'Jouney to Sova'

new site

2009-03-21T00:31:00.003-04:00

Well you all know that I started this site as therapy to not go insane in the adoption process (and to keep everybody informed of course;)
And I tried to end it last fall but I have to admit that I enjoy the blogging world!
My friend recently noted that when her child does something awful or it's a crazy day- instead of flipping out she thinks, 'hey, this can be a great post!' haha...that's a great perspective.
Anyways, in this busy world it's nice to be connected (in a strange on-line sorta way) to what's going on....(which is usually just a mess in my house.)
But regardless here's the new site:
www.turnertimesct.blogspot.com

2009-03-17T21:18:00.007-04:00

Yes, that is dirt all over the table...Mike worked late tonight so we made mud pies...inside :)
The boys kept on looking up at me to watch my reaction as they poured water over their dirt on the table while swirling it around with their hands...they loved it.

Our corn and greenbeans sprouted and we are now waiting on the daisies.

I took the kids to a 'bouncy place' today- they were the Mega inflatables w/ obstacle courses and all. Im glad no one took a picture of me stuck in that thing (yes- really stuck- hey if skinny minnie Sova needed a push, you can imagine how bad I needed one!) but Id rather look like a fool than wave to my kids from a bench...(they dont know what they are missing out on :)
Caleb amazed me w/ his climbing skills (see child on volcano:)

Tonight Sova asked me to not make anymore mashed potaotes- she asked if we can drive to her 'India house' and eat 'those big balls' that Tuchi Mayo would roll up and stuff into her mouth. It was so cute- she was trying so hard to remember what was in the 'big balls' and she showed me w/ her hands how they were made and rolled and put into her mouth.
We havent been to an Indian reastauant w/ her yet- I think it would be nice to treat her to some of her Indian cusine soon! Yum.
She has also recently informed me that she loves her middle name 'Elliana' very very much...and will sometimes request that I say her full name, 'mommy say, Sova-Grace Ellianna Turner'...
so sweet :)

Jacob working w/ daddy...not a new sight!

2009-03-05T21:46:00.002-05:00

Well our 'Season of Birthday's' has ended w/ a bang....Mike celebrated the big 30 this week after celebrating 5 family members b-days in the past 2 months. With a birthday party practically every weekend Sova keeps on wondering when her turn is coming...July is not soon enough.

As you can see (or not see...there are supposed to be 3 children in that shaded area:)
we are waiting for our seeds to sprout. I caught them gathered around the seeds saying, "Grow seeds- start growing!" (from Frog & Toad)
I think Im coming down w/ the whole spring cleaning thing right now (even w/ a foot of snow outside.)
One day I decieded to make of list (you know I love lists) of things I need to clean out or organize. There were several things I wrote down. But my problem is I LOVE crossing out the items so I kind of become obsessed w/ my list. I cleaned out the boys closet and mine, I organized my desk, I found my jouranls from 5-10 years ago and got a little sappy, I organized all my homeschooling stuff, I cleaned out the tupperware drawer and found all the lids, as I type I see my pantry items spewed across the kitchen floor- I guess my energy wore off and I'd rather type about it then get back to work :)
How do I do this?
This is what happens when a usually very busy child is sick in bed w/ a fever :(
We cant go out so I made the best of it w/ my 'little helpers.'
I can still here them echoing in my ear..."what you doing mommy?" "what that?" "why?"
I SHALL complete the list tomorrow.

2009-02-25T20:54:00.003-05:00

Jacob the Engineer:
9pm I peeked into the boys room to find Jacob working at his tool bench. He opened up an old cell phone to see what was inside. He LOVES doing things like that. He has to know how EVERYTHING works...and then he remembers it. He has an old VCR and that is his on going project- he likes to take the gears off and pretend to fix it. He is so intense and focused when he works I think he Really thinks that he is going to actually fix the thing!
He clearly inherited this from Michael who can fix anything...they are already talking about buying an old car and 'fixing it up' together for Jacob when he is older :)

Spring Fever: it was 35 defrees but Sova- Grace got a bad case of Spring Fever. She caught me going through her summer clothes that friends gave me. She immediately had to try on a half dozen dresses- she was in love :) "No take this off mommy, please, sova wear it tomorrow?!"
She also saw the pink maryjane crocs I had stashed away and she was thrilled...she is sleeping w/ them on as I type :) Last weekend I told her that it might snow again and she litterally fell to the floor and was close to a tantrum...I think she had enough of winter.

Caleb enjoying some pampering.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

2009-02-16T14:10:00.000-05:00

My baby turned 3 yesterday! He is currently obsessed w/ Wall E the robot(disney movie) - so that was our theme. He ran into our room at 6 am singing happy birthday to himself- he then crawled into bed and said, 'look I grew bigger!'
Caleb is such a funny boy. Just watching him makes you laugh. He has a great imagination.
He is the pickiest eater ever and can be very... stubborn- is a gracious term (mostly around meal time)
And on the other hand- he is definatly the quietest- even easiest child. He goes w/ the flow and can entertain himself all day w/ one army guy. He has the cutest voice I ever heard. Saddly he resuses to use the potty and still wants his pacifier (maybe he knows I dont want him to grow up?)
Unlike Jacob and Sova- he is Not a people person...he does not like to make eye contact w/ new people- he just pretends they are not there...I think it makes him feel better. He adores his big cousin Jack. He plays amazinly well w/ his sister and he likes to be Jacob's sidekick-he will do anything his brother tells him to do. (scary I know)
He loves wresting w/ daddy and I still get serenaded w/ "hold me hold me mama"- Thank God he is still my cuddle bug.
He recently announced to me while we were driving in the car, "Mama, God loves me alot!"
That He does my baby boy and so do we!

2009-02-10T21:42:00.007-05:00

Hmmm...since #3 has joined us I seem to have lost my desire and creativity in blogging...it was quite exciting posting durring the adoption journey because of all of the news (or lack of at times:)
And then I wondered about changeing the blog name because it's really not a 'journey to sova' anymore...she's HOME! :) Not to mention that journey is spelt wrong...but I dont want to create a new one because I like having our India posts on here...every now and then I peek back and reminisce of meeting our Indian princess :)

Not much going on-
As you can see our kitchen table has been getting alot of use...is spring almost here? !? Actually I have been latly amazed at how the kids have been playing so great together...it may be the best feeling a mom can have to see and hear her kids playing so nicely and actually hear them speak kind and loving words...quite fullfilling! (but notice the word amazed....dont let me fool you:)
While I was cleaning up lunch Jacob deceided to put the little ones down for a nap by himself. He read them both a book and tucked them in seperately...I was overhearing everyting but I didnt believe it would really happen. It did...they both fell asleep w/out me ever having to go in..amazing.

Sova Grace is battling her 1st American cold...and battling her pants...I was cracking up- I overheard her in the other room saying, "Not Again! Sova's pants fall ALREADY!"
Ya see we have this pants issue...size 4T no matter what kind fall down-even w/ a belt...but 3T leaves her w/ extreme highwaters...she is a string bean- w/out pants :) (tights work...so dresses it is...and after 2 boy's everyone knows I dont mind that)

Jacob is waitng for his 1st tooth to fall out (any day), he had his 1st karate belt test and will be moving up to the dragons next week, and he is amazing me w/ his math and reading ability lately...something clicked in him and he is cruising...what used to take us an hour to get through takes 20 min :)

Caleb...I am avoiding...
One night I sat down w/ him and picked up an 'action figure' and started playing ....
It was a night I wish to claim back...I kid you not- he must have thought that was the coolest thing ever- because he will not stop asking, "mama you want to play with me?" in that cutest voice ever... How can I say no right? So I feel that mommy guilt come on and I take off those dish gloves and play. (he takes out several Different action figures/characters that, "all live in this house" and I just say, 'wow cool you can fly army guy...can we be friends?' (hence the 1st picture..Im the meer cat on the right)
It's the little things right? He get's so excited that he actually stutters.
Of course I had 1 on 1 before w/ Caleb- but I guess not so imaginitive...he is now obsessed and is my official stalker.

2009-01-26T21:54:00.003-05:00

My Love Note
I recieved I lovely love note today from my husband. It was drawn on the kids Etcha-sketch.
I have awoken in a sea of hand picked petals as a teenager- (he actually snuck in my room), to countless other things...and yet even though the days of rosepetals seem lost in the midst of the diapers, stuffed animals, dolls, and playdough...he still tries!
He is a hopeless romantic ;)

Sova-Grace looking at her India pictures

Always Room for More

2009-01-14T21:54:00.006-05:00

A few nights ago putting Sova-Grace to bed:

"Mom, Sova needs more kids."

me: "you need more kids?"

Sova scooched over against the wall and said, "see, more kids could fit in my bed" she then throws down 2 stuffed animals but grabs her doll tight. "mommy, theres lots and lots of kids at 'dede's room...All the kids!" her eyes bulging (Dede is the pre- K staff woman in the orpahnage...from 8-4 Sova was w/ her and 20 other 3 - 4 year olds in a small room)

me: "you want mommy to go get some of the kids in Dede's room?"

"No...Daddy go get the kids...Sova stay home w/ mommy...
mommy, no presents in India...all the kids-no presents" shaking her head sadly.

me (after running to the video camera to record this conversation!:
"how many kids do you want to come live w/ us?"

Sova: after looking over her bed space "4 kids mom"
after seeing my eyes grow large she continued on and on, "mom, Sova share her jammys, Sova share her dolls, Sova share her toothbrush, Sova share her butterfly wings..."
It went on and on. SHe even suggested that Dede can come too and told me that I should share my jammy's w/ her :)

She then said, "Mommy, go get Sunita..Sunita has no mommy and daddy!"
I told her Sunita DOES have a mommy and daddy -that are coming to get her soon (because I really know this) but she didnt understand and and repeated, "no, mommy! Sunita- NO mommy no daddy!"
I was at a loss for words...so we prayed together for all the children in Dede's room.
She was fine after that small emotional uprising.

SHe simply stuns me. SHe is so greatful for everything- she always says, "mommy, thank you for cooking me food."
I love it that she talks about India often. While cooking or eating she will always comment, "No icecubes in India," 'No cherrios, no waffles in India" "no jeans, no tights, no dolls." It's kind of rare when something does strike a similariy- such as our soft tortialla's on taco night- she got quite excited about those and said, "Sova eat this in India house!"
Im hoping that by continuing to pray for the kids in the orphanage and talking about India as often as we do...this will keep her spirit sensitive, generous, and caring- qualities that already exist in her.
I found her sleeping like this after our conversation..notice the dolls tucked in on her pillow.

Dreaming in English

2009-01-05T12:57:00.002-05:00

I love looking at my sleeping children. I used to do it alot more in the 'quieter days of old' when was I was less exhausted at night...
But every now and then I just sit and stare at them and that of course usually leads to the desperate prayers of a mother comeing forth as I imagine them growing up and getting married and choosing life's various path's.

Sova-Grace now dreams in Enghlish...meaning: she mumbles in her sleep alot and and we used to not understand her- it was in Oriyan...now when she talks in her sleep it's English...it looks like she completely transitioned over :)
She still insists upon wraping her arms around whoever is putting her to bed that night. She clings tightly and stares into our face- I watch those huge eyes stareing into mine, just centimeters away, blinking hard to fight off the sleep. It may sound stange but I am not over the fact that this little girl is finnaly here. I like to lay there and take in all that God has orchestrated to get her here. The fact that He knew her while she was forming in her birth mother's womb and protected her in her infancy-saving her life from the dangerous and posibly deadly streets...here she is...cozy and warm with her arms around me...It blows my mind to think of how far away she was and how much she went through in her few years of life. She is a permant reminder in my life of the many things that God stands for.

ONE THING

2008-12-30T15:07:00.003-05:00

Im sitting here listening to a free webcast and Im getting totally inspired.
There is only ONE THing that counts in this world...ONE THING!
It's actually called the One THing Conference- thousands are in attendance right now In KC but even more get to hear it FREE on line...
www.ihop.org
you have to fill out a quick registration page but it's free- and will be going on until midnight newyears eve....check it out...right now it's just music but later will be awesome teachings that I Promise will change your life! If your reading this and it's past new years- click on it anyways because I think there's archives....it's worth it.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T14:25:00.008-05:00

wiped out and only 1/2 way done w/ the day!
The Fam!
Sisters!
Caleb at 10pm Christmas Eve dreaming of sugarplums
6:40 am...Sova's stilll trying to figure this whole 'wake up early and open stocking thing' she wasnt too fond of the early morning comotion...
...well, until she found some goodies inside the big sock.

Merry Christmas!
What a day- Im in my pajamas still and the house is still a whirlwind- but hey thats what the 26th should be like right?
We had a very busy Christmas- like all if our holidays- but Im not complaining- I like it that way. Sova got the hang of the whole present thing pretty fast. Although in the midst of being spoiled at grandma's she took a deep breathe and said, "no more presents." In the morning she wanted to "Save her stocking for later" but Jacob just wouldnt have that- so he coerced her into opening it. Naturally she took her time (typical) opening her gifts, Jacob wanted to tear throught them in the speed of light (typical Jacob) and Caleb was content in his own little world happily playing with a peice of fuzz on the carpet (typical Caleb) until we called him over to open another gift.

Im blessed w/ a rare oppurtunity to take a nap as wonderful husband took Jacob to exchange non- working gadgets.

bonding

2008-12-22T20:54:00.002-05:00

Snowed in

2008-12-21T13:50:00.002-05:00

I feel like it's Christmas every day this week! With us all being snowed in and aunty jocelyn and uncle Ian here- we are having so much fun. We even had a big family sleepover complete w/ pancakes and sledding in the morning :) Actually I just pretended to be scared to drive home...w/ both of my sister's and their families sleeping over my mom's I didnt want to miss any fun . Mike had to go plow and said the roads were too bad to come back (I just think he didnt want to sleep on a couch w/ a cat) Jacob was on Jacks floor, Sova started out sleeping in nana's bed but she is such a snuggle bug that my mom couldnt sleep- so at 2:30 am she was escorted to the couches that were pushed together that Caleb and I were sleeping on. Baby Eli woke bright and early- launching uncle nate out for a 'box of Joe.' Mike showed up at 7:30 w/ snowtubes attatched to the back of the quad...and then the fun began :)

Butterfly Man

2008-12-14T21:13:00.003-05:00

I hope your packing Aunty Jocelyn & Uncle Ian...we got some excited kids in Connecticut!
As you can see your on our Christmas chain countdown- 4 more days!
Jacob saw an airplane today and thought it might be you guys...I told him I sure hope not cuz their not landing until Thursday and that would be a long flight.

I wish I had my camera this weekend...it was the biggest Kodak moment I've seen in a long time.
Saterday we took the kids to a Butterfly sanctuary...it was realy cool- the best part was that you felt like you were in the rainforest even though it was freezing outside.
Anyways- a particular species of butterfly were very much attracted to Michael. It was hilarious- they were kind of attacking him- they were on his head- on his nose- is stomach- his back- his legs...
It was only the black and yellow kind. At first he was freaking out and waiving them away- but this was making the kids very nervous- they then began to scream at butterflys and we were getting some irritated looks by the fellow butterfly observers, so MIke deciede to embrace the butterflys . He stood in the center of the sanctuaty and posed w/ his arms out standing very still...and then they came- they were fluttering all around him- people came and watched...It was hilarious- I was crying...I cant believe I didnt have a camera!
I call Sova-Grace, 'my little butterfly' because she is so delicate and she kind of walks like she's fluttering around- and she loves butterflys...but strangely now when I see a butterfly I will be reminded of my large husband ducking in the bushes from these dainty little creatures- that he swears were spitting on him!

1st Snow

2008-12-08T12:53:00.007-05:00

The Return of the Gingerbread House
Stringing Popcorn
Sova's 1st snow:

upon opening the door to get a better look she turns around w/ a disappointed look on her face and says, "mommy...snowman? snowman no?" with a shrug.

Upon touching it she said, "mommy- icecubes!"

I think all of our picture books of snow have snowmen in them and she assumed they must fall w/ the snow!
When she came in the house and some snow fell on the floor and was on her coat- she said, "Oh my gosh! snowman in the house! get out!"

This morning (one day after after the snow) she opened the door and said, "no...no snowman."

The Giver

2008-12-04T14:43:00.006-05:00

Future BFF's cousin cubs- Caleb & Eli
HUH? Ok let me explain...Princess Sova-Grace made me do it...
SHe was pretty thriled elastics fit in her hair- Im not gonna lie- Caleb was too ;)
Jacob's not in the picture because he ran away very fast.
This is what happens after dinner in the winter I guess.

Last night while tucking in Sova, she told me that she wanted to give "tuchimayo' some coffee. That is her old caretaker in India. She told me that Tuchimayo does not have coffe and that she would like some. I got such a kick out of that- she must see how important it is to Mike and I and she thinks Tuchimayo must be missing out on some good stuff!
My friends and I are in the midst of sending care packages to India and Nepal so I told Sova that we can send some coffe to Tuchimayo w/ a picture of Sova. She seemed pretty satisfied but then she decieded to ask for more. She thought that her friend Shandhya would really like 'cream' (Im assuming whipped...the kind she eats off my Really good coffees:)
And then she said she wanted to give her extra red mittens to her friend Shasmita because her hands are cold! I think she has the Gift of Giving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T21:23:00.006-05:00

The cousins
Aprons for the Turner women!

Surprise...look who's going to be a big brother! Baby Eli and Jack...Congratulations Jess!
There is much to be thankful for every year but I feel particularly blessed this year.
Last year I had a little piece of my heart living halfway across the planet and now she was making pumpkin cookies w/ me last night.
Oh how I love THanksgiving! I believe it always must stem from whatever childhood memories we have of that particular holiday. I made Mike watch the old Miracle on 34th Street last night w/ me to start of the Holiday right :)
I've havent done "Black Friday" shopping since I was 16...tomorrow I embark w/ my mom on a very early morning...these deals better be cut out to all that they are supposed to be!

All dressed up and no where to go

2008-11-25T15:07:00.006-05:00

Here's a sneak peak of this years Christmas cards! Notice the height difference of Jacob and Sova...they are only 13 months apart but this weekend I had to return a size 8 to the store because they were to short for my 5 year old!
Sova-Grace was in love w/ her 'ballerina' dress...she twirled around and said, "no take it off mommy...later...not now...Sova sleep in dress...no take it off" about 22 times. The smile says it all!
She was really disappointed that I would not put on a pretty dress too.
I think Caleb looks like a little dough boy :)

FIsh lover monkey hater

2008-11-18T20:37:00.004-05:00

I've never met a child who when reading a bedtime story w/ pictures of farm animals in it - the child sees a chicken and says, "eat it" and then goes to the Beta fish bowel and says, "Sova eat the fish?" I told her no and she said, "awww yes, Sova eat the fish."
Walking through pet stores is fun too...she saw a large fish tank and said, "ohhhh...Sova eat it." I
I guess she really enjoys eating her fish and chicken! We found out that she does Not like monkeys and the Rainforest Cafe. She sat on my lap the whole time and when dinner came she said, "mommy...eat and GET OUT!"

Let's see...lately I've been regretting my last post about loving November...I forgot it gets dark and cold early. Ya see after dinner the kids used to go outside to play w/ Mike- while I get to clean up in peace. Now it's dark and freezing and there is no peace :)
I really dont know what to do... we've been playing hide and seek for weeks now w/ the same 4 good hiding spots- Mike stands in the middle of the room w/ a sheet over his head and they still love it!
Mike has resorted to laying on the floor and letting the kids jump all over him. Then it leads to taking out ALL of the couch cushions and clobbering Mike. THis is one very crazy time-the kids are all beat red and and take turns between laughing and crying. Tis the season!

Also I just realized that After 2 1/2 months of Sova being in America...her language is 95% English! Today I noticed that she rarely if ever speaks Oriyan...It truly blows my mind how these little children can do this- but they do. She obviously has a very thick (and quite adorable) accent which will remain for quite some time I think...so many people dont understand what she is saying- but she is saying the english word- just a w/ an accent and maybe a little bit wrong (ilifent = elepahnt) So much worrying for nothing!

2008-11-06T14:04:00.007-05:00

Hair extraganza- done doting big brother Jacob

Little buddies- I dubbed as , 'the twins' (where you find one- you'll find the other ;) Caleb recently said, "mommy, I love Sova- Grace."

Cousin sleepover
Yay…November! This is my favorite month…I just love it- thanksgiving is my faverite holiday, pumkin is my favorite taste, and I love the crunchy leaves and the smell of chimney fires- I even love the dead trees…I especially love that all the scarey Haloween decorations that I have been trying to have my kids avoid, will be taken down!

If Sova could beg to differ I think she would…a very frequent word she uses is ‘cold!’ as her tiny body shakes. She is our weather girl- every morning she opens the door and steps out- then she runs back in and slams the door and says, ‘COLD!’ and laughs…I wonder what she thinks about this coldness- she doesn’t like to take off her shoes because she thinks our floor is cold. When I dress her in the morning and put on her socks she says, “wait’ then she runs to the kitchen tile- slowly puts her tip toes on the tile to test it- then she screams, cold! And runs back to me to put on her socks. The snow will be interesting!

Her language has taken off-
Whenever she leaves my side- whether going outside or even the other room, she says, “I’ll be back.” She is reassuring me- I guess- it’s really funny.
Most frequently used words: in a couple minutes, in a little while, later, (is there a theme here? Sadly does this mean that she hears these words the most?) she sings ‘clean up clean up everybody clean up’ and “brush brush brush your teeth’, we only celebrated one birthday so far and she knows the song, at week 4 she was humming the Indianna Jones theme song- how could she not sometimes I hear it it my sleep (the boys love lego.com indiana jones game)
When her balloon broke I told her it popped- so now anything that is broken is ‘popped’-
She almost only plays with her doll which has recently gotten the name “Lulu”
She will fall asleep napping by herself but at bed she wont sleep unless one of us lays w/ her. She still screams bloody murder when mike puts her to bed but instead of an hour of screaming it’s 5 minutes!
She saw me cutting Calebs hair and she said, “ no cut Sova’s hair!” No chances of that anyway!

She talks about her friend Shasmita almost everyday but not in a sad way. Occasionly she will talk about the other children in the orpahnage but not as frequently…she told me that “Shasmita- America, Sipra - India” (her other friend in the orphanage) …she’s smart…much smarter than I ever expected- In fact I really think she is ‘bright.’
She talks almost as much as Jacob…possibly equal! Never did I think that was possoble…God must think that Im one patient mama! Even though she’s gabby w/ us she is shy around new people and situations. If someone says hi to her, she will burrow her face in my neck and hide.
She LOVES to clean…she picks up great- sometimes I have had to stop her because she was doing the boys job. Many times when I am about to do the dishes she runs to the sink and says, ‘no mommy clan up…sova clean up!’ She not only clears the table but she happily Hand Picks every crumb on the table and then scrubs it down-better than I would have. She has a great memory- if I said, ‘wheres calebs socks?’ she ran out to the swingset where he left them hours ago-
She likes to brush calebs teeth for him and she always wants to sleep in his bed…once in a while she does- it’s so cute- we have found all 3 if them in the bed sleeping a couple times.
I thinks she is hinting that she wants ME to dress up more…she has brought my heels to me and has brought my India bangles to me…when I put her in a dress (ok…that’s like everyday) and I say ‘pretty dress’ she says, ‘mommy too?’ She tells me how she wants my hair done and lets me know if my pony tail is getting too messy.
She still is obssessed w/ soap- any kind- bars or liquid she loves to wash- the boys will beg that I don’t wash their hair and she beggs that I will wash her hair.

Last night we had friends over and we were showing them Inida pics w/ Sova on my lap- when we got to her orpahnage- she said, ‘Sova's home’ I said- ‘yes, in Inidia that was Sova’s home- now this is Sova’s- in America w/ mommy, daddy, Jacob and Caleb... family' and hugged her- I then waived and said 'bye bye' to the orphanage picture and said ‘Sova’s home now’ and pointed to the room…she smiled and shouted, “Thank you mommy! and gave me a huge squeeze”
Your welcome little girl! :)

She is pretty amazing.

Dancing Queen and King

2008-10-29T14:45:00.004-04:00

Campfire in our backyard

My 2 peanuts are lately the dancing queen and king. The last few days they will request to dance- Sova puts on seriously- 5 leotards that were given to her- I ask her to choose one and she points to each one and laughs- maybe she's trying to stay warm :)

Caleb will put on his capes and occasionaly a cinderella dress ;0

THen they blast music and dance around. You can see the nurturing influence that Sova has on Caleb- after seeing Sova's doll in dresses- he too has deceided it's about time to put clothes on Lamby.

So we are 10 weeks in now w/ Sova and I feel like I have a good routine now. I even have a whooping 15- 20 minutes to myself after I work w/ Jacob before Sova wakes up...that's why my blogs are rather rushed w/ not much thought ;) Like clockwork my sleepy Indian Princess wakes up and runs over to cuddle on my lap while I finish typing...I must go cuddle.

2008-10-26T16:01:00.004-04:00

The kids are pretending to be Peter, Micahel and Wendy- they are about to Fly!

They just love to hold hands and count and jump. They will play this everyday for quite a long time or usually until someone gets a little hurt ;) (hey kids need excercise right?) THey are really into Peter Pan right now- we had a family movie night- we pushed the couches together to make a 'pirate ship' and had popcorn and grapes (sova absolute favorite foods are grapes and chicken) This was possibly the 1st movie Sova sat through-probrably because she was on my lap. When we told Jacob about the 'special night' planed- you would have thoguht we told him we were going to Disney World- this kids loves anything with the word 'special' in it!

Durring a jumping session I caught Jacob saying, "Sova come give me a hug...I love you...I cant believe I have a sister!" I think it recently really sunk in with him. These last couple weeks something has changed in them and they really bonded- he love's to play with her.

Although I must say that her and Caleb are like to peas in a pod. They actually play a bit better than her and Jacob do. They work together well when playing and have alot of laughs.

The picture of Caleb and Sova in 'wonder box.' Mike installed a big microwave above our stove this week and the box has been something pretty special around here- they've played just about everything in that box (if someone has a refridgerator box call me :) I cant help but smile when I see Sova in those pink sleepers. All year for some reason that was the vision that I saw her in. Obviously I thought about her alot last year and when I thought about her...she had pink sleepers on... I have know idea why but she did- so when a saw those in a bag of clothes someone gave me I couldnt wait to put them on her :)

ninja boy

2008-10-20T14:15:00.004-04:00

Jacob's in his 3rd week of Karate and loving it!

Mike made a homemade hayride and pulled the kids around nana's block with is quad-

Jacob was a nija, Caleb was dumbo and Sova was a butterfly :)

Those 10 hairclips were not part of the costume- she just likes as many clips as possible- I never imagined having to sneak pulling clips out of her hair as we go out in public- but I do :)

She definatly has stange dressing preferances- as I type she has 2 dresses on- one on top of the other- I dont ask because she cant answer ;)

Well tonight is the test of if our computer can be saved or not!

I hear the hose on outside w/ screams so I must go.

Im back...kind of :)

2008-10-15T15:04:00.002-04:00

Ok twist my arm Sarah- I'll start blogging again. But just so you know...it's just for you ;)
Sadly our computer crashed and Im in Mike's office on his laptop. Our computer had ALL of our pictures- 7 years worth...including babies and India! Someone is coming over next week to take a look at it and try to recover what was lost...Im in denial that the pictures may be lost.
So once our computer is fixed I think I will update this site w/ some great pics :)
hopefully next week-
We are going over an Indian familiy's house tonight for dessert- they are from our old church and we thought it might be cool for Sova to meet an Indian family.

Thanks!

2008-09-06T13:39:00.008-04:00

Well we are finnaly feeling a bit more normal :) We seem to be caught up w/ our sleep and falling into a routine. Sova's doing great! She is a fish- she loves to swim and loves to jump into the pool and go under w/ out us catching her- we then have to grab one of her flailing limbs under water and pull her up- she comes up w/ the biggest laugh and smiles ever! Today she learned that cat food does Not taste good. She eats good, we comminicate well, she seems happy, she sleeps all night now w/ out waking up and she even naps in the afternoon...yahoo! The napping really helps me- it's the same time as Caleb's nap and this gives me some time to read to Jacob and do phonics and handwriting (getting ready for math.)

The boys enjoy Sova- Jacob realy loves her and...well Caleb is learning ;)

My days seem VERY long and slightly caotic- they really do seem to All talk at once- and I know it's only 3 kids but when I take them out to the bike path or park-Im so not used to 3 that I feel like I have a large brood and I notice that Im the mom w/ the most kids now...very strange feeling! When Mike and I got married we wanted 6 kids! Eveytime we had a child enter our family the number has gone down ;) Although, in Sova's orphange we were so overcome by the children begging for us hold them that we looked at eachother and wondered out loud if we can take more home...there is such a need for these beautiful little children to have families...they are so eager- my heart still breaks....but when I see my daugher fluttering through the house...I have such hope!

Thank you all for your love and prayers and for following our Journey to Sova- Grace...what an amzing experince this was...but really it has only just begun!

Twilight Zone

2008-09-02T21:28:00.004-04:00

I went through the twilight zone last night...right as I was walking to my bed Caleb started crying...he was in so much pain from a Double ear infection he could not sleep, I was up most the night w/ him and when he fell asleep Jacob woke up from a persistant cough- he could not stop. At 4:30 just when I thought I was in the clear I found Sova in the kitchen crying- our house is small but I think she couldnt find us, she seemed to be lost. Needless to say we spent the day at Dr's and pharmiscists. What a day!

On a happy note...

we are slightly our of our haze athough Mike goes back to work tomorrow so Im in wonder of what tomorrow will look like! Sova is getting a wrong impression on this household- Caleb is constantly whining or crying- she stares at him and brings him a toy and he throws it cuz he is miserable...poor girl.

She is so good but does not know how to play- she will not sit w/ a toy, she kind of flutters around the house following me. Im going to have to teach her how to play I think- they had lots of toys at the orphange but the pre school room was small and overcrowded- they probrably didnt get much time to enjoy a toy before it got snatched away or something like that. She will not even look at a cartoon either- she actually dislikes it. I see this as a slight problem if I want to start homeschooling Jacob ;)

We try not to laugh when she runs- she looks like an ostrich- she cant run- she actually will fall- I really think her leg muscles need some work, she prefers being carried around to even walking!

She loves baths...she takes them for simple enjoyment throughout the day (or until we get our water bill) she is fascinted and kind of obsessed w/ our bar of soap- I have to hide it :) She's a true indian squatter- she wont sit on the floor- she only squatts.

The one thing that she likes is trying on a variety of clothes- she prefers pretty dresses and yes...her tutu! I felt like I got a fashion show today w/ her changing outfits. I kid you not this girl is a princess- her favorite thing to do is organize her small jewlery box- she takes out her bangles and hairclips- she puts 3 in her hair and you can imagine how that looks right now :)

She has a nervous giggle and laughs alot- she still only cries once in the middle of the night- and besides that she only had 1 tantrum (but she was exhausted)

She has been giving me lots of kisses today and I am truly amazed at how bonded I feel w/ her...it feels like she got the FYI newsletter on bonding and attaching and is simply putting things into practice!

She is still not comfortable at being alone w/ Mike- she is happy around him and laughs when he picks her up and tickles her but she gets a bit nervous and doesnt want to be alone w/ him yet. I know that will change real quick once she realizes that she has the funnest daddy ever.

It is fun wathcing her experince everything new- it's hard because I want this difficult tiring transistion time to be over but I need to stop and take in all these 1st moments that she is experiencing and not rush them by to get back to normal...which I feel right now may never happen...but I know it will...right?! :) We are having fun.

just tired

2008-09-01T20:57:00.003-04:00

The last 2 days kind of blurred together for me...

It was awesome seeing the boys again- they ran in so excited- gave huge embraces, Caleb couldnt stop giggling and saying,' I missed you!" it his adorable voice- And Jacob would not let go of me, he rubbed his eyes and said, 'something is wrong w/ my eyes'...he was crying :) ANd so was I.

Sova watched us and got a little shy and nervous..the boys just could not believe that she was really standing there- they could not stop smiling! They greeted eachother w/ awkard hugs and then we sat down to a table full of Happy meals that mike and the boys picked up. Jacob and I were the emotional ones kind of laughing and crying at the same time while eating- it was such a special time that I will never forget.

The day felt like 100 hours- we kept on looking at eachother w/ this look like...are we going to make it? We were completely wiped out from traveling/ timezones...well we still are- I should not be typing ;)

But besides the tiredness things a good- Sova is doing so well. Food and comunication is no problem. She woke up in the middle of the night crying so I joined her in her bed and she fell back to sleep. SHe is so funny- I have some funny stories but I must go to bed! Days are pretty crazy around here at the moment but I'll try to write more later :)

Home!

2008-08-31T08:56:00.005-04:00

We are home! Mike went to go get the boys at grandma's while Sova is expliring the house and I am trying to get some laundry in...she is asking for Caleb :)

What a Long flight- Mike was not even sitting w/ us so it was Very long for me! I have a meduim starbucks in my hand :)

All smiles

2008-08-29T07:21:00.003-04:00

Sova's Shell is cracking and so is her smile!
We usually have to waker her up- and she is happy and chats away. Walking through the hallway yesterday a staff said, 'goodmorning' to her and she anwered clearly-'good morning'...her 1st engilsh word (besides mommy/daddy) we were pretty surprised! After breakfast the 2 girls hammed it up in the lobby- singing the months of the year and the days of the week for us in English w/ their strong Oriyan accents- it was beautiful. We drove through Old Agra past the India I always pictured- narrow cobblestone paths, rickshaws and oxen carts- people everywhere of course. Little tiny shops- pile of rice and fruit for sale. We went to Rajeevs home where he gave us the girls files and his wife made us the best lunch ever. The girls played on the couch for such a long time.
Next was the Taj- of course amazing! It was the hottest day we have ever felt though- (Lindsay I took great pics just for you- but unfortunatly I cant upload right now) We got the most stares yet at the Taj- we felt like one of the wonders of the world!
Saddly we had to say goodbye to the Millermons that day- it was such a blessing going through this process together- we will definatly be staying in contact!
Sova enjoys the pool- although she was not to keen on keeping On her bathing suit! She though it was weird that we wore clothes in the water- but the water she does love- she wanted to go under alot.
Friday when she woke up she asked for 'Mingy' (shasmita's nickname) who has left for good- we got a little nervous because she was asking all morning- but she is fine now. She wanted to give Mingy her bread left over from her dinner- and we coulnt help but crack up becasue all week we were joking around w/ the Millermons that Shasmita has been stealing our daughters food it was pretty funny that she wanted to do that. She did not want to go to bed last night but by the time I tucked her in- brushed my teeth and came back - she was really sound alsleep- she litteraly breaks records in the falling asleep division.
We are now homesick for the boys- we did more sightseeing today and we are about to go out to shopping and dinner again w/ Rajeev and his wife- we leave tomorrw but not until very late night- we get home early Sunday morning.
Im not sure if I will be able to blog again- I really hope to upload these great pictures but our wifi is not working and Im using the hotels.

Visa Done!

2008-08-27T14:56:00.013-04:00

Well we are done! Rajeev has been doing adoptions for 15 years and has never seen visa’s issued so fast…2 families at that-he is so effiecient! So are we now back on schedule even after delays in Orissa that I will never forget. We are driving to Agra as I type. Im looking out at crowds of people in their little make shift tent homes- they litteraly sleep anywhere- there are also monkeys, cows, many dogs, I am told elephants and camels too but it is dark. Sova is sound asleep curled up under my arm. She is defintaly a Turner kid because she is a complete cuddle bug w/ mommy…although she wont cuddle w/ mike yet he has gotten 3 kisses so far :)
When we first met her she came in the room and walked over to us- I got on my kneees to hug her and and I tried so hard not to cry- she said in a tiny voice that was slightly choked up, 'mommy...daddy.' I said, 'mun thumor mommy' (I am your mommy) and she did a big exhale-it was the most emotional experience ever- (she is the bravest child I know- she does a lot of big exhales to help control her emotions- she also purses her lips into almost a fish face to try not to crack a smile when...although it's so close to cracking!) I did not want to make her cry so I carried her over to my purse and gaver her a tiny baby doll-she loved it and and happily played w/ it while we collected ourselves! She was happy all day as we walked freely around the orphange. SHe was proud to show her friends that her parents are here- other kids would call us mommy/ daddy and sit on us and want to be held- Sova made it clear to them that we were her's- although that did not stop us from holding nearly every child!
Her 'playschool teacher' loved her very much- in broken English she told me she too has 2 sons but she loves Sova as much as her own...that was a litteral prayer that came out of my mouth many times this past year- I was so happy to know someone had been showing her real love. The girls were happy all day but when the cars pulled up they got scared- what a sight to see the 2 of them hand and hand trying to get away! Needless to say there were many tears- but as we drove away past the little shanty town she fell asleep and woke up w/ out tears. She cried again before we got on the plane but she quickly fell asleep again.
She is timid but very loving. She holds us very tight- almost clings to my neck-She wants to be held rather than walk- when we are in a store she will look for me if I am a few feet away- walk over and say, 'mommy je boh.' (mommy let's go)
She woke up late this morning and asked for mommy and then some other unknown words. We understand the basics- she tells us when she has to use the bathoom and when she wants water. We have been able to tell her in Oriayn that we love her among quite a bit of other helpful phrases. She is a very good eater which is great because she is so very boney- her braclets we bought her slip right off- caleb (2) is bigger than her we think. We have been actually limitng food because they can consume quite a bit- and when we place a glass of water or juice in front of them they chug it w/ out stopping.
It was quite a bit of driving around to embassy- Dr. and back to embsasy- and then a lot of waiting around for the visa. The girls were amazing. Sova has been so quiet we have barely heard her adorable voice- when she does speak her language sounds so beatuiful. Sometimes we catch her just staring at us w/ those huge eyes and I cant help to wonder what in the world she is thinking! She has been so tired- she will curl up on my lap and fall sleep so easily- I think they are used to doing that when they get tired- I saw many kids sleeping on their chairs or in the middle of the playroom at the orpahnage.
Shasmita is the daughter of Joel and Ginger- it is so fun to watch them interact. This morning when we met for breakfast they said something to eacheother and then looked eachother up and down in their new clothes-checking eachother out-it was so cute. They are such girls- they love their jewlery that they wore home from the orphange- sova wont take off her gold necklace. Today she pointed to a street vendor selling coloreful beaded necklaces….needless to say she has added these to her growing collection.
A few months ago we sent a doll to sova with another family. That doll had become her secutiry object and she rarely puts it down. She held it tight all day feeding it a bottle I brought. We gave her a little backpack filled w/ a few small things and she guards it tightly- she wants it on her lap in the car- she does not play much w/ the items but likes to peer in often to make sure they are all there. I think she is proud that she has her own things and may be afraid of it taken away-
In the morning we will go to the Taj Maul- we are right down the street.

PS> Jacob & Caleb- mommy & daddy miss you so much! We will be coming home in a few days to give you Big hugs- Sova wants to see her brothers! We love you!

Beautiful

2008-08-26T15:26:00.006-04:00

Today we met our daughter and found out what her name meant....'Beautiful' and that is what she is! Wow is all I can say. It's past midnight here- we got her today and it was completely amazing. She is so sweet- definatly shy to us but w/ her friends she was a little chatter box so in time that will change- she is very quiet yet so incediebly trusting w/ us.
She is sleeping like a real princess in our hotel back in Delhi- that somehow got upgraded to a suite :) After a very long lice treatment and major scub down she fell asleep in 10 seconds after we said our prayers. I dont have much time to write but for the families of children in Basundhara....your children are so amazing... they are so happy and very eager for their families to come- I gave the gifts and got pictures too :)
Tomorrow is embassy work. I was really hoping to write more but my wifi is endind and I need sleep! THanks for your prayers everyone!

Maybe today...maybe tomorrow

2008-08-24T21:26:00.007-04:00

Hi we are now in Orissa and staying in a hotel only 20 minutes from Sova!

I have soooo much to say but not much time- we are doing great and ready to get our daughter.

We met up w/ Ginger and Joel- the other family traveling w/ us, they are great and we are really enjoying their company.

There is a minor problem in the city and we might have to wait to go to the orphanage until tomorrow- we are meeting Rajeev for breakfast now and he will let us know. If you dont here from us today then we are probrably getting Sova! Otherwise, I'll write more later!

Day 1

2008-08-23T08:56:00.007-04:00

Because of lack of sleep, we were showered and eating breakfast by 8:30- which consisted of mostly Indian type food buffet, I enjoyed the little rasin spice pancakes.
We met Rajeev today- he is our agencies in-country contact who will be guiding us through the week. 1st stop...coffee at a cool cafe- after dodging auto rickshaws and mopeds we went Shopping! It was a 4 story building w/ hadicrafts from all over India which ranged from really cheap to a $10,000 large wooden elephant. Elephants is one thing that this store was Not lacking. Everything was here and it was the highlight of my day...Im sure Rajeev and Mike had better moments ;)
We spent the rest of the day at the hotel, Mike is enjoying the movie channels that we do not get at home and Im about to take a Benadrly to ensure I Sleep tonight! I will fall asleep the sounds of horns...I kid you not...it is a constant drone if beeping that Never stops.
Tomorrow we meet up w/ the other family traveling and we all fly w/ Rajeev to the girl's region. We arrive late and check into a hotel before going to the orphange in the morning. I cant wait!

We're Here!

2008-08-22T23:37:00.006-04:00

(Sorry this is long- Im going to be using these printouts as part of Sova’s adoption journal so that’s why it’s detailed…I don’t feel like writing up 2 :)
Im glad that we left for the airport early because we got so lost in New Jersey…it had to be the worst area that you can get lost in. We even ended up getting a police escort back to the highway!
We sat on the runway for about an hour and a half before we took off. Somehow we ended up getting the best seats near the emergency exit w/ full feet room. ‘Big Mike’ as my friends used to call him in highschool-really apprectiated that! We sat next to a young Indian mother traveling alone w/ her baby girl. We made friends and ended up bouncing her on our knees and walked her around the cabin to give her mother a break. When we held her we just lookede at eachother and laughed. She had the biggest brownest eyes, we couldn’t help but think that she looked like Sova, as we imagined that Sova looked just like her as a baby. We are one of the 3 white couples traveling to Delhi on the plane, I cant stop looking at the Indian people as I really think that they are the most beautiful people. As soon as we started flying east the sun started coming out so we had to all keep our windows closed to sleep. But there was no sleep for us- we definatly tried-closed our eyes and layed upright frozen, but I don’t think we really even slept. We were given Indian chicken curry and other unknowns to me…I ate the brownie J
It was cool watching the screen above us that showed our flight path- when we were over Switzerland I really hoped that we would have to do an emergency fuel up or something to get a better look J
After going through Immigration we had to walk through a roped off crowd of people holding up signs for the tourists. I nervously scanned the crowd- Mike found our names 1st…I was nervous because our plane was almost 2 hours late- I didn’t know if the hotel driver would wait for us. I couldn’t stop smiling when we finally breathed in the notorious Delhi air. Immidatly we were pinpionted and 2 men ran up and grabbed Mike’s bags out of his hands even though Mike said no thanks- they wanted to bring them to the car for us for a tip. Out hotel guy came to our rescue and pryed the bags out of the man’s hands.
The 40 minute drive to the hotel was slightly overwhelming…although it was dark so Im sure I didn’t even see it all. There are cows, camels, and boney dogs walking around the street. The driving is crazy and the horns don’t stop beeping. This I could take in w/ an exciting smile but then I had to do a double look. Was that crowd of people really sleeping on the highway medium? Yes. And for the rest of the way, that is what I saw. I knew people lived on the streets of India but I never imagined it to be like this. They are litteraly on the sidewalks and street and sidewalk mediums.
When we came to our hotel we were ready for sleep- Mike is still sleeping- the sky is just getting light now…unfortunatly I could not sleep. The hotel is quite nice, the said they upgraded us too- we are on the top floor overlooking a foggy city. It is still monsoon season here, our driver said that today was the 1st dry day in a while. So anyways, we made it and we ready to see India! We meet our agency contact in the morning.

Ready or not!

2008-08-19T18:59:00.003-04:00

Well my to do list is slowly dwindleing...It kind of feels like Im getting ready to go give birth- I want everything perfect in the house before I leave. I walked around all afternoon looking for another spot to clean. I even had the boys wash and vacum the car w/ me- it was actually raining out while we did this but I needed to burn off some nervous energy!

We are ready...the boys are ready- I really think that even Caleb knows what is going on- when we talk about India he pouts and says, 'me come too!'

So 1 more day...I never thought this day would come!

Sova-Grace Elliana Turner...

Yes- it's long but everytime I would look at her little face- I just saw the name 'Grace'... but we decieded not to change her name so we are hyphinating her 1st name to Sova-Grace...Im sure most people will just call her Sova which is fine- it may just become a 'mommy & daddy' name.
As for her middle name, 'Elliana' means 'the Lord has responded'- this is obviously perfect and means a few different things to us.

Thanks for your prayers for safe travels, peace for Sova, the bonds of attachment to start forming, and for the embassy paperwork to go smoothly.

India here we come!

India Itinerary

2008-08-18T13:50:00.002-04:00

This is what our week in India will be like:

Thursday after a couple hour drive from CT we will depart from New Jersey- non stop to Delhi @ 8:30 PM

Arrive in Delhi, India- Friday 8:15 PM(Talk about LONG FLIGHT...we skipped our date night this week because we will have almost 24 hrs. belted next to eachother :)
Our Hotel will be holding up our names when we arrive (Hopefully!)

Sat. morning we meet up w/ our in-country contact from our agency- Rajeev.Maybe we will shop?

Sun. we are meeting up w/ the other family adopting- we will all fly together to the region of Orissa- a tribal region where the orphanage is.staying at a nice hotel overnight

Monday Aug.25th is what the adoption world calls our 'Gotcha Day!' We spend the day at the orpahnage- pick up Sova and fly back to Delhi that night w/ her.

Delhi is the capitol and where the US embassy is- that is why we fly back there. We will stay in a nice hotel and do our embassy work on Tuesday and Wednesday- visa interveiws ect-

Once we get her Visa (hopefully Wednesday AM) we will drive w/ Rajeev and other family to Agra- about 4 hours away and stay in another hotel near the Taj Mahal.

Thursday I think we are touring the Taj.

Friday the other family leaves- we'll just hang out by the pool.

Saterday the 30th we will drive back (4hrs) to Delhi to catch our 10:50 PM flight HOME!

We arrive in New Jersey Sunday Aug. 31st at 4:30 AM...yikes...then we drive a couple hours north to home sweet home Connecticut!

Just thinking about our 1st day home is making me tired! It will seem like a very long trip because we are going to be missing our boys like crazy.