America in Review

Trying to catch you up on all that happened when we got back isn't an easy job but I am up to the challenge. Especially because it makes things easier when I scrapbook. We came home on a Wednesday and the first few days were really great watching Erik meet his family. We took him to our work and let him see where we work and meet some of our co workers. Everyone was so happy to see this little boy their heard and read so much about. As he first started to meet people he grew shy but inevitably someone would stand out from the crowd as a big kid and Erik would respond with his kid-like charm and fun!

The next couple days were a little less fun for all of us. We knew that as soon as we came home we would need to take Paul's truck into the shop to get fixed. Right before we left for Ukraine, it started making some bad sounds and shaking instead of braking. We took it in to our amazing car mechanic (yes there are some honest ones out there still). After a day he called us and told us that he did not want to fix it for us. The cost to fix it would cost far more than the value left in our 15 year old vehicle, and even then, there would be no guarantee it would add much more time. Since we cannot get around on just one vehicle with our alternating schedules and now a third family member with places to be, we had no choice but to start looking for a vehicle. We haven't had a car payment in the past 2 years and have really loved that benefit, but just coming back, we didn't have the funds to buy anything (that would last more than a few months) outright.

We started going to dealerships and looking at our options but there really weren't many. In fact the few we found in our price range seemed to have problems. We tried to crunch numbers a couple times but, maybe most car buyers aren't smart and don't understand how car sales work, and that's why the sales team dealt with us the way they did... I don't know, but we left each time frustrated and beside ourselves. They kept asking what amount we wanted for payments and then kept asking us why it mattered how many months if they could get us into our payments.... ummmm because that means the overall price is higher! On and on they played their sales office games... us: "do you have a business card?" salesman "not on me, we have to get it inside" or "I have to get it from my manager"... followed by the parade of sales managers trying to figure out how they can "earn our business".

Day after day we were looking and not finding and Erik was trying to be so patient but clearly not excited. This was a surprise since he loves cars... I guess just not the ones we were looking at. Anyway a friend told us to look in the auto trader, and we didn't want to buy from a mom and pop car shop or a person, because they would be As Is and we wouldn't know what we would be getting but without any other options Paul decided to looking and figured we would take any vehicle we were serious about to our mechanic. Paul found a car that sounded exactly like what we looking for and at a decent price... what was strange was that it was at a Mercedes dealership. Mercedes. Somewhere we had no business walking into. Even though we were certain we would be disappointed once we got there, we decided to go anywhere.

Paul went in and asked for a sales person while Erik and I went to look at the vehicle, a 2003 Santa Fe. When a few minutes had passed, we went to find Paul and he assured us our sales person was coming and she was worth the wait. I didn't know what to think! Was I about to see a woman with crazy hair and makeup like Mimi from Drew Carey or what? Paul was right. She was worth the wait. Marina was from Russia! (and she didn't look anything like Mimi for anyone wondering). Marina greeted Erik and gave him an opportunity to speak in his native language. They conversed every step of the way including throughout the test drive. Marina didn't use any sales techniques she just made our kid very happy. The truck was perfect. Very good condition, very low miles, very well taken care of. Evidently it was a car from someone who had the vehicle to use when they visited their 2nd home here in Florida and then traded it in for a new Mercedes. We learned a lesson. High end dealerships are a great place to find a used vehicle at a low price because they intend to just take them to auction and the owners usually take very good care of them!

Marina worked on the price for us, she made sure their mechanics did a full inspection and fixed every tiny thing and even gave Paul a Mercedes to drive since in took a few days to get it "Erik Safe". Like I said before, we had no business stepping foot in a Mercedes dealership, but every person there treated us like we were there to buy their best vehicle. Truly amazing. We were able to get this amazing vehicle and had a great experience and yet our payment were lower than we expected and for a year less than we wanted! God watched over us! Marina also has a 9 year old son so we will be getting our kids together soon!

A week after being home, Paul's mom came to town to meet Erik. Sadly his dad couldn't come. This was on Halloween. We picked her up from the airport and that night she and I and Aunt Val (my best friend), took Erik to the Melnicks for trick or treating. We ran into a little hiccup on the way with a battle of car sickness due to Mom's bad driving. Erik may no apology for his interpretation of my stop and go in traffic driving and how it made his tummy go from "good" to "bad" to empty out into his treat or treat bag. We made a stop for a new trick or treat bag and whisk toothbrushes and some saltines but he was fine after that.

It took Erik....excuse me, Iron Man, all of 3 seconds to catch onto how Halloween works. Our kid is a leader. He was at the front of the line of the kids we went with and said "Trick or treat" and "thank you"... most of the time. He really enjoyed it and could not believe people were just giving out candy!

As much as we have tried to keep Erik from getting spoiled, unfortunately we haven't been able to stop it. Friends and Family members have brought Erik little gifts and we have even received a couple small presents in the mail from complete strangers and we are not sure where they came from or how they got our address. Erik checks the mail every day and on the days when something comes for him, he is especially excited. Most of all he really loves playing with his daddy. It's been hard on him now that daddy is back to work and not home for bedtime.

This week on Wednesday Erik started school. We had visited his school twice before and he has grown to be excited to go. Wednesdays are shorter by an hour and we thought it was a good day for him to start. Before he could, we had to go take him to get his shots. 5 shots. For a few days after his arm was sorry and he told everyone about the plain and the 5 shots. He cried and cried at the fear of the shots and it broke my heart to put him through it but as soon as we were done. Anyway, a few days after the shots, Erik was ready for his first day of school. His teacher is fantastic and he really likes her.

On Wednesday night, we celebrated Erik's first day by taking him to his first Hockey game, ECHL Orlando Solar Bears! Uncle Anthony (Paul's best friend) joined us and we had a great time. that night Erik asked us if he could say his bedtime prayers in English. His prayers were simple but he thanked God for Mom and Dad, Uncle Anthony, Aunt Judy, his teacher and his class. And after he said Amen, he closed his eyes again to pray for Isabelle, Ruthie and Sirius.

Days 2 and 3 of school ended in smiles too. We await the day when smiles will turn into tears but hopefully it won't happen for a while. He has homework every day now and pretty good about doing it but I have learned I am not a teacher and it's hard to explain basic concepts to a child who doesn't understand the instructions.

Today was another big day in Erik's language development. When he was having free time and playing in his room, he was doing a bit of role playing. Usually this is done in Ukrainian/Russian and we have no clue what he is saying. Today he was role playing in English. He was very clever and imaginative with his limited word and phrase usage and incorporated family friends in his game and carried on full conversations between multiple people. I just sat in the adjacent room chuckling. I am so happy that my child now plays and prays in English.

Over the past week Erik has also started opening up to Paul and I about things from his past and this is a good sign of his comfort level here. He also has become pretty good at finding ways to argue his point with the words he knows and he uses a lot of motions to get his point across. All these language skills are huge in his development and in no time he will be up to speed with his peers.

All in all, we have had a great 2 and a half weeks home and we are thrilled to see how our family will continue to change and grow. Thank you for continuing with us on the next chapter.