Threefold Blessings :)

2011-08-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

our little Haddy

2011-08-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is my amazing family minus the one in the belly not yet out.

2011-08-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

More of You...

2011-03-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Less of me. Set a fire down in my soul God. I want more of You. Your ways are perfect and Your love so true. I hold Your treasures and I am in awe of Your goodness.

"I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:3

Happy Birthday my beautiful Bella! You are a living example of God's unfailing love. Never forget who you are Princess.

Grace

2010-10-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

Christmas baby!

more presents :)

fairy princess

so happy

big bites!

the Christmas Eve wave

mommy and daddy

Our big little 4 year old!

our 4 blessings :)

Some things are simply easier said than done, but it's a new year and time for me to face my blog. I hate to admit it, but I haven't even been able to look at it in the last few months. It's silence however, has been screaming at me for quite some time. Truthfully, it has always been my desire to be very honest about our journey together as a family. So many times in this life people hide the difficult stuff, trying to pretend everything is okay, either so people won't judge or condemn them, or maybe just because nobody likes to admit failure. I don't really know. But I do know that in some of the most difficult and darkest moments of my life, God has done some of His best work. And His work is something I definitely don't want to hide, it's something I want to display. It is in this spirit that I openly share my heart.

When I wrote my last post, I had absolutely no idea what would soon be staring me in the face. I knew August would bring with it a big move and changes, but I had no clue just how many other changes there would be in my life. Details aren't important, and many of you already know them, but my marriage hit a crisis. Actually crisis is putting it rather mildly. In just one week, my life crumbled in front of me in so many ways. I have never felt so alone, abandoned and betrayed. I was faced with some very difficult decisions that would in many ways define my family. I had so many questions and so few answers. With only One place to turn, I ran to the Creator of this family. You see, you can't possibly go through all the paperwork and travel halfway around the world to adopt three children with special needs, come home and NOT see the hand of God move. He moved so MANY, MANY mountains to get our children home. He revealed His heart to us time and time again during our trip. Truly if you think you haven't heard from or seen God move in a tangible way in your life, I urge you to travel the road of adoption. I guarantee you will see nothing short of miracles. So with the knowledge that God hand picked these children for our family, I also knew that God hand picked my husband to be their father, and my husband. Even though I couldn't see it, I knew I just had to cling to His promises, knowing that His love for me is far greater than anything I face. And I can say that once I took my stand before my Father, again I got to see His hand move in a very dramatic way. He is bigger than the betrayal, stronger than the hurt in my heart. In my sorrow, He gives me strength. I am never, nor have I ever been alone. Thankfully, my God is in the business of restoration AND resurrection. I am seeing it in the lives of my children and now in my own marriage. Since restoration takes places in the heart, it truly is a process, and not always an easy one. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I'm sure my husband would say the same thing. It's not a road we travel down alone, and we trust that the One who is leading us knows what He's doing.

Now on to the exciting stuff:

Tati, Ana and Eli are doing amazing! I love watching them change and grow. I just can't believe these three are the same kids we brought home! Tati has started speaking more. She now says mama, daddy (didi), and bye. Of course she is really starting to pick up the first sounds of certain words, so I'm sure there will be plenty more from our chatty cathy soon. She also loves to give hugs and kisses.

Ana just turned four on Christmas Day! She went from not moving at all at the orphanage, to climbing, standing, scooting, crawling, cruising and now walking with a walker or holding someone's hand. We are really working on her confidence right now because I know she CAN walk on her own, she just won't. She also said her very first words yesterday....mama and ba (bye) while waving! Beyond that, she no longer rips her hair out (an awful orphanage behavior), and has become a much more GENTLE child. Oh, and I almost forgot, she can now feed herself! Her poor little face is rosy red and chapped from all the teething she is doing...4 teeth all at once keeps her fingers in her mouth constantly. We still have a long way to go with her chewing, but we are so very proud of how far she has come in the last seven months!

Now little Eli, he is also doing really well. He makes eye contact much more with us and really seems to know we are "his" people. He is CRAWLING, which is amazing considering the fact that he would randomly fall over from a sitting position at the orphanage because he lacked the strength. He does have a SERIOUS temper, but we are working on that one! ;) Eli has also made great improvement in the area of eating. He will chew and bite off food and with help can feed himself. So proud of my little man!

Of course, I can't forget to mention my little Bella baby, who is just getting so big! She is such a GOOD "big" sister. I just love how she loves her brother and sisters. We do of course have many, many moments, but generally speaking we are just so blessed. Our kids are awesome. And speaking of kids, God has seen fit to give us a "surprise" blessing. I am beginning my second trimester, so this summer we will welcome another brother or sister to the family. I know poor Eli is really pulling for a boy with all these girls in the house! Honestly, I am just constantly amazed at how good and how gracious our God is. He always gives us so much more than we deserve and He is always more than enough.

Love Story

2010-07-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Daring Duo

Papa and Bella Baby

Can you hear my mommy crying?!?

She can't believe her baby is big enough to ride this!

Chef Ana

Little Drummer Girl

Feed Me Mom, I'm Cute

Disney Dream PJs (thanks Gramp!)

Little Big Sis feeding Big Lil Sis

Ana's masterpiece

giggly girl

as soon as you look away mommy, I'm gonna try to eat this crayon

ohhhh Nana and Gramp - thanks for the ball pit!

livin the life

pucker up

Playing in the kitchen

Yes, we are alive and kicking!!! Posting has definitely had to take a back seat. For this mommy, juggling is something I'm still trying to get the hang of...splitting my time between four children is something I struggle with - mommy guilt is such a crazy, but real thing! It definitely isn't easy, but it is sooo worth it. Looking through these pictures of the kids, I was flooded with just how much love God has for these sweeties, and for each one of us. I know when I look at them that His love is unfathomable. He moved so many mountains to bring us to them and them to us. Our adoption story is truly a love story...a story of His love. I can't begin to describe how many times I questioned His plan. The night before our "gotcha day", I was filled with doubts. Seeing the needs of our kids and the affects of years of life in an institutional setting. How in the world would we become one family unit? How in the world would everyones needs get met? How? How? How? I'm still not sure of how He is doing it, but somehow it all fits. Each child fits. Somehow they belong, we belong - one family unit. Now that's not to say it's all roses, because it's SO NOT. But we have children who feel comfortable enough around us to whine and holler and throw temper tantrums, which is HUGE! Slowly they are learning to trust. We still have screaming and pinching and hair pulling. But we also have giggles, dancing, and LOTS of silliness! We also are fortunate enough to see a little girl, who just 2 months ago spent her entire life in a crib, who at the age of 3 and a 1/2 couldn't even crawl, now STANDING and CRUISING around the coffee table, and CLIMBING in and out of our ball pit. She also has used her first sign! Our Ana amazes us each and every day. I have no doubts she will be walking soon! And Elijah, our boy who at 2 and 1/2 was locked away in his own world, barely able to hold himself in a sitting position (we used to prop him up during our orphanage visits because he would just randomly fall over), or make eye contact for long, having to make sounds and pull/scratch at his ears till they bled just to cope...this little boy is starting to come out! Eli's core has strengthened and he can sit now without falling over! He can do sit ups and bear weight on his legs!!! He knows what the more sign means and is starting to do better with eating at the table (he has really struggled with the idea of sitting as a family and eating - he used to just scream and scream). He reaches for us and smiles at us when we pick him up and he makes eye contact so much more! And Tatiana is more and more a typical 2 year old with definite likes, dislikes and lots of attitude! She's my crazy toe breaking (yes, she broke my toe but it was an accident!), music loving, silly, stubborn girl who just happens to love food and bathrooms (oh the fun you can have with a roll of toilet paper and a potty full of water - ewwwwwwww). This mommy is tired but overwhelming blessed! :)

Long Overdue

2010-06-07T17:31:00.001-07:00

elmo in the front carrier

tati the tornado

ahhhhh :)

sweet baby cakes

soooo excited!

smiley

eli's close encounter with a frog

smiley boy (before his hair cut)

hi five ana

i loooovvve to eat!!!

just hanging out in the playroom

circling eli with the bells

Wow! I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted last. Time just seems to have flown by since we got home. And yet, at the same time, it almost feels as if our time in the Ukraine was all some very strange dream. It almost feels as if it didn't happen. But of course, we have three very loud bouncing bundles of joy to remind us that it did!

Life has been crazy hectic since we got home. It seems just as we recovered from our "Ukrainian" stomach bug (although my stomach still just doesn't feel the same), a much nastier bug took hold of our home. One that the kids managed to get through, but left me with a nasty bout of pneumonia. Yes, yes, I did say pneumonia...the stuff old people get. One shot in the rear end, some lovely steriods, another antibiotic, and I am beginning to feel like a human being again. We are praying that the month of sickness at our house is officially OVER!!! I'm certain I didn't win any mommy of the year awards recently...the tv was on more than I care to admit, but I would just like to know how in the world you mommies of many do it?!? I always thought it was hard being sick with one child...ha ha ha. Now with four kids, I have totally rethought that! :) It has been a "stretching" experience to say the least!

Beyond that we are also still minivan-less. Our minivan is in the shop...still...don't ask. It's an incredibly involved story. But the basic gist is our crew is homebound, because we only all fit together in a minivan now. So except for an excursion or two, one or two at a time, we have been home. Thankfully we have a pool, which has been a lifeline for our movers and shakers.

So, the kids seem to be adjusting really well. We definitely have our moments, but overall I think our angels are beginning to find their place, and their peace, in our home. It will definitely take time, but we seem to be working through so many issues, together. I hope to be able to share more in the coming days and weeks, our triumphs and our struggles. Such personalities in our house! But for now, I will just share some pictures of the kids...I think they speak volumes.

Two Weeks and Four Pounds - warning LOTS of pics!

2010-05-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

destruction of a playroom in 5 seconds

brotherly/sisterly love

look at me mom!

happy ana

i love watching her face change everyday

beautiful bella

ready to take on the world

tired from lots of swimming

jammies on and in the little house

ohhh...i love the water!

studly little man

is mom going to throw me up and catch me again?

i can kick like a big girl!

daddy and ana love

watch out daddy! i love to splash!

gianna the fish

tatiana the fish

swimming girls

i'm talking to you mom in russian...don't you understand me?

silly girl

i'm ready for gym class

now this is a REAL tatiana smile

woah! I've had gummy bears!!

ana on the move in her walker

okay, so ana loves the play knife in the kid's play kitchen set...scary?!? thankfully she also like the egg beater, so we think she's just a budding chef!

pretty girl

surprising but these two just LOVE each other...who'd have thought???

our little man eli

love eli's smiles and we get to see them sooo much more!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Each and every day I have the great privilege and honor of seeing this verse in action. You see, the only way to truly view exactly what Jesus did for us, is to participate in adoption. Watching the transformation of something the world viewed as useless into something so beautiful is absolutely, hands down, beyond words. Loving someone, making that commitment, not for anything they will ever be able to do for you, not even knowing really who they are or what you might end up dealing with, to the world is foolish. But this is exactly what Jesus did. He loved me and even died for me, even though I had absolutely nothing to offer him. It just plain doesn't make any sense according to the world's standards. And neither does adoption. I have to be really honest here and say that many times, throughout this adoption, I myself questioned our sanity. Adoption is scary. At times the fear seems overwhelming. But really, saving lives is scary business. And it boils down to this, yes it is hard and scary, there are just SO MANY unknowns, but YES they are worth it! Our children are worth it...every child is...every life is.

Each morning I get to see a little more of our kids former life peel away. I know it will take years to truly deal with the layers of neglect these sweet souls have experienced in their short lives. I fully realize that change, even positive change, is hard and painful. There have already been so many tears and I'm sure there will be many more. But I know that love is powerful. Not my weak, human, feeble love...the kind of love that loves for what it can get back...but the true love of a Father for His children. The love that doesn't come from my heart, but that flows from a heart that knows no limitations. A heart that beats in mine and uses my arms to cradle His beloved. So when fear overtakes my mind, and it does more than I care to admit, I rest in the knowledge that this is His plan. And I am overcome with gratitude that He would think so much of me, as to place such amazing blessings in my life and in my arms.

*** YEA!!! Anastasia and Elijah have each gained FOUR pounds since coming home!!! They both weighed in at a feeble 15 lbs, but NO MORE!!! Anastasia is crawling all over our house, trying to lift herself up on stuff, and uses a walker to explore! Elijah is kicking some in the pool and starting to wiggle around on the floor. We think once therapy starts, these guys will give Gianna and Tatia a run for their money! :)

One Week Home

2010-05-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Emotions

2010-05-02T16:23:00.000-07:00

Sisters that poop together...stay together!

MMMM....ice cream high!

Beach Fun

The Beach Hut

Ahhh....paradise!

Kiddie Pool

Splishing and Splashing

Beautiful Bella

Tatia the Tornado

Sweet and Determined Ana

Little Eli

Yummy!

Pretty Girl

Ohhhh...carpet!

Pretty in Purple

As I look back over the last week, I am in awe of just how amazing our God is. I am humbled that He chose our family to go on this journey. And what a journey it has been. I have never before been so acutely aware of my shortcomings. I am so weak and my heart is so small, but He is strong and His love is unconditional. This adoption has stretched me in ways I never could have imagined. Last week, as we began our first days together as a family, my husband and I were so sick. Sicker than I can remember being in a long time. Gianna was still recovering and so my nights were often filled with rocking a throwing up two year old to sleep. The rest of our days/nights were spent caring for three scared, overtired, overstimulated children. I can never adequately thank my mom for all the help and emotional support she so tirelessly gave. Tuesday was by far one of the hardest days as George and I woke up VERY sick. In fact, I was very concerned that he would dehydrate, as nothing would stay in. Unfortunately this was also a very critical day for finalizing the paperwork needed to get home. If we were going to make our Wednesday am flight, we HAD to get our kid's visas. Somehow, someway my mom and I managed to dress the three little ones and get them to their medicals. It took lots of Emitrol and nothing short of a miracle to keep me from throwing up, both in the car and at the doctor's office. Fortunately, we got the best doctor there and our concern over something in Eli's medical history did not delay us. After two hours, we left and headed straight for the Embassy where Yulia dropped us off. She then headed to pick up George and Gianna, because throw up or not he HAD to sign off on the visa paperwork or we would NOT be making our flight. By the time she dropped George and Gianna off, several more hours had passed. The kids were DONE, we were DONE, and we had several more hours in the Embassy in front of us. At 2 pm we were told they were trying to get our visa's done that day but that we should pray. Of course, we were already praying just not to throw up all over the lady! Thankfully we did get all three visa's for the kids and all the paperwork we needed to get through immigration. After leaving the Embassy and heading back to our apartment, we fed all the kids and tried to pack up. Uncle Nicco was going to pick us up at 3 am to take us to the airport. At this point my desire to get home was somewhat dampened by my desire to curl up in the fetal position and cry. Already exhausted and now running a pretty high fever, I finally had to leave all the packing to my mom and husband. Still sleep did not come and the thought of the trip in front of us was absolutely overwhelming. Three flights, one of them over 8 hours long, only 1 hour to go through security and change plans in Frankfurt, a 7 hour layover in Chicago, and 4 children is enough to make a well rested, healthy person sweat. I will never forget how I felt as I laid in that bed. I knew God had called our family to this adoption and I knew that He was the only one who was going to get us home. So we did what we have done this entire process....put one foot in front of the other and trust that He will meet us where we are. Literally the entire trip home, we did that...just focusing on one foot in front of the other. And we were NOT alone. Every step of the way, His goodness and mercy followed. He placed people in our path to encourage and help us and even held an entire plane until we boarded. It was by no stretch of the imagination an easy trip, but we made it home! Of course, we weren't entirely sure that we would make it home even after we made our last flight. My husband's parents were so sweet as to drive our minivan to the airport and have it waiting for us. But on the drive to the airport that minivan starting bucking like a bronco. Nothing like a blown transmission to welcome you home! I can't complain though, because that minivan did get us home (of course the very next day it was towed away)!

The first few days home were nothing short of hard. We knew going into this that adopting children, with or without special needs, brings with it a whole host of problems. Orphanage behaviors such as rocking, biting, stimming, unconsolable crying, throwing, etc. Changes in diet, time changes, changes in schedules, changes in environment, whether good or bad, are hard to handle. Emotions piled on top of exhaustion and left us feeling overwhelmed. We were mentally prepared for this, but it was still really hard to walk through. Saturday was the first day where we really felt like we could take a deep breath. As brutal as it was, everyone is now on the same schedule. At the orphanage the kids were used to taking a 3 and 1/2 hour nap but didn't go to bed until 9 at night. Now no one is napping but everyone is going to bed at 7 and sleeping 13 hours straight through. Life is settling into a routine that works for our family. We know we still have a long way to go and we are by no means where we want to be, but heading in the right direction. And we are even able to enjoy the journey!

So, we are not sure yet what will happen with the memories we are left with. I think they are the most disturbing. Pictures of children so desperate for love, so in need of a family won't leave our minds. Stripping the clothes off the children at the orphanage was heartbreaking in a whole new way. The dingy old undershirts, the ratty old underwear. My daughter's tiny frame just like the pictures of the concentration camp survivors. How does this happen? Where is the church? Isn't caring for these children more important than meeting in a brand new fancy building? This orphanage struggles to provide for the 65 children we left behind. Bananas are an expensive treat the children rarely receive. And yet we have so much. I'm left with so many thoughts, but really just one question....WHERE???? Where are all the Christians? Because this is what is important to Him...

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

So that being said, I am really struggling with what we left behind. Don't get me wrong, I've never been happier to be home. I guess my heart is just much different than when we left. And really, that was my prayer before we left. I wanted Him to show me His heart and He delivered, in a very powerful way. Be careful what you ask for I guess ;)

Well, here are some pics of the last few days with the kids. Overall they are doing well. Each and everyday we get to see a little more of their old lives peel away. It is desperately hard to see how foreign soft touch and love is to our babies. They just do not know what to do with it. We know in time they will open up and allow our love to soak into their hearts. It just isn't something that happens overnight. And we are in this for the long haul! Today we loaded everyone up in the rental minivan and headed out to Sanibel Island for some beach time and ice cream. Needless to say, everyone is sleeping soundly tonight!

Thanks again to all of you who prayed us through this! We could not have done it without those prayers! Also, thank you dad for all your work around our house and the yummy goodies you left for us! And mom and dad Simons, thank you for all you have done to make sure we got home safely! We are so grateful for all the love our family has shown us!

Pics

2010-04-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

HOME Chips for Breakfast or is it dinner?!? - yummy (thanks dad!)

HOME Drinking milk with daddy

HOME scary mommy and two little ladies (the other two littles are still sleeping)

Ana's so tiny her jammies don't fit (GOTCHA DAY)

Mr. Man in his jammies

Belly Bean

Before Bed fun

First Bath - Eli

First Bath - Ana

First Bath - Tatia

First Bath - Tatia - note the lovely color of the water (that's the color it comes out of the tap)

Apartment in Kiev - Gotcha Day

Paka Paka Kirovograd!

Beautiful Kirovograd

Big Sister - Little Brother - Gotcha Day

Gotcha Day - Crazy Ride to Kiev - Tatia sleeping with Daddy

Gotcha Day - More Crazy Car Ride Pics

Gifts for the orphanage - diapers, blankets for the kids, chocolates/champagne for director

Gotcha Day - new outfits / last few moments in orphanage

After more than 24 hours of travel we finally made it home. There is just so much to share but until I can get some more sleep, I will have to let the pics speak for themselves. This week found my husband, myself and my mom very sick with four toddlers (at least they weren't all throwing up too) and so much to do in order to make it home. God is good though and somehow, someway He got us home. Updated posts will follow over the next few days.

Last Day in Kirovograd

2010-04-25T07:02:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics from our last visit with the kids. Tomorrow morning our taxi bus will arrive at 8 am. We will then load up all of our stuff and head to the orphanage for the last time! We have all their outfits laid out and ready to go. Our children have spent the last few years as orphans, so they have absolutely no belongings. Everything from hair things to socks must stay with the orphanage. The plan right now is to be on the road by 9 am headed for Kiev. The drive back should take approximately 4 hours. Please pray that all of the kids (including Gianna) handle this transition well and that no one gets sick on the extremely bumpy, swervy and fast ride (last time poor Gianna had it rough). Please also pray that we will be able to get everything done at the Embassy quickly and that we will have no issues with the children's visas and medicals (we are a little concerned with a detail in Eli's medical history so please lift him up in prayer that we will not have any additional hurtles). Our flight is scheduled to leave Kiev on Wednesday morning at 5:35 am and we only have a one hour layover in Frankfurt, so there is no time to lose! Unfortunately there were no other available flights out until the 3rd of May. So we are doing what we've done this entire trip - completely trusting in God and His perfect timing! Thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. Please continue to lift us up as we enter a new chapter in our lives as we travel home and become one big family together. We will try our best to update our blog once we get to Kiev but we may not be able to...obviously our four little ones and trying to get home will take precedent.

Busy Saturday

2010-04-24T08:45:00.001-07:00

one of the lovely carpets George got yesterday

We missed our morning visit with the kids today because we just had so much to do. Katia met up with us and we hit the town! First stop was a children's store to pick up diapers (for us and for the orphanage - as our gift), wipes, shoes for the kids, and porridges. We then loaded back into the taxi and went to a different children's store in search of sippy cups, spoons, and "teas" for the kids. We also picked up another "leash" for Tatia - we have one for Gianna (thanks Auntie Joey!) and we thought it would come in handy at the airport (this way they can have some freedom and walk around but can't get too far!) After getting stuff for the kids we stopped at the photo store to get a picture of us as a family developed to leave with the orphanage (they have a book of all the adopting families) and then we stopped at the pharmacy to try to pick up some meds for little Eli. After speaking to his doctor yesterday, we found out he is on an antibotic that we need to keep him on until we can get him home and to our doctor. Strange thing about the Ukraine is that you just go to the pharmacy and ask for what you need...no prescription needed! There was a question about liquid or pill so Katia had to put a call into the orphanage doctor (so we have to go back to the pharmacy tomorrow) - Next we grabbed something to eat for lunch. Yummy pizza, borsch and beer! Last stop was the market to pick up some food and then we headed home. Gianna was DESPERATELY in need of a nap at that point. She crashed as soon as we got home and didn't wake up in time to make the afternoon visit with the kids. George and I visited with the kids and we came home to eat chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and peas....yummy! As I am typing this Gianna is busy packing up all of her stuff - too cute! I guess she has heard us talking about how we have to pack everything up tomorrow for our trip back to Kiev early monday morning! Here are some random pics from today...

this is pretty much what all the apartment buildings look like from the outside

cars

I think this is a garage?!?

Ahhh...home sweet home!

Please tell me this is NOT an ambulance :)

Driving home from the orphanage

First Family Meeting!

2010-04-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here are pics from our first family meeting! Gianna and Tatiana immediately gravitated toward each other. It's like they knew that together they could rule the world...well at least our house ;) Anyways, Gianna enjoyed spending time with the kids but was slightly disappointed that they wouldn't follow her direction. We had to keep explaining to her that Tatiana does not understand English yet and that Eli and Ana can't walk around yet. We also finished up signing all the paperwork and spoke to the kid's doctors, so that Monday morning we can just pick up the kids and go. Tatia's doctor was really nice, however Ana and Eli's doctor just gave us a lot of attitude. You could tell she thought we were crazy and seemed mostly put out to have to

First Trip Out

2010-04-23T03:06:00.000-07:00

Eli

Tatiana

Anastasia and Tatia

This morning the kids took their first ride in a car since being dropped off as newborns at the orphanage. Katia, our translator, and Nick, our favorite taxi driver here, helped me take the three little ones for their passport and visa pictures. The orphanage had them dressed in all their winter gear. One would have thought it was snowing outside, not 60 degrees. Poor babies were sweating in the car! The kiddos did so well, but you could definitely tell they were trying to take it all in. I was so thankful to have the help of Katia and Nick. I've never seen a taxi driver be more helpful. He ended up with an armful of kids as we navigated down the stairs and in and out of the orphanage/car. He even helped hold up each child for their pics while Katia and I tried to corral the others. On the way back to the orphanage, despite our very best efforts, all three littles fell fast asleep. Since Gianna is NOT a sleeper, I must admit I was a little excited to see how soundly these three sleep!

While we were off doing passport/visa pics, George and a representative from the orphanage were at the bank closing out the kids bank accounts. Each child has a bank account that the government has been putting money into since they became wards of the orphanage. The thought is that if the child is not adopted, they will have a little something to live on once they become of age and leave the orphanage. The sad reality is that most children who never find a forever family later turn to drugs/alcohol and/or prostitution once they hit the streets. But nevertheless, it is nice that the government sets these accounts up. There is just no way of knowing exactly how much is in each kids account, but we agreed early on to give this money to the orphanage as a gift. This is standard for all Reece's Rainbow families adopting. Not only does it help the other children who are left behind, but it facilitates a better relationship for future families adopting those with special needs. And most importantly, it tells the orphanage that we truly value our babies for who they are. The interesting part about this orphanage is that they didn't just want us to hand the money over as a donation, but they had a list of things they needed. So after withdrawing the money, George has spent the afternoon riding in a large taxi bus with the representative of the orphanage, picking up all the things that they need. I'm not sure what all was on the list but there was some mention made of carpets (hence the large taxi bus!) In addition to this, we plan on buying a bunch of diapers over the weekend as our personal gift to the orphanage. We have noticed that they have a GREAT need for diapers.

Oh and as I was leaving today, I got to see another little groupa of little ones outside for a "walk" around the big green fence. Alysha, you are so right, they just stop and stare at you and it is SO heartbreaking. With the way they stop, you would think that I am a celebrity. One little boy said something to me as I smiled and walked by with Eli in my arms. Once again, I saw that little angel girl that is forever imprinted on my heart. She was not walking with the groupa, she was all by herself with one of the workers. She was closest to the gate and she just stared at me with this expression that said, please, please take me outside the gate! Oh how I wish I could save them all :(

Change of Plans

2010-04-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

We just spoke with our facilitator, Yulia, and there has been a few changes in our schedule. It looks like we will not take the kids out of the orphanage until Monday morning. Tomorrow will be another day of paperwork and passport photos for the kids. We will continue to have visits with them over the weekend and then spring them from the "joint" on Monday. We will then head to Kiev for our Embassy appointment and the kids medicals. Still on schedule to fly home Wednesday :)

Court (out of order post...scroll down to read first)

2010-04-22T02:36:00.000-07:00

At approximately 9:45 am (Ukraine), we officially became the parents of Anastasia, Tatiana, and Elijah!!!! We were picked up this morning at 8:30 am and taken to the court house in Kirovograd. Our favorite taxi driver in region, Nick, took us along with Katia our translator. Natasha, our lawyer, met us at the court house for our 9:00 am appointment. We entered a rather old building with huge ceilings and filed through a metal detector that I'm fairly certain hasn't been working in years. We then were stopped at the entrance to a stairwell to show our passports and write our names in some rather ancient looking book. Of course, in Natasha fashion, we were waved right through. I love being with her! She thinks certain things (like wearing brightly colored booties at the orphanage) are beneath her and so when you are with her formalities fall by the wayside. We were led upstairs and told to wait outside of a door. We stood there with our translator for about 15 minutes prior to being called in. During this time, our translator briefed us again on court, told us to expect lots of questions (because nobody understands why a young couple like us would want to do this ), and told us to be prepared for some strange, off the wall questions, like what kind of dog do you have? or why do you not just have biological child...are you too lazy? Apparently this judge had even told one couple that medically could not have children that the wife was just not trying hard enough! We find that being in the Ukraine never disappoints :) She also told us to hope the judge was in "good humor". Katia also prepped us for the fact that the prosecutor would probably come and that she would most likely say no to our adoption. Apparently she is known for saying no. No worries though, we were told the judge had the finally say. I must say that standing out in front of the judges chambers listening to all this made me really nervous! Finally our lawyer called us in and we all took our seats. There were two ladies sitting next to the judge, who didn't say a word the entire time. The official from the orphanage was there to read the verdict of the council and of course Natasha and Katia. Much to our surprise and delight, the prosecutor was a no show. Another lady from the orphanage was there as well, to state whether or not this adoption was in the best interest of the children. Court began with lots of sitting and standing (each time you are asked a question you must stand) and lots of formalities. Our petition was then read before the court and all the evidence showing that the children were legally free for adoption began. Again, it was so sad to hear how the children were abandoned and we even learned that Tatia's mom left a fake name, so that no one would know this was her child. Finally the part I was dreading began....questioning! Surprisingly, the judge only asked us a few questions. Why? How old is our biological daughter? What did my husband do for a job? What kind of medical care would the children receive? Then came our final question....The judge looked at us, paused and asked...do you believe in God? A loud resounding yes was out of both our mouths faster than anything. After all, He is the reason we are here. I think our judge could feel that this was not really his decision to make, but yet a much higher Judge was in charge. Definitely interesting! After the questions, Natasha showed him our photo book. I'm sure he didn't think I'd notice but I caught a few smiles out of our judge. Once he had looked over our book all of our dossier and paperwork (bound together by some sort of heavy string) was brought out and gone through. Every single agency (interpol, SDA, homestudy, medicals, orphanage etc.) was read through to ensure we had approval for "positive adoption." Both ladies from the orphanage stood, spoke about us and the children, our positive visits, and whether or not they felt it was in the children's best interest to be adopted. One lady from the orphanage almost had me in tears when she talked about how sweet the children were and how children with down's syndrome require love, love the orphanage cannot give them. Then the other orphanage official told the judge during our entire questioning before the council that we did not once refer to these children as "sick". Our lawyer then stood and raised the petition that our 10 days be waived due to the medical condition of the children and the volcanic situation. She really hammered it in that these kids need to get home! The judge then dismissed us all and said he would need to think about it. Back out into that old smelly hallway we went! Approximately three minutes later we were called in again. We stood in front of his desk as he read through "the verdict" - in the middle of reading it his cell phone started ringing with some really old bad sounding Ukrainian music and he couldn't find it to turn it off. When it stopped ringing he looked up at us and with this really funny face and said in english SORRY...ha ha I almost peed my pants!! He resumed his serious nature and announced that the children were officially ours and that our 10 day wait was WAIVED!!!! :) I must say, it was so very surreal! So, our babies are officially ours and we should, God-willing, be home on Wednesday. After court, Natasha told us that we were lucky to have her and this judge because they get along very well together. She has known him for years and this case to him was like going to the moon! I guess it was so strange to him that he just let us go! She said we were the quickest couple yet!!! Our God is truly awesome - thank you all for the prayers!!!

After our talk, George was whisked away with Nick, our taxi driver, and Katia, our translator, to drive 4 hours (2 hours each way) to get Anastasia's birth certificate. Apparently where she was born they have no heat (they burn wood) and no water...ha ha poor George!

Thankfully, Tatianna's and Eli's were here, in Kirovograd, so Natasha and I went to go pick those up and then we went to sign some other paperwork. The whole experience today was absolutely beyond words. When we picked up the birth certificate here, Natasha and I went into a really old building (that someone had to unlock and let us into), up the stairs (which I almost tripped on, but Natasha in her 4" heels managed just fine!), and then into a room that smelled like a nail salon. Apparently it must double as one, because on an ancient looking desk was even older looking nail polish and a lady doing nails...um okay?!? We went through a door, into a room with old children's wallpaper on the wall (patched with old flower wallpaper) signed a book, showed the court paperwork to a lady and then Natasha told me to leave and wait for her outside. We made one more interesting stop to sign paperwork and I was free to leave. One of Natasha's assistants (who doesn't speak english), drove me back to our apartment in a car straight from Soviet times, with a cracked windshield and a seat belt that was no longer attached and yet he insisted I put it on...strange, but who am I to argue with someone who doesn't speak English. He then drove me "home" while we listened to the Scatman (how old is that song?!?) and swerved to avoid potholes. I also got to see a dog taking a dump right in the middle of the road...nice! I must say that is much better than the dogs and cats we have seen getting "fresh" with one another all over town! I really think I will miss this place...it's like being in some really strange movie! So tomorrow at 9 am we are going to meet up with our translator, pick up some things for the kids, and then GOTCHA DAY at 10 am!!! The plan right now is to head back to Kiev around 4 or 5 pm tomorrow night. YAY!!!!! Please pray that our little Gianna is completely better by tomorrow. She has been struggling with a stomach virus since Tuesday, and while the puke fest has subsided for the most part, she is still just not 100% herself yet. :( And we have had no wash macheenin - as our landlord calls it - we have been washing by hand! The drive back to Kiev is a very bumpy one and even a strong stomach finds it difficult! Well sorry for the long post but words just don't do it justice! We are excited to get the kids and get HOME!!!!

Ours....Officially!

2010-04-22T02:23:00.001-07:00

Elijah Jacob Simons

Anastasia Hope Simons

and

Tatiana Faith Simons

A million little pieces...

2010-04-19T02:57:00.000-07:00

My heart feels like someone has taken a hammer to it. This morning, while we were waiting to be handed our booties and taken to our room, a tiny little girl, maybe 2 1/2 years old walked by us with a caretaker. She had really short hair and just kind of a blank expression on her face. First she walked by the Italian couple waiting with us (they are the only other family adopting from this orphanage right now), and then as she walked by me I smiled at her, held out my hand and waved. Immediately, she stopped and a huge smile lit up her face. She waved back at me and then she reached that tiny little hand and grabbed mine. Ah, for a moment we just stared into each others eyes. I immediately felt my heart break into a million little pieces. I instinctively wanted to scoop her into my arms and whisper mama, mama to her. We held hands for only a brief moment and the caretaker tugged her back and away they went down the hall. I just have not been able to get this little angel out of my mind since. I wonder what her story is, how she came to this place. She was so small for her age and just itching for someone to take notice of her. How I have come to dread visiting this orphanage. I know that is absolutely awful to say because that is where I get to visit with my babies everyday, but I just absolutely hate it. I hate everything about it. I hate that it has to exist. I know in my heart that these children are fed and clothed here and that most of the workers seem nice, but I just can't explain the look on these kids faces. They look like orphans. If you put them next to a child that has known the love of a parent, you would be able to spot them in a second. Yes their basic needs have been met, but the very most essential, love, they know nothing of. It absolutely rips me apart inside. I knew that this part would be hard for me. I just cannot wait until Thursday!

Our visit with the kids this morning was much better than yesterday afternoon. Tatya seemed excited to see us and she spent most of the visit with papa. She just absolutely adores him. She did give me a big hug at the beginning and she will blow me kisses, so I guess we are making some good progress there. I know we will see a huge change in her once we get her out of here. She definitely needs some guidelines because she is VERY strong willed (hmmm, now who does that remind me of?!?) Ana did really well today too. She loves playing with the stacking cups and when I walk her around she will kick the ball. I am constantly amazed at her desire to learn and her attention span. She did seem really tired at the end of our meeting today but I had her up and walking quite a bit which is obviously not something they do with her. Eli is really starting to feel comfortable with us now. He definitely knows his mama! He is as lazy as ever and just wants to be held and loved on. He loves feeling different textures on his face and has the best belly laugh! Ana and Tatya also love feeling different textures on their faces, so I would imagine this isn't something they are used to. Sad :( We haven't heard back anymore about the events of yesterday or when we will be able to take Gianna in to visit with the kids. I hope soon because it has been really hard for me to leave her during our visits. She does fine with it, but I am not used to being away from my baby that much!

Denied

2010-04-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Our big family visit today with Gianna and my mom did not happen. Instead we were told by the nurse "kinder no", this of course confused us so we had to make a few phone calls. We were told on Thursday by our lawyer, Natasha, and Serge, one of our facilitators, that Gianna and my mom could come to the visits. When we met with the council on Friday, one of their questions to us was if our daughter had met the kids yet, so we were completely surprised today to be turned away. We immediately called our translator Katia who spoke with the nurse lady and the doctor. They told her that we needed permission from the orphanage director and she was not available until tomorrow (they have a different crew on the weekends). Katia was very unhappy and told us that Natasha (our lawyer) was going to have a few words with the director tomorrow. We also called Serge and he was more than unhappy with what the nurse and doctor had to say, but unfortunately he couldn't do anything until tomorrow either. He also told us that they didn't want us to bring food for the children anymore. We don't know what that is about because the director told us on Thursday that we could bring bananas or large cookies for the kids. We think that maybe Tatya didn't eat her lunch because Daddy gave her a few more cookies than normal at our morning meeting (he just can't say no to her pouty face!), but who knows? So after our conversation, Katia called our taxi driver back to pick up Gianna and my mom and we went on to visit with the children. I must say that after all that drama our afternoon visit didn't go so hot. Tatya didn't seem very interested in us this afternoon and had a few temper tantrums when we weren't able to share our usual snack. She knows what I have in my bag and where I have it, so she was NOT happy with us when we had to snatch it away from her. Eli and Ana seemed pretty mellow and our time with them was shortened because we spent much of our visitation time trying to figure out why Gianna couldn't come in. Oh well, hopefully all will be straightened out tomorrow and we can have our first family visit soon. Gianna handled not being able to see Tatya, Ana and Eli well, which I was a little worried about because we had been talking it up to her. ;) Sometimes being here is just so frustrating!!! What we saw when we left was really disheartening too. An orphanage worker, who looked like she ABSOLUTELY hated her job, was pushing a double stroller around the orphanage yard (literally going in circles) VERY slowly. Inside the stroller were two absolutely precious little ones (maybe 10 months old?). They looked so sad just slowly being pushed around. No one to love them, no one to snuggle them, no mama, no papa. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly I was just so frustrated. What a very sick world we live in. People spend money on new cars, vacations, huge houses...we have SO much. But here these precious children are just waiting, hoping, praying for someone to sacrifice and come and find them. I guess it's just so much easier to pretend they don't exist. And it's so much harder when their faces are imprinted in your head. I just pray that God would stir up the hearts of His people to be mothers and fathers. People whose hearts would break with what breaks His. People who would not be content with what the world says to chase after, but who would chase after the real treasures of this life.

15lbs

2010-04-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

15lbs! Can you believe this is what our sweet little Ana weighs?!? By the way, she is three and a half years old! I actually think she probably weighs a little bit less than this because when I hold her she has about four layers of clothes on her. How in the world does a three and a half year old weigh 15lbs!?! She is so unbelievably tiny and frail. Her hair is like a babies - super fine and super short. Her eyes and cheeks are sunken in and her poor tiny little mouth has only four tiny teeth, she also has a distinct smell about her. I just cannot wrap my brain around what the last three and a half years have been like for this sweet little angel. It just absolutely breaks my heart. We did have an amazing moment yesterday. We have learned in our short time with Ana that she is super smart (of course they have told us that she is the lowest function on the bunch)! She watches everything and then she tries to do it herself. I noticed this about her the second meeting we had - you just have to take the time to give her an opportunity to do it herself. So when the caretakers came in yesterday, the lady that came for Ana stopped dead her in tracks and her mouth just hung open. You see our little Ana was playing a little fisher price piano. And she was not just banging around on it, but she was carefully, thoughtfully playing it with her tiny little finger. This woman obviously never thought Ana was capable of doing anything. She just stared and stared. All three caretakers actually just stopped and stared and then shocked whispers began. You see we quickly picked up on the fact that Ana is not used to being in any of the rooms we have been taken to. She has spent the last three and a half years in a crib. I just cannot wait to see all that this little girl is capable of, the sky is definitely the limit. We just need to get this girl healthy!

Our little Eli also weighs in at a whooping 15lbs. He is two and a half years old and just a little little man. We think he probably weighed a little bit more than this before his bout of pneumonia in February based on a few of the pics we have seen. Eli is our lazy noisy little lovebug. We got to hear his big old belly laugh for the first time yesterday! He loves affection and attention but we have noticed he is super lazy!! He would much rather just be held and hugged then play or move around. Of course, I don't mind this a bit since the rest of my babies are movers and shakers. It just might be a little difficult for Miss Jan our kids soon to be occupational therapist. Of course, we also think some of this might be that he has not fully recovered from being sick. He's another little guy that will be headed straight for the doctors (actually they all will)!

Little Tatya weighs in at 22 lbs and by far is the healthiest of the bunch. It broke our hearts yesterday though when they brought her to us. Her shoes were probably 2 times too small. Those little feet of hers were just crammed into those shoes. I can't imagine how that must of felt. Every fiber of my mommy being wanted to rip those shoes off of her. Tatya is by far treated the best of the bunch. From what we have gathered she is in with "normal" kids. But there is something so profoundly sad about this little angel. I think it bothers me the most. You can tell she is used to getting attention, but it is sort of a sick kind of attention. They think she is cute and have taught her to wave, but in a way it's almost like going to a circus show...it's really heard to describe, but it is definitely not normal or healthy. We did have a bit of a breakthrough with our Tatya yesterday too. I snuggled her up close to me, took her in my arms and started dancing around with her. At first she didn't know what to do, but after a minute she snuggled in next to my chest and just stared at me. This is something I used to do with my daughter when she was a baby. I couldn't help but feel so sad. This angel never got to feel that closeness as a baby. Heartbreaking really.

I think now we really just can't wait to get our kids home. Visits with them are much harder than I imagined. We have such a short time with them, we have no control over anything about them (they are just brought to us and then taken from us), and emotionally we are just drained afterwards. We can't wait to get them home, get them healthy, and start making some memories together as a family. Well I'm off to get ready for the morning visit. We have decided to bring Gianna to the afternoon meeting with the kids. It's a little bit shorter and since we will probably be stuck inside today, we thought shorter is probably better. Also our little peanut was up late and up early...just in Gianna fashion! So I think a long nap is in order for her! Here is a video that we took of the kids yesterdays. **Blogger is not cooperating so I'll have to try again later!**

Second Post of the Day - Scroll Down to see #1

2010-04-17T03:40:00.001-07:00

Ohhh I got the orange booties today!

Blue booties for daddy

Long hot smelly hallway

where we wait after showing our permission slip

creepy mural isn"t it!?!

We go in that brown door on the left

outside of the orphanage

more outside of orphanage

old painted benches where we wait when our taxi driver gets there early (we can only go in during our specified times)

the gate (our children have never been outside of this gate)

waiting outside our apartment for our taxi

pics looking outside our apartment

babushuka

papa

Belly Bean

So here are some pics of where we are staying and the orphanage. As you can see the buildings here are all really old and worn. We are staying in an apartment on the second floor (much better than lugging stuff up four flights!) We will have to take pictures of the "carpet" in the hallway - which is more like astroturf than carpet! The couple that own the apartment live below us, Serge and Ludmila, and they are so sweet. Ludmila does our laundry for us and they come up and clean for us too. George is starting to really love it here - everything is so different here. The people watching is great! The women here are drop dead gorgeous and dress up in tight tight tight pants and short short short skirts everyday. They wear 3 and 4 inch heels on a regular basis (and if you could only see how awful the roads and sidewalks are here you would understand what a miracle this is!) and wear full makeup! When we toured Kiev with Uncle Nikko's daughter, Helena, she told us that the women dress like this because their is a 4 to 1 ratio of women to men. They also love fashion and clothes because during the Soviet Union time period they did not have access to such clothing, shoes, accessories. The driving here is something like I have never seen before! There appears to be no rules...expect drive fast, swerve for potholes (more like craters), and stop short! I will NEVER complain about my husband's driving EVER again! Life here is so different it really is hard to put into words. We are coming to love the people though and enjoy the glimpse into our children's culture.

First Morning Visit

2010-04-17T03:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from today's morning visit. We can already see some changes in the kids even though this was only our 4th visit with them. The morning visit is a little longer than the afternoon which really makes it easier to get to know the kids. We were also in a different room this time. I think it is their "therapy" room based on the kind of equipment and toys we saw. It really is so sad because everything there is so old. These kids have nothing new. Tatya ate her first banana today! She had no idea what to do with it at first, but she seemed to figure it out pretty quick...just like daddy she LOVES food! She is also quite the daddy's girl...uh oh daddy is in big trouble because Tatya and Gianna have his number! We see the biggest changes in Ana - she is actually starting to vocalize and lets us know when she thinks we aren't paying enough attention to her! This is great because she is starting to let us know that she REALLY likes us. I also left a bow in her hair yesterday when they took her back and today she came to us with the same bow in her hair! They obviously are starting to understand that we love this little girl LOTS! She also loves having bows in her hair, I guess they don't do that much with her normally. :( Eli is really starting to show his affectionate side. He CRAVES love and soft touches. He and Ana just loved the purple scarf we brought to play with today. They also love soft strokes on the face. It breaks my heart to think of how deprived these sweet children are to soft touches. Not for long though! Thursday is only 5 days away!!!!! We have decided to bring little miss Gia bean with us tomorrow. We have been waiting until the children reached a certain comfort level with us before we introduced our curly hair spitfire, but we think everyone is ready. Gianna loves to look at the pics we bring back of the kids and is really excited about meeting them tomorrow! I can't wait to have all my babies in one place together!!!

Visit #3

2010-04-16T09:49:00.001-07:00

Here are some more pics from our visit this afternoon with the kids. We are starting to get little hints into their personalities and are looking forward into seeing more. Ana is the sweetest little thing I have ever seen. She is quiet but doesn't miss a thing. I think she is just thrilled to have us around her. We can tell that no one pays her much mind. She just smiles and smiles and smiles. She is also much smarter than anyone gives her credit for - I cannot wait to see how she changes when she gets home.

Tatya is quite the personality. She is an orphanage favorite and is definitely used to getting her own way. You might think it is good and that at least she gets lots of attention, but I have to say there is something very sad about her. We were a little surprised to see her rocking, which is an orphanage behavior, I guess we expected to see more from Eli and Ana than her (although Eli does make some noises which is also an orphanage behavior- Tatya will just take a stuffed toy, hold on to it and rock. I think because everyone thinks she is so cute that she gets a lot of superficial attention. She definitely requires some boundaries, but she is our little spitfire. Once she and Gianna get used to sharing with each other, I can definitely see that they will be great friends.

Eli is just a little love. He is still recovering from having pneumonia in February so he seems mostly tired during our visits. He definitely craves and responds to love and touch. He seems pretty content with the littlest of things - like a mirror. I cannot wait to get him and Ana healthy!

We brought some plain cracker like cookies today for the kids (per the orphanage director we are only allowed to bring bananas or large cookies) and it just broke my heart. Tatya did not know what to do with it - I had to show her. Of course once she got the hang of it, the cookie was gone! Just like that! She definitely is a BIG eater and quickly snarfed down three. Eli wanted to eat it but just like tatya had NO idea what to do. He did try to put it in his mouth but was lost after that. Ana was no interested at all and even if she was, she would have to gum at it. She only has like 4 teeth. So sad :(

Prayers Please

2010-04-16T03:37:00.000-07:00

This morning we got an upsetting email from my sister. She is pregnant with twins and is expected to deliver in July (however with twins she will be considered full term the end of June). She was admitted early this morning into the hospital with contractions. Please lift her, the babies and her husband up before our Heavenly Father. It is so hard to not be able to speak with her. We are trusting that God will wrap His arms around them and bring them comfort.

**Adoption Update**

This morning we were picked up at 10:00 by our taxi driver and driven to our lawyer, Natasha's office. Our translator, Katya, met us and we went over our petition to adopt. This document describes in detail each of our children, their health and social conditions, proof that they are in deed orphans, and our desire to adopt them. It was so sad to hear about their birth families and how they were abandoned. No one has ever come to visit our children. Natasha explained to us that this not unusual and that doctors tell the mothers after birth that they should just leave the children and try for another. One of our children's birth father gave the child up, stating that it was just too hard for the mother to look at her. Can you imagine giving birth and then being unable to stand the sight of your baby?!? My heart breaks for that woman because she has no idea what she gave up. These children are more precious than gold. After we reviewed these forms and signed them, Natasha explained that we were to go and meet with the council. She had been already been speaking with the council for 1 and 1/2 hours this morning, trying to explain to them why we wanted to adopt these children. She told us we must go and stand before the council (which is a group of 8 men/women, including the prosecuter and the head of adoptions for the orphanage), they would then ask us a bunch of questions and then vote on whether or not we can proceed on to court. She explained that we must receive their "blessing" and that at court on Thursday the head of adoptions for the orphanage would get up and deliver their official ruling to the judge. Then the judge must make the final ruling. We were really nervous because the first thing Natasha said to us is, you know they have closed Russia to US adoptions? We were already aware of this and were prepared to be questioned regarding it. She told us not to expect anyone to understand and to be prepared for LOTS of questions. She then sent us off to meet with council with our translator in tow. I was a little, okay a lot, scared especially when I learned that our lawyer would not be going with us. We went to a really old building with really high ceilings and waited to be called before the council. Talk about intimidating! We went in and sat before the panel and they had all of our papers spread before them. They just started asking questions, LOTS of questions. I must say I was really nervous. It is also kind of tricky working with a translator and they were a rather serious looking bunch. At the end of the questioning, when they said they were ready to vote, I must admit I totally held my breath! BUT, we made it! We got the council's approval and we can now move forward with court on Thursday! Our Tatya (they call her Tonya) is quite the orphanage favorite, as the head of adoptions person asked us specifically what we thought of her. After the council meeting our translator took us to the market and we were able to buy food. I must say that I love their markets! They have all sorts of fresh baked breads, rolls, pastries, chocolates (soooo yummy!), and candies. I would seriously be huge if I lived here!!! We are just kind of relaxing right now before we head over to the orphanage for our afternoon visit. Unfortunately, it is cold and rainy outside. We have been spoiled with beautiful weather since we arrived, so I guess we cannot complain. Our apartment is only about 10 minutes away from the orphanage and our translator tells him what time to pick us up/drop us off and where. We really just show up and hope that everyone knows where to take us!!! Talk about a walk in faith! God is so amazing and He continues to show us each and every day how much He loves and cherishes these children. We will post more pics later and will fill everyone in on how yesterday went - it was quite a day!

**Also, we've been asked twice so I thought I would quickly go over the ages of the kids. Anastasia is our oldest - she is 3 1/2 years old - she was born on Christmas day. Even so, she is so incredibly tiny - she is about the size of a 1 year old, with hair the length of a little baby. :( Eli is next in line at 2 1/2 years old - his birthday is in October - and he is also very small for his age. He is almost exactly the same weight and height of Ana. Tatya is also 2 1/2 years old - she was born in November - and she looks very healthy. Developmentally she is the most advanced and after some time with Gia, she will be even farther! We have noticed in just 2 visits that all these children need is some love, time, and affection. Ana is way more advanced then we thought and she is just itching to learn more. I don't think they think she is capable of anything, but give her a few months at home, and she will be doing great! It is hard to hold her and think about her age though, she is soooo tiny. No three and a half year old should look like that. It is extremely hard. We are learning this journey is not for the faint of heart. Emotions run high and the reality of what life is for these kids is beyond heartbreaking. We realize after seeing Ana that she would NOT have survived the transfer to the institution, which she would be facing in just a few short months. We have also learned that there are maybe as many as 20 kids in this orphanage with special needs.

What a day!

2010-04-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Words cannot accurately describe the events of today. Perhaps I can try tomorrow, but as for today I am done. We have experienced every emotion known to man today and I must say that we are exhausted! Our day began at 3am with a wild car ride from Kiev to Kirovograd and it will be ending as soon as the sun goes down and I can convince my daughter that it is bedtime. Tomorrow we have a meeting with the council asking permission to adopt our kiddos. Hopefully it will be a ten to fifteen minute thing and we will only be asked a few questions. We have been told not to expect anyone to understand. Please pray that we would find favor with the council and that it would be a quick appointment. Right now court is scheduled for next Thursday. If our ten day wait is waived, we could be home the following week. This is moving really fast and we are so thankful for that. Please continue to pray that things move quickly and smoothly and that there are no hold ups with court on Thursday. Also please pray for our children and a smooth bonding and transition. More later but I'll leave you with a video. Our hearts are full tonight!

2nd Visit

2010-04-15T08:22:00.001-07:00

What a smile!

Little Miss Thing

ohhh....who's that!

Mr. Man

Ooohhh....it tickles!

That's my new house

Watch me stack! I can do this for hours!

Little Miss Ana

Our Eli

Tatya snuggles Daddy

If you haven't checked out the pics of our first visit scroll down...

Love at first sight!

2010-04-15T04:24:00.001-07:00

First angel through the door

Kisses for Daddy

More Kisses for Daddy

The Boys

The Girls (minus one very important little lady)

Daddy and Ana

Mommy and Eli

Tatya, Eli and Mommy

Will post more later! We get to go see our angels again!

Pics of the Kids!!!!

2010-04-13T01:26:00.000-07:00

Tatya

Eli

Ana

This morning Yulia picked us up and took us to our SDA appointment. Serge, our other facilitator, went in with us and basically they just asked us to tell about our family and why we want to adopt these children. We just really spoke from our hearts and then we were able to get the most AMAZING gift....I was able to trade the pics I had of the kids for the ones in their files. And guess what?!? Tatya had FOUR pics (one recent) and Eli had THREE pics. Poor little Ana only had one, but that will all change soon enough! What an amazing blessing! We are in love even more, if that is possible! Unfortunately, our official paperwork giving us permission to see the kids will not be ready until between 4 and 5 tomorrow. So, another day waiting to see the kids. :( Right now it looks like Thursday will be our day. Yulia did tell us to please pray about our 10 day waiting period being waived. Apparently the news story of the American family that sent back their adopted Russian son, has made an impact on the adoptions here. So, please join us in praying that we can still get our 10 day waiting period waived and that the orphanage director and the judge will see our hearts and not our children's disabilities. We are so blessed to have an opportunity to parent such beautifully amazing children....

How we know we are home...

2010-04-12T06:25:00.001-07:00

Gianna found the nearest towel and wrapped herself up like a burrito ;)

My honey just loves the money here, says it looks like monopoly money (he also loves the exchange rate!)

We are staying on the other side of this street

that's our door straight ahead

the dreaded stairs

Yes that's right, we live in the apartment building with the matchmaking agency! Ukrainian bride anyone?!?

Right of Passage

2010-04-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

Okay we kept trying for a family shot but it just wasn't working for us (and now it just won't turn either)

Gianna loved my mom's dinner

Last night, we ventured out to our first restaurant. Call us chicken but we decided to hit the local TGI Fridays. It seems a right of passage for adoptive families to eat at Fridays, so we thought we'd give it a shot. It is also extremely easy to find, within walking distance (we haven't gotten the nerve up to attempt a death-defying taxi ride) and its nice to have a waitress that speaks English (even if she looks like she absolutely hates life) :) It's so funny because I must admit I am a total health nut. However, on this trip, I have eaten anything and everything placed in front of me. From way gross airplane food to fried this and that, I have eaten it all. I think mostly though, I have enjoyed the chocolate and bread and butter. Yup, that is a complete meal in my book these days, it covers both veggie and fruit categories...and did I mention the bread is white? Well, at least it is homemade AND absolutely delicious. You might wonder how I plan to fit into my pants in the next couple of weeks. Well, I think the four flights of stairs (with two sets of stairs per landing), walking everywhere, and the fact that inside the buildings is so hot you SWEAT, sweat, sweat should take care of most of it. :)

Hint to anyone coming soon: Please learn from my husband and remove the shower head from the silver piece it is hanging on BEFORE you turn on the shower. If not it will fly off the wall and attack you, all while spraying you and your clean clothes with water! It is really only one of those attachment hose jobs that you hold and spray yourself with ;)

Also, please do not laugh when they ask you (with a straight face) if you would like gas, after ordering your water at a restaurant. I was very proud of my husband for keeping it together, like all boys, I mean men, gas is ALWAYS a laughing matter in our house. However here, it simply means bubbly water (and not something to torture your wife with ;))

We really didn't do too much today. Last night my husband and I were up ALL night. Neither one of us could sleep. I'm not sure if we are still struggling with the time difference or if we just couldn't turn our brains off. Our little lady slept pretty well until about 2am, so at that point we all made a group trip to the kitchen and just sat and ate anything and everything in site ;) She loved sitting on the kitchen stool snacking down at 2am. We then laid back in bed with her and did what any good american parent would do...started up a movie! So as we watched Cars for the second time in one day (a big no no in our house), Gianna kept saying up late and tv head! lol...so we've pretty much laid low today, taken a nap, and will probably head out for some pizza for dinner. Uncle Nikko told us where a good pizza place is, so hopefully we can find it and hopefully once there can manage to order pizza WITHOUT mayo. (why would anyone want mayo on a pizza?!?)

Also, please keep us in your prayers as tomorrow is our big SDA appointment. We are waiting to hear from our facilitator what time it is. Once I hear, I will post it. (The State Dept. of Adoption will meet with us and ask some questions of us, they will then offer us our kids official referral, we maybe able to learn some very basic information about each of them and how they were left, and perhaps see a baby pic, after this appt we will come back to our apartment and wait until the paperwork is drawn up, which we will then have to go back and pick up - hopefully this will be the same day, if not we will have to wait another day to travel to our kids region because we cannot see the children without this official paperwork.) Please pray that our SDA appointment would be quick and easy and that we would not encounter any difficulties. If we get our paperwork tomorrow, we would probably leave at approx. 4am on Wed. morning to drive the 4 hours to where our children's orphanage is.

UPDATE***Our SDA appt. is at 10 am Ukraine time (which is 3 am home time)

Airport Pics

2010-04-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

Home Sweet Home

2010-04-11T06:06:00.000-07:00

We are here!

2010-04-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

After hours and hours of traveling, we are in Kiev! I don't think I've ever been as exhausted as I was yesterday. The night before we left, we stayed at a hotel and between the snoring from my mom and the hacking cough from my husband (yes he is okay, he just has this dry cough at night), sleep DID not come, AT ALL. We also had to get up at 3:30am to fly out. We did get to spend some time (not long enough!) with my sister, her babies to be (she is a mommy to twins!), and her husband in the Cincinnati airport before we left for Paris (our layover was almost 7 hours), although we only got to spend the first couple of hours with them becuz she had a doctors appt. Thanks Auntie Jenn and Uncle Chris for Grover and the Count - they have made the trip all the way to Ukraine in Gia's hot little hands (and they slept with us)!!! Right as we were getting ready to board for Paris, we found out that her doctor was concerned and wanted her to head to the hospital. Unfortunately, we had to board the plane with heavy hearts. All we could was pray. The flight to Paris went pretty well. Gianna was SUCH a trooper. She fought sleep like no one I have ever seen. She finally snuggled up, watched the movie playing, and did manage to get a few hours. God answers prayers (like we didn't already know that!) and we ended up with a tailwind, which means we landed almost a whole hour early in Paris. This was a blessing because we had to go through security again before they would let us get to our connecting gate. We also managed to get a message from my sister saying that the babies and her were okay and she had been sent home from the hospital (what a huge relief!!!) So we boarded the plane for Kiev with much lighter hearts but much heavier eyelids!!! The flight to Kiev was only about 3 hours and Gianna was most definitely done (as I think we all were) but again she did AWESOME! UNTIL THE END...and so here is my rant to Air France...during ALL of the take offs (including the one to Kiev) and the landings, I hold tight to my little girl. She just turned 2 and she is very tall and skinny for her age, so a lap belt, even a tight one, does NOT hold her into a seat well. Well the mean French flight attendants, decided that right after she had finally fallen asleep in my arms before we landed, that she MUST sit in her own seat. I tried to explain but they would hear NONE of it. And were extremely RUDE. Okay, so I put her in the seat, which of course, wakes her up and she starts SCREAMING and throwing herself around. Now she is scared because we are landing, their is a French dude yelling at us, and I'm trying to strap her in. Great fun! Well I thought I'll just hold onto her, so I put the armrest between us up and snuggled down close to her to hold her into her seat and try to comfort her. So again the rude French man runs over and starts yelling at me again to put the armrest down, so I cannot snuggle close to her and hold her. Nice! So she is screaming and when my daughter gets really mad and scared, she throws up! So now she throws up on my arms and hands. We finally land and as we are taxing in, we hear this ding and I just assumed that I could now unbuckle my screaming puking daughter and comfort her. WRONG! French flight attendant runs over and yells at me again. He says I MUST buckle her back in...what?!????? So I try, but now she is clinging to me for dear life and screaming! As we were getting off the plane, my husband had to restrain himself from punching little French man...I must say I wanted to do the same thing, especially when he looked at us as we were leaving the plane and asked if my daughter was okay now? Like he ever cared! ANYWAY, I will never fly Air France again. But thanks for letting me vent everyone ;) Now we land and Alysha you are right, it is kind of like being herded, you just follow the people in front of you and pray for the best. We are DEFINITELY not in America :) So we head to where you show your passport and wait. My hands were shaking as I handed our passports over to some very scary looking man with an army uniform on and a scowl on his face. At this point you just start praying. It took forever but he finally started stamping our stuff. Mind you, he NEVER said one word to us nor looked at us the entire time. He seriously looked straight out of the Soviet Union. I had to chuckle though because I looked up and saw a sign that showed a picture of a lady smiling as someone handed their passport over to be stamped and the sign said in English something about Ukraine and welcome there...ha! So we then go get carts and get our luggage, one of the zippers on one of our duffel bags had broken off, so we were presented with a lovely duffel bag in a HUGE plastic bag...NICE! We then head on over to customs and per our family adoption handbook, we head to the red customs line to make our declarations. At this point some Ukrainian lady runs over to us and starts pointing at the green customs line. We say no, we need the red line. She just keeps pointing and insists we move to the green line. Thank you again Alysha, because I remembered that this is what happened to you, so we just moved right through to the green line and went straight through. Oh well, we did try! So now we head for the glass sliding doors and they open up and we look for a man and a sign that says Simons. Lots of men, but no Simons sign! At this point, panic creeps up. We start looking around, walking around...surely our driver must be here. NOPE! No driver, no sign. By now, the very hungry taxi drivers can tell we are confused and pounce on us. My husband starts saying Nyet to them all as I try to comfort my exhausted daughter AND hold back the tears. We wait and wait and wait. Okay, now panic has completely set in!!! We can't understand anything, we are in an airport - but not like anything we would normally associate with an airport, and their is no one to pick us up. I must say my first thought was...get me on the next flight out!!! Thankfully Gianna had fallen back asleep at this point. We finally decide to try to call Yulia, but we could't manage to get my husband's phone to work, even though we had his switched to international before we left. Since Gianna was asleep on me, my mom found an information booth and the woman spoke some english, so she agrees to call Yulia for us. Yulia told the woman to tell us to wait 13 more minutes. So okay, we are relieved that at least someone is on there way for us. But 13 minutes came and went. At this point we had been waiting well over an hour. It was SO hot in the airport and we were all beyond exhausted. We were going on well over 26 hours with no sleep. My mom went over an asked the woman if she would call Yulia again, but this time the lady said no, we just needed to take a taxi. Um, we don't even know where we are going? So my mom starts searching for someone, anyone to help us. She finds a nice man at some mobile "store" and he speaks very broken english, but helps us dial Yulia again. This time she asks where we are and we tell her and she says she will call our driver because he IS now in the airport. YAY!! I have never been so happy to see someone, EVER!!! Poor Uncle Nikko, our driver, had car trouble. He is so apologetic and we are just soooo happy to see him that we really didn't care at that point. So we load up our stuff and head over to our apartment. Unfortunately we arrive at our apartment and quickly realize that it is not going to work. There is only one bed and two chairs, no pull out couch, and no way for all of us to fit. So Uncle Nikko calls Yulia and they find us another apartment but we will have to wait a few hours while they clean it. Uncle Nikko also takes George and my mom to exchange money and get some food. I stayed with Gianna in the apartment and just let her run around. They come back, we eat, and then we wait and wait and wait some more. Finally, about 2 hours later our apartment is ready for us. So we load back up (this includes going down an elevator like I have never seen before - it will close on you - and it only fits 2 people at a time. It also makes a weird grinding noise!) but we load back up the car and off we go again! We get to our new apartment and have to carry everything up 4 flights of stairs....we are definitely going to be in better shape after this trip! But this apartment is PERFECT. It has room for all of us and internet and it is within walking distance of a bunch of stores, restaurants and markets, and their is a "playground" across the street (I'll have to take pics so you all can see). George and I went out for more water and CHOCOLATE! Love, love, love the chocolate here! (also the bread here is amazing!) It made so much better after all the emotions we had gone through. We then crashed and slept and slept and slept! We woke up this afternoon feeling much better about things. I will try to upload some pics so you can see where we are staying. We will get pics of the outside later. I think we are going to venture out and try to find some food. Sorry for the LONG post and the rambling but I am still tired and need to eat! Sunday in Kiev with the church bells is really cool though. Can't say I've ever heard anything like that.

New Reality

2010-04-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

Finally, after days of packing, squishing, repacking, and running around, we are off! Well to Tampa at least! :). Tomorrow, very early, we begin the long trek to Ukraine. Our plane should arrive at about 5am home time. I cannot believe we are finally leaving and I have to say it feels so surreal. There have been so many ups and downs along the way but here we are, literally days away from seeing our beautiful babies. We left the house parents to one amazing child, but we will return the parents to four! Can we say WOW?!? My brain cannot quite process that yet, but my heart is already there. As I write this, I am squished between two car seats in the back of our minivan. I guess this is the new reality of our lives...we FILL a minivan! Please, please keep us in your prayers as we begin this phase of the journey. Specifically, safe and smooth travel (especially that we make a very tight connection in Paris), that are luggage makes it with us (I've heard Paris is a tough one), quick/smooth time with customs, and for a quick and easy SDA appointment on Tuesday! We are hoping to meet our kids on Wed! Auntie Jennifer and Uncle Chris, we can't wait to see you during our layover in Cincy. Gianna has finally stoped saying "I take out" when we talk about the babies in your belly! Thank you Alysha for all your encouragement. You have no idea how perfect the timing of your email was this week. You truly are an amazing sister in Christ and I just hope that one day we can meet in person. (Why do Florida and Cali have to be so far away?!?). Please know that your willingness to sacrifice and follow wherever God called is one of the reasons Tatya, Ana, and Eli will be coming home soon! Had you not opened your heart and your home to Issac, our precious kids would have remained hidden away. From one mother's heart to another, thank you! "See" you in Ukraine all!!

Resurrection Sunday

2010-04-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Recently, sleep hasn't always come as easily as I would like. My head just runs and runs with thoughts and questions, and emotions fill my heart. Of course, we are literally days away from leaving. So I'm longing for my children and wondering what they are like, who they are inside, what it will be like to meet them, to hold them for the first time. These questions go on and on. Sleep actually came fairly easy for me last night, but it didn't last long. Sometime in the early morning hours, my heart was suddenly awake. I say my heart because I felt first with my heart and then with my head. I know this feeling and quickly recognized it as the quiet whispering of my Father. Grave clothes. What an odd thought right?!? But this is what I heard and then I saw my children wrapped in grave clothes and my heart just suddenly filled with grief. I cried out to God in my heart and as I did, I felt the grave clothes lifting off of Tatya, Ana, and Eli. I cried out again, asking that He replace these, instead clothing them in the love of the Father. I could feel words of acceptance and affirmation flowing from the very throne room of Heaven covering Tatya, Ana, and Eli. After these strong emotions and visions left me, God began to reveal what exactly it was that He wanted to teach me. You see, Tatya, Ana, and Eli are orphans in a country where they have absolutely no value or worth. Their entire life is defined by the fact that they were born with Down Syndrome. This definition means loneliness, neglect, and mistreatment, ultimately ending in a mental institution where mercy comes only in the form of death. Thankfully because of many, many prayers and the power of God, Tatya, Ana, and Eli will not be going to a mental institution. Instead, they will be coming home. Their loneliness and neglect will be replaced with unconditional love and affirmation. Words cannot express my gratitude for this. Resurrection Sunday will forever hold a new meaning in my heart and in our family. However, the sad reality is that there are so many more beautiful children who have no one coming for them. On this Easter, my prayer is that these children will be lifted before their Heavenly Father. I pray that families will come forward, risk it all and seek them out. I pray that those that cannot come forward themselves, will sow into other's adoptions, because adoptions don't just happen. There is so much power in prayer.

~Adoption Update~
We are flying out Friday morning!!! No flights were available on Saturday, so we are leaving a day earlier...that means one less day to get it all done :) We also are flying out EARLY in the morning so we will be spending the night in Tampa. That means we are leaving our house Thursday afternoon!!! Still soooo much to do!

Appointment Date!!!!!

2010-03-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

This morning we received the BEST email! Our SDA appointment date is April 13th, which is exactly 2 weeks from today!!! So we will be leaving for our kids country in about a week and a half. I was shaking as I read the email and I'm still trying to process it all. There is SO much to do! I will do my best to get everyones invites out tonight, so look for them tomorrow or Thursday by the latest. So many lists...so little time! We are trusting God to help us!!!

Going Private

2010-03-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

After much thought and consideration, we have decided to make our blog private during our travel. This will allow us to openly share where we are and honestly share our experience. Please leave me a comment (under this post ONLY) and include your EMAIL address if you would like an invitation. We are soooo appreciative of everyone who has cheered us on so far, and we look forward to sharing the rest of this adventure with you all. (I personally can't wait to get over there and post pics and videos of our kiddos so you can all marvel at how adorable they are!!) So, I will try to get around to sending out invitations in the next few days. We are expecting to get our travel date sometime next week. Once that happens, I will have a million and one things to get done, so I'm going to try to get all the invites done this weekend. We are getting SO close!!!

Thankful

2010-03-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

When we started on this journey, we new it would take us to new places...figuratively and literally. We new it would stretch us and change us, and forever change our family. But we never realized what amazing people we would meet along the way. People who have blessed us with their prayers, their encouragement, their money, their time and their talents. People whose hearts ache for the lonely, the orphaned, the forgotten. They have walked alongside us on this journey and we are forever grateful for them. Lu, thank you for designing this beautiful new blog for our family! Your talent is only eclipised by your heart!

Submitted!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

Yay!!!!!!! We just found out that our dossier was submitted yesterday!!!!!! That means we should receive our travel date one week from Monday!!!! We are beyond excited....I would like to apologize to my poor sister, who was accidently dialed amongst the jumping up and down and screaming and who was ready to call 911 on our behalf! Sorry Auntie J :). Oh and a big thank you to whoever donated $50 to our kiddos recently...I don't know who you are yet but thank you so much for sowing into our children's lives! We just cannot wait toget them home! God has been so faithful throughout this adoption, inspite of my doubts and my questioning...Truly our God is mighty and able! He is moving heaven and earth to bring three precious angels out of an orphanage and into a home! We know we are in very capable hands as we get ready for whatever is ahead! Thank you for your continued prayers, specifically for favor and quick approval of our dossier and a quick travel date!!! Now please excuse me as I must go jump up and down some more ;)

Beautiful Bella

2010-03-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

Happy 2nd birthday beautiful Gia Bella! I cannot believe you are already two. It seems like each and every day you get bigger and older. Mommy has such a hard time with this because she knows that you are not hers. She knows that you are too wonderful, too amazing to be held on to forever...

You are beautiful. Not just on the outside. No, your beauty can't be captured in pictures. It radiates from the inside out. It is expressed in the giggles, in the sheepish grins, in your silly faces and sweet, sweet, STRONG spirit.

Speaking of strong, you are STRONG. Strong in spirit, strong in mind, strong in body. From the day you were born, at just 6lbs. 2 oz., lifting your head to look around, others have been amazed at your physical strength. Now that you are 2, you prefer to show off this strength, by "throwing down" and then yelling loudly, "fall down, oh no, i fall down, hold it." By it, you are referring to yourself. I love when you tell me to "hold it" and oh, how I love to hold it! Did I mention your strength transcends the physical?!? You, at the sweet age of 2, are the strongest person I know. I love this about you, it may exhaust me just a bit at times, but it is something I adore about you. Again, I have known this about you since the moment we met face to face. Your Heavenly Father adores this about you too. He has big plans for you. Strength was thoughtfully and lovingly knit into the fabric of your being, it is not an afterthought.

You are compassionate. Even at your tender age, you care deeply for others. Just hearing a little boy cry will cause you concern for hours. A bug bite on mommy's toe means a bug bite on your toe. Our dog, Jax, will always have an assortment of play food and toys surrounding him. You worry about him and care for him like the good mommy I know you will make one day. I know he especially enjoys the plastic mushroom and cake left for him last night. Your big eyes are only eclipsed by your big heart.

You are silly. I love hearing you laugh. It is absolutely infectious. You know how to make me laugh and yes, you know how to use it to get out of trouble. Our timeout chair talks are often short lived because mommy has to walk away and compose herself, not out of anger, but because she cannot contain her laughter. I love pretending to eat your tasty toes and I love seeing the dinner table set for your books. Seeing you walk around with Mr. Potato Head glasses on your face or a swimsuit on top of all of your clothes, will always bring a smile to my face. Singing and dancing with your toys and your artwork makes me laugh in a way nothing else can. Everyday brings a chance to get down on the floor with you and just be silly.

You are so much more than I could ever sit here and list out. I hope you will always know how very much I love you. Even more than this, I hope you never lose the peace that has always radiated from your spirit. Daughter of the King, you know who you are. Don't ever let that go. Men and women spend fortunes and lifetimes searching for what you have. Ground yourself in His perfect love for you. Mommy and Daddy will always love you well, but He will always love you perfectly. You are, after all, one of His favorites.

Confession

2010-03-06T06:22:00.001-08:00

I have learned something new about myself the last two days....online tracking does NOT bring out the best in me!! There is something incredibly frustrating about watching your package reach it's destination, but then just SIT! Our dossier arrived yesterday at 10am (yay!!), but didn't make it through customs in time to be delivered on Friday :(. So, please pray that they deliver it early Monday SAFELY. Hopefully, they will be able to translate in time for a Thursday submittal, otherwise we'll have to wait another week. And waiting stinks :(

Our Kids :)

2010-03-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

Tonight our dossier is in Cologne (I LOVE TRACKING!!!)...overnight it will make it's way to our kid's country. Please join us in prayer that it makes it there safely, quickly and that it is translated, submitted and approved quickly. We are also praying for a quick travel date!
As we get closer to meeting our kids face to face, I have to admit there are so many different emotions surfacing. Excitement and nerves mingling all together!! Today I looked back to re-read the information we have about each one of our sweeties and so I thought I would share it with everyone. I was reminded while reading these today the urgency with which we work to bring these babies home...
Tatya

Streeeeettttch, and why did you wake me? Tatya is just waking from a nap here. She has sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. She is completely healthy and doing well. Just waiting for her family!

I have $0 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Angel (soon to be our Anastasia)

Angel is considered significantly delayed, but so much of this could be institutional. You have all seen how these kids, even the "lowest functioning" of them, just BLOSSOM once home. Please give Angel that chance!! Every day she waits makes it worse :(

Angel was born with ASD. She also has some strabismus.

From one of our adoptive families who visited with her in July 2009: " The caretaker was quick to motion me away from them....making a face of disgust and saying "dumb". But since she was sitting and wasn't going to be going anywhere I knelt down to cup each of their little faces. Angel was on the verge of falling asleep, but she opened her eyes and looked at me when I stroked her face. Her eyes are blueish, not brown, and her hair is kind of a mousy brown. She almost seemed stunned by my touch at first, but then was okay and let me keep stroking her check. Her muscle tone is weak and she wasn't able to really hold herself up very well.....but she was tired too, and I know that adds to the low muscle tone becoming even more low. She looked more at me once I stopped stroking her face and talked to her. She was tired though and looked like she was fighting sleeping hard to be able to keep looking at me. She finally gave into sleep while a ran my hand over her head."

Serge (soon to be Eli)

Serge is another little chunky muffin :) He has sandy brown hair and big brown eyes. He does have some strabismus, and an umbilical hernia, but no heart condition. He is doing great and will really do well in his new family!

From one of our adoptive families who visited with him in July 2009: "Serge was bewildered by me...his little tongue sticking out of his mouth the way my Eli's does :) I don't think these children get talked to in a tender tone very much, if at all. Serge looked at me like a little puppy does when their trying to understand what your saying....you know, that head cocked to the side and ears perked up look? That's how Serge looked at me :) Because he was sitting behind Angel he would lean in to my hand when ever I cupped his face. He didn't smile at me, but liked being talked too and touched. He kept putting his hand on mine when I stroked his cheek and he moved his feet for me to get me to stroke them again whenever I stopped touching them. He had no shoes on so I was able to massage his little feet & legs tenderly and he liked it :) All these children need is attention, affection and some eager arms. Once they have these things, these babies will grow in every way! Here, their looked at as "dumb"....not even worthy of touch or tender words. It explains a lot about our Isaac's own behaviors. What's amazing is how little time it's taken for Isaac to learn to accept and even desire our affection & attention. My heart hurts for these beautiful babies. "

A letter to my children...

2010-03-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

I saw a link to this on a blog I follow and I just have to repost it. If we were to write a letter to our daughter, this would pretty much be everything we would say...you can read it here

Rollercoaster

2010-03-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

It's been an up and down week...we've had paperwork lost, then found, almost had to drive 6 hrs up and 6 hrs back for new paperwork, and much drama in between...but the end result is our dossier is on it's way!!! We can only give God the credit for this, and so we rest confidently in the knowledge that God, and God alone, is directing this adoption. Here are the pics of our "paper baby" as it was shipped off....And yes, I did put it in a ziploc freezer bag, but only because they don't make a waterproof UPS envelope ;)

Happy Dance :)

2010-02-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

It finally came!!!! Woo hoo!!! 171h Last check on the list!! Now I am off to get a copy notarized and then overnighting it to Tallahassee to be apostilled...please pray we get it back on Friday so we can get this dossier mailed out to Eastern Europe asap!!! I am overjoyed at the thought that our paperwork could be there this time next week!!!! Thank you Jesus - you are soooooooo amazing!

Best Monday Morning News...

2010-02-22T18:14:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up and found the most wonderful email...finally a response from the USCIS local office. Our approved 171h is on it's way to us! We should have it in the next day or so...Yea!!! Unfortunately, things are moving a bit slower in our kids country right now due to an Interpol check they added on to the process - after we submit our dossier (first we must mail it and have it translated and then it is submitted) we are looking at a 6-10 week timeframe to travel. We are praying for a mid March submittal. Please pray that by that time it is closer to the 6 week timeframe, as our children really need to get home (and so do we!) We are trusting in the timing of our Heavenly Father though, as He continues to remind us of His goodness and His faithfulness! Praise God :)

Grab the cheese...

2010-02-18T17:17:00.001-08:00

because here comes the whine! Okay, I know that was really cheesy...(hehe!) BUT seriously the last few days have been, well, discouraging. Where, oh where, is our 171H?!? Oh mailman, please, please bring it tomorrow! I am sooo tired of stalking you! ;)

Just in case, I emailed the adoption officer at our field office two days ago, but no response yet. Apparently they have three days to respond. I just was really hoping to get our dossier out this week :( With political changes in our kiddos country, it has become more crucial than ever for our paperwork to be submitted as soon as possible. I just keep reminding myself that God's timing is ALWAYS better than mine. And certainly He knows, but my heart just ACHES at the thought of our kids waiting any longer!

On the road...

2010-02-04T03:39:00.000-08:00

On our way to Ocala, just for the day...BUT all of our paperwork came back nice and neat and APOSTILLED yesterday from the state! Amazing to see months of work all stacked up in one pile! Still waiting for our 171h but that should come next week hopefully...then we can submit!

Fingerprint Appointment DONE

2010-02-01T19:01:00.001-08:00

USCIS fingerprints were done today...for everyone! YAY! The people were SO nice and spent the extra time to take us all. They even spent extra time going over my mom's prints since we had so much trouble with hers being accepted by the FBI. And instead of just my mom's getting done today, everyone's are done. Which, of course, means that we are just waiting again!

I also mailed out all the paperwork to get apostilled today ($320 plus shipping, just for apostille). It was INCREDIBLY hard to hand over all that paperwork to our very friendly UPS guy! We are always at the UPS store getting stuff notarized, faxed, copied, and mailed, so at least he understood my drama! They have been so supportive of our adoption and have become "family" and they always give us a discount (sometimes we have to BEG to pay them!) Love, love, love the UPS store! But, if today was any indication, it is going to be even HARDER to hand that dossier over to be mailed internationally!

SO, now we wait for our approval to come back from the USCIS....God is so incredibly good and I stand in awe at the mountains He has moved for us during the last few months! Now, I MUST go to bed - music class tomorrow morning with my not-so-baby baby girl, which means LOTS of dancing!!!

Thank you...

2010-01-28T18:43:00.000-08:00

we have surpassed our first thousand!!! We have a ways to go, but we are so excited!! Now we only need to do that about 30 more times!! Thanks to those family and friends who have been so supportive, whether with your finances or your prayers! You cannot begin to imagine how our kids lives are about to be forever changed because of your love!

USCIS Fingerprint Appt Dates!!

2010-01-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

Today, we received our fingerprint appointment date for USCIS - sooo excited!!! George and I go on February 3rd and my mom's appointment is February 1st. We are also excited because we don't have to drive to Tampa for our appointments! There is a biometrics office in Fort Myers that we will go to, so that is only like 20 minutes away!

Also, we picked up the copy of the updated license from our doctor's office today and we got the rest of the "new" forms notarized. We are DONE with our paper chasing!! This means that once McKenna reviews it and gives us the okay, we can send EVERYTHING off to be apostilled by the state. At $10 bucks an apostille, it's certainly not cheap (we have quite the stack) but we have it all! We are only missing our I171-H (which is what we will get back from USCIS hopefully not long after our fingerprint appointment date!) Eli, Ana, and Tatya...we are coming!!! Soon God-willing!!

Quick Update

2010-01-20T17:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, so tonight I thought I probably should quickly bring everyone up to speed on the adoption. I'm kinda tired and we're all fighting the yuckies, so I'll try to keep it short :)

Last Thursday, we experienced our own little miracle of sorts. We had refiled our I600A with USCIS and about 2 weeks ago, I started checking on it's status. At first, we were told by the national customer service people that the Tampa office had received our paperwork. I emailed them asking about when we would get our fingerprint appt, only to get a response back that they did NOT have our paperwork. I called the national people back again, and they assured me that the Tampa office really did have our paperwork, and to email them AGAIN. I did, and well, I got a short and to the point email that said AGAIN, NO our paperwork was not there. I thought "Oh great, our paperwork is lost and now I have ticked off the adoption officer in Tampa, and she is the one I need to approve our paperwork...GREAT!" So, I called the national people back (which, by the way, is NOT fun - sooo hard to get an actual person who cares!) and they told me they would "escalate" my call. Which I guess means that you get to talk to supervisor....but she was VERY nice! Unfortunately, she pretty much told me that they get a TON of mail a day and well, who knows where our application really is?!? She did suggest that I go to our bank and try to find out if the cashier's check was cashed (yes, we paid $910 for this kind of service and we still will have to pay that 2 more times - once for each child since they are not sibs when we file our I600- for a total of three times!) She said if it was cashed, it was a good sign that our application was in process and that SOMEBODY had it! She also told me to wait 30 days and call back - we have been dealing with this since the beginning of December. As you can imagine, I was not at all comforted from this conversation. Since this really is the last thing we need (beside our doctor's updated license which we are STILL waiting on) before submitting our dossier, you can imagine how panicked I was. Thankfully, the cashier's check WAS cashed AND last Thursday, the adoption officer from our office actually called me to let me know she had received our application! YAY!! And after I explained to her the whole situation, she was very understanding and not at all upset with us. She even called me back a few minutes later to let me know she had my application and our homestudy (they were sent separately) and she was going to work on it. It was a huge THANK YOU GOD moment! So, now we are just waiting on our fingerprint appointment from her office and then we wait for our approval. More of that whole hurry up and wait part!!

But God really used this situation, to show me just how weak my faith really is at times. I can't even begin to describe the depth of despair I felt when I thought about just how LONG this part of the process could take - how quickly the government moves isn't really something you can control, especially when you picture your lost application and your children waiting in an orphanage . I'm not trying to be dramatic, but everyday these kids wait, makes it worse, Ana is already 3 and needs OUT. But we've known from day one that this adoption was HIS and that these children are HIS, which is okay for me, but then He keeps reminding me that the timing is also HIS. Ouch! Now that one hurts ;) It runs directly in the face of my own will and my own plans! And to spell it out even more clearly, I came across this today during my quiet time. It's from the Message, 1 Peter 2:21-25, and it's talking about Jesus...
"....They called Him every name in the book and He said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right..."
Wow! Now that one hurt even more ;) I want to be there, but giving up control (which I don't really have anyway - just look at what the people in Haiti are going thru), now that is hard for me. Jesus didn't just trust that God would set things right, He was CONTENT! I can tell you that during the last few weeks, CONTENT hasn't really been one of my emotions. So, point taken! This whole adoption is weaving something into the fabric of my heart, something into the fabric of my life. It is changing who I am, and how I look at life, and most definitely what I want out of life. It is changing my husband and my family. And this journey has only just begun! He is faithful, even when I"m not! He does not lose heart, even when I do SO, tonight I am content to let God set things right, for my family, for my children, for ME, and I will continue to step out in faith for these beautiful babies, trusting that His ways and His TIMING are so much better than mine!

So much for a short post ;)

The Most Beautiful Faces...

2010-01-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have ever seen! These girls are literally the faces of an institution. They are faces that the world has tried to hide away, but oh, how beautiful they are! They DESPERATELY need a family to go and GET THEM OUT!!! They are fortunate enough to still be adoptable at this point. My prayer is that a family will come forward QUICKLY, but if not these two girls are at the TOP of our "next adoption" list. We just can't get them quickly enough. They remind me of the blog written by Derek Loux, who tragically passed away in December. We never had the honor of meeting him, but his family has forever changed us. And we are so blessed to be a part of this "adoption revolution." ...HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORRINA!! YOU ARE LOVED! (Yes Corrina will be SEVEN years old tomorrow and YES she only weights TWENTY ONE pounds!)

REDEMPTION
By: Derek Loux

Friday, December 12, 2008

Renee’ and I are sitting in the office of a telephone company in Novograd Valenski, Ukraine, using wireless internet. We are in the middle of adopting three special needs boys from an orphanage here. Two of the boys have Down Syndrome. Roman is high functioning, energetic and happy. Dimitri has serious mental retardation, failure to thrive, and though he is five years old, he is the size of a 1 year old. He has sores on his face, a distinct smell of death on him, and yells out if we try to do anything with him other than hold him. Because he has less ability to respond and learn, he naturally gets less attention and care from the orphanage workers in this world of limited resources. The harsh reality of the “survival of the fittest” principle is a life and death struggle that this little boy is losing fast. Our third boy Sasha, is a brilliant six year old who has Spina Bifida (the condition our son Josiah died from in 1996). He is like a learning sponge that can’t get enough! He is happy and alert and thirsty for knowledge and experience. So with two of our boys, we get an immediate return on any investment we make. With Dimitri, there’s not much immediate gratification. In fact, it’s unknown when and if there will be a return at all. This is the kind of situation that makes the carnal, fallen, human reasoning think, “Why try? What’s the point? What will this produce? What good will this do? Why not select a boy who has more potential? This looks like a lost cause.

Two days ago we drove for hours into the Ukrainian countryside to the village where Dimitri was born. We met with officials there and signed papers and answered their questions. We also went and saw Dimitri’s house. The day had been long, we were still recovering from jet lag, I was beginning to really miss my six daughters at home and all the familiar things our fragile human hearts entangle themselves with in feeble attempts to feel secure. Sitting in the dark on our very long drive back to Novograd that night, the Holy Spirit began to whisper to my heart, and new understanding about redemption began to take shape.

I was thinking, “Man, adopting this little boy has been so much work. This is exhausting, expensive, uncomfortable … and it doesn’t feel very rewarding right now.” What am I doing in some little Soviet car in the dark, in the middle of rural Ukraine in frozen December, as the driver dodges cats and potholes? What if Dimitri doesn’t improve at all? What if we get “nothing” out of this? … Ahhh, there it was; that dark, fallen, unreedemed, selfish human love, rooted in the tree of the knowledge of “good and evil”. The love the Greeks called “erao” love. The love where we treat someone as precious and treasured for what we can get out of it. This is unlike “agapeo” love, the God kind of love that treats someone as treasured and precious for their good, not for my good. It’s when I love a person in order to meet their needs, having no expectation of them meeting any of my needs. At a whole new level, God is working His kind of love into my weak heart, and He’s using little Dimitri to do it.

On the drive home that night, the Lord whispered in my ear, “This is Redemption. Derek, do you know how far I travelled to get you and bring you back? I had to be separated from my Son, in order to get you, just like you are separated from your children in order to get these boys. Do you know how expensive it was for Me to purchase you? It cost me everything. Do you know how broken, sick, damaged, twisted, dirty, smelly, and hopeless you were? And at the end of it all, you had nothing to give me or add to me. I did it for you. I emptied myself and became nothing so that you could have it all. This is redemption.

My friends, adoption is redemption. It’s costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can’t even really appreciate or comprehend it, just like Dimitri will never comprehend or fully appreciate what is about to happen to him … but … he will live in the fruit of it. As his Daddy, I will never expect him to understand all of this or even to thank me. I just want to watch him live in the benefits of my love and experience the joys of being an heir in my family. This is how our heavenly “Papa” feels towards us.

Today, settle your busy heart down and rest in the benefits of redemption. Enjoy the fruits of His goodness, and stop trying to “pay Him back”. You’ll never get close you goofy little kid.

Katie (1) (SECOND PICTURE)

Girl, Born August 28, 2002

This beautiful Katie is in the same institution with Miss Corinna, below. They are both just waiting and waiting, day after day, month after month, for their forever family to save them from this miserable existence. Even through all of this, Katie finds a reason to smile and wave to the world with her tiny, precious little hand.

Katie has light brown hair and the brightest blue eyes!

We are waiting on medical info for Katie, but from our missionary who visited with her: "Katya looks pleasant, she is very happy and smiling a lot. She is able to indicate her wants and needs. She does not have any words yet, but she tries! She has good use of her hands, she plays with dolls and toys. She is crawling, can sit and tries to walk (with help). She likes blocks and other toys, sensory toys, dolls, pencils, crayons and books!"

Many more photos available, please consider saving or sponsoring Katie's adoption! Would love to see one family adopt both girls! We have already lost at least (5) children with DS from this institution, let's make a chage for these kids and find some adoptive families!

More photos available!

Please contact Andrea for more information

Corinna (1) (FIRST PICTURE)

Girl, Born January 12, 2003

Corinna is a beautiful little girl who has spent the last 2 years of her life in a mental institution. She has SO much potential, and is close to walking, but spends much of her days lying in bed for lack of anything else to do. She was sent to this facility from another baby house we work in now, so it is imperative that she be saved!

She does have some strabismus, but no heart condition. She is able to stand on her own, but is not walking quite yet. She is very much a baby, even at 6 years of age. She is only 21 pounds at this time :( But she will really blossom in the care of a loving family, and has every reason to be able to walk and run and really thrive. There will be very little left of this "shell" once she gets home into her new life! She has tremendous potential, and could be another amazing success story!

The orphanage staff tell us she does like to play with toys, is interactive and affectionate, and has "potential to improve".

More photos available!

Please contact Andrea for more information

My American Girl...

2010-01-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

little Miss Gianna (as opposed to my 2 Eastern European beauties.) She is getting so big! and is soooo much fun!!! I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this age. We do, of course, have our moments, and some days NO! is our favorite word, but I love her spunkiness! No one can throw down and flop around like my daughter! She has such a STRONG personality, but the sweetest little spirit. And she is VERY compassionate (she saw a little boy crying the other day while we were out and she was still talking about him that night, poor thing...boy crying, boy crying, she kept repeating!) She is also usually very concerned with Thomas (yes, Thomas the train - he is one of her favorites) and I'm not sure why. She just worries about him...along with ALL of her Sesame Street friends. Most days, we can be found dragging Ernie, Bert, Bird (this is what she calls Big Bird), at least one Elmo and Cookie around town. Now, thanks to Auntie Jenn we can add Oscar to the mix! She is also in LOVE with Frossy (Frosty the Snowman) and can you believe we sing the song EVERY night before bed as a family?? She, of course, sings the loudest and just loves the end "Thummmpy Thummmmpy Snoooooowwwwww!!" I think she will be dragging her stuffed Frossy around well into the summer months and probably making us sing the song too. Yes, I just said "making us". I admit my almost two year old knows how to "make" us do stuff. The big blue eyes and pouty face get at least daddy every time! I wonder what will happen when there are FOUR pouty faces and big eyes! Poor daddy! LOL I can NOT wait!!

Sweet Nikolai

2010-01-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

This little boy has grabbed my heart since the first time I laid eyes on him. Why can't I just bring him home with ours? What is ONE more? LOL Thankfully for my husband, Nikolai is NOT at our kids orphanage (AND we would have to add another room on to our house!) But oh how my heart aches for this little boy. Unfortunately, instead of looking forward to his 6th birthday, this little boy is very close to being sent to the institution, if he hasn't been sent there already. I pray that his mommy and daddy are out there and that they come forward soon! He deserves a family, they all do!

Nikolai (45)

Boy, Born April 7, 2004

This beautiful boy reminds me so much of my Reece. He is already 5 years old and is facing the institution soon. His eyes are so beautiful, hazel and soulful. When you wash his hair, it is so soft, like duckling fuzz! He is very smart, cheerful, self-sufficient, and friendly. He is delayed in his speech, but if he was able to get it out, he'd be saying "But where is MY Mommy?" (see right). Nikolai is healthy, active, and strong, and will truly thrive in a loving, family environment. Please give him that chance!

For more information, please contact Andrea directly

I have $1098 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

If adoption paperwork really was pregnancy...

2010-01-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

we would be nine months and waddling. Everyone always refers to the adoption process as a "paperwork pregnancy" and I can see why. We are almost there which, by the way, is just as exciting and nerve-wrecking as preparing for birth. Our homestudy is finalized (yay!) and the only 2 things missing for our dossier are our family doctor's updated license (because his license expires before we travel, we have to get a copy of his renewed license, which he should have in the next week or so!) and our 171H, which is what you get back from sending in your I600A (basically the government's blessing). Oh, and we are waiting to hear back from our homestudy provider, as their office's notary expires in May 2010, which is not acceptable to our kid's country (it has to be good for at least 6 months after submission). This means they will need to re-notarize the copy for our dossier. I just looove all these little details!! But honestly that is not bad! Then all we have to do is mail off some more stuff for the apostille, and I'm happy to say our part of the paperwork is almost done. Whatever will I do with all my free time?? SERIOUS FUNDRAISING LOL ;)

Drum Roll Please....

2010-01-08T17:36:00.000-08:00

We have decided on names! Tatya, Ana, and Elijah will God-willing be joining the Simons' family in 2010, which makes it one exciting year for us! As you can imagine, there is much excitement in our house. Even little Gianna loves talking and praying for her soon to be sibilings. She loooves to look at their pictures and say their names over and over. Sometimes she even wakes up in the morning saying their names...not sure what she's dreaming about at night, but it is sooo cute! Gianna especially loves to say "Tatie" and has decided that she should sit next to her in the car. Can you tell that our Gianna is quite the little director? She certainly has a mind of her own, as was evidenced yesterday by anyone who saw the two brightly colored bows in her hair. She insisted on wearing both on them (one bright blue, one bright pink) and well her outfit really didn't match any of it. Lets just say I pick my battles and matching isn't one of them :)

One late, but very important, Christmas gift

2009-12-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

It's something so simple, and yet for us, has taken so long. BUT, we finally have it...my mom's FBI clearance!! It came in the mail today! It took 4 tries, but they finally accepted her prints :) Now we can send them off and our homestudy can be finalized!!! This is definitely the best Christmas present, a little late, but I'm okay with that! So, we are really hoping to have our dossier ready for the kid's country for February. That of course will depend on how quickly our 1-600A gets processed, but we are praying for things to move smoothly and quickly. We just can't wait to get our babies home!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We haven't posted much because Christmas kind of snuck up on us this year. Sad, I know, but with all of the paper chasing, we just had trouble getting it all in. We did have a wonderful time with Pumpkin and with family - she was an absolute riot this year, she just looooves presents, or resents, as she says - but it just wasn't the same. Our family was incomplete and we all felt it. Three little people are missing from our lives! Hopefully, not for long though.

So, Christmas was wonderful and yet sad all at the same time. I found myself wandering through the pages of the waiting children section of Reece's Rainbow more than once. The faces kept me up at night. No matter how good these kids are, there are no presents under the tree on Christmas morning, there aren't mommies and daddies to snuggle up with, and there are no Christmas decorations. That is the sad reality of life for these children. And as uncomfortable as it may make us feel, as "un-Christmasy" as it maybe, we must remember them. Please, look at their faces, pray for them, pass on the message. And maybe, next year, some of these beautiful children won't be "waiting", they will be home.

Birthday Kisses for Angel

2009-12-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Angel! Today you turned 3 years old! Little do you know that many miles away there are birthday kisses and prayers being sent to you. You also don't know about the many preparations that are being made for your arrival, God-willing, very soon. Next year, and every year after, there will be real birthday kisses (and I'm pretty sure a few birthday tears from mom - but the good kind!) and of course, cake! You are so very loved and we are so very thankful for you :) What an honor to be on this journey to bring you home!

Paper, Paper, and More Paper

2009-12-10T17:33:00.000-08:00

This week has been a long one, and boy, am I ever so glad tomorrow is Friday. Poor Peanut and George were battling colds, but are doing much better now (unfortunately poor NayNay is now fighting it off.) But it made for long days and sleepless nights! Which is why, I am going straight to bed after this - no late night blog reading for me (or Christmas card addressing for that matter!)

Even with that, we were able to get some major things accomplished this week on the paperwork front. Our I600-A was mailed out (yay!), we got our passports back (double yay!!), and we got our self-employed letter from the accountant (even though we may have to have her redo it becuz my husband is a jr. and it was left out of his name.) We also mailed out our state police clearance requests and had a bunch of paperwork notarized and faxed over for approval, before it gets sent out for apostilling. Last week, our medicals were finalized (but can you believe our doctor's license is going to expire in January, so we have to go back and get the copy of his "renewed" license when he gets it - which also means another trip for the notary oh well more $.) But that pretty much leaves us with only a few things left on our end, and then the waiting begins, and the fundraising goes into hyper-drive!! So, prayer requests for a quick and easy I600-A approval and for my mom's 3rd try of FBI prints to be accepted - we need it to finalize our homestudy and can you believe we still haven't heard back and the FBI can't tell her anything when she calls! Oh well, off to bed for me, even typing all that paperwork we did makes me sleepy :)

Little Kiril

2009-12-04T17:17:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to drop a quick note to anyone who hasn't heard about the fundraiser for little Kiril. I thought I'd just share what Christine is doing in her own words. Hopefully she won't mind :)

I’m holding a $1 challenge over at www.findingkirilsfamily.blogspot.com, on the countdown to Christmas. Kiril is a little boy with significant special needs who has been waiting on Reece’s Rainbow for a long time, and has been bedridden in an institution for over 6 months now. My goal is to get as many people as possible to donate just ONE dollar to Kiril’s RR grant, and then pass this message on to just ONE other person of their choice.

Thought Provoking...

2009-12-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Today I read something that really hit home (for all you R.R. Digesters you've already heard this one.) But for the sake of anyone who hasn't heard it, I think it bears repeating. I actually think I may add this as one of my most favorite quotes...

"I'd like to ask God why He lets poverty and injustice exist, why there are so many orphans and why He does nothing about it.....but I am afraid He will ask me the same question".

PS - More checks off the list! Medicals notarized! Passports were mailed out to us from the facility today, so hopefully we'll have them Monday! Our CSP arrived in Eastern Europe today too! :) Monday means more checks off the list (God-willing) - hubby meeting with accountant to notarize self-employment stuff! So nice to see lots of checks off the list :)

P.S. to my little rant

2009-12-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

See that verse in action here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zktEblmdRI

Notary News

2009-12-03T16:06:00.000-08:00

YAY! We have someone lined up to notarize our medicals! I'm so glad I didn't have to change the appointment because this late in the game, I would have been charged a cancellation fee. The best part is, he is only going to charge us the notary fees, not travel fees! So, a BIG thank you God, and all of those who have been praying for us. Yesterday, when I started looking for a mobile notary, it just seemed like all the doors would shut. I called lots of places, even emailed and called one, and I either got no response, they weren't available, or they were out of business. Every time I started to freak today, God just gave me this weird peace about it. I knew He had it all under control - and He even cared about the traveling notary fees :)

So, that's the BEST part of taking this journey. It's so neat to see how God works. Our prayer has been that we would have His heart, that we would see the world through His eyes. And since we took that first step forward in this adoption, we just keep seeing Him move. We KNOW these children are meant to be here, with us. We also know that God loves "the least of these" and that His heart breaks over the way the world treats His beautiful gifts of life. I love the saying "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." We are living, breathing proof of this. We aren't special "saintly" people, FAR from it actually, we aren't Angelina and Brad (although my husband is hot :)) and we don't have huge amounts of money just laying around. But we DO realize that God has a plan for our lives and that it involves mostly Him and not so much of us! And might I add that I just CRINGE inside when people look at us in pity and say what wonderful people we must be to "take on SOOOO much" and somebodies got to do it, so thank you - HELLO we ALL need to do something about it and maybe, just maybe, we ARE supposed to "take on" as much as we can while we are living the life we've been given, after all isn't that the spirit in which our country was founded? Have we all gotten so lazy as to think our legacy should be shopping bags and credit card debit? Whatever happened to changing the world? We recycle and use special bags and drive special cars to save the planet, but what about the people in the planet???? I don't mean to get on my soap box, but I just don't understand the way most people think - this is where I should interject that our social worker classified me as an "idealist!" Trust me, I know we are "taking on a lot", I know there will be sacrifices, we are already making them, and I don't take it lightly AT ALL. But, I just think we have all gotten a little too comfortable in our lifestyles. So, I'll end my rant with this: "I've come to start a fire on this earth - how I wish it were blazing right now!" Luke 12:49 (msg)

First International Mailing :)

2009-12-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

Silly to some, I'm sure, but very exciting to us...we mailed out our first envelope to the kiddo's country!! Our CSP, which notifies them of our intent for ALL THREE cuties, was delivered back to our house APOSTILLED at 5:00pm today from our state. Thankfully we were just finishing an early dinner, so I was able to hop right up from the table and fly out the door. I managed to get in the car and rush it down to our UPS store (we consider it ours because recently we are there almost everyday - notarizing, copying, mailing, etc.) The last pick up was at 6pm, so I made it just in time! Our CSP will be there on Friday - not a cheap thing!! In my excitement, however, I totally forgot to make copies. But thankfully, Meredith, our RR coordinator, was able to email me a copy of it! Sooo thankful :) Also, sooo thankful for my mom and George, who watched Pumpkin (and bathed her) and cleaned up dinner, while I was off running, not literally of course - but I would if I had to, down to UPS.

Oh, and on the medical front, I was able to find out today what in the world was going on with our lab results (we had our blood drawn last Tuesday for our physicals - normally takes 2 days tops to get back.) According to the doctor's office, they hadn't received anything. I spoke yesterday to them and they were going to contact the lab, but I didn't hear anymore, so I bugged them again today. Finally, they told me just to call the lab myself. So, I did and the lab told me they electronically sent the results for both of us on Nov. 24th. I asked if they could resend them. I called the doctor's office back, armed with this information, and was told their system was down (why didn't they tell me that before? umm, perhaps that's why they didn't get them the first time!!) But they did receive the second attempt, so our appointment to have the doctor complete and sign our medicals is Friday afternoon. Now I'm desperately trying to find a traveling notary, who can meet us at the doctor's to notarize everything. I didn't think it would be hard, but apparently a lot of traveling notaries in our area are no longer in business, probably due to the housing crunch here. I do have a call out, but no one has returned it yet. So, please pray that I will be able to find someone tomorrow and that they won't charge us an arm and a leg!

Leaving on a jet plane (in my head)

2009-11-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days that I just wanted to hop on an airplane and fly half way around the world. It's a completely weird feeling to know that there are children out there that (God-willing) belong in your family! And as time passes, I have to fight off these feelings of urgency and focus on the only thing I can do for them - pray. How simple and yet so strange? How easy and yet so incredibly hard? I can't kiss their boo boos, or tuck them in to bed. I can't bathe them, or sing to them, or feed them. I can't even tell them that there is a mommy and daddy who are doing everything they can to get to them. So I'm left with prayer. And perhaps that is the point. Maybe the most important thing I can ever do, for any of my children, is pray for them. This is hard for me, because I am a "doer". And I must admit that sometimes, all that other "stuff" (bathing, cleaning, feeding, singing, kissing, hugging - which is of course important!) gets in the way of my prayers. I'm not talking about the "everyday" prayers - like prayers for protection and health. But deep prayers, prayers about their passions, their futures, their relationships with friends and family, and more importantly their relationship with God. Sometimes I can't even get half of that out to Him without either getting distracted or falling asleep! So I'm going to try really hard to use this time to learn to wait (ugh! not a word I'm good at) and pray. It's so funny, isn't it? How we're never really in control of anything and yet how much we strive to be?

PS On the paperwork front, we mailed out more paperwork today! This time to be apostilled - our marriage certs to one state, G's birth certs to another state (mine are already apostilled,) and our CSP to our state. The ladies at our UPS store are so sweet and gave us such an appreciated $ break on the notarization. And hopefully, our blood work from last week will get to the doctor's office tomorrow. Then all we have to do is track down a notary to meet us at the doctor's and notarize our medicals. Another check off the list - YAY!

Black Friday Passports

2009-11-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

I am so excited tonight to announce that our passport applications are FINALLY on their way to be processed! Why is it always the little, "easy" things that sometimes seem to take the longest? When we started this journey back in August, we were given a list of things to get done. I remember looking at the list and mentally checking through going "easy, easy, okay, easy." lol And now those so-called "easy" things have taken the longest! Our passport apps were held up by George's birth certificate, but we received that last week. So today we were able to go over and apply for our passports as a family. We did have to pay ALOT more to rush mine and George's (we need them to finalize our homestudy,) but we should have them in 2 weeks. YAY! While there, we went ahead and sent off my mom's and pumpkin's apps. This way we won't have to worry and stress about getting them later. We had the NICEST guy help us, although we did wait in line for quite awhile. He got the cutest pic of pumpkin for her passport on the first try! Which, if you know Pumpkin, is a feat in and of itself! We can't wait to see her little passport :) But sadly, there are no black friday specials when it comes to the government, so the sticker price for 2 rushed and 2 regular passports came pretty darn close to $500 :(

After "passporting" for most of the afternoon, we went to pick out our Christmas tree!! I love this time of the year, so it was great for me to see little Pumpkin help pick out the tree! She was only 9 months old last Christmas, so it was more for us than her. This year she is just so in to it. She looked adorable "helping" daddy pick out the tree and then "helping" him get it all situated. I'm sure daddy looovvved all that "help!" Tomorrow we pull out the ornaments and DECORATE!!! I can't wait to see her little face when we light up the "big" tree. She already has a little pink tree in her room, which she adores. Her Nana brings a new ornament over every time she comes and she already has three. This is such a fun time of year for us as a family! And I can't even imagine how wonderful it will be next year, when we (God-willing) have the best present of all - all the kiddos HOME! :)

It's a BOY!!!

2009-11-24T16:37:00.000-08:00

Today has been a very exciting day for our family!!! There is a little boy in the girl's orphanage who stole our hearts away from the moment we laid eyes on him. We have been doing some serious praying about the matter because let's face it, adopting two children is HUGE, and adopting three children is HUGE, HUGE, HUGE!

But this has been laid on our hearts since we chose the girls and we've been mulling over the details. At first, we said "We can't. We want to, but it's just too much." There have been quite a few nights of laying in bed for hours, telling God how it was "just too much" and "how in the world?" But arguing with God always leaves me with an acute knowledge of just how self-centered and small minded I am. God began to change our hearts, our minds, and more importantly our PERSPECTIVE.

Is it going to be easy? NO. But maybe, just maybe, it's not supposed to be. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure He has promised us it won't be. Is it going to be worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Would we regret this? The ONLY thing we would regret is leaving this precious little boy behind. And that is something neither of us can live with. I can't imagine how our hearts would break if we ever learned this precious little boy had been sent to an institution (I recently heard that most children die after a year of being institutionalized.) Maybe another family would step up, but maybe we ARE that family. So, here he is...the little guy who stole away our hearts.

YAY!

2009-11-21T18:25:00.000-08:00

G's birth certificate has ARRIVED!!! Sadly, it was not apostilled but that's okay. So back out to the state it goes for $40 more bucks (just 3 certified copies cost $60.) But at least we can cross that of the checklist. And at least we can proceed with all the paperwork that one item was holding up...SO YAY!!!!

Brownies and Babble

2009-11-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was going to blog about how bummed I am that the Fed Ex truck has still not reached our house with George's precious birth certificate in it (although all day today I kept hearing it drive up...wishful thinking I guess.) Then I was going to justify the three brownies I just inhaled with being bummed about this. But first I decided to read a blog that I just recently started following. You can check it out for yourself here kissesfromkatie. Her post today really got to me. And this coming from a young lady who just turned 21! Suddenly, I don't feel so great about my own heart, it seems rather ugly and well, my priorities seem rather a mess. I can't bring myself to go on complaining about how long this paper or that paper is taking, or how we just want to get these girls home. Angel and Sweetie are God's children and this is His journey for our family, not mine. How many times a day do I forget this! And they are not His only children. I should be just as concerned and focused for all His children (young and old) out there as I am right now for our girls. They all need love, and food, and clothing, and medical attention. Is my heart where His is? Are my priorities? And here I am shoveling brownies in my mouth and complaining about how things are not moving along on "my" timetable. I'm just so very glad that I am a work in progress! :)

Oh and Special THANKS...

2009-11-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

to George's NANA!!! You rock! Thanks to her, and fed-ex, we are soon to be back on track with our paper quest. Tomorrow we should be the proud owners of George's birth certificate, certified and apostilled! Until recently, we had never heard of apostilling (except those guys in the Bible..ha!) It's the Secretary of States seal and it is required in other countries to certify your documentation. Of course, this costs more $ and more time. But as we are quickly learning, the whole adoption process is lots of time and lots of $ for paper, all kinds of paper :) It is, of course, very much worth it! But back to George's birth certificate, we are so happy about this because we have been trying for MONTHS to get it. We started gathering our papers in August, when we really felt like God wanted us to get ready. Yes, that's right, AUGUST. And it is mid-November. We used a very reputable company, recommended by the state, because the state is months out on returning requests. We then had to fax a picture id with our request. Easy stuff, right? WRONG!! I can't tell you how many times it was returned, of course days later. The copy was either too large, too small, too light, too dark...ARG! We even scanned it a bunch of times. Very frustrating stuff. We finally gave up and sent George's poor Nana down to city hall where he was born, to get it for us. I can't tell you how bad I felt asking her to do this. But we are all doing it for the girls and she was happy to help. SO THANK YOU NANA!!!

Lullabies

2009-11-18T16:12:00.000-08:00

Every night I sing my sweet pumpkin a lullaby. It's something I started just a few months ago, but I wish I'd started a whole lot earlier. We take a music class together and the teacher told us about how music and love are registered in the brain in similar locations, or something along those lines. I don't have a spectacular voice or anything, but I give it my best. Some nights, I'm in tune and some nights it's a complete mess. Tonight though, for the first time, my little girl chimed in and started singing with me. It was soooo cute! She doesn't know all the words, but she did have some of the tune. Maybe she was just trying to drown me out (she is almost 2 and I wouldn't put it past her) but I wish it could have gone on forever. It was one of those moments I will always remember. And I just can't wait to hold all my girls and sing to them - Although, I'm sure pumpkin will have them all singing along too :)

Minivan Madness!

2009-11-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows my husband, George, knows that he absolutely loves cars. Not just a little, but a lot (almost as he much as he loves bread, but that's a whole other matter!) Knowing this you can imagine my amusement to see him suddenly hyper-focused on minivans. Now for George, this is HUGE! He has pretty much told me repeatedly since we met that there are 2 things in life he would never do 1) own a minivan and 2) own a small fluffy dog (please no offense intended if you have either or both of these things.) As I have learned repeatedly, and now George has too, you should never, ever say you will NEVER do something! So, anyway I know that George is 150% committed to these girls, not so much by what he tells me, but because he is scouring the Internet looking for all things MINIVAN!!! Now I just have to buy him a chihuahua ;)

Why?

2009-11-15T08:00:00.001-08:00

I'd have to say the number one question we've been getting from people is why? Why adopt? Why not just have another baby? Why adopt children with "special needs"? First of all, I would just like to state that we make one beautiful baby, and we may, one day, do that again!!! But now to answer this question, I'm going to be rather personal, and in the interest of being completely honest and allowing people to share in our journey, I will risk sounding preachy, which is not something I normally feel comfortable doing. The answer is because God told us to. He has repeatedly laid this on our hearts for quite some time now. We could easily pretend not to listen, because I will be very honest and tell you that we have done that before. We could put boundaries and limitations on it, because we did that at first (okay we'll adopt, but only if this and I can only handle this, this and this...) But this would just not go away. These children don't just go away. We've been reminded, again, and again, and again, that this is what He has for us. And He has changed us and our hearts so much. He has opened our eyes. And most importantly He has shared His heart with us; these are His children. So here we are, ready to travel the globe, go wherever we have to go, to hopefully bring these beautiful girls home! We are not naive about the realities, about the financial, mental, and emotional lifelong commitment we are making. We know we may have health conditions, therapies, doctor's appointments, "institutional behaviours", but we also know that anything worthwhile costs something. And these girls are more than worth it to us! You never know what you are getting into when you pee on that pregnancy test and it turns out positive :) You just know that you will do whatever it takes for your children - we have that same feeling about these girls!

Reece's Rainbow

2009-11-14T15:38:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd take a moment tonight to explain a little about Reece's Rainbow to those of you who have never heard of it, or the work they do. Reece's Rainbow advocates for international orphans, like Sweetie and Angel, with Down Syndrome. They also now have a growing list of "other angels" with various special needs and HIV+. I urge anyone who has not visited their website to please do so. George and I were shocked to see the number of children who are truly living on "borrowed" time. We were unaware that orphaned children with Down Syndrome, in many other countries, had no place in their societies and were often institutionalized at the age of 5 with no hope of being adopted (there is literally no other place for these children to go.) Orphaned children living with HIV, often age out of the system, are unable to find work and many times end up on the streets. Even if you cannot adopt, please take the time to educate yourself and your families and friends about what the reality is for these precious children. There are so many ways we can all make a difference if we will just take the time!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

2009-11-14T02:58:00.000-08:00

Precious little Sweetie is 2 years old today! It's so exciting to know that this will hopefully be her last birthday spent away from home! Next year she will hopefully be surrounded by a family that loves her unconditionally and celebrates her life. So, these words of affirmation are for Sweetie, half a world away, on her birthday:
"Happy Birthday little girl! You are loved. You are perfect just the way you are! You are not a mistake but a wonderful gift to the world. You possess qualities and traits that no one else does now or could ever. You are here for a reason and we are so happy you are! We are honored to go through this journey to hopefully bring you to our family."
She may not hear them physically now, but God willing she will soon and these words are our prayer for little Miss Sweetie on her birthday!

First Post!!

2009-11-13T17:21:00.000-08:00

Yay! So, we are so excited to post our first official blog! I'll let you all know that the purpose of this blog is to let our friends and family share in our latest adventure...It is the official beginning of our journey to hopefully bring little Sweetie and Angel home from Eastern Europe! We also thought it would be a great way for our family, and for our girls, to document all the little details along the way. In case you haven't heard the details, we have known for a little while that our next child would be adopted, but now we know just who, what, where, and maybe, hopefully when. All the details will be forthcoming. Just need to figure out a little more about how this whole "blogging" thing works! Stay tuned :)