We've been keeping a little bit of a secret. Not from everyone, but from most people. We will be adding to our family very soon. Anya, the girl from Ukraine who visited us last summer through an orphan hosting program, is going to very soon become a member of our family.
Todd and I leave for Ukraine on Sunday for trip #1. I'm a little bit (okay a lot) anxious. Todd and I are both leaving behind two of our most valuable treasures in our life. Tony and Bella. I am super sad to leave them, but I know they are going to be well taken care of by their grandma and grandpa. When they are at grandma's I never have to worry! It helps that they are so excited for us to leave that they ask me several times a day when we are leaving to go get Anya because they can't wait to stay overnight at Grandma's.
We will be taking Leo with us. I know it will be hard traveling with a baby, but having him with me will make it easier to leave the other 2 behind, because at least I have one baby to snuggle with and kiss whenever I want.
Want to know how this all came about? It's kinda crazy for us to be adopting a 14 almost 15 year old girl when we have 3 kids ages 4, 3 and 4 months. Even I can admit that. I was 20 years old when Anya was born, Todd was 18. Both of us were still in college. Anya was not an orphan all her life. Anya moved into an orphanage on May 25, 2010 (my birthday) when she was 13 years old because her mother was sick and unable to care for her. 4 months later her mother died. 10 months later she came to America to stay with us for 5 weeks. We were NOT planning on adopting, just hosting. Just giving her a summer to remember! In fact we had selected a different child to host (that was not eligible for adoption, just so there would be no temptation to adopt), however after the plans were made and the money was paid, we got a call that the girl we selected was no longer available for hosting, and we would have to select another child. Just 4 weeks away from hosting, there were no more "host only" kids. So we picked Anya, because her bio said she likes pickles, and we grow pickles. But I promised myself and Todd that we were just hosting. God obviously had other plans, because here we are 9 months later getting on a plane and heading to Ukraine... We leave in 2 days.
If you want to read about our hosting experience, just scroll back, there hasn't been a whole lot a blogging since she left last summer. I've been kinda busy, I had a baby since then, and my life just doesn't leave much room for blogging like it used to. However, when I'm in Ukraine, I'm guessing there will be some downtime.... so maybe, I can keep it up!
Todd and I leave for Ukraine on Sunday for trip #1. I'm a little bit (okay a lot) anxious. Todd and I are both leaving behind two of our most valuable treasures in our life. Tony and Bella. I am super sad to leave them, but I know they are going to be well taken care of by their grandma and grandpa. When they are at grandma's I never have to worry! It helps that they are so excited for us to leave that they ask me several times a day when we are leaving to go get Anya because they can't wait to stay overnight at Grandma's.
We will be taking Leo with us. I know it will be hard traveling with a baby, but having him with me will make it easier to leave the other 2 behind, because at least I have one baby to snuggle with and kiss whenever I want.
Want to know how this all came about? It's kinda crazy for us to be adopting a 14 almost 15 year old girl when we have 3 kids ages 4, 3 and 4 months. Even I can admit that. I was 20 years old when Anya was born, Todd was 18. Both of us were still in college. Anya was not an orphan all her life. Anya moved into an orphanage on May 25, 2010 (my birthday) when she was 13 years old because her mother was sick and unable to care for her. 4 months later her mother died. 10 months later she came to America to stay with us for 5 weeks. We were NOT planning on adopting, just hosting. Just giving her a summer to remember! In fact we had selected a different child to host (that was not eligible for adoption, just so there would be no temptation to adopt), however after the plans were made and the money was paid, we got a call that the girl we selected was no longer available for hosting, and we would have to select another child. Just 4 weeks away from hosting, there were no more "host only" kids. So we picked Anya, because her bio said she likes pickles, and we grow pickles. But I promised myself and Todd that we were just hosting. God obviously had other plans, because here we are 9 months later getting on a plane and heading to Ukraine... We leave in 2 days.
6 comments:
In fact, I emailed Natalie this week asking when your first trip was.
Bon Voyage and enjoy the mini vacation too. I'm sure Anya is dying to see you and Todd and to meet her baby brother.
4 kids in 4 years - lots of kids to love! How wonderful for all of you!
I was wondering if you ever had your baby. I see he's a boy! Congrats!
I remember reading your blog when Anya was here...it was so interesting to read about your hosting experience, your sister's and others that summer. Hopefully you will find time to update from Ukraine.
Did Francie ever have her baby? Guess everyone is busy / tired of blogging these days. hheehee.
~ PattiLynn
I'll state the obvious - where is Leo on your sidebar?! =) HaHaHa - I get it, your life is busy. So happy to hear this update. I will be keeping your sweet family of six in my prayers for all to go smoothly in the State and abroad. I can not wait for more updates, so I hope you do find the moments to write. =) Congratulations on this amazing journey!!! Yay!!!
Excited! Have a safe trip!
I'm so happy for y'all!!!
Very exciting! Happy to see you blogging again! (I'm a blog friend of Rachael's...)
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