6 months as a new family.

Our beautiful daughter

With Eliza and our dog, Skip.

(with Alex, one her best friends, on the trampoline)

It's Thanksgiving weekend, and it wouldn't be complete if I didn't take a few minutes to give thanks for our newest family member. It was 6 months ago on Thanksgiving that we walked out of the airplane with our new daughter. We've all come so far in that time, each learning so much about each other. Carrie and I frequently talk about how far we've come each day, each week, and each month. Yuliya has fit into our family so well. Being in an orphanage for so many years had built up a few rough edges, most of which was a result of being around older kids who are often the only role models the younger kids have. Over time, many of those rough edges have melted. She's finally able to act more and more like a 12-year old can and should. It's rewarding to see these positive changes. One of the most important things we can do is to earn her trust. Doing that has at times taken an enormous amount of patience as she discovers what, why and where boundaries are; boundaries that didn't exist before coming here. But as that trust increases each day, and she realizes that those boundaries give her a sense of security, she opens up and shares little glimpses into her past. Some of the thing we're learned are heart-wrenching. This girl has been through a lot, but has not let any of that get her down. In her mind, she's turned over a new leaf here in America and has an amazing desire to live a righteous life. She retains an amazingly positive attitude, a contagious smile, and has never once looked back at the decision she made to be part of our family, no matter how hard things have gotten.

Halloween 2009. At the church with her friends.

With best friend Alyson at Lagoon.

So after 6 months, are we glad we made this decision? Absolutely. Some days have had their challenges as we steer through the learning curve, but the decision to adopt her has brought so much joy and happiness. We're at the point now where we don't know what we'd ever do without her. This year, I had the chance to work closely with the Save A Child foundation. I saw a lot of families fall in love with their hosted child(ren) just like we did with Yuliya. Vern put adoption best when he said "sometimes stepping into the darkness with faith, realizing that you will eventually find light or answers, is sometimes the best journey of our lives." To the SAC 09 families, I can only say to follow your hearts, if at all possible. It only gets better once they are part of your family.

And so this weekend, I am so thankful for Yuliya, and the sweet addition she's been to our family.

The season's first snowstorm

At Young Women Achievement Days, showing of her bautiful artwork. She can draw very well.

At Classic Skating (again!). She LOVES to roller skate.