Stop The Presses!!!

 LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how she smiles with her eyes closed, as if she's imagining every joyful moment will appear when she opens them and she can hardly contain herself.

I've been trying to find my writing groove this past month.  Between the flu, laryngitis, bronchitis, and now a cold all in the last month, surviving the week has been our main focus.  The kids have remained healthy until this week, with both girls catching a bad cold.  Sarah's pediatrician continues to be amazed with her.  She's gained 3 pounds since July and 1/4 inch tall.  She's added another tooth in an already crowded mouth, and her heart has no issues.  We will be going for eartube surgery in another week.  Another new for this mama and papa:) I know it's no big deal, but new to us.

 In the last week, Sarah's words have exploded.  After Trick or Treat, she said Austin and Addy.  She's begun saying her teachers'  names, told me to Wake Up, and told her class to Line Up.  Every day she is signing and speaking more and more, without prompts.  Every day we are celebrating these moments of our little girl.

Last night, I turned on the Christmas music. (I know it's early, but I LOVE it so much and it's a shame to only play it for a mere 30 days out of the year.)  Sarah climbed up next to Addy, cuddled, and hummed along. 

What a picture!  Sisterly bonds.  Addy had a sleepover last weekend, and Sarah walked downstairs at 6am, announcing her presence to the late sleepers by turning on all the lights.  Andy brought her back upstairs, but she only lasted another hour before she needed to join the party!

It's National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate those who have found families, and to pray for those who are still waiting.  Andy and I were talking last night.  Our lives have been changed because of this little girl.  She walks into a room, restaurant, or store, waving to one and all.  She melts their hearts, makes them smile, and brightens everyone's day.  And this mama loves when she comes running to me, once she sees me at school.

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”  Pablo Casal


My Sarah...

One Year Ago, Today

One year ago today (August 24th), our world changed.  One year ago, on this very day, our family jumped off a cliff without looking down, a leap of faith.  One year ago, this picture rocked our world, and we could not forget what we saw, what we knew.

 A spark was lit to mark our way that would carry us through the next nine months of paperwork chasing, waiting, and unknowns.  Over the next six months, we received another picture of Sarah, and a video.

On this very day...

Sarah did not know she had a family coming for her, she followed her daily routine.  Awake at  7am, breakfast at 8, lunch at 12, nap until 3, snack at 4, supper at 7, and bed at 9.  Day in, day out, she followed this pattern.

Until, April 13, 2011.  She walked into her teacher's room, amidst adults she did not recognize and had freedom to play with all the toys for a brief ten minutes, while a couple marveled at the beautiful sight their eyes beheld. 

On this very day, her world was shaken to the core.  She now had a Mama and Papa who came every day for seven weeks to visit her.  She became a rock star in her orphanage, with daily visitors.

That on May 26, 2011, her Papa  walked her out of the orphanage gates for the last time to the other side.

Where her family waited with open arms to love her.

The change a few short months with us is remarkable.  She looks so very different, safe, secure, and loved.

One year ago today, our world changed and we cannot imagine life without Sarah.  Look at her.  She is changing lives, changing perceptions, and changing the world for better.

One year ago, on this very day...

Our  family began the journey to give a little girl a new life and love she never knew.

 We are learning as we go.  Taking one day at a time.  As her mama, I run over in my mind, "Should I have done more reading, working with letters and numbers?"

  Then, I step back and realize.  Three months and look at her.  She's accomplished so much, experienced many life-changing and new adventures, and she's made friends.  She'll get there, but we'll take it one day at a time.  Knowing every day, every moment is a miracle.

For now, we celebrate on this very day, Sarah found a family.   

 

And her family FOUND her.  Her family FOUND her.

Everyday is a miracle.

The Sound of the Gate

The gate at Sarah's orphanage bangs loudly when it’s closed. It's a resounding reminder to all on both sides of the fence just which side you’re on.

I’ve heard the sound from both sides. I was privileged to hear the sound from the inside as we’ve entered the orphanage to visit Sarah each day these past six weeks.  And I heard the sound from the outside as we left at the end of each visit, already anxiously awaiting the next moments we’d be able to spend together.

Sarah had only heard the sound of the gate from the inside. For her entire 3-1/2 year life, it served only to remind her that she had been set apart from the rest of the world.

Until last night…

Last night, May 25, 2011 around 9:45 pm local time Sarah heard the sound of the gate for the last time. And she heard it from the outside. The gate no longer keeps her inside the orphanage, it keeps her out.  Last night the sound ushered her into a whole new world.

A world with a mama…

…and a papa.

…and a sister and a brother.

…and grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles.

…and McDonalds Happy Meals, and Buddy Walks, and swimming pools,  and camping trips, and a list of opportunities that she can’t even begin to imagine.

 

A family. Forever.

One overnight train ride later we're back in the capital city today to visit the US Embassy to complete the last steps before heading for home. Shelly's flight arrived here a few hours ago, and the three of us are back together again. And we're hoping to be back in the US as a family of five by the beginning of next week.

Thanks again to all of you who are sharing this journey with us.

Andy

Her Face

A smile is a window on your face to show your heart is at home.

From our first moment together, I saw Sarah's expressiveness, her excitement, and enthusiasm in her face.  She has so many faces, and you know exactly what she is feeling or thinking by one glimpse.  While she showed few smiles the first few days, her curiosity showed through.  As our visits and time became constant and reliable, she knew we were her family.  The ones she can depend on.  Who bring the same backpack of toys and books.   

She had her own routine, once we walked through the doors.  Put on her outside clothes, motion for us to get our bags, take my hand, and walk down the stairs outside.  From there, it was a mad chase to the animals, and then a place to read. 

 Her face is Beautiful. 

 Her Curious Face

Her Learning Face

Her Laughing Face

The Most Precious Face:  Where she knows she is loved

And tomorrow, I will be flying across the ocean to bring Sarah and Andy home.  And Sarah will soon see how much she is loved by her family and our friends.

She is loved!!!

Home Sweet Home

After traveling for 29 hours, I arrived home around 11pm EST Tuesday evening.  The trip was uneventful until Washington D.C.  All flights were grounded for over two hours due to thunderstorms and lightning.  What was to be a four hour layover, doubled by the time I left.  Once I walked through security, Addy and Austin were waiting for me, and what a sight to behold.  All the while commenting, "We've never stayed up this late on a school night!"  Thankfully, my mother drove down earlier that evening and stayed for a couple days!

Wednesday evening, we had a belated birthday cake for Austin.  He had some difficulty blowing out all his candles in between his laughter.

Andy and I bought Eastern European hats for the kids and they look adorable!  Today was hat day at school and great timing!

My last day at the orphanage was emotional, which we all knew would be.  I used google translate to write a note to the caretakers in cyrillic.  They did not know Sarah would be going to America and the news spread through both groupas.  The caretaker from another room said,"Sarah, America?"  I said yes and she wrote down her email address for me to send her pictures.  I was even able to get a picture of Sarah and Elena, the one who put crackers in her pocket and always gave her a kiss.

 Wednesday, Austin found a leak in our library that turned into a "thing!"  Carpeting, roof, drywall, shutters, bookshelf:  all ruined.  I've had "guys" come to begin drying the inside and "band-aiding" the roof until Andy can come home and see what all is going on.  Another bump in this long road.
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On the adoption front:  We are still unable to get any answers regarding finishing the process and the timeline.  No one is confirming the original timeline we've been given, nor when we can begin the final paperwork.

Our family needs to be together, all of us, all five.  We've waited long enough.

Please continue to pray for our process and that we'll be able to complete it soon. And that we'll all be home together.