And the adventure begins....

Alina's flight came in Friday at 2:50...we waited at the International Baggage Claim at the airport on pins and needles until they FINALLY came in at 5pm! Things were edgy for all of us at first. The kids were overwhelmed. Some of us from the group went to eat dinner at Fuddruckers immediatly after leaving the airport. I think it was the GREATEST thing that we did! Alina sat across from another Belarussian child at dinner and they talked, smiled and laughed. Which made us all relax a bit more. Bringing her home was AMAZING in itself. She was in awe as she walked around the house looking at the boys bedrooms and just exploring. She did bring one rolling duffle bag that was pretty heavy. As soon as we got to her room (after exploring the house) she opened her bag and 75% of the contents were gifts for US! 3 wooden puzzle trains for the boys, LOTS and LOTS of chocolate, baskets, a wooden egg with a russian building painted on it, plaques, etc. I couldn't believe my eyes. She would open the candy and pass them out to each of us! She was BEAMING! The rest of the contents were minimal amounts of clothing, a journal with family pictures and an english-russian dictionary. It's sad to see what little they actually come with. She LOVED her stuffed puppy that we gave her at the airport and slept with it last night and tonight. I also got her a wristlet with chapstick, lotion and a mirror which she loves. She also likes the princess silly bands that Blake picked out for her. Communication has definatly been a challenge, but we are working on it. She knows all our names and made herself a cheat sheet today! (the russian word for dog and Bugsy, the russian word for brother and Blake and Davis, Mama Heather and Papa Steve). It's like her world lights up when things click and there is finally a breakthrough. It has been different having a girl in the house. I'm not used to my boys changing clothes 4 times a day or braiding hair, but I'm getting in the swing of things. I'm sure it's going to be a day by day thing.

Davis PASSED!

Today was Davis' egg yolk challenge. I've been waiting for this day for a long long time. He PASSED with flying colors even though he didn't particularly like the egg yolk. By the last dose, he ate about 3/4 of the cup of egg yolk and said he didn't want anymore. I had to explain to him that if he didn't finish it we would have to do all this over again. I ended up having to feed him the rest as he took sips of water between each bite. He is such a trooper! We played Simon Says and Eye Spy while we waited the last few minutes for Dr OConnor to come in. It seemed like the longest 30 minutes EVER. Of course, the entire time I'm checking him for hives. No rash, no nothing! All we have to do now is wait until 5pm tomorrow and we can add in egg yolk to his diet! I'm thinking breakfast for dinner tomorrow night!!!

It's really hard to believe that after the last 4 years we are finally free of food allergies. It's going to be hard to get used to not having to worry about reading labels and watching everything that goes into his mouth. Having a child with food allergies is definitely not easy, but it's something you get used to. It's going to be hard to go back to not worrying about food. I know that may sound odd, but it's the truth. I'm sure I'll never stop being aware or stop reading labels all together. And I'll definitely always be sensitive to those that have food allergies because we have lived through it. For all of you out there with food allergies...there IS light at the end of the tunnel and it IS possible to outgrow them. Just stay positive and continue to advocate for your child!

We're READY!

Well, I think we are all READY for Alina's arrival on friday. The bedding is on the bed, the mirror has been hung, and clothes are in her dresser. Blake and Davis are SO excited to have her here. I wish I had had a video camera this morning when I told Blake he didn't have an All Star baseball game and was going to be able to go with us to the airport to pick her up on Friday. He raised his hands in the air and yelled in excitement! I think he would have really been sad to miss picking her up. It was definatly an answered prayer to have the baseball schedule work out in our favor.

I'm still excited and just a tad bit nervous. I don't know nearly enough Russian, but I'm sure we will figure out how to communicate. Friday is going to be a very emotional day for us all. I can't wait to finally meet Alina. Blake has already told his teachers at school that he is getting a sister from Russia! I keep saying that this adventure is going to be life changing for us all and I truely believe that. It's going to be MONUMENTAL for The Efird Clan!

My baby is growing up...

I can't believe my sweet baby boy has graduated from preschool. It seems like he was just born yesterday! May 27th was his BIG DAY! He was so proud of himself and looked so grown up in his cap and gown on the stage. They sang many songs that they learned throughout the school year and it was great to share it all with him. I can't express how proud of him that I am. My BABY is growing up and I hope that doesn't mean that I'm getting old! ;)

He has grown leaps and bounds in the past year. He is now recognizing his letters and numbers and is writing his name. He is such a smart boy and is so excited to be going to Kindergarten next year. I have to say THANK YOU to his wonderful preschool teachers, Mrs Judy and Mrs Crystal. If it hadn't been for the two of them and the rest of his preschool teachers from the past, he wouldn't be where he is now. I truely LOVE Matthews Presbyterian Church Child Development Center. They are a GREAT school and I can't say enough good things about them. I really can't believe I won't have a child enrolled there next year. I feel like we have been a part of that preschool for so long.

in two weeks....

In 2 weeks at this very moment I'll be sitting at the airport waiting on my "daughter" to come through customs so I can take her home for the next 6 weeks. I can't believe it's almost time for Alina to be here! I found out last night that the kids will have a 9 hour bus ride just to get to the airport. They will fly from Moscow to Germany and from Germany here and will be in the air for at least 11 hours. I'm sure they will be exhausted when they get here!

I'm PRAYING that Blake won't have an All Stars game that night that I will miss.

I'm getting more and more nervous as June 18th creeps closer and closer. PLEASE give me a pep talk if I start to wig out in the next few weeks!

Benbow - Efird Wedding....AGAIN!

A week and a half ago was the BIG wedding...that some my think sounded like a do-over. ;) My baby sister, Courtney married my husband's brother, Shane. So it was another Benbow - Efird wedding almost 11 years after the first one. It was held at the same church and the same reception site!

The bride was BEAUTIFUL and the wedding turned out perfect. But I didn't expect any less. Courtney worked so hard being her typical "crafty" self to make things for the wedding. She borrowed picnic baskets and glass pitchers from family and friends to put on the tables at the reception site and made name tags for each of them showing who had shared them with her for the big day. The brown, pink and green could be found everywhere and looked like, what my husband would call, Pottery Barn. It was simple, yet elegant.

I was SO proud of Blake and Davis. They were both in the wedding and looked so handsome standing at the front of the church. They really were on their best behavior. Then came the reception where Blake decided to do the worm in front of everyone! It was SO surprising coming from Blake...and hilarious! He even did it TWICE!

It was a LONG day that started with me picking up the bride to be at 8am. We drove to Momma's house to pick up a few things then headed to the reception site to finish up some decorating. I had a 10:30 hair appointment (thanks so much Allison!), then it was time to head to the church to finish getting ready. The wedding was at 3pm, followed by LOTS of pictures and a PAR-TAY at the Woodrun Clubhouse.

I ended up sending Steve and the boys home (after Blake ended up with a dancing injury) so that I could help clean up and drive the newlyweds home. I didn't get home until 11pm, but it was so much fun and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else!

CONGRATS Shane and Courtney Efird! :) I guess there is no getting rid of either one of you now since you are family...TWICE! ;)