Just A Little Update

It has been a little busy since we got home. Sorry about not updating, but I have been trying to think about what to say. This has been a long hard road. We fought the fight many times with loss, hardship and criticism from many avenues. Without the support of my friends, certain family members and my Reece's Rainbow Family...I don't think we would have ever made it. It definitely is a God thing. He gets a great deal of credit for this from me. I also feel like it was a lot easier...no that's not a good word for this...it was not as hard as I thought it was going to be.

Court was scary. I mean really scary. Trying to prove how much you love two children to people who don't know you is hard. I wasn't sure what the outcome was going to be, but after seeing people from the DOE and the orphanages having tears in their eyes, I left that court room with a different feeling. It was God...my guardian angels...somebody was there to guide me. You can choose to believe that or not, it doesn't really matter if you believe me. I am just telling you how it felt. This region was strict. You had to follow the guidelines, but they were fair. Our Marina's are amazing. They know what they are doing and they prepare you like you should be prepared. Our agency HAPS and Kathy were amazing. The support and guidance was fantastic. I call Kathy my Mom.


Another thing that I was prepared for was the people of their country not supporting me or liking us...well it really isn't like that. I mean, we did encounter people who weren't very nice, but I get that here too. The culture is different, yes. The people act different, yes. The food is different, yes. Really though, I feel kind of guilty. It was hard being away from my family for almost four weeks (I hated being away from them,) but it was necessary to bring our girls home. I feel guilty because it wasn't as bad or as hard as some regions have had it. The team there, like I said was wonderful. Our drivers were kind. The staff at the Peking Hotel was wonderful to us and the girls. Our land lord Irina, was fantastic. When Matthew was gone, she took me to the theater and to the ski slopes for exercise. Included in the apartment was two trips to the grocery (she takes you for free and you pay for the groceries.) I drove in the car with her and her husband to the theater. He is a well known surgeon is their country. To me, that was privilege. We also met a wonderful woman by the name of Melody and her husband Paul. They have the cutest children. They prayed with us and invited me over for dinner. She even helped me get new hats for the girls when the orphanage director got upset with us because she said the hats were not warm enough. We had them over the night before we left and ordered pizza. Then I met Catherine and Karen, who took me to church while I was there. It was very helpful. On the last day in their country we took them to Hard Rock Cafe. I had only ate out really twice since being there, so we wanted to take the girls somewhere to celebrate. It was really fun for all of us. The girls loved the waitresses. They talked to them in their native language. Phoebe tried Macaroni and Cheese for the first time and Bella played with HER balloon.

Transition with the girls has been a little on the harder side. Now, I will say for the ones who will jump on that statement and have a field day...it's not what you think. It has been hard to see Phoebe cry in her sleep. It is hard when they get upset and cry. Bella is so tiny and she cannot chew and she has to eat pureed foods at 3. They both grind their teeth. Phoebe is showing a lot of institutional behaviors. You have to understand that they are in a whole different time zone and a whole different routine. It is getting better. It is going to be a long road, but one we have been prepared to handle. We are not new to these type of issues. It can be done. It will be done. We will do what we need to do to help them. We have only been home two days. Our family is already falling in love with them.

I will try to keep you updated between work and getting the kids settled in. My oldest daughter is preparing for college. So, between getting all the kids to their appointments and our oldest ready for college, we will be pretty busy. We just want to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. Without you, this never would have happened. We love you all for that!!

God Bless,
Lisa

Going To Church

The first visit here to our girls city, we met a couple who were from Canada/Australia. They help teach the Bible here in the country. Very nice family with two beautiful children. The wife, Melody, told me about a couple of women who work for the Madonna House. They both are Catholic. Melody and I met up with Catherine and had tea. Then Catherine and I went to church. The church was consecrated Catholic, but during a certain time in history, it was taken away from the Catholic Church. There was a piano built on the altar. They changed the windows from the religious symbols and now use it as a concert hall. The Catholic Church rents the building out to hold service there. I felt extremely privileged to be able to attend church here today. Although the whole service was in Russian, I didn't feel the need to follow along in the English version of the service. I just really felt like I needed to watch the Priest. It was educational and just where I needed to be today. Receiving communion was a true blessing. God puts people in places sometimes for us. I thank God for letting me do this today.

Only A Few More Days!!

ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS AND THEY ARE "ORPHAN'S NO MORE!!"

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday with Phoebe. We tried on her coat and clothes we bought for Gotcha Day. We were told the coat wasn't warm enough, but I assured them we weren't going to be running around outside and we would keep her warm. (It is a thick Carter's snowsuit BTW.) She was quite happy as you can see. I think she will be my dress up girl.

Today and tomorrow I will spend with Bella. Today was her 3rd birthday. I tried her clothes on her and she wasn't to excited about it. She would have much rather played with the talking Russian Cat we bought for her. She really likes it. She's more into the musical toys though. She also loves blocks and the shape sorter toys. Oh, and balls are always a big hit too.

Monday is Gotcha Day. I cannot wait to get them home. Monday-through Saturday will be crazy days of paper chasing. So, I will post as I can. I haven't posted much, because I haven't been doing much. Not only is is freezing (-17F)I am also trying to save money. We came with less then we needed, so being frugal is a must.

I want to thank everyone for anything they did for us. If it be by prayer, good wishes, donations, or kind words to keep our spirits up...we appreciate EVERYTHING!! God bless you!

Remember When I Said??

Remember when I said she was a work of art? Well Miss Bella has totally changed. Our first visit she wasn't very active. She just wanted to lay there. She didn't smile much. Today she is still changing. Bella smiles. She talks to herself in the mirror and makes all kind of sounds. Bella even got up to the couch and pulled herself up. She is playing with toys. We are so lucky to have found her and Phoebe.

Phoebe doesn't seem to have any issues with chewing. I gave her this banana and she devoured it. I am so glad she will do well with that. This little girl can walk and she is very strong willed. I have a feeling she is going to be so much fun!

I want everyone to know that the orphanages here have been very nice to us. The girls seem to be happy. We even got to see Bella's groupa today. I GOT TO MEET LANGLEY...SOMEONE GO GET HIM PLEASE!!!!! Hopefully tomorrow we will get to see Phoebe's groupa and bed. It means a lot to me to have this ability to know where they have spent their lives.

So I Ventured Out...

Our landlord to our apartment asked me if I wanted to go hiking. I of course jumped at the chance to get out. This apartment is very nice...but you can only be cooped up for so long.

She took me to a local ski resort. The altitude was high and it was majorly cold. If you know me personally you know that I am a warm weather kind of girl. I couldn't help at be awed by the beauty here in Siberia. Well, I have two beautiful princesses that come from here, but the scenery is amazing.

We walked up a hill for awhile and I felt like my lung was going to burst from the cold. We walked for a little while longer and went inside the ski rental place to get warm.

We then went on a ski lift to get to the top of the hill. It stopped on the way up. I couldn't help but laugh. I just smiled and for once wasn't afraid. God has pulled me through so much already...no fear. God has this under control...

When we got to the top I took some pictures. I am sort of afraid of heights, especially when I don't have something under my behind, but it was so amazingly beautiful I had to take pictures anyways.

After hiking on a trail and getting tea to get warm, we went back down the ski lift and went back to the apartment. I wanted to get Borscht, but the bistro is closed. So maybe I will do that tomorrow. I think I will call my missionary friends and see what they are up to tomorrow or the next day. I get to see Bella in the morning. I might get to see where she has slept her whole life. That to me is going to be very important. My girls life here is something I never want to forget.

Phoebe and Bella

I haven't posted since court because I guess I really haven't been sure what to post. There is so much information that I probably couldn't fit it all on this blog. Court was scary. I mean, we were prepared for the worst. Matthew was prepared to speak, but when they asked which one wanted to speak...he looked at me and said please, so I did. I can remember thinking my back hurt because I was standing so straight. I was sweating and sure that I was beginning to stink. It went amazingly well. The judge was strict, but fair. We were prepared. That is what happens when you have a great agency and great facilitators.

Matthew left the next day after court. After he left, I went to see Phoebe. That girl is a hoot. I admit, I don't like being alone. I spent the last night in the hotel by myself. I got up the next morning and our facilitator helped me with my bags. We went to see Bella. Bella has changed so much. The first day we met she just laid there in my arms. Now, she plays. She smiles. She imitates. Bella was even looking at herself in the shine of the piano and making all kinds of sounds. She was dancing. Bella truly is changing. After my visit with Bella, our facilitator helped me move to the apartment. It is really nice. That afternoon, the landlord took me to the grocery. I was excited to find Mt.Dew. I prefer Diet, but I am not going to complain. Today I saw Phoebe again. She was full of energy. I took a banana for her to eat so I could see how she did chewing. She devoured it. Phoebe doesn't seem to have any issues chewing. There was a little boy visiting with his family (from Spain.) Phoebe took it upon herself to go over and knock over his blocks. He didn't like it very much. I told Phoebe to be nice and she smacked me in the face. I told her, "Nyet." Phoebe just looked at me like..."Why not?" I don't want her to think it is ok to do that. So I am sure it is going to take some gentle and kind redirection for her to learn that it isn't ok to hit. They are both great. Really, they are.

Being alone in a foreign country is different. I want to get outside and walk. To view things. It truly is a learning experience. Although I would like to, I most likely won't. My safety mode says no. I feel safe in the apartment...but there is something about walking the streets alone in a foreign country that tells me not to. This city is neat. There are a lot of things to see. To explore. There are plenty of places to eat. There are a lot of shops. There is a zoo. Not to mention historic stuff. There are no visits during the weekend, so I probably won't post much. Unless I decide to venture out.

I wanted to say thank you to everyone that has supported us throughout the adoption process. If it be by a kind word, prayers, donations...whatever. It all has made a difference. I cannot wait until we take them home forever.

We Would Like to Introduce.....

Introducing Phoebe Anastasia Smith
Born April 18, 2009--Adopted into our family December 6, 2011


Introducing Isabella Daria Smith
Born December 15, 2008--Adopted into our family December 6, 2011

Our Court Trip...1st Visit With Phoebe

Just a short post because we are studying for court and because we are pooped. We wanted to let you know Phoebe is WALKING!! We also learned today that her Grandma and Mother have been visiting regularly, not sure what that means...I can't imagine not having her in my life, but at this point God has this in control. I am hoping it means that we will be able to adopt her and that we will be able to let them know how she is through our facilitator. She has a cold and is congested. Poor kiddo, but she still is able to smile. Nothing a good vicks vapor bath won't cure. Thanks everyone for your prayers. Court in two days!!!

Our Court Trip...1st Visit With Bella

I am so sorry about not updating. Things have been really busy. The first night we flew into the capital city and had medicals the next day. That night we flew into the girls home city and visited with Bella. It is the middle of the night and we are up studying for court. Today we will visit with Phoebe and prep for court again. I will try to add pictures and short posts until after court. Then I will give you all the details. In the meantime..enjoy these pics of our girl.

Puzzle Pieces For Our Girls (Hoping to Fill Every Piece)

This puzzle has been hanging around for awhile. We started this fundraiser a few months after we committed to Yana. We have sold a total of 125 pieces. We planned on running it until she comes home, sadly she isn't (at least not right now.) I thought about just stopping it, but the show must go on. We need to sell 425 more pieces at $5 each. That would make us an additional $2125 for our adoption of Phoebe +1. For every $5 donated you will get your name on the back of a puzzle piece. The winner will be drawn when all puzzle pieces are sold or when Phoebe +1 comes home. Your name will be highlighted. The puzzle will be put together by our family. It will then be framed with the wood of your choice with glass on the back and front (by Bryan's Framing here in Zanesville, OH.) That way you will see what piece you played in Phoebe and Daria's future. God bless and thank you so much for all of your support! Let's get selling-only 435 pieces to go!! All donations are tax deductible.

Bella's Birthday Celebration Donation

Our little Bella (Daria) is having her 3rd birthday on December 15th. Can you help celebrate her birthday by donating $3 in her name to the white box on the right or go to our fsp page and donate? I cannot wait to celebrate her birthday with her. No more birthdays without her family!!! The nice thing is-we will be there to celebrate with her (well Daddy will be home with the rest of the kids...but Mommy will be!!!) We are still $7739 short of what we need to bring her and her sister home. Every donation counts!!!!

We Have A Court Date!!!

It is December 6th! Praying for miracles for the judge to rule in our favor, for the documents they want redone to be easy ones, for the $7739 we still need to be here in God's timing and for a quick trip so we can be home with our other kiddos for Christmas!

The Past Couple Weeks

This past couple of weeks has been getting our dossier ready and sent. Then applying for a grant/loan through A Child Waits Foundation. We should hear the preliminary yes or no this week. Our oldest had some serious soccer games these past two weeks. The ending left me a little bitter. I am a Mom and I don't think she got what she deserved. The worst thing is seeing your daughter upset. I can tell you carrying around that bitter feeling has taken a lot out of me the last couple days. It zaps you. I prayed today for God to help me help myself to let it go. God knows I am human and I am a mother. I know feeling like this is normal. That look you see when you look into your daughters eyes and they are hurt. It's just a little tough to let go. Yes, like I said, I am working on it.

We are about $7739 away from being funded (thanks to a donation from BioPlastics and a dear friend)...barring any crazy fees or huge airfare hikes. We need our white button to the right to say $28,813 to be where we need to be. I am really hoping for the grant/loan to come through. This week we should have our littlest girls' room ready. We picked up their beds last week. We have their bed sets ready. We just need to paint and set up. For those people who say you can't love a child you only met or visited for four days-maybe for you or others, but for me and my husband it is possible. I know we didn't give birth to them, but the feeling is the same as the very first second you set your eyes on your newborn as they placed him or her in your arms. We love these little girls very much. It's not just about getting them for me or us. It's not about the fact that they make us so happy (which they do,) but it's about two little girls who need a family. It's about two little girls that will grow and be loved. It's about the fact that we have open arms waiting for them. It's about two little girls who we know will have issues, but are willing to accept them. It's about two little girls who will need us to have patience along with the love. It's about two little girls God brought to us. A beautiful little blonde and brunette who without finding a family and being adopted, will have no chance at a life outside of an orphanage. To me that is enough. Two little special enoughs. They are enough. Exactly enough. No matter what anyone thinks or ponders, we love these little girls and cannot imagine our lives without them.

Dossier Sent To The Agency

Our second dossier has been sent to the agency. Monday we went to get everything apostilled and it was not an easy day. The copies of Ohio birth certificates didn't work. So, we had to go and get 4 birth certificates for our children born in Ohio, take them back and have them apostilled. It was a fixable problem...but nothing is ever painless. We are ok with that. God has given us the ways to fix the problems. Got to have labor pains somehow, right? So, now we are praying that none of the paperwork is wrong. Our visa apps have been sent. We are back to trying to figure out how to get the rest of the money we need for the adoption. God has shown me he is here many times through this adoption. I know he will work it out in his own due time. We thought we were down to needing $7,913...but I forgot to add the girls tickets home...so we are back to needing about $9,833. Asking people for help all the time is really humbling, but to get to my girls is what we have to do, so ask away we must. Please continue to pray and spread the word if you can. To get to where we need to be...the white box to the right should say $28,813. I know it can happen. I just know it can. Somehow, someway it will.

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Getting Closer

Due to our last donation of $2,500 from the Buddy Walk of North Canton and the continued prayers/donations from our friends & family-we are now only $7,913 away from our goal for our court trip. We hope to have our documents completed and off to our agency on Monday or the latest on Tuesday. Thank you all so much! I am going to post a prayer to St. Anthony:

Wondrous Saint Anthony, glorious for the fame of your miracles, you had the happiness of receiving in your arms our blessed Lord as a little child. Obtain for me from His mercy this favor that I desire from the bottom of my heart: that we are able to complete our adoption of Phoebe and Isabella and bring them home safely all together as a family.

Since you were so gracious to poor sinners, do not regard the lack of merit on the part of him who calls upon you, but consider the glory of God, which will by exalted once more through you, by the salvation of my soul and the granting of the petition that I now earnestly present to you.

As a pledge of my gratitude, I beg you to accept my promise to live henceforth more faithfully according to the teaching of the Gospel and to be devoted to the service of the poor whom you ever loved and still love so much. Bless this my resolution and obtain for me the grace to be faithful to it till death. Amen.

In Exactly Two Months

In exactly two months, my Isabella Daria will be 3 years old. 3 years without a family. 3 years of no birthday cakes. 3 years of no presents. 3 years of it passing without a celebration. This year I hope and pray to God that the situation changes. I hope that either we are there with her on her birthday or we are on our way home. Right now we are $10,448 away from having what we need to travel. We hope and pray that somehow, someway it all is there when we need it. Phoebe's is in April. Two little girls who prayerfully will not have to spend another birthday without their family (US!!)

The Second Trip

WE DO NOT HAVE OVER 16K IN OUR FSP ANYMORE-A GREAT DEAL OF IT WAS USED IN THE FIRST TRIP. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR WHAT WE NEED FOR THE SECOND TRIP. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!




We are chest deep in paperwork..trying to get it done. We want nothing more then to get there as soon as we can. I actually sat down and was able to figure out what we are looking at money wise for the second trip. For the second trip, Matthew is going to go home after the court date. Praying that it is in our favor, I will stay and visit with the girls daily as he goes home to be with the kids. After the 10 day wait is up, Matthew will return to help get the girls ready to come home. Now, I have done many things...but taking care of two 2 year olds, my suitcases and theirs, immigration and customs...etc etc Well, I don't think one person can manage it alone. So, he will return. This estimate may be on the low side or the high side. It helps to have been there before. If it goes down or up I will let you know. If we somehow find more money on our own, I will let you know that too. So, here it goes:

$4,200 AIRPLANE TICKETS (1400 for both of us round trip and a second trip for my husband)
$4,000 FOREIGN FEE
$2,000 ORPHANAGE DONATION
$2,000 FOR OUR MEDICAL EXAMS
$2,300 FOR TRANSPORTATION ($100 Each day for approx 23 days)
$808 FOR THE GIRLS VISAS
$300 FOR THE GIRLS MEDICAL EXAMS
$2,300 FOR MEALS (About $100 a day...but if my husband and I have to we can do with less)
$2,760 FOR LODGING (About $120 a day)
$600 FOR OUR VISAS
_____________________

$21,268 (GUESSTIMATE)
-10,450 (What we have in our fsp and grant money)
________

$10,818

So there you have it. God's will, God's bill right?

I just want them home. My family and friends know that. God knew that before I did. Prayers are deeply appreciated. Oh, and for those of you that feel the need to post something nasty..don't bother. It won't make it past the editing floor.

Since We've Came Home

It has been a really busy week. We got home at probably 2 a.m.Sunday morning. I had to work Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon I was wiped out. I was having trouble getting to sleep because of the time change. Finally we got a good nights sleep and were beginning to feel better. Wednesday the youngest boys had a field trip to the pumpkin patch. Wednesday night our oldest son had a football game. I stayed up that night to finish my daughters Senior Soccer Collage. Thursday I slept in and did some chores, then Thursday night was my daughters Senior night at her soccer game. Then I had to work again today. Needless to say it has been a busy week. It's good to be home. I missed my kids, but my heart is breaking for my little babies across the sea. I have emails for what paperwork is ahead of us. Boy does it feel overwhelming, but it can be done. After all, we have two faces to connect to every t crossed and i dotted. There is a absolute, real, concrete reason to do these papers. They are not fictional or a dream. There are two little girls living their lives out in an orphanage that need a family. That is the reason the paperwork has to be done.

Many people has asked what the country was like. It was different. The food was good, but different. The people didn't smile much in public, but the ones close to you do. They have Coke and Pepsi. They drive really fast...I mean really fast. Sometimes making up their own rules I think. They do dress in darker clothing, but they do wear colors. What I found fascinating was the huge heels a lot of the women wear. Also, they eat meat and cheese with every meal. Seriously, I could get used to that. That's one thing I don't get...how do a lot of the women stay so thin?? Please, give me the details. In the city it is really busy and fast paced, but when leaving the city you see farms and land. We even went by a farm where they were digging up potatoes by hand. We saw some really neat monuments of times present and past, but I cannot really say because I do not want to take any chances. Someday I will explain what I saw.

I have been thinking a lot about the girls. How I absolutely hate that they are in an orphanage. How I hate how they don't have their own things. How I hate that they have lived their lives without a family. How I hate that they don't get rocked to sleep at night and have to soothe themselves in whatever way they find soothing. How sometimes its survival of the fittest. How I hate that people can't see them for the God given gifts that they are. Then I remember that although I hate these things, I cannot really judge someone or another country for the way they do things. Do I think it's right? No. Do I like it? No. Do I wish it could be different? Yes.

We used a great deal of our fsp for our first trip. I am not sure what we need to finish our adoption money wise. I haven't had time to figure it out. I am going to try and sit down on Tuesday to figure it up. I will post it here for the ones that want to know. We love our little girls so much. I cannot imagine our lives without them. For the ones that question why we don't adopt here. We have. It's not about where a child is from for us. It's about the plain and simple fact that if they don't find a family to be adopted, they are transferred. They lose their chance as they get older to find a family. There are no second chances. Adoption into a family or no other choice. Children with special needs and adult with special needs have a place here. For me, that is all that matters. I want my girls to have a family and a place...just like they have found a place in our hearts.

Day Five...The Last Day

When we woke up this morning it was raining. Now all week it was sunny and nice outside, but today it was crappy outside. Kind of fit my mood. We were both pretty sad that this would be the last day for a few weeks. I cannot explain the feeling. The only real way to understand is if you have been here before.

We got to see Phoebe first. She was happy as usual. Laughing and playing with us like it was the best thing on Earth. This girl loves to be tickled and she loves to play like it's going out of style. Did I mention she loves her Daddy? After the visit was over today she did something she hasn't done before. The caregiver wanted to take her and Phoebe shook her head no. Be still my heart. Of course she eventually went with her, but it made us feel good to know she wanted to be with us.

After the visit was over we went to buy a couple gifts for the kids at home and went to the notary. We signed the papers saying we want to adopt the girls. Yes, I know it's not final until court.

After that we took our long trip to see Isabella. She was a whole different kiddo today. She played with both of us! Not just Mommy!! Isabella and Daddy had some play time today.This girl loves to pop bubbles. Isabella loves to play ball. She and Ethan will have a blast!!
All to soon her visit was over too. I hugged her tightly and told her I loved her. When they took her out of the room she waved goodbye. The assistant head doctor stopped and said last week she didn't smile, she didn't interact or show emotion. Now she is smiling, playing and even waving... I told you she was a work of art!!

We came back to the hotel after the 1 1/2 hour drive. We went out to eat. We met a couple that are missionaries in this city. He was from Australia and she was originally from Canada. They said a prayer for us. Thank you God for sending people just when we need them. Tomorrow we start our trek home to the states. Please pray for a safe return, that our girls will be safe while we are gone and that somehow the paperwork/money stuff gets done when it needs to be done. Thank you all for everything!!

Day Four

I am a little slow posting on here. Cannot figure out what to say really. I just want BOTH of my girls home. Like now. Our visit with Phoebe went well today, but when we knew it was coming to a close we both started crying. Matthew had tears rolling down his face dropping onto his shirt. It was tough. A person from the DOE sat in our visit today. She was pleased with our visit and said Phoebe reminded her of a typical child. Phoebe is just a rock star, that's all. A very super special rock star with an extra chromosome. We gave her this therapy tool and well, let's just say she isn't parting with it. This kid makes some simply hilarious faces. She is a true character. Phoebe loves to be tickled and she has this huge belly laugh. Can I just wrap her up and take her home?? Please?? All to soon it was over and they said for us to say Goodbye. How do you do that? My biggest fear is that she will think we are giving up and not coming back. I want this girl to know we will do everything we can to get back to her and her sister Isabella. They told us we were getting to visit with her again. We were so happy. Tour the city or see Phoebe??? Well, that is a no brainer for us. Of course we want extra time to see her. Now, I want all people to know that this doesn't mean that we love her more then Isabella, no way shape or form is that the truth. We love both of them equally. It just doesn't make sense to be here and not see her if we can. Understand??

We went out to eat at Mama Roma's for lunch. The facilitator said it is good luck for the families to eat there before court. Umm, well of course we will eat there. We need all the luck we can get. We went back to the hotel and off to visit with Isabella. She was much more receptive to her Daddy today. When she sees me she jumps right into my arms and smiles the biggest grin. This kid is going to be a work of art. She will blossom and get more beautiful with each stroke (step, growth, new skill, more kisses...etc.) Bella loved the balls. Especially if it included me being right beside her. Her Daddy played with her on this big ball and she loved it. Can you tell I love this kid?? She is a gem. I know it is going to take time for her to get used to life outside of here, but I can feel it. I can feel this radiant little girl inside of her. It is already showing itself in just the few short hours we have spent with her. Can you imagine what she will be like once she gets to explore the world??

Today is our last day here in the girls country. We have visits with both and will visit the notary to sign papers. It's not the official end, that will be court, but it's one step closer in making them U.S. citizens!!! Thanks for the continued prayers and love!! The sooner we get the paperwork done and the money raised...the sooner they will break free!!!!!