A New Day

We arrived home exactly 24 hours later, to a wonderful homecoming. As I sat on the plane, looking out the window I began to feel that shakey, adrenalin, I could just ball feeling. The moment was finally here. We were home with our little girl, we were going to see our kids and get to introduce her to our family. They had signs and balloons and matching tshirts. It was awesome. Mahaela just smiled and hugged so many of them. Hugging seems to be her natural response. I don't know psychology of it all, but it's what she does. She just looked so happy and took it all in. It was after 4 am our time, so we were a little wiped out and Mahaela had just a few short naps on the entire way home.

Getting out of Paris was crazy, complete with waiting in a pile of people to be reticketed for this new flight only to have the whole area where the ticketing desks were to be cleared out by police and airport security (with their huge automatic guns around their necks) because of an unattended bag. I had to pick up Mahaela to get out of there and she threw a big tantrum. Bill held her and just let her scream it out. She turns into a hair and head flopping, sweaty, smacking little spitfire! He just sat on a luggage cart with her. We were the last ones to clear the area and then I heard someone say they saw a "thumbs-up." I told Bill and her hurried again to the ticket counter and no one stopped him. He was waiting at the desk by the time a ticketing agent came. Boarding passes in hand, we headed through security. It felt Ground Hog's Day at this point. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 12 noon. Once through the gate, you have to take a bus to the plane--boarding takes over an hour for sure. Really amazing. Then about another 40 minutes just taxi-ing through runways. With about 8 hours flying time, we would arrive in Detroit about 2:45 Eastern Time. Even in Detroit, we were standing room only. It was a headache, for sure. It felt so good to get on that plane to Bloomington!
Mahaela did so good flying. She really ate great, took 2 short naps about an hour a piece. I had some things to entertain her, but I didn't even get to all that I had. We had a 5 hour layover in Detroit. After customs and rechecking our baggage, we sat down to eat at a restaurant. It was getting pretty late our time by then and Mahaela rode in the backpack and fell asleep on Bill's back.

Since being home, she has done so well. We think she is getting better each day with the hitting and defiance. We kept the kids home from school yesterday and just had a very lazy day being together. Nothing seems too "foreign" to her. The kids love her. We had to just remind them several times to back off a little. They get in her face and say things and ask for hugs and kisses. She wanted to smack them a couple times. I think it must be a little wearisome for her to hear all this foreign language and faces and sounds and people in her face. We put her down for her nap in her crib. She cried just as much as she does when we sleep with her, so we thought that was good. She took a good nap, which I woke her from so she would be tired at bedtime. About 8:30pm I couldn't stay awake another minute, so Bill put her to bed about 8:30 in her crib. She cried very little and slept wonderfully. About 4am, she was crying and fussing, but I didn't think she sounded too upset. We waited hoping she would go back to sleep and she did. I heard her sweet talking around 7:30 this morning. I think that is complete success!! She was standing in her crib, happy. She has been happy all morning, just walking around, playing with the dog, hugging and kissing her! She usually says "Zsdra-vey-tey" the first thing in the morning--very strung out like that. It is so cute. She ate good and has given lots of hugs and kisses. I just corrected her about holding a large framed picture and she gave me the stink eye and tried to push me away, but it was mild. I do think that she will get better with that. It's really funny, because when Bill is around, she will look to him to see what he thinks of how she is treating mommy. He usually will give her a look back or "come after her" if necessary. She will usually stop what she is doing and then try to pat me or kiss me. We are in the training phase, for sure.

Today is Bill's 40th Birthday and everyone is back to work and school. I have the same feeling I have had after having all my kids. Slightly post-partum, wondering what my new life will look like, hoping to settle into my new normal very quickly. Christmas just adds another layer of stress to it all. I so want to just enjoy it and be able to let go of what I can't do in order to just enjoy what I can do. Praying that God Grants me the serenity I need to accept the things I can and cannot do. I know He will!

I know so many of you prayed us home. As frustrated as we were, I know prayers were holding us together. Through it all, we were still nice to each other (and that is not always the case--traveling can bring out the worst in me!)

Well, I'm off to unpack and do laundry--a little reality!

Day 5, Friday

I know, I got a day ahead of myself and said Thursday's post was day 5 when in fact it was day 4.

I am writing this Saturday night as I am stuck in Paris...

At this point, I don't think I can clearly recall details from Friday because I am writing this in the middle of a travel day that will forever be etched in my mind.

Friday was a relaxed morning with Mahaela getting a bath, which she really enjoys. She just played the whole time I got ready. Bill and Aubrey did their morning pastry run. We all went out for lunch at the Happy Grill. I call it the Bulgarian Applebees. It is a chain that we hadn't gone to before. The food had been described to us as food that American's like, done in a Bulgarian way. It was good. By now, we have the dining out mastered. M. played outside with Bill and Aubrey while we waited for our food to come, then we ask for the check right away. They never bring the bill until you ask for it...you could be completely done with your coats on and they still won't bring the check. So we were in and out fairly quickly. Bill and M. went back to the apt for naps and Aubrey and I shopped for souvenirs.
Rosi came to say goodbye. She did not have our visa yet as it was being picked up by someone else. They planned to give it to us on our way to airport. Seems a little risky, but it worked out fine. We had dinner in a nice traditional Bulgarian restaurant. I managed to not really cook all week and we got our fill of Bulgarian food. We had stopped by a really nice bakery/pastry shop and picked up dessert to go. Beautiful desserts, $6 for all 3! I think that is what makes the food so fun--it is so cheap, too. The US would have charged $6 a piece for these elegant desserts.

We got back home and had some wind down time. M. was harder to put down--bigger fit than she had been having the last couple nights.

I can barely even recap any of today...too exhausting. M. had lots of fits. She does much better with Bill and he has been amazingly patient with her. He has put alot more effort into entertaining her--he's always the fun one. I can't feel bad about this. She responds poorly to all of us. We just have to get through this tough time. This day was probably the most physically stressful day she has had besides her surgeries and she was exhausted tonight. She still had the energy to come after me like a raging bull to give me a swift slap, which I was able to dodge, which made her even angrier. There isn't anything I can do that doesn't make her want to slap at me. She is either pulling me to her (pulling, like tearing at my clothes) or pushing me away, or slapping me. If she is walking on her own, she does not want to hold my hand, will slap me if I try to push her or guide her from behind, and will have a complete rage if I pick her up. It is exhausting. All the while, she is charming. On the plane, she sat the entire time. She is content to remain in her seat, buckled up.
We are now in a Paris Radisson hotel because of plane malfunction. No luggage. Here will all sit in our complimentary men's white undershirt. Lovely. I like how the lady called it a nightshirt. Paid 10 Euro for more diapers...
Our dream of seeing our kids and all our family at the airport tonight has vanished...
Leaving 12 noon from Paris. Praying this attempt to get home works this time!

Day 4, Thursday

Today Mahaela awoke happy just as her nurses said she would. She has not gone great guns for breakfast since the first day. I don't push it, she just grazes. We found out early that we would have our Embassy interview at 2pm. We had decided we needed to cut back a little today. The slap fest that went on Wednesday was in part due to us being out a bit too much Wednesday. We hung around the apt. for a few hours in the morning and then went out for about 1.5 hours. M. loves the Ergo carrier that I borrowed for the trip (thank you, Leah!) She was content to be in it and we didn't get her out. She ate lunch on Bill's back. She had a deconstructed sandwich and a little cheese pizza! She does love meat! We shopped at little at the Hilo Market (now I am forgetting if that is how it is spelled?). I bought a few souvenirs--We owed Jake a tshirt that we failed to get on the first trip. I could buy so much more...but restraint has been prevailing.
By the time we were leaving the market, she had been sucking her thumb quite a bit and laying her head down on Daddy. We knew she was tired. And then the random slapping--just slapping Bill's shoulders as we walked back. Bill was afraid the whole afternoon would go down hill from there. But we had just enough time to squeeze a little nap in for her. She fell asleep quickly and got an hour nap before our ride came to take us to the Embassy.
The trip to the Embassy in all took about an 2 hours, door to door. The interview was simply formality and they seemed genuinely happy for us and interested in our experience--they were both women! Rosi will pick up our Visa Friday at 2pm. Then it is officially over--everything we need to bring her home! I was cringing a bit at the Embassy as M. buddied up to the complete stranger/man. She really is endearing--she must be because people stop to talk to her and give her lots of attention. To scoop in would result in a tantrum, so I just let it be. We are competing with the language issue. They think she is cute and can speak her language--she can't understand us and it seems like we say "no" a lot. So, we let her have her moment, but this won't continue state side. But, she was interacting so cute with these different people, talking to them. I am thankful that when she tried to give another man a kiss, he just blew one to her! So the fact that she was happy, made our long wait at the Embassy easy.
We got back to the apt. a little after 4pm and Mahaela and I stayed in for the night. Bill and Aubrey went out for a little shopping and brought back dinner. She had a good night, with very little slapping, and lots of rough-housing. She certainly tolerates a lot of activity, maybe breathes a little faster by the end. She had lots of horsey rides and gave some, too. It was play time/rough housing in Bill fashion--the kind that wears you out just watching it. So by the end, she was tuckered out and ready for bed. We got her ready for bed and gave her a benadryl. We were all laying in the bed and she was standing at the door telling us no, that she didn't want to go to bed. The door frame was already holding her up, let alone as the Benadryl kicked it. We wanted to make sure she responded well to it, before we tried it on any of the flights. It worked and made such a difference. She had basically sounded more "croupy" throughout the day. She coughed a ton the night before and just sounded so juicy, like post nasal drip was getting to her.
So a little Benadryl seemed to dry her up and completely stopped the night coughing. She went to sleep great, without crying more than a whimper. It is now 4 am and she is sleeping quietly.

We have all her court decree information. It is very interested to read. One thing I find very interesting, that I didn't know would happen in an international adoption, is that her parents are named. Knowing what her birth name is, which was given by the birth parents, didn't make it a stretch to be able to track who her parents are--she had their family name. It gives their names and birthdates. I asked why it would be made public information. The new family law allows for adopted children to request information about their birth parents through the courts. I think it is always a good thing to have the option for the future, but realize it is often not beneficial to access it.

Oh, almost forgot...Mrs. Toncheva made arrangements between Rosi and I to call and speak with M. Maybe I already blogged this?? But while we were in the car on our way to the Embassy, she called to speak to M. It was not upsetting for M., which I suppose it could have been. She just listened to her and then told her a couple times that she is doing good. Mrs. T. said goodbye to us and wished us safe travels. Rosi said she would really like to see photos of Christmas, which I am happy to send their way. I assumed it would be hard for her nurses and I guess it really is. I'm not sure what staff turnover is like at these orphanages, but I am happy to keep up with whoever is still there over the years. It would be so neat for us to be reunited with them someday.

Looking forward to our last day in Bulgaria. Looking forward to seeing my kids and having them meet their little sister!

Day 3 with Mahaela, Wednesday

Mahaela admiring herself in the photocharm necklace I was wearing.
She took one for herself and has been wearing it ever since.

Mahaela all bundled up to go out.

Wednesday morning Mahaela didn't wake until after 8am. I was not in the room any longer, but I thought I heard something. When I opened the door she was sitting up in bed, just smiling and waiting for us. She doesn't try to get out of bed, even at bedtime when she is throwing a fit. I'm surprised she doesn't just get up out of bed, but I'm thankful she is compliant in this area.

We describe yesterday as defiance day! She was exerting her will over breakfast and then threw in a couple slaps at Daddy. Daddy just held her in his lap. We don't care if she doesn't eat, she just is not allowed to slap. So I opened a box of yummy kids cereal and just started eating away...I didn't offer her any since she wasn't acting hungry enough to eat the toast, banana, yogurt, or juice. Well, her attitude softened and then a big smile popped on her face. Then I offered her some cereal, which she picked out the white chocolate covered ones out of the coco puffs.

We met Petko who went with us to her Dr. appt. It was a long wait in a very small hallway. I don't know if we had an appt. to come get into line or if we just got in line. You have to ask the group of people who is last and then you know you are behind them. As each person walks out of the exam room, the next one walks in. NOT the picture of efficiency. Someone said he thought the wait would be about 1.5 hours. Mahaela was great. She enjoys watching the other kids. We waited about an hour fifteen. She had a quick ear exam which she sat in my lap very nicely for. Then with the pediatrician she was great. He barely examined her, but did listen to her heart/lungs. She immediately pulled up her shirt so he could listen. The orphanage had told us that she really likes stethoscopes and that they bought her a play one. The Dr. said she had cavities--he must have good eyes. But those will need to be taken care of because of the risk of infection to her heart/valves. He just wanted to us to understand that she has the heart defect and that we are aware of her condition. It was more paperwork than exam.

We got back to the apt. around 1pm. We just played around the apartment and Bill and Aubrey went out a little and brought back lunch.

She took a little nap, with lots of protesting, hitting, and then found her thumb and gave up the fight.

We left the apartment again about 4pm to head out to the mall and playground. We were at the mall about 30 minutes. If she doesn't want to come with you or be held, it is a fit. She stopped to watch a lady peel and orange and the lady said hello and then offered her a piece. Bill just scooped her up and scooted her away. Royal fit! She is a very loud, hitting, body writhing, mad as a hornet little girl! We just get through it. We realize she is stretched this week in unimaginable ways, but we also have to set our boundaries. We don't know the psychology of it all. We just parent the best we can.

We took a cab ride to a traditional Bulgarian restaurant, Manastirska Magernica. It was good, but we needed to make this a quick experience. We knew we were getting to the end of what she could handle. She sits so great in her chair (what? one of our kids stays in their chair?? unheard of!). She eats pretty good, unless it wasn't her idea. We say she has squirrel mouth. She stuffs food in there that I can't even see where she is putting it! Salad, meat, cheese, tomatoes, bread. There was some loud protest and Bill took her out. This time her hand was ready to hit, but she did not. She thought about it a little and decided not to hit Daddy. We thought this was progress. She had hit both Aubrey and me in the taxi and Bill turned around and startled her with a strong "Nay" and the clap of his hands. So he thought his method of "shock and awe" was effective.

We walked back home, played around a little while and then headed to bed. She barely cried. She was tired. She sits upright, watching TV, sucking her thumb. I decided enough of this TV thing, as it won't happen at home, so I turned it off. She quickly rolled off her pillow stack to go to sleep. Aubrey and I slept with her. She now has a cough and coughed a lot during the night. Around 6 am she fell out of bed--which is very low to the ground. She seemed fine and didn't really wake up, but was very restless and the floor was noisy with her hitting it and moving around on it. But I just left her there as she was still sleeping and to move her would definitely wake her.

Something I forgot to say in a previous post was that Rosi called to check on us Tuesday and said that Toncheva had called in the morning saying that she woke up thinking about Mahaela and wanted to know how she was doing. I just feel so sorry for these ladies who are feeling the loss of this little girl. Her room at the orphanage must be very quiet and lonely right now.

They said she is potty trained, but that we should just use pampers this week until the excitement is over. I did have her sit on the potty chair one time. I think this is a case of she will potty when you put her on it, but never ask to sit on the potty. We will deal with potty training much later...next year sometime! Ha!

Oh, her first words in English were spoken in the car, leaving the orphanage. They were nose, followed by "buckle-buckle," then "wow." Now we hear occasional words that she repeats.

Day 2 with Mahaela

Tuesday was a free day for us, with no appointments, which was nice. Mahaela slept until 9:30. She had a great breakfast--toast, yogurt, milk, banana. I put down a half a banana and then had to look under her chair to see where it went. Aubrey was sitting with her and didn't see what she did with it--she ate it! She devoured the second half just as quickly.
After breakfast she just played around a bit. I gave her a bath and Aubrey joined her. She played in the tub quite a bit and liked it. They had put on lotions and perfumes on her at the orphanage making her smell pretty, which she did, but it was nice to make her smell familiar like all my babies have smelled. I even washed all her clothing in Dreft which says "baby" to me. Her hair was in a little french braid right down the middle of her head--I took it out and will probably never be able to duplicate that again.
Around 1pm we headed out for lunch and stopped at a restaurant. We just fed her anything we had that she would eat. She ate a chicken finger, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, spaghetti, salad. As they sat the food in front of us, she grabbed the cheese off of my salad and then used her fork to dig in. She appears to be short and stout--she is like me in many ways. She is solid and heavy, but her pants are long on her.
We used the backpack carrier to walk around and after getting in it 2-3 times, she liked it. It is great because she enjoys walking, but is so slow and the sidewalks are a walking hazard. We stopped at a park. She doesn't really like to get on the play equipment, but does like to watch the other children. She would occasionally say things to people as we walked by and they would say hello in return. She is probably saying "save me, help me!" Haha.
She tripped over Bill's foot and did a face-plant with a loud thud. She absolutely smacked her nose and upper lip and forehead. No blood, just a little red nose. She cried hard, but got over it quick. It was good to be able to console her.
Mahaela took a good little nap in the afternoon. She definitely shows signs of being sleepy and still needing a nap--yawns, sucks thumb. She just snuggled right up to Bill and took a snooze.
We went out for a walk and then to dinner. She sits patiently and does well eating out--such a Hauter, for sure. Bill went up to the dessert case and she had a royal fit when he wanted her to come back to the table. Thankfully, we were the only ones in our area. We just let her have her little fuss. The waiter spoke English, so he probably knew she was giving us the "what for."
She went to sleep at night about 9:30 with a little crying, but very mild and very short. She slept until after 8am Wednesday.

Here are some random details that I have not written about...

She makes a really cute sour face. We have some soda, which she apparently hasn't had soda before, that is pretty sour berry flavored. She puckers up in the most animated way. At one point, she even smacked her bottom like it was so sour.

She walks a bit pigeon toed, sometimes it is much more pronounced like a little waddle.

She had her first McDonald's, allegedly, the first evening. She liked french fries. She had a little bit of a McFlurry also. (Aubrey was starving so we stopped to get her something.) She likes ice cream, but just takes one bite and she is happy with that. We think the cold is a bit much for her.

When we try to get her to pose for a picture she squats down, but so do we. Aubrey had to point that out to me, because I wasn't getting it.

She really likes to copy things, especially Bill. At dinner, he took off his jacket, so did she. He crossed his arms across his chest, so did she. He takes off his shoes and puts them by the door, so does she.

She says "Shht." Sometimes she is just being cute with it. Other times she is mad about something. She says it a lot to Aubrey.

She has a tendency to hit, especially Aubrey, but she has taken swings at all of us. We say "Nay" and try to stay clear of it. If she tries to hit Aubrey, we give Aubrey a kiss. We all kiss, and then she usually softens and wants a kiss too. We will keep doing that so she understands that we love each other, not hit each other, and unless she wants to give kisses, she will just be left out.

She has had slight color changes, but not major. Mostly she gets a little "dusky" looking in the face, but after a big cry. I went to change her clothes and noticed her legs were a little purple, with a little sluggish capillary refill. If you didn't know she had a problem, most wouldn't notice these slight color issues.

She is very independent--just so typical for a 3 year old. She wants "Dow"--down. She has her own ideas and is defiant at times.

At the moment she is walking around eating potato chips like there's no tomorrow, and loving it.

Here are some pictures in no particular order.

Ready to walk out of the orphanage--"I will not leave you as orphans!"

Walking through the water for good luck--but we know luck had nothing to do with this day!

Parading us through the orphanage to show us her room

Mahaela's crib and room for three years

At lunch on Tuesday, getting a little sleepy

Riding around on Daddy's back

GOTCHA DAY...November 29, 2010

Here is an account of our wonderful Gotcha day...

(It is long, but I consider it an entry for Mahaela's babybook which is more that I did for the other four kids!)



Our driver met us at our apartment at 7am. We drove to get Rosi, our translator, which was a wonderful surprise as we were told on Sunday that she would not be going with us. We drove a little over 3 hours from Sofia to get to the orphanage in Haskovo. We arrived around 11am. We were told we could take as long as we needed and ask all our questions. We were concerned that we needed to hurry because of needing to get back to Sofia to do passport pictures. The passport office was open to 7pm, so that gave us lots of time.
When we arrived at the orphanage, Mrs. Toncheva, the head nurse, met us. She was very happy and excited to see us. As we entered the orphanage, other nurses were waiting to greet us. They asked for clothes to dress Mahaela in, but then they offered to let me change her if I would like. I thought that would be fine. As we went back to the nurses office, the staff followed us and then we could hear M. coming down the hall. She was talking the whole way. As she entered the room, she was so excited saying that her Mama and Tate were here for her and that she was going to America. She told all her nurses that we had come for her. It was exciting. She hugged her Mommy, Daddy, and Aubrey. She new Aubrey's name as well as her other brothers and sister. Everyone was very entertained by her excitement.
They offered to let us take her clothes if we would like and not change her. I was thankful for the offer as I would have rather had the memento from the orphanage than have her wearing what we brought for her. She had on the tennis shoes that we brought her in the summer.
There was a little bit of paperwork exchanged and we signed that we were picking her up...that she was now in our custody. They gave us her medical record, immunization record. The director of the orphanage came into greet us also and spoke a little about her condition. He said she was one of six children in Bulgaria that has her condition and that she is in the best health of them all. He explained that she still gets blue and tires easily with exertion or anxiety. Bill then told him that we found her medical document/description to be right on par with how she looked and that our doctors in the states were pleased with how she sounded/looked on paper. Bill then thanked them and told them how thankful we were for the care she had received and that it was evident that she had been well cared for. I couldn't hold back the tears as that was exactly my feeling and what I also wanted to convey to all her nurses--just deep gratitude. They told us how happy they were for M. to have a family such as ours. They told us that God had blessed her and Bill told them that God has blessed us by placing her in our family. It was just a sweet, sincere exchange.
About five nurses sat in the room with us and possibly 3-4 outside the room. I had a list of questions that I began asking. They would all answer at the same time! (Bulgarians seem to talk over each other all the time). I asked what they would remember about M. and they said that she always woke up with a smile--even when she is sick. They said she likes to watch her cartoons before she goes to bed!
Here are other questions that I asked:
Favorite foods? Meat! (sounded like salami, sausages), bananas, mandarin oranges, tomatoes
When does she wake, nap, go to sleep? 6-7--whenever she hears all the nurses coming and going. She doesn't really nap anymore--maybe just 30 min. or less from 2-2:30.
She goes to bed around 8:30. She has dinner at 6:30, but then eats again when the night nurses come in.
How has she celebrated birthdays and Christmas? Christmas they do parties and presents and Santa and it sounds like birthdays they are the center of attention, with the first birthday being a really big deal.
Has she ever left the orphanage for overnights or to anyone's home? Rosi answered that this would not be allowed (although we have heard of other children having that opportunity), but they did say that she has been to downtown Haskovo many times.
Does she suck her thumb or fingers, or did she? She sucks her thumb just while going to sleep and then takes it out. (HA--she is a straight-up thumbsucker!)
Does she like animals or will she be afraid? She likes animals and will like our dog.
How will she do sleeping at night (she has her own room with a crib at our home?) She will need a light on and the door open. She is used to a crib, but not a dark, quiet room. They said she is a light sleeper.
I told them that when M. is older, she may ask about her birth parents. I asked if they knew anything of them and why they had placed her for adoption. They gave an answer which I will keep for M. I intended to ask about whether her birth parents knew anything of her and that she was being adopted. I didn't ask it, but I got the feeling that some or most of them knew the birth parents. It is not a very big town. I tend to believe they know she is doing well.

One of the nurses gave M. a little box with Icons in it that had been specially blessed for Misha. I'm not sure all she said, but she was emotional and had been on our first visit as well. She also gave a little Christmas teddy bear ornament. Someone gave her a large babydoll along with the little backpack with items in it from our first trip.
Mrs. Toncheva gave M. a little gift bag with a very special necklace for when she is older and a ceramic plate with Icons. She also had two disks with photos of M. one with random photos and one with birthday photos. She said she was not able to give us pictures of when she was very young as her computer had crashed losing all those photos. (I know that feeling.) I am thankful for any photos that we are able to have. She also included brochures of Haskovo for keepsakes. She said M. came to the orphanage on December 13, 2007. I think she immediately had a special place in their hearts. They can't possibly know how meaningful these items are to me. They hold all the memories from the first three years of Mahaela's life and I cherish any connection that we can have to that time and these people who have loved her.

Mahaela was able to give her caregivers small gift bags with gloves, lotion/soap set, a letter that my friend translated for me to give her caregivers, and also a little photo charm necklace with a picture of Mahaela in it. They said that was the best gift to be given. I think so, too. Mahaela took one of the necklaces to wear also.

We felt like we had asked all we needed to. Our driver, who had been to another nearby orphanage to take photos, was returning to pick us up. We asked if we could see her room one last time and take a picture with everyone also. We saw her room, our photos on the wall, the book we sent her, the birthday package we sent sitting on the table. M. walked all the way to her room and then back out to the foyer. She led us all like the leader of the parade. I kept thinking and said to Bill, "This is the last time!"

As we stood in the foyer, someone ran back to get Mahaela's coats that they wanted us to have. They said they think of only M. when they see the coats anyway, as they belonged to her.




We all walked outside--it was such a mild, warm 60 degree day. They did the tradition of good luck by pouring water on the orphanage steps and leading Mahaela through it down the steps. They were all parading, leading her to our car. She even saw her driver that we had met from our first trip. It felt like this monumental moment. They were all saying goodbye and kissing her. Mrs. Toncheva put her in the middle seat of the car as I hugged most of the nurses. As Aubrey said, I went into the "ugly" cry just a bit, but even Aubrey was crying. All the nurses were crying. I'm still crying as I write this! I will never forget that moment, standing in the street next to our car. We drove off with them all waving, saying goodbye...then to look down and see our little girl sitting between Bill and me, ready for her new life.



I need to clear my head for a bit, so I will post this now. I will post again with the remainder of our first day. This has been the bulk of our Gotcha Day.

We are praising the Lord, that's all I can say!

One of the Best Parts about Blogging...

Friends...the old ones and the new ones--friends that my husband doesn't even know I have. I have to preface things with "my bloggy friend..." I am so thankful for all the ears I have and for the encouragement and prayers I get in return. I am so thankful for all of you. Thanks for walking with me on this journey.

So, this is the day...
Love you all!