Vacation 2014!

On our way!!

The gang's all here (well except for our two big boys who had to stay home to work and Henry who has a better gig)!

Time for hours of sun and fun!

A FAMILY vacation...

Where babies get so so tired...

And Mommy holds them while the sun goes down...

Have a blessed summer!

Happy 2nd Birthday Yana!!

IShe came home on December 13, 2013

She was a 3 pound 32 week preemie at birth. When we met her she was17 pounds and 29 inches. Not speaking a word. She was "delayed".

She called me "mama" on Dec. 15.

Called Paul "papa" a few days later.

Now, almost 5 months later, She weighs 22 pounds and is 32 inches tall. From 9 month size clothes to 18 month size.

She is a champion climber.

An enthusiastic eater.

She can say almost 20 words including "apple" "Ella" "me" "mine" and "bowl" and several signs including "more".

She is living large as the youngest of my 9 here on earth.

Happy Birthday my Yana Faustina...

Wishing you many many many more...

Good Friday.

Two years ago.

Every year.

Reflecting on this truth:

Logging off until Easter.

Blessed Triduum.

Sometimes you just can't turn away...

He is in an Eastern European country with a well-established adoption program that requires 2 short trips by only one parent (single women can adopt from here also)...

http://reecesrainbow.org/70652/samson-438

He reminds me of Henry <3

7 Posts in 7 Days... Day 7!

I had so many amazing events and deep thoughts to share on this last post of Day 7....

About how so many people came together to fully fund my friend Amy's adoption of her precious son with ds from China...

About how Lent starts Wednesday and how I am choosing to spend these 40 Days in the "classroom of silence" seeking His Will in my daily life caring for and loving my family...

But it's time to snuggle on the couch and watch "Wreck It Ralph" with the kiddies...

So I will leave you with the extreme cuteness of what happens when you get adopted into a family with "creative" older brothers and sisters...

You have lots of fun every single day!!

Thanks for sharing every day with us this last week!

7 Posts in 7 Days... Day 6!

We met our goal for Amy and her boy in mere hours!!

So I owe you guys <3

Victoria Catherine is 11 years old...

She is on the left and my 9yo Ella is on the right...

They have become fast friends.

She prefers to be called "Vika" (pronounced "VEE-ka")

She likes playing with her little brother and sister from Ukraine...

She loves the rest of her siblings as much as chocolate :-)

She is going to school and is learning TONS of English...and making many friends...

We are SO happy to have Vika here in our family!!

Thank you for helping Amy bring her son home from China into her family!!

One more time:

http://reecesrainbow.org/73447/sponsorboroughs-3

Have a fun and refreshing Saturday and see you tomorrow for Post #7!!

7 Posts in 7 Days... Day 5 on Day 6... And a favor!

So mea culpa...I missed yesterday...

I was traveling clear across Chicagoland to do a real estate closing for a dear friend and it took a loooong time...

But then I was lucky enough to get to have dinner with my dear sister...

And it was sooooo late when I got home...

So I owe you all a post about Victoria...

But first my Saturday FB and Bloggy friends need to do me a little favor...

My friend Amy, a momma of many including many adopted children with special needs, lives near Philly and on chilly Sunday in October 2012 came to CHOP to sit with Henry while I went to Church and to get a decent meal...

I will be forever grateful to this sister of my heart...

Her heart is SO big that even after just comparing the adoption of their daughter with Down syndrome from Bulgaria, they stepped up to be the host family last summer for a little guy from China with Down syndrome...

And he stole their hearts.

So now they need to raise the money to bring him home...

You can go to my dear friend Julia's blog HERE:

http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-big-giveaway.html?m=1

to read more and donate (tax deductible!) and share and enter to win some awesome prizes!

Or just go HERE to donate directly to their Reece's Rainbow adoption fund:

http://reecesrainbow.org/73447/sponsorboroughs-3

They are SOOOOOO close to $5,000...

When they reach $6,000 I will show you my lovely daughter Victoria...

So share away and I hope to be back soon :-) Thank you so much!!