Today was a fun, relaxing day. We stayed in our hotel for the first part of the day, fixing breakfast, doing some laundry, skyping, catching up on emails, journaling, etc. It was so nice to be able to relax and not have a list of things we felt we had to do. We were discussing how nice it would be if we could bottle up some of this free time and use it later, once we get home with 3 children to care for!
At 2pm we were picked up to go to the orphanage. It was a different feeling this time driving to see Anna. The other three times we have gone I have been nervous and anxious. This time all I was was EXCITED! This was the day I was seeing her as her official mommy. I even learned how to say "I am your mommy" in Russian and probably told it to her 50 times today. She only cried for a few minutes when we first arrived (big progress from Monday) and warmed up to Ryan very quickly. By the end of our time with her she was initiating kisses from both of us and was all smiles. We taught her how to sign for the word "more" and she picked it up really fast. We also tried "thank you" but as usual for all of our kids, that one tends to take more work:-)
We had two "firsts" with her today. We were able to feed her the afternoon snack of crackers and warm milk served on a china plate and teacup! I can't imagine giving an 18 month old a real teacup to drink from. She wanted nothing to do with the milk because we had brought a sippy cup of water and she felt pretty special having it which was a totally new concept to drink from. After she finished her snack we were able to bundle her up and take her outside. They brought her outdoor wear for us to dress her in, it was another pair of pants to go over her existing ones, a coat, hat, scarf and boots. It was a beautiful day outside, we think at least in the 50's and we felt she did not need all those layers, but we do what they tell us! We walked around the orphanage grounds and enjoyed being in a different environment with her. As we were out walking, a group of little ones her age were being walked around by their caregivers. As they rounded a corner and saw Ryan about 3-4 of them immediately said "PAPA!". I stopped and felt such an intense sadness for those little ones, they see a man and instinctively call him Papa. Ryan also was moved by it and we are still shaken by the fact that those sweet, innocent little ones have probably never known a Papa of their own. It was such a reminder to me to be on my knees interceding for these little ones, that they may some day have an earthly Papa, and most importantly come to know their true heavenly PAPA.
Tomorrow we will go to the orphanage at 8am. It will be good for us to see Anna at a different time of day and see how perhaps she is different in the morning than the later afternoon.
We will post some pics tomorrow. Dasvedanya!
5 comments:
I loved hearing all about your day w/ Anna! We will join you in your prayers for the many other children there who are awaiting homes of their own!
Congratulations!!! I have been praying for you and it must feel so good to have your court date behind you. The last wait! The countdown until she is with you forever:)) Enjoy your time and our prayers are with you. Cannot wait to see pictures!
Love the "Papa!" exchange. Brought tears to my eyes, too! Very sweet to hear of Anna's quick taking to you... we're praying for continued strengthening of the bonds between you.
Congratulations! The first visit after court is SO exciting :0) Enjoy this precious time with your daughter! I have been praying and will continue to pray for you.
Blessings in Christ,
Lyn Franks
fellow AWAA mom
mom to Caleb, home 10 mos.
Can't wait to see pics! I too hated all those layers! I just wanted to see my little girl! Her shape, her form, and without sweat! :) The day I personally put her in clothes we brought was a day of great joy! Can't wait to hear more! Congratulations!!!
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