the Life of Olena

So she finally did jump, but the camera split up the video due to size, so here the grand finale.  Then I had to stand there and watch her do it about 100 more times. 

  I finally pulled out the old camera and got some video of her.  I always forget to do that! She was watching Little Einsteins - still one of her favorite - and she wanted to jump like the kangaroo joey.  She came running into my office screaming "mommy come watch me do something very very dangerous!" so I jumped up and said "hang on, let me get the camera!" LOL!

Not such a baby anymore.  She has grown up so much the last few weeks.  I looked at her today when she got out of the shower and I was shocked, it was like I had just seen her for the first time in months.  She looks so grown up. 

so in theme of lasts week wonderful people post I would like to tell you a little bit about my 2nd best friend....Adriana.  We haven't been friends nearly as long as Rickie and I but we have shared a fabulous friendship over the last 3-4 years.  She is not just wonderful because she is my one true fan when it comes to this blog...she is amazing for lots of other reasons too.  She is energetic and full of life.  We have tons in common, we share our secrets, we vent to each other when life is hard, and we both have a passion for the simple and natural things in life, organic foods, and healthy kids. I thought this would be a little fun to do.... A   mazingly kind D   orkie in her own way ;) wink LOL! R   adiant I    ngenious A  dmirable N  urturing A   wesome! (that was Olena's choice) She a kind and cheerful daughter, a radiant and dedicated wife, a t...

One of the agency's that I contacted regarding the Bulgaria program sent me some information about financing your adoption.   While reading through it, I was pleasantly surprised to read about a State offered adoption credit.  I was completely unaware of this so I wanted to share it with all of you who maybe just adopted or are going to be soon!  Every little bit of extra money helps!   This is administered by the county and State Human Services Department. This program reimburses adoptive families (including international) up to 2000.00 of the adoption expense. This is not a tax credit or a tax deduction, but a check issued to you upon finalization of you adoption. The process of application is started prior to travel. The application can be obtained from the Human Services Office (keep asking, somebody will finally know what it is you are wanting...) and is submitted showing who you are, who the child is, and why the child qualifies for this. Normal re...

OK, so I have to admit something.... though I sounded so cool and collective in my post last week about Ukraine closing I have secretly been on an adoption hunt.  Prowling the Internet in all of my spare time and even staying up way too late. Just searching searching searching.  What are my other options? what other countries should we consider? reading blog after blog and agency sites galore. I have an inbox full of inquiries from practically every agency in the US.  Every day I have presented my husband with a new idea...Mexico, Costa Rica (I just wanted to go there because it sounded like a good vacation!), Colombia, Ethiopia, Bulgaria. On and On and On.  Well today He made me realize what a fool I really am.  I just couldn't be patient and wait for things to unfold could I??? So this morning I  received an email from a family in Ukraine. Looks like the SDA petitioned to stay open until a new agency is put into place....

Jason took this with his phone a few weeks ago...she fell alseep while reading. She is such an early bird, wakes about 5:30-6:00a so with all of our summer activities she is usually exhausted by 4 in the afternoon.  Since she doesn't like to take naps she fights it until she finally just falls over! My dad bought her these paper masks a few years back but she has never wanted to use them.  The other day she asked if we could play with them so we pulled them down and this is what they looked like.  Personally....I think they are kinda creepy!  this was not one of her favorites as you can tell by the look on her face.  I had to beg her to wear this one because I wanted to see her with the cute blond curls.  She said she looks like a clown...I think I have to agree.  the Japan mask.  She was laughing hystarically when she seen the picture.  She thinks it funny that the "head is so high in the sky" (her words, not mine) the jury is s...

I was thinking the other day about how I never really share a lot of personal information about me or my family in general.  Of course due to some sort of privacy I chose to keep certain things off the Internet but then again, there are lots of things I could manage to share with all my friends in blogger world. I decided I would start by telling you all about some of the most important people in my life, and why I think they are so wonderful. I am an only child. I have a very limited number of "good" friends.  I have LOTS of friends who I work with, talk to occasionally, or maybe have a lunch date with now and then. but in truth, I have 2 true friends; and I am not ashamed of it.  Having good friends is a lot of work - and I have a busy life.  I don't have time for drama and I especially don't take kindly to those friends who choose to whine because I don't pay enough attention to them.  I have found over the years it is much easier to kee...

O and her cousin Ethan...in thier own words ~ "they are the bestest of friends"  Perhaps someone should have reminded them of that when I caught them beating the snot out of each other this afternoon???  

Today I wore red lipstick. Olena came into my office this afternoon with a tube of bright red lipstick. She said I should wear it because I would look so beautiful. I have never worn red before but I figured..what the heck, so I let her put it on. Not only was I surprised how good of job she did, but red lipstick really does have a way of making you feel like a  beautiful woman!

fake boo hoo hooing because she doesn't want to pick up her mess such a good actress huh?? trying not to laugh at mommy (I was snapping pictures like a crazy journalist) "why are you taking so many pictures mommy?" my answer: "because I am going to mail them to all of our family and friends so that they can all see how Olena is acting like a spoiled little girl...and I am not sure how impressed they will be?!!" ...she turned around and started to plea with me...."please stop now. I don't want anyone to see me like this. I will pick up my mess." DEFEATED!!