A Quick Pic Look at our Journey

My dad asked if I could come up with some sort of slide show for his work where they would be throwing him a retirement party at the end of February -- and they all wanted to hear more about our adoption journey.  This has been such an awesome experience for me to go back and see what God has done in the past 6 months!  6 MONTHS!  That's all!  We saw Sasha's picture 6 months ago -- and now, she's home.  And when I look back at where she was . . . and where she is now . . . I have so much hope and joy!  God is doing incredible things in her life.  He is sowing peace into her Spirit.  My prayer over her every night (and you can join me, if you want!) is that God would heal her body, soul, and spirit!  She has come so far.  She is truly my daughter now.

Yesterday, we were finally able to get together with Maria and her girls.  Maria is the one you will see in the video at the beginning.  She is the one who posted Sasha's picture . . . she is the reason we have Sasha now.  Anyway, she came to visit -- and, for just a bit, I thought, "What would I feel if Sasha acted like she wanted to go home with Maria?"  You may be thinking, "Huh?" -- but if I'm going to be honest, which I have throughout this blog, I would have to say that there are still some times when I think, "How do I really FEEL about Sasha?"  There's so much to do, teach, fix, clean, etc. for her -- that sometimes, I don't think about how I feel!  But, I knew that I needed to face that question.  After all, Maria DID get to know her first -- and I certainly didn't begrudge all the hugs and kisses she got yesterday from Sasha -- but, I was glad, when every once in a while, she would come back over to me and "tag home base."  And I was even more glad to know that I absolutely wanted her to do that!

I am so proud of all of Sasha's accomplishments!  She does get in her moods occasionally, but -- don't we all??  So, looking back over this journey has brought me to where I am now -- so thankful, so joyful, and so hopeful!  I just CAN NOT WAIT to see what God has planned for her!

Hope you enjoy!

One Month Later . . .

I had every intention of writing a post on the EXACT one month anniversary of our breaking Sasha out of the orphanage (Feb. 16) -- but like everything else in this past month, things don't often work out on my schedule!! 

I feel like, in so many ways, my life has gone back to what it was like when I had toddlers and young children.  Sasha has so much to learn that I seem to only have time for the absolute essentials - food, laundry, keep the house under control -- and school!  But, I'm sure you're not reading this post to hear about MY life!  I know you are curious about Sasha and how her adjustments are coming!

Well, I have to say that, for the most part, I am super proud of all that she has learned and experienced.  She said that she was "sorry" today for the first time!  I mean, in English!!  And on her own!!  I think that I have told her maybe 5 times in the past to say "I'm sorry" to somebody for something that she had done.  Today, she said it completely on her own -- I wasn't even sure that she knew what I was telling her to say on those previous times.  I just can't believe that anybody EVER gave her a "mild mental retardation" diagnosis.

It seems that from the moment she left the orphanage, her mind began to just open up.  She craves new experiences, new things to learn, new foods to eat (especially if it involves meat), and new people to hug (or even the same people to hug!).  She absolutely must be busy!  And this is another reason I feel like I've reverted back to my toddler mommy years.  I am used to my kids being able to entertain themselves -- so, sometimes, trying to keep Sasha busy is no small challenge.  Thank the Good Lord for the Amazon Kindle and all the great educational apps!

As for matters of the heart, Sasha is coming along well!  We honestly had no idea what to expect when we brought her home.  We knew we had HEARD things -- like "She will need time to just learn what it means to be in a family."  We get that now.  It means, for Sasha, that she needs to know that Mom and Dad are in charge -- and it's not going to do her any good to dig in her heels about things.  But, even with that, she's learning.  She goes to bed now without any difficulty (except on a few rare occasions).  It means that she has to learn to trust us -- that we will not hurt her physically as she has been in the past.  And it means that we have three other children whom we love -- and it's not a competition.  It also means that for all the hundreds of hugs she gives out to other people -- it's OUR hugs that will truly bring her healing.

For so long, I just wanted to get Sasha home and get the process of her healing started!  I am so glad to be at this point, but it's not always easy.  We still needs lots of prayer cover!!  There is so much hope in this house -- but, occasionally, I admit, I am a little frustrated -- and I do NOT want to give Satan any more of a stronghold in Sasha's heart than what he already has -- or in our family.  So, we needs lots of wisdom -- and overwhelming grace from God to keep on this road of bringing her to her true Home -- His HEART!!!  THANK YOU for your prayers!!!!