Oh what a difference 2 years makes!!

When we met Yuliya, she was a face on a piece of paper given to us by Nanette less than 1 week before her and a bunch of other kids were scheduled to arrive in America to be hosted. Before we agreed to host, I had blown Nanette off 4 separate times, with no intention of participating in hosting. I also made every effort to keep my wife from knowing. When Nanette called the last time, it was a Saturday, and I walked into the other room away from my wife for one last blow off. Only this time, Carrie was too in-tune with the feelings of the spirit and sensed something. While I was trying to get out of hosting in one ear with Nanette, Carrie walked in and was telling me to do the exact opposite in the other ear. (How did she even know who I was talking to?!) So I did what any logical husband would do - handed her the phone and said 'Fine, if you do this, it better not cost us anything!', then walked out of the room. A few minutes later, Carrie came out with tears in her eyes. I asked what was wrong and she simply said 'We're going to host a little girl named 'Yuliya'. I have a feeling something big is about to happen'. This was a Saturday. The next day was the final hosting meeting and the next Thursday the kids were scheduled to arrive. When we showed up at the meeting, Nanette met us at the door and showed us a tiny little picture. Carrie broke down in tears. She looked at me and all she could say is 'This is our daughter'. I just stood there, not sure what to think.

I told Nanette that this 'Yuliya' girl must be an angel to have had such an affect on Carrie, and her reply was 'When a mother meets her own angel, there is no question in her mind that it is meant to be. It appears that this little girl is your little Ukrainian Angel'. Little did I know the path our lives were about to take. Well, during the hosting program, me and my family realized just what a little slice of heaven this girl was and we fell completely in love with her. 18 loooooooooong months after that magical hosting experience, we walked into a Ukrainian orphanage and were reunited with our little Ukrainian Angel daughter.

I'll never forget when at the end of our 10-day wait, Natasha took Carrie, myself and Yuliya to the notary, where we had to sign a new birth certificate document stating that we officially are now the parents of  'Alicia Yuliya Horlacher'. When the notary handed Carrie and I the pens to sign with, Yuliya hovered over us like a hawk, very anxiously watching every stroke of our signatures. After that, we headed back to the orphanage to check Yuliya out once and for all. She still had the same serious, nervous look on her face the whole time and did not say anything. We signed the papers then piled into the car with all of our luggage. Yuliya tapped Natasha on the shoulder and quietly asked, in Russian, 'Do I have to go back?' Natasha turned around and said 'No, Yuliya, you don't ever have to go back. We are done. You are officially adopted!'. Yuliya immediately melted into a puddle of smiles. This picture as we got into the car says it all:

2 years ago today, we walked off the plane at the SLC airport with our new daughter. Yuliya has blossomed into an amazing young lady. Though a bit shy, she is always cheerful, smiling and loves to make others happy. She loves soccer, Justin Bieber, dancing, cheer leading, Justin Bieber, school, Justin Bieber, and her friends -- especially friends that share her love of Justin Bieber. She has a contagious smile and loves to be with her family, even as crazy as we all are. :)

To our beautiful Yuliya - what would we do without you in our lives? You have brought into this family your magical smile, tender heart, and loving personality. We thank God every day that He brought you to us. You will always be our little Ukrainian angel who brings a little slice of heaven into our home every day. We love you, forever!!

 

May 2009

May 2011