My Birthday Gift...the Jolly Old Man!

I don't mean to sound sappy...but really, I have been blessed with the greatest birthday gifts today.  It's been a rough week with Jon and I both sick with what appears to be bronchitis but life must go on.  So today, our normal day off, Jon had to work (oh, bah-humbug, FedEx!) leaving Kristina and I to fend for ourselves.

Around 10:30am, I found myself awakened by my little angel who slept next to me last night (a weekend treat we allow occasionally).  Since I was up until the wee hours last night trying to straighten up the house and prepare a spot to put a Christmas tree eventually, I didn't mind the late morning wake-up call...

And what was the first thing she did?  She serenaded me with "Happy Birthday, to you!"  I mean really, how much better can it get?  Well, it did.  We cuddled for the next 90 minutes while we watched "The Polar Express" movie for the 4th time this weekend.   There isn't much in this world that can bring back the reality of Santa Claus except for the belief as seen through the eyes of a child.

It's been raining all day...my favorite weather.  God timed it right for me!  After we finally got dressed and daddy returned home, we took off on the adventure of the day:  to go and see Santa Claus at the local Northridge Mall.  As Kristina held our fingers tightly as we walked through JC Penney, her head bobbed back and forth trying to get a glimpse of the man in red who sat boldly at the exit of JCP right there in the center of the mall.

As we approached, Kristina stopped and gasped -- and waved at the jolly old man.  He didn't wave back - I don't think he saw her.  My heart dropped momentarily -- darn it, why couldn't he see her?

We went to get in line -- and there was no line!  What luck -- only one kid on his lap giving us 30 seconds to prepare her hair and remind her to think of what she really wants for Christmas. Then the moment arrived and a lady with a red apron told us "he's ready!"

This is it ~ the moment before seeing Santa
(who sits right behind where Kristina is standing!)

We directed Kristina to Santa and she bolted -- right into his arms!  I think Santa was quite shocked...I don't think many kids greet him with a bear hug!  As Santa and Kristina conversed, I crouched there taking pictures with my iPhone.  (Darned my regular camera -- I lost the battery charger and the battery was dead.  Guess it's not the camera's fault....)

As soon as Kristina saw Santa, she ran up to him
and gave him a big hug.
(He has her lifted off the ground!)

Hanging out like old buds who go back years and years...

They talked for quite awhile so I kept taking pictures as the apron ladies took their share, too.  As Kristina got off his lap, Santa said, "Well, be a good girl if you really want to get that Barbie house."  Barbie house????  What?  Kristina already has a Barbie condo...where did the house come from?  Aw, geez - looks like we have to do some talking...

I was so busy taking pictures that I couldn't hear all the things she was telling Santa...but he was listening!

"Now you'll have to be a good girl...",
words from the wise man!

As we finalized which "professional" photo package we wanted, Santa called me over.  "Who, me?", as I glanced around.  Kristina stayed with Jon as I approached this very, real-looking Santa Claus.  Santa says to me, "I have to tell you, she really, really wants a bell from the movie she's been watching.  Here, I want you to give this to her."  With that, Santa handed over to me a bell on a leather cord.  I was shocked.  (If you've seen the movie, then you know what I'm talking about.)

Yes, all of us can hear the bell ring.  Believe in the season!

We debated about giving it to her on Christmas morning or at that very moment...and so we decided not to wait.  We called Kristina over from checking out the local make-up booth, and had her close her eyes.  Then, with a few shakes, she heard the bell in her ear.   She opened her eyes with excitement as she learned it was from Santa Claus.  I'm such a softy...I had tears in my eyes just watching her.  (sigh)

This is the moment Kristina looks at the bell from Santa
 for the first time.

Kristina's in shock as Santa Claus is looking at her...

A very happy girl.  May you always hear the bell ring,
Kristina DeAnn!

After taking a few photos over by one of the Christmas trees in the hopes we have one good enough to put on a Christmas card (yes, that's still a project to conquer...), we then headed over to my favorite restaurant for dinner, The Bear Pit.  Kristina ate every chicken nugget (a first!) and then it was time to finally head home for dessert.

Kristina and nana made cupcakes over the weekend so after "making fire" as Kristina called it and lighting the candles, I was once again serenaded.

I'm so thankful for so much, including my birthday cupcake!

Overall, it really was a wonderful birthday.  Very quiet but as one gets older -- that's ok, atleast with me!  And now, as I just checked in on my angel to give her one last kiss of the night, I found an empty bed.  Yes....someone is warming up my side of the bed and it's not Jon!

Life is grand and I am so blessed.  :)

Our Rock and Roller

For as long as we have known our little angel, she has rocked herself to sleep at night.  For a few months, I thought she had grown out of it but no...

Last night, Kristina slept with me since Daddy is away with friends in Vegas.  I swear, I should have a welt on my left side of my forehead as Kristina rocked side-to-side so hard that she almost knocked me out cold!  (When she rocks side to side, each shoulder alternately comes up off the bed with both arms bent at the elbow as if doing some hot dance move.)  I only hope by the time she marries, she outgrows this nightly ritual...

Today when we woke up, we had to laugh at her hair.  Hey, people pay lots of money on stylists and product to get their hair to look like this!

Maybe a new trendsetting style?!

Fall Review...finally

Life has been crazy...nothing new.  And now as the holidays approach and things tend to get crazier, I figured I'd better finish updating this blog entry that I started in mid-October.

It's cooler at night making it quite chilly in the morning.  This prompts our little girl to ask "Five more minutes, please?" as I try to peel the layers of pillows, stuffed animals, and her favorite princess blanket off her when waking her up for school.  I often give in --- giving her 5 more minutes to sleep as I run around the house like a crazy lady.

This season has brought lots of fun times such as going to pumpkin patches, riding ponies, finding the ultimate Halloween costume, taking (another) vacation to FL to check out the family, and stuffing ourselves with lots of Turkey when giving thanks.

Kristina's a lucky girl -- Nana and Grampa brought her to a pumpkin patch two weeks before Halloween and then we took her to a different one the following weekend.   It's apparent why Kristina loves to go to pumpkin patches.  Nope - not the pumpkins.  Definitely not the corn maze.  Ah, yes...the ponies!  We spent more moola on tickets for Kristina to ride the ponies than we did for admission, but the smiles and laughter were priceless.

Nana and Kristina hanging out with some locals...

Ah, yes...a pony ride!  This pony tried to buck Kristina off without success.

Kristina and Grampa checking out the tractors.

All ready to hit up Pumpkin Patch #2 with the parents!

Says it all!

What?  Another pony ride?

Strike a pose!

Someone has "had it" with the corn maze.

We had to take a hay ride through the fields.

With daddy on the hay ride.

And our final pony ride of the day...for real.

Taking a break from trying to organize all the pumpkins so they are sitting up straight.

Halloween was great.  Since it fell on a Monday, Jon and I were able to go to Kristina's school to see her costume parade.  Later that evening, Kristina and her girlfriends went Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood while Nana did us the great favor of handing out candy at our house so both of us could escort Kristina.

And what did our angel choose to be?  First, she was going to be a Pink Power Ranger.  Second, she was going to be a Mommy.  But ultimately, Kristina's heart belongs to Ariel from The Little Mermaid so that is who she chose to be.  I didn't dare try to dye her beautiful white locks red -- even with temporary spray -- for fear it would turn pink and not recover!  So, she was a white-haired Ariel, and a cute one at that!

Kristina and BFF, Gaby, hanging out at school before the Costume Parade.

Kristina got an award for Most Original!

When Gaby was upset that she didn't get an award, Kristina offered Gaby her goody bag!  Awww.

Our blonde Ariel - The Little Mermaid

After the parade, it was Trick-or-Treating at each classroom.

Kristina and daddy

At the end of the school program, Kristina changed into regular clothes...and then didn't want us to leave!

Can you tell this girl's got 'tude?

Four cuties waiting to hit the 'hood.  (L-->R:  Gaby, Andrea, Kristina and Kira)

The usual "self-service" stop.

Trick-or-Treating next door at Aunt Rose's and Uncle Marc's house.

Visiting Nana at our house...for MORE candy!

Our Little Mermaid, Halloween 2011

Kristina got a card with some moola in it from
Uncle Jim and Auntie Erin.
"I heart you!"

It was a fun holiday and one that won't be forgotten soon -- because we have enough candy to last us until next year!

Coming up next:  Florida trip to see the Cassidy Clan and Thanksgiving with the Deary Clan.

Now I lay me down to sleep...

Every night at bedtime, this is the prayer that Kristina and I recite:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

God Bless:

Mommy, Daddy and Kristina,

Grammy, Poppy and Buddy,

Auntie Erin, Uncle Jim, Jimmy, Andrew, Finnegan and Sugar,

Nana and Grampa,

Uncle Bryce, Griffin and Alex,

And all our friends and family near and far,

Especially those who are sick (we add special names here).

And a special prayer for all the boys and girls in the world

who don't have a mommy and daddy.

And an extra special prayer for Vasily

(little boy [Kristina's friend] in Ekaterinburg who touched our hearts)

We pray Vasily finds a mommy and daddy to take care of him and love him.

And most of all, we thank God for bringing us together as a family.

AMEN.

We've been saying these exact words in prayer every night for almost 2 1/2 years and Kristina's pretty good at reciting parts of it on her own.  But last week on Sunday, November 6, this prayer touched my heart a little deeper.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month and Sunday the 6th was "Orphan Sunday."  Exhaustion from the "red-eye" flight to FL the night before couldn't keep my mind from the fact that Sunday was a day to think of all those children in the world (more than 145 million) who don't get loving hugs from a parent, who don't have anyone to kiss an owie, who don't have anyone to sit and read them a book or simply hold and caress them to provide comfort.  Aren't these the simple things in life that all children should have and deserve?

I feel so powerless as one person because I wish I could do so much more.  I could watch the multitude of YouTube videos of orphans and feel my heart tugged over and over.  But 2 1/2 years ago, we lived it -- we visited one of the many orphanages daily for 4 weeks and played with the children who don't get that special love or touch.  Those images and moments are engrained in our hearts, soul and memory ~ forever.

Kristina's Grupa - two weeks before leaving her friends behind.
(Kristina is 3rd from front on the left, and Vasily is far left back "corner".)

The children looking out the fences to the "real world."

All the kids go "choo-choo" when lining up to go back indoors.  NOTE:  Kristina's friend, Roman, is on the very far left.  I took this photo for my friend, Trish, thinking her little one was in the group - but it turned out that Christine and Stephen's son, Roman, was in this photo!

Kristina's friend - he touched our hearts with his sweet and cheerful demeanor.

The children with the only people they know who care.

Kristina (on the left) with one of her friends.

Adoption is a beautiful act of love.  Not everyone can adopt but what I do ask is for you to take a moment this month to say a prayer, or think a special thought, for all the parentless children of the world.  One can never underestimate the power of prayer.  I think about that every day when I look at our little blessing who is blossoming in front of our eyes.

Kristina on April 30, 2009, taken the day after we went to court.
I like to think she's praying...
but in reality - she's holding onto a penny with all her might!

Where in the world???...

We're here...but not really.  I have several blog entries in the "hopper" just waiting to be sent but can't upload photos.  Our main home computer crashed, my laptop gives me error messages, and my parent's computer here at the Ranch in FL is as slow as molasses.  Chances are, this blog entry will finally post after we get home on Monday!  ha,ha,ha  It's looking good that Jon's brother, Bryce, was able to retrieve our photos (thank God!) and fix the problem on the main computer, so when I get home -- watch out.  Blog entries galore!

Since I have no photos, I'll just give some quick updates on Kristina:

*  Food:  Still a very picky eater but will now eat turkey sandwiches, pepperoni pizza, grapes, apples without the skin, mini ravioli's (yes, the ones with veggies in 'em but we just don't tell her!), and 7-grain bread (with butter, of course).  And her favorite "condiment"?  Parmesean cheese -- goes on everything!

*  Favorite movies:  The Lion King, Tangled, The Little Mermaid.  We have seen each of these movies over and over and I'm sure we've broken some world record of some sort.

*  Favorite color:  Pink.  But if it's a crayon with sparkles in it, it's her favorite.

*  Favorite TV show:  Hands down, SpongeBob Squarepants.  Dora the Explorer will hold her attention for alittle bit but SpongeBob rocks in Kristina's eyes.

*  Favorite thing to do:  Perform.  If it's singing, dancing, summersalts, etc. -- Kristina goes full throttle.  And if there's a mirror, watch out!  We have Kristina signed up at school for a dance/gymnastics class once a week but something tells me I need to sign her up for ballet or hip hop or gymnastics (she's quite the monkey, and very agile) --- or all three!

*  Favorite outdoor activity:  Besides swimming, Kristina LOVES digging for worms.  No joke. We have a plastic container outside where Kristina puts these "beautiful" critters.  I see a possible Blog Post on this subject in the near future...

*  Nickname:  Recently, Kristina said "Call me Kris, mom.  This is what Gaby at school calls me.  And I call her Gabs."  I've checked with Gaby's mom and so far, Gaby's not aware of any name changes.

*  Biggest Challenge:  Truth "embellishment".  We're working hard on not blaming monsters for things we know our dear angel has done or other "non-truths".  When I grew up, my mom would make me show her my tongue and if it was blue, then she knew I was lying.  Well, let's just say "Thanks, Grammy -- it's working and it's incredible how only mommy and daddy can see the blue tongue!"

*  Clothing:  Leggings and T-shirts.  It takes a lot to get Kristina into jeans or other types of pants these days.  However, if it's "dance class day," then it's all about the skirt or Tutu or dance class leotard (none of which is required -- except in Kristina's eyes).

OK--so there's a few tidbits of information to hold everyone over until we get home Monday night.  We're enjoying our time here in FL although mom is still recovering **very slowly** from her knee replacement surgery last month. Even Kristina isn't enough distraction to make Grammy forget about the pain.  However, it is cute to see Kristina "push" Grammy's walker slowly as Grammy walks through the house.  :)

Surprise!!!

OK, so if you're my "friend" on Facebook, then you already know what the surprise is.  But for those Facebook holdouts, last weekend was one of the greatest surprises in our family in a very long time.  No, we're not adopting again nor moving to FL (although I'd welcome either/both opportunities!).

Dad turned 75 last weekend and we weren't going to let him ring it in quietly.  He was under the impression that he was going on a romantic 3-night cruise to the Bahamas with mom...alone.  SURPRISE!  Not only did dad's sister, Sadie, and her husband, Bob, show up at dad's doorstep an hour before leaving for the ship, but then Jim and Erin, Jimmy and Andrew, my cousin Denise and her husband, Mike, and daughters Jill and Kristen show up.  Dad was thrilled and shocked.  But then the last knock on the door floored dad.  Kristina stood there ready to give Poppy big happy birthday hugs!  When dad saw Kristina, Jon and me -- I saw a glimmer of a tear in his eyes.  So much for romance...15 of us would be hanging out together for the next 3 1/2 days!

Kristina's sleep cycle was completely disrupted thanks to a red-eye flight, the excitement of hanging out with her cousins, and her overall propensity to have to be in-the-know about everything and not wanting to sleep for fear of missing something. Over the weekend, she started sucking her thumb again for the first time in about 2 months. Not worried...she was probably overly tired...but we "painted our nails" with Mavala when we came home and wha-la! No more thumb-sucking. :)

I'll let the photos do the talking but I will go on record to say that we had a fabulous time. It went way too fast but the quality of time outweighed the quantity!  Lots of precious moments, eh Poppy??

Happy Birthday, Poppy!!! 

Right out of the bath and ready to leave for the airplane with light-up Princess suitcase in hand!

Upon arriving at Auntie Erin's and Uncle Jim's, Kristina got a gift.  A magic wand from Nana Jo, purchased earlier this year before she passed.  We miss you, Nana Jo!



I'm working on only 10 hours of sleep in 4 days...but thrilled to see cousin Denise and sis-in-law, Erin!



This is the moment after Poppy opened the door.  SURPRISE!

Kristina in front of our ship, the Norwegian Sky.

It didn't take long for the Cassidy's to find the first Bar onboard!

Leaving the Port of Miami...in daddy's arms.

Kristina checking out all the Miami shipyards.

Heading out to sea!

Even the steel drum music was a tad too much for our little one's ears...

If anyone has bought Russian Chocolate bars...here's the girl on the wrapper!

Ah - ha!  I found the chocolate!!!

Hanging out with cousin, Jill.  Kristina received this scarf as a gift from Auntie Erin and Uncle Jim and styled it a la Kristina.

A few moments after arriving on the private island of Stirrup Cay, we run into Grammy and Poppy!  Grammy needed the "beach wheelchair" and used it as a walker due to her bad knee....(more on this to come...)

On the island with our ship out at sea in the background.

Our little beach bum...lathered in lots of sunscreen!

Posing on the upper bunk.  On the first night, Kristina fell off right onto our bed between Jon and me -- and never woke up!

Uncle Jim and Auntie Erin getting their Kristina fix.

The Cassidy Clan in the Library playing a mean game of Bananagrams.

Cousins Jill and Kristen -- awesome babysitters!!!

Poppy playing the slots...and winning!

Thanks to Kristen babysitting, Jon got some casino time while I got to have coffee on the Pool Deck with mom and dad.  Since it was midnight, we rang in the beginning of dad's birthday together!

Kristen keeping Kristina busy...or maybe it was the other way around!

As we had breakfast onboard in the Bahamas, we had our first and only few minutes of rain.
Atlantis Hotel and Resort is in the background.

Poppy's Birthday Dinner at Cagney's Restaurant.  Kristina had her usual:  buttered noodles with lots of grated parmesean cheese!

Poppy's sister, Aunt Sadie and Bob...before the eating commenced!

Michael and Denise...can't tell here but Denise is battling 1st degree burns on her legs and couldn't walk, sit, etc.  Next time, Kristina puts her sunscreen on Aunt Denise!

Uncle Jim and Auntie Erin awaiting their yummy dinner.

It's wild to go out and not have a child climb into our lap...the cousins kept her busy!

One of Poppy's birthday gifts!

Grammy and her "older man"

Poppy and the kiddles:  Kristen, Andrew, Jimmy, Jill and Kristina

Kristina pretending to be on the phone with Kristen and Jill...shortly afterwards, I got the call a babysitter was enroute!



Jon got hooked on this Quarter Drop game...but he did win $22 and a "Bottle of Bubbly."



Kristina's pj's couldn't have said it better...Jill and Kristen were much more fun than going to sleep!

Kissing Grammy night-night.

Kristina deciding what to have for breakfast before disembarkation.  Pancakes was the choice!

Moments after breakfast, our party animal was asleep on my lap...with thumb in mouth.

The party's over...heading into Customs where we had to show Kristina's Certificate of Citizenship.  Otherwise, we only have her Russian Passport...which won't grant her re-entry!

The guys saying goodbye...and this is without drinks in hand!

Grammy, Poppy, Aunt Sadie and Bob

Daddy left for Los Angeles the day we got back into port since he had to get back to work right away...

...but we went back to Auntie Erin's to get our nails done!!!

The next day we were leaving at night...but still had time to get an hour of swimming and sun!

Uncle Jim came to visit on his lunch break to say "see you later!"

We always take a quick trip to "The Girl's Strawberry Patch" to see the animals and get some ice cream!

Saying goodbye to Sugar.

A kiss on the head when saying goodbye to Erin's brother, Uncle Scott.

Kristina loves her FL cousins, Andrew and Jimmy.

Until next month, Grammy and Poppy!!  (Yep, we're flying back to FL the first week of November for our "regularly scheduled family fix".  This trip was an added bonus!)

I didn't cry this time knowing we would be back next month...so Kristina focused on the remote control for the TV set (LOVE Virgin America!).

NOTE:  For those of you who made it all the way to the end of this post...thanks!  Now I ask a favor.  Today, mom (Grammy) is having knee surgery.  If you have a moment to say a prayer or think a good thought, it would be most appreciated!!!  We love you, Grammy!