Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Very Very Slow...

Her adoption day was the best day of my life and one of the most stressful we experienced so far!!  More to that another day!  So here goes the explanation of that day on June 10th!  (And I do not know why there is white highlighting of some of the text...sorry)

The alarm went off so early, or it felt like it!!  We got ready, but did not dress up as much as we thought we would.  I am glad..details later!  At 7:45am we got into the car to drive to Kristina’s home town.  Kinda weird!  It was a nice size town..I thought it was going to be like a little village.  But it was full of shopping opportunities that would elude me!  How sad!!  Just kidding!  The walk up to the social center building was nerve racking…the walk inside scary!  Now the walk up the stairs…well distracted us! (There were MANY)  It was nice to see the people that we saw the same day of meeting Kristina!  That helped me a lot! The chairs were arranged like a U shaped table and our chairs were right in the middle.  It really made me feel like I was on trial!!  I just wanted to run!!  Emotions were so high at least for me.  I was tired, so tired, hungry (didn't eat anything for breakfast…thought I would throw up), missing Kristina..and anxious of what the outcome was going to be.  My head was so full of all of that...In Serbia you do not have to go to court, it is just an adoption ceremony.  They read your adoption decree and you sign papers.  Sometimes you are presented with gifts, sometimes not.  And you do not have to wait to get your child...the next day is when we picked up our children.  The whole day was taken up with adoption to do lists!
Okay, the proceedings started.  I so wished we could have understood them personally and not have to listen to it translated for us.  The pages being read to us was like an eternity!!  Get it done with a hurry!  The feelings of wanting to throw up came several times to me!!  Then it happened!! (not throwing up...but the end of the ceremony)    The END…but, what happened next was about the WORST thing I could have imagined!!  They started pouring some liquid…didn’t see the bottle, so I didn’t know what I was toasting with…  Then I thought for a split second that I should pretend to drink it..split second number two, I drank it.  And I gulped it.  Death by drinking fire was sure to be written on my tombstone!!  The burning, the pain that ran from my throat all the way into my stomach, acid that made a wide path..get my explanation?  I looked at hubby and asked him if he was burning.  He said a little.  It was about 9:40am, for goodness sake!!  Handshakes and gifts later we were on our way to get her birth certificate!  But, first I needed to use that little girl’s room...  Or, the toilet I was told!  I walked in after our translator..and to my HORROR, it was one of THOSE!! (Yes, a floor toilet)  I turned around and walked right back out!  Hubby went in…he laughed when he came back out and looked at me!  I said I would try to wait.  Yeah, right!


We got to the place that had her birth certificate.  It was a hospital, I thought my chances would be great for a regular good ole’ restroom. My chances were not very good..it had a toilet, but one you stood over and with no toilet paper, which I had remembered to put in my purse..oh, forgot to tell you the door didn’t lock!!  And it also had one of THOSE as well!!  I hoped I no longer needed to use any little girl’s room until I got to Belgrade. I think, my family knows  about me and bathrooms!!  Let’s just say, camping in the woods is not my idea of fun!!

Back to the birth certificate..it was a big book, and there were records back to the 1800’s.  My goodness!!  It was then our turn to watch our lives really change forever!!  We were now the parent’s of Kristina!!  I felt funny just with a stroke of a pen two people were erased forever!  And then, we became parent’s after waiting for 17 years and 1 month!  Wow!!
 
Getting her passport was the next thing on our list!!  So fast, to be done in one day,  We stood in line for what seemed like an eternity!!  Then it was our turn,  The old lady in a pink top and black pants behind the …said NO!!  What?  What was happening?  Are you kidding me?  Hubby and I looked around in a state of confusion to what was happening… The driver acted as our translator as our translator/lawyer argued with the woman, and argued with the woman.  She went down the hall after the woman closed the door on us.  I was in a state of panic!!  The next thing I know is that the women from the social center came and started talking very LOUD!!  And one of them getting so exasperated that she turned red and started to sweat!  After all the exchange of words had happened, we were escorted to the chief of police's office.  I began to pray with tears of course, as we all know that is what I do best!!  J  Even the women from the social center smiled, I think they understood!!  All the talking and gesturing…then I had to show pictures to the chief that there was indeed a child that was wanting her passport.  The adoption decree was not good enough for THAT woman in the pink top and black pants!!  After a long time, they, the chief and his boss agreed that she could get a passport without her being there.  Oh my, I should have been on my knees!!  Oh, how thankful we were to God’s grace!!
 
We stopped at this restaurant for lupper..which is lunch/supper together in our family!! We had traditional Serbian cuisine, and it was wonderful!!  Especially the tomato and cucumber salad…as that is what I always eat in the summer!!  YUM!!  And I got to use a regular toilet...but had to pay!


Home (going back to our apartment) was the last thing on our agenda!!  And it started to rain and the downpour was like by the bucketfuls being dumped on us!  Thunder and lightening rounded out the display!!  I was dead tired!!  Emotional because we were so close by the orphanage..we could see it, but not touch it.  So that meant no daughter!  I was weepy!!  I fell asleep on the couch and went to be early!! Hubby stayed up and watched tv, or the computer screen…don’t know and really didn’t care!  J I needed sleep!
That was the drama for this day!!


Gotcha day...(day we took Kristina out of the orphanage forever!)

The doctor’s appointment was at 9:30am, so we got to pick Kristina up early.  She was fine..and very glad to see us!  We loaded up her toys that we left with her..and then ALL of the medicine that she comes with!  Oy,  Big load that is!!!  Whoa!!

After we got her loaded in the taxi, with all of her things..we headed over to see the doc.  I was worried because she is sick.  They are giving her Amoxicillin...   But, I was concerned that because she sounded so bad..that the doctor would say something.  But got an okay!  Then the ride to our lawyer/translator to finish all of the documents..so glad to be done and then on with the visa appt.

We had the chance to go and have lunch and we tried to lay Kristina down for a little nap, she fought us..of course since she hadn’t see us in two days!  UGH!!  So we got up and decided to walk to the US Embassy.  We thought she might fall asleep in the horrible stroller we bought!!  She did not, but we got the exercise.  It only took us about 25 mins.  The apt was for 2pm, and we got there at 1:30pm.  Waiting was a little nerve racking…then we were allowed in.  Our turn came, but not until 2:40pm.  Door 8 was where we were told to go.  The man inside was not happy to see Kristina.  He said that the child is not present during the first visit.  Okay, news to me.  We brought all the paperwork and then he told us that there is a problem with the paperwork.  And there was only two things that were an issue and he had to consult with his colleague. We waited for 1.5 hours.  Kristina had only one flare up of being crabby and one poopy diaper.  We sang, read books, talked and we were quite calm.  Then his colleague came and started talking to us about those 2 issues.  We tried to understand about the issues, and tried to explain and clarify things.  She said she agreed with us, but had to check with Washington.  As in, Washington D.C.  My heart sank and I was scared.  I felt like a criminal..and I was an American citizen!  And later hubby said the same thing to me!  She said they would call us and let us know what Washington said.  Well, I asked her what if they said “no”?  And she said well then one of you would have to stay here for 2 years.  She then said, we have to wait and she would send the email right away.

Are you still with me?  Hubby and I were so upset…many emotions.  Anger, that we had a problem. Horror about the fact we could be separated.  Disbelief that we had issues with the visa.  Sadness, about the whole thing,  then having to wait until the next day to find out. 

Defeat seemed to loom at every step we took!  Having faith was what we needed most..and it was hard to bring it to the surface!  Fear really shook us.  Minutes and minutes went by before we shook everything off!  We walked home and relieved some emotion.  I made something to eat, don’t even remember what I fixed.  Oh, yeah, something that Kristina wouldn’t eat.  She played for awhile, then had her beloved bath and went off to bed.  Not happy at all!!!  Hubby and I were still struggling not to let Satan get in our way.  He was pushing us with all of his strength!  And we were pushing back.  Praying was being done and the struggles were tough.  It was like, leave us alone..and God would you bring us this far to not let it happen now?  Maybe, I am meant to stay here to be a light shining for Jesus.  I was afraid, and really don’t want to be without my husband!!  Especially, because we are new parents of a beautiful, lively, little girl with the biggest brown eyes you ever did see!!  

We went to bed praying and praying thru the night!!  Our God reigns!!  Things will be the way they should be and the way God wants them to be, no matter what!!

I added gotcha day on as well...adoption is not for the weary or faint at heart!!!  We clung to God and knowing that we trusted him completely for the outcome.  No matter what!!  I asked God if I could please become a mother...but I didn't put a time limit on it, like I wanted to be a mother for fifty years...  So if I was only a mother for a short time, then I was thankful for him answering my prayer in the first place.  Understand?  More to come later....  A long fight!

Sunday, June 10, 2012


Way Behind...

Sorry, things have been so crazy here!  We are trying to get into a groove since school let out.  Like getting all the ants out of their pants!  Now we are pretty much over that!  I missed her gotcha day on Thursday...and I will post about that.  Today happens to be her America day as we call it.  The day she flew in and became an American citizen!  That's for another day!

This is from the weekend we got her before she was ours!



(Can't get the pics to go with the paragraphs!!  Sorry!!!)

We woke up to a giggling little girl!!  She was so happy to see us!!  We all cuddled in bed before we got up.  Mommy made breakfast...all of us still in our pj's!  Then we got ready for a walk...we walked a short walk about 15 blocks, Kristina just wasn't in the mood.  She came home and played with her toys.  She loves cupboards!!  Thankfully this apt has many on her level.  So she is in 7th heaven!

We did her treatments...mommy was working on laundry and tata (Serbian for daddy) was the busy go between!  He took out the garbage!!  Wahoo!!  ;)  Just kidding, tata works hard!!  I was the busy little housewife and mother.  I cleaned and did laundry. I know how to do laundry now!!  WAHOOOOOO  We have a vacuum for the floors and I had the windows open for the outside laundry smell!

Tata got out the little DVD player to see how she would like it..we hoped a lot since we wanted to have it as a distraction on the plane.  I even got out the headphones for her.  Her favorite spot is her tata's lap!  She was sprawled out in his lap with her hands on her checks watching Little Bear.  And her tata watched it without the sound.  I did the email catching up and enjoyed the time...

Nap time was a breeze!!  She went off cheerfully to take a nap!  She slept and mama and tata watched the movie The Terminal with Tom Hanks!!  Awesome movie!!  Then Kristina woke up changed her, gave her a snack, and went for another walk..about the same as before.  We did not carry her as much as she wanted..She needs the exercise as much as we do!!

After we got home...she played and tata and mommy started supper.  We wanted to have Sunday night pizza night, as Dan's parent's had done.  You should have seen the pizza I made.  We bought this, what I thought was pizza like sauce...seasoned.  Well, it was like ketchup..regular old ketchup!  What a disappointment!!  Anyway, I bought pizza cheese thanks to a woman before me at the meat counter, because she asked for it first.  We had this, I don't know...kinda a cross between a hot dog and pepperoni.  So, I cut the bread  (oh, the bread!!  it is delicious) like having french bread pizza.  It was actually very good.  Well, our little Kristina still does not really like chunky food...so, mommy had rice left over and she added some milk, that hot doggie cut in micro peices, and added the pizza cheese.  Oh and I added some green beans!  She loved her meal!!  She ate like 1 1/2 bowls full.  The happiness on her face was priceless!!

Kristina played a little with this little doll and she was taking care of her.  Then it was her bath time!  My gosh, you would have thought we offered her the moon.  She got in and started playing with her toys.  I always wash her first...then she has the rest of the time to play and won't be interrupted.  But, we did bother her, I took pictures and we were talking to her.  We got her to say hello...she waved and was soooo cute.  It's a whirlpool tub and her little head is the only thing you see...you have to see her!  She played for a long time...then we said time to get out and she went right to tata and mommy got her ready for bed. After she played with tata and then got some lovin's from mama then she went of to bed..

She went off to bed just fine but she got a little noisy before she finally fell asleep.  When we went to make sure she was sleeping we noticed that she had wrapped her babo (baby doll) in a burp rag...Oh, was that to die for!!  That is my baby taking care of her baby!!  :)  So as a gramma of a babo, I was so proud!!

We wanted to watch another movie..as this cable has MUCH to be desired!!  Oh, man.ick!!  The movie was a Hallmark, The Love Letter.  Very good, my husband's favorite and it is a chick flick..but it is quite good!!  We both fell asleep!  UGH!!  Parenting is ????, but it makes you tired!  I can't believe the rest of you with multiple kids!  Some day, that will be us...but wow... when you have kids...such a different life!  And mine's a girl!  So like me...can't believe it!!  But, she actually has some of her tata's traits as well!

God, is such an AWESOME God...I know I have said that before!!  But, every little detail!!  She even picks and moves things with her feet!  Same as her mother (me)!!  My husband freaked!!  She loves to primp in the mirror!  We have a mirror door on the wardwrobe/closet that is about 3 feet wide by 12ish tall!  She is a girly girl..but can also get dirty!!  She is fascinated with the kitchen...I know this is all new to her..She is adorable!  Oh, LOVES lipstick!!  Mommy has a fetish with that too.  I brought several shades!  She has worn 2.  And best of all, she has a shoe fetish as well!!  :)

That was the end of day 15..a pretty much perfect Sunday.  We missed going to church!!  And I wished I didn't have to do laundry, as we try really hard not to work on Sunday's.  But, I was ill on day 14, so day 15 was the day.  It really was a beautiful day!

 Here is the day we had to bring her back to the orphanage after our weekend with her!

We woke up to little Miss Kristina giggling, and it was soo cool!  She came and snuggled again.  She had breakfast again in her pj's !  She got ready..while mom took forever!  I don't know if she understood what was happening.  I think she thought she going for a walk.

Anyway, I packed a couple of outfits for her.  She tried to help me.  She took everything out of her drawers and put them on our bed..  It was so cute!!

She was so excited to be going for a car ride.  When we got to the orphanage, she was a little hesitant about going in.  And would you believe that the NURSE was working! UGH!  We saw her favorite nurse and Kristina was happy to see them and her room!  Which was good as she has to be there for the next two days.  Tomorrow we go to get her birth certificate.  It's about 2 hours away.

Anyway, we saw our facilitator in a flash, she wanted us to make an appt for Kristina's visa.  So we went to the US Embassy. Okay, I was THRILLED to death to see the American flag!!  But, surprised that the guards did not speak English.  We went in and went thru the security stuff.  Then we went down the stairs and were told that we would told we would be called by name.  We waited for 20 minutes...I think we were the only American's in there, or so it seemed.

Well, we talked to the man at the window...nice man!  I was a little nervous..don't  tell Dan. He said he would be right back..he came back with our, paperwork stuff.  Freaky, that they could pull that within minutes of us going to the window.  He explained the paperwork and such.    And the cost of the visa is $380.00 USD.  I thought it was $350.00, but whatever.  He checked our pictures that we had for her and he said they were just fine.  We told him that we get her new birth certificate tomorrow.  And we made the apt for Wed at 2pm.  Scary, I know that God is in this...but it is kinda like WOW!  Were bringing a kid home to America!!  Okay, you all have to remember that she is our first!!

The time came to leave that building...I asked about calling a taxi as we do not have a cell phone.  We were told to just hail one off the street.  Okay, I was chicken!!  I asked Dan, what if we walk?  There was a policeman, and I asked if he spoke English, and he laughed.  And we started walking...we walked down the street that was bombed in 1999, by NATO.  (Thanks Dan for that info)  The walk was so easy..we walked passed the Mc Donald's and on to our apt!  And we went not knowing where we were going...just looking at tall buildings that we see from our street.

We have come a LONG way from the first Sunday we were here.  Literally, scared to death to walk past the opening of our building.  We can go anywhere, I think, but please don't make me hail a cab.  I think I would die!!

So, we made it home..needed to exchange money for the trip and for our lawyer.  We always exchange at the Bank of Greece which is down the street.  The same guys are there every time.  And we chat of course while they do the transaction.  Today I told him that this is the last week he is going to see us.  And he asked why..and I told him that we were going back to the States.  He asked us if we would miss Serbia, and I explained the things that we would miss.  The stores closing early and not open on Sunday.  The laid back lifestyle....except for the cars!!  Oh, my goodness...I have nearly died millions of times riding in them.  Mom, you'd have died the very first trip!!  And the fresh produce.  This trip made me think about what is really important.  It doesn't matter where you live, what you have, what you have achieved..but your faith in God and your family!!  Living with God is without a doubt something I missed here!!  Nobody that I have talked to talks about God!!  Boy...that was sad to me...but I did not hesitate to talk about God, as He is the reason we got here!!  Maybe someone will try to find out more...because I said something to them.  And when God asks me about Serbia..I can tell Him that He was there and people knew that I loved Him and was not afraid to show it!

The young man at the bank said he would miss us!  He was so cute.  I told him about the story of getting off the plane without any numbers or anything.  He laughed.  I told Dan when we left, that we have really made some kind of impressions on Serbia!!  :)  The Pekabeta was our next trip...we needed a few things.  Sometimes the things you need, they are not always there..so then you need to make several trips in a week, or walk to another little store.  Most of what we needed was on our list.  This lunchmeat was to die for..it was so good.  I also got our old stand-by mortadella!  :)  The bread!!  And of course we could not resist the CHOCOLATE that we love.  It was Dan who could not resist it!!  But, mom I bought those marshmellow on top of a cookie covered with chocolate.  Kinda like the ones the Easter Bunny put in our baskets!  :)

Lunch was kinda on the go for us as we were in  a hurry to get back to Kristina.  She had NOT taken a nap.  Later she got crabby!  OOPS...no nap=crabby!!  She played on the swings..and I asked if Jovan  could go outside.  He is on the same floor as Kristina in about the opposite corner.  The nurse said yes, and put socks on him, and away we went.  We have seen him scoot across the floor and also make his way around in a walker.  It was such a beautiful day out, I couldn't help myself!  Kristina didn't mind.  I put him in the swing next to her.  She laughed and said his name.  He wanted out of the swing so I let him slide down a few slides then put him on the ground.  Kristina was swinging and playing with her babo.

Jovan rolled around the ground and laughed..more like a soft high whisper.  He does not talk..but he has a bright spirit!  He scooted around the ground..he was outside for a little over an hour.  We went in to do her "mask" as we call it.  I gave Jovan back to a nurse..then went to help Kristina with the mask.  After her treatment we went into her room to play, and guess who came scooting down the hall?  Yup, that would be Jovan!  He came into her room and just giggled with his high pitched whisper.  Kristina was playing with her babo.  Jovan and Kristina were interacting..which I thought was a blessing..cuz they both need child interaction.  Anyway, Jovan got up into a toddler bed..and wanted to look out a window..I had showed him outside several days earlier..anyway I picked him up and we were looking out the window and Kristina wanted up too.  She and Jovan laughed and looked out the window.  We waved to the workers outside.  And Kristina tried to pick up the "baby".  I laughed..then Kristina wanted to go out of course..and I stood there with Jovan..he was so happy!  Then I started to sing to him..he melted in my arms!  I don't sing well at all..but God gave me a voice that reached Jovan..  I sang Jesus Loves Me and a couple of other kids songs.  I prayed hard for Jovan..I asked God to help his spirit and him from a horrible life that he could have.  I told Jovan in his ear that Jesus loved him and God made him for a reason, we don't know why...but for some reason and he was loved!!  He was so peaceful.  He has a little excited wild side as well!!  Loves glasses..He does not speak..but he has a strong spirit and grip!!  With a just a little love and the right help he would be perfect..even with his limb difference!!  Please pray for him..I just feel that everyone needs to pray for him!!  Pray for his spirit, and his life, that God would spare it from the hell he will have to go to if no one takes him as a son!  I know they all need homes..but please pray for him!  I feel a burden!

I gave Kristina a bath and we had to hurry as it was thundering and lightening out..you all know what happened the last time it rained...no taxi!!  But, this was going to be a big rain!!  So we got a taxi by the hair in our chinny chin chins!! The street was flooded when we got out!  It continued to rain for hours!!  I made supper!  The best hamburger I have ever tasted, and not really any grease!!  Then I have tried to straighten up her toys and her clothes that she had taken out.  Then spent lots of time online!  It is late and 5am is coming fast!  Hope everyone and there families are well!!  See ya for day 17 and the birth certificate!  :)  Yippeee!!

Exciting wasn't it?  Re-reading it, I can remember those days like they were yesterday!  So, now I have to tell the story of her adoption day...and that will be another day, as there is a wonderful thunderstorm starting now and I want to get off the computer!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012


Mother...

Here is how the day meeting Kristina's mother went.  I had thought about that moment for a long time and what it took to meet us and know that her daughter was leaving Serbia forever with her future unknown.  Wow, bring tears to my eyes just thinking about it!!  Now on to our day so long ago.

We got up early and got ready to go and meet Kristina's mother.  I had thought about what I had wanted to say for months and months!!  Decided to just let the morning play out.

When we got to the orphanage, her mother was already outside with her.  My heart leaped for a spit second..then I had the most beautiful peace!!  I was glad!  God really held my heart in his hand!! Oh, we said hi and she tried to get Kristina to go to her new mommy.  Kristina didn't want to leave her mother's arms!  Okay, at that moment..I was sad.  In that split second, I thought what if her mother changed her mind?

We went in the orphange and told some of the nurses that we wanted to give her mother time alone with Kristina for a memory!  I thought that she would like that!  Then our facilitator came down and we all walked outside for formal introductions.  We chatted with her mother with our facilitator as the go between.  Well, I was very peaceful, then our facilitator started to tear up!  I told her that she was supposed to be the strong one!  So..we had a nice chuckle and it lifted the air to higher ground!

Her mother wanted to take Kristina to get her picture taken...so our facilitator had one of Kristina's PT's go with.  Dan and I stayed behind.  Our facilitator went to go get the last fax needed for Kristina to come with us for the weekend.  We had already gotten verbal permission...just needed that blasted signature!  UGH!!  Well we got it, so we could for sure take her for the weekend!  YAH!!!  Wow...no more twice a day visits..and the watchful eyes of some of the nurses for two days.

But, our facilitator kinda put a damper on things by saying that they still did not know where the minister was.  He was so busy and that we are his first adoption.  I thought to myself..boy, I hope we get it before our plane tickets say we can go home.

Well, we took pictures..and I gave her our gifts.  I gave her mother a pink photo album.. And a butterfly necklace.  To me it symbolized the fact that she was setting Kristina free to be healthy and we also decorated her room with butterflies!  Her mother was touched!  And I also told her that I have one and when Kristina was old enough to understand..she will get one too.  I am glad that she was happy, I think that day was a good memory for her.  I watched her walk down the driveway and around the corner..until I couldn't see her anymore.  That is a  memory I will never forget.  At that moment our lives changed forever!

Dan and I were now getting excited to get on with getting her "home" with us. Kristina knew something was going on as well...she wouldn't eat her lunch...  And then Dan and Kristina went for a swing...can you believe it.  They were just ansty to go.  Well, we got her meds together..I knew about them..no problem.  The nurses got some stuff ready for Kristina..her favorite shoes, and a bunch of other things...I tried to tell them that it was okay...we didn't need them..but they insisted.  So, that was an awesome blessing..because the things I had brought were too big for her.. Even the white sandels are too big...that is what socks are for right?

Anyway back to the story...while the nurses were getting her meds and stuff together our facilitator came out of nowhere and said the papers had been signed.  I said what?  She said the papers had been signed, Kristina is yours..the minister was found and he just now signed the paper.  I said what?  She said Kristina was ours forever.  I said what? and I said what? again.  And she said if I asked what one more time she didn't know what she was going to do. I couldn't believe it..I shed a few tear..because I was in such shock...But God knows me..very well.  He's my kinda guy!  Cool to the last detail!  She was coming "home" and she was ours...really ours!!  That is the most perfect way I would have liked it to happen!  Again God is so good to me!!

Well, they called a taxi for us, and we loaded up and drove away to "home"..Tata is front seat, mama and Kristina and stuff in backseat.  She was so excited, she loves car rides!  Well, we got to the apt and we unloaded the taxi and walked to the door of the building.  She did not seemed to get scared at all.  We walked up the 7 stairs to the apt. and Dan opened the door and she went right in.  The toys came out only after a few minutes and all over the floor and coffee table they went.  She acted like she had been her a long time!  We played for awhile..ate lunch and we tried to lay her down..that was not going to happen.  So after about an hour and a smidge we got her up and changed her and then we went for a walk.

Now, mind you..no stroller a very excited, kinda sleepy, and sweaty girl =hot parents!  We carried her off and  went on an excursion to look for a stroller and I knew the Chicco store (a store that sold kids things) was close by, but could not see it or find it!  UGH!!!!  We walked ourselves...to death!!  And boy were we sweaty!!  ICK!!  So we were kinda like floppy wet family!  :)  Then we washed up and I made supper.  We had fish sticks and potatoes, with yellow beans.  And of course, mommy smashed it together for Kristina.  And mommy put it in a regular bowl.  Her face lit up like a lightbulb!!  She giggled!!  And then she ate everything up!!  She played after supper...

Bedtime was let us say...difficult.  But she eventually fell asleep.  Tried the "Super Nanny" tricks of putting her to bed each time she got out without saying a word to her... It only..took 3 times,  Mom and tata suceeded.  She woke up very happy!!  So that was very good!

So that is the story of how we became three!!!

Now, after all of these years, I still remember watching her mother go...still has has a tender spot in my heart!!  And I think about her OFTEN!!!!  Wish she could see Kristina now!  What a beautiful little girl she is.  Tender and sweet!

Oh, the first day full day Kristina was with us I was sick...like flu like sick!  But Kristina still played with me and her Tata!!  It was a great day in spite of me being sick!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

A few days later...

Sorry, I haven't kept up with the days.  We (my mom and I) had a trial garage sale on Saturday.  The "real" on is this Thursday and Friday as it the city wide garage sale days.  Okay, let me just say...OH MY GOODNESS, the work we did!!!  But, while we were setting up I made a huge sale...and then more the next day.  I kept telling God that I didn't want to be greedy...and he knows what our needs are so I will just go with the flow.  But did I say how much work they are?  But since we got most of it done...it should be better this coming week.

So the days we missed...let's just start with Srecko one year ago.  June 3rd was the day we were able to go to Srecko's school and watch the last day of school program.  He was so excited!  I posted video of him a few posts back.  To meet his teacher and see where he spent a little part of his day was priceless!  I was so overcome with so many emotions...okay, should I be totally honest?  Here goes...when I went into the school I was afraid that he would miss so much of his life that he would always wish he was back doing what he had been doing for the last seven years.  In spite of his life in the orphanage he was a happy boy, easy going (for the most part) and very lovable!!  Afraid that as a mom I would not meet his expectations...afraid he wouldn't like me.  Then there was the other side of the coin, the mother who was so happy that her new son could show her a part of his life that was important to him.  To meet people he loved and would miss! (He still talks about many people even a year later)  And then the proud mama that watched her son sing his little heart out!  To watch him in what was probably the best thing to happen to him in a long time...he was beaming light a ray of light!  I had tears in my eyes as I watched him and so proud of him for working hard at singing.  That was awesome!

I have lots of video that I took of that performance!!  Something that I have watched off and on this past year...wondering what Srecko might think if/when I show it to him.  Memories...what can I say!

Now on to Kristina and FIVE years ago. (it does NOT feel like five years has gone by)  I skipped the last two days because nothing big happened...I am off somewhere...I'll combine days now after this one...


I shall just start this by saying GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!
 Got your attention?

Okay..we got up early to walk to the Pekabeta to get some bread (yum) to make sandwich's for lunch.  We planned to stay at the orphanage especially if the NURSE was working..you know which one! (The one who was ALWAYS crabby with us and wouldn't let me do anything for Kristina)

Anyway, when we got back from the store...we got a buzz at the door and it freaked us out.  There was a man from Beorent (our apartment rental place)...he brought us 5 bags of stuff!!  It was like Christmas!!!  We got pans and towels and laundry soap, storage containers, tea, coffee, sugar, oil, grater..jello molds, strainer, and dish rags...oh and a Belgian waffle maker!  It took our breath away.  We just wanted a bowl..oh, which we got too.  And a bigger pan and some towels...we did not ask for the rest.  But, let me tell you..I feel like I can give to the world with all the gratitude we feel!!  My goodness!!  God was way to good to us!!  Spoiled!!

We got to the orphanage in a cloud!!  The feeling of greatfulness, and in awe of God!!  Our baby was excited to see us!  She was playing with her tea set.  Well, of course we went out to the swings.  Then I wanted to ask a nurse about Kristina's meds.   I ran into our facilitator and she told everybody was ready for the adoption, except they needed the minister's signature.  UGH!!  He is a new minister, and we would be his first adoption. so no one is really pushing him.

Our facilitator said she would try to talk to Kristina's Center and whomever else she needed to find out if  we could take Kristina for the weekend...  She came down later and said "well they would let us have her for the weekend, but they would need our passports, if that was okay"  We said "no problem"!! And we asked if they would need anything else.

We played a little more in her room, feeding  her babo's and tickling her!  Kristina's favorite nurse came by and started hugging and kissing her..can you all guess what I did?  If you guessed cry....you are correct!

It is so hard for me, especially to see the nurses that love her!!  She has had more care and love, then most of the other children.  So my heart hurt very much!!!

We did her treatments...I did both...we played in her room and outside.  She ate lunch and we went home. We ate our sandwich's and then walked up to the Lilly...for I forgot what.  Anyway, we walked thru a market!  Interesting, and can't wait to go back and by some veggies and some chicken!!  Wahoo!!

We went back to the orphanage and she was still sleeping!  That was good!  Hubby and I chatted about this weekend with our daughter and how weird that is!!  We also meet Kristina's mother tomorrow!  I am a bit overwhelmed..and will have so many emotions!!
Kristina woke up and has a stinky diaper...whaoooo  We then went out side and played, being told where to stand and sit by her.  Pretty bossy!!!  :)  Hubby and I were still stunned!!  She had her snack, and let me tell you her tea drinking days are over!!  What is the nutritional value of tea?

I am tired I will finish day 12 in the morning!!  Sorry, I can hardly see the screen!  Keep making mistakes.   It worth it though!!

I am sorry, I had almost finished typing day 12, then it disappeared!  I was very discouraged, and just quit!  My loving..husband told me to finish it, as it was a memory of our trip and our daughter...UGH

I have to think...oh, yeah..after Kristina had lunch, we went home to go exploring before Kristina came for the weekend.  We walked up to the market about 6 blocks from our front door.  Wow, what an experience!  So many stands of just stuff and then the fruit and veggie stands.  We were just scoping the place out to see what there was to see.

We went back to the orphanage and got her up and went outside to play!  We had a good time, playing on lots of things!!  She had her snack and her treatments, which I did!!  No more nurses for my daughter!!!  :)  Then we went back outside before dinner, and Kristina, the daughter we had only know 10 days went down the slide completely by herself!!  When we first arrived to see her, she could hardly walk to the swings..remember when I thought she had an inner ear issue?

Well, she needed plain old fashioned fun!!  No electric entertainment, nothing!!  Fresh air!  No smoke!!  Just absolutely God blessed weather for the our family!  I can't tell you that the blessings that we have had, with the weather and the taxi company finally knowing and understanding where we were and where we wanted to go!!  Sounds like not a big deal to some...but the rest of you know!  I think!!  :)

After Kristina had her supper, we went home and waited to eat supper later.  We walked down to the end of the street and turned right...walked down about six blocks, then I have NO clue!  We were looking for children's things.. Found some, and oh my, not at the prices we saw.  They were like boutiqes!  No places like Target or Wal-Mart...so we walked, and walked and walked some more!  We walked for 3 hours and a smidge.  We did not buy a thing!  And, I am pretty good at knowing the conversion rate!  :)

So, when we were walking home we were not 100% sure of the street we turned down to get to out street.  I was past dark!!  We hurried as fast as we could without looking scared out of our minds!  I was more out of mine then hubby was!!  We made it home, it was very late.  My husband thought of Mc Don's..but I said are you crazy!!??  It was dark and that was another 6ish blocks in the other direction!  No way!!  So, I ended up making these wonderful deli like sandwiches!!  Yum!!

Then it was much too late to communicate with all of you!!  Sorry!

Well, we had a busy day..and our feet got walkin' all over town!  :)  We were very proud of ourselves for walking!!  And not dying!!  :)

Now, even five years later I remember that day like it just happened!!  Wow, memories!  Wait until tomorrow, and I will blog tomorrow about meeting Kristina's mother and a couple of days after...