“Lucky”

My Uncle Terry calls Tatiana “The Little Russian Girl Who Won The Lottery”. He and my aunt adore her, like most of the rest of her “fans” (as I call them!). In some ways, she may have gotten “lucky” – but honestly, *I* am the lucky one.

Tatiana has changed my life in so many positive ways. Last year, after traveling through the Russian country-side, I told myself I would never forget the feelings I had.

Seeing how so many Russian people live made me realize how great most of us have it in the US. I promised that I would start to give more of what I had and continue to give. Here are two pictures of life in Vladivostok/Artem Russia. You can say “what a cute little cottage” – but this 2nd picture is someone’s HOUSE. Realize that as I type this, it is –18 degrees (that’s NEGATIVE) in Vladivostok. This is one of the bigger houses as well. The owner of this dwelling is likely considered rather wealthy for owning a whole building AND land. Many people live in tiny apartments that many of us would consider to appear condemned. I haven’t publicly shared all of the details of Tatiana’s birth mother’s situation, but suffice it to say that @ a little over 1 month old, T was taken to a dwelling like one of these – in December ‘06 – with NO HEAT and NO WATER. Sad, yes, but it is the reality of what people face on a daily basis in some parts of the world (and the US!)

That brings us to the current situation in Haiti. I honestly don’t know how much more of the news I can watch. It’s so beyond heart breaking to think about that level of devastation. And that’s where my promise comes in. I will give when I can to those who need it. I have more than I need. So yesterday I donated to the Red Cross. Additionally, wonderful blogger friend Ondrea posted some additional links on her blog.

Another friend of mine (thanks, Chris Goosman!) said on facebook this morning, “Find $10, skip a meal, skip a beer, skip a pack of smokes, whatever, the bulk of you reading this live like kings (don't even deny it, if you're sitting using a computer, you live like a king compared to a significant portion of the rest of the world...) and can find $10 to pass along to the charity of your choice. I gave to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. I implore you to do the same.” NICELY said, Chris.

Yes, we have needs here in the country. I won’t deny it. We do need to work on our own problems as well. However, these are HUMAN BEINGS. The same as you and I. And they need help. This beautiful Russian Princess helped me realize that. Maybe she can help you too!

Showing off my new Cinderella dress, post bath time!

Walkin’ In A Winter Wonderland

Finally – some snow!  I can’t believe that I am saying that when living in Michigan, but really we haven’t had much snow this year.  I have been watching everyone MUCH further south of me talk about snow and cold… and while ya’ll can KEEP the cold, you need a LITTLE snow in the winter.  It helps distract from the fact that everything is essentially dead or hibernating!  Mind you, come mid February, I’ll be crying for winter to be over!

Tati and I went out to enjoy the snowy backyard.   We actually have more snow than I thought we had.  It snowed here Thursday and Friday and now we probably have close to a foot.  It’s the fluffy, white, powdery stuff – VERY pretty.                          I love it when the snow sticks to the trees!  Just gorgeous!

I wasn’t sure how she’d do – in the past when we’ve come home and I wanted to stay outside and shovel off the driveway etc, she wanted to  have NO part of that plan.  She doesn’t like to keep her mittens on, so very quickly her hands are cold, cold, cold.   But we had a chat about keeping her mittens on and she did until one fell off as we were on our way inside. 

On top of mitten issues it was about 10 degrees here this morning – so I knew we wouldn’t last long.  We did some sledding, some general playing in the snow – and she of course, wanted to swing.   It’s rather hard with pants, snow pants, turtleneck, hoodie, and coat on to get the right movements for swinging… so much to her dismay, the swinging did not last long. 

My “other” children – the furry ones, have noticed that since Tatiana has been home, they haven’t gotten nearly the blog press time that they used to get.  They wanted you all to know that they are doing well, actually like Tatiana more than they thought they would and are silently planning an overthrowing of the blog.  Here’s some pictures of them enjoying the lazy winter….

As you may notice, Gracie is an equal opportunity snuggler…

Stay warm, blogger friends! 

2009 – A Year In Review

I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s recap of 2009, so I thought I’d try to recap my crazy year as well.  I am also testing out the Windows Live Writer that Barb, Kristine and Becky have been raving about… so here goes!  (So far – mama likes!)

January 2009:   A rough month – honestly.  I had journeyed to Vladivostok, Russia in Oct 2008 and knew that it likely would be 2009 when I returned.  However, going into the Christmas holidays with no major updates on a court date meant that 1/2 of January would pass with no trip news.  We had a HUGE storm around New Years – that I only remembered by glancing back at my photo archives.  Which reminds me … one of my New Years Resolutions is to organize all my photos better AND keep up with it!  If the computer were to crash… oh, let’s not even think about it.

   

February 2009:   I woke to crazy “crop” circles in the snow in my backyard in February and realized it was just the deer having a big party in my honor.  What were they celebrating?  On 2/9/09 I received news that I had a court date!  The big day was set for 3/10/09.   Because of the timing, I ended up having to cancel some plans to meet some friends in Florida during the Lighthouse Florida gathering (my adoption agency), but all was not lost, we all met in Michigan in August!  Most of the rest of the month was spent biting my nails, being overly excited, preparing the house and packing.  It was a great diversion from loosing my 16 year old gorgeous Himalayan cat, Murphy, who was truly family.

March 2009:  The big month.  Well really only a handful of days were monumental.  March 5th – left for Russia; March 8th – saw Little T again for the first time since her 2nd birthday; March 10th – court! and March 20th – Tatiana got sprung from her baby home!  The rest of the time was spent hanging with cool folks in the Vlad Motor Inn – my props to Rhonda, Lisa & Andrew, Jeanette, Daniela & Chris, Alex & Jason et all for keeping me sane.  Err at least partially sane.  We left Vladivostok on 3/28 and arrived home safely in the US on 3/29!

Previously un-published pictures from the arrival home! 

April 2009:   Spent most of the month getting the little Russian princess adjusted to her new home and life.  Eased back into work and T started daycare.  Tatiana had her first Easter in the US!   

May 2009:  More adjustment time.  The weather started to get decent so T was able to spend more and more time outside which was so good for her.  She lost her pasty white baby home skin and started transforming into a normal American kid!  Someone got a massive play set in the backyard… While we had some rough moments… all in all, she was adjusting really well!  A mama couldn’t be more lucky.   We also adopted another kitty from the local shelter.  Casey (aka New-New) was a great addition!  Gramma and Grampa Repp visited from Florida.

June & July 2009 :  A lot happened these two months, yet nothing happened.  We spent the summer around the house mostly, with a couple visitors in and out.  (Joy!)  We swam in the pool (the activity we cannot speak of – for she loves it so much and would like to live in a pool), went to July 4th parades, fireworks and otherwise had a grand time!

 

August 2009:  Busy summer continues!  We visited my Aunt Barb for a giant family reunion (Tatiana’s first night away from home or Grammas' house!), we went to the big Lighthouse Michigan gathering and had much excitement around our town (double murder AND a trip to the Little League World Series!).  

September 2009:  Sheesh, isn’t this year over yet?  Or at least this review!  Mama turned 39.  We went to court to file a Delayed Registration of Foreign Birth – and Little Miss T got a US birth certificate! 

Waiting outside the courtroom for our turn

October 2009:  A bunch of firsts!  Tatiana went to a Pumpkin Patch/Apple Orchard, turned 3 AND had her first Halloween!  We celebrated her birthday AND the anniversary of our first meeting. 

November 2009:   The holidays were upon us!  Tati celebrated her first Thanksgiving with a giant family celebration in true Clarkson Family tradition (over 60 people!). 

Making Pumpkin bread

December 2009:  Tati’s first airplane trip since coming home – a trip to Florida to see Gramma and Grampa Repp.  Followed by her first US Christmas (and likely first celebration of the holiday!) and a great week and a half home with mom.  She’s still asking if we can do more presents… ha-ha!

 

That’s about it folks!    Thanks to all of you for helping make 2009 such a great year.  One of my other resolutions was to bring my blog to the next level – thanks for your help!   I did make another change and am no longer allowing anonymous comments.  Too much spam.  And to whoever left a message that my recent “articles” are better than older ones… thanks for the compliment – however, this is really a way that I have captured my feelings/emotions and experiences during this crazy ride.  They aren’t articles!  I am glad you are enjoying reading – and yes, I’ll try to keep up the creativity.

A December to Remember

Happy Holidays Everyeone... here's a quick peek at Tatiana's first magical Christmas in the US.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Trip to Sunny Florida!

Being coy with the giant dog that Grampa & Gramma bought me. I am not spoiled am I?
Playing Jingle Bells at the mall after meeting Santa

I also got a bike from Grampa & Gramma... here's Grampa trying to help me ride...

And they had a wagon for me... I liked pulling as much as riding...
Swinging at the park with Aunt Kay -- my favorite!

As you can tell -- I LOVE swinging!

Swimming is a close follow up to swinging!

Swimmin'! I was so glad I got to go swimmin'!

Last week, Tati and I got a quick respite from the freezing cold temperatures of Michigan during a trip to see Grampa and Gramma in Florida! This was the first plane ride for T since being home from Russia - and guess what - NO FEARS! T was a champ! Our flight on the way down was delayed, and other than being bored in the airport, she handled the delay well. We even got lucky enough to have our own row and she managed to fall asleep on the plane for an hour or so. For a kid that typically needs no distractions to fall asleep - this was a big deal!

We had a great time and great weather in Florida! As expected, Tati was spoiled by Grampa & Gramma! They had a bike, a wagon and a stroller ready for her use. And oh yeah! A pool! We saw an alligator, visited Great Gramma Helen, visited Aunt Kay, Uncle Dick & Kara and -- saw SANTA CLAUS! Silly mama left the Santa picture at the mall after lunch, but thankfully some kind soul had found it and turned it into the concierge desk! WHEW!

T was highly impressed with the warm weather and the fact that she was able to wear capris, shorts and go swimming again. While mama wouldn't trade a white Christmas for anything, I think Tati would give away any toy for the ability to swing and swim everyday. The girl is a fish. Grampa & Gramma (and their friends The Steve's) were amazed by T's lack of fear of the water.

Mama had a great time taking a break from work (my first real vacation days since Russia!) and just hanging out with T and Dad and Sharon. It's wonderful to see the holidays through a new set of eyes!

I have noticed as I get older, I have huge expectations for what I think Christmas SHOULD be, and most years, I am disappointed. All build up, and then it goes by so quick, I forget to enjoy it. It's hard to not enjoy it with Tatiana around. Years back I was living in the Detroit metro area. I'll guess it was 1994-95ish. My gramma was still alive and I was wrapping up some last minute errands before heading home for the holidays. The song "Sleigh Bells" came on the radio, it was lightly snowing and I was done with work for the year. I had a sense of joy and happiness wash over me with excitement and contentment that I'll never forget.

I felt that feeling with Tati this past weekend, and it's the first time since then that I can remember it! Merry Christmas everyone!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Happy December all! I don't think I have gone this long without blogging since I started the blog last year. It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, with lots of seasonal preparations! Plus, I don't know why, but when the daylight gets shorter and shorter so does my ability to stay awake these days!

Here's some pictures from the past couple week's events...

Watching "Grinch" with Gramma Darlin' (and Roo!)
Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day meal...
Hanging out with Mary at Thanksgiving celebration
Checking out the Santa Christmas tree

At Elmo's Green Thumb with Gramma Darlin
Big Bird!
The trees are up, the house is decorated inside and out. Presents are pretty much purchased and wrapped. WHEW! Now it's time to enjoy!

We're celebrating a couple traditions this year -- an advent calendar (with chocolates!) and Elf on the Shelf. I always loved advent calendars when I was younger. I looked forward to opening each window every morning. This years version sits on the counter near Tatiana's high chair and she's very quick to point out each morning that we have to open the day's window! And believe it or not -- the child that doesn't have much interest in candy? LOVING the chocolate piece everyday! Double bonus!

The Elf on the Shelf is another new addition that I had been meaning to do. Then I heard rave reviews from my friend Joanne (thanks, J!) so I decided to do it! Our elf did not receive a very creative name - he's Red Elfie. But she loves looking for him each day. I am not sure that she understands yet that he's supposed to be reporting to Santa on her behavior... but all in good time! She recognizes Santa in pictures - but I am not sure she understands what he stands for and brings.

I am realizing it's difficult to explain the true meaning of Christmas to a 3 year old - and not stress the commercial aspect of it! I did hear on the radio the other day someone say "Christmas is Jesus birthday and to help celebrate it, we exchange gifts and love with those we care about". Not too bad!

Tatiana continues to amaze me each day. She's changing more and more every time I turn around. Yesterday in the car on the way home from the store she took her shoes off after I had asked her to leave them on. (She's fascinated by taking her shoes and socks off in the car, which I did too when I was little!) I handed her the shoe to put back on and reminded her that I asked her not to take her shoes off and she replied: "mama, I sorry I take off shoes". What? She loves saying sorry - but doesn't usually have a "reason" to. But it was used correctly AND almost a full sentence! Leaps and bounds.

I promise I'll post sooner next time (and I'll try to mean it!). Enjoy your December!