While adopting Yuliya, we had attempted to adopt a second girl from the same orphanage. We started the paperwork and began the journey. In the end, her mom refused to let it happen, and we left behind a broken-hearted girl in Ukraine. Nothing will stop an adoption faster, or is more frustrating, than a mom and/or dad who suddenly appears in the picture with outstretched arms for the kids they barely recognize anymore after years of being deadbeat parents. That's exactly what happened to us. (After all, what says 'I love you' more than a few hard years of confinement in an orphanage, right?)As we left the orphanage with Yuliya, the only thing that brought a smile to her face was the promise that if things ever changed, we would come back to her. She has since written us many letters, asking if we are coming for her. Well, one thing is for sure with Ukraine: nothing is for sure. And sometimes that is good! In fact, a few days before Christmas, we got a message telling us that the status quo had changed and we can start on the paperwork. Carrie and Yuliya called me at work in an excited frenzy with the news. Me, being a man and still licking the financial wounds from earlier this year, immediately thought to myself 'Okay, how many banks do I need to knock off to make this happen again'.
So long story short, we're at a fairly critical crossroads where our desires to bring this sweet girl home to our family meet the reality of 'how-can-we-make-this-work'. (Anybody know a good body-part brokers in Vegas?) Stay tuned....
On Christmas Eve, Carrie's sister handed out decorated jars to each family and challenged each to fill it with pocket change during the year, then reap the joy of helping a family in need next year. Without thinking twice, Yuliya pulled the money she had earned from babysitting earlier that day from her pocket and put it into the jar, then whispered to Carrie 'This will help bring Nadya to our family". Since then, the Christmas jar has become 'Nadya's jar', and the other kids have also added their hard-earned cash. It's been quite rewarding to see them come together to try and make this happen.
Christmas at our home was good. Yuliya had never experienced the fun of waking up early in the morning and opening presents, and the other kids were all too willing to show her how it works. She was a little overwhelmed, but as equally grateful.
Eliza and her new MP3 player.
Brandon, sending a text message from his new phone 18 seconds after he ripped the wrapping off of it.
Yuliya loved the hair straightener she got. Straight hair, according to her, makes 12-year old girs look 14. Riiiiiiiiight...
Caleb and his MP3 player. I'm pretty sure he is smiling more about that cool BYU hat he has on his head.
