Thursday, January 9, 2014

Happy 3rd Birthday Emily!!

Posted by Jennifer at 10:12 AM 1 comments
Three years ago today, in a hospital 5200 miles away in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, this precious girl was born! We don't know many details, but we know that you were a wanted baby and you were loved. We knew that your first mom loved you so much that she visited you in your baby house during the first months of your life. We believe she loved you so much that she wanted you to have more opportunities than you would in Russia, and so she made the selfless decision to place you for adoption. It wasn't too long after that when we first saw your picture and fell in love!

Happy 3rd birthday, Emily Alyona! We love you so very much and we are SO proud to be your parents. You bring us so much joy each and every day - and we are excited to watch you blossom and grow even more! 
 

 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Happy Gotcha Day!!

Posted by Jennifer at 7:32 AM 1 comments


One year ago today, two little girls left their orphanages for the last time.  They walked (or were carried!) out those doors and gates and entered their new lives, as our precious daughters!  What a year this has been!!!  We have had the privilege of witnessing so many “firsts” with our girls this year and rejoice in the transformations in their lives.  Dasha and Emily, mommy and daddy love you SO very much.  We are so proud of you and proud to call you our daughters.  Happy Gotcha Day girls!!!



“I wanted you more than you will ever know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go. 
It’s high as you wish it.  It’s quick as an elf.  You’ll never outgrow it…it stretches itself!
So climb any mountain…climb up to the sky!  My love will find you.  My love can fly!
Make a big splash!  Go out on a limb!  My love will find you.  My love can swim!
It never gets lost, never fade, never ends….
If you’re working…or playing…or sitting with friends. 
You can dance ‘til you’re dizzy…Paint ‘til you’re blue…
There’s no place, not one, that my love can’t find you. 
And if someday you’re lonely, or someday you’re sad, or you strike out at baseball, or think you’ve been bad…
Just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.  That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there. 
In the green of the grass…in the smell of the sea…in the clouds floating by…at the top of a tree…
In the sound crickets make at the end of the day…
‘You are loved. You are loved.  You are loved,’ they all say. 
My love is so high, and so wide and so deep, it’s always right there, even when you’re asleep. 
So hold your head high and don’t be afraid to march to the front of your own parade.
If you’re still my small babe or you’re all the way grown, my promise to you is you’re never alone. 
You are my angel, my darling, my star…and my love will find you, where you are.”
-Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You.  By Nancy Tillman

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

One year ago today....

Posted by Jennifer at 8:48 AM 3 comments
One year ago today Brandon and I stood in a tiny, hot, basement courtroom packed full of people in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.  We stood there with our legs and voices shaking, ready to share our hearts and convince a judge why we wanted to adopt two girls with Down syndrome. 
Our court hearing went smoothly, there were no surprises and the judge said Da!  (yes) The only surprise came while waiting for the judge's decision in the hallway (we stood in the hallway with our facilitator/translator, all the reps from both girls orphanages and the Ministry of Education, AND the prosecutor and court reporter) - the prosecutor  got extremely emotional and was so in favor of our adoption, that it surprised Marina. So she asked her about it while we were waiting for the judge's decision. Turns out the she (the prosecutor) has a nephew with autism, and she's seen him struggle there and she recognized that our girls would have even less of an opportunity in Russia if they weren't adopted. She even asked us if children with autism can go to school in the US. Amazing, and totally a God thing!

Dasha and Emily - happy 1 year anniversary of legally being our daughters (there is just no eloquent way to say that!) - what a year this has been. (Remember we still had a 30 day wait before we could take the girls into our custody)  We love you so much, we are so proud of how much you've grown over this past year!  We are so blessed to be your parents and proud to call you our daughters!!! 


P.S.  I know my blog is sadly neglected. I owe every one a HUGE catch up post about the end of summer, the girls starting school, etc.  It'll happen....someday! :) 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Happy Birthday Dasha!!

Posted by Jennifer at 6:57 AM 2 comments
7 years ago today, in a hospital 5200 miles away, in Ilansky, Russia, a young 16 year old girl gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and named her Daria.  While we don't know any of the details of her birth or the moments that followed, we do know that when this young woman received the news that her new baby had Down syndrome ,she made the choice to relinquish her parental rights. 

That baby girl lived in the hospital for her first 4 months of life and then was taken to a baby home. She lived there for 4 years and then moved to another orphanage, for older children. 

6 years went by, and we imagine her birthday went uncelebrated each of those years. Not because her caregivers didn't love or care for her - but because of the logistics of trying to celebrate each child's birthday in an orphanage. But this year is different.  No more birthdays will go uncelebrated!

Our beautiful Daria Grace - we love you so much, and feel so blessed that we were chosen be your parents!  You are spunky, sassy, hard-working, smart and a beautiful child of God.  We are so glad you are home with us this year and we celebrate YOU today!!!   Happy 7th Birthday Dasha!!!  We love you!!!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Emily's Metcha Day!!

Posted by Jennifer at 7:22 PM 0 comments
Happy Metcha Day Emily!!! One year ago a tiny nervous version of your spunky self was placed in our arms!! It didn't take long for your sparkly smiles and infectious giggles to come out! What a joy and adventure it is to be your parents! We love you so very very much!!!

Blog post from Emily's metcha day - http://jenniferloveslobsters.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-5-other-one-youve-all-been-waiting.html



Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Happy Metcha Day, Dasha!!!

Posted by Jennifer at 9:06 AM 1 comments
One year ago today we walked through the gates and doors of an older child orphanage, not having a clue what would greet us!  What did greet us was a wonderful, welcoming staff and this adorable little tiny girl!!!  Happy Metcha Day Dasha!!!  It's hard to believe it's been a year since the first day we met you. :)  You have grown and changed so very much over this past year and we love you more and more every day!!

Blog entry from Dasha's Metcha Day - http://jenniferloveslobsters.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-4-one-youve-all-been-waiting-for.html


 

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