We started with Birthdays
Brianna's January 3rd
Celebrating early to stay ahead of the curve.
Then a few days to play
And to learn some new skills...
A new bed, a goodbye
And yes, a few spills
MORE playing, it's a must
The dogs joined in too
Then we set up the bedrooms
one purple one blue
K's birthday was early
By a month and a half
But Mommy was there and we had such a good laugh
Then out to make bears
One black and one brown
And before we knew it, it was time to leave town.
Our next destination was different for sure
The language and people, the keys and the stores
We bundled right up for the COLD cold day out
And finally found food a long way out.
We counted our Grivnia each day red and blue
Then we could eat HERE and enjoy it too!
Our appointment was coming, right next to this church
The sign unassuming you don't notice it at first
Then off to celebrate- with THIS? what is THAT?
But Mike had other things to pull out of his hat
Happy birthday to Mommy from two little kids
We're excited to add two more on and we did
Dinner with friends who spoke ENGLISH, YAY!
Then off to Korosten to spend many days.
What's THIS? you might ask, well it flushes, you see...
The big one for... yep, and the little for pee.
Then we met her, the sparkle in her eye, she was just beautiful and oh did we cry
So many other children all waiting there alone, and one woman so sweet took our cause as her own.
Then out to meet another, but wait, no gas? Take a look where we're headed...
And then a look back
Then finally, HELP! No, wait that's a pup...
But these two did finally get the car filled back up.
We finally met him, would he be our son?
Misha's his name and he was LOTS of fun!
Then a weekend of turmoil and not much to eat... Yes, we found water and sweets... but is THAT really meat?
But God's always good and provided a way for us to talk to others far far away
We wandered the streets out in the freezing cold
And saw many things that were a sight to behold
The most alarming was inside, it came from the spout
and Mike was in the SHOWER when this started coming out
Then we called out "goodbye" it was time to leave
and we packed back in the car and headed to Kiev. ((by the way, this is pronounced KEY-v))
The bustle of metros
Babushkas out begging, the ladies' HIGH heels (see that?) and no pants just leggings...
But we met more GREAT FRIENDS that were there for their own
And found a litter of puppies, took pictures for home.
Then came a joy, meeting this little one!
No, she's not ours, but she did prepare us some
A Reece's Rainbow get together on the other side of the earth
Three families all gaining a child not by birth
Then FINALLY the day was here
To meet the two in our hearts we held dear
Our "second attempt" though we know it was planned
Because God does what's best
When we follow his hand...
So together a family, still split by a sea
But Mike soon went home, and it was all up to me.
Except , not really- these guys helped out TONS
And hey, I saw my second funeral- isn't THAT fun?
But then as I prepped to get ready to go,
I met so many children who I feel now that I KNOW
All were waiting for families, TWO of them now HOME! But the rest are still there, and they are all alone :(
Then say good bye to the caretakers first
Then the director and his wife (who is also a nurse)
Pack in to the snowsuits to sit in the car
and we stayed there ALL DAY though we didn't go far
Then on their first PLANE! We were off to Kiev
Micah refused to eat, guess he didn't want to leave?
But Emma, all smiles, her first REAL bath
But those ribs, those arms, a sad aftermath
Yes, finally he drank- now come calories to burn
Then bath time, he wasn't happy it was his turn
These photos so tiny, each little rib,
But you'd never guess now since he's gotten so big.
Then down for the night well, them, not me... how could YOU sleep in this bed with all three?
My Dad soon got there and rescued us all
We did paperwork, passports, Visas, that's all!
Then boarded another flight set for HOME
Micah slept in this bag
And Emma preferred to roam
Then HOME! WE WERE HOME! And the grandmas were there
Grandaddy survived- though he spent more time in the air
And at last the kids met, they bonded and played
though Emma and Micah just on the floor laid
Our sweet girl and boy, we were glad to be home
And glad, as well, to not be alone!
Then Easter came, and photos were fun! Wow, it was easier taking pictures of ONE!
Then a party once home with our family and friends
But that's not where this long story ends...
The kids all grew stronger and learned new skills
Played with some toys and grew stronger WILLS!
We borrowed some cribs, put away the big bed
And now each little new one had a place to lay their head
We adjusted as a family for caring for FOUR little ones
LOTS of bottles, lots of clothes,
Lots of BUSY, lots of FUN!
The the day came when Emma went in
They said "we looked, and the chances are grim"
We didn't give up and a "YES" we would get...
But in the mean time Micah got some hospital time in yet.
Then fast forward a bit, everyone grew and got stronger,
It felt like we'd been together Much Much longer!
The kids each accepted each other so well
Which ones are adopted? No one could tell!
We built up the memories, unsure of the future
Knowing the day was coming when we could be without her
But smiles and playing, new things into the night
Oh yes, and LOTS of praying with all of our might!
A holiday passed
A visit from Sis :)
Friends even came up to say "hi" to Mr. and Miss
Then come the day did for the tonsils to come out
And who would have known she'd put up such a pout?
EIGHT days in the hospital but she came home at last! Now scheduling heart surgery, that was a pest...
She came all set up with cables and wire, monitors and oxygen of those we would tire!
But the weeks they flew by, yes they went by quite fast
And the surgery we dreaded was upon us at last.
Sometimes we've felt we were trapped between these
But astounded we were when Emma came home with EASE!
Who would have known that she'd been through so much?
Oh, yes, God really graced her with His touch.
Now we laugh and we learn, do new things every day
We've been BLESSED
And I didn't think THIS we'd ever say
Emma's SATs are so high! She's doing so great!
It's a joy and a wonder and we celebrate :)
On to Micah's birthday, he's TWO now you see!
The adventures keep coming for each of them and me :)
We took a nice trip and met lots of friends!
All her time, Mrs. Andrea to Reece's Rainbow lends...
Then off on a CRUISE! With Shelley no less:) And we met more RR families with us!
It was time for the Buddy walk, this year with FOUR!
Then a birthday for Grandma and through pumpkins we tore
Now we're growing
And changing
And learning each day
With more visits
And laughter
And lots of time to pray
So as the year ends
And 08 comes to a close
We'll be sure to keep busy
So that everyone knows
That 2009 will be even better
But don't expect NEXT YEAR to have such a long letter!
Wishing you the best for 2009!
With love from the Cornish Family!
