm a sign for the future? :)

Anyway, it was time to leave and FINALLY you waived, blew kisses, and smiled at Daddy and Mommy. We were already missing our little girl!

On the second trip, you were alittle more social, but still pretty shy.

We played for awhile with you and then left for Veliky Novogord for court.

In court they talked about how special you were and that they were so happy that you were going to live with a special little boy...your brother.

The judge and prosector were so nice.

We picked you up the next day...the orphanage van met us 1/2 way and we took you

from the orphanage van to ours. You were all smiles and giggles.

Like you had known us forever! We sang Christmas Carols and

you danced.

No shy girl to be found!

Mommy got sick, again, in Moscow, but felt better before returning home.

Here you are getting ready to see Dr. Boris...I don't even remember this because I was soooo sick. Can you tell?

Your adoption story is so special because we almost didn't get you. We had to go through heartache before we had the chance to get you. I know that they were waiting for a couple and a boy who were just perfect for you...and we are so lucky it was us.

We love you forever and ever and ever!!!!!

Daddy and Mommy (and Aiden too!)

You are a happy little girl who is so loved and so wanted in this world!

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.

OUR PASSPORTS/VISAS WERE A NO SHOW FOR THE TRIP :(

Our passports were lost by FedEx on Saturday morning.
All that I could think of was...THANK GOD WE WEREN'T LEAVING FOR OUR COURTDATE!

After 6 hours of waiting, our passports were finally found and shipped to the closest FedEx Hub. Just 3 hours shy of our plane tickets being able to be switched to a Sunday departure.
I talked to several people at FedEx and begged, pleaded, and cried for help. We waited one time, 1 hour for a call back and when we got it, it was a manager saying that it was lost....somewhere in Tennessee with no tracking at all to be found.
I can't tell you how much $ and time we've lost, but it's alot!

I have to say that I'm pretty upset at our travel agency Russian-American Consulting, which I've never used before. They made the plane and visa arrangements. They told me to send it on date "X" and that the visas would arrive Nov. 30th. Knowing that we were leaving on the 1st (because they also made our flight arrangements), they failed to send the passports/visas out on time, but assured me that a 9:30am pick-up at the FedEx Hub was fine (on the 1st just 3.5 hours before our flight)..."People have to do it all the time!" I actually had a very funny feeling about it once I heard that the visa's weren't sent on time.
I also can't tell you what a big emotional toll this has taken on me. It took so much for me to get up the courage to take this trip...without my family. I was totally packed and on my way to the airport, totally prepared to go to Russia.
I actually had a mini-panic attack that morning at about 4am. It's just so hard to leave, but I knew in my heart that this was a good thing for me to do. AND I was excited to do it!

Anyway, I don't really know where to go from here. I could tell that the person who planned the trip was very upset that we wouldn't re-buy tickets...$2800.00 last minute tickets. (granted our original tickets were just $900.00). I know alot was riding on us going and helping, but we just couldn't justify spending this kind of $ to volunteer...volunteer ourselves to this cause. We had already put our jobs, family, lots of $, and ourselves on the line for the cause. It was asking just too much.
I guess I'm venting a little, but at the same time I guess I would love to hear some feedback. What would you do in this situation...?
Plan to go on another date.
Cut our loses and move on.
Do you think the Travel Agency and the Fed Ex people need to held accountable?
I just need to hear what you all think.
We do have a phone conference with FedEx tomorrow morning.
Jen

THE DAY BEFORE

YES, IT'S OFFICIAL...IF MY VISA ARRIVES AT THE FEX EX HUB TOMORROW MORNING.
I'M GOING TO RUSSIA ON A MISSION TRIP THROUGH A FOUNDATION AFFILLIATED WITH OUR ADOPTION AGENCY.
I SWARE THAT THIS ENTIRE TRAVEL/PLANNING PROCESS WAS JUST SHY OF THE STRESS OF AN ADOPTION!
I LEAVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND WILL ARRIVE IN MOSCOW ON THE 2ND. THE 3RD WILL BE A FULL DAY OF SIGHT-SEEING ADVENTURES AND THEN WILL GO TO THE TRAIN STATION THE NIGHT OF THE 3RD.
TRAIN RIDE TO KIROV.
SPENDING 2 FULL DAYS AT 2 DIFFERENT ORPANAGES.
COME BACK TO MOSCOW FOR ANOTHER FULL DAY AND LEAVE THE MORNING OF THE 7TH.
SAY A PRAYER FOR ME AND MY KIDDOS THAT ARE GOING TO BE AT HOME WITH DADDY.
I MADE OUT THE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK AND FOUND THAT...BASICALLY I DO JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING, SO IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING, BUT VERY FUN FOR THEM.
I HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT/MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT DOING THIS, BUT MY HEART KNOWS THAT THIS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO RUSSIA AND SEE THINGS WITH "DIFFERENT EYES" THE "NON-ADOPTION EYES".
I'LL POST IN RUSSIA TO KEEP YOU UPDATED.

JEN

Happy Thanksgiving!

Russia in December

Well, word came today that I could go to Kirov on the 2nd of December-to about the 7th of December.

What would I do?

HELP.

Help the orphanage and orphanage school with supplies, extra hands, and buy many needed items for the orphanage. Do I know where Kirov is, no, not really.

(BUT I do have a very close friend that adopted V from Kirov.)

Pretty amazing, I could be in Russia, for the 6th time, in less than a month.

For those Kirovian Experts out there, how is the train ride? :)

BUDDAH AS WOLVERINE -AND- CQ AS A VAMPIRESS

HALLOWEEN IS TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY AT OUR HOUSE! IT MUST BE VERY, VERY SCARY!

CANDY LOVERS...EXPERTS AT TRICK-OR-TREATING!

NOVEMBER IS ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH!

FALL FUN

FALL FUN FOR THE FAMILY.

OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH(as a family of 4)...STONY CREEK FARMS.
I USE TO PICK MY PUMPKINS, WHEN I WAS LITTLE, FROM THIS VERY PATCH.
THE KIDDOS HAD SO MUCH FUN PLAYING ON THE HAY MOUNTAIN, RIDING THE PUMPKIN TRAIN, TAKING PONY RIDES, AND THE HAYRIDE OUT TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH IS ALWAYS VERY EXCITING. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY...A WONDERFUL DAY WITH MY WONDERFUL FAMILY. IT'S AMAZING TO THINK THAT LAST YEAR, WE WERE A FAMILY OF 3 AND CQ WAS WAITING IN RUSSIA FOR US. SHE IS SO LOVED! WE ARE THANKFUL EACH DAY FOR OUR WONDERFUL CHILDREN!

Gotcha Day Letter from Oct. 17th

DEAR BUDDAH,
Today is your "Gotcha Day". Do you know what that means?
It means that we "Got You" 4 years ago from Russia.
In Russia, you lived in a small town called Borovichi, until you were about 9 months old. In Borovichi you lived in a HUGE house that was full of women who loved you and lots and lots of baby friends. During the day, you would get up at about 5am and drink a raw egg and eat a cookie. Then you would drink a bottle full of yummy stuff that you loved. You would then play with wonderful caregivers, toys, and your baby friends. Somedays, you even took walks in a stroller around the HUGE house. Then it would be time for another bottle and your morning nap. You loved this time, and the caregivers told us that you loved to sleep and they were right!
Lunchtime was your favorite...meat, potatoes, and tea. After that you would have more playtime, because that's what babies do, (with Caregivers and babies) and then you would go down for another nap. When you awoke, more play-time. Sometimes they even played instruments with you in music class. They said you loved listening to music.
Dinner consisted of vegetables and bread, and of course another bottle.
Every night, before you went to bed, one of the caregivers would tell you a good-night story. It was a story about how one day your Daddy and Mommy would be coming to take you home.
One night, without you even knowing it Mommy and Daddy were flying across the ocean to meet you. After an 11 hour plane ride, and a 10 hour van ride, Mommy and Daddy arrived in Borovichi. At that point you were just waking up from your morning nap. One of the caregivers came to your crib and picked you up. They smiled at you and said, "Your Mamma and Papa have come to meet you." You smiled from ear to ear. As they dressed you, they were telling you what Mommy looked like and that you looked just like your Daddy. You were getting so excited! Once they dressed you, they brought you over to the office room and opened the door. To my surprise you were here...they didn't even tell us that you were coming in! When you saw me for the first time, your smile was huge. I began to cry because I had waited so long for you and I couldn't believe I was finally meeting my son.
You began touching my face and tears of joy streamed down your face...you just couldn't stop belly laughing. Our hearts connected immediately. Daddy didn't quite know what to do, he was trying to video tape our meeting and see you at the same time, but he was crying because he was so happy to see his boy.
We spent about 3 hours playing, feeding, and even taking you for a quick walk around the HUGE house.
I told you that we had to go back home, to America, to get your room ready and for us to wait to hear from the court to see when they would give us permission to adopt you. It was hard leaving you, but our hearts had connected and I was focused on getting back to you already.
A long long long drive back to Moscow, Russia and a long long long flight home was very hard, but we were trying to stay positive. While we waited to go back, I bought tons of toys and clothes for you. I finished your Froggy Nursery, and just 2 weeks later we went back to bring you home.
When you saw me for that second time, it was like I hadn't been away from you at all. You were attached immediately. You even grew 2 new (top 2) teeth while we were away. We played for a while and then it was time for court. I knew that the next time that you saw me, I would officially be your Mommy.
Court was a breeze and we couldn't wait to see you! On a very foggy, cold morning, we left Veliky Novgorod, where court was, and drove to a "meeting point" with the caregivers. You rode in a van to meet us. They handed you to me, from their van, and I put you in our van. The caregivers had packed you 2 warm bottles for the trip back to Moscow. They were sad to see you go, but knew you were with your Mommy and Daddy now, and they could let you spread your wings and fly away.
This was your "Gotcha Day", and I will forever remember how you filled my heart in an instant. I hope that you will know how wanted you were and are. You are so special in every way and I love you so much...you are my heart. Thanks for saving me, being so amazing, and for just being you. Isn't it amazing how we were chosen for one another? Always remember that you and your sister share this amazing bond as well.
love you forever,
MOMMY

Thanks for the responses! The trip date has been moved to the middle of November, so I'm going to give myself another week to sort out everything to see if I can go. I'm such a coward when it comes to traveling by myself, so it's a HUGE step for me.

Many of you said that you just couldn't leave yet, and although I feel the same, I still have that sense of longing to go and help if only just a bit. If I didn't have my husband staying here, it would be much harder! I'll keep you updated...

Last weekend we went to a Fundraiser for the KidFirst Foundation...a Russian Dinner. It was a amazing time! Next year it would be VERY cool for people to make this a get together type of function, and it's all for a wonderful cause...helping Russian orphans. Russian food, music, dancers, etc... in Indianapolis. Thanks for pushing for us to go, Cara. We had so much fun.

ME, Cari (mom to Kate...from Kirov and waiting on #2), Cara(mom to Victoria...from Kirov)

Mark my word...No Traditional Toasts (with Russian Vodka) next year! ! :)
What a picture to capture the awesome atmosphere of the evening!

Josh and Cara (proud parents of Victoria Marie...Kirov)

It's been so quiet in Bloggerland! Almost too quiet. We are all so busy now. All of our kids are getting so big, and I am so bias when it comes to how cute all of our Internationally Adopted children are. It is quite amazing that they all look totally different from those scared little faces at the very beginning. They have all gained weight, have totally different coloring, and look so happy and full of life. Quite different from the stark orphanage photos of little-no emotion.

Hope all is well with all of you!

JEN

NEWS UPDATE

Ok, remember how I said my EXCITING NEWS UPDATE would be revealed soon? Well, I would have revealed it sooner if I had known the details. I STILL DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS, BUT the hint that it dealt with Russia shouldn't surprise anyone that I don't have the details to reveal!
WITH THAT BEING SAID...it is a mission trip to RUSSIA!
I am waiting on details to find out where and when we would be leaving...that's when I'll make my final decision if I'm going to go or not.
(MIGHT BE THE WEEK OF OCT. 15TH)
I'm getting some negative feedback from my hubby and parents about me going. It's only going to be for a week, (maybe only 5 days) but I'm getting the sense that people think I'm crazy for leaving my kiddos and job to do this. Am I being selfish...even though I am going to deliver thousands of dollars that will specifically help orphans? Am I abandoning my kids for my own selfish passion to help other children in need? I can't wrap that around my brain, but maybe you all can give me a better insight about this.
I understand that any travel is a risk...even driving to work each day is a risk. I understand that being in a foreign country heightens some kind of a risk, but so does being at an ATM machine at night. It would be ONLY me going, not my husband or parents (whom have already said they "have it covered" to be with the kids). Jason, my husband travels with his job for weeks at a time. I actually think that 5 days with the kids, alone, would be wonderful for him...as long as he had some support from the nanas and papas.
I kind of think I need to hear from you all. What do you think?

WHAT COLOR ARE YOU?

i REALLY LIKED DOING THIS! IT WAS SHORT AND FUN...ENJOY

You Are Olive Green

You are the most real of all the green shades. You're always true to yourself. For you, authenticity and honesty are very important... both in others and yourself. You are grounded and secure. It takes a lot to shake you. People see you as dependable, probably the most dependable person they know.

What Color Green Are You?

Buddah's 1st Day of Preschool, CQ reads, and Exciting News UPDATE...not yet revealed, but some hints. :)

Buddah really enjoyed his first days of school. When he was dropped off, in the classroom, CQ screamed and cried for him. She was so upset that he was leaving her. Poor baby. The second day was much better. She was still slightly sad, but once she found out that Nana was going to take her to McDonalds, she was ALL smiles. She really is much more ready for school than Buddah was at 2years, but I have decided to keep her home, with Nana, for 1 more year. Due to some of the attachment issues that we have had, it's just better for her to work on those things for a little while longer. She will have FOREVER to go to school! Here is a very short video of her reading...she gets mad when my sister gets up, she tells her to "sit down, sit down" to listen to her read. It's so funny and cute!
Buddah also started his 2nd session of ICE HOCKEY/beginning skating, and he loves it. Here is a very small clip of his 1st skating lesson. He's the one with the CCCP jersey...we got that in Moscow last Dec.

Well, I would share my exciting news if I really knew that it was "a go"...but it's not yet. NO, it's NOT another baby (yet :)), but IT DOES have to do with Russia. I promise I will let you all know really soon! BUT in the meantime, I would like to ask everyone a few questions.
1. If you had the chance to go to Russia again, to visit, or adopt, would you?
2. How ready/serious are some of you thinking of going to Russia to adopt again?
3. Would it be worth going back to Russia to help other children and/or orphanages as well as learn more about the culture, even if it meant leaving your kiddos at home (with family)for a week or so?
*Just a few thoughts... (big hint too!)

Thank you

Thanks to all of you for the kind words about my dog. We are all slowly healing, and getting better each day. It really helps to heal by remembering all the good times that we all shared together.
I am now back teaching full time, and our 4.5 year old, Buddah, is getting ready to begin pre-school next week...4 days a week! Kills me how big he is getting! I am totally in denial that he is growing up. Maybe it will sink in sometime soon, but He'll always be my baby. I admit that we do have that special "mommy/son relationship" that some speak of. It's hard to explain, but there is definitely a difference and I'm lucky to experience the girl and boy relationship and all of the differences!
CQ continues to grow and improve with attachment. She is getting more and more beautiful each day.
When I first went back to work, things got crazy for a while, but now they are beginning to calm down. I am slowly regaining some energy for my own kids when I return home. I teach a 2nd and 3rd grade multi-age class this year. It's fun, but it's challenging with so many different ability levels.
Anyway, Some excited news is on the way...so stay tuned.

Letting Turtle Go

I think that my heart is aching more than ever before in my entire life!!! Just a few hours ago we had to put Turtle (our dog) to sleep. She had been sick for some time, off and on. This sickness was so bad. She couldn't move. We had been trying to get her sugar levels down, through IV, for two days and it did go down, but today they realized that she had a parasite that was eating her insides (due to her failure to fight off flies b/c she was so weak and when she would go outside to potty the flies would attack her) and I couldn't bare to make her go through the pain that she was in. We had asked the Dr. to tell us if he thought her quality of life was at stake, and he told us today that there was barely even a slim chance, and that the state that she was in currently, would be the best shape that she could be in, which was weak, and in pain.
When I walked into the room she was staring at me with her white (from old age) face and gave me the saddess look. Jason and I both were crying so hard. She started REALLY crying when I started kissing her, like she was saying "Mom I don't feel good". We made the HORRIBLE decision to let her go and I have to say that it was the hardest thing I've ever done. I cannot even begin to explain how much emotional pain I'm in, and it's totally unexpected. My heart just aches.
I feel so awful for doing what I had to do, and I miss her already sooooo much!
I knows she's in a better place where she can run, jump, eat all the treats she wants and is the fastest dog EVER...! Wow, this is some intense emotional trama!

Turtle, you were the best and you'll always be in our hearts...forever and ever!

MONDAY IS ALMOST HERE!

I have a love/hate relationship with my job. I'm a elementary school teacher (the best job ever) and every end of summer I have such a love/hate relationship about going back to school...work. I enjoy the summers so much! This summer was EXTRA special b/c of CQ finally being a part of our family and Buddah's relationship with his sister is finally getting better. He has matured so much, I just cannot believe it. What a BIG change from 4 yrs. old to 4 and a half yrs. old...huge! He began taking Hockey lessons this summer. So cute. He wore his CCCP Hockey Jersey (one that we purchased in Russia last Dec.) to every practice. He was so proud of himself. He is a great listener now. He even shares alittle! Trust me that's a big one for him. This pic was taken of us the first day I met him...


And this pic was taken of Buddah this summer...




CQ has also made huge strides. First, her walking. As you may have remembered me talking about it before, CQ was born with a club foot and in Russia they did the surgery to correct it. Unfortunately, the job that they did was not the best, so we are going to have to go through another surgery (a tenden transfer) when she turns 3. She is walking, running, jumping, etc... but is still having some issues with leg fatigue and strength every now and then. I know that her leg and foot will be just fine.
She is so loving now, she doesn't long to go to strangers anymore (although she still shows off and is EXTRA friendly to strangers), makes wonderful eye-contact, listens even though she's 2 :), is communicating/speaking amazingly well, is still potty trained for the most part, she doesn't rock herself to sleep anymore...she is truly an amazing little girl.
This is a picture of the first day I saw my beautiful little girl...

And this is a picture of beauty now...







I am thankful everyday for my kiddos. Don't know what I'd do without them. I know that I won't be there every waking moment for the next 181 school days, but I'll be thinking about them all the time...:)
Tomorrow is the first day back to work and I will cry all the way there. :( Wish me luck!!! Thanks to Nana for coming everyday to keep my munchkins safe and happy!

Fun in the Sun!!!

The kiddos and I went on our 1st vacation. We went to St. Petersburg/Clearwater area in Florida. We visited with Nana C. and Papa R. for a couple of days and then they went home and Daddy came from his business meeting in Orlando, and met us at the beach house. CQ got to see the Gulf for the very first time, and Buddah was a fish in the pool and in the ocean. We had a very, very, very relaxing time, but the kids both got really homesick after just 3 days. Buddah just started crying in the pool, totally out of the blue, talking about how he missed his Nana and Papa at home, dogs, and all of his friends. It was so cute, but he was really homesick! He kept asking me, "Hey mom, are you sad here? Do you want to go home?" I remember those days. He is so much like I was at that age...loves schedules, his own things, and familiar places and people. There is nothing wrong with that, right?
I had only 2 rules, no cell phone, and no computer for 6 straight days. I think I did pretty good.
Hope all is well with everyone, I'll post some of my favorite pics...enjoy:-)