Herbert the Elf... a farewell story

I'm bringing this story over from the blog I share with my BFF. It's a family friendly kind of post and since surrogacy helps create families, I wanted to share it here too. The other blog is Caramel Living. The blog is about lifestyle stuff, DIY projects and recipes. We don't use our kids' real names, as you will see.

We fell into the “Elf on the Shelf” trap this year. The evening we dedicated to setting up our Christmas tree was interrupted by a little elf sitting at our doorstep. Santa's note told us the elf goes by the name Herbert. He’s the plushy elf not the vintage style. Although the vintage one is pretty cool, Santa felt he would scare our kids.

The kids were quite excited to see this elf. They had no idea what an “Elf on the Shelf” was so we had some explaining to do. We told the kids how he watches over them and reports naughty behavior to Santa. Boy1 fell hard for Herbert. He woke up early the next several mornings and would race down the steps in a mad search for the elf. Boy2 and Boy3 really couldn’t have cared less. Shucks!

Herbert had some good adventures with us. Early on, he went to school in Boy1’s backpack. I smiled to myself throughout the day imagining the look on his face when he noticed Herbert. I was disappointed to learn Boy1 never even saw him in his backpack. How the heck?!? The kid had to get stuff in and out of his backpack. Later that evening, Boy1 took a bathroom break while doing his homework… mind you, he pulled the assignment out of his backpack and still didn’t notice Herbert. Guess we need to work on him being more observant. While he was in the bathroom I placed Herbert closer to the top of the backpack and made it appear he was peeking out. Finally! Herbert was spotted. Boy1 was incredibly relieved to know Herbert was safe and found it hilarious that he probably went to school with him.

We had other fun moments. Herbert tipped our Christmas tree over one evening. He opened a bag of M&M’s and dumped them all over the counter. He hung above the boys’ heads at night and starred at them until they woke up. We had a lot of fun with this elf.

Christmas Eve approached and we knew we’d be saying goodbye to Herbert. Throughout the day we spent quality time with Herbert. We watched a movie together. We had a crazy photo shoot that included Herbert riding our chocolate lab and photo bombing pictures he wasn't supposed to be included in. Before bed we prepared to say goodbye. Boy1 and Boy2 were in tears giving him hugs and kisses. I was shocked at Boy2’s attachment. He really loved Herbert too. My heart was breaking as they expressed their sadness over having to say farewell to this plush elf that had joined our family only a month prior.

We placed Herbert by Santa’s cookies and milk. This would make it easier for Santa to take him once he arrived to fill our stockings. (Cool Whip Lemon Cookies recipe)

Christmas morning we woke to find a note in place of Herbert. Herbert had officially jumped ship and rejoined his elf family. Here’s the letter he left:

Darling sobbed as she read the letter aloud, knowing full well the truth behind Herbert. I was really moved by my kids and how attached they had become. We fell head over heels into this hot trend, but this will become a permanent family tradition. Not to make my children behave (because honestly, that didn't work), but because we bonded over this silly little elf and made some great memories.

He is a good elf. My kids love him and very much look forward to his return. Which reminds me, I’ve only got about 10 ½ months to come up with Herbert’s totally kick ass grand entrance.

Don't let the holidays go by without starting your own family tradition. It makes wonderful memories!

Approaching the one year mark

Shortly after the twins were born, Roy showed me a short video. The video was about a half minute long. All it showed was the road ahead of them as they drove into the city I live in.

To an outsider, the video would mean nothing. It shows a typical highway with other cars driving to their destination and tan highway sound barrier walls on each side. I think of this short clip every once in awhile, especially when I drive through that part of the city.

To me, this clip oozes anticipation. The anticipation of meeting their new son and daughter. The anticipation of parenthood. They were entering a new city they would call home for the next several weeks and they were on the verge of experiencing a huge life-changing event.

This was almost one year ago. Some days "one year ago" seems impossible (one year already?). Other days it feels like a lifetime ago. In November, the guys and I hit the 2 year anniversary of our first conversation. It surely does not feel like two years has passed. All of this happened in just two years? That feels crazy.

As we approach the celebration of Ella and Ely's first year, I want to take another moment to tell Roy and Avner... how grateful I am you choose me to take this journey with. Thank you for staying in contact with me and allowing me to be part of your lives. Many hugs and kisses!

And the bombs have stopped

Pssst... I have a super awesome update to: my surrofamily and rockets.

The chaos has ceased!! My sweet Israeli family is back together and going about their normal, everyday lives. 

It's such a good thing!!

This is quite possibly the shortest "short and sweet" post ever.

Just another Thanksgiving post

Be 

thankful

for

today...

 

and every day that follows. 

My surrofamily + rockets = me sad and worried

I've never shared with Blogworld where my surrofamily lives, but with Avner's permission I am telling you now. I am telling you because I want to share with you what is going on. Here goes...

Less than a week after I returned from my trip, Carrie (BFF) sent me a text saying things weren't looking good in Israel. Ta da... the guys and babies live in Israel. I'm not one to keep up with the news. It's usually depressing and brings me down. So when Carrie sent the message I immediately went to CNN News. Sure enough I started reading words like rockets, fighting, deaths. Scary words.

After reading the news, I sent Avner a message telling him I didn't like the news coming from Israel. I did not expect the response I got. "I was drafted last night"... uhh what?!?! I hoped he was joking but I knew he wasn't. He has been assigned to doctor duty. I have no idea how close he is to the Gaza Strip (really anywhere in Israel is too close to Gaza). Like a silly girl, I started crying (I think I've mentioned I am an emotional person). I always worry for them living in a country where war seems to be a constant threat. Now my worries were warranted.

Gaza seems to be throwing a major temper tantrum right now. The guys live in Tel Aviv. If I am reading the map right, Gaza and Tel Aviv is a little less than 50 miles (or 80 km is you prefer) apart. Later that morning I received another message saying that Tel Aviv's air raid sirens were sounding. At least two rockets had been fired with intentions of hitting the city. I was already anxious that Avner was close to where all this crap was happening but now Roy and the babies are dodging rockets? Are you kidding me? I don't have the right words to express my true feelings. People I love are in danger. Like, really serious immediate danger. The only thing I want to do is put on my superwoman cape and go rescue them.

Most Americans have no idea what it's like to live in a country that seems to be in a constant state of threat. I've turned into a stalker of sorts. I'm checking the news constantly. I'm disappointed and relieved when there are no updates. Disappointed because I want to read that harmony has finally struck and peace has overcome. Relieved because the Israeli death toll doesn't seem to be rising.

I don't know what it's like to send a family member or a close friend overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan. I imagine it feels a lot like how I feel. It sucks to not know what is going on at all times. My mind tries to be positive but the what-ifs creep in. Maybe I'm being way dramatic... I don't know. I'm worried though. I'll remain worried even after the fighting has ceased. I'm a little overprotective like that.

Thankfully, we have the ability to stay in contact through messaging. I check in with them at least once a day. If you're curious... yes, I'd send hourly check-ins, but I think that would be a little over the top and possibly annoying.

The day I learned how serious Hamas was about starting a war, Thursday, was a tense day for me. A lot of worrisome and distracting thoughts. As the days have passed, I am feeling more confident my sweet little surrofamily will be okay. For now all we can do is wait. Waiting sucks! I've never been a huge fan of it. 

Anywho..... please please please keep these special people in your thoughts and prayers.

My trip

I recently visited my surrofamily. As I've mentioned, they live overseas. I've wished a million times they lived closer to me but that just hasn't happened. So I traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to spend some quality time with them.

I had been planning this visit since summer. When I first started planning it seemed like November was an eternity away, but as we all know time flies and I soon found myself boarding a plane.

I traveled alone which made me a little nervous, but at the same time I was excited. I was nervous because it's a big deal to travel that far alone and I'm a small town type of girl - as in, I don't get out much. I was excited because I would have all this time to myself. Sure, I was on a plane and there is only so much you can do on a plane, but at least I could live in my own thoughts for awhile. Remember I have 4 kids... alone time doesn't come easy for me.

Avner picked me up from the airport. Together we drove to his and Roy's apartment. There is something about these two guys that I just can't explain. Just being in their presence makes me so happy.

I was anxious to see the babies. I was excited to watch them and just be near them. I wanted to get to know their personalities. I am happy to say they are quite perfect. Their personalities are somewhat similar to when they were in utero. Ella is a busy little bee with her crawling. The cat's dish has some sort of magnetic control over her. She tries her best to crawl to it before getting caught. She is very curious and seemed a little suspicious of me. By the end of my trip I think she was starting to accept me. Ely is full of smiles and very welcoming. He is content sitting in one spot (although he does crawl too) and playing or taking in the world around him. His favorites sounds are aba and ga. He gets pretty excited when he says them.

I spent time with the babies everyday. The guys have stuck to a great routine. During their playtime, I sat on the floor with them. During bath time, I watched as they happily splashed around. They love water! Every night we enjoyed a walk. In the evening, there are many couples pushing their little ones in strollers and/or walking their dogs up and down the boulevards. Actually all day the boulevards are busy with people going here or there. The weather was pretty great too. It was about 85 and sunny everyday... and it's their winter season. A bit different than Minnesota's winter months.

The guys were excellent hosts while I was there. Roy set me up with an apartment he oversees while the owner is away. Avner always made sure that I had a menu that read in English. If the restaurant didn't, he would read me the menu. Those are just a few examples.They both took time away from work to spend time with me. They showed me popular tourist sites of their country. Because of privacy issues I won't share where exactly I went, but it's a country with a ton of history and impressive landmarks. I know what you are thinking... "how did she get soooo lucky to be matched with these IPs?". I ask myself that too.

I met some of the guys' family. To be honest I was very nervous about that. They had certain expectations of me I'm sure. Is it weird that I didn't want to disappoint them? Both moms were very surprised at how young I look (I am quite youthful looking, you know haha). It was sweet. I'm not comfortable with a lot of attention on me. Lucky for me the moms didn't put me on the spot. They are both very nice ladies. I was happy to meet them and to spend a little bit of time with them.

I didn't even cry when we said our goodbyes! If I would have known what this week would bring I am sure my goodbyes would have been said with a boatload of tears. I'll fill you in on that news in another post.

Here are some pictures. I didn't take nearly as many as I should have. Guess I'll have to visit them again just so I can take more pictures.

Flying in

Pretty girl Ella

Ummm... nice view huh?

Miss Ella... look at that cute button nose!

It was tough getting these babes to sit still.

Gotcha!

Ely... love that face!

Aww! Love them!

My favorite picture of all! Just makes me smile.

Happy 10 months!

Ella and Ely are 10 months old today!!

As most of you know, I spent last week with them. Let's just say... I'm still smiling!!

A blog post about my trip is in the works. This is just a quick "Happy 10 months" shout out.