We may or may not ever be able to make an announcement that "we're pregnant"...but we have come to understand that the blessing is the fact that however parenthood happens, it is a miracle! ....... Now we have been home with our precious blessing from Russia since August 2007. Join us on our fun and crazy ride that we call "life with this child of mine."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Happy DE-LURK Day!!
First, let me say, we are halfway to "Happy BRIDGES Day" to Iliya! Though we were able to have custody immediately following court, the judge did not sign our paperwork until after the 10 days was up. So...6 months ago...our paperwork was being signed, and you were able to get your first official blog-look at my sweet child.
Now...
My post, yesterday, got me to thinking...
How do you know about my blog??
You've heard it all before...I started this blog (almost 2 years ago!!) to keep family & friends informed of our adoption process. I don't even know how I knew to even start a blog...but I decided that since we lived away from most of our family, that this would be a great way to keep in touch, to let others know where we were. People wouldn't have to feel "weird" about asking us about where we were in the process...and we wouldn't have to repeat our story continuously & try to remember what we told to whom.
As time went on, and our journey became more activity than mere paperwork, co-workers and people at church would ask how the process was going...and I began giving out our blog address to people I knew.
I also got involved in others' blogrolls, and from there, who knows.
In July 2006 (my first full month of having my stat counter), I had around 1,000 hits to my blog. And now, I average around 5-6,000 hits a month.
So I'm curious...where do you come from? Well...I know where a lot of you come FROM, because I have a map...but who are you?
In honor of Happy De-Lurk Day, I encourage you...find that little thing that says "comments" and post one! Go ahead...even if you're my mom or an acquaintence or my best friend or a stranger in the UK or the President of the United States (now that would be cool, but if anyone puts a comment from GWB, you know I won't believe it's him. Sorry).
There are people that I know used to read & I have no idea if they still do. And there are new readers out there. I should have comments from 'round the world!!
Now...
My post, yesterday, got me to thinking...
How do you know about my blog??
You've heard it all before...I started this blog (almost 2 years ago!!) to keep family & friends informed of our adoption process. I don't even know how I knew to even start a blog...but I decided that since we lived away from most of our family, that this would be a great way to keep in touch, to let others know where we were. People wouldn't have to feel "weird" about asking us about where we were in the process...and we wouldn't have to repeat our story continuously & try to remember what we told to whom.
As time went on, and our journey became more activity than mere paperwork, co-workers and people at church would ask how the process was going...and I began giving out our blog address to people I knew.
I also got involved in others' blogrolls, and from there, who knows.
In July 2006 (my first full month of having my stat counter), I had around 1,000 hits to my blog. And now, I average around 5-6,000 hits a month.
So I'm curious...where do you come from? Well...I know where a lot of you come FROM, because I have a map...but who are you?
In honor of Happy De-Lurk Day, I encourage you...find that little thing that says "comments" and post one! Go ahead...even if you're my mom or an acquaintence or my best friend or a stranger in the UK or the President of the United States (now that would be cool, but if anyone puts a comment from GWB, you know I won't believe it's him. Sorry).
There are people that I know used to read & I have no idea if they still do. And there are new readers out there. I should have comments from 'round the world!!
65 Comments:
Video Archives
For your viewing pleasure, click on the title to go to the video
*The Road Home*
*Eating (in Russia)*
*"More"*
*a Video for my sister's class*
*on a Friday afternoon*
*The Dog*
*Selecting a Book*
*Doing Dishes*
*Elfin' Great Moves*
*Christmas 2007*
*Family Fun*
*January 8, 2008*
*Dinner Time Fun*
*Spring Break 2008*
*Trip to the Zoo*
*123’s*
*Leap Day Fun*
*Comparison – 1st Trip*
*Comparison – 2nd Trip*
*One Year Later*
*At the Beach*
*The Wheels on the Bus*
*Canoeing 1*
*Canoeing 2*
*Canoeing Story*
*Ring Around the Rosie*
*The Road Home*
*Eating (in Russia)*
*"More"*
*a Video for my sister's class*
*on a Friday afternoon*
*The Dog*
*Selecting a Book*
*Doing Dishes*
*Elfin' Great Moves*
*Christmas 2007*
*Family Fun*
*January 8, 2008*
*Dinner Time Fun*
*Spring Break 2008*
*Trip to the Zoo*
*123’s*
*Leap Day Fun*
*Comparison – 1st Trip*
*Comparison – 2nd Trip*
*One Year Later*
*At the Beach*
*The Wheels on the Bus*
*Canoeing 1*
*Canoeing 2*
*Canoeing Story*
*Ring Around the Rosie*
Blogroll
Referral Picture
Trip One - March 2007
Database Pic #2
Trip Two - July 2007
November 2007
January 2008
April 2008
November 2008
Happy 3rd Birthday!!
Visitors since April 2006!
If Only I Had Enough Time….!
Elle
Jeff & Jenny
Susan & Randy
Deb & Dave
Warren, Kylie & Bearcub
Carrie & Michael
Brouillette Family
Denise & David
Tricia & Mike
Margaret
Rob & Dede
The Marlowe Family
Allison & Stu
Rhonda & Brian
From Dad
Olive You
Kate
Come Undone
Adrienne & Jim
Becky & Keith
Troy & Rachel
Sira
Ana & Russ
Suz
Lauren & Marco
Lauren & Marco - Life w/ Cupcake
The Next Step
Carey & Norman
The Ginsbergs
Shane & Kathy
Nancy & Brian
Unexpected Miracles
Joy & Gerard
Leslie & Bryan
Jane & Jim
Chris, Danica, & the twins
Jane-Jane
Sean & Robin
Jaime & Suzanne
3 Journeys of the Heart...
Lea & Paul Pisarik
SAHM at last
Katie
Kev, Jen & Drew
Elle
Jeff & Jenny
Susan & Randy
Deb & Dave
Warren, Kylie & Bearcub
Carrie & Michael
Brouillette Family
Denise & David
Tricia & Mike
Margaret
Rob & Dede
The Marlowe Family
Allison & Stu
Rhonda & Brian
From Dad
Olive You
Kate
Come Undone
Adrienne & Jim
Becky & Keith
Troy & Rachel
Sira
Ana & Russ
Suz
Lauren & Marco
Lauren & Marco - Life w/ Cupcake
The Next Step
Carey & Norman
The Ginsbergs
Shane & Kathy
Nancy & Brian
Unexpected Miracles
Joy & Gerard
Leslie & Bryan
Jane & Jim
Chris, Danica, & the twins
Jane-Jane
Sean & Robin
Jaime & Suzanne
3 Journeys of the Heart...
Lea & Paul Pisarik
SAHM at last
Katie
Kev, Jen & Drew
A Growing Boy!
Referral Picture
Trip One - March 2007
Database Pic #2
Trip Two - July 2007
November 2007
January 2008
April 2008
November 2008
Happy 3rd Birthday!!
Quotes
"When I was very young, most of my childhood heroes wore capes, flew through the air, or picked up buildings with one arm. They were spectacular and got a lot of attention. But as I grew, my heroes changed, so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me."
~Fred Rogers
"I'll love you forever I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." ~Robert Munsch
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but its the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning" ~Hope Floats "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"
~Fleur Conkling Heylinger
"The real issue in life is not how many blessings we have, but what we do with our blessings. Some people have many blessings and hoard them. Some have few and give everything away."
~Fred Rogers
"When I was very young, most of my childhood heroes wore capes, flew through the air, or picked up buildings with one arm. They were spectacular and got a lot of attention. But as I grew, my heroes changed, so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me."
~Fred Rogers
"I'll love you forever I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." ~Robert Munsch
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but its the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning" ~Hope Floats "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"
~Fleur Conkling Heylinger
"The real issue in life is not how many blessings we have, but what we do with our blessings. Some people have many blessings and hoard them. Some have few and give everything away."
~Fred Rogers
Visitors since April 2006!
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You know that I hang out in Scottsboro, Alabama, and I am so glad to get to keep up with your family through your wonderful blog! Thanks so much!
Blessings,
Pam Parker
Since we do have distance between us, I am very thankful to have this avenue of keeping up with the Bridges. Give sweetums a hug for us...
love you ALL!
mom & dad (a.k.a. grandmom & grandad)
www.peaseadoption.blogspot.com
You've done a wonderful job and I'm sure we would all like to have something like this to read about ourselves when we are older. Keep up the good work.
I do not think I have ever met anyone more real and authentic than Melissa. She is a joy to be around and one of these days I plan to meet that amazing little boy that God sent to turn Melissa into the mother she was born to be!
I am not entirely sure how I found your blog. I was just clicking around different blogs and found yours. It is one of a few blogs that I have put in my favorites.
Susan
MelissaMc
=)Laura
Love, Nana & Papa
(Nate's parents)
Congratulations on the Top 100 list!
Love,
Andrea
Best,
Suzanne
Gerard had some serious reservation about getting a child from Russia as did my family. I showed him your blog and the video of your first meeting with your little man that video convinced Gerard that it was okay to go through with the adoption. He started to cry (That is a big deal for him)
I hope and pray only the best things come your way because of so many people that you have touched. I know that we may never meet but know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Joy
Found you last spring while blog-surfing. And I must say that I am VERY thankful that I found the three of you. God has truly blessed me through watching your journey. I'm amazed that with all the yuck that happens on the internet, there is such GREAT things going on too.
I enjoy reading your blog daily! Oh, and I live in Southern California.
deana
Your munchkin is PRECIOUS!
Love you bunches! Kristy
I'm not entirely sure how I ended up finding your blog, but it's been marked in my favorites since I first stumbled upon it. We started following your family while researching international adoption and agencies around Sept/Oct 07. I may have commented on here once or twice but have mainly been a lurker!
We signed with our agency in October and are waiting on clearance from USCIS. Our dossier is already in Moscow being translated. We will be traveling blind and hope to have travel dates within a few weeks of getting our 171H. Your blog has helped us tremendously throughout this whole process. Thanks for sharing so much and helping adoptive families! (Feel free to stop by our blog if you ever have time!)
Love,
Sis
love again,
Sis
Found your blog through another AP, when you were stil PAP's. We are begining the adoption route, hoping to adopt from Russia. I love your blog, and your family is so delightful, especially little Iliya! Reading stories such as yours, helps to reassure me that we can do this, and it will work out ok with Gods blessing.
So keep blogging, as the journey doesnt end at home, its only just the beginning. :)
Ill keep coming back to read how your family is going. I think its just lovely.
Hugs to you all
Kellie
My name is Lorie and I am from Blue Springs Missouri. My husband and I adopted two handsome boys from Novosibirsk Russia in April of 2006.
I believe that you had posted a question on the CHI yahoo site before one of your trips to Russia and I answered it. We exchanged blog addresses at that time.
I have been checking in ever since!!!
Lorie
MO
-Ana
We began to read your blog when we started our adoption with CHI since you were on the CHI blogroll waiting b/w trips. We've been following ever since!
~Kathy Gebhardt (Aurora, IL)
I found your blog on the CHI web site when I was researching agencies. Although we ultimately went with a different agency, your blog is still my favorite to read. Congrats on being in the top 100!
-Haley
You asked your readers to tell about themselves. Well, I'm a new Babushka, my daughter, Kathy, having just adopted a little girl.
She met an American couple and visited them at their apt. This Dede posted on Kathy's blog and from there I read some of Dede's blog and it led me, somehow, to yours. These blogs are so interesting, one could spend all day reading and just hit the tip of them. I'm from NE and Kathy is from Omaha. Congratulations on your adoption, he's a beautiful baby boy. God bless your family.
Arlene
I think I got the url to your blog in a Christmas letter that you sent me one year. :)
It's Ms. Heather, one of Iliya's teachers. I absolutely LOVE your blog! This is my first time to vistit and i know i will check it regularly now! Keep up the good work, you are such a special person!
with love,
Heather
No surprise here. You know that I’ve been a faithful reader of your blog since the day that you sent out the email to all friends and family with the news that you and Nathan planned to adopt from Russia along with the address for the internet journal that you would be keeping to chronicle this life journey. It has been an incredible experience that you’ve shared with us and I have enjoyed every minute. I have only commented on your blog maybe once or twice because I seem to have problems with posting comments. I’m not sure if it’s my computer or me but thankfully I can figure out how to use e-mail:) When you first started your journal I would think sometimes - wonder how the adoption process is going for Melissa and Nathan - and I would search back through old e-mails to find the address for your blog. Duh! Then I discovered that I could put it on my favorites list which made it very handy to check each day. Of course, work (this time of year-tax season) and life, lately illness, or sometimes just disinterest with the computer, make my visits sporadic if not every day but I always check back in and catch up. Which means you will probably not even see me de-lurking, so to speak! But anyway, I love you all and I am so happy that I get to be a part and see your little boy growing up via the Internet even though I don’t get to see him IRL the way that I got to see you and Christopher and Sarah and Jonathan grow up. And what lovely people you grew up to be, by the way! Melissa, you’ve been an inspiration to many who are traveling the same road and to the rest of us you’ve brought much joy. I’ve laughed and cried while viewing the beautiful pictures and videos that you’ve shared. Thanks so much! And God Bless you and your precious family. Iliya, I love the meaning of that name, btw, has so much personality. Nathan, Melissa, and Iliya a perfect blend:) I hope this works, love you, Brenda (from Scottsboro)