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For a long time people would ask E. what was her favorite color or food or some other thing and it was clear she didn't understand the concept - she would just starting listing a whole bunch of the item. Red, blue, pink, brown etc Within the last week she gets it :) It's really cute to hear her talk about how her favorite color is, of course, pink. And her best friend is Abby at Emily's house. And her favorite song is Chris Tomlin's "Unfailing Love". Whenever that song comes on she tells me again that it's her favorite. Sweet.
Tonight we got a box in the mail from my dear friend Linda. We know each other from college days....yes, we go way back :) Linda lives back in my homeland...the valley...Southern California. We don't get to see each other very often and she hasn't gotten to meet E. just yet. Hopefully we can fix that soon. She sent a gift for E. These just might be her new favorite outfit and stuffed animal...
Hugging her new forsey :)
What could be better than a pretty pink tutu? Thank you Aunty Linda!
Here's a link to the Chris Tomlin song, if you're not familiar with it. Click here
It is a truly beautiful song - I love the lyrics. I love that it is E's favorite song.

Photo A Day - Whew!

I can't believe it - I posted everyday in March. That was my goal and I'm so happy I stuck to it. I really wanted to post about E's gotcha trip - it just didn't happen last year once we got home and it was so important to me to capture those wonderful memories. I hope that one day E. will read through this blog and catch a sense of just how momentous this past year has been - what an amazing blessing she is...how truly grateful I am to be her forever mama. She is precious to me.
Last weekend we had a party to celebrate one year home - her one year gotcha party.
Hanging with the girls.
Proudly sitting next to her matrioshka (I have no idea how to spell it) nesting dolls she received from mama.
Forever family :)

Photo A Day - Artwork

I have to admit I am not much of a saver, but I want do want to preserve some of E's lovely artwork. I decided to take some pictures so they will last forever :)
Emily was doing a letter a week with the kids - B for butterfly and beans and buttons :)
C for caterpillar, and circles
The birthday card that E. colored for me.
A turkey made from E's hands and feet. My keys are in the photo so I could remember just how little her hands and feet really were. :)
A Valentine Froggy

Photo A Day - Open Gym

We had a great time at the open gym this week....she loves going to this place. She is so busy the entire time - it's hard to get her to pose for a picture...here are some of the photos



doing a happy dance :)

Photo A Day - The Cow

One year ago, when we arrived at the Courtyard in Moscow, we met a very nice bellman who helped us with our luggage. He spoke with E. in Russian and presented her with a gift...

I don't know if you can see just how disgusting this stuffed cow is? It looked like it had been rolled over by multiple trucks on the street. Ewwwwww.....
So E. played with it for awhile and when she went to bed that night I promptly stuffed it under the bed...easily left behind (ummmmmm...forgotten) the next morning.
We asked to be moved to a different room as the one we were in had no external window...stuffy...hot!
We got all settled in our new and much improved room with large windows to let in the cold crisp air. There was a knock at the door and a maid, who spoke no English, presented us with a discarded (ummmmm...lost) item....




Drat! Followed...E. played with the disgusting (ummmm....lovely) gift for awhile and once again, that night, I stuffed it under the bed. I figured it would never work to put it in the trash - they would pull it out. So under the bed it went. The next afternoon we returned to a freshly clean room and....




The COW~ sitting sweetly on E's bed. After having a really hearty laugh about it, we decided it could not be left behind. So I begrudgingly packed the filthy thing along with the dirty laundry and brought it home. I have to say it cleaned up really well - it's actually black and WHITE, once you remove the dirt! And E. does really like the thing

Photo A Day - Mud

Playing in the mud at Emily's. Have I mentioned what a saint she is? I'm so grateful she doesn't mind mud - I know I do! :) I know E. loves this kind of play.

Photo A Day - Home

One year ago today we made it home. After the longest 24 hours of our lives, in transit, arriving home was sweeter than I ever dreamed.
E. was such a trouper! I am amazed at her resilience - especially when I consider how low I was running on resilience that day. Without Becky I never would have made it - and I will forever be grateful for her love, support, encouragement, understanding and bravery that day.
After a tremendous melt-down (E's not mine:), waiting for the plane in Moscow, and a huge melt-down over the seat belts she settled in for the rest of the 12 hour flight to DC and the 3 hour flight home. I really thought someone might take her away from me in the ariport due to her volume, kicking and screaming. I truly believe that something in her little spirit sensed the enormity of what was happening - leaving the only home she had ever known.
This was her once she finally gave in to the seat belt and sleep....peace.
Thank the Lord for enough miles to fly home in business class.
Today we celebrate being home a year. With the hope of returning to E's first home someday. God is so faithful.