Karina wants us to adopt her and so begins another journey, or in her case I should say continuing journey. I have to tell you when we went three years ago to adopt Alesa and Julia we arrived at the orphanage and the first girl we saw was Karina bolting down the hall like a young colt all legs and a big smile. I remember our facilitator asking her where the directors office was located. As she skipped away I turned around and called out to her "what is your name" her reply "Yulia" (her American name is Karina) and she ran off giggling. For some unfathomable reason she stayed in my thoughts.
A few hours later her friend approached us holding Karinas hand and in broken English said, "my friend wants a family." She said, "she is good girl." I looked into Karina's warm brown eyes and our relationship began. I told Mark it was so sad that one 12 year old girl was literally having to peddle the assets of another. It was so heart wrenching and touched us deeply.
The next day we saw her at an event the orphanage was having for the start of school. There was all this singing and dancing going on and Mark and I looked over at the same time and saw Karina with the saddest expression, it was haunting, she looked so lost in that crowd of cheering and celebration, her expression such a stark contrast to what was going on around her. I picked up my camera and captured her at that moment. We both had the exact same feeling we wanted to take away the sadness that was reflected on her face. We have managed to do that temporarily, but it is our hearts desire to take it away forever.
We all had a wonderful time at Julia's 14th birthday party. Thank you to our friend's Alison and John for lending us their home and pool for the day.
Please pray with us as we start our journey to adopt Karina!
Kasey Grace in ColorGuard
Kasey Grace in Colorguard
Dinner with half the kids
Brett, Dad, Kyle and Ryan
Dad, Kyle and Neiko
Kasey
Kasey loves to mismatch her socks
practicing in the yard
More practice in 110 degree heat this summer
sisters
Alesa on a mission trip
Daddy's girl
Julia our girlie girl
Julia
Zhenya doing what he does best-EATING!
Dad and Alesa, Julia, Kasey and Zhenya at the lake
Mom and Julia
Mom and Alesa
Alesa
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Love You Forever
We stood at the airport waiting nervously and very excitedly. Would she still be the same girl we knew two years ago, would she be shy, reserved, or maybe cool and distant?
Mark had flown up to NYC to meet the plane from Ukraine and to escort Karina, and a girl who was being hosted by another family back to Austin. Suddenly Karina came around the corner and she started running at full speed towards me. I disregarded the sign that said, no one beyond this point, and I ran for her. We just held on to each other and the tears flowed freely, they were for joy, for the two years lost, and for the sheer relief that this beautiful girl still loves us as much as we love her. We didn't need language to understand that the love and bonding that took place the first time we ever saw her was stronger than ever. She has even refused to be hosted or adopted by any other family, stating we were the only family she would ever go with.
Karina has grown so much, she came up to my nose when she left and now she is taller than I am, I am guessing about 5'8 and very thin. She has dyed her hair a dark red. I don't love the dye thing, but I understand it because in their world it is one of the few things teen girls can change or have any control over. Dye is cheap, clothes are too expensive, so they change hair color.
The teens we have had come to visit us always come with what we call the "orphanage edge" it is hard to explain but there seems to be some hardness and some weariness about their demeanor. The smiles are there, but guarded, the eyes are cautious, as if a shell needs to be taken off. Mark and I always get such joy at peeling the layers away each day. I can only describe it like watching a heavy cloak being removed one layer at a time until you see the child underneath. At this point the smiles become bigger and more spontaneous. You can just see the sadness melt away until they are acting like a child should be, happy, secure, and loved. I can't think of much that gives us more satisfaction than this. I will post pictures soon.
After a few days we sat down with Alesa translating and talked about all that has happened. We explained how we adore her and so much want to come get her. She was very quiet and said little at first. At the end we found out that it is indeed her grandmother she does not want to leave. She is 86 and Karina spent all last summer with her at her home. She said she helped her tend her garden and took care of things. You have to admire her love and loyalty. She told us she would have to speak with her grandmother before she makes a decision.Unfortunately, grandmother can not take care of her and in the end she will end up on the streets when she leaves the orphanage. We let her call her grandmother and grandmother said that Karina would have to talk to her 35 year old brother whom she has only seen a few times and has no connection with. Unfortunately in Ukraine older siblings have to sign a release stating that the children can be adopted even if they never see them or visit them. She mentioned once long ago that she had a brother, but never sees him, and yet he could stand in the way of her adoption.
We need to send for our I-600 to start the adoption process. We have the first step, our homestudy complete, and now we need to start the one that will get all the rest done. We are giving her a few more days to think and process until we have to ask her again because now the closer she gets to 16 each day becomes critical. We can see it in her eyes and heart that she wants so badly to come. Please pray for her that she has a peace about whatever decision she makes. I can only imagine how torn she must be about her love between two families and two countries. If she stays in Ukraine we believe she is making the ultimate decision in self sacrifice. I know that God is in control and that we have to hand this over to him and let his peace reign over everyone.
God knows the future and in this we rest!
Mark had flown up to NYC to meet the plane from Ukraine and to escort Karina, and a girl who was being hosted by another family back to Austin. Suddenly Karina came around the corner and she started running at full speed towards me. I disregarded the sign that said, no one beyond this point, and I ran for her. We just held on to each other and the tears flowed freely, they were for joy, for the two years lost, and for the sheer relief that this beautiful girl still loves us as much as we love her. We didn't need language to understand that the love and bonding that took place the first time we ever saw her was stronger than ever. She has even refused to be hosted or adopted by any other family, stating we were the only family she would ever go with.
Karina has grown so much, she came up to my nose when she left and now she is taller than I am, I am guessing about 5'8 and very thin. She has dyed her hair a dark red. I don't love the dye thing, but I understand it because in their world it is one of the few things teen girls can change or have any control over. Dye is cheap, clothes are too expensive, so they change hair color.
The teens we have had come to visit us always come with what we call the "orphanage edge" it is hard to explain but there seems to be some hardness and some weariness about their demeanor. The smiles are there, but guarded, the eyes are cautious, as if a shell needs to be taken off. Mark and I always get such joy at peeling the layers away each day. I can only describe it like watching a heavy cloak being removed one layer at a time until you see the child underneath. At this point the smiles become bigger and more spontaneous. You can just see the sadness melt away until they are acting like a child should be, happy, secure, and loved. I can't think of much that gives us more satisfaction than this. I will post pictures soon.
After a few days we sat down with Alesa translating and talked about all that has happened. We explained how we adore her and so much want to come get her. She was very quiet and said little at first. At the end we found out that it is indeed her grandmother she does not want to leave. She is 86 and Karina spent all last summer with her at her home. She said she helped her tend her garden and took care of things. You have to admire her love and loyalty. She told us she would have to speak with her grandmother before she makes a decision.Unfortunately, grandmother can not take care of her and in the end she will end up on the streets when she leaves the orphanage. We let her call her grandmother and grandmother said that Karina would have to talk to her 35 year old brother whom she has only seen a few times and has no connection with. Unfortunately in Ukraine older siblings have to sign a release stating that the children can be adopted even if they never see them or visit them. She mentioned once long ago that she had a brother, but never sees him, and yet he could stand in the way of her adoption.
We need to send for our I-600 to start the adoption process. We have the first step, our homestudy complete, and now we need to start the one that will get all the rest done. We are giving her a few more days to think and process until we have to ask her again because now the closer she gets to 16 each day becomes critical. We can see it in her eyes and heart that she wants so badly to come. Please pray for her that she has a peace about whatever decision she makes. I can only imagine how torn she must be about her love between two families and two countries. If she stays in Ukraine we believe she is making the ultimate decision in self sacrifice. I know that God is in control and that we have to hand this over to him and let his peace reign over everyone.
God knows the future and in this we rest!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Karina is Coming-Karina is Coming
We are looking forward to Saturday night when Karina will once again be ours for 10 weeks! We wonder after two years what she will look like and how she has changed. Will everyone just pick up where we left off or will we feel like we are getting to know a stranger all over again. Two years is a long time in the life of a teen. I know in the orphanage they have a lot to deal with and sometimes they become hardened. I am praying for the sweet girl that left us two years ago.
We are still praying about her adoption and we have our home-study and our I-600 ready to go. We just need to talk to Karina and spend time with her before we make the plans to adopt her. I decided that I hate asking people for money even if it is for a good cause. We did manage to fundraise a lot of the money for our last adoptions, but honestly it is so difficult to do. It is the hardest part, and so we have decided to put that on hold and let the Lord show us what he wants us to do. We want to spend the summer enjoying our children, not worrying or fundraising to make the adoption happen.
We play musical rooms here in the summer. Alesa has moved in with Lena, Kyle is in Alesa's room, Ryan and Zhenya are sharing a room and Julia and Karina will be sharing a room.
Kenna and Brett will not be home this summer. Brett just got accepted into the business as well as law school and so he will be picking up a double degree. He is about 6 hours from us so we won't see him until the 4th of July. Kenna has her own apartment works hard, and will be going back to school in the fall. Kyle is home for the summer, he is life guarding, and will transferring to a different college in the fall. Ryan has two jobs, he is a camp counselor and is selling Cutco knives, if any one needs knives let me know :) Zhenya is visiting in Dallas right now. We are not sure what he will do in the fall. He has been accepted at several schools. Right now he is doing such serious angst about leaving home that we think we may keep him at home for the first year and have him go to a community college. These kids come with so many holes that you think you can fill, but then you find out that they need more time to be part of a family. We thought he might not be ready to leave yet, and we were right because now he is expressing the desire to stay at home a little longer.
I will post again after Karina arrives and share up-dates and pictures.
Hoping your summer is wonderful. I am praising God for the time I have off to relax and enjoy my family.
We are still praying about her adoption and we have our home-study and our I-600 ready to go. We just need to talk to Karina and spend time with her before we make the plans to adopt her. I decided that I hate asking people for money even if it is for a good cause. We did manage to fundraise a lot of the money for our last adoptions, but honestly it is so difficult to do. It is the hardest part, and so we have decided to put that on hold and let the Lord show us what he wants us to do. We want to spend the summer enjoying our children, not worrying or fundraising to make the adoption happen.
We play musical rooms here in the summer. Alesa has moved in with Lena, Kyle is in Alesa's room, Ryan and Zhenya are sharing a room and Julia and Karina will be sharing a room.
Kenna and Brett will not be home this summer. Brett just got accepted into the business as well as law school and so he will be picking up a double degree. He is about 6 hours from us so we won't see him until the 4th of July. Kenna has her own apartment works hard, and will be going back to school in the fall. Kyle is home for the summer, he is life guarding, and will transferring to a different college in the fall. Ryan has two jobs, he is a camp counselor and is selling Cutco knives, if any one needs knives let me know :) Zhenya is visiting in Dallas right now. We are not sure what he will do in the fall. He has been accepted at several schools. Right now he is doing such serious angst about leaving home that we think we may keep him at home for the first year and have him go to a community college. These kids come with so many holes that you think you can fill, but then you find out that they need more time to be part of a family. We thought he might not be ready to leave yet, and we were right because now he is expressing the desire to stay at home a little longer.
I will post again after Karina arrives and share up-dates and pictures.
Hoping your summer is wonderful. I am praising God for the time I have off to relax and enjoy my family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)