Catch Up - Friends in Ohio

When I go somewhere out of state, I've been making it a habit to connect with old friends, new friends, and online friends. Because the adoption world is so spread out, it's hard to go anywhere without being able to do that.

Our trip to Ohio (see previous post), was no exception.

When I found out we were going, I wanted to go visit Sarah's quilt shop.

Sarah is a young lady who runs a quilt shop with her mom. She also happens to have Down syndrome. I've read her blog for a few years, and I was looking forward to meeting her!

After the GPS got us lost, we finally found the beautiful little quilt shop. We had fun chatting with Sarah and her mom and of course, shopping from all the beautiful fabric.

If you are ever going to be in Cleveland, I encourage to go check them out! Their website is here, and you can also read Sarah's blog here.

Oh, and Elijah was apparently tired of riding in the car because when we buckled him back in when we were leaving, he signing "May I please be excused?" Ha! Nice try buddy!

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And then came the surprise of the weekend. I had mentioned on Facebook that we got to Ohio, and Summer messaged me wanting to know where, because they wanted to come see us!

So, long story short, that awesome Spitz family packed up for a road trip and came to visit us at the hotel!

We swam, we ate, we talked, we played, and we had soo much fun!

When Summer and Dave were in Ukraine adopting Bellie, they met my mom, who was just about to bring Elijah home. I met them for the first time in DC last summer, and then again in September and May when I went to watch their kids. And that's it. So our families really haven't really met. Until they came to see us! :)

I'm so glad they finally got to meet, and I got to see my Spitz babies again, even if just for a few hours!

Thank you for coming Summer and Fam! ♥ you!

Home!

I know I disappeared, but yes I am home if you care. ;) I've been sleeping and trying to cope with a bad flare up of my Lyme disease... speaking of that, I know I said May was Lyme Awareness Month, and I would post about it, and I didn't. So I plan on hitting that hard the rest of May! :)

Our trip home was slightly eventful. After we didn't wake up on time, we made it to the airport with minutes to spare. Going through security, the same alarm clock that didn't wake us up looked funky in the machine thing, so had to be run through again costing us time we didn't have to lose. After it got cleared we high-tailed it to our gate at the end of the terminal, and made it, as people we starting to board! Needless to say, I was very happy to see my parents (having no idea that all happened) surprised me with a new alarm clock when I got home! LOL

And then, our second flight turned around half way though and came back. Because the de-ice-er thing on the plane wasn't working, and because of the weather conditions where we were landing, it was unsafe to land. 45 min later, they had it fixed. :P

Anywho, just though you wanted a laugh. :)

We enjoyed our time at Spitz's soo very much, and we miss them something AWFUL!!! Love those Fab Five!! ♥♥♥

Pools and Goodbyes

After being home for a couple hours we headed off to the pool! We had so much fun, and Lyla was having the time of her life! I have never seen her soo happy for soo long! :)

That girl is doing SOO good today!!! The other day we were a bit concerned, but today she's a totally new girl! The doctor said it's not possible for her to be sick and yellow one day, and happy with good color the next. Try telling that to Lyla, the miracle baby! :)

Before bedtime came what we've been dreading. Saying goodbye. We'll be leaving in the wee hours of the morning (so wee that we considered not going to sleep tonight!)!

I learned a lesson tonight. I thought I toughened up, but I learned no matter how many times you say goodbye, no matter if it's the same family or not, it never gets easier.

Boo hoo! I'm going to miss these kids soo much! I'm so sad this trip wasn't longer!! But at the same time thankful we did get to spend this time with them!!

Rachel and Bellie getting some last snuggles in!

Zoo Time!

Today, we had an awesome day, and I took lots of pictures, so I'll make it two parts. Part one: the zoo!

We went to the zoo today and met up with the B family and Uncle Mike! B's have adopted three precious girls from Ukraine, and Uncle Mike traveled with Sarah (another Sarah! We had 3 at the zoo today!) to bring Mila home, just like he traveled with Summer to bring Lyla home!

Here are some a lot of pictures!

Rachel and Bellie getting some snuggles in before we go!

Happy Bug on the way!

Lyla meeting Sofia!

Summer meeting Sofia!

Beautiful girls!

Our big ol' group! The kiddos with Ds outnumbered the "typical" kids! So fun! :)

Uncle Mike and his girls!

Sofia and me! Love that spunky girl!

Uncle Mike and his traveling buddies!

Rachel and Sofia!

Looking at the bears!

Uncle Mike and his Lyla Bean!

Pretty princess Sofia wearing my sunglasses. (Yes, this was me aiming the camera as I was holding her. Clearly, I am the camera as well as I aim a ball.)

Love that pose!

Photography courtesy of Sofia!

Sofia found the knife!

Owen the chef!

Gav watching the monkeys!

 Our favorite uncle!! :)

Uncle Mike hanging out with his miss Mila Hope!

And then she went to Rachel!

And didn't want to go back by Uncle Mike... and Uncle Mike's her favorite! She loved Rachel!

She didn't care for me, but tolerated me enough for a picture! :)

"Cheese!" Uncle Mike and Zoya!

Belle and Gav loving on each other!

Gav eating french fries at McDonalds!

Our McDonalds Crew!

So sweet! Love these sisters!

Beanie loved my pineapple smoothie! Later today after I got all the pictures up, Summer says to me "Was Lyla actually drinking your smoothie?!?!" I said that yes, I could feel the cold coming up the straw. She was shocked, she didn't think Lyla knew how to use a straw, because she didn't know how the one time they tried!

Zoya and me!

Zoya and Rachel!

We had so much fun today! Thank you Summer, B's, and Uncle Mike our favorite uncle for such a fun day! :)