The Stars Aligned 6 Years Ago

It was a pleasant evening 6 years ago on January 9, 2007.  I was in the midst of a bronchial infection and off from work - but managed to convince Jon to attend an Adoption 101 information seminar down in Orange County.  It was our very first seminar to learn about Foster/Adopt, Domestic Adoption and International Adoption.  We sat there amongst 10 or 11 other couples all looking at each other and wondering "hmmm, I wonder what brought them here?"  I'm sure many of us shared similar paths...

We left the 2-hour seminar armed with information but still no clue as to what direction we would go.

At that same time, across the world, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, it was January 10, 2007.  A young woman was in the hospital giving birth to a 9-week premature baby girl.  Due to life's circumstances, this young woman had the fortitude to know she and her family could not give this baby girl the comforts of a loving home that she deserved. 

The stars aligned and put us on a path that evening - right from a large conference room to the road to parenthood and we didn't even know it!

We have no baby pictures of Kristina and no exact time of day that the world forever changed for us.  What I do treasure, though, is the youngest photo of Kristina that a friend found online ~ on Russian's  Federal Database of Orphans and Children without Parental Care.  Within a month, this photo was taken down and our referral photo replaced it.  I am forever greatful to Carrie McQueen for giving us the gift of a photo of our baby -- albeit at 8 months old!

Tonight, our angel sleeps soundly in anticipation of turning 6 tomorrow.  She's been telling everyone her birthday is tomorrow so the world knows.  I cherish every moment with Kristina and am in awe with her.  I am in love with her.  I have never seen Jon so head over heels than he is with our daughter and I love sitting back and watching them interact.  We are so blessed.

 

Happy Birthday, baby girl -- we love you most!