3 Years

3 years ago today, after 5 planes and 40 hours of travel, I met my girls.  Life has never been the same.  It seems like so so long ago that I made that trip, but I will never forget it.

I remember the "airport hotel" that turned out to be a bench in the lobby.  the little old russian lady who gave me coffee made from water in a mason jar.(and me drinking it as I remembered the multiple Do Not drink the water warnings)  Arriving in Shymkent totally exhausted.  Going to the Ministry of Education for my interview that was suppose to last about 45 minutes.  The lady asked me the first question- Why did you come to Kazakhstan?  I was supposed to say Because I would like to adopt a child.  Instead my mind went blank, I looked at the interpreter and said-I don't understand the question.  They looked at each other, I am convinced they decided I was an idiot and said I should come back later.  I never did go back!  Less than 30 minutes later, I was in the babyhouse holding my Leeza and looking (briefly) at my Sasha.

Fish Pond

After we went to the Decatur Celebration, the girls wanted to eat McDonalds.  I did not feel like it so I told them, we would get Mom Chinese buffet takeout and then go to the McDonalds drive through.  We went in and the girls(like they always do) stopped to look at the fish in the small fish pond inside the Chinese restaurant.  I gave them the rules that they were not to touch the fish or the water.  I went to box up the food.  I was partially done, when they came over to see me.  I told them to go back and watch the fish.  As I was finishing up, Leeza came running and told me that Sasha had fallen in the fish pond.  I went to see what happened -expecting to see her shirt a little wet.  When I went around the corner, I saw the very proper Chinese lady that runs the cash register standing there with about 100 napkins in each hand, patting sasha's head. She was soaked from her head to her shoes.

She had about a 3 ft diameter puddle of water around her feet.  The Lady kept apologizing and I thought that was strange since it was my kid that went into their pond.  Every time I looked at Sasha, I started to laugh and she would start to cry and say Why are you laughing at me? 
I tried to figure out how she got so wet.  The pond is less than a foot deep.  Leeza tells me that Sasha was looking at the fish and she bent over and basically summersaulted into the water.  The lady at the restaurant gave both girls suckers to keep them from crying.  Fortunately, I had some towels in the van since we had been swimming Friday.  The only bad part is now I can't show my face in my favorite Chinese restaurant for a long long time.

Decatur Celebration

This mini ferris wheel was the girls favorite ride.  They are a little afraid to go on the big one yet, but they loved this one.

Both girls decided they wanted to do the bunge jump.

Sasha was first and she had a great time.

Then they strapped in Leeza.

Up up went Sasha.

Leeza took off.

And went flying.  She went to almost horzontal with the tops of the poles.

Fly girls fly!

We also stopped by the petting zoo at the Celebration.  The girls love all the snakes and reptiles.  We always have to pet the snakes because we know how much Grandma loves snakes!

Sasha was a little upset that she couldn't pet the BIG python today.  He is about 20+ ft long, but he was in a cage today.  They need about 3 people watching him if they are going to let the kids touch him.  This little Boa had to do for petting.

Visit to Grandma's House

 We went out to Grandma's house for a visit.  The girls had a great time.  Grandma took them to Target to get just one present.  Sasha came back with 2 cars and Leeza got 3 Barbies.

 Leeza really likes barkies and all other dolls.  She wants to have 9 babies when she grows up.  Good thing she also wants to be a Doctor so at least maybe she can afford those 9 kids.  We also went to the Children's museum, but i fogot my camera so no pictures of that.

 Leeza really liked to feed the turtles.  She spent a lot of time in their pen.

 The girls went swimming in the small wading pool that Grandma had.  Then Leeza decided to toss water on Eric or that boy as Leeza called him.  Eventually, Niki got in the act and all 4 got drenched.  Leeza also kissed that boy Eric.  Watch out Niki- she is after your fiance.

 Leeza and Clea just hanging out.  Leeza loves dogs now.  So different from when she first came home.

 Grandma gave the girls their baths each night.  They like the bubbles.

We had a good time visiting Grandma.  The girls also went to the local swiiming pool with Grandma and several other outings. 

Nose Doctor

We went to the nose doctor to get Leeza's nose checked out.  He found 3 blood vessels that he thought needed to be cauterized.  Leeza was all good with him looking until he put the cotton ball in her nose that had the numbing agent on it.  Then she was all done.  He started to do the first one and she let loose.  I tried to get her to sit still for the next 15 minutes.  She cried, she wiggled and did everything to  stop him from tounching her nose.  At one point, she got out of the chair, went to the door, and headed offf down the hallway.  Finally, he gave up and said we would have to schedule an appointment at the hospital to get her knocked out for him to do the rest.  We only needed about 20 more seconds of her sitting still for him to be done, but no way no how.

Update: about one month later she has only had 2 nose bleeds since then.  One was barely any blood and the other one stopped after about 1 minute.  So maybe that one vessel he got did it.  At any rate, it is much better than the huge ones she was having.

Update #2: Leeza had 3 nose blleds the first week of school.  One at night which ws really bad and 2 at school.  Now i am back to wondering if I should schedule the hospital visit.

Kindergarten Physical

Leeza had her kindergarten physical yesterday.  Yes, my baby is going to kindergarten!  She is at 85% on the height chart and 55% on the weight chart.  Tall and skinny!  Everything looked good, but we are finally going to a nose doctor about her constant nose bleeds.  When it came time to get her shots, she was all smilies.  Trying to convince the nurses to give mommy one too!  Plus I had told her she was getting a shot in the butt and they decided to give her the shots in her legs.  She was happily telling mommy how I was wrong when they stuck the needle in.  She looked surprised and looked down at the needle.  Then they pushed the plunger down and Leeza SCREAMED.   Very loudly.  Two shots later she was done, but still crying at the top of her lungs.  I gave her some hugs and then set her down so we could leave.  She bent over and said she couldn't move her legs.  So I had to carry her crying down the hallway.  When we got to the front, the nurse gave her a sticker AND a book AND a ceritficate for a free mini pizza.  Sudddenly, we were all better!
This morning, she had a fit because I put her in a skort-she wanted shorts so she could show her teachers anf friends her bandaids! 

Been a while!

It has been a while since I have bloggged.  Christmas was good, but since then it has not been the best of times.  I plan on going back and capturing some of the special things we did during the last 7 months, but we will see if I get that accomplished.  The girls are growing up fast.  Leeza grows a little taller each day.  Sasha grows a little sillier each day.  Both girls are doing great.  Edited:  I have added posts for some of the highlights of the first half of the year now so there shouldn't be any major gaps.

We have spent most of the summer in the pool.  They go in around 9 in the morning and come out for lunch and at dinner.  If they could eat in the pool, they would be happy!

 We have also had a frequent visitor-Maebee the dog.  She stays when her mom goes away for the weekend.  It is like having a dog without a long term committment.  The girls want a dog really badly, but Mom is not ready for one.

Leeza and Maebee are buddies.  This is a long way from how Leeza treated dogs when she came home.  Someday we will get another dog, but the girls need to be old enough to take care of it before we do.