Court-One year ago today

It is hard to believe that I stood before the judge one year ago. I still remember feeling so nervous, but completely at peace. There is no doubt it was because so many people had been and were praying for me. Though some people found the judge to be stern, I found her to be very professional and also very realistic. There was no doubt that she wanted me to be aware of some of the possible issues that could surface with Natalie. My comment to her and the one that the translator talked about the most was, "I am aware of the possible issues, but I know that I want this child and I am willing to take the chance." Now here I am a year later and when I think of all the things that could have happened or might have been issues, I am truly humbled by the mercy and grace of God. Natalie never ceases to amaze me with her love, her compassion, and her desire to learn and do what is right. She is just an all around great child. Not only do I love her more and more, but I really enjoy being with her. Every day there is something she says or does that just makes me smile. This morning she woke up and told me her "belly was grumbling (growling/rumbling) like a bear." What a hoot!
I just want to say thank you to the judge who is her wisdom and professionalism granted me custody of this wonderful child. I also want to give thanks to our mighty God who orchestrated it all out!!

Five Months later, one year ago today

It was one year ago today after 5 very long months that I got to see Natalie again. She had changed so much in those 5 months. She was taller and thinner and seemed to have changed from a little toddler into a little girl. Now I look at her and think she has changed from a little toddler into a little girl!!

Last night I let her stay up and watch part o f "The Amazing Race." It was filmed in Krasnoyarsk where she is from. She sat on my lap and was so excited about it. She kept hugging me and saying over and over, "I'm so glad you came and got me." I had to laugh as I watched the contestants come into the airport on that 5:40 AM flight. What memories. And then today it hit me, that Natalie also was at that airport, when we flew out to Moscow. What a flight that was. She did not want to leave her seat belt on, but she finally gave up and slept part of the way. Of course it wasn't a year ago that we left on that flight. I still had to go to court the next day and then wait out the 10 day waiting period. Today I mentioned to a co-worker that I had stayed a month in the country. She was amazed that I was there that long. Now it is hard to remember being there that long, but I do remember all too well after I hit about 2 weeks there, making a calendar and trying to fill it up with some event each day to make the time go quicker. I think the last 4 days of the waiting period were the hardest. But God was so good as I made some new friends there including an American missionary, several adopting families and a young girl that spoke English that I still correspond with.

My Southern Belle

This time last year, I was in Moscow preparing for the next day when I would have my medical exams done at the American clinic in Moscow. That still makes me laugh. I just looked back at my blog and one of the things I wrote about was seeing the American flag flying there. Ever since I moved back from Romania I have always had an American flag on my porch. When I see it, it never ceases to make me grateful for the wonderful country we live in.

This has been an unbelievable week. Between the snow, having to work long hours to make up for lost time, waiting on my report to arrive (the stress involved with that) and Natalie getting sick again I am just worn out. It was another down to the wire adventure (which I won't go into details about) with getting the report out. As I got back into the car after mailing the report, and was driving away, Natalie put on my snow gloves (only about 6 sizes too big) and yelled out to my mom and me, "Hey y'all look at me!!" Later I asked her to hand me my purse from the back and seat and she said, "Here you are ma'am!" She totally cracks me up.

I find it so hard to believe that a year ago, I was "stuck" in Moscow when all I wanted to do, was hurry to Krasnoyarsk and see my sweet little girl. At times like this when I am thinking about the long journey to bring her home, I will walk into her bedroom (she is usually asleep when I start down memory lane) and I am just amazed that she is really home. She has amazed me so much in just a year. Even today when I was so stressed, she would run up to me and give me a kiss and tell me how much she loved me, totally unexpected. She is so perceptive. She is so precious and it was and is so worth all the hurdles to have her home with me!!

One Year Ago

I think this will be my theme for the next month or so. It is hard to believe that one year ago today, I was running around still getting documents signed, apostilled, overnighted and preparing to fly to Russia the next day. The funny thing is that I am still waiting on a document (that should arrive tomorrow) that I need to send off to be apostilled, overnighted and sent on to Russia. The year has flown by and as I look at Natalie, she is such a different girl from the one I saw a year ago. My how my life has changed and no doubt about it, it has all been for the better. Bear with me as I reflect over the next month and share so many memories and changes.

Winter Wonderland

Snow Angel

Bashka, Natalie and the snowman

Me, Natalie and the snowman

Natalie building the snowman

Winter Wonderland

Yesterday marked 11 months since Natalie came home. We are in the process of completing the second of four post placement reports due to Russia. Her next one will be due a year from now. It is hard to imagine what she will be in like in another year. Last week I registered Natalie for kindergarten. Though I am looking forward to not having to pay day care costs, I do feel a bit sad that my "baby" is starting the "Big Girl" school. She is so excited. A brand new school is scheduled to open for the fall and technically she is to go to that school. But the way (I have learned all of this recently) the system is set up, we can request any school in the zone. We are only guaranteed the school in our district. I have requested a school in our zone and am praying that Natalie will be able to go there for a lot of different reasons. The most important one is that the school has an excellent reputation.

Yesterday we also had 5 inches of snow. I know so many people are tired of the snow, but it was a great treat for us. We built a snowman and played in the snow for awhile. Unfortunately the snowman lost his head today due to the bright sunny day we had.

Busy, busy, busy

Here is one of my favorite recent pictures: Natalie and her "Big Buddy Maxx!"

As usual, I am way behind on everything. Natalie and I have been busy doing some major painting and house overhauling!! We have managed to make it to a children's museum and work on some "school" tasks such as writing her name and spending time outdoors playing and flying a kite!! She is growing in leaps and bounds, not only physically but emotionally, socially and language wise.