Friday, January 22, 2010

I Need to Buy Stock in Maybelline...

...or stop wearing mascara altogether.

I've had my moments of calm in the past month since we committed to adopt Alina, and I've also shed more tears than any other month on record. That doesn't mean that I'm not happy and hopeful, it just means that many things have touched me very deeply.

I realized recently that Alina has not only spent her whole life without a family to love her, but also that she very likely has not one earthly possession--no clothes, no pictures, no special toys of her own.

Not that it is important to have "things"--but to not have anything--well, it really puts things in perspective.

This little girl has no idea how much she is already loved. She has a bed waiting, already dressed with special, new, pretty bedding just for her. Her Grammy and Papa got her a soft toy to cuddle, and we've bought a few new velvety soft, satin-trimmed blankets to wrap her in. Cute and comfy outfits have been lovingly tucked in packing cubes to take on our journey, along with small toys and books to entertain and (hopefully) keep her attention. Russian-language lullabies played in Bridget's bedroom while she slept today, as I recorded the track numbers of songs we'll load on an iPod to bring and play for her new little sister.

Most importantly, a family--and a lifetime of love--awaits her arrival, here, half way around the world from where she was born. We'll honor her heritage, and we will cherish her. Our hearts are full of joy and hope as we prepare to bring her home.

Spring can't come soon enough.

13 comments:

  1. Misty eyed...thank you for sharing the journey with us.

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  2. alina will soon know what it is to be truly loved and part of an adoring family. what an amazing gift you are giving her! i wonder if someday i might be so brave...i hope so. i pray for you every day, lisa, and for alina too. please let me know if i can help in ANY way! xoxoxo

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  3. What a sweet post. I remember those tears myself.

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  4. Lisa!! You are a rockstar on your timeline over there! Amazing. I hope to be joining you soon on this adventure! You are simply amazing!

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  5. Oh Lisa...
    I have no words except - you continue to inspire me!
    ((Hugs))

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  6. I can't wait! Just imagine being half way through your home study and having your agency be suspended out of Russia. That is what happened to us. OMG I bawled. I thought for sure it was over for us, because how could we possibly find another agency and get specifically to HER -- Nika. Ugh, it was the worst.

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  7. Gosh, my make up is running too. Your love for this child is so beautiful and inspiring.

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  8. HI Lisa,

    Thank you so much for the sweet comment on my blog. It is so wonderful to meet you here. Oh my goodness, I spent ages reading through your blog--seeing your little angel made me wish that time would just speed up so that I can go and get my two beauties OUT of there, and home. You have such amazing information that I can certainly glean from. DS is so new to me. Now I know where to come for expert advice :)

    Thank you for inviting me into your world. It is such a joy to be able to journey with you.

    Hugs
    Adeye

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  9. This is so bitter sweet. I'm so happy to hear that she is coming home soon! I'm so terribly sad that she doesn't have one single thing! And about Anne Marie; I can't believe that she is going to be 5 years old! WOW! She doesn't look any older than our Elizabeth and Bridget! I wish I'd hit the lottery and had the money to bring a couple of those little beauties home. I'm praying for this little angel and looking forward to meeting her. Please keep me updated. Love to you all.

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  10. She is so blessed to have a mama who loves her and is doing all she can to bring her home soon! It is amazing how much harder this journey has been, but also how much deeper the joy and love for my girls! I am aching to bring them home. It was so hard to leave them!

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  11. Beautiful Lisa. Simply beautiful.

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  12. Also, I just looked at your adoption timeline and you have been BUSY! WOW!

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  13. She is so loved already! I can't wait until she is in your loving arms and surrounded by her father, sisters and brothers. How drastically different her life will be from what it is right now. I am filled with happiness as you prepare to welcome the newest addition to your family!!! xoxo

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