URGENT!!

Please take a few minutes to sign this petition asking that the White House get involved in helping to overturn the Russian law banning adoptions by American families.  President Obama needs to step up... his office has been silent over this whole issue which affects so many.... the numerous families who consider a child across the ocean their very own even if they have yet to meet them in person... the families who have held their child in their arms and loved on them, promising they will be back soon to bring them home... the families with scheduled court dates and the families who have already passed court and only need to go back to bring their child home.  And of course the children.  The children who's only chance of having a loving family is through international adoption.  ALL Russian orphans who have been available for international adoption were already passed over by Russian families.  Already rejected twice- first by their birth family and second by their own society.  

Putin wants to encourage more Russian families to adopt, and I think that is wonderful.  Yes, more Russian citizens should step up and care for their own.  But this will not affect the children with disabilities.  They will be lucky to get all the *healthy* orphans into adopted families let alone those with disabilities.  We are literally their ONLY hope.  I signed this petition, grateful that my daughter is home with me. All kids deserve families no matter what country that family lives in. So many people out there have the mentality of "shouldn't we care for our own before someone else's?"  I try not to get too preachy, but this subject is very personal and I can't help it.  If this adoption crisis urges more families to adopt domestically- that is FABULOUS.  Yes, there are always children out there, near or far, who need families.  Thankfully, here in the United States, we don't have dilapidated orphanages that are so decrepit that the volunteers going to help choose to bathe down in the river instead of the disgusting bathrooms.  Yes, this is what the ROOF volunteers resorted to when they first began working in Lina's former institution.  It was one of *those* institutions, but thankfully ROOF has turned it around quite a bit.  But even with all the great opportunities ROOF is providing- NOTHING takes the place of a loving family.  We saw that through our own eyes bringing Lina home.  Please take a moment and read my friend Tesney's experience HERE.  Tesney adopted little Kirill from the same region our Lina was in- they both were even in the same baby house.  But Kirill was transferred to a different institution... one not fortunate enough to receive any help aside from the bare minimum from the Russian government.  I hesitate when I say "bare minimum" because it isn't even that.  My heart breaks for the children still trying to survive there, and I count my lucky stars that Lina was not transferred to this institution.  PLEASE read her story:  http://oureyesopened.org/2012/12/618.html

Americans are the children's ONLY hope.... they are struggling to survive when they should be living life.  Please PLEASE sign this petition, and share it with others to sign too.  Share it on Facebook, share it on Twitter, share it anywhere you can!!  Hundreds of children's lives depend on it, and our government should be doing more to communicate with Russia and urge them to make changes.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/help-americans-save-lives-russian-children-through-adoption/3Vr3YCtX

Not giving up hope yet....

This morning it was announced that Putin signed the adoption ban which goes into force on January 1, 2013. While I was greatly saddened by this news, I am still hopeful that this is not permanent and a new agreement can be met.  I also just read that there has already been an amendment proposed to exclude children with disabilities!! HALLELUJAH!! So hopefully all the sweet Russian cherubs on Reece's Rainbow can still find families!!  Keep those prayers coming!!

I shared a photo on Facebook and will share it here.... a before and after of Lina, which I'm sure many of you have already seen the individual photos.  Put them together though, and they really tell her story.

The first photo was taken during a little Easter celebration at the orphanage.  Lina was so absent, even when we met her while she still lived behind those walls.  The moment we got her out, she completely came to life and has just been full of smiles and giggles.  It's so amazing to watch how quickly she learns.  Just last night at dinner, Mike called Lina a "giggle-puss" since she was so giggly at the table.  He asked her, "Are you a giggle-puss?" She instantly signed "octopus"! Hahaha!!  She is so smart!

Some other bittersweet news I received yesterday..... Our facilitator has been unable to get in contact with Lina's biological family. :( After several attempts of trying to contact the mother as well as the older sister, no one has replied at all.  I am still hopeful that maybe they will reach out in the future.  But we are unable to make our donation to them that we had so hoped for- a refrigerator filled with food.  So instead, Marina asked if we could use the money to buy sweet treats for the children in Lina's former institution for Christmas.  In Russia, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th, so there is still time. :)  Marina went out with her husband yesterday, and ALL DAY they went buying chocolates and candies.... over 200 pounds worth!!

She messaged me when she got in- around 10:00 PM her time, and she was exhausted- and understandably so!!  I am sure there were multiple trips to get all this candy in her house, as her husband's car is very small!

But she didn't stop there.  I woke up with another message- she had been up ALL night making goodie bags for the children- past 7:30 AM!!

72 goodie bags in all, and the remaining candy will be given in boxes.  I wish I could go with Marina to deliver them!  The director picked them up today and was very grateful.  She promised to write to me (I have already exchanged a few e-mails with her already, sending updates on Lina) and send some photos of the children during the holidays. :)  Marina is an angel here on earth, working so tirelessly for these children, and the director is a kind woman.  I pray the ban will be lifted, not only for the children's sake, but so that Marina can continue to have work, especially doing what she loves.  Please keep praying.

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!!  Ours was wonderful... aside from a few sickie germs.  Our festivities began Christmas Eve with my parents coming over early.... Mom, Kaylin Justin, and I baked cookies before heading to church with everyone at 3:30.  Service was beautiful, and Evan was surprisingly my little snuggle bug the entire time.  Usually he's Mr. Hyper and cannot stay still for the life of him, but since he was feeling a little under the weather we snuggled the entire time. He was still in a great mood which was a blessing.

We were going to head out to dinner at a restaurant right after church, but had an unexpected snowfall which changed our plans!  It had begun snowing just before we headed out to church, and since forecasters weren't really calling for anything we figured it would stop in a few minutes.  Well.... an hour and a half later as we are walking out of church it has been snowing HARD and wasn't stopping soon!  The roads were treacherous, but thankfully we only live about a mile away.  We came home and ate spaghetti with meatballs instead! :)  And I am now realizing that I did not get any photos of the kids dressed up in their Christmas duds! Boo! :(  I'll have to ask my dad if he got any....

My parents always spend the night Christmas Eve so they can see the kids first thing in the morning opening their presents from Santa.  Growing up, my parents always made my brother and I wait IN OUR ROOMS until BOTH sets of grandparents got to our house to see us open gifts.  And I mean we couldn't even step foot out of our rooms to LOOK at the presents before they got there!  TORTURE I tell you!!  I told my mom flat out that I would never do that to my kids, so if she wants to see their bright eyed little faces first thing, she better be here. ;)

I got to bed around 11:00ish... and was quite surprised when a smallish person was standing by my bed just before midnight.  Kaylin snuck in and then asked if it was time to open presents yet.... Ummmm???? Good grief! She and Justin both know the rule is no one gets up before 6:30 AM and I don't know what was going on with her, why she came in at such a crazy hour... but I sent her lil tush back to bed.  Lina woke around 2:00 AM coughing for a little while- she and Evan are both fighting nasty colds.  Kaylin came back in around 6:20, claiming her clock is fast- I told her to wait a few more minutes, and then she finally came back to pry me out of bed around 6:40.  Ugh!  She and Justin were up first as usual...

They were allowed to open their stockings but had to wait for the rest until the little kids got up.

Soon after, the little kids woke and came downstairs to join the festivities. :)

Lina still looking a little sleepy, but she dug right into those presents!  She was a pro- opened all hers, and if she saw any others laying around, they were fair game too! ;)

Evan still isn't all that interested in opening presents....

Fake smile for the camera!

Evan wasn't feeling the best, but he was still in a great mood and such a good sport.

And then he found the Wiggles DVD's.  That's ALL he needed!! He clung to those videos and waved 'em around trying to sign "Wiggles" at the same time LOL

Kaylin's coveted present, her iPod....

Justin didn't want anything big this year, just some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stuff and a Wii game...

He enjoyed his new headphones most of all I think!

The only photo I managed to get with all four of them! And of course they aren't in front of the tree or near any presents.

This was Kaylin pretty much the rest of the day... charging and playing....

An Evan approved toy from MomMom and PopPop

Lina's new dolly and high chair

Mommy got some nice things too!! Mike spoiled me entirely too much, and I am very scared to see the next credit card bill.... but he got me a new camera. :) Now I need to take some classes and learn how to use it!  Another favorite gift- this AMAZING ornament from my parents:

I really should have taken a better photo with my new camera lol but just snapped this one quickly with my phone.  I had been wanting a Russian Santa ornament and was sorry I didn't pick one up while we were in Moscow.... so each time a friend traveled and asked if anyone had a request, I asked for a Santa if they saw one in the shops.  Well things always fell through and understandably so, as we know first hand how difficult it was taking Lina out while we were in Moscow- she had a fit and we had to turn right around and go back to the hotel.  

My mom had no idea I had been wanting a Russian Santa.  She happened to find this at a local hardware store and couldn't resist.  I was SOOOO excited!!!  This Santa is so gorgeous, so much better than anything we would have seen in Moscow without having to pay a fortune.  Love. It.

My brother came over with his wife and baby twins.... and I got no more pictures! I was too busy holding babies! :D  Mike made a most delicious roast beef dinner- his signature meal by far.  Yummmmmo!  All in all it was a FANTASTIC day.

And today.... more snow with some sleet mixed in.... and no road crews until we were coming home from our trip out to the doctor's office with our two sickies.  Thankfully nothing serious, just lots of congestion and gooey eyes caused by the congestion.  Evan started a fever Christmas Day and was sluggish all afternoon through today, while Lina has still been raring to go.  We figured since we were trudging in with Evan we may as well take her too just to be sure since she still has a nasty cough early in the morning.  Praying these germs leave SOON, especially so I can go meet my newest little cousin!

Welcome to the world, Elsie Marie!!

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Please please PLEASE keep praying for the fatherless in Russia.... The upper house of parliament approved the ban on US adoptions with a unanimous vote- this completely sickens me.  Innocent children who have no  other hope for a loving family being punished for a political ego trip.  All that's left to be passed is a signature by Putin, and some are speculating that he will sign.  There are all kinds of rumors going around and I am praying they aren't true.  But above all, I just pray he won't sign.  Praying there can be another resolution to this and the children won't have to suffer the consequences.  My heart aches for the hundreds of thousands of children waiting in the dark.  My heart aches for the hundreds of families already in process and don't know if they have a chance at bringing their child home or not.  Some have met their child, some haven't.  Some have even passed court and are still worried they won't be able to go back to get their child.... a child already declared theirs.  Please. Pray.

Bittersweet...

That's what today has been for me.  This morning was Polina's last day at her Christian preschool where they had their little Christmas program.  Lina did a fantastic job, and many parents and grandparents told me so, too! :) This mama was quite proud, and yes I teared up when they mentioned it being Polina's last day.  Parents came to me expressing how much their child has said they will miss Polina and how they are sad she is going to another school.  Parents who have volunteered in the classroom shared how much they have seen Polina grow in the short time she was here.  It was all so heartwarming, and we are so blessed that Lina was able to have this amazing experience for her first time in school.  It is so difficult to say goodbye to this chapter, even though I know there is so much to come as Lina enters Kindergarten.  I only pray that her new class will be as warm and embracing as this one has been.

I was worried when the children first lined up in the front of the sanctuary for their performance- parents immediately started snapping pictures (myself included of course) and all the flashes were a bit upsetting to Lina- she had never experienced all that before!  She's seen one flash at a time and that's it, not a whole church full of them!  Thankfully she was ok as the flash bulbs stopped, and she gave a great performance with her friends. :)  I will share a clip- a huge THANK YOU to the parents of Lina's classmates for granting me permission to share their children with my readers!  They are all so wonderful with Lina.  Little Ellie standing right next to Lina was one of Lina's biggest cheerleaders. So wish we could snatch her up and take her to Kindergarten with us!



You may notice Lina added a little improvisation to liven things up a bit, including some jazz hands. ;)

Here's Lina with her FABULOUS teachers.... I'm sad I didn't get a photo of her with the one-on-one they had recently hired for her- she was unable to attend today's party.  We will miss them all SO much!!

Here is Lina with the preschool director... I can't even begin to express how amazing she is!

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My heart is also heavy thinking of the potential ban on US adoptions in Russia.  I think of all the precious children we left behind who deserve loving families just as much as any of our own children.  The proposed law has already passed the three lower houses in Russia's parliament; it needs to pass the upper house and then be approved by Putin to go into effect.  I keep praying Putin will have clarity on the real issue here.... not just the pride in their own country, but the lives of these precious children who don't have hope for a family any other way.

http://rt.com/news/russia-us-adoption-legislation-319/

From the article linked above:

American citizens have adopted around 60,000 Russian children over the past 20 years, with 19 recorded deaths among their number. During the same period, 1,500 orphans died in Russian adoptive families, according to data provided by the Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office. In 2011, American citizens adopted over 950 Russian children, with 89 of them disabled, which puts the US in the first place in foreign adoptions.

Innocent, vulnerable children should not be used as political pawns.  Praying for sensibility.  

Here's a sweet video made by one of the ROOF volunteers working in Lina's former groupa.  I cannot remember if I've already shared this here, but I'm sharing it again.  We met several of these children ourselves and they are just SO precious.  Oh how I wish I could scoop them up and protect them from all this ridiculousness.

I will include a direct link in case you don't get the right video above- a friend tried viewing and it was the wrong video!  The correct video is titled "11 Little Heroes Trailer" and is found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqg4IRlKXUc

I have watched this video several times and will continue to do so.... for a part of my heart remains with them and always will.  Praying the doors will remain open and families will step up to love on these sweet children.  They truly need a Christmas miracle.

Performance time!

Tis the season, y'all!  Christmas concerts galore!  This year was very special for so many reasons: Kaylin's first year taking violin as well as chorus at school, and first year taking piano lessons... Evan and Lina's first school experiences, and Justin got to perform at the chorus concert, too!!

We'll go in chronological order.... Kaylin had her violin concert last Thursday evening and they did such a great job! :)

Here she is playing the Dreidel song:

And Jingle Bells:

They have recently started learning how to play with the bow but only performed these two songs for the concert.  They will bow for the Spring concert. :)  Kaylin has been doing an excellent job- she works ahead in her music books for both violin and piano, and plays the songs much faster than they did in the concert. ;)

Next performance: Evan's Christmas program at preschool. :)  I was SO nervous, just hoping he would stand up there with his class and not try to run away, especially when he saw me!  He's not so big on standing still for any length of time. ;)  Well he did such a great job!!  The director was right next to him to help keep him focused, and he did stand there the entire time!  No, he didn't sing, but most the other kids didn't either. LOL About one or two chimed in now and then, but it was just the teachers singing for the most part.  So... I won't bore you with those videos. ;)

Next performance: Kaylin's first piano recital this past Monday night!

They performed at a local assisted living facility where they got to play on a baby grand piano! :) The little guy is the piano teacher's son, not yet a student. ;)   Kaylin played one song here- Jingle Bells:

Chorus concert was Tuesday night with Justin performing first:

And then Kaylin with the actual chorus.  I'll just post one song which was the first and my favorite. :)

I assure you, the young lady to the far left was not standing alone- there were two groups of students on either side of the risers since they don't have enough risers to fit the entire chorus.

Lina's debut is this Friday- I recorded a practice session in case she gets stage fright in front of all the parents, but will cross my fingers she does well. :) Keep your eye out for that one!

What Child Is This?

Certainly this is not the same child we met in Russia a year ago.... the child we had to work really hard to get a small smile from.... the child who was so far removed emotionally I worried how we'd ever break through the barrier.  It's amazing how quickly she picked up on the fact that we were different.... that we truly loved her and cared for her.... that we were a FAMILY.  These giggles are music to my ears.




Ok, until a certain little Russkie decides to be mischievous and hide her socks and then coincidentally forget where she put them, only to later reveal she had them up her shirt sleeve the entire time.... little stinker.  That must be why the Russians put all the little ones in knit tights under their pants- NOW I get it!!  We may need to follow suit... you know... to preserve her heritage and all. :) Evan could use this too as it is quite difficult to keep socks on the boy.  And yes, Russians put boys in knit tights too. :)

This also cannot be the same child sitting at the dinner table.  The child who refused to eat meat or vegetables when we first came home is not only eating them willingly and in a much more timely manner, but is eating her vegetables FIRST before anything else!!  Even the most despised vegetable in the beginning.... carrots!  Yep, those were gone first from the pot roast we ate this week- totally floored me.

Lina never ceases to amaze me.  While we were eating lunch I gave her popcorn for the very first time.  I did not say what it was, just simply put some on her napkin.  The little smartypants signed popcorn! The only time she has seen the sign was on a Signing Time video- she picks up on the signs SO quickly, and clearly can apply them.  This isn't the first time she's done that.  She is gonna blow the teachers' socks off when she starts Kindergarten in a few weeks!!  I am so excited.  Lina's Kindergarten teacher just called me a short while ago asking me to come in and discuss how to make Lina's transition to Kindergarten a smooth one, and I will be bringing Lina along with me (as well as the other two big kids since this will be before school).  I am anxious to see Lina impress the special educators and everyone else as she has already been working on some of her IEP goals at preschool with the one-on-one they graciously hired for her a couple weeks ago.  Such a huge difference it has made!  Lina will have a one-on-one in Kindergarten also, and one who is fluent in sign language too so she will be fully understood. :) SO so excited.  It's going to be so hard to take Lina out of her amazing preschool- I may get a little teary! :*( The staff are amazing.  The kids are amazing.  It has been such a wonderful first school experience for Lina and I will be forever grateful for that.  Hoping some of the kids in the class will attend our elementary school next year so Lina will be able to see them again. :)

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UPDATE on Willow!!

There was a GRACIOUS donor who bumped up several children on the Angel Tree to reach their goal, and Willow was one of the lucky recipients!!! She now has $1,000 in her Angel Tree fund bringing her total available grant to $1,064!!  I still need to calculate her donation from my Tastefully Simple orders, so that will still be added in also.  And just because she met her goal doesn't mean you can't keep giving!  Donations are always welcome as it is often the financial barrier that stands in the way between a forever family bringing home their child.