Our Summer So Far...

Wow, two weeks of our summer have already flown by!  We didn't do much the first week, we pretty much laid low.  This past week both boys had swim lessons every day and Travis had basketball camp Monday-Thursday.  We will resume the same schedule this week.  On Monday we went to sign Travis up for a basketball league and stumbled upon the Free Lunch program that some of the schools around here are offering this summer.  The boys smelled food, mom saw free, and off we went!  We took advantage of it twice this week.  That makes meal planning so easy! Every day the boys say, "Can we go to free lunch?" It is pretty funny.  We have been to two different schools and they have been pretty full of families eating lunch.   Travis always seems to find somebody he knows from school too. It sure is a nice thing they have to offer.

Now, back to our first week off. I have been going back and forth as to whether to even mention this.  But, after thinking about it I decided to go ahead and write about it.  There might be somebody out there in "blog land" who is facing a similar situation.  A few months ago Daryle and I decided to look into getting some laser surgery done on the birthmark that covers Connor's left eye.  This was a HUGE decision for us.  We always felt that is was no big deal.  We hardly even noticed it at all.  Everybody in our circle of friends knows about it and nobody ever says anything. However, we were starting to realize that when we would go places where people don't know us we were getting a lot of stares and comments. Now I can handle comments from kids because they are just innocently asking what is the matter with his eye.  The ones that were a little more unsettling were the comments from older people. By "older people" I am referring to people over the age of 70.  They would say things like, "Oh no!  What happened to you?"  We would calmly just say, "Oh, it is just a birthmark, he was born with it." Then people would feel really awkward and it was an uncomfortable moment.  (I think a lot of times they felt kind of stupid for asking).  Recently we began having more and more of these moments.  Then, in February, Connor underwent another eye exam under anesthesia to check him for glaucoma.  (He has to have this done several times a year because of the location of his birthmark.  Due to the location and shape of his birthmark he could be at risk for certain syndromes. So far he has been testing negative for everything.) At this time we are believing that this is just a birthmark and there are no signs of anything life threatening.  Each time he has been under anesthesia the anesthesiologist has asked us about doing laser surgery on his birthmark. I usually get a little defensive.  Who do they think they are?  We love him and think he is beautiful. So what if he has this mark? We don't even notice it!  I just calmly say no, not at this time.  I shake my finger at them (in my head of course) and think how dare they!  However, this past February we had an anesthesiologist who had a different tactic.  She asked me if I knew about a certain local doctor who does this surgery. I said no and then she went on to sing his praises. She was sure to tell me that she wasn't trying to suggest he needed it, she just wanted me to know that there was a fabulous doctor in the area and that maybe we should call him up and get an opinion.  After the eye exam our eye doctor told me that I might want to give said doctor a call, he thought I would like him.  He mentioned that he hadn't thought about it before, but that it might be something just to look into.  He also had wonderful things to say about this doctor.  Those two planted the seed in my head that day.  My next obstacle was to convince Daryle.  So, I started doing some research. I came across a video clip from CBS on a ten year old girl who had  a birthmark on her face removed with laser surgery.  In her interview she had commented that she was just tired of people thinking she had been hit in the face.  Her comments really made an impact on me. It almost felt as if that was what Connor might say to me when he was ten years old.  Daryle and I talked and talked and talked about it. We had already been gathering information on this doctor and we found out that he was a pioneer of laser surgery and he was sought out all over the country. I found two different people who had used this doctor for their children had they had fabulous things to say.  In April we (I made Daryle come too since he had lots of questions. I didn't want this decision being placed on my shoulders alone. What if something went wrong?) met with him and decided to move forward. The thing is that you just don't know how many times you will have to have it done. The fewest he has ever done was three times, the most was 16.  Wow. I am just hoping we are towards the bottom number!  On June 2 we went in for our first procedure.  When the doctor came out he said, "Well, don't be alarmed, but he does look like he got whacked with the ugly stick!"  His eye was swollen (it only lasted two days) and he said the marks should clear up in one to two weeks.  Finally after a week and a half I feel comfortable sharing some pictures because we are already seeing a difference.  Here he is when we got home.  One thing I want to say is that he felt NOTHING!  Later that day he looked in the mirror and said, "I got an owie!"  It did not hurt at all. 

He was still groggy from the anesthesia.  It took me a few days to take him anywhere mostly because I was nervous about what people might say.  Now if I thought people made comments before, boy oh  boy did they make comments now! Our doctor warned us to tell people he had just had laser surgery so that people don't feel the need to call CPS. (Evidently he had a family that almost had that happen once! Scary!)  It really did look pretty bad.  Last Tuesday I took the boys to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. You can sort of see how it was healing.

 Well, this one was Travis of course!

 You can see here how it didn't affect him much! It was starting to get lighter. One thing we were told that the darker the better.  If it is dark that means it "took" and you will have a good result.  We were thrilled at how dark it was. AKA: very deep purple!

Here he is today. Still healing but looking much, much better indeed. There are several areas that were pink before that our now just a normal skin color. Amazing!

I took this one to show how it goes/went into his hair line. It is almost completely gone there.

He still has some dark parts, scabs, and areas that still need to heal. I will post some updates as they happen.  In the end we are grateful that insurance was able to cover this and that it is turning out so well.  I really hope that he will appreciate this when he gets older. Believe me, a lot of prayer went into this decision for sure! Since it "took" so well we are hoping we might be able to get this done in 4 (or less) procedures. We will see!  (Fingers, toes, arms and legs are all crossed!  LOL)

This week I hope to get some pictures of basketball camp and swim lessons. It is hard because my hands are always full!  I hope your summer is going well, I know we are having loads of fun here!

Can we build it? Yes we can!

Yesterday we finally had a day where we didn't have to go anywhere or do anything. Days like that are very far and few in our family. So when Travis asked if we could put his clubhouse together I thought, well, ok, since you have been waiting since Christmas I guess today is a good choice!  I have been putting it off because I knew this would be a several hour project and I didn't want to start and then have to leave thus creating a huge mess. Plus, I figured we would have some days like this once summer came along.  When I said yes my boys ran and put on their "hard hats" and we were ready to go!

I have to say this was a pretty fun project.  It came with all of the needed parts, including the tools.  My boys loved it.  The directions were fairly easy to follow. I have put together some toys with difficult instructions and these ones were not bad at all.  It took us about 4 hours, lunch break included.  Connor held it together pretty well even though he really wanted to use that screwdriver!  I let him "help" but then he wanted to take over!  I don't think we had any meltdowns until at least 3 hours into the project. Not bad!

 

 Here is Travis hard at work. Since I had to help quite a bit there aren't many "work in progress" pictures.

 Finished product!  Travis wanted to add his own special touches. He made some stars and stripes on his flag and added numbers to the "clock".  He even tried building some shelves inside with some extra pieces. I am not sure how that turned out, but he had fun in there anyway. Now they have it set up so that Connor drives by a window on his bike and they pretend it is a drive through.  Funny boys!

So far we are enjoying our summer. The next three weeks will be busy with swim lessons, basketball camp and baseball camp. Then we will have a few weeks to relax before school starts again. If only I could freeze time! These boys are growing up so fast. Yesterday we were looking at pictures from two years ago when we went to pick up Connor. I am amazed at how fast the time has gone by. I had to laugh at Connor though.  We have been talking about Russia lately so it has been on  his mind. More than once he has told me, "Mom, when I was a little kid I lived in Russia!"  Umm, Connor, I hate to tell you this, but in two weeks you are only turning 3!  I wonder how old he thinks he is??!!  

Gotcha Day ~ 2 years already??

On Friday we marked the two year anniversary of the day when the judge said, "Dah!" that we could be Connor's parents.  I will never forget the window washers banging into the windows as Daryle was talking to the judge.  It was quite a distraction to me. Nobody else seemed to be bothered by it! I guess that is a good thing.  I also remember how the Swine Flu was the big news of the time. Connor was sick when we went to court so we didn't get to visit him at all.  We did get to see him through a window for all of 15 seconds and then out the door we went.  The following days we weren't even allowed to come back to the orphanage for fear that the "Americans might have the swine flu". Never mind that we weren't even sick. Oh well.  So we did a lot of sightseeing in Moscow instead.  That seems like soooo long ago!  Connor is fast becoming a "big kid" and is no longer a "baby"... although I still refer to him as such from time to time. He will be 3 years old in just 2 weeks.  Amazing.  

Here we all are.  Even though these pictures were taken two days after Gotcha Day I don't think we changed that much between now and then.. haha!!

Connor, we are so blessed to have you in our family.  We would not be the same without you.  It is a joy to watch your sweet personality blossom each and every day. Your Independence amazes me.  Not a day goes by that you don't do or say something and I wonder, "Now where did you learn about that??"  Just yesterday you called 911 all by yourself and asked the lady to come to your house. Never mind that you thought you were calling Robosaurus over for a play date.  I just kept wondering, "Now how did he know about calling 911?" I think after your time out you learned your lesson on that one.  In fact after your time out you told me, "I won't call on the phone anymore mommy!"  But perhaps the highlight of the day was when we were walking in the Costco parking lot. I was carrying you when you flung your arms around my neck for a big hug and said, "This is MY Mommy!!"  Why, yes I am! 

Happy Week, Sad Week

This week has been an emotional roller coaster for me this week. Let me begin with the happy times! Travis got the Student of the Month Award for April. We are so proud of him!  Here he is with his teacher (Daryle cut off her head!) and the May Student of the Month.

Last quarter Travis found out about Math Olympics.  These are math timed facts quizzes. He loves math.  Once I explained it to him he was ready to try it out.  The first one he took was 50 addition and subtraction problems in 3 minutes. He did it all and got 100% right on his first try! So this week at our awards assembly he got an award.  Only two kids did it this quarter. Way to go Travis!  Now we can start practicing for next year.  That will be 100 addition and subtraction problems in 4 minutes. I know you can do it! Ahhh, once again I am not sure if it is good or bad to have your mom be a teacher!  haha!

Travis is now ready for Second Grade!  I am so excited to have him be near me next  year. It's kind of funny, he keeps telling me that he wants to be in my class! I told him that is not allowed, Principal's rule!  It is cute he wants to be with me, but we both know that could never work out.  He has come a long way this year and we are so proud of him.  On Thursday we wrapped up the school year with the last day of school.  The week was jam packed with fun activities for the kids.  It seemed to go by quickly. Until I woke up on Thursday morning anyway.

Now begins the sad part of my week.  I woke up early on the last day of school and had some time to check emails, facebook, etc.  I was stunned and shocked to see that my uncle had posted that his son, my cousin, was in ICU and they didn't know if he would make it through the night.  A major amount of chills ran through my body. From what he said this was a drug overdose.  Being that it was 5:30 in the morning I wasn't sure if I should call my parents or not.  I figured I would wait until 6. I was thinking that a ringing phone this early in the morning was going to jolt them so I figured I would let them sleep a  bit more. Plus I texted my dad to see if he was awake yet (he is an early riser) and he didn't respond. Well, I called them at 6 and they knew all about it.  They had gotten a call late in the night and had been at the hospital with my aunt and uncle.  I can't say that this scenario was a complete shock. My cousin Thomas had his fair amount of troubles in his short 26 years of life. Unfortunately he had been in and out of jail and had dealt with a drug addiction for years.  These are the calls you dread and you hope and pray that you never get.  Anyway, I went up to the hospital with my parents that night to be with him and see what was going on. He was completely unresponsive.  Just a shell of a person was lying on the bed.  The paramedics had performed CPR for 37 minutes before they got a pulse. Who knows how long he was laying on the bathroom floor before his "friends" called for help.  Sad. Depressing. Devastating. A parents worst nightmare. I think that being a parent myself has made me look at this from a new perspective. I know once your children get older you can only hope you have taught them right from wrong.  If they go down the wrong path it is very difficult to bring them back. Some people are fortunate to have the love and support to get them through. Others are not so lucky. That was my cousin.  I wish I could have done more to help him. And I am talking about way back when he was just a little kid. I know in my head there was nothing I could have done, but in my heart I sure wish there was something I could have done to help. I just hope he knows how much his family loved him.  Unconditionally.  Yesterday afternoon the decision was made to take him off of life support.  There was just too much brain damage.  I have never been with a person before during their last moments on earth.  I can say that it was peaceful.  Just about a week ago he was released from jail and now this.  Such a shame. Such a waste of a good person.  A waste of a life.  Drugs just take everything from you.  I have so many emotions and thoughts running through my head.  I have to admit, it has been a few years since I have seen Thomas.  This was not the way I had hoped to see him the next time our paths crossed. But I am glad I was there to be with him. It gives me peace to think that our grandparents were there to greet him with open arms.  To meet a grandfather he never knew and to be reunited with a grandmother who loved him with her whole heart and soul.  I know he is in a happier, safer place.

So, I am hoping that the rest of my summer can be devoted to creating more memories with my two little guys. Yesterday was Connor's Gotcha Day. I can hardly believe it has been two years already! It is hard to remember what life was like without him.  We plan on celebrating today.  Here's to a summer of cuddling and PB&J sandwiches!

Peace to my cousin Thomas Scott Melzer, Jr.  Just 26 years young.  May you rest in peace.  Our love and memories of you will live on in our hearts forever. 

3 R's: Reading, Rainbows, and Uncle Rob

My brother's favorite book growing up was Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry.  He loved finding Gold Bug's hiding spot on each and every page.  I can remember looking at his book with him over and over again as we sat on my mom and dad's bed. I can remember how the binding and pages were taped over and over again to hold it all together.  Then when Travis came home some good friends of ours gave Travis a copy of the book.  Travis also enjoyed hunting around all of the pages on the "Gold Bug" hunt.  Looking at all of the cool modes of transportation was always a big hit too.  Yes, even our book acquired some tape during Travis' love affair with the book.  Well, Connor seemed to find the book on the bookshelf recently and now both of my boys are heavily engrossed in reading this all the time. Now it's Connor's turn to find the little yellow guy.  I wonder how much more tape we will be needing this time around??  I love it!

 Uncle Rob's plane finally showed up on Saturday.  Although our visit was short because he was actually here on... gasp.. business! We were just happy he came in town a day early so he could hang out with us, even if it was just for dinner. Plus I was able to get an updated shot of him and the boys for the annual Christmas calendar that the family gets.  We never know when we will get to spend time with  him so I am always getting pictures when he is here. Unfortunately this was the only picture. Oh well, at least it was the important one!

 Yesterday we got a little bit of rain in the desert. Well, those of you who live where rain REALLY exists would question whether or not this was rain. However, since we got a super cool (look closely to see the double part) rainbow over our house I would say we can officially say we got rain!

It was so big I had to get it in two shots.  It was so cute, Travis was outside and ran in shouting for us to come outside. I saw the rainbow and rushed in to get my camera. Good thing I did because it didn't stick around for very long. The pictures don't do it justice, it was so bright and beautiful. I just love rainbows!

Am I a bad mom because we all played in the raindrops for a few minutes? Since we hardly ever even see rain (let alone rainbows!) around here I didn't think it would hurt. It sure was refreshing!

Waiting

I don't like waiting for things. However, I have learned over the years how to wait in a more patient manner.  I think I need to pass this on to my dad. He can't wait. 

We had a busy morning with the baseball team end of year team party which was at the park down the street from our house.  Daryle and I went to bed at 12:30 and my little you-know-who came into our room at 6:30 bright eyed and bushy tailed!  That was just not enough sleep for me.  Then, it was pretty warm out there, in the high 90's this morning.  I actually came home and took a power nap afterwards. I am feeling much better now.

With that being said, I will get back to the waiting part.  Right after I got up and around again my phone rang. It was my dad. He wanted to know when we were coming over. You see my brother's plane from Seattle is landing at 3:27. He called me around 3:12.  He wanted to know when he should start getting the pork loin cooked on the BBQ.  Well Dad, Connor is still sleeping.  We will come when he wakes up.  Didn't we already go over that?  At least three times?? Yesterday? I know he is excited. But really? Yes dad, we will call when we are on our way. 

Gotta love my dad!  He really is the best, even though he didn't inherit MY patience gene!  LOL

Mother's Day 2011

I had a wonderful Mother's Day!  For so many years I celebrated this day hoping that "next year I would finally be a mom".  I will never forget my first Mother's Day when Travis was finally home with us!  Then three years ago on Mother's Day we decided to head back to Russia for our second adoption. Now for the second year I celebrated this day with both of my boys!  Travis made me some cute projects at school (and one at Home Depot with dad) and Connor made me some cute gifts at the babysitter's house. His involved "fancy jewlery" and I don't know who wore it more today, Connor or me!  Here are my gifts:

These are from Travis.  Love them!

 These are from Connor... priceless!

 We went over to my parent's house today for hamburgers and some swimming. After Connor had a nap we headed out to the park to feed the ducks. I am not sure, but this might have been Connor's first time feeding the ducks.  We had fun watching the ducks fight over bread as the birds tried to steal it all from them!

The boys finally got to start the swimming season at my parent's house.  It is great because they can finally play together. Connor is fine with his vest and Travis swims great.  Here they are jumping off the side of the pool.

Of course I had to get a picture of the boys with my mom. I have the most wonderful mother.  Thanks mom for all you have done for me over the years.  You are so strong, I can only hope to be half as strong as you one day!  I love you tons and so do my boys!!

Yesterday was one of Travis' last baseball games.  It should have been the last one but we had one rain out week so we will play our make up game on Friday night.  Since it was nice and sunny and all of the grandparent's were there (to watch Connor) I decided to take some pictures of my little baseball player.

All in all it was a pretty good weekend.  This morning Daryle and the boys fixed me breakfast in bed, we went to mass together and then we went to my parent's house.  My mom and I even got away for a bit to do some shopping while Connor took a nap.  To all of you who are mothers, I hope you had a wonderful day. To all of you who are still hoping to be a mom one day remember to keep the faith and stay strong.  These things have a way of working out even when we don't understand what is taking so long. We were married for ten years before we were blessed with Travis. Believe me, I don't take Mother's Day lightly! I am so grateful for my boys and I say prayers of thanks each and every day that we were brought to each other.  Before we got married I would never have thought that we would end up traveling across the world to find our children.  Life is funny that way.  We end up doing things we never thought could be possible.  Happy Mother's Day!