Now I can’t fly all the way to Russia and not do a little souvenir shopping. Although I’ve been here 3 times before there are things I still would like to have. However, Derek did tell me he didn’t think a samovar would fit into my suitcase. I’m pretty sure he’s right, but if there […]
Elle’s World
My experience at Khor Village
There are very few things in life that compare to the emotional journey of international adoption. I am sure everyone has something in their lives that has effected them so profoundly that it is truly life changing. It just happens to be that spending time in a Russian orphanage during the process to become a […]
Good news! Today you have heat and hot water!
Those who have been to Russia know two things: 1) it’s damn hot inside in the Winter and 2) hot water is a maybe 50/50… no maybe 70/30. Today I get both! Lucky me. I survived the flight from Beijing to Khabarovsk. Once off the flight we were herded onto the meat locker bus to […]
The first leg of the journey
You know how you get super nervous about something, but you know if you let your guard down you are going to totally lose your shit and never get it back? Yeah, this trip is like that. On our way to the airport on Wednesday I expressed this concern to Derek. He told me I’d […]
How to get a free piano
When your husband says, “If {*insert child’s name here*} likes piano lessons we should look at getting a piano.” most normal people would say “yes dear.” Especially if you live in a 1400 square foot house that includes 3 humans, 3 cats and a very busy dog. So when a friend mentions that her parents […]
Dusting off this here blog
Since I’m going to be taking a very big and important trip I thought I’d dust off this here blog to share with you a little bit about my travels. I’m going to keep official Sweet Hope business on the Sweet Hope website or Facebook page and all the rest of the stories here. You […]
A shift in focus
Maybe it’s the sunshine that’s finally making an appearance or the severe boredom that I’ve endured the past 4 weeks, but something’s go to give. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with this blog. Why do I keep writing it? Is it for me, is it for the few readers I have […]
I am not superwoman, I love my couch
Earlier this week I was feeling great. I had more energy, I felt like I could do so much. Sunday I asked Derek to help me do a little weeding in the garden. Monday I figured that since I did some yard work on Sunday I could manage a little bit on my own. I […]
We did it!
Eight years ago I was researching grant opportunities for families wanting to adopt a child. I found a website that had a long list of charitable foundations that offered such grants. It is what propelled us into the realm of international adoption. I thought that with saving, hard work, a little fundraising and the possibility […]
Nicknames
Yesterday another blogger in the BlogHer sidebar had a post about nicknames. Mainly about her child’s nickname or rather potential nickname for her unborn child. It got me thinking about my nicknames and the nicknames of those around me. Although I have a fairly short name I’ve always had a nickname. It is quite uncommon […]