A couple photos from Book One...
From Book One - Arlin's front door on the farm in PA
|
 From Book One - Deborah's front door to her NYC apartment...need we say more? |
And here begins the story of Book Two...
Our journey to becoming a family of seven...
VALERA - OURS NOVEMBER 2011
Valera visiting over Christmas from Ukraine - "He's just my size, Mom! Can I take him back with me?! I'll be back soon anyways, right?!"
|
"I've never had my own pajamas before...and my own stocking!"
|
At the orphanage...Valera is almost officially ours!
It's official - Valera is our first son!
|
My two gorgeous men!
|
OKSANA - OURS FEBRUARY 2012
"Who are these people?" Our first meeting with Oksana as they were headed out the door of the orphanage...
At the orphanage again (three months later) and we've agreed - we want to be mother and daughter.
A 27-hour journey (one way) and Oksana and I are glad to be home.
|
She's officially our first daughter!
|
DIANA, YARIK, & NIKITA - OURS DECEMBER 2012
My first glimpse of Diana - "Mom, are you kidding, where are you?!" PS the hair wasn't my idea! (but it worked and captured Mom's heart!)
|
And...we've just met!
|
Yarik, I'm your new Momma... You don't have to be afraid.
|
Ya... You can come to me. I love you, my little man!
|
Here comes little brother number two, Nikita!
|
I don't know what to say to this face! My future love affair!
|
Yep! I'll take them! They're MINE!
A FAMILY OF SEVEN . . .
SOME OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES SO FAR
Sorry Arlin...the kids look cute! Our first photo opp with the family!
Just home...my baby, Nikita.
2012 - First Christmas as a family of 7 in Texas to meet my family.
HI-HO, HI-HO, It's off to work we go!... "Can we pick another family?! What's up with the hair mom?!"
There are perks to living on a farm!
It's a family affair... YIPPEEEEE FARMS! With a smile :)
"No you get her! Not me!"
"YUCK! I stepped in it again!""
"Wait Momma, how do I get back home?!"
I said put him to bed... not actually get in bed and sleep WITH him! It did make for a heart-melting photo opp though!
O.M.O.! (Oh.My.Ostrich) NYC here she comes! She is MY daughter!
|
"I may not be Diana, but I know how to get in on the act!"
|
A perfect cover. Gotta love them!
Fun in the sun...Valera not thrilled. "You're kidding...the baby pool?!"
|
"Valera, see how it (the baby pool) works...crouch down and you'll get wet."
|
Recovering from knee surgery...a much needed night away for Arlin and I!
A girls night out...Mommy and me.
|
She is on her way to winning an award!
|
In front of the Ukrainian Institute around the corner from my former apartment in NYC.
We love her!
Oksana and I - we were meant to be
Uncle Rick - how is being Santa going for ya?
If it weren't for mothers...I still need mine!
Zero to Five kids in 13 months - all from Ukraine.
And finally...my sanity! Thank you Jesus for Cece!