Well the long awaited special post is here. I'm not sure if I can live up to the hype since this is a week in waiting.
I wanted to use this Blog to acknowledge the strongest woman I know.
Tomorrow marks Heidi being 5 months pregnant or 20 weeks. While most couples would be giddy with excitement over the fact that they could find out the sex of the baby during the 2o week sonogram here we sit in "Paradise". By the time Heidi gets home the baby will probably be too big and have its butt facing out so we can't see.
While other expectant mothers would be spending their days shopping for the baby and preparing the nest, Heidi is in Ukraine.
While others are trying to be as comfortable as possible, Heidi is in the most uncomfortable place she could be.
While others are baby proofing and staying away from danger, Heidi is in a place where safety is a real concern.
Almost everyone we have encountered has been extremely surprised that Heidi would come over here while being pregnant, Not only does it reveal her strength but also her astounding resolve and love for Iliah.
Through all the trials, Walking, Filth, danger and heat Heidi has taken it in stride. Our time here would make anyone complain and want to go home. Even though I know Heidi would love to be in our new home she didn't flinch when Victor said she would have to be here until the end of the month.
I must admit I didn't realize how strong Heidi was until this trip. Strong willed and stubborn yes but not the strength of Heart and resolve she has shown.
It is one thing to be Pregnant in Ukraine but in addition this is probably the most stressful time in our lives.
A Move away from friends and family
A new house, we have yet to move into
A new job, I was away from Heidi 6 weeks before this Ukraine trip
An adoption
Our Renter in Ohio hasn't paid since May, they are finally out of the house
Children to get registered for school, it starts on the 23rd
financial sink hole, caused by all the above
Oh yeah and baby Berlin on the way!
I tend to worry about everything and with the above it makes it even worse. Heidi is always there to put things in perspective and be the voice of reason saying it will all work out I trust you. I don't know what is more impactful the fact that my pregnant wife is the calm one or if it is the trust and faith she has in me to lead our family through this stressful time.
It has always been her faith and trust in me that has motivated me. Ever since June of 2006 my reason for being successful and working hard changed. Every time I faced a challenge at work she is always there to encourage me, when I wanted to be a GM by 30 it was Heidi that told me over and over that I could do it.
We have only been married since June of 2006 but if we were to calculate of length of marriage in life changing events then we would be an old married couple. Through all these changes Heidi has been supportive and trusting in me.
Life events since Being Married:
Move from Pa to Ohio
Major Car Accident 1 month after Marriage
Heidi temporarily Paralyzed, Broke two neck bones Had neck surgery.
Adopted a dog
Moved from apartment to a house we bought
Started trying to have a baby
Moved from OH to Alabama for work
I adopted London
London had Surgery
Started Fertility procedures
Heidi had Surgery
Got another dog
Moved from AL to VA
I had back surgery
Heidi had another Surgery
London had another Surgery
I had a car accident only Minor injuries
Hosted Iliah
Decided to Adopt Iliah
Heidi gets Pregnant
Moving from Va to Texas
Bought House
To recap that's:
5 Moves
6 Surgeries
2 Car Accidents
2 Dogs
2 Houses
2 Adoptions
1 baby
and a partridge in a pear tree.
How about that for 4 years of Marriage. I don't know many women who could or would keep up with that.
When we moved to Williamsburg Heidi was fed up with moving, starting new jobs and leaving friends so she made it clear that she did not want to move ever again. So this spring when I told her I felt it was time to move for my career and our family it was not well received. All the challenges, all the difficulties of the previous 4 moves did not make Heidi interested at all in moving. In addition we had developed closer friendships in Williamsburg then we had in any other place. Heidi couldn't bear the thought of moving. I told her that no matter what promotion I was offered I wouldn't take it if she wasn't on board. Besides, after all the trust she had given me it was my turn to trust that she would help me make the best decision for our family. Two weeks later we were on a date night when Heidi said she was ready to move and that she felt it was the best thing for our family.
This move meant more to me than any of the previous because I knew it was such a sacrifice for her. She was leaving best friends a church she loved and the best place she had ever worked.
Heidi Selfless Love:
There is an example of Heidi's selfless love that I will never forget.
When we got married London was 7 and Heidi had been a single Mom all those years. When we got married I immediately stepped in to London's life like I had always been there. Not only loving her like the child I always had but also disciplining, punishing when necessary and making parental decisions. Never once in our entire marriage has Heidi ever said, acted or treated me as if I did not have the right to do this. I have always been amazed by the respect and trust she has shown me in this area. I don't know if I could be that unselfish if the tables were reversed. I couldn't imagine being a single parent for 7 years having all of the power of parental decisions and guidance only to share them fully with someone you only knew for a matter of months. Over these 4 years I have been witness to many mixed families and so often the birth parent prevents their spouse from having equal say in the parenting decisions. This display of selfless love by Heidi is the reason we have never felt like a mixed family. We only dated 3 weeks and were married with in 2 months of our first date. There had to be times when Heidi thought hey that's my daughter not yours but never, never was I made to feel that way. That's the love of a good woman!
So to My Beautiful Wife/ AKA Super Prego I say thank you!
Thank you for your Love, your Trust and Respect!
Thank you for being right by my side during these crazy 4 years!
Thank you for being my biggest fan, my greatest supporter and my motivation!
When I proposed I promised to Love you, to be the best Husband and father I could be, and most of all for our lives not to be boring! :-)
Well the first too will always be a work in progress but I think we can officially check off the third.
I look forward to the next 4 BORING years with my beautiful wife.
I wanted to use this Blog to acknowledge the strongest woman I know.
Tomorrow marks Heidi being 5 months pregnant or 20 weeks. While most couples would be giddy with excitement over the fact that they could find out the sex of the baby during the 2o week sonogram here we sit in "Paradise". By the time Heidi gets home the baby will probably be too big and have its butt facing out so we can't see.
While other expectant mothers would be spending their days shopping for the baby and preparing the nest, Heidi is in Ukraine.
While others are trying to be as comfortable as possible, Heidi is in the most uncomfortable place she could be.
While others are baby proofing and staying away from danger, Heidi is in a place where safety is a real concern.
Almost everyone we have encountered has been extremely surprised that Heidi would come over here while being pregnant, Not only does it reveal her strength but also her astounding resolve and love for Iliah.
Through all the trials, Walking, Filth, danger and heat Heidi has taken it in stride. Our time here would make anyone complain and want to go home. Even though I know Heidi would love to be in our new home she didn't flinch when Victor said she would have to be here until the end of the month.
I must admit I didn't realize how strong Heidi was until this trip. Strong willed and stubborn yes but not the strength of Heart and resolve she has shown.
It is one thing to be Pregnant in Ukraine but in addition this is probably the most stressful time in our lives.
A Move away from friends and family
A new house, we have yet to move into
A new job, I was away from Heidi 6 weeks before this Ukraine trip
An adoption
Our Renter in Ohio hasn't paid since May, they are finally out of the house
Children to get registered for school, it starts on the 23rd
financial sink hole, caused by all the above
Oh yeah and baby Berlin on the way!
I tend to worry about everything and with the above it makes it even worse. Heidi is always there to put things in perspective and be the voice of reason saying it will all work out I trust you. I don't know what is more impactful the fact that my pregnant wife is the calm one or if it is the trust and faith she has in me to lead our family through this stressful time.
It has always been her faith and trust in me that has motivated me. Ever since June of 2006 my reason for being successful and working hard changed. Every time I faced a challenge at work she is always there to encourage me, when I wanted to be a GM by 30 it was Heidi that told me over and over that I could do it.
We have only been married since June of 2006 but if we were to calculate of length of marriage in life changing events then we would be an old married couple. Through all these changes Heidi has been supportive and trusting in me.
Life events since Being Married:
Move from Pa to Ohio
Major Car Accident 1 month after Marriage
Heidi temporarily Paralyzed, Broke two neck bones Had neck surgery.
Adopted a dog
Moved from apartment to a house we bought
Started trying to have a baby
Moved from OH to Alabama for work
I adopted London
London had Surgery
Started Fertility procedures
Heidi had Surgery
Got another dog
Moved from AL to VA
I had back surgery
Heidi had another Surgery
London had another Surgery
I had a car accident only Minor injuries
Hosted Iliah
Decided to Adopt Iliah
Heidi gets Pregnant
Moving from Va to Texas
Bought House
To recap that's:
5 Moves
6 Surgeries
2 Car Accidents
2 Dogs
2 Houses
2 Adoptions
1 baby
and a partridge in a pear tree.
How about that for 4 years of Marriage. I don't know many women who could or would keep up with that.
When we moved to Williamsburg Heidi was fed up with moving, starting new jobs and leaving friends so she made it clear that she did not want to move ever again. So this spring when I told her I felt it was time to move for my career and our family it was not well received. All the challenges, all the difficulties of the previous 4 moves did not make Heidi interested at all in moving. In addition we had developed closer friendships in Williamsburg then we had in any other place. Heidi couldn't bear the thought of moving. I told her that no matter what promotion I was offered I wouldn't take it if she wasn't on board. Besides, after all the trust she had given me it was my turn to trust that she would help me make the best decision for our family. Two weeks later we were on a date night when Heidi said she was ready to move and that she felt it was the best thing for our family.
This move meant more to me than any of the previous because I knew it was such a sacrifice for her. She was leaving best friends a church she loved and the best place she had ever worked.
Heidi Selfless Love:
There is an example of Heidi's selfless love that I will never forget.
When we got married London was 7 and Heidi had been a single Mom all those years. When we got married I immediately stepped in to London's life like I had always been there. Not only loving her like the child I always had but also disciplining, punishing when necessary and making parental decisions. Never once in our entire marriage has Heidi ever said, acted or treated me as if I did not have the right to do this. I have always been amazed by the respect and trust she has shown me in this area. I don't know if I could be that unselfish if the tables were reversed. I couldn't imagine being a single parent for 7 years having all of the power of parental decisions and guidance only to share them fully with someone you only knew for a matter of months. Over these 4 years I have been witness to many mixed families and so often the birth parent prevents their spouse from having equal say in the parenting decisions. This display of selfless love by Heidi is the reason we have never felt like a mixed family. We only dated 3 weeks and were married with in 2 months of our first date. There had to be times when Heidi thought hey that's my daughter not yours but never, never was I made to feel that way. That's the love of a good woman!
So to My Beautiful Wife/ AKA Super Prego I say thank you!
Thank you for your Love, your Trust and Respect!
Thank you for being right by my side during these crazy 4 years!
Thank you for being my biggest fan, my greatest supporter and my motivation!
When I proposed I promised to Love you, to be the best Husband and father I could be, and most of all for our lives not to be boring! :-)
Well the first too will always be a work in progress but I think we can officially check off the third.
I look forward to the next 4 BORING years with my beautiful wife.
Hey Berlins, our long awaited departure is just a few hours away! Dima has had the fever again and Dan and I have developed the throat crud again. I really feel awful physically. Dima has been a different kid since we got him. He is way high strung and enjoying getting a few things, like fake Nike tennis shoes and a couple of t-shirts. His favorite thing was the "Counterstrike" PC game we got him. He has enjoyed typing in English and Russian on the keyboard. Note about that: Viktor found some russian character stickers that can be put on all of your english keyboards, eliminating the need altogether for buying the russian keyboards. Also, our computers can be set to type russian very easily. So ask Viktor for help with this. He is awesome with computers and knows where to buy gaming supplies CHEAP. You've got to make it one of your stops before leaving Kyiv. Would've tried to skype with you again but this apartment doesn't have internet access. Viktor brought a modem to use but it will only work on Dan's work computer and his company has a block on skype. Heidi looks great and I agree is doing very well handling the stress and events of adoption. I am sure that having Jackie there gives her strength as Jackie is a strong and uplifting Christian. Just remember you are in God's will. While you will face challenges, you are passing the tests! Your story will be a witness to someone else - maybe the adoptive family of Vlady and Lisa. Try to stay positive through it all. It is very easy to to see the glass half empty. When you are feeling down, make yourself write a list of positive things about your trip (bigger beds, AC, good cooking internet and skype), and make a list of the exciting things to come (new baby Berlin, a son that loves you beyond all measure, a new home and pool, a positive career move, new church.....). Know that friends and family everywhere are reading your blog and holding you up on prayer. Soon this will all be over, so just hang in there. It won't be long before the mission team will be there. By then you will probably be wrapping things up. Also, know that Viktor has worked hard for us and he will come through for you. Miss you and will contact you soon. Lisa
ReplyDeleteAaaaahhhhhhh! Dad you are the best. Your so sweet to have done a blog for mom. Miss you so much more. Hugs and kisses to everyone. Love you lots.
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