The blog is set up so that the most recent post is shown first. If you want to catch up on what's been happening, start at the bottom and scroll up. You can also click "older posts" at the bottom of the page or use the blog archive on the left side of this homepage. If you want to know what time it is in the Ukraine, click on the link to the left that says "Clock and weather".

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Home at last!

Well...we're finally at home. I woke up this morning to find Alexandra staring at me this time. I smiled at her and she smiled back and we sort of "talked" for about 15 minutes before Candace woke up and joined us. It was a neat first morning back in Canada. Candace's sister and her husband kept their Christmas tree up so Alexandra had a chance to open presents under a tree, probably for the first time. Thanks to Camille and Anthony for your thoughtfulness and caring. It is these qualities that helped us decide that you should be our daughter's godparents. After breakfast and some visiting we hit the highway. We stopped at Portage to visit Walmart but it was in the process of relocating so we decided to pass through Brandon to go to the store there. Despite our eagerness to get home, we spent two hours in Walmart. I knew we were in for a long visit when I left Candace and Alexandra in the toy section to go back and get a second cart. Later, after catching up with them after a brief side trip to the electronic department, I found their cart overflowing with alot of size 3 clothing. After stuffing the three of us and our new purchases back into a vehicle already full with luggage, we finally made our way back home. As we pulled in the driveway, we were greeted by a sign that welcomed the three of us. Rumour has it that the handwriting matches a certain retired principal from Shoal Lake. Thanks so much for the wonderful gesture.
Originally, we were going to come home, get settled, have a quiet supper, and then retire early. After a short time however, we decided to invite some friends over to meet Alexandra. That was pretty exciting to say the least. There were more presents for her to open and we talked about our experience a bit more and watched video excerpts from our trip. The best part was having this little girl walking around calling us mommy and daddy with witnesses to confirm that it actually happened. I know there are many different ways to start a family, but I expect the end result is the same. It is hard to articulate what this end result is...but I expect it was close to that feeling I had as I sat there watching our daughter hug and kiss everyone as she was on her way to bed. I am not sure what is in store for me as a parent, and I know I have countless things to learn in my new role as a dad. As I sat in my living room watching Alexandra make her rounds I felt so many emotions...pride in being able to share this wonderful little girl with others, excitment about being able to introduce her to even more people, hope that her lifetime would be long and rewarding, and even a bit of fear, for those times in the future that I may not know exactly what to do as her father. It's ironic that when you get married, you pledge an oath to your new spouse that you will love, honour and cherish them until death causes you to part. Yet, people who have children aren't required to do anything similar. I expect that for most people the responsibility is understood. I am new at this, so I feel the need to be more concrete. So, Alexandra...my promise to you is very simple...I will do everything I can for as long as we are on this earth together to show you how much you mean to us and how deeply you are loved.
This is the last post that I will be making. The blog's purpose was to chronicle our experiences away from home so that everyone knew what was happening. We also wanted to keep a record for future reference, mainly to give Alexandra a sense of how we all came together. But we are home now and our Ukrainian adventure has ended...and so too must this blog. Now our Canadian adventure begins.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks God, you are at home now. It was a great joy to have you in Kramatorsk for those 2 weeks...
Well, I guess and hope to see you here in some years with Alexandra

When I count my blessings, I always count you twice
Best regards to Candace and Alexandra *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Hi guys and welcome home. We have enjoyed all your info and can't wait to meet Alexandra. She is a very lucky little girl to have two very special people to care for her. Hope to see you soon.

Dave, Brenda & Jackie

Anonymous said...

Welcome home David family, welcome home! I can't wait to see you and meet Miss Alexandra! Thank you for sharing your experiences so openly through your blog. Insert more happy tears here! I really enjoyed "keeping in touch" this way! Sleep well in your own beds and have fun with all the new experiences!
Love,
Sandy

Anonymous said...

We are happy and relieved to hear that you are home and that all is well. We thought of you often this past weekend, hoping that everything was going smoothly.

Thanks so much for allowing us to share in your adventure. Enjoy the days to come.

Lisa Nickel & family

Anonymous said...

Thank you God and all the heavenly angels for your safe return. Amen.
Alex, now you can play and have fun even throw a tantrum here and there. Our blessings to you three and we will see you soon.
Love mom and dad, papa&nana

Anonymous said...

Hi there Stephen, Candace and Alexandra!! Congratulations!!!
Dustin just wanted to let you know that when we are back in Canada for a visit, he doesn't mind coming over and teaching Alexandra a few of his jokes!!

Again, Congratulations, we are both very happy for all three of you!!

Misty & Dustin

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to the 3 of you! It was quite an adventure, but that's nothing compared to what lays ahead. What a great way to share all of your experiences. Enjoy every minute!
All the best,
Patti and Phil and Brett Cunningham

Anonymous said...

Hi David family!
We finally got a "free" moment to catch up on your blog. It was strange to read back on some of your earlier blogs and the things that seem such a distant memory already. We're so happy to have had you with us in Ukraine. It was nice to have someone to talk to and share the ups and downs of the experience together. Please give Alexandra lots of hugs and kisses from us; we miss her big smile and all of her singing. Our boys are doing wanderful and we can't wait for you to come and visit us this summer. We'll have lots of catching up to do by then. Please stay in touch and send us pictures of Alex from time to time.

Many blessings to your precious family,
Leightons

Anonymous said...

These are generally given within the the financial products ever months pay, you can easily pay back this amount of the loan [url=http://www.janespaydayloans.co.uk/]http://www.janespaydayloans.co.uk/[/url] Most of the times, it is sometimes complicated for the confidential tenants as well as from additional ado banking companies as well