October 29, 2012

The BIG question all adopted kids ask




So, after celebrating Gotcha day, as I was tucking Laura in, it happened, the BIG question. The question that is asked probably more than once by every child that has ever been put up for adoption.

"Why didn't my other Mom, the Mom who grew me in her belly, keep me?" Laura asked, not meeting my eyes, as if afraid of the answer or afraid to hurt my feelings, or both. There have only been a couple moments so far, like this between us. The question really shouldn't have come as a big surprise, I just had to take a second, pull her close to me, and speak the truth. I told her, her Birth Mom wanted the best for her and just couldn't give it. I told her that her Birth Mom wanted her to be able to have everything she needed and wanted her to be able to have surgeries and to be able to walk and have a better life. Laura then hugged me and told me she loved me to the Moon and back. Then we did our play fight of who loved the other more. I think I won with, "I loved you first!"

I hope I did Ok. This is difficult stuff. I know she'll ask me more questions. I have so few answers.
What I do know is this; we love our daughter all the way to the Moon and back!



LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?
Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.
---- Unknown




A little girl with a BIG personality- Then and now

Yesterday, we celebrated our 2nd Gotcha day. Laura's been with us 2 whole years, 1/3 of her life now.
We looked at pictures and video's and told stories about how our family came to be. Laura especially enjoyed watching her Gotcha video.


We watched the Gotcha video before church. When we got back, she asked to watch the video again from when she was "born". Lol! Everything that happened before we got her, she refers to herself as a baby. Compared to now, she did seem like a baby. What a busy 2 yrs we've had and what a long way she's come! Praise God!!

Honestly, she looks so grown up now. What has remained the same is her BIG personality! She has a lot of attitude and a strong desire to have fun. It was funny going through the old pictures and recognizing her traits and seeing her personality. We know our Lil Pumpkin so well now.

 
We now know this is the look of, "I get car sick"

 
This is the "I'm sneaky and mischievous". Look.

 
 I'm wild and in charge!



 
 I'm going to get into EVERYTHING!!
 
 
I love to have fun!
 
 
I'm curious.
 
 
and always hungry!

 
I am BEAUTIFUL!
 
Today, she is still full of energy and all of these descriptions!!
 
 
Taken today after her hair cut.

Happy Second Gotcha Day!

October 28, 2012
 
 
It's been 2 years since Gotcha day!
 
We met Laura in July of 2010 and spent 3 weeks bonding wth her. We had to wait 12 weeks for her passport to be ready. 12 long weeks! We flew back the end of October to finally bring home our gal.
 
 
Here is our Gotcha video from Oct. 28, 2010
 
 
 





We dressed Laura and her doll Katya.


 
 After she was all dressed, we went downstairs and signed the book. Just like that, after so many months of waiting, she was ours!


Then we said our goodbyes....


I thank God, for the Ladies God sent to nurture our girl, those 47 months she lived at the Baby House.
The lady on the right spoke to me in Russian for what seemed abut 10 minutes. I have no idea what she said, but I heard every word she spoke, in my heart. With tears streaming down my face, I promised to love Laura and gve her everything she needed. Although we didn't understand each other's language, we knew what was spoken. I am so thankful for all the Ladies we called Mama's.

 
And so our journey with Laura began.
 
 
Yup, the journey began!

 This picture, of Laura escaping, is for all my fellow adoptive parents out there! : )
 Oh, the fun we had with our perfect little Angel! 

Leg # 4

Getting casted yet again!








Our Lil Flower Girl



Our Lil beauty was asked to be a flower girl! Oh, what an exciting day it was! The bride looked absolutely beautiful and I cried at the wedding when my pretty little girl walked down the isle, sprinkling rose petals.

As you can see by the Marines in this picture, it was a military wedding. I think these guys would make good body guards for Laura one day when she's a teenager. What do you think?


The flowers were absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!


Here is a close up of our pretty girl and her beautiful flower tierra.
 

The Beautiful Bride carried salmon roses, white spray roses and blue delphinium.


Congratulations Lindsey and Ricky!

 
Laura examines the Maid of Honors bouquet. 
 

Isn't it sweet how Laura is admiring her mother's work? Oh Laura! Yes, I made the Beautiful flowers
for this wedding. I love making Beautiful flowers for weddings!
 
Laura and I
 
Entertaining herself after the wedding.



Oh Laura, you crack me up!