I'm quite sentimental today. Nothing new...I've always been the sentimental type never forgetting a date in time which drives JD batty at times! But today is a little different as last year on April 13th, we boarded a flight to Russia to begin the trip of a lifetime ~ to bring our little girl home.
I still remember the excitement inside. No work (outside the home) for 4 months -- just focusing on us becoming a family. Getting ready to live a different culture/lifestyle for 5 weeks in which we didn't speak the language except for a few words. The encouragement of family, friends, co-workers, and "virtual" friends via blogging put us on a natural high. Just thinking about it stirs up so many emotions inside.
I remember another adoptive parent telling me "I'm actually jealous because I wish we could do it again" and I really took it to heart. I was determined to live in every moment, cherish it, and not wish away a second because I knew what the reward was at the end of this "brief" international journey.
As I sit here tonight, I can honestly say, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would do all the paperwork again (yes -- even in Ekaterinburg!), stay up 'til 3am so I could get the FedEx out and get up at 5am for work. Bring it on.
For now, we are a family of three. Chances are, we'll always be a family of three unless the Lotto or Powerball shines some specific numbers our way. But that's ok ~ whatever God has planned for us, we'll gladly take.
He took care of us last year as we journeyed across the world to become a family. Stay tuned this next month as I'll include pictures that I couldn't post during our first 4 weeks in Russia.
And if I haven't thanked you personally for following our journey this past year, please accept this as my heartfelt thank you. I am in awe that over 31,000 hits have been made on Kristina's blog. (Granted, mom might say that 90% of those are hers but still.....31,000!) I never imagined more than just my family checking in periodically when I started it up back in July 2008 but I learned that reaching out to love a child touches everyone's heart.
Ya vom ochen blogadarna.
(Thank you from the bottom of my heart.)
First leg of our journey ~ Los Angeles to Moscow. Exhausted having not slept in over 36 hours but ready to snooze on the long 12 hour flight (yep...it only took 2 minutes and JD was already passed out!)
6 comments:
I can remember when you took your flights. What a great time for you. I can't believe our litle ones have been home a year. Wow! We are both so blessed.
Melissa
Such a great entry! Funny how time flies. Thank you for the reminder that we should enjoy the journeys that life takes us on - not just the end result. Have a very blessed day!
Oh Laura, I am going to be so sad when your blog is done but i understand why. It brings me so much joy to read it regularly and see your pictures. Kristina's hair is getting so long and ya'll look so absolutely wonderful together as a family. She definitely is your little girl - meant to be. There are only two blogs in the whole world that I follow and yours is one of them. Guess we're just going to have to come visit you instead if you'll have us! Zoey and Kristina would love each other I bet and I would love to see ya'll.
I recently found your blog and love it! Your daughter is adorable! Happy 1 year, may it be the first of many!!
Wow a year ... I followed your trip so closely so I knew what to expect when our turn came... Your family is so blessed and Kristina is such a wonderful child!!!
Chritine
Laura - I am constantly amazed at how far away we are, and yet how we feel so similarly on everything -- i miss moscow and kirov time all the time - the total focus on family & on my husband (before LM landed into our physical custody) -- it was an incredible time, replaced by the more incredible time of being a family - -but the time together, "away from it all" was most certainly special. thank you for sharing your journey with us -- i will miss your blog but get the reasons for stopping...maybe a 1x/month posting of photos?? (sorry - blog pressure in progress! selfishly would love to keep seeing little K grow up since you guys are so far away!)... :)
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