A Year in Pictures (and a few words...)

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!