[Abdulina]

Been a rough week folks. And usually I can get through things okay but maybe some words of wisdom or encouragement would help. Let's start w/ last week. Okay,Alex got over the chicken pox and luckily, no one else got infected. We were able to go to a wonderful Orenburg Reunion in Va. But had to drive 3.5 hours there and back making it a long trip. But surviviable. Very next day had our son's prosthetist over for a cookout and swim. Wonderful. Okay, and then it begins.

Tuesday I start hearing sounds in the van. Like the front end is going to collapse. No biggie. Try to pay Angelfood but no one there. Had a meeting w/ the new principal of a brand new school the kids are going to. Made my demands known and they accepted. Told them where I was going to place XXXX for this school year. They said they have to check if they could do that and I gave them the law that says the have to. (don't mess w/ me...I've done this fight w/ the school thing before!). Got Alex's mess w/ kindergarten straightened out. Wednesday, I went to have bloodwork drawn. Didn't think we'd make it there. Literally sounded like the van was going to fall apart. Brakes weren't wroking right. Made it, called husband, and he said we could safely make it back and NOT to stop. Okay, I had way to many documents that still needed apostilling downtown. Knowing I couldn't stop that well, stop and go traffic and apostilling was out. Urghh. Stop off at Target b/c I HAVE to have ink to finish copying that stupid dossier. It's not far from our home. Keep in mind, this entire week it was over 100 degree heat index. Made it home safely and that is the important thing. Took the car in when husband came home. Okay, this is the day before we have to drive 3 hours to Charlotte in the big van. Hello, no van...no fingerprints. So, I have to get my battle plans ready. Able to find sitters for 4 out of the 5 in record time. Fantastic! Now, the battle plan for the next day begins.

We wake up Thursday morning and DH goes downtown to drop off those papers during morning rush hour. (okay, he doesn't really know how this paper thing is supposed to work. So, he forgets to get a receipt fro the $445 and then gets ripped off $30. No biggie b/c I straightened it out later. Yeh, sure DH loved going in the SOS office w/ a note attached to paperwork. Like a kindergartner going w/ a note attached---LOL. Everything was a-okay. He gets home & it's mad dash to do kid drop off. Yes, we got different people to watch them, however, they were spread across the entire county--literally. So we start the process. See, we don't have the van and my husband's car is, yup you guessed it, a GEO metro! Barely fits 4. And 4 people is abig stretch. So this was multiple trips. I was at command central trying to make sure everyone had their meds and correct instructions for the day. Remember, ours are FASers so you have to repeat yourself like 20 times before they get it. We are running like mad and temp outside has already hit 90 at 8 in the morning. Long story short, all kids delievered, one ready to go w/ us and we are on our way. No stopping as we are running late. There is NO bathroom! Made it to our destination only to be stuck in traffic for the last mile of it. Walk in for fingerprinting 5 minutes late but htey were okay w/ that. We get fingerprinted and I say this is are last one. The lady said "sure it is. I've heard that before. Then you get these crazy people in here who are going for their 5 & 6th time." I started to laugh and said this is our 6th and & 7th time. But my husband is burning mypassport after we get home--LOL. She turns to him and said, you know, after you burn it, she can just go apply for another one. We got a kick out of that. Back to the car.

We stop off to get something to eat b/c well, did I mention it was 110 degrees that day?! And another tidbit, the GEO does not seem to want to pump out air. Yes, we were driving a mini oven. We are at the restaurant and get a call from the car guy. $539 later it can be fixed. No brakes on the back and rotars completely shot. Give the okay. On our way home. Get home. 8 messages on machine. Guess what friends are coming to the house in an hour!! Do rocket speed kid retrieval, clean up and get changed. These are people we've never met but our kdis went to the same orphanage. They were supposed to come Friday morning but instead, that evening. Yikes. We were already hot, tired and beyond exhausted at that point. Great visit, wonderful time. They left around midnight.

Next morning need to find a way to get the van back. No one to take us. So, repair shop brought it to us. Great but then need to take it a later day b/c the special order part for the ABS is on order. Fine. Awards banquet for boys baseball that evening. Went fine. Okay, Alex starts feeling sick again on Saturday. Was over it by today. However, now Yana, Irina and I are sick. Joy of joy as today was the day I was supposed to fedex that dossier. Cancel my appts. today as kids are throwing up. It's like the powers that be are putting every roadblock up in stoppoing that dossier from being delievered. I know that's not the case and that this too shall pass. It's just, can we PLEASE get a break for Pete's sake? Went to the doctor and a bug going around. Yana throws up in the waiting room and is wailing. See, for some reason, when IRina and Yana get sick, they get panic attacks as well. They think they are dying. So it is over the top w/ the dramatics. And mom does not feel good. But I trudge through knowing we will survive this as well. But boys are being crazy and I ran out of part of Max's meds. Long story wont' even get into. Husband can't leave work early. I understand. I am so drained, I jsut want a nap. But in this house, with the particuliar needs we have, we can NOT fall asleep w/ just one parent home. I know this will pass but give me some advice. We are in "survival" mode right now. I'm feeling much better or I woouldn't be typing on here. Yana is asleep.

Oh, did I mention my parents have decided to come down and visit on Thursday or Friday of this week?? Just shoot me now. Those of you who've heard my non-supporting parent story before know what I mean by that statement. In addition to all this "stuff' going on, I started 2 additional fundraisers this past weekend. Yeh, what timing. excited about them and it is off to a wonderful start. Just fustrated today and need some wisdom, encouragement, prayers, or something to get me through. I know I can do this but I think I'm just really tired over everything that has happened over the last few weeks. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I forgot to tell you about the docs.

I sent off fore 2 birth certs form PA in June. GEt them back and immediately send for apostilling on July 17th. get back the package Saturday w/ a note. Keep in mind, everything was paperclipped together. Nothing apostilled and they lost one birth cert claiming I didn't put it in there. I'm furious. Stupid state of PA. Costing me more money again. Going to call them in a few minutes as well. Deed to our house. County won't give me a certified copy of my deed. Trust me, I"ve tried 3 times already. They did this last aodptions as well. So I just stuck a true and accurate w/ it. Nope, you can't do that anymore. I don't honestly know who else to beg at the courthouse. Once everyone is well, we will attempt to go beg and plead our case again. Thinking of telling the kids to be loud and obnoxious just to get us out of there-- You know, they'll sign anything just to get us the heck out of there. Worth a shot at this point. Next paperwork snaffu is the state adoption laws. SOS wouldn't apostille what we ahd printed. They are cracking down as the last abuse case happened in this county (Hilt case). So, I call the attorney general. Asst. Attorney General sends me the docs. NO notary on there. Now, he's done this before a few hundred times. Urghh. Have to try to straighten out that mess as well.

I've done this process before obviously and I know you run into road blocks. No problems w/ that. It's just tough right now not feeling well and being tired over the last few weeks. I heard the song, I will survive and I'm going to start taking that approach. I have to get my kids home and I know deep down this is all part of it.

Okay, I"ve bored you all enough. Just want to say thanks so much for listening to me whine. I know I really have nothing to whine about b/c it could be much worse. JUst seems when it rains, it pours. In the last two weeks, both couches have broken, the gas grill, both cars, dead fish for who knows what reason, sick kids, sick mom, exhausted parents, etc. I'm ready for a change!!! Going to go work w/ the kids on some projects. I'm letting them paint to keep them occupied.

Take care all,

[waitinginnj]

Hang in there Stephanie - you always muddle through. You are a special person.

[lakimnafite]

All I can say is 'oh my goodness!' and send hugs and prayers to you.

[doozer22boys]

How do you do it all, Stephanie??! Holy Cow! Hang in there. Just reading about your dossier stress reminds me of the years of paperwork just to complete our one adoption. And you've done it so many times! Keep it up...it'll all work out!

[dlhall]

((((Hugs)))) Sorry things are so rough; everything always looks worse when you don't feel well. I'll say a few extra prayers for you!

Liz

[angelkisses0102]

Oh Stephanie...I don't know how you do it...but you are a great mommy and a very special person. Sometimes I feel like I am going to go mad and then I think of people like you and all you have going on every single day...wow.

As for the parents visiting...if all else fails...remember it is only a visit and they will leave.

Good luck with everything and I hope everyone is feeling better...

[kimber413]

Okay, I'm stressed out for you! No advice, but here's a big hug for you. I admire you, and I don't know how you do it. It's bad enough being by myself with one, but jeepers! I think I'd have had a meltdown about mid-week. Hang in there.

[Sally26]

Stephanie,
All I can say is keep breathing. Get rest when you can. Make a list where you can see the steps to getting everything done are happening.
Praying good health for your house and a better than anticipated visit from your parents!

[Abdulina]

Thanks guys. You are already making me feel alot better. Much appreciated. Husband just called to let me know he won't be home till about 7/ 7:30. Now, he NEVER has to work late. I mean a rarity at best. Of all days. He's usually home by about 4:30 and helps "relieve" some of the parental duties.

Thank goodness the boys have discovered it isn't that hot out anymore. They have been swinging on the swingset for about an hour! Now, it's thundering. Did I mention Max gets panic stricken when it storms and goes into an autistic state? Keep the prayers coming b/c this storm is going to be rough for him. He can't stand loud noises. Got to go turn off this computer and help w/ Max. Yana still has not eaten anything except crackers but progress...they haven't come back up! Irina seems better. I'm getting there a bit.

Thanks again very much for the prayers. Please do keep them coming. It will get better and I know that. It's always darkest right before dawn. Good night my cyber friends and thannks again. Good news is I managed to fedex the dossier today. Weighed 4 lbs so it cost me $51. Guess the gas prices are going to be costing us all a bit more--LOL. Relief knowing that it is getting there and is almost done completely. Except for the stuff I told you all was missing. Keep praying for speedy recoverys and much needed health and healing at this home.

Take care,

[angelkisses0102]

Stephanie~
Prayers for Max...I need to ask you...do you know why Max 'shuts down' in T-storms? Alex on occasion gets so scared of t-storms he completely shuts down to the point of falling asleep...did I mention we live in South Florida so T-storms are almost a daily occurrance? (I am assuming it is part of his fight, flight, freeze response.) But I am curious on your Max's situation. Hmmm. Boy these kiddos keep us wondering don't they

Anyway, hang in there kiddo...

[KiraLin]

Wow Steph,

Hang in there, the kids will be back to school soon. You can and will do this!

-Peg

[mikeintexas]

Hey Steph -

Sorry for the delay in responding... your note made me so tired i had to go take a nap. KIDDING!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!

I only have 3 kids (only?) and I'm exhausted... I have no idea how you did it with all five of yours.

Hang in there my friend. I'll say a special prayer for you this evening. I thank God for people like you...your heart is so big that so many benefit from it.

Mike

[lovestruck]

Hugs and prayers for you!!!

[papedge]

Stephine,


hope all gets better on your end.... have you tried putting hearing protectors onhim during t storms ( the kind you wearat a gun range) Emery gets scared during storms and when they start we put them on and he isfine because they muffle the sound... wortha`shot


seding hugs and prayers your way:

[mommyto4]

Oh my Stephanie, my heart goes out to you, praying you have brighter to days to come