Faith

To my dearest Kristina:

For years and years we prayed for you.  I can't begin to tell you how many prayers I said in church, while commuting in my car to work, sitting on the bench in front of Our Lady of Guadalupe, while walking my 3-mile route, etc., asking God to consider blessing me as a mom and dad as a daddy.  I always asked God to give me a "sign" as well as the insight to recognize it!  I would be lying if I said I just knew *for sure* it was going to happen....my faith was tested but not shaken.

Five years ago this week, you grabbed a hold of our hearts as we held you in our arms for the very first time.  Five years!  I just wanted to hold you, tell you everything was going to be ok, and after playing with you for 4 days, tell you that we would be back really soon.  But even then, nothing was a "sure thing." I had to go on faith.

It took 4 days but I finally got you to giggle!
I never wanted to let you go!

You and daddy on Day 1 -- he was smitten already!

So in love with our "daughter".

During the 7 months before we got the call to return to Russia, I referred to you as our daughter.  Every day.  A few people thought I might be jumping the gun.  "What happens if something changes?  You'll be hurt."  Yeah, things could have changed, and to say I would be devastated would be an understatement, but I couldn't even think about it.  You were meant to be my daughter, because I had faith.

And those signs I prayed for?

*  We attended our first "Adoption 101" class on January 9, 2007.  While we sat in that class, across the world it was January 10, 2007 --- the day you took your first breaths.

*  Daddy took some extra time to think about it but finally decided to adopt.  The words "OK, let's adopt" were told to me over dinner on July 23, 2007.  We received your referral and saw your photo one year later to the day on July 23, 2008.

*  The day after we received your referral, we called Brent and said we would like to officially accept Kristina's referral to be our daughter.  This was July 24th.  July 24th is the Feast Day of St. Christina.  (ok...I got the chills, did you???)

*  You were/are a towhead and your daddy, when he was young, was a towhead just like you!

Daddy at age 3

You at age 2 1/2.  Even your outfits are coordinated!!

*  Before we traveled to Russia, we had to decide on your full name.  Either keep it "Kristina", change it, add a middle name, etc.  Keeping Kristina was a sure thing...your were named in the hospital by your birthmother.  Besides giving you life, she gave you your name and it was our honor to keep it.  For a middle name, we decided on DeAnn ~ incorporating "Ann" since it represented my confirmation name (Anne), your Grammy's name (Marianne), your Nana's middle name (Tracey Ann), and your great-grandmother's name (Anne).  When in Russia, we signed the paperwork to accept your referral and declared we would call you "Kristina DeAnn".  We learned the name of woman who gave you life:  Anastasia.  Another sign.

Coincidences?  Perhaps....but my faith tells me from the depth of my soul that these are signs from God that you were sent directly from Him to us (only via Russia!).

Today, we put you on the path of following our Catholic faith --- you started CCD classes at St. John Eudes!  (In the old days, it was called "CCD" [Confraternity of Catholic Doctrine aka Catechism aka Sunday School] but now they call it "Children's Ministry".)  You were such a big girl as they called your name in the auditorium, you quickly gave us a kiss, and off you went with your class.  I still haven't heard how your day went as I had to work today and when I got home, you were sound asleep!  But I'm sure all went just fine....I have faith!

I love you with all my heart and more,

Mommy  xoxox

First day at CCD pictures:

Starting to spread your wings ~ right before going into your first CCD class.

You LOVE taking pictures at the fountain.
 And there's the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the background!

A very pensive look...yet still posing!

And your first CCD class teacher, Ms. Sandy!

And now that it's Fall, I really have to get my "Summertime Summary" posted which includes our long-awaited Disney vacation.  Stay tuned!  ;)

 

 

*Note:  I love to include photos of Kristina on Trips 1 and 2 not because I love re-living those wonderful times but because at the time, we were not allowed to publish these photos online or in blogs.  Since this is Kristina's story, I want to include photos from way back when so they will be captured in her own storybook...my version of a babybook!  :)