What a Day!!

Today has been a wonderful day!! This morning, Dan and I visited Little Man's future school and future classroom. We saw several people we know, and ran into a few others we didn't know worked there. Then we met two teachers and visited both their classrooms. We loved both teachers, but one classroom was definitely more appropriate than the other. The whole school seemed to be aware that he will be coming. They were all excited and all knew his name. The teacher asked for a picture to help the other kids get ready for his arrival. The other kids were fun to watch. There are several boys his age. It was so encouraging.

Later in the morning, we headed out to my friend Nancy's old farmhouse in Hebron for our homeschool co-op Christmas party. The kids had a great time sliding in the back yard. They live on a huge hill! Everyone brought gifts for the newest Crawford boy. We got 2 big bags of used clothing as well. All of the new clothes are in the pictures above. Most people didn't sign their gifts, so I don't know who to thank for what!!

The pictures are in reverse order. The last picture shows all the gifts before we unwrapped them. He is going to be a warm and cozy boy. He even got 2 pairs of pajamas that are totally boy! Hurray! No more purple princesses.:) We are so grateful! This was such a HUGE help!!

Please enlarge the quilt pictures so that you can see the details. A very special and thoughtful friend made this quilt for us. We just met this fall, which makes the gift even more special. The love and thought that were put into this hand-made quilt is overwhelming! In the center is a heart. If you look carefully, you will see that the heart is overlapping the squares. Two of the squares are red, white and blue patriotic prints. The other two are the colors of Little Man's country. She had to look that up because it isn't common knowledge. The pattern of the quilt is called "Log Cabin". That was chosen because it represents "home". She really put some thought into this, huh? Then, each square is made of one color. She was thinking that as we tuck him in at night, or cuddle him in this special quilt, we can also help him learn his colors in English.:) I don't even know how to say thank you for such a special gift.

When I got home, I found an envelope from Reece's Rainbow with our grant money enclosed. A couple families gave us money to help outfit Little Man. I wanted a picture of everything we were given, so I will never forget! I am exhausted from thinking about everyone's generosity. Again, I am so thankful!!

Dan came in just after I got home. His office had celebrated our good news at their Christmas party as well. His co-workers all pitched in and gave us gift certificates to help with expenses. Wow! Blessing upon blessing!!

Finally, the first picture is from last week. I had just finished the mittens and wanted to pull together the whole winter outfit. Connor was making hot chocolate at the time. The package said, "Just add water"! When I looked at this picture all I could think was "Just add Boy".:)

School Arrangements Under Construction

Last Friday, I contacted our neighborhood school principal who in turn contacted the system special ed. director. She called me a few minutes ago. I am so impressed! The first thing she did on hearing about Little Man, was to look up his country so that she could learn about his heritage. She was disappointed to learn that he is not home with us yet because she wanted to come meet him today.:) She wants us to tour the school this week, and has started the paperwork for our first IEP. She offered many options for school placement. If we find we want to keep him home, they will provide therapies for us. If we opt for school, he can go full day, part-time, or even come home for lunch. The kids in the classroom he will most likely be in, have swimming lessons every week, and the program seems to be connected with Special Olympics. I'm so excited for all the new experiences Little Man has in store. Of course, we won't rush him into anything. I am just happy to know there are so many opportunities for him. He has missed out for far too long.

We Have An Apartment

The place we stayed before is run by a woman named Jelena. J offered to help us find an apartment because EVERYTHING is booked for New Years. There are celebrations for Christmas, Orthodox Christmas(Jan.), Winter Solstice, and New Years. Next to mid-summer, this is the busiest time of year, so we were lucky to find a place!! Unfortunately, prices are way up because of the high season. J was able to find us a place close to the area we are familiar with. We are so thankful!!!We haven't seen what it looks like, but we don't really care as long as it is warm.She also offered to pick us up from the airport and bring us to the apartment. She is wonderful!! I think I will have to give her a special gift, too.

We are hoping to get a Christmas tree today! Of course, we will never be able to keep Shlya away from it. We also will have to take it down Christmas night....but we PROMISED a real tree this year.

Flights Booked

Golden Rule gave us an amazing deal. Dan and I are leaving from Portland on December 26th at 10:46am. We will be arriving at our destination about 25 hours later. It will be around 5:30pm their time on December 27th. Please pray that all goes as planned with no storms or other delays, since we have court on the 28th.

I was disappointed to learn that the apartments where we stayed before are all booked. Almost everyone who goes there to adopt, stays at those apartments. It sounds like it might be hard to find a place. I guess everyone likes to visit over the holidays. Suggestions anyone?

Much was accomplished yesterday. I contacted insurance companies, school administrators, and doctors' offices. I was able to begin on arrangements for the kids. A couple of people, in addition to our parents have offered to help. I'm going to check in with our church to see if someone would be willing to plow our driveway if it snows while we we're away. We have already had alot of snow, so it is very likely we will get more!

Last night was our office Christmas party. I had a great time. It was a perfectly timed break from the busy-ness of planning. This morning, I am really feeling excited. The shock and panic have worn off a bit. Only 16 days to go!!!! I keep wondering what expression I will see on Little Man's face when he sees us again. I am so hoping it is a happy one!

We Have a Court Date!!!

Monday, December 28, 2009. Only 18 days away!!!!! We are leaving in 16 days. Tonight, I am NOT panicking. I am going to knit, and make lists of everything I will start panicking about tomorrow!

We truly could have gotten Little Man for Christmas. We were offered December 23 as well. Somehow, I just could not wrap my brain around leaving before Christmas at this late date. Some people might think we are horrible to wait, but we will have lots of celebration time with him when we get there a few days later.

For the last month, I have been praying for the 28th. The kids will be on vacation the first week we are gone which will make childcare arrangements much easier! Easier is NOT the right word... less insane is more like it. Wow, wow, and WOW!!!!!!!!

A Little Disappointed-A Lot Relieved

I talked to Diana from AHI today. She called to check on our court date. They don't have one yet. They told her probably January. At this point, I wasn't really expecting a date in December, and had settled myself to wait some more. Earlier this morning, I talked to Barbara who said they were still trying for December. That threw me into full-fledged panic! I couldn't even eat. I have so much to do! What about Christmas? How will I get everything ready? I finally gave up trying to do anything, and took a long, hot shower. When I came out, I got Diana's message. Whew! What a relief.

Unfortunately, I still feel jittery and anxious. My heart is racing like I had too much espresso. The kids helped me bake some Estonian gingerbread cookies. My house smells amazing!! The piparkoogid are delicious, too.

I feel a little guilty about not being too disappointed. Now we can enjoy Christmas. It will be a nice distraction, I think. One thing I can almost say for certain is that a very special little blonde cutie will be celebrating Christmas 2010 with his family!

I still don't know the date, but I believe the countdown is down to a few weeks. Soon we will be counting down the days. Jallenagemiseni!-See you soon!

Caregiver Gifts

Since we returned from you-know-where last February, I have been busy knitting. In Europe we saw scarves, wraps and shawls everywhere.Little Man's caregivers are wonderful, and they love him so much! I want to give them something meaningful and useful and beautiful, too. I decided to make wraps out of worsted weight wool because winters are long and cold there. I had some excellent Ella Rae wool, and it came from Eastern Europe.:)My first 2 projects used up that stash. This summer, I dug around in my stash and found the white, cotton-linen yarn. I bought it on sale 75% off about 20 yrs. ago. How cool to finally have a use for it! It is gorgeous yarn. I could never afford to buy that much full price.So, now I am knitting frantically to complete one last wrap. The pattern I am using is a very simple garter stitch triangle with fringe. It is not lacy and pretty, but the color is nice and the yarn is warm and cozy.

Meredith offered to model for me.:) This was my first attempt. It is called Tiger's Eye lace.





This one was my favorite to knit. The pattern seems very simple at first, but there is depth to the texture and color of the different stitches. It's warm,too.




This one looks complicated, but it is so easy and it knits up really fast. You have to feel this one to appreciate it. It is soft and silky, but there is a coarseness that the linen gives. I LOVE it!