Adoption Thoughts

It's been 2 1/2 years now since Patrick and I started  talking about adoption for real. Before that, we joked about it for many years. Next month will mark 2 years for us that we first saw Laura's picture and began the process of adopting her. I'm still pinching myself that she is actually here. Laura is actually our little gal! All these long months of paperwork and waiting, waiting, waiting and she is really, really here!

Recently I mentioned how much English she's learned and how much she's been through in just the short amount of time she's been home. A friend commented that they couldn't believe it's only been 4 months. When I shared this with Patrick he said it feels like it's longer because Laura's always been in our hearts. It's just amazing how well she fits into our family and even resembles us! She has our crazy sense of humor and isn't afraid to stick up for herself and tell us exactly what's on her mind!

I love Laura just like I love my boys. She didn't grow in my belly but she grew in my heart. From the moment I saw her picture she lived in my heart. Over the 15 long months of paperwork she grew in my heart. I finally got to meet her for the very first time on July 4, 2010. I finally got to hold her in my arms on that day- it was one of the best days of my life! Over the course of 4 weeks of bonding time I fell in love with our daughter, Laura. I fell in love with the person she really is, not just the idea of who I thought she was. Yes, we love our Laura Faith!

3 Airplane rides to come home!

Laura was almost 4 when we brought her home. She remembers the orphanage and of course knows she's adopted. She also knows her Papa and her Mama came for her. We brought her home, "Up, up, up" she tells me, yes, we brought her home in an airplane. When I think of her time in the orphanage it makes me sad but happy too. Sad that she was in the orphanage for so very long and happy because I know she was loved and cared for. I know some of Laura's caretakers really loved her and cared for her.

Mama Keara and Mama Dousla saying goodbye

I will never forget the day we picked Laura up on October 28, 2010. On this day one of her caretakers handed Laura over to me as we were leaving and with tears streaming down her face she talked in Russian to me for a few minutes. I don't know what she told me exactly but I did "hear" her in my heart. I'm sure she said she was happy Laura was going home to a family who would love and care for her. I'm sure she said she'd miss her and think of her. I know Laura thinks and misses this Lady too because she's told me so! Oh how I wish I could thank her again and tell her how well Laura is doing! We love you Mama Dousla!

I don't know this Ladies name but we love her too! We know she read Laura's photo book with her those long 12 weeks while we waited for Laura's passport

Of course we love Olya too! The best interpreter in all the world!

New Employee

A few months ago I took on a new employee. She is  
currently apprenticing under my watchful eye. Although she is very young, I see a lot of talent and ability. She also has an eye for beautiful things and has a passion to work side by side with me. I look forward to our growing relationship as she learns the name of all the flowers AND her colors : )

Notice her cheerful attitude as she cuts up my ah.... business cards? Oh no! May need to dock her pay on this one.

Here she is going to work.

  

Playing dress up!

Our dear friends, Jon and Lisa, brought their girls over for a visit this week. How wonderful to see the girls playing together again. This is the second time we've been able to get together since we brought Laura home just 4 months ago. What an answered prayer to see our girls playing together!

"I like it. That's my friend! Come sleep at my house soon. Come today!" Laura told me, as I posted this picture.

Look at these two cupcakes sitting on my table! I think it's only appropriate they are ON the table, afterall, we prayed for these sweeties lots as we dined together at this very table when we had the pleasure of our friends staying with us for a few months 2 years ago. : )

Beautiful Lisa was actually 12 weeks pregnant with these beauties when she helped me start up my floral business by posing as a Beautiful Bride. Lisa still graces my wedding business card and my floral blog as well as some pictures seen on search engines for Beautiful Flowers By Amy

My business is now 2 years old and I enjoy making beautiful flowers, especially for weddings. The business has helped fund Laura's adoption. I am so thankful to God for sending us dear friends like Jon and Lisa who helped pray and cheer the business and Laura's adoption on!

Here are a couple pictures from our wedding shoot. We laughed so hard that day! You see, playing "dress up" isn't just for kids! Ha ha! 

                                    Future model

Back to school at long last!

Laura had a fabulous second day of school today!    
Laura started a 2 morning a week school program in early January but only attended one day. The day after she started school we got the call about her surgery being moved up. Laura talked often about school and was ready to go back. Her wonderful teacher, Ms. Kim was happy to have Laura back. She had kept up with us and even came to visit us once at our house while Laura was recovering. The preschool is at a Church and I was told Laura has been prayed for this whole time. We are so blessed!

The highlight of Laura's morning was ringing the bell at Chapel and singing songs. She also painted and cut out shapes. I believe Ms. Kim was also teaching the days of the week because Laura randomly said some days of the week this afternoon and this is something I hadn't taught her. I think Laura is a little sponge just soaking everything in. When we were leaving the school I wrote a check to the director and said out load to myself, "what is today's date?" which Laura answered, "it's Thursday!"

Patrick and I have a little joke that we'll remind each other of, and laugh, about Laura. At the orphanage, we recieved a document a few days into our bonding period, (after we agreed to adopt her). The document had info about Laura's leg, what shots she's had, just basic medical info. The document also said Laura had speech delay. We already knew they would tell us this because they tell this to everyone! Guess they want to cover all their bases. I'm no language expert but I'd venture to say after just 4 months home that Laura is speaking, in English, at least as well as a 3 year old! Speech delay huh?  No. We have one smart cookie here!

Counting...Counting...Counting

I can think of so many things to count. Here are a few.

                              ONE - How many more weeks in a cast (Yeah!)

                              TWO - How many boys in this house (but it feels like more : ) )

                              THREE - How long Laura's been home (Almost four!)

                              FOUR - How many months until we move to NC.

                              FIVE - How many hours it takes to get up to Shriners Hospital.

                              SIX - How many weeks Laura's been in a cast! (Six long weeks!)

                              SEVEN - How many hours I sleep a night (If I'm lucky).

                              EIGHT - How many houses I've lived in since Patrick and I married.

                              NINE - How many years older Eric is to Laura (but he feels like it's more).

                              TEN - How high Laura can count up to (well sometimes anyway).

 February 2011



Franklin Institute

5 boys, a princessa and a princess! 

Don't you just love it when last minute plans come together? On our trip to Shriners last week I took Eric with me. Eric was a big help and we got to spend some quality time together. On the way out of town we ended up stopping to see the Liberty Bell (Eric not me as Laura was sleeping and I was double parked). There is so much to do in Philly I decided on this next trip I should plan it better. Alex and I looked into something fun to do and discovered the Franklin Institute. I called our brother and sister-in-law last minute, and they were able to join us for the day, along w/ more extended family. Wahoo!

What happens if I do this?

Go Sammy!

 

Go Laura!

Go Josh!

Shriners Hospital - 5th Trip

After 7 long and wonderful weeks the cast is finally off!   I don't think Laura was nearly as happy about getting the 8 lb cast off as much as I was! I sure was excited she'd be getting a bath and would be easier for us to carry! I was a little nervous about the whole cast off experience but it went well. Laura cried during the process but the doctors were as quick as possible. Nurse Debbied then cleaned Laura up a bit as Laura bent her knee for the first time since January 6th. Laura seemed fine with her leg and seemed happy to move it. The doctors said the healing was going well and went ahead and sent us over to prosthetics to be measured for Laura's first prosthetic leg. I sure was happy to hear this great news! Laura moved slower then normal as her stump is a little tender and her leg probably felt weird without the cast. As we waited to be seen we were able to watch the prosthetics people work through a glass window. Prosthetics is half science, half art and 100% unique for each person.

Laura made up her mind right away that she wasn't going to enjoy being molded. At this stage of the game we just figured let's just do it all as fast as possible and get it over with!                                                                            





Thanks for moving so fast Ms. Jenn!

Almost all done!





Yeah! All done and no more tears!



In two weeks we go up for Laura's first fitting. Three weeks later her leg should be done and we'll go to Shriners for a few days for any minor adjustments and while Laura learns to walk in her prosthetic. How awesome is this?

And I saved the best picture for last!