C's First Christmas

C had a great first Christmas! Although it was surely overwhelming and confusing to him at times, he took it all in stride... even his first visit to Santa surprised us. The big kids all wanted to go see Santa, so C tagged along. We knew full well C would most likely be terrified by Santa, so we told him he did not have to sit on his lap or talk to him if he didn't want to. Once we got there, though, and he saw his brother and sister sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas, he decided he had to do the same. Before I could even snap a picture, C walked right up to Santa, allowed Santa to hoist him up on his lap, looked Santa straight in the eyes and said "TRUCK!" loudly and clearly before Santa had even spoken a single word to him. He then quickly hopped right back off of Santa's lap and calmly returned to the safety of Mommy and Daddy. Santa would never have believed C spoke only Russian just 6 months ago and has never been to visit Santa before! And guess what?

C got a truck for Christmas (actually, he got several)! Santa did not disappoint :0)

Below are some pics from our Christmas family picture-taking party. In order to get the kids to smile for the pics and to help them to see it as fun, I decided to call it a picture-taking party and let them each take a bunch of pictures. Not only did the kids have a blast, they actually took some really cute pictures! We will be using this tactic a lot more in the future! Oh- mute the music and listen to video at the end... you can hear C's Russian accent (trills his R's and says kreesmees)... so cute :0)

We hope you all had a very blessed Christmas and may your New Year be full of JOY!

Looking Back

One year ago today, I met my baby boy face to face for the very first time. So much has happened since then, and yet, it is as if time has stood still. My memories of that day are so vivid... the emotions of that day are still so raw. Today, C and I watched some of the videos we took in the orphanage last year. He seemed to show some flickers of recognition, but not much. I, on the other hand, remember it ALL.

What do I remember?
I remember my heart doing flip-flops as the van headed toward the orphanage that day.
I remember begging God to help me to know our son the moment I laid eyes on him.
I remember barely being able to contain myself as we were led into the orphanage.
I remember going up to the director's office.
I remember the director questioning us and I noticed I could see her lips moving, but I could not hear her.
I remember thinking, "When are they going to let us see him?"
I remember the office door swinging open (just a few feet away from me) unexpectedly.
I remember seeing my son's face for a brief moment (his eyes were so wide!) and then the caregiver (who was holding his hand) apologized in Russian and quickly shut the door again.
I remember knowing without a doubt C is my son.
I remember not being able to breathe.
I remember my arms aching, I wanted to scoop him up right then!
I remember the director finally let us go into the visiting room.
I remember C standing there, looking so frightened and so alone.
I remember the first moment I held him, my heart swelled with such joy!
I remember the first time I heard him laugh, just a few minutes later.
I remember leaving my son behind the very next day, knowing it would be months before I would see him again.
I remember God's promise to lead us through it all.

God kept his promise.

For I know the plans I have for you,
Declares the Lord,
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
Plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Join Me in Prayer

http://karinupdates.blogspot.com
One of the mothers in my adoption chatgroup needs your prayers. Even though I do not know her personally, I have been so very blessed by her and the encouragement she has provided to all of us in the group who have traveled down the adoption path behind her. Though she may not have even been aware of it, she provided me with strength and a will to press on many times throughout our journey to C. She is a devoted mother and wife who loves Jesus. Her joy and love of life is infectious. Her oldest son is from the same orphanage as C and she and her husband just completed the adoptions of twins from Vietnam- her husband finally got to bring their daughter home just a few weeks ago. A few months ago, Karin was diagnosed with kidney cancer and she had been battling that with fierce determination and courage. Last week, her husband posted the news that she had been hospitalized and was not expected to live. Miraculously, she is still alive today, but is in need of a miracle. Her family also needs your prayers. Please follow the link above to Karin's blog and join me in prayer.

C's First Roadtrip

C with Aunt Suzy (my sister)

It has taken me way too long to post! We have been sooooo busy with Christmas decorating, shopping, parties, and programs- I'll have to post later on that. First, let me catch you all up to speed...

We decided a few weeks ago to head out East to visit my family for Thanksgiving, so at the beginning of Thanksgiving week, we packed up (and I mean PACKED!) a rented van and headed to the East Coast. Poor C... he knew something was up and I'm sure it reminded him of flying home from Russia, so he was NOT happy before we left. I tried to explain all of it to him, but how could he possibly have understood? So he spent hours whining and clinging to me- which made it a cinch to finish packing and loading up the car... HA!!! Needless to say, I was VERY worried before we left about what he was thinking and how he would fare the 15 hour car ride and sleeping in strange places, not to mention meeting lots of adoring new family members for the first time.

Well...

C surprised all of us! As soon as he settled into the van and he saw his entire family would be going with him (his blankie and Mishka included), he did great! In fact, he is the BEST 2 year-old traveler we have ever had! We hardly ever heard a complaint out of him! He seemed to love almost every second of it. Who knew? What a far cry from the scared and angry little boy we brought home just 6 months ago! He sure didn't like ANYTHING about traveling back then and he made sure we were clear on that (not that we would have expected him to like any of it back then).

One of the best parts of the trip (besides the yummy Thanksgiving dinner and getting to introduce C to the rest of my family) was that C got to see the ocean for the first time. He had looked forward to seeing the beach and the ocean for several weeks and was just thrilled when we finally got to go there on Thanksgiving day. I cannot even imagine what he will do with himself next summer, when he can actually go in the water and play in the sand. He will be in heaven! Ever since we returned home, C regularly asks if we can go see his cousins and go to the beach. Just a few more months, buddy! :0)

One Year Ago

Last year on Thanksgiving, I was praying for news of our son. It was so hard to know he was out there somewhere, but to not know any other information about him... and then on November 30th, 2007 at 3:55 PM, we got a phone call that changed everything! We found out that our son was 19 months old and he was in Siberia! I cannot describe in words what that was like... I can only say there was so much joy in that moment! Suddenly, the son I had known only in my heart for 2 years was right there in front of me! When we went to the computer to pull up his pictures, this is what we saw...

Sing to God, sing praise to his name,

extol him who rides on the clouds-

his name is the Lord-

and rejoice before him.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families...

Psalm 68:4-6