Thank You

There are so many people who have walked alongside us in this adoption process. The encouragement and support we have received along the way, has meant so much to us. I am so thankful for this beautiful child God has blessed us with, but I’m also very thankful to have grown through this journey. God has taught me things about patience (more than I ever cared to know!) and an understanding for those longing for children. He has taught me how to lean on others, how to trust in so much out of my control, and through His perfect example how to love a child who was not even born when we began on this long road.

Thank you to our moms and dads. You are the glue holding our boys and home together while we are away. We so appreciate the sacrifice you have made to take care of our children in our absence. You are such a blessing to us (not just now but always), we love you so much!

Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers and thoughts during this two and a half year journey. It means so very much knowing we have loving friends and family remembering us and praying on our behalf. Please continue to pray. Maella has a lot of transitioning to do, getting used to a whole new kind of life, learning the English language, and simply learning to be loved and to love back.

Tonight we celebrated our last night in Moscow by going to Red Square. It’s a Rite of Passage as far as I’m concerned… Maella had to have her picture taken in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral!




Afterward we went to TGI Friday’s – yum! Maella enjoyed a favorite we figured out a couple nights ago when we ate at another local Italian restaurant… Fettuccine Alfredo. They even had it on the kids menu! Wow, she was so excited about it as we fed her, could barely stand it how long it took us to get the next bite ready!
And then we came back to the hotel and she enjoyed her shower. Up to this point she has not liked showers but today she loved it. Here she is, all cleaned up and ready for bed.


Maella has been learning to walk. The orphanage recorded her first steps alone on June 14. She's done quite a bit of walking in a walker and so her style is to fly forward. But over the past three weeks she has really refined her skills and is doing so well. Practicing walking (we call it playing catch) is one of her favorite games. She can walk at least 10 steps at a time if not more. In this picture below I caught her walking but I was actually taking her picture because it was the first time we enjoyed watching her play in clothing other than tights and pants and long sleeves. Russians believe babies should be dressed warmly, inside and out. And while still here in country we've continued doing that (it hasn't been much over 60/65 since we've gotten her anyway). Tonight as I took her clothes off and she started playing it caught me how cute she looked in just that onesie, and how little I'd experienced of her like that. It was a first, one of many we've been experiencing. I can't wait to bring her home and start dressing her in cute little shorts outfits and dresses... so we can see those sweet little legs and arms all the more!

We are so excited to be traveling HOME tomorrow – can’t wait to see you Ethan and Owen!