Disneyland Trip!

Well, getting there wasn't too easy. We arrived at the airport around 5:15 am and didn't get on the 6:20 am  flight (They would have let ONE of us on. Like I was going to send my 12 or 13 year old? No thanks.) But things looked good for the 11:45 flight - except it was delayed THREE HOURS. So we waited.....

And waited.....

And made it to Long Beach around 5 pm - instead of 7 am. 

That's okay.

We had nothing planned.

We picked up our rental car, found our hotel, decided to try and figure out where Disneyland is - and our GPS got us slightly lost - which was baffling. Disneyland is SO BIG. How could I not find it? We figured it out then we stopped for dinner at a divvy Mexican food place and went back to the hotel to get to bed.

We just happened to accidentally book ourselves in the same hotel as the kids on choir tour. What are the chances? 

(You should have seen Austin's face when this information came to light. I promised I wouldn't spy on him!) 

The next day..........Disneyland!!

Waiting to get in.....

And inside!

First ride.....Star Tours.....3D!

Then Space Mountain.....

We hit Indiana Jones, Pirates, Haunted Mountain,  Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain all in the first 1.5 hour!! Amazing!!

Alex really got wet on Splash Mountain.....

Waiting in line for Mr. Toads Wild Ride.....

In front of the castle!

Perry the Platypus Hats.....no we did no buy these....

Then we went to California Adventure....

Tour of Terror

We met up with Devree - who was sick and tired of her roommates by this time - and she hung with us for the rest of the day. (We never saw or heard from Austin on day one.)

Bugs Life 3-D movie.......

Posing in the Toy Story Box.....

Eating a Turkey Leg.....

The next day we hit Space Mountain right off!

Posing with Sully.....

Tower of Terror.....again.....

Then we saw Devree & Austin Perform....

They did fabulous!

I did hear from Austin on day two because I had brought in Subway foot-longs. Then we saw him again when we were sitting on Main Street waiting for the parade. He came over to see if we had any food.

We stayed late and were exhausted after two straight days. 

That night as we were watching Fantasmic - Alex had to sit down. After FIVE times on California Screaming roller coaster and three times on the Tower of Terror - he had a tummy ache. But he sure has come a long way since his first trip to Lagoon almost three years ago - when he would only ride the baby rides. I asked him what had changed? And he told me that now he knows the rides are safe. (I think before he was terrified he was going to die?) 

The next day we slept in and then decided to hit the beach. But it started raining. Down pouring by the time we drove to Santa Monica Pier so, we put the Ripleys Believe It Or Not Museum in the GPS and got lost. In the hills of Hollywood. Great fun.

We finally found  the museum and it was not worth the $42 to get in.

It was lame.

You can tell just how lame from the look on Alex's face.

We stopped in some scary parts of town a couple of times to use a bathroom and to wait for the rain to let up. Homeless people outside, crazy ladies listen to transmitter radios rubber banded to a long stick telling us that God told her the world would end in 90 days. Fun stuff.

We made it back to our favorite Hotel Current in Long Beach and ordered Pizza and went to bed. 

The next day we were up bright and early to get to the airport and we got on our first flight and even sat together!

All in all, a very successful trip.

I did miss having ALL the family there - especially James - but it was nice to just focus on my littlest bambinos. 

One of my favorite memories will be Rylee deferring to Alex when it came to what to ride. "Alex, you pick. It's your first time here." 

What a sweet sister.

I had told the kids that if riding standby on JetBlue was a nightmare and we couldn't get home - I was quitting! When we got on first thing Monday morning to go home and even sat together, Rylee turned to me grinning, "I guess your not quitting mom!" 

Love & Disneyland!

Lately Alex has been on a love kick.

Today while correcting his homework he leaned in close to me - gave me a sideways squeeze  and said, "I love you mom." I replied with an "I love you too Alex." "No REALLY Mom, I love you! Like I really love you. Not just 'I love you blah, blah, blah'...." 

I had to convince him that I really love him too. That I'm not just saying "I love you blah, blah, blah...."

Last nigh we were watching TV (we watch Once Upon A Time on Sunday nights - it's the only show we watch as a family) and he was laying against my shoulder and I gave him a big squeeze and kissed his check and he said, "You love me huh Mom?"  "Yes, I do Alex." He sighed and snuggled closer.

Then later today I had him goggle hair cuts - he's finally getting one tomorrow - and he's sitting there with his back to me and out of no where he proclaims,  "I love you Mom." Devree looks up puzzled - she is sitting at the bar doing homework. He doesn't turn around or act like anything is out of the ordinary. Just a little proclamation of love while googling Justin Beiber haircuts styles. 

I will be so happy to see him get a haircut. I keep telling him he needs a head band or barrette to hold his bangs out of his eyes. But he does look cute - apparently. On Saturday we went to a family wedding and more than once I had giggling little girls ask about Alex. How old he was? When his birthday was? Oh my. He gets his braces off next week. I think things are just going to get worse with regards to giggling girls and my shaggy hair boy. 

In other news, Alex and Rylee and I are heading to the happiest place on earth this week! (If we get on the plane!)

Devree and Austin are going on tour with their school choirs, James is back to work and Kambree in school so it's a perfect excuse to take my little's and watch my big's! Alex has never been. He's excited but trying to contain himself.  Rylee is just plain excited! I think I'm even going to be excited - once we get there that is!

Quick Alex Update!

Alex was choking on some water and Devree asked him if he was okay? He replied, "Yes, it just went down the wrong lung.".

Tonight Alex asked "What is anti-sprint?" James looked at him funny then noticed he was holding his new stick of deodorant and teased him with his reply, "Oh, that means you can't run fast if you wear that."  Alex looked confused as we laughed and then James explained that the word was anti-perspirant not anti-sprint. I'm not sure Alex saw the humor in James' reply, but it made us laugh.

We had a couple of silly issues with Alex over the weekend - drinking caffeinated soda pop off the "do not touch" section of the pantry (I know, I sound like a Nazi but seriously? If I didn't have this section they'd eat all their lunch snacks and chips the first day I brought them home!)  and something else. I can't even remember now. 

The next day he hugged me tight and told me "It must be hard raising a little guy like me." 

Yes.
Some day's are rather challenging but over all we have easier days then harder days. 

Last night we attended Devree and Austins choir concert. Ry was at dance so it was just Alex and James and I. Alex kept sighing and asking how much longer? When the one group didn't leave the stage after their three numbers he was quiet concerned. He asked why they weren't leaving? I whispered that I had text the choir director and told him how much my son Alex was enjoying the performance and would they please add a few more numbers! 

He laughed - he knew I was kidding. We have lots of that sort of banter now and I love it. There was a time I didn't think we'd ever find humor between us but we laugh and joke more than we lecture these days.

AND after doing laundry this week - I asked everyone to come retrieve the numerous things I found in the bottom of the washer and dryer. Not ONE THING was Alex's!!

It's just a small thing but that fact that he's finally checking his pockets - after three years - makes me so very happy!

I need to realize and praise him for what he does right. Even if it is a little thing like emptying his pockets.

MAG Dance......

MAG is Murray Association of Girls (Devree is a sophomore rep) and they sponsor a dance twice a year. A semi formal in the fall and a fun dance in the spring. 

The theme of this years spring dance was "Super Hero's".

It's a girl choice and Austin and his date went as.....Captain Popsicle?? 

(Don't ask.....)

Ausitn and his date, McKenzie Gray

Here is Devee with her date & friend from the ward, Andrew Reitveld.

(The went in a HUGE group - which is the only way I let my 15 year olds go to these functions during their sophomore year as they cannot date until they're 16.)

Here is the group:

Just the girls:

Andrew & Devree

More Group Photos: 

The reason I was DESPERATE to get home from New York is because I played an intricate part in the success of this activity. I had all 22 kids to our house for breakfast Saturday morning. (I got home finally, after 11 pm on Friday.) Then I ran to a baby shower, hosted my niece Emily's bridal shower that afternoon, and then James and I chaperoned the dance that night.

Devree's group kidnapped the boys for breakfast than later met and played "The Amazing Race" game and went to a church where they made individual pizza's for dinner. Afterwards they went back to the church and played games.

Austin's group went to PPT (a gym where you can do flips into foam pits) and then out to Spice Bistro for dinner, to the dance and then to someone's house for movies.

Whew!

These all day dates are crazy!

Not just for the kids but for their parents too!

Kam's & My Trip to the Big Apple

So, lets be honest. The ONLY reason I am working for jetBlue is the flight benefits. So far, we've taken the kids to Long Beach so when Kambree came home for Spring Break, it was time to get out of town and since we only have two options from Salt Lake we went with the 2nd......the JKF airport! New York!!

The plan was a day trip. Take the red eye out, see the town, catch the 8pm flight back and be home within 24 hours. 

Here we are making our flight!

(We're in the corridor waiting to get on the plane. I got a great seat on row 4 - extra space- poor Kam had the back row and some guy threw up in the bathroom before we even took off!)

When we got there we took the air train to the subway, here we are before our first of many subway rides. (I say "we" because I was there too - just behind the camera - besides Kambree is more photogenic than me!)

First stop Time Square!

We found a big crowd gathered to watch the tapping of Good Morning America. We were asking why everyone was gathered when out came the anchors. Oh my heck. The women on that show are not only beautiful but extremely TALL and skinny. And I'm tall. Women don't usually make me feel short but these two did. It was like they were of a different race.  We probably should have taken a picture but it really happened so quickly and unexpectedly.

This is as close as we got to a Broadway show.

We were there on a Thursday and most of the shows were "dark" (their night off). We needed a matinee in order to catch our return flight and there wasn't an option. We knew this going. We had decided this was a "figure out" NYC trip and to just see the sights. 

We had "bagels and schemer" for breakfast than got back on the subway and went to the World Trade Center Memorial.

Here we are with our ticket - that I ordered online while we were standing in line. HEAVY security is putting it lightly to get into this place. 

About 1/2 way there - after standing in line for a good thirty minutes - we are told our ticket is good for NEXT Thursday. What? But they let us through anyway. Whew.

This is us out in front of the "survivor" tree. It was an eight foot stump when found under the rubble and was nursed back to health and then replanted. 

Then with the help of my iPhone's GPS and some kind New Yorkers we managed to walk from there to Battery Park where we picked up the free ferry to Stanton Island and saw the statue of liberty.

This is me.....exhausted and asleep on the ferry ride!

Just a street. I loved the architecture of all the tall old buildings. It reminded me of Ghost Busters. I am sure we looked like country bumpkins with our mouths open in wonder looking up all the time.

From the ferry landing we walked to China Town. Again super nice people helped us. A police man even announced us to his friend a restaurant owner "Hey, these women from Utah need to use a bathroom!" We really had a lot of help from everyone we met. I don't know why New Yorkers have a reputation of being rude. Not a one we met was anything but nice. 

We ate Chinese food and shopped then walked to Canal Street and shopped some more. We paid to much for our knock off purses but we had fun be ushered into the creepy basement behind the hidden door to see the Gucci and Kate Spade knock offs. 

We got back on the Subway and off again at Time Square. 

Okay, these guys were creepy. At first we thought "cool" and I wanted to take Kambree's picture with one but than they would shake their little satchel with coins in it meaning "You have to pay to have your picture taken". It's someones way of making money? Dressing up like children's characters and standing on a busy street corner demanding money for a picture? Please. I took this picture from far away. Go ahead and try to catch me Cookie Monster!

Here's Kambree texting. I was checking my Facebook a lot. Getting ideas and suggestions of things to do and see. There's a ton more we could have done so I guess we'll just have to go again?

We found a place for a slice of pizza and cheese cake. (We were trying to do all the NY things.) Later we found out we were suppose to go to Juniors for cheesecake - we went to a place called Slice of New York. (Thanks to my GPS and putting in cheesecake - it was the closest place around!)  Honestly, we were so tired of walking by this point that even if we knew we should have gone to Junior's we would have picked the closest place to sit down!

Then we did some last minute souvenir shopping.

No. We did not buy those hats. Just took our picture.

This picture was for James - this was in the middle of the city. Hammer heads. 

We got on the wrong subway and had multiple people help us get turned around to get back to the airport. Luckily we left with ample time. The flight loads looked great until about an hour before we took off. Then they filled up and we were #1 and #2 on the standby list.

Kambree got on.

I was left in JFK.

Here is a picture of the crew break room.

I spent 1/2 the night on the floor in the corner of the airport and then they started vacuuming around 3 am, so I went to the break room and spent a couple hours in there on three of those chairs placed together.

Comfy.

I caught the 6:55 am flight to Las Vegas, then a flight from there to Long Beach, then the first flight to SLC was full so I sat. And sat. By now I'm getting really good at sitting. I caught the last flight out to Salt Lake. I think two people got on after me. 

So, almost 24 hours later than Kambree I arrived home.

Whew.

Yes, we'd do it again. Maybe stay the night though? It was super fast. And for sure we need to see a show. 

Glad I had Kambree - my adult child with me - she was a lot of fun and very helpful. I think the reason we had such helpful people is because she's so cute!

Next week?

Back to Long Beach to take Alex and Ry to Disneyland. 

Alex has never been and Devree and Austin are performing there with their school choir so of course we need to go support them! But thank goodness I'll be renting a car with my trusty GPS and not navigating a subway! 

We loved NYC but we're glad to be home! (Especially me - since it was such an ordeal to get here!)

Someone is in my corner?

Can it be true??

I went to Alex's parent/teacher conference.

We started with his math teacher because he's the "scary" one according to Alex. Give me a break. He was my favorite teacher in Jr High. Alex is getting a U in citizenship for talking too much. (Alex did prepare me for this and told me that he is improving as of yesterday because now he's thinking "Is this what my mother taught me or would want me to do?" Oh yes. He's that smooth.)

Anyway, he's getting okay grades. He did poorly on a test in one class and he claimed he didn't understand the questions. I questioned further in front of the teacher about if he needs help having the questions explained and low and behold, she had no idea he was an ESL student. You should have seen her face when I told her he's been speaking English for less than 3 years. She agreed to re-test him and sit with him to make sure he understood what was being asked. 

Sweet!

But that's not my gal in the corner. 

Nope. 

It's the speech teacher!
I knew that Alex had passed everything off and was graduating from speech. His IEP is only for speech. (And only because I was able to produce translated documents from our adoption, that as a condition of our adoption he continue getting speech help.)
He has conquered his slurring "s" and worked on his "r" and even his "th" and there was nothing left to work on. (And when he slows down and thinks about it, he really does sound great. I am always saying "Talk like we're working on your speech homework!) Anyway, the speech teacher asked, if I would like her to continue to help him?  His IEP is good through April 2013 and if I would like she could work on LANGUAGE issues with him not just speech!!
I almost fell off my chair. 

WOULD I LIKE MORE HELP??? 

ABSOLUTELY!!

Alex is rolling his eyes and staring at his shoes. 

I explained what we do on a daily bases and I think she and her student teacher almost fell off their chairs! (Score one for me!)

We made a list of things she could work on with him like homophones, synonyms and just basic word comprehension. The student teacher mentioned helping him with idioms too. (You know, like "to make ends meet, pull your own weight, don't look a gift horse in the mouth") Alex REALLY struggles with idioms. He's so literal and English really is a hard language when you think about it.
Idioms.
Funny that it starts out with the same word as idiot.

Anyway, I was thrilled!
Beyond thrilled!

Alex?

Not so much. 

Luckily she has super fun auctions and prizes that makes working with her bearable. And she gave me kudos's in front of Alex telling him how lucky he was to have ME in HIS corner. (Thank you Mrs. Brown)

Just had to share my little piece of good news since I always post the bad!

 

Normal?

I was bringing my mom up to speed on Alex and his issues (She doesn't read my blog. No one in my family does. Which is probably a good thing? Right?) and about him not putting away his clothes correctly and she reminded me that my brother did the same thing.
Then I mentioned that Alex is sick, mopes around, looks at me with big sad eyes and thinks the world will end and she reminded me that that is a boy/man thing. Which is true. When my boys/man are/is sick - they really can't do much but lay around and feel sick - and want to be waited on or sleep forever - whereas we girls just keep going - for the most part. 

(My apologies to my one male reader....Andreas.)

But it dawned on me. Alex's issues just might be Alex's issues?  And have nothing to do with being neglected and raised in an orphanage. Perhaps this is his normal?  Sure he wants to pawn his issues off on his past life. With the generic,  "I am meant to live in orphanage" or "My Ukraine mom was too drunk to teach me." But sincerely kids have issues. All kids, not just adopted, previous Ukraine orphans. Yet, I'm always trying to link his issues to his past. "He must act like this when he's sick because he's use to being sent to a hospital for every ache, pain or pimple." "Or maybe he can't remember to put away his clothes because of the alcohol his mother drank while he was in the womb?"

Maybe.

Or maybe he's just a man-child when he's sick and just like other 13.5 year old's that cram their clothes in any nook and cranny without a thought or care to order or their mother's feelings.

Maybe. 

I still think the lying and cheating are ingrained traits that he carries from the orphanage. That's not to say my other children have never cheated. Everyone has a time or two but they learn a lesson and get over it. Whereas with X, he just keeps repeating the same behavior over and over.

His honesty issues,  I think has everything to do with living in an institution in Ukraine where lying and cheating were the norm. In fact, as I look back on our adoption experience, I think the adults we associated with there lied and cheated too. The whole adoption process was crooked and full of bribery. What is normal for Ukraine - is devious and deceptive over here. Which is so hard for Alex because what was normal and acceptable there is called lying and cheating here.

In other behavior news, Austin has 11 U's. Which translates to 44 detentions. Not for fighting, swearing or poor citizenship. Nope. For tardies. Tardies? Seriously?

It will be a happy day if-and-when this child walks with his cap and gown clutching his diploma in hand!

Devree was thinking Austin's detentions were pretty funny until it was pointed out that her RIDE to school now has to leave at 6:45 each morning and stay after 45 minutes each day. Truth be told, the reason for some of Austins' tardies would be Devree. Her 1st period teacher doesn't take tardies. Austin's does. And he's always waiting on her to get out the door! Just like the whole family is waiting for her in the car - honking - to get to church.

Rylee is miffed that I wouldn't let her go to a basketball game last night. A basketball game a particular cute boy was playing in that she just happens to really like.  Give me a break. She's twelve! The problem being that while on our cruise my brother in charge let her go to one. I just told her to count that as lucky because had I been home? No way. I know. I'm a mean mom. And I know it's hard to be 12 and see her 15 and 17 year old siblings going to such activities but such is life. She already gets lots more privileges and allowances then the older kids got at her age.

I am just now getting over my cold. The cold that James gave me. The cold I gave to Alex. Alex is convinced his voice has dropped because of his cold and is quite concerned.  I assured him that his voice - like mine - will return to normal when this cold passes.

I really need to post pictures of our cruise :)  and the funeral :(

 Not sure when that will happen. 

Just trying to keep my head above water right now. Get everyone where the need to go, feed 'em, keep 'em in clean underwear and remember how to log into my jetBlue computer. 

That's about all I can handle right now.

But I see a light. 

Maybe in a day or two I'll be back to normal. 

Normal for me that is.....