Reflecting on 2011

2011 started out kind of rocky, My dad was in the hospital on New Years Day 2011 and on January 9th at 6:25 the most amazing person in my life passed away. My daddy who was my world, my rock, the man who would have given up everything, just like our heavenly father did, for me. I can't believe that in 9 days he will be gone a year. I miss him everyday, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. My girls know their papa's picture but I wish they could know him. He would love them and have them more spoiled then they already are. Also at this time we were having one of the snowiest winters we have had in years. We also were preparing to travel in February. On December 27th 2010 (which by the way I forgot to blog that day as being a year since we got that call I do apologize) we got the call that our SDA appointment date would be February 14th, yes Valentine's day (wonder if my hubby can top that this year hehe) and we would leave the country on the 11th and arrive in Ukraine on the 12th. 2011 brought me traveling to a different country for the first time and actually loving it and now a year later missing it and ready to go back. On February 16th 2 little girls walked into a room and completely took my breath away, and continue to do so everyday. Riding a train for the first time, eating different food, a court day, a month in country, 2 weeks without my husband, alone in a country, riding a bus by myself, walking to and from my apartment by myself, on March 11th my girls walking out an orphanage forever, the next day we took a train to the capital and for 2 days we had embassy appointments. On March 16th very early in the morning we boarded a plan and 2 flights later my girls became U.S. citizens, and 3 flights later they were HOME! 2011 brought me being a mom for the first time. I got to kiss and hug on my girls, see a whole new brightness in their eyes, got to celebrate birthdays, victories, watching them learn, kissing boo boos, I got to hold my sweet girls on my chest, nurse them back to health when they were sick, make it through 2 major surgeries without having a nervous breakdown, and best of all they were home for Christmas! They love Jesus, they love us, and their brother and sister, they love their nana, and really anyone they come in contact with. They have their good days and their bad days, there are days I want to put them back in bed roll them over and let them get up out of bed on the right side lol but I wouldn't trade any of those days for the world. 2011 has been pretty great!!! Although it started out pretty rough it ended pretty great! I can't wait to see what 2012 holds for us! Thank you Lord for your many blessings and your continued unconditional love for us!!!

Happy New Year's Everyone!!! With Love from the Lane Family!!!