the not-so-weekly update...

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for checking in. It's been a crazy couple of weeks at our house, and unfortunately, the blog fell by the wayside. However, I'm back in the saddle and ready to update you on the Potocnik family. Before I get in to my funny stories, ridiculous adventures, and updated photos, I want to please ask each of you to pray for the thousands of people in China who have lost family members and friends to the massive earthquake that occured on Sunday afternoon. The earthquake did, in fact, hit the Sichuan province, approximately 60 miles from Leila's orphanage in Chengdu. From what I have read (and believe me, I have read a lot), Leila's orphanage is okay as are the hundreds of children who reside there. Yes, we have our daughter home safe and for that I am thankful. However, there are still thousands of displaced families, as well as adoptive families who do not know if their children are alright. If you, like me, sit wishing there was something you could do to help, I'd ask you to check out the Half the Sky website. Half the Sky is the organization that supports/runs Leila's orphanage (Chengdu Children's Welfare Institute) as well as many other orphanages all over China. They provide the orphanages with resources and training to help the children stay on track developmentally, and we have certainly seen the positive effects of this organization with our daughter. Not only is she developmentally right on target, she's very healthy and well adjusted. We credit the orphanage director/nannies---trained by the Half the Sky folks---for how well Leila is doing. There are many ways you can contribute to relief efforts through Half the Sky, and I'd encourage you to contribute if you are able.


Fun with Wildlife
Two weeks ago, we had "fun" trying to get rid of a wild racoon and her babies who had decided to make their home in our attic. Jason and I spent 2-3 sleepless nights listening to the racoon decorate her new apartment and run on her treadmill. We finally had to sleep at our friends' house just to get a good night's sleep (thanks Mattis family!) Jason and friends (including Johanna the Wildlife Expert), spent many days patching the roof (inadvertently trapping her IN the attic), unpatching the roof (letting her out again), and trying to trap the coon inside OR outside of the attic. However, seems that Jo the racoon only likes two year old Valentine's Day candy that is unknowingly stored deep in a stack of boxes in the attic rather than the delicious melon/cat food combo that we offered in the trap. She did eventually leave and there is peace again in the attic.

Alissa's First Day Back to Work:
On May 1st I went back to work at the hospital. I only work two days a week but I have somewhat dreaded this day not knowing how Leila would do. While Jason was at home battling the racoon, the kids stayed with my friend Traci, and Leila did just great. She cried for a minute when I left, but had a great day overall and I was so proud of her. Friday, Jason stayed home with her and she had fun with Baba. Last week (May 8/9) went just as well---this is a blessing and I am enjoying being back at work for a couple of days a week. I am blessed to have a job that I love, otherwise it would be unbearable to be away from my kids those two days.


Roller Skating Night:
On Thursday, May 1st we took a family trip to the roller rink for the kids' All School Skate. Uncle Gregg and Almost Uncle Wade (to be married to Aunt Megan on June 21) joined us and we had a great time. I can't say that Leila loved skating (see photo), but she did try it. Caeden also wasn't impressed stating that he liked ice skating last winter at Crown Center much better. When we got home, there was a tornado warning, so we all had our first duck-n-cover in the basement/garage. Leila had NO idea what we were doing, but loved being in her jammies in the garage, reading books while the adults all pretended that nothing special was going on. All in all, an exhausting night with no shortage of new experiences!

First Road Trip:
This past weekend we loaded up the kids and headed up to Lincoln, Nebraska where my parents live. About two hours into the road trip, Leila decided she was "all done" and told us so for about 60 miles. With music, movies, and a large bag of peanut M&M's, we did eventually make it and it was definitely worth the drive. We had a wonderful weekend, and Leila loved meeting her Uncle Chuck, her Great Grandmother and Grandfather Ross (aka Grandma and Peaches), her Great Grandma Ady, her Great Aunt Joyce, Great Uncle Gary and Great Aunt Jan, second cousins Brianne and Lindsay, and her two first cousins Ady (Karen's daughter) and Linus (Chuck's new puppy). My sister was excited to see Leila again, though it was tough to tell how well Leila remembered her from China. My guess is that she doesn't remember much of our time in China, as it was a somewhat confusing time for her. Regardless, she warmed up to everyone quickly, and was happy to show off at all the appropriate times.

One of Leila's highlights was helping Papa Ken fill his bird feeders. She loved every chance she got to go outside, go on walks, and hang out with her Papa. She is definitely happiest outside, so we can't wait for summer to get here!


Another highlight was Mother's Day. All the relatives that I mentioned above came to Lincoln and it was great to reconnect and introduce them to Leila Grace. It was an absolutely beautiful day outside, and thankfully Leila was willing to pose with both Papa and Zany (my dad and mom) for a picture.

We are so blessed to have
awesome grandparents and
great-grandparents who
have been loving and sup-
porting through this entire
adoption process. I am
very thankful for a family
that embraces my children,
whether biological or adopted, and supports us in
each decision we make as a
family.

Before my Grandma Ady left on Sunday, she gave Leila a beautiful music box that my grandma had received as a retirement gift. It played "Edelweiss" and Leila was just mesmerized by it. She loved to have us wind it up while she flipped the switch to turn it on and off. We appreciate this gift so much---it is definitely a treasure!

My Grandma is an amazing woman of God, and we are so thankful to have her in our lives. I have great memories of growing up only an hour away from Grandma Ady, and she has taught me so much about life, love, and the Lord. We love you, Grandma Ady!


Mother's Day was fantastic -- I enjoyed just being with my family and hanging out with my four kids. And this year, they gave me the BEST Mother's Day gift---a rare picture of all four of them smiling---priceless!



Have a great week!

Love,
Alissa