One year home TODAY!!

That was then.....about midnight, on October 23rd, 2008


This is NOW! a vibrant, fiercly independent , happy, mostly galloping 2 year old!


What a wonderful, amazing year it as been! As I looked back and watched the amazing slideshow Karen put together from the pictures she took that night, a year ago, I could not help but wipe away the tears that rolled down my cheek.

http://www.karenharrisonphotography.com/Shows/Leeza/



I still remember VIVIDLY how surreal it was that I was REALLY home, and "Baby Kaz" was with me, IN MY ERGO, FOREVER AND EVER! I was on cloud nine for weeks on end. In some ways, I am still on cloud nine. I am just so grateful that we had this fantastic opportunity to travel halfway around the world to meet our sweet, beautiful Leeza Grace. In addition to the blessing of Leeza, I have also formed an entire network of new friendships due to our daughter. I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

I had to wake up the Leezster today for preschool, and I waited until 8:35 (preschool starts at 9). I told her today was a school day (she LOVES school) but today she said "No Mommy, LEEZA BED, NIGHT NIGHT" and covered herself up with her blanket. :) OH MY! She is ONLY 2...what will happen when she is a teenager? I'm scared.:)

I said, but Leeza..you can wear your pumpkin shirt and your JEANS! She sat up and said "Leeaza puppy shirt?" Yes-your pumpkin shirt and she said, "ok mommy!!" YAY PUPPY SHIRT AND EEZA JEANS and clapped her hands. WHAT A GOOF!!



After preschool, (where her teacher told me she is "fiercly independent but ALWAYS happy and smiling), we had to get a new belt on my car (BORING!) so we walked to one of my favorite restaurants to have lunch. Recently, I have avoided lunch or dinner out (unless it's Chick-Fil-A) because Leeza is just too much of a pain in the butt to take out to eat. She doesn't want to sit there, and you spend all your time trying to entertain her and keep her from throwing everything off the table. :)

However, today she pleasantly surprised me. She was an absolute angel and JOY to be with. We had so much fun! She was being cute and funny and just adorable. She had an all American lunch of a hamburger, fries, and "DIP" (ketchup)

She is now napping and tonight, Sean is going to a birthday party, and they are doing this surfing thing at the store "Adrenalina". It's at International Mall who has a KILLER play area. So, we're gonna go watch Sean "surf" and play at the play area and probably eat at Chick Fil A. It will be fun!!

It's been a wonderful year with Leeza as a Floridian. She keeps us on our toes, and we are very enchanted with our beauty from Kazakhstan. :)