Easter 2011

No doubt, every day is special in our home...but Easter holds a special place in our hearts.  Easter signifies new beginnings, not only of our faith but a new beginning for our family as well.  Two years ago, we were in Russia during this Easter season...falling in love more and more each day with a little girl who only deserved love and a new beginning of life with a family.

As an adoptive parent, we celebrate so many "beginnings" -- when we got our referral, when we traveled for the first time to meet her, when we traveled again and were reunited, the day we went to court, the day we we finally took her into our arms for good as we held her close walking out the doors of her first "home," and then the day we arrived home in CA.  Some may say I'm crazy to remember each and every one of these dates but these occasions are engrained in my mind and heart and they bring us to where we are today.

And where are we?  We are crazy in love with this little girl.  We stare at her daily and wonder how in the world we could have been so blessed.  Life isn't perfect --- we have had some challenges all first-time parents face and sometimes I cry wishing I could provide her more.  But then I realize --- this is more than she ever had, and what more could a child want than to have loving parents?

As I think about the children we left behind and the others throughout Russia and other countries around the world including here in the USA, I pray for them.  May Easter bring them new beginnings -- whether it's a lesson learned from a teacher, a hug from a compassionate caregiver, or the love from a forever family -- may they, too, find a reason to laugh, giggle, and be happy.  Is it too much to ask?

Here are a few photos from our Easter Day spent going to church, hunting for Easter Eggs with the neighborhood girls, and dinner with Jon's family.  A day of hugs, love, laughter and giggles.  Priceless.

Kristina counted the mini chocolate Easter Eggs that lead from her bedroom door to her Easter Basket.

An over-stuffed Easter basket full of chocolate, jelly beans, a puzzle and her favorite...

...a Little Mermaid bathing suit!

Chocolate Bunnies!

Kristina "posing" next to the Holy Family at church.

Daddy hiding almost 50 goody-filled Easter Eggs in our yard.

Kristina's ready to hunt for eggs...just waiting for her friends to show up!

Standing still just for one minute before filling up the baskets.
(L-->R:  Andrea, Gaby, Kristina and Kira)

Daddy giving clues to all the girls so no eggs go unnoticed.

Only a small part of the paparazzi!

Last year, Kristina couldn't reach the eggs hiding in this tree.  Got 'em this year!

Tired but not too tired to start counting eggs and seeing what's inside.  Total eggs found:  190!!

What a loot!

At Nana and Grampa's house...Kristina sees something "strange" in the backyard...

Two HUGE eggs!



Wow...we've never seen such large eggs.



Nana and Grampa made Easter fun!

Decorating the Easter Cake with jelly beans.  YUM.

And the Easter Bunny left one more basket.  Lucky girl!

And as I write this Easter post and talk about new beginnings, it was two years ago today that we stood in front of the judge and declared our desire to be Kristina's parents.  We remember it like it was yesterday.  Little did I know how truly happy our life was just about to become!!

  A belated Happy Easter to all!

Reunions and "Happy Tears"

It was two years ago last week (really?  already?) that Jon and I reunited with Kristina on our second, and FINAL, trip to Russia.  I remember the anticipation as we stood in the large playroom for Kristina's caregiver to bring her in when all of a sudden we heard a little girl's voice behind the door ask "Mama?". What a way to spend our 15th wedding anniversary!

One of our first family photos together - reunited after 7 months apart.

You couldn't wipe the smile off our faces when playing with our little girl again!

It took 3 days to get smiles on Trip #1.  But here on Trip #2, we all fell into our comfort zone instantaneously and smiles were plentiful.

And here she is TWO years later...not quite our little baby anymore!

Two years later to the day, and I was boarding a plane to Philadelphia to spend a week at the national Occupational Therapy Conference.  This was the first time I was separated from Kristina for more than 48 hours since being her mommy.  I was missing her terribly even before leaving the house!  I tried to prepare Kristina for the week but hearing her say "Mommy, don't go" only made my heart ache more.

It was a long 6 days (fun...but LOTS of work) and I thought of Kristina and daddy a lot. I had left some gifts for Kristina to open every day so she'd know I was thinking of her. (Nahhh, she's not spoiled....) She counted down the days on a sign I left on the fridge.

Alittle something for my little girl every day of the week.  (Thank you, Target, "dollar aisle"!)

We talked on the phone every day and even got to Skype a few times!  One highlight was my chance to visit Rich and Carol and family in NJ -- only 15 min. from Philadelphia.  Rich and Carol brought their 3 children home from Russia, and two of them are from Ekaterinburg!  We shared many laughs that evening and Skyped Kristina so the kids could all "meet".  You'd think we had been friends our entire lives and one would never know that we had just met in person that night for the first time..  Oh, and the added benefit....ate some Jersey pizza.  YUM!!!

The highlight of my night....Skyping Jon and Kristina!

When Sunday finally arrived, I was exhausted, surviving on 3-4 hours of sleep a night.  I was also sad knowing that I had been away for our 17th wedding anniversary.  But knowing the reunion with my little girl and husband was awaiting me at the end of the long 6-hour flight had my adrenaline going.  I wish we had captured this moment on video or camera but we didn't.  As I approached Baggage Claim on the escalator along with friends/co-workers Joan and Ethel, I saw Jon standing there with a big grin on his face.  A lady was blocking Kristina but I knew she was there.  I immediately began to cry as she squeeled "Mama, Mama" jumping into my arms and wrapping her little legs around me.  I'm not sure I've ever held her so tight.  "Mommy, you sad?" Kristina asked as we faced each other nose to nose and she saw my tears.  "No, honey, these are happy tears."

About an hour after arriving in Los Angeles...not letting go!

You guessed right if you figured I won't be leaving the two loves of my life any time soon. (And I'm sure that pleases Mr. Mom Jon, also!)