You know you're in Kazakhstan celebrating your birthday when you wake up and go to hop in the shower and there is NOOOOOOOOOO hot water!!! Not even slightly warm I may add -
iceberg cold!!! And for those of you who do NOT know this - that was my breaking point during our last adoption - after a week without hot water - Larry was a very nice guy and offered for me to go when we did get hot water. I being the "mom" decided to vacumn the floor and would wait - but when I went to take a shower - just as I lathered my hair - the water went from hot to iceberg cold and Larry tried to comfort me and I believe he seen a side of me that he had never seen before and hasn't seen since. I bet most people don't know I swear! ;-) Okay, maybe Becca - when she pushes me to the brink of trying to get her to follow the rules. ;-)
But all in all - on birthdays you tend to count your blessings and I have many......
A wonderful loving husband who brought along the sweetest birthday card, and had developed three 5x7 pictures of me with each of the kids. And anyone who has been married awhile knows when you can love your husband for the father he is - you are blessed beyond words.
Then a beautiful teen-age daughter - who you would love to have with you in Kazakhstan - because you know that every stray dog you see would be washed and loved and named! And the grandmas who beg on every street corner would be fed and invited to sleep at our hotel. You miss her laugh and look forward to her future and you pray that she'll take a little more guidance from you - because what you say and do is out of love. :)
And my little man - who is so connected to me and my emotions and has a sense of humor that cracks you up. I can say "Ready Freddy" and he'll say "Ready Betty" - a Max original. And you just love to see the bond he has with his daddy and their super hero world that you can't really be a part of - but enjoy immensely hearing them talk about "secret identities" and super hero names. You can't wait to come home and see his new room that daddy and him are going to create.
And my snuggle bunny! Do you truly think I finally have my "calm" child. Becca and Max's energy level are great - they do keep me young! But I am a little older now (38 today) and am blessed with a little guy who loves to snuggle in and sleep in my arms. :) I'm looking forward to sharing his first b-day (my first with any of my kids) and rejoicing in his first steps. And all three of my kids have eyes that everyone has noticed - just like my eyes when I was young! And with Logan - I know my dad had a "hand" in all this - I've prayed so many nights for strength and peace with this adoption - only to come to Kazakhstan to adopt a German boy (my dad's and my heritage). :) The L in Logan's name is in memory of my father - Ladislaus.
Okay - I'm running out of room......
I am also blessed with parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws, aunts, uncles and friends who have supported us on our adoption journeys and have been incredible to our children.
With all my love,
Cyndi