Nostalgic Moments!

Today, I am overcome with emotion and nostalgia. Partly because I have been working on a story book for our Angel and partly because it is one year ago today that Don and I boarded a plane for Russia to bring her home. We are amazed at how we have been blessed by adding a daughter to our family.

We are overcome at times by the generosity of so many that helped us bring our Angel home. Over the past 11 months, we have felt some guilt by not keeping this blog updated. Please understand that we thought we were justified in neglecting the blog. Last winter, Don wanted to update postings but I was not convinced it was the thing to do. However, now, I am feeling compelled to update this blog and to let followers know how amazing the past year has been. A year of challenges, blessings, struggles, and sheer joy! Everyday is a new day with new experiences. There is so much to share and I will begin this week with some updates and I plan to journal more frequently.

Due to some unpleasant, insulting and harassing emails, I was reluctant to continue the blog. I felt paralyzed by this and could not bring myself to blog. However, after much prayer, I believe God is telling me to continue. After all,

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Psalm 27:1-2.

I now feel strong and determined to continue. I am putting on the armor of God and taking a stand against evil that may lurk out there!
Please stop by next week to see updates.
Thanks to everyone for your support over the past year.

God Bless,
Don and Elizabeth

Give Me A Hug

While we were in Russia and for at least 6 weeks after we arrived home, Anzhela would not hug or kiss us. We would tell her we love her often and attempt to hug her but she would pull away. We did not push it but we continued to tell her that it is important to tell your family you love them and to hug them. We would then hug and kiss each other and say, "I love you Papa" or "I love you Moma". She would just watch us.
While in Russia, bedtime was difficult but once home we've been able to get into a routine. Don and I put her to bed together. We say prayers, read a book, and then we tuck her in. She pulls the covers up over her head so we can't kiss her or hug her. At first, we would just say "goodnight Anzhela, we love you." And we would leave her room. After a few nights, we decided to hug and kiss her anyway. So, when she pulled the covers up over her head, Don would get on one side of her bed and I would get on the other and we began hugging her and kissing her through the covers. She would just laugh and giggle, eventually pull the covers off her head, and say goodnight to us.
One thing about Anzhela is that she demands our attention. When she wants something, she calls us and expects us to come to her. A few weeks ago, she was calling me to come to her bedroom. I was folding laundry and told her I would be there in a minute. She kept calling, "Mom, Mom" so I went to her room. She was standing in the doorway with her arms stretched out and she said, "Give me a hug!" Then she hugged me like there was no tomorrow. I was really caught off guard but once she pulled away I said, "Wow, that was the best hug ever! Thank you Anzhela, I can't wait for more!" She beamed.

Since that day, she is very free with her hugs for both Don and me. She will not kiss us but she gives us hugs frequently throughout the day. I love it and so does Don. Bedtime has changed a bit. Now, once we are finished with our story, she has to hug each of us and then we tuck her in. Bedtime has become a very special time for us.

Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Elizabeth





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It's Gotta Be Blogger's Block!

I am really having a difficult time blogging these days - not sure why. I guess I just have "Blogger's Block"! I have been blogging for a little over 2 years. During that time, I have had periods where I just couldn't blog. I don't know why it happens. What I can say is that when I feel the urge to blog, there is no stopping me. In fact, when I have the urge to blog the words just flow, I don't even think about it. Right now, I have about 6 unfinished posts. I am hoping I can get them finished by the beginning of December.

We finally bought a used camera in late October so we are taking photos of our Angel like crazy since we feel we missed a good 6 weeks without a camera. We were also able to replace my crashed computer in late October so now I am working on organizing our photos. I tried to upload a slideshow of the few photos we downloaded before we lost our camera but I am not happy with it. I will have to work on it.

Well, I am just blogging to blog right now so I will sign off. Hopefully, the "Spirit" will move me soon and I will start posting more.

God Bless,
Elizabeth
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Has It Really Been Two Months?

Two months since "Gotcha Day". Wow! That is hard to believe! Don and I both feel a little guilty for not posting sooner but it has been absolutely crazy! We had two computers crash. We also lost our camera bag, camera, and (sandisks with photos) on the flight from Moscow to Atlanta. Just broke our hearts! We have prayed that whoever finds our bag would please just send us the disks - keep the camera we really don't care about it. But the photos are just not replaceable.

It seems it's always something. We have this black cloud that follows us around. Don reminds me frequently that "rain falls and the sun shines on the just and the unjust alike" I really should look up the actual scripture sometime. Anyway, we have a computer now and decided to do a quick update for those of you who have been looking for news.

First, to everyone who helped us get to Russia and back, God Bless You! We think of you all everyday and will never be able to thank you enough. Know that you are in our prayers everyday.

Second, we apologize to everyone who have been waiting to hear news about our Angel. It has just been a wild two months! Gotcha day was September 8 and we returned home September 18. I am not going to lie, the ten days after our Angel joined our family was difficult. The language barrier was a major challenge. We really worked on our Russian and felt we were prepared but it just wasn't enough. However, we have been home about 6 weeks and she is such a joy. I can't imagine our family without her. The struggle was worth it and we are sure God meant for us to be a family.

So, may I introduce our Angel to you?

We have called her our Angel since we began the adoption process. We knew she was meant to be part of our family the minute we received the referral. We had no doubts.

We promise we will post more this week. I have kept a journal of our entire trip and since we returned home and hope to blog over the next few weeks some of my thoughts during the experience.

Please scroll down for a small slide show of photos in Russia.
Blessings,
Elizabeth



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Touring Nizhny Novgorod

As we wait for Gotcha Day (9/8/09), we have been taking in some sites around Nizhny. We've enjoyed many activities as well as the wonderful weather. The Pedestrian Walk, also known as Bolshaya Pokrovskaya street, is right around the corner from our apartment. We've walked up and down many days. There are also several great cafes to sit and watch the people.

We spent an afternoon at the Kremlin. We took in the beautiful gardens, architecture, history, and views of the Volga River.

Several evenings we enjoyed free outdoor concerts in front of the Nizhny Novgorod Drama Theater not far from our apartment.

Yesterday, we walked along the Lower Volga Embankment and took a day cruise on the Volga River. It was a beautiful day and the trip only cost 200 rubles/person or $6.00/person.

This is definitely a beautiful and historical city. We have really enjoyed our time here.

The scenery and cathedrals are just breathtaking. This is a photo we took from the river of the stairs at the end of the Pedestrian Walk. This is one of the many beautiful cathedrals. We took this photo from the Kremlin on our walk back to our apartment. It was just at sunset.

Tomorrow is Gotcha Day. Hopefully, we will enjoy a few more sites with our Angel. Later today, we will prepare for her arrival. We are going to get a small cake, decorate the apartment a little, and have a celebration with our Angel and Julia. I guess one could say, "Gotcha Day is the first day of the rest of her life!"

We will try to post again before we leave Friday for Moscow. However, we have had difficulty posting on our blog at the apartment and may not make it back down to McDonalds for free wi-fi. Please check back later this week or the weekend for our updates.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

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