Merry Christmas

There you have it ... this year's Christmas ecard. We hope everone had the merriest day surrounded by family and friends.

Just in ...

School picture -- 3 years, 5 months

Three years ...

(to my daughter)

ago today I saw you, held you, and kissed you for the first time. Though you were very tiny and delicate like a flower, your breathtaking beauty was immediately evident. You captivated my heart (and Oma's) instantly. I remember being told about the many emotions I would feel the first time I laid eyes on my daughter. All were true.

It began with a picture I received on 22 August 2007. A picture of an angel. Mommy's little princess. Omi's little tuts. Moni's little girl.


Today I reflect on those first experiences in your home country of Kyrgyzstan. The first time ever I saw your face. The first time ever I kissed your cheeks. The first time your Omi held you. I am the luckiest mama in the world, and blessed I was chosen to love you.

Love, Mom xx

Crazy Mixed Up Day

We were kindly asked to have our campers wear something silly for Crazy Mixed Up Day today. I wasn't sure I could pull it off since Noli is not into mismatched socks and such. Here is the result -- what you cannot see are the four multi-colored barrettes in her hair. What you also cannot see is that Noli is proudly wearing big girl underwear for the second day in a row :)

what started out with this ... (slightly uncooperative little camper ;)

led to this mini photo shoot

Dammit or Damn it!

This word has come out of Nola's mouth about 5-7 times now over the past few months. I've been ignoring it -- you know, because if you make a big deal, they'll say it more often ;) Anyway, what's crazy is that I DO NOT recall ever saying such a word in her presence. In fact, dammit is not one of my words of choice. And, I am ever-so-careful about what I say around her since I learned long ago that she is just like a sponge and enjoys repeating everything she hears. I became extremely cautious of my words and conversations around her ears over a year ago, just prior to her second birthday.

She recently said dammit the other day when I became frustrated. I said 'shoot' and she said 'dammit'. I was laughing so hard when she said it ... I mean, she actually knows when to say it. She knew I was bothered, and said exactly what I was thinking ;)

Dammit, Nola, where ever did you hear this word?

Nola's First Haircut

Little Miss turned 3 on May 25th and had her very first haircut 3 days later. Three is magical -- so much growth and sassiness (more on that in another blog). All in all, she did great - better than I ever imagined. Not one cry despite one of the images you'll see shortly, though she did wear a serious face for the event ;) We went here for her first haircut where she received a certificate with some of her hair for a keepsake. We cut a good 2 inches, and kept the bangs long. The girl just doesn't like hair in her face or on her forehead. (press the arrow - the video is a short 2 minutes & 10 seconds)

Happy Birthday, Pop

Today is my father's birthday. I haven't written much about family, but thought that since today is the day of his birth, a small tribute was in order. Pop would be 70 years old today. WOW!!! How I wish he would've had the opportunity to meet his first grandchild ... and that Nola would get to know her Opa. This picture sits framed in my den and is one of the last pictures taken before his heart attack.


Thinking of you, Pop, and happy to know you are at peace. XOXO

Happy Birthday to Me!

I will eventually backdate this blog since my birthday was May 20th, but for now I wanted to share a little birthday song from my girl :) First, my cake ...

And now, the gift that meant the most :)

3 (continued in pictures)

(you might want to check out the first part of this blog below ... just scroll down a bit and you'll see it)

First gift of the day ... hmmm

Look at me ... I'm a princess!

Oh, how I love this shot!

It's official ... not only is she 3, she's also a princess! Happy Birthday, Princess Noli!

3

In true princess form, she slept in on her birthday. We spent much of the morning talking about this day being her special day, and that she is no longer 2 and now she is 3. She's watched 5 classmates turn 3 over the past 2.5 months and knows that on your special day you get presents and lots of 'happy birthday song' singing. A song she knows well having practiced quite a lot preparing for Oma's birthday in April, and mine last week.

With breakfast came surprise no. 1 -- a bubble wand. My girl cannot get enough of bubbles and bubble making contraptions.

After breakfast, it was time to watch a bit of Mickey Mouse and Clifford while mommy took a shower. Then it was off for a secret mission to fetch the mini birthday cake specially made by Publix, along with a few other tiny errands.

The cake was decorated in sweet princess colors with room for Cinderella and 3 candles.

Lunch was up next and Nola had her usual feast of Boar's Head Ovengold turkey breast, a small rye bread sandwich spread with laughing cow cheese, and some grapes. Then it was off to nap so that she would be fully rested for princess party festivities.

Fast forward a bit and let me just mention -- don't bother trying to nap an excited 3 year old on her birthday ;)

Omi and Moni arrived around 2:45 to help set up the scene. Nola couldn't contain herself any longer and was just too excited to stay in her room knowing her COOL Tante Moni and Omi were in the house. So, we prepped around her and she just talked on and on about her birthday.

Out came the princess attire and I have not seen a girl so anxious to quickly change clothes. She was so proud!

The story continues in my next post ;)

She's three (sneak peek)

Perhaps I should have allowed Nola her morning milk before performing so soon after she awoke today ;) In any case, it was a magical birthday! I'm far too exhausted to blog about it now, but will leave you with this one picture of 3 year old, Princess Nola.

Will you consider helping?

My friends,

I received the following note from the director of our adoption agency. Won't you take two minutes to read this and consider a small donation to help purchase food for the children? Just write that check and drop it in the mail to Adoption Options (details below). Just think how many mouths can be fed if we all chipped in just a few dollars. BIG thank you from Nola and Nola's mommy!

****************************
Dear AO Families:

As some of you may know, adoptions from Kyrgyzstan have been on hold for almost two years pending the implementation of new adoption laws and regulations. Since the new laws have been in place we have been hoping that re-opening was imminent, but last month the government was overthrown and Kyrgyzstan is now in the process of replacing its government. Again we are hopeful since one of the politicians that are being considered for Premier is a strong child advocate that we believe will be supportive for finding permanent homes for the orphan children. We do not expect the program to open this year but are hopeful for next year. In the meantime, several of the families that are waiting for their adoption from Kyrgyzstan have asked about the orphanage conditions and the numbers of children in the orphanages. We assumed the numbers were mounting over the past two years since adoptions were stopped. I have listed below a desperate plea from the Kyrgyzstan government for public assistance for food for the orphanages. Please read:

In children's homes and boarding schools of Kyrgyzstan shortage of a food is observed On April, 10th 2010, 17:37

CA-NEWS (KG) - In subordinated children's homes and in the boarding schools of the Ministry of Education a shortage of food now is observed due to the lack of financial aid.

The coordinator of the social sector, public relations and mass media of the Provisional government of Kyrgyzstan, Elmira Ibraimova addresses all businessmen and people that are not indifferent to render feasible help with this problem.

As of April, 1st, 2010 the mentioned below establishments have 3776 children, girls —1617, boys — 2159, children in special needs establishments — 2521, girls — 1084, boys — 1437, children in children's houses-boarding schools for children-orphans — 1255, girls — 533, boys — 722.

In response to this request Adoption Options would like to sponsor a donation drive to purchase food for the children. We are asking you to consider sending money to support this effort to supply food. Adoption Options will arrange for food purchases in Kyrgyzstan for the orphanages. 100% of your donation will go towards the purchasing of the food. Please send your donations to:

Kyrgyzstan Orphan Food Relief
Adoption Options, Inc.
411 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108

In the meantime, Adoption Options will be contacting the US State Department for assistance in assuring that we can get the relief to the orphanage. Unfortunately, since Kyrgyzstan is so poor, we need to make certain your donations do not get intercepted and used for something else. We appreciate your consideration of this issue. Also please consider reaching out to others for help such as schools, churches, etc. Let us all offer our help to these children in need.
****************************

Happy Birthday, ooh Omi

Happy Birthday, Mom. We wish you a wonderful year filled with new memories, love, health & happiness. Kiss Kiss xx

Peeky Boo

Born in Kyrgyzstan

... Loved Around the World (is that not the cutest shirt ever?)

Bella's Visit

Melanie and Isabella came for a visit a few weeks ago. The last time the girls were together was Nola's 1st bday in May, 2008. Shortly after the big b-day bash, they moved to Maryland.

Nola 1, Bella 2.5

I first met Melanie shortly after I learned about adoption in Kyrgyzstan. I became very interested in this country and the beautiful people. At the time we met, I was in the process of choosing an agency. It turned out that Melanie lived in my town ... in the development across the street. WOW, huh?

I first saw a picture of Isabella on an adoption forum, and was told she was from Russia. My first thought - 'are you sure she's from Russia?' I quickly learned she was from Kyrgyzstan. Double WOW!

Bella's first pumpkin patch - Oct. 06

Bella came home in September of 2006. I had the pleasure of meeting her soon after, in late October. She was a little peanut at barely 11 mos of age, but boy, did she have spunk. I remember lots of smiles -- she was one happy baby. And still is.

So, like I said, Mel and Belle moved to Maryland a few days after Nola's first birthday. Last month, we were lucky to spend time with them during their visit to FL. Ok, enough with the words ... onto the pics of our girls.

Aren't they cute?