Day Two and Three

Yelena is a girl filled with spirit. She knows what she likes and doesn't like. She also has a sense of humor. She has no trouble eating and enjoys cereal and waffles. She made a necklace and a ring for me and then did my hair and makeup. We then went shopping at Wal-Mart and she really enjoyed buying clothes, shoes, hair stuff, etc. We had so much fun! We found out she loves Sponge Bob and sings the song whenever she sees him. She also loves Hannah Montana, and Barbie was a hit also.

My dear friend Sandy (a.k.a. Miss Sandy) came over with her daughter, Kaitlin (age 15). Lainey was shy at first and in about 10 minutes, that was over. She went outside with Kaitlin and had her push her on the swings, and by the time they came back, they were best friends. Thank God for beautiful, wonderful, caring Kaitlin! She had Lainey talking English in no time! We went to a park to watch Remy's tee-ball game. After dinner and baths, I was reading them a bedtime story and she fell asleep on my shoulder (see picture).

The next day, she and Jeremy slept in and then we went to "Babushka’s" house. We went to a park there and a small zoo. She loves animals (yeah!) especially the big cats. We then swung on the swings some more - she can say "Mama, push push me please - High!" And the higher the better!

That night we went to a Chinese buffet. She was very sweet and went up and got us all dessert. When I took her to the bathroom, she was fascinated by the automatic soap dispenser and then by the paper towel dispenser. This was not automatic, but a lever you pushed down. She was inspecting it and used it several times! And she went through tons of soap! We even had to go back for a second time!

Babushka was fascinated by her and her resilience. She couldn't believe that see was not afraid to run ahead at the zoo and was so unafraid of new people and things. You would think she has been in America for awhile. She loved Babushka and asked me the next day if we were going back to see her. She is so warm and loving. We are so lucky!

SHE'S HERE!!! 6/25/08

Today we met Yelena. We were at the airport an hour earlier and we met up with the rest of the group. They told us that they arrived 1 hour early and should be out to greet us any minute!!! When they came out we looked and looked and then saw this little girl staring at us and our sign we made with her picture on it. She did look a little different than in her picture (just like in a dream I had about her) and she stared at us, and we at her. We called her over and hugged her and she just smiled. She tried to speak some Russian, and she nodded and smiled. I was good and didn't cry. We used sign language and told her we were going in the car and she nodded. She was quiet for about 15 minutes, maybe 20 and that was about it! Craig was driving and she took her stuffed bear and placed it on his head. She then made a "pisssssss" noise, as if the bear was ....yes, peeing. We weren't sure how to take that, but we laughed and she laughed, and we figured she had a sense of humor. She played with Jeremy and talked some more. and then fell asleep.

When we got home, we woke her and introduced her to our dogs. She was scared and reluctantly petted Maggie. We showed her her room and some new toys and she immediately rearranged it and made it her own.

We ate hot dogs and burgers, which she enjoyed and then we were all exhausted! I asked her if she wanted me to sleep in her room, and she said, "Yes." I blew up the bed, and fell asleep, Lainey and Jeremy at my side!

A Gift From a Stranger - 6/24/08

Today I received a wonderful gift. This hosting program has already started great things! I posted on Freecylcle (www.freecycle.org) for a winter coat for Yelena. I explained her situation and a woman named Rosemary responded that she didn't have a coat, but she wanted to buy her a coat. I felt uncomfortable with her buying a coat and I started to reply with a "No," but then I realized that this program is all about giving and offering. It is also doesn't just have to be for my family and Yelena, but others can share in its gifts! So, I accepted her offer and met Rosemary (connection anyone?) and she bought her a beautiful lavender coat. I can't wait to show her!

NHFC Training

What an emotional day! It was so wonderful to meet all these people who will be sharing this amazing experience with us. When the training began, we each had to stand up and tell a little bit about ourselves, etc. As people began to speak and tell their stories, I became more and more emotional. As they were speaking and holding up the large pictures of their host child, it was so neat to see that most of these children look like their host families and visa versa. I said this to the couple sitting next to me, and she said she agreed and that she said she was thinking the same thing when she saw me and Yelena's picture.

By the time it was my turn to speak, I was a blubbering mess. I wasn't sure exactly why, but I was feeling happy, sad, excited, overwhelmed, love, fear...again, a blubbering mess. I did break down and cry, and luckily one husband was ready and prepare and handed me a whole pack of tissues!

They did a lot of exercises to help us realize that all though these children may be excited about the trip, they are very frightened. They are leaving their home country, language, food, friends, authority figures behind, and spending 5 weeks with complete strangers who can't speak to them (at least not in full sentences). It was eye opening because I had the fantasy that they/she would be as excited as we were. We are so in love with her already, will she feel the same way? Reality is, probably not. Trust is a huge issue with adopted children, this we learned from Jeremy.

I also met someone at the training who went with NHFC to Russia last winter to help take pictures and talk to the orphans who may be hosted this summer. She told me she met Yelena and that although she was quiet, there was a depth in her eyes. I agree. She also said she was very sweet. I almost cried again, I can't wait to meet her!

They had couples talk about their hosting experiences, and it was funny/sad/heartbreaking/heartwarming all at the same time. They spoke of their experiences with the children, about the ones who had a hard time trusting and opening up, and living conditions in some of the orphanages. There was even one older couple, were already grandparents, who were in the process of adopting three siblings, ages ranging from 6-14!

The Phone Call and a Trial of Faith

April 24th - two months to hosting

We are preparing for Yelena's visit here, gathering clothes from friends (Thank you so much Virginia!!) and things to make up her room. Craig called me from work to tell me that he got a call from NHFC and they told me Yelena was not coming because she was being adopted! I couldn't believe it. I was happy for her to be adopted, but then I really believed that everything was falling into place with this whole process because she was meant to be with us. I can feel in my bones and from head to toe. I am very sad and upset, but I said to Craig that I am hoping and praying that in 2 weeks we get a phone call and they will tell us that things have changed and she is coming.

2 weeks later

I keep looking on the NHFC website to see if I see Yelena's picture pop up there. We decided that maybe we will host another child this summer, or maybe we'll wait until Christmas. I keep looking at the pictures, but my heart is still with Yelena...It's been 2 weeks and no surprise phone calls.

2 weeks 2 days later

I get a phone call from NHFC and guess what...things didn't work out and Yelena is coming! Her picture is back up and it is going to happen! I believe this was a test of faith - faith that this is God's will and to believe in myself! Sometimes I do get His messages loud and clear...

February 2008 - Thank you God for Google

So, it all happened one day when I was googling on the computer, about what, I don't remember. What I do remember is on the sidebar there was an ad that caught my eye. It was about hosting a Russian or Latvian orphan for the summer. I thought it was an awesome idea. I clicked...and that is where this journey all started...

I checked out New Horizons for Children's website and really loved the idea of giving a child (or two or three) a home and family for 5 weeks. Most of the children were "older," meaning 6 or up. But the whole idea is to remove them from the institutions, and share love and family with them. What a great gift for them, and for us! I immediately went forward and filled out the online information to find out more about the children. As soon as I was able, I logged on and looked at all the pictures of all the children available. So beautiful!

I immediately saw two sisters hugging each other, I clicked on the picture, but it said "On Hold." So I looked down the page further and there she was...Yelena. What a smile and what expressive eyes. She looked very familiar to me, almost as if I knew her. And she was available for hosting! I read about her scarce bio, but felt she would fit in with our family. I called Craig right away, almost panicking, afraid she may be chosen by another family. We agreed to go forward, and I called NHFC and placed her "On Hold" for us! We were so excited, especially when "On Hold" was changed to "Hosted."