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.