The Ninja and the Hulk

Happy Halloween

The boys raked in the candy this Halloween! They had a party at their Daddy's office and then the three of them went Trick-a-treating. They all had a good time!

Happy "Got ya" Day Deniska!

Four years ago today we became parents to our wonderful little boy Deniska! We stood in front of the Russian judge and vowed to love this child, maintain his Russian heritage, and give him a loving home. We do all of those things and more. This was his very first Russian meal with us straight from the orphanage. What I remember the most is that he came in crying and proceeded to eat everything on the table. Food is still his favorite thing! (he's so much like me!) Look how unhappy he was and how vacant his eyes were. He screamed bloody murder that first night when we gave him his bath. But by the next time, he was all smiles as he discovered Mr. Bubble. I am sure he was traumatized as 2 people he didn't know suddenly was in control and he couldn't communicate with us. He sure was a strong-willed little guy!

This was in Moscow as he settle into his bath - all smiles!! He still loves bath time. Moscow was our first time-out that he put himself in! He cried for 45 minutes non-stop. But, he came around and decided we were nice people. He still has to have a good time-out about once a month.

This is in Frankfurt, Germany as we traveled home. He immediately bonded with his daddy. Daddy looks exhausted. Bless his heart, he had to take care of this little boy who wouldn't let me touch him. It took him a longer time to bond with me, but now he is MY boy! Deniska has been a gift from God. I can't say that the first 18 months were easy but they sure were worth the effort! We couldn't love this little fella more than if he were our birth child. I often forget he is adopted. He is a good blend of both of us. He has his Daddy's mannerisms and my temperament (most of the time, except when he acts like his Daddy!) Thank you God for giving us and entrusting in us the care of this precious child. Keep him safe for he belongs to You!

Doctor visit

This is how I felt last night when the bladder infection hit and then later a stomach virus (or so I thought!) I was not the easiest person in the world as I was looking through the cabinets for my AZO only to not find some. Fortunately, my sweet husband, got dressed (although not cheerfully) and drove to the nearest drugstore (7 miles away) to get me the AZO for my bladder infection. Then, shortly after that, I started running to the bathroom with a stomach virus! I decided this morning to go to the doctor. I so hate taking medicine BUT I LOVE my doctors. I saw April today who informed me that I had a head/chest cold with swollen glands and raw throat, a kidney infection, and a flare up of my diverticulitis. I can't imagine why that happened - stress maybe. I am so careful to get all my fiber in each day. Anyway, enough of that subject. I am happily at home with heavy dose medicine to clear out any infection roaming through my tired body. I sure hope I feel better tomorrow....my family does as well!

Georgia Aquarium

"The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium of its kind in the world with more than 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water, inhabited by more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species. " This past Friday, there were more some different animals there - the entire 2nd grade at my boys' school. In attendance with them, was their daddy! That's right, my husband (the best husband ever!) went as a chaperon with Deniska and Nikolai to the Georgia Aquarium. They all arrived home Friday night tired - I mean really tired! The boys didn't even fight about going to bed. They were ready to go. Dennis brought me home a really nice magnet from the aquarium. He said everything was very expensive from the food to the gift shop. Deniska told me that night that he was bored and didn't have a good time. However, the next day (after a good nights sleep) he was so excited about everything he had saw. We plan to go back as a family sometime and spend the weekend. I think I would enjoy it very much. They even saw a whale! I've always wanted to see a whale!!

Voting

Being sick and voting are not always a good combination. You start looking at the choices and you get a wild urge to write in your own name for President and your husband as Vice-President. I know I told you that I already voted, but I didn't urge you to vote yourself. Everyone should vote. Even if there are candidates that you do not feel good about with either party, you still need to vote. I don't enjoy the mudslinging. I just pray that the right candidate is in office on all levels - not just presidential. That brings up another point, we should pray for our country's leader every day. It's a job I certainly wouldn't want!

Fall is finally here (I thinK!)

I'm pretty sure fall is here - lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. The leaves are falling and Halloween will be here in a week. To me, that spells fall. It's rainy here today and chilly.

I have been sick this week with sinusitis. It has made for a miserable week. Sitting outside at night for 2 soccer games in freezing temps did not help either. The boys won their first tournament game and lost their 2nd one (of which I was very thankful!) Deniska is an excellent defender. Nikolai is a good goalie or forward. They are glad that soccer is over too! I noticed that a local church is having sign-ups for Upward basketball. Both boys want to play and I suppose we will let them. More games to go to but at least it's inside.

Back to being sick. I was going to my doctor today but my chiropractor sent word through my husband to come to him first. So, yesterday after school, I dragged myself and 2 boys to the chiropractor's office. He used laser therapy on my sinuses and what a big difference it has made. I think I will go back next week for another treatment. I stayed home from school today.

This morning I went to vote. I just couldn't see standing in line with 2 seven year old boys trying to keep them quiet and contained. After voting, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up my medicine and to Staples. Yes, you are right. I forgot all about my medicine - good grief! I will have to go back. I did pick up some good deals. Here they are:

Green Giant Steamers 2 @ $1.23 (used 2 $1.00 coupon printed from the Internet)

Airwick Mini Kit 6 @ $6.00 (used 6 $4.00 coupons from papers)

Blocks of Cheddar and Pepper jack Cheese 8 @ $2.18 (used 4 $1.00 coupons)

Fully Loaded Campbell's Soup 2 @ $2.48 (used .75 cent coupon)

Swanson's Chicken Broth 5 @ $2.38 (used 5 $1.00 coupon)

3 lb Cat food 1 @ $4.77 (used 1 $2.00 coupon)

Total cost - $77.53

Coupons - $38.75

Savings - 50%

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STAPLES

5 packs of pens @ $5.99 (clearance for 50 cents each)

Total cost - $29.95

Sale price - $2.50

Savings - 92%

I am beginning to think of Christmas gifts. I would like to make most of them. Time is a factor. Well, that is probably more than you wanted to know. I hope to start posting more since soccer is over!

I can't believe...

...that I have not posted since September 17th! I am way too busy for that nonsense. Let's see if I can get myself caught up. I have had a headache for 2 days now. Nothing I take seems to help any. I don't know if it's the weather, sinus problems, or nerves - could be all three. Our weeks are nonstop from Sunday to Saturday. I do not like being so busy. We have had soccer games 2 to 3 times a week, religious ed, school meetings, etc.... We are all tired from this hectic schedule. I will be glad when we can take a short break between soccer and basketball.


Today I had to take Nicholas to the vet. He has an eye infection. Apparently, he was sparring with another cat and got scratched in the eye. So now we have to literally wrestle this huge, strong cat down to put salve in his eyes several times a day! We try different tactics like sneaking up on him, wrapping him in a towel, holding him - all to no avail. It's not a pleasant job. One of us (Dennis or myself) always gets scratched. The vet was not too happy with Nicholas this morning as he wrestled him to give him a shot. Siamese cats are not know for their complacency and Nicholas certainly demonstrated this well.



Deniska has been living on the edge as he tried to develop a smart mouth with his mama! What was he thinking?! He gets like that when he is really tired. This past Thursday was the climax as he raised his voice back at me to be defiant. He was not so brave when he had to forfeit his soccer game, get a spanking, and go to bed early. We normally do not take sports away but this night he went just a little too far. His daddy administered the spanking (this is only the 2nd spanking in his life!) as I do not spank at all. However, I may just change my mind....


Both boys took an achievement test in school. Both were on grade level in math and both are behind in reading. Not a big surprise to me at all. I also want to write that I do not put a lot of stock in achievement tests. There are so many factors that go into testing on a particular day. I know my boys and I know what they are capable of both academically and personally.


Let's see, anything else? My tomatoes are almost all gone. We will expand out little cubic foot garden next year. Oh, I almost forgot, we have a new lawn crew. They are so professional and our yard has never looked better! They are an answer to prayer.


Speaking of prayer, our boys are learning their prayers for church. They are so sweet when they pray. We are also learning the books of the New and Old Testament. I can't think of anything else right now. I'll try to do a better job in keeping this up to date.