- left all he knew of home with a random couple of strangers who couldn't even speak his language
- toured st petersburg & moscow, russia
- flew halfway around the world & became a u.s. citizen
- was poked & prodded ad nauseum to ensure proper health {i will forever hear him crying "noooo cut penit!"}
- went on a super-duper family adventure to the florida keys
- had a fantastically awesome-tastic vacation in the virgin islands
- tested out some so-cal livin' in san diego
- road tripped to st louis, el paso & san antonio
- and most importantly ... became part of our forever family!
picture of the 2 texans & 1 unhappy little russky taken just after we left our court date, where we were officially approved to be the little dude's parents |
1 very serious little russky...serious about the fact that he wasn't so sure about these folks everyone was calling "momma & papa" |
he's quite the different child than the one that left baby home #1:
- he ditched his stoic outer shell
- smiles & laughs easily and loves to be a goofball
- speaks ENGLISH!!! {maybe that one should be listed 1st? but - i think i'd take a happy, smiling kid over a grouchy little man any day!}
- loves animals & adopted his very own pup
- he's more comfortable in his skin & has overcome most of his social anxiety
- he's so stinkin' handsome & those lips...have you seen those juicy lips?! oy! wanna eat them off!
- somehow, despite all he's been through in his previous life, he's so very loving
- he always kisses my forehead when my head hurts
- if there's cleaning or working around the house to be done, chances are he's there asking to help
- although he can't always sit still long, when he does, he is one great cuddle-buddy
- he picks up dead bugs for me! not the "walking" ones so much...but i'll take what i can get!
- he's forgiving & he bounces back
i'm not sure who saved whom when we left that orphanage 4 years ago. i do know that even though we've had some days we wondered what the heck we were thinking, we take a deep breath, and remember all that we've learned about ourselves, good and bad, and we thank God we're together.
♥ “Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.” Unknown ♥
xoxo ... liese f