"You sure are special.... she's a very lucky little girl."

Those words sting every time I hear them.  I've heard these lines several times by various people we've been in contact with whether they be friends, family, medical professionals, or the like.  And today it happened again.

I had a follow-up consult appointment with an orthodontist about treating Lina's mouth.  She has lots going on in there, but long story short it shouldn't be as bad as I was expecting.  Our first phase will involve extracting two baby teeth and giving her a removable device to wear in the bottom of her mouth.  Crossing fingers she will not have issues wearing it!

The orthodontist I met with today (not the one Lina met at our first appointment) was an older man soon to be retiring- I'd guesstimate him to be at least late 60's if not 70's.  I don't mean to be stereotypical by any means, but it seems many folks of this older generation have a much different view of people with disabilities, I'm sure created by how those with disabilities were treated back in the day.  He was very sweet nonetheless, but soon after I entered his office, out came those words.  "You are very special..... She's a very lucky little girl."  You see, the orthodontist who saw Lina a couple weeks ago had briefly shared the background information I gave him about being adopted from an institution in Russia (I was mainly sharing how impressed I was with the condition of her teeth when we brought her home). And yes, I have heard these words from younger folks, too.

I know people mean well when they say these things, but honestly?  It feels like a dagger to the heart when I hear them.... For what these statements are telling me is:  This child is such a burden.  I nor any other average person could ever raise a child like this.  You sure have your hands full.  I get very defensive, feeling the need to defend my precious child and show them what a treasure she truly is.  I tried recanting, "Oh but WE are the lucky ones.... she is truly amazing..." but I'm usually cut off, and I don't have the time to stand on my soap box and explain what a gift my children truly are since I am there for other reasons.  I walked out of the office kicking myself for not handing him one of my cards with my blog address so he could read her story for himself.  And no, it's not MY story.  It's HERS. We were simply lead to bring her home.

As much as y'all would like to think, I am NOT Superwoman. I'm quite far from it actually, and yes I do wish sometimes I had some super powers to get through the day, just as any other parent feels at times.  It doesn't take super powers to love my kids.  People fall in love with them everyday. ;)  When you love someone, you do what it takes to care for them without thought.  And no, my kids don't require much *extra* care.  They are treated just like their older siblings were at their ages and stages.  Sure, there are some added therapies through the week, but it surely doesn't take much effort to drop Evan off to school a little early or pick him up a few minutes later, or take him to his private speech therapy once a week.  Big whoop! :)

Lina, I love you with all my heart, just as I love your brothers and sister.  I am so PRIVILEGED to be your mother and thank God daily for bringing you to us.

Kaylin's memoir: "Our Mission"

I have been a complete slacker in the blogging department as you can tell.  Summer was a complete whirlwind, school started, and shortly thereafter I was in a car accident.... I think I'm just now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel again.

Polina's 7th birthday was celebrated in September and Evan just turned 4 yesterday- I am in complete denial about both!!  My babies are growing up entirely too quickly.  Must. Stop. And. Breathe.

Today Kaylin came home with a writing assignment she completed at school.  She was instructed to write a "memoir" which could be on any life experience.  She chose to write about our adoption.  Love this girl.  (Note: there are a couple little inaccuracies but I'm sharing Kaylin's work as she wrote it.)

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October 17, 2013

Our Mission

"Are you her mommy?" was posted on my mom's Facebook page by one of her friends.  My mom asked my dad if we could get her, and he said, "We can try."

One day in 2011, when I was 8, my mom found Reece's Rainbow.  It's an online organization that helps different kids get adopted from all around the world.  So, my mom found a little girl with dark brown eyes, a gentle, caring smile, and a bright future.

From the moment my mom saw her, she knew it was fate.  Her name was Polina O.  She was 5 years old and had been in a mental institution for a year.  In the first 4 years of her life, she was in a baby house.  A baby house is a place where kids ages 2-4 stay until they have to go to a mental institution.  Polina's parents didn't give her up just because she has Down syndrome.  It was hard for them.  They were very poor, so they probably couldn't afford her.  Even today her birth mom is longing to see her baby again.

My parents had to go on a 12 hour plane ride, and a 10 hour train ride to get to Moscow.  Then, the next day, they had to go on a 2 hour car ride to get to Pskov, Russia.  They had to go through that process 3 times, and stayed there 1 week at a time.  Their first trip was in early November.

So while they were there, I had to stay at my house with my grandparents.  "I was bummed I didn't get to go to Russia," my little brother Justin said.

My family and I missed my mom and dad so much.  Even though my parents were on a different continent, in Russia, I still got to Skype her with my brothers and grandparents.  The last time my parents went on their trip to Russia, I got to meet my sister.  She was as small as a toddler.

When my grandma woke me up at 6:30 am, and told me I have a sister, my happiness level went from 56 to infinity times infinity.  Even though I missed my parents, I had an energetic, happy, tingly feeling in my heart, which stretched out to my entire body.  It was the most wonderful moment of my entire life, and has changed me in a very special way, so special, that I don't know where to begin.

When my parents came home with Polina, 2-3 days later, I noticed she was very clingy to my mom.  I missed her too, so my whole family had a group hug.

From the time my parents went to Russia and met Polina, she was an independent little girl who was alone, to now, and right now she is trying her best to be the beautiful, blossoming flower she was meant to be.  She has adjusted really well too.  Her English is getting better and she likes to "read" to her stuffed animals.  I like to read to her too.  

I've always wanted to have a sister, and now, my wish finally arrived.

Reece's Rainbow Reunion at Jellystone Park!

We just got back from a mini-vacation, and everyone had a great time!  When I heard that this year's Reece's Rainbow reunion was going to be held at Jellystone Park in Luray, VA- we were all over that!  It was less than 3 hours to drive down there without incident, and as soon as we got to our little cabin we learned we were next door neighbors with another "Russia" family!!

Lina with Bella and Phoebe! 

Andrea Roberts, the director of Reece's Rainbow, came by for a little photo op, so we jumped at the opportunity, and Lina jumped at the opportunity to try to drive our neighbors' golf cart!

She successfully disengaged the parking brake twice even- watch out!! ;)

Lina with Andrea

There were so many fun things for the kids to do here!!  The big kids especially had a blast.

Mike and the kids on the bounce pillow

And then came the water adventures!!

This splash zone was SUPER cute.... but the little kids actually didn't want much to do with it!  It was a LOT of water coming down and apparently was just too overwhelming for them.  Evan went down the little froggy slide once and was about done.  Lina went up on the bigger slides with Kaylin but did NOT like the waterfall she had to go through at the top of the steps.  She even turned around and scolded it when I prodded her through. 

The big kids enjoyed it from time to time, but mostly were obsessed with the water slide.

Of course when I wanted to take pics of the kids coming down the slide- my camera battery had died. :( I snapped a few pics with my dad's tablet computer but am still waiting for the photos.  My parents were able to camp with us and we were so happy to have them there with us!

  

Justin enjoying the waterfall in the more shallow pool- there were two pools which was also very nice to have!  Lina had a hard time understanding that she could actually touch bottom in the pool and wanted to cling to me the whole time.  She really has come a long way with her fears of water since she came home, but she's still adjusting to the whole big swimming pool thing.

She also did not appreciate the fact that it was a bit chilly!

She definitely feels safest on the steps, if not clinging to Mommy.

Speaking of cling....

Someone else must cling for dear life as well!

Oh, you mean even *I* can touch the floor, too??

 Peekaboo!!

And to end the week, how appropriate to have a rainbow over the mountains! 

It was a full arch, and absolutely gorgeous.

And now we unwind take another deep breath to get through this month's chaos of summer services for Evan and Lina as well as another camp for Kaylin!  

Down syndrome camp 2013: Part 2!

If you missed Part 1 for the first 2 days of camp- back up a post! :)  Here we start Day 3 which was western night!  The evening began with a cowboy roper!  We were stuck sitting in the back so I had to zoom in on my phone, and he moved so fast... needless to say, the pictures turned out really crappy!

We watched the first bit until he brought out the leather whip.  Oh. My. Gosh. was that thing LOUD, especially inside!  The little kids couldn't handle it and honestly neither could I.  We quickly left the room along with several other kiddos who couldn't tolerate the loud snaps every few seconds.

But soon we were outside enjoying the fun and games. 

The kids loved this tractor ride last year and enjoyed it this year as well. :)  This was Evan's first time playing outside since he missed Monday night and it had rained Tuesday.  

Evan hasn't been a huge fan of bounce houses but thought we'd give it a go.  He was content sitting for a little while but didn't get up on his own.

We headed over to the horses- Kaylin went first while I tried to wrestle a helmet onto Evan.  The boy does NOT like hats!!

After still refusing, they agreed to let him ride anyway since I had to sign a waiver, and I walked with him as well as someone else on the other side.

I asked him, "Are you ready??" And he signed "Ready!"

Lina hung out at the bounce house pretty much the entire time outside- I don't think she would have been comfortable climbing up on top of a big horse since she is still skittish with animals, especially big ones.  Justin was pretty obsessed with the bounce house since it was his first time with the outside activities and he couldn't wait to get in there!

Mustaches!!!

Evan petting a baby goat (awwwwwww)

And then inside for crafts

Evan is a tricky one with craft time- he has no interest whatsoever.  He'd much prefer throwing everything across the room. :-/

Lina on the other hand could sit there all day.

Making stick ponies :)

Justin was ALL ABOUT this mustache.  He asked if he could sleep with it on!

Day 4 began in a back room while they prepared the main sanctuary for the night's show.  Lina and Justin dancing to the opening songs:

The show is ready to begin!! Day 4 was Dog Night and we had the cutest, most amazing dog show!!  Someone didn't quite see very much of the show....

Yep, someone skipped his nap even tho mama warned him it was going to be another long night.... and he crashed before the show even started! 

 These pooches are all rescues and they were all ADORABLE!!  The owners/trainers were fantastic- it was such a cute show!! Again, they moved quickly so my pics didn't turn out well, especially while I tried not to wake Evan on my lap.  

They are called Mutts Gone Nuts and they are from Damascus, MD.  HIGHLY recommend them!!

Back outside and Evan found a bounce buddy!

He's starting to get into this bounce stuff now.

Yes, the big kids like the tractor too ;)

And then Lina was introduced to the parachute.  Love. At. First. Sight.

Somehow I missed taking pics of their crafts tonight, but they made cute little sock puppet dogs. :) Here is Justin's:

 Later in the evening, Evan's awesome buddy from last year, Mr. Troy, *kidnapped* him and had oodles of fun back outside!  Mama sure appreciated the little break, as Evan had been attached to my hip all. week. long.

Evan had fun with the parachute too!

Day 5: It was sooooo hard dragging everyone out of bed, myself included!  The week had certainly taken it's toll on us since the big kids were attending their day camp and we had to get everyone up and out the door to get them there.... and then stay up way past bedtime for Down syndrome camp.

Where's that dang snooze button??

Our last little skit with similar characters from last year:

Lina was NOT a fan of the costumes nor the loud microphones.

Tonight was Hero Night!!

The medevac helicopter landed during camp but we kept the little kids inside figuring it would be extremely loud.  The big kids ran out to watch though.

There was also a police car and a fire engine for the kids to climb inside.

Evan was ALL about the bounce house tonight

Between bounce sessions he played in this little "ring of fire"

We got to watch the helicopter take off, and it wasn't too loud, surprisingly.  There was enough open space around it to keep the noise level down.

Cool stuff!!

Meanwhile, Lina had climbed up in the fire engine and found her new happy place!

Seriously, the girl stayed in this truck a LONGGGGG time!  Her buddy tried enticing her with the bounce house and even the parachute when they brought it out, but she wanted no parts of leaving this truck.

Evan came up for some fun but only stayed a few minutes.

He was back to the tractor with Kaylin

Lina was testing all sorts of equipment, preparing to go on the next call.

And, with all the exhaustion of the week and chasing after Evan, I once again neglected to take photos of their craft.

What an amazing week we had!!  We are so thankful for all the time and energy the folks up in Spring Grove put into this fabulous camp, and we cannot wait to come back next year! I'm sure the kids will again be talking about it all year long!!