Miracles really do happen

A few weeks ago Rachel (another adoptive mommy from RR) asked me if we would like to get together before we move and I said yes so she said she would ask another adoptive mommy Lyndi if she would also like to get together and what day works best. So we chose today, and we were calling it an "Orphan No More Party" Another really big part of today was 1 year ago today Andrew and I stood in front of a judge and she pronounced us the parents of Ellee Elizaveta Lane and Johannah Dasha Lane. One of the best days of our life! So today couldn't have been a better day to have a play date and for us to celebrate! (even though some of it was sad because we are moving so far away from them) To see 5 former Ukrainian orphans all in the same room, seeing so much change in all of them, and seeing the love that everyone of them had in their eyes. People that say miracles don't exist or don't happen anymore should have been in that room today, but since they weren't I have a picture that proves Miracles really do happen and they happen everyday all around the world!

Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love

A year ago today 2 little girls walked into a room and my world changed forever. It is hard to believe that a year ago my girls were in an orphanage, and a year later they are sleeping soundly in their bed right now. The last year has been such a blessing! Ellee and Johannah have changed in so many ways. They have the biggest and best smiles. They love unconditionally! They can turn any day that I am having into an even better day. They give the best hugs and kissses. They are my miracles, and blessings! I love my girls so much and can't thank God enough for them.

Valentine's Day

Today was our first Valentine's Day with Ellee and Johannah. On Valentine's Day last year we had our SDA appoinment and then went to TGIF to meet with other adopting families. I kept asking Andrew how he was going to top this year because last year was so good, but I have to say that this year I actually was able to get my girls up out of bed, hug and kiss them, and they are here with me, last year I was so close to them but hadn't actually met them yet. So this year was pretty Great! :) Johannah had to stay home from school today because she had a croupy kind of cough and had been up all the night before coughing to the point of vomiting so I kept her home, sad that she didn't get to go to her first school Valentines party but her health is more important, Ellee came home with lots of candy and evidence of sugary substances all over her lol... After school I had to run home and wash my hair because one of my students' got icing in my hair because we were playing around, so before we went out I wanted to wash it out. I got the girls' all dressed up and then we went out to eat. We went to Chili's and had an amazing meal. Afterwards we took the girls shopping and got them a few new outfits. It was an Amazing, Great Day!!!

Kisses from Johannah

Cheesy smile from Ellee

1 year ago today (I know such a flashy title :)

1 year ago today we were flying to Ukraine to meet our daughters for the first time. It's hard to believe some days that it has been a year and at other times, it is like they have been here forever. A friend on my facebook reminded me of what they said about Ellee, that she was nonverbal, unteachable, and will be a burden for the rest of her life. How sad! But boy do I wish they could see her now, to see them now. Ellee is forming sentences, she can say her abc's and recognizes those letters, she can write her name, she can put hard puzzles together by just looking at the shape, she can show emotions that she used to not be able to show. She loves the Wheels on the bus song, she loves to sing and dance and much more (but I have to save some for Gotcha Day anniversary). Johannah is learning her abc's, she loves to sing and dance, her favorite song is Bumblebee, her favorite book is Quack, Quack. They are happy, full of smiles, can be stubborn, love to eat, loves to role play, have the best laughs in the world, and can make you turn your frown upside down with just one of their great smiles, hugs and kisses.
If you missed our journey this time last year you can read that here

and a year ago today...

At this time last year... Read Here what we were doing ;)

1 year ago today

Read last years posts from 1 year ago today here and here



Wow the memories....

yuck yuck and yuck

The last week has been rough. On Wednesday of last week my throat started to hurt and I thought oh no please don't let me be getting sick, I have too much to do. Two beautiful little girls who needs mommy to be 100%, still have to work, a house to pack up, suppers to cook, laundry to wash, baths to be given, and the list goes on. By Friday I was miserable, and by Saturday I couldn't move off the couch. I slept most of the day and was so thankful that Andrew was home. My hubby cooked supper and lets just say Good try honey ;) Sunday I had to get up because Andrew had to work but I still wasn't feeling any better, but by this time Johannah and Ellee were feeling bad. So I went ahead and called my boss to let her know that I wouldn't be coming in on Monday and I called and emailed the girls' teachers. Monday we were all pretty miserable. Monday night Johannah and I were up all night coughing our heads off, Johannah's cough became more of a deep down barky cough. So Tuesday morning I called in again and off to the doctor we went. Ellee's ended up just being allergies so she is on claritan, Johannah's is borderline pneumonia :( and mine is bronchitis, so with 6 prescriptions later and 2 of us out of school/work the rest of the week we are on the road to recovery. Boy it is really hard being a sick mommy with 2 sick little ones. Plus Andrew is started to not feel well Saturday night (even though he won't fully admit it)