Family Fun Day in San Diego

It was only fitting that 3 years to the day that we met our little angel, that we attended our adoption agency's annual picnic down in San Diego.

The child who was timid and curious that very first day is now a gregarious, fun-loving and fearless young girl.  She loves playing in the water, getting covered in sand, playing on the swings, and going down the slide (a far cry from the slide we played on that first, second, third,....day in the music room!).

We had the opportunity to see Brent, Director at our agency (d'oh - I forgot to get a picture with him!).  I remember his words "I have a child in mind I'd like you to consider."  Words that changed our lives forever, and for the best.

We got to meet little ones who just came home within the last few months and others who are growing like weeds.  The only parents I didn't meet this time were "prospective adoptive parents" in the process.  Perhaps they were there, I just didn't see them or get to talk to anyone about the process -- one of my favorite things to do.  Business is slower (due to the economy and international adoption requirements in Russia, in general) but Brent said they are still bringing children home, one by one.

After the picnic, we went to dinner with some of our adoptive friends.  We had such a great time, especially Kristina.  Made the 6 hours of driving today worth it to see Kristina constantly smiling and laughing.  Oh, heck -- 6 hours is nothing.  We travelled across the world for this girl...and would do it again for her in a heartbeat!

When we first came home, this little one didn't like her shoes off , getting dirty, nor did she like the texture of sand.
My - how things have changed!!

Showing Quinlan the ropes on how to build a sandcastle.

Kristina and daddy having fun on the swings....

...And Kristina loves to go so high she can almost touch the sky!

Sammy and Kristina - two peas in a pod.  Both like Star Wars, light-up shoes, and climbing on/jumping off anything stationary!

Mission Dinner-Out-with-4-Kids Successful - All these beautiful children are from Russia, except Sammy - from Krygyzstan.

This is us then...meeting for the first time, September 24, 2008

And this is us now, September 24, 2011

We're tired, wind-blown but more in love than ever.
(Notice that Kristina has the same pose as 3 years ago?!)

Another Milestone!

So...what does 857 represent???  No, not the number of times I used the name "Kristina!" today when asking to pick something up, put something away, get down off the chair, etc...although that would be a close guess.  Give up? 

Well, it represents the number of total days we've been together as a family.  So, what's the deal?  I'm not crazy counting each and every day...for real.  But what it does stand for means that Kristina has been with us, as a family, for now the majority of her life!  It used to be that she spent the majority of her life in a hospital or orphanage but now....who-hooo, FAMILY RULES!!!

We spent the day sleeping in, making messes and trying to clean 'em up.  Kristina then spent a few hours playing outside with her friend, Kira, making a fort, swinging on the tire swing and digging up worms and "rollie pollies" (her newest favorite thing to do because "they're so cute"...).  When Kira's family invited Kristina over to swim, the girls were in their glory.  Ten minutes later, we got a knock on the door with a little girl swaddled in a towel and clutching her chin with a papertowel.

Kristina had slipped and hit her chin slicing it open.  We considered Urgent Care after seeing the wound but Dr. Daddy created some butterfly bandages and closed the wound himself.  So far, so good but we'll keep a close eye on it.

Tomorrow we wrap up the weekend by seeing The Lion King which has Kristina excited beyond belief.  Another G movie for me but hey, I wouldn't change a second over the last 857 days.  I never knew I could love so much.  Sure does put "family" into perspective and how important it is.

We love you, Kristina DeAnn!

Back then...on Day 1 as a family...

Our first morning as a family (in Moscow)...kasha (oatmeal) for breakfast!

Sportng her new jean jacket from Ekat...and the souvenier boo-boo on the forehead she somehow got at the orphanage the day before we left.

First bath.

I bought these "Angel" pj's right after we received her referral.  Now we're lucky to get her to wear anything to bed -- she loves to be "au natural."  (No.....we're not setting this example!)

And here she is now 2 years and 4 months later...

Our very own Vanna White (last night) showing off her worms and rollie pollies found in Grandpa's compost bin.

She's looking so intent at them, making sure they are still moving around.
(Take note of the KD design of hair...I couldn't do it if I tried!)

 

She was determined last night to put them outside so they, too, could go to sleep.
(Whew...I really didn't want them in the house.)

Found the perfect new home for her new critter friends.

 

Getting one more look, up close and personal.

 

Our proud artist's rendition of our family.  Definitely a keeper!
(Taken just a few short hours before the chin incident...)

 

Not sure what you can see here but it's Daddy, Mommy and Kristina (in the middle).
The dog (the one we don't have) is to the left.
Kristina and I are wearing slippers on our feet, but daddy isn't.
The "things" above my arms are my ears ("I was being silly," said K).
The dot on my belly is a baby, per K.  ((sigh))

 

Recuperating on mommy and daddy's bed watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer",
with Rapunzel and Maximus the horse keeping her company.

Our happy, little girl...even when she has an owie.

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

I wrote this for you all by myself!  (Well, mommy did tell me what letters to write...)

Hi Grammy!

Hey, you have birthdays, too?  I'll be 5 soon.  When I asked my mommy this morning if I was 5 yet, she said "not yet, honey."  And I told her "ugh - it's taking so long!"

Anyways, did you have cake today?  I like cake.  Especially chocolate. Mommy and daddy say it makes me crazy but I think it just makes my belly feel good.

Wish I was there to eat cake with you.  Mommy said we'll be there soon in November.  Is that next week?  I hope so.

Happy Birthday, Grammy.  I love you big much!

xoxox,
Kristina

Grammy and her Little Princess

We Shall Never Forget

At one point today, Kristina found herself in front of the TV when one of the many September 11, 2001, documentaries aired.  "Mommy!!!  Come here!!!"

As I stepped into the livingroom, Kristina wrapped her hand around one of my fingers and said, "Look - there's fire.  Them are running!!  It looks bad."

Yes, honey, it was a bad day.  A very bad day that we will never forget.  Incredible how raw emotions can be drummed up looking at the video and photos from 10 years ago.

God Bless all those who lost their lives as well as the heroes and families who will forever be affected.

God Bless the United States of America.