Ouch

     I can't believe that I turned 28. It seems that after I had Nastya that time has seemed to zip by without a thought or picture of it. I sit here and have flashbacks of all the things I have done with Nastya and Pasha and how she has grown from a limp little baby to a little girl with poise and confidence and a love for life.

     I never thought that I would reach the ripe age of 28 and 1. Still have only one baby, 2. Be where I am today. Time flies as they say and boy are they right. It doesn't slow down as you become older and its a little known fact that we have slowed our lives down for this little munchkin that has come into our lives.

     This birthday was unlike any other Pasha had a plan to surprise me with my friends and decorating the home. I was surprised.

So as of 6 March I have turned 28. Happy Birthday to me!

Nastya thought these balloons were for her.

Happy Birthday

My little Hazaika(housewife), Mama and Papa are so proud to call you our daughter. You bring us such joy, you don't know how much we love you. On the days where I don't want to get out of bed I see your smile and all I want to do is kiss and hug you. You are going to go far in life and to the ends of the earth. You are so smart and beautiful I don't know what Papa will do when you bring a guy home. Our love for you grows everyday in a way that is indescribable. The air that we breath we breath because of you and for you. We will do anything for you to see that life can be great when you work hard. You are so much like Papa in your demeanour and your charisma but your attitude is all Mama. We love you very much and we hope that we can raise you to the best of our ability and be able to enjoy you at this age to the fullest. Happy 3rd Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday America

     What I grew up with and what Nastya will see as tradition will be two very different worlds. As a child the family and extended family would get together at my Aunt Barbara's home that was about 1-2 acres. There would be my wannabe country singer cousin Jimmy who would sing his country music songs and all of the extended family that lived in the Sacramento would come and celebrate. We all brought some food to share, we would have fire works and party in the summer without alcohol. I remember one year they set off fire works that would get us SoCal residents arrested. You see here in San Diego County and most of Southern California fire works are illegal. We only get to witness them from these locations each year. We used to have them off of the Oceanside Pier but they no longer can commit due to low funds. This year we spent it with a friend of mine that has 3 children. Nastya had so much fun and enjoyed the fire works. Last year she was scared and didn't want anything to do with them. The best Part was my friends parents own a row house and we went there for the fireworks in the comfort of the balcony.

Nastya, Gavin, Emily, Dillon and Karisa