Far and beyond...

Next to living in a completely different country for one year of my life, I think this next adventure is going to be just as life changing. It's official. David, Cylas and I are moving away. It's surreal. I'm in some sort of dream that is threating to become a nightmare if I let it. But, I keep steering it away from that dark ominous chasm of fear and focusing on the light at the end. We have approximately a month and a half to make sure our belongings are packed and the remains are sold. David is going to drive our furniture, clothing, keepsakes and the like, cross country while Cylas and I fly. We will return, but only after five years. Our goal is to make sure David gets his education as an engineer and we save up for a down payment on a house here in CA. Everything is going to be just fine...I'm telling myself this as if I really believe it. But, truth be told I'm scared, I feel anxious all the time and I'm full of needless, useless worry. I suppose if I think of the dishwasher I'll have and the huge kitchen then my fears will dissipate...nope, not working. Odd and ends can never replace a life time of love and support from family and friends who are considered as family. There are so many memories that I can't even begin to conjure them all up to relate them all to you. The feelings that accompany the memories I'll never forget. California is my life but it's time to share and practice what I've learned from The Rock Church. In my heart, I'm truly a Rock Church California girl.

Good Times and Good Friends

So, Wednesday night I invited some people over. This would be following through with one of my New Year's promises! On the menu there was chicken artichoke casserole for dinner and chocolates and Russian Tea cookies, Prianik, for dessert. Prianik is Sarah's all time favorite. David ran to the store to buy it because we were out. The whole night was great fun! After dinner, we sat around waiting for our food to settle and then forced Matt to play Skip-Bo(he made it very clear that Skip-Bo was boring because it was just a game of chance) Well, we made him enjoy it and then we segued into a game of Boggle! While us girls were getting our "word", on the boys ran to the far corner of the house and occupied themselves with David's artwork. Cylas made sure to check up on all of us. Halfway through our game the boys came back and jumped into our game of Boggle. The girls won...
Here are a few photos:

David and Matt trying to figure out how to take a picture!

Chapters...

Life has a rhythm and for me this rhythm is the cadence of a good book. It has many chapters and each chapter is unique. Sometimes, a particular chapter takes longer to complete than others. Well, the section in my life that passed happened to take six months. For six months, I dedicated my life to working 16 hours a week for a local non-profit. The experience gained was invaluable and the relationships I developed with my fellow workers so memorable. As I drove away for the last time today, the classical piece playing on my radio was coming to a close. It was very befitting to my situation and I choked up a bit. My throat tightened a little as I thought of all the memories created there, and the knowledge gained for my future. I'm so grateful for this chapter in my life...it was a dream of mine that was actualized. Thanks Opening Doors for all you've given to me and all you continue to give to our immigrant community...

Enjoying Cy

This afternoon I decided it was time for another photo session with me and my little guy...we always have so much fun! Sometimes, I promise it seems like this, I think he really understands me when I tell him to make a silly face and the photo turns out stupendous! Well, here are a few photos of me and my little guy.

Slow, rainy Tuesday

Unfortunately, you can't really understand what I'm saying most of the time so, I'll just give you a quick run down of what is happening in this little video. Today I was commissioned, by David, to juice some carrots to compliment the freshly squeezed orange juice he worked so hard to complete. We have about three gallons sitting in our freezer and fridge from a felled tree due to the recent storms here. So, I went to Costco and bought a huuuge bag of carrots....and here is my adventure chopping and juicin' them!

Vacation pics!

Well, in spite of my negative blog last time...there was a lot of fun that happened on my trip. While on the cruise we met the sweetest girls from Ohio their names are Morgan Marie and Jenna. They fell in love with our little guy and let me in on their volleyball games. (I so love VB!) We managed to snap a photo with them to preserve the memory...hah. We look so tan in these photos...(sigh). I want my tan back!
When we got back to Pennsylvania, we were able to connect with most of David's childhood friends. It was so nice. They came over and had tea with cake which is a very Russian way of spending time with friends. All of David's friends were amazed at how long we had been married and how big Cy was. For some, it was their first time seeing our little firecracker. Cylas was a hit. In the photo with me and three other girls, the girl on the far left, Anna, has 12 other brothers and sisters and the two girls in the middle, Oksana and Tanya, are 2 of 10 siblings. All three girls are very intelligent and accomplished. It was refreshing to be with them.














In the photo with David and the boys, all are either cousins or childhood playmates and also very intelligent. They never imagined the day that David would settle down and have a family. He has grown a lot since he last lived there.

Realization, Contemplation, Revelation

So, for the last month I've been away from home. It's good to be back. I did a lot and was grateful for the chance to do it! My husband and I are very blessed to have parents who care for us and who would do just about anything to make sure we stay connected and strengthen our relationships. On that note, while I was gone I realized that I've missed out on a lot. I'm going to be vague to protect the innocent(little smile). But, my life has matured to this point and is missing a lot!! Growing up you don't know when people lie to you especially those you count so dear. Life is basically paved for you until you reach a certain age and then you have to start building the road to your future on your own. Well, the pavement that was put in front of me as a child lacked a certain ingredient but, was full of other unnecessary ones to make up for it. Upon this realization, I began to feel really guilty. I've done a lot of things based on what I was told...sorry, if this is confusing. I can't really explain with much more detail.
So, I've been thinking about this and it's really frustrating to know that I was handicapped...and still am. This means that I have to work out all of the bad ingredients on my own in order to
make up for the years past spent in misunderstanding. I feel really bad because there hasn't been fighting chance, in some respects, and I've been to blinded to see. But, now I do. It hurts, I'm sad and wished that my life had been different.