Christmas 2008

Here are some pictures from Christmas.

Click on the slideshow to view the web album.

No longer just a Croatian Sensation!

 
 
 
 

Today I became an American Citizen! Some of you may be surprised that i was not an american citizen by marriage already but the process was 6 years old but finally over:) This morning I had my citizenship interview. The interview consisted of a 3 part test, including english, american history and goverment, and an interview. The last few weeks I studied for the history and goverment part. I figured I should not have problems with the english portion. The test was not hard. I got 100% of the answers correct. The interview part was not hard either-since i really am married to Chris and it was not hard to answer facts about our marriage and him. So i got reccomended for approval for american citizenship. I was not aware but they offered me to take the Oath (prisega) today. Of course I said I will do that since who wants to wait for yet another letter and go another time to do that part. I was blessed by my mother-in-law being close and able to keep emma for the extended period so i can stay and do the oath. Chris came from work to witness this historic moment:) What was amazing about the whole thing was that in that room there was 137 new american citizens coming from 50 different countries. When they called out all the countries it was amazing. Like traveling around the world in 60 seconds. As i was waiting there in the waiting room, i was amazed at all the skin colors, and all the different languages i heard all around me. I brought a book to read but could not concentrate but rather listened and observed the different cultures all around me. TO me that was amazing. Sometimes i picture heaven like that-people from all over the world and different cultures all at one place pursuing the same goal praising God-in this case pledging allegence to the US. I loved being one of the "different" folks. I think when they called out Croatia I was the only one to stand up. The lady sitting next to me was from Ethiopia, girl in front of me from Kenya, The lady on the other side from Phillipines, the man from Republic of China.....There was a lots of celebration going on in that room after the ceremony. Not everyone was here by choice like i was, some were here because they were persecuted in their own countries and US was a place where they can find peace and freedom, there were people there because they were refugees, there was young and old. But at the end I think they all stood there proud to be american at last!

Christmas Tree!

This last Thursday we decorated our christmas tree. Chris and I were not sure how will that be with Emma being so interested and investigative of everything but we had a ton of fun together just doing it. Chris got the boxes out from the attic with all the christmas decorations that we have and Emma was just so eager to see what is in each box. I took the box that has the christmas tree stuff and Emma helped me to do the speedy unwrapping and revealing of each decoration. After checking each decoration out, she was a great helper taking the decorations out from the box and giving them to Chris to find a perfect spot on the tree for each one. She watched with amazement as the tree was getting more and more decorated. When it was done, she was so excited she made a few circles around the house saying "Tree! Tree!" and pointing to the tree. We were even brave enough to put a manger scene under the tree-even though our figurines are ceramic and breakable. Emma was instructed not to touch anything but just to look at it. In the last week she wakes up every morning with the same excitment as that first night to see the tree still there. She lays down on the floor and finds baby Jesus in the manger, takes the baby out to give it a morning kiss and some of her milk. Then she proceeds to take the apples we have on the tree as well and feed the apple to her bear and other stuffed animals. Chris says she has already discovered the forbidden fruit:):) Even though we told her she can not touch anything we learned she will only take one ornament down, play with it for a second and then give it back to us to put back. So we let her have fun with it. She is not into destroying the ornaments and that is the goal:) So yes, we are excited about the Christmas season, and teaching Emma about baby Jesus and his birthday especially when we see how excited she is about all that has changed around the house and new stories we share each day. I am curious what will happen when the tree goes down and baby Jesus goes for a year long sleep. Hopefully it won't be too sad for Emma. After all Easter will be just around the corner!

Our Tree and Nativity Scene

Halloween

Here are some pictures of Emma from Halloween!

New York City

This past weekend Chris and I went to visit our friends Patrick & Rachel (for those of you who do not know them - Patrick and Chris went to Law School together, and they were also part of our small group) and celebrate our belated 5^th anniversary in New York City. This has been the first time that we left somewhere for an overnight stay and left Emma with grandparents for a long weekend. I was hesitant in a way because I was not sure how will it be to leave Emma for 3 nights. But Conways agreed to keep her for the whole weekend so we decided to go for it. We had a great time sightseeing, hanging out with friends, going to a Broadway show, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, walking and shopping at SOHO and Fifth Avenue, visiting the Immigrants island (Ellis Island)- Chris thought that was a sight to see since I am an immigrant even though I was barely walking at that pointJ- and so on. I absolutely LOVE New York City. It reminds me so much of life in Europe. Walking places, taking public transportation, common areas everywhere, people all around, grocery store (or your favorite Starbucks) right around the block…..I loved the freedom of not having to worry about the car and parking. I love how Chris was able to walk to the store in the morning and get us some nice goodies for breakfast. We were so blessed with great weather and Flemings being our tour guides. It was so much fun to see them and just hang out. We stayed up late each night and it all reminded me of life before Emma. In spite of all the fun we did miss her and talked about her every day some. We did not want to be boring Flemings with Emma stories but we had a few to share.

We are so glad we were able to do this but happy to be back home and see how excited little Emma was to see us. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

Weekend Away and Weekend at Home

This past weekend I (andreja) traveled to Callaway Gardens for a Church of Redeemer Women's Getaway weekend. This was my first time away from Emma for overnight and i was excited yet sad that i will not see her first thing when i wake up. Fabienne, Laura and I drove together. We met up with another group of friends in Lagrange, GA for dinner. Everyone was so excited about dinner at Crackel Barrel and this was my first time there. Of course everyone was surprise that in my 6 years in US i did not eat there yet:) I am so glad i went and had extended time to spend with my girlfriends. We had great time driving together, hiking through the gardens on saturday, talking till early morning hours in out cottages and hanging out over meals. I am thankful that i was able to go and that i was at peace having Chris home with Emma.
Eleanor's little boy David (only 5 weeks younger then Emma) spent most of the Saturday with Chris and Emma while eleanor was with me, and Rich was with the other two kids camping. Emma loved having David around and was covering him in kisses (literally). Not sure if David liked it or not. Maybe he thought it is a price to pay for his stay at our place and he cooperated:)
Chris (even though a little under the weather with a cold) had a great time with Emma. Once little David left, big David (fabienne's husband) came over for some fun football watching time. I don't have any pictures from my time away with the girls but here are some of Emma and David!


David, are you ready for a ride?

Here we go! Emma loves to push the walker! With or Without passengers!

One of many kisses Emma gave David. Is there love in the air?

Happy playing together!