Sarah... :)

Guess Who Got Thier First PayCheck??

 Yep! Miss Alli! :)

Guess Who Got Thier First PayCheck??

Erika's Walking journey.... I Loved Seeing This Again!

Some really great visits with Miss Alli

I'll let the photo's speak for themselves. :)

Many of you know that this has been an extraordinarily difficult couple of years.  But praise the Lord this little one is coming out of the deep fog of trauma and seeing the world with a new set of glasses.
The glasses of reality.....
Life can be very unfair and difficult... but life can also be VERY VERY good.
She is LOVED. She is SAFE.  She has her entire future ahead of her.
This is something we could not do on our own, and required intensive outside help.

I am so thankful for those in law enforcement, in the detention center and in the medical community and within our church who have prayed, and who have prayed  us through this very difficult time.
She will be coming home soon. :)
We are ALL thrilled that our sweet baby girl is back to LIVING.

Is It Possible??

This was Erika and I in Ukraine in 2006.  She was 7 years and 9 months.  Isn't she just adorable?!!!

Is it POSSIBLE that THIS little one could be HER today???

OH yes it is. 
She is just awesome!  She has grown so much inside and out.... and in 2 weeks. She will be 18.
EIGHTEEN!  NO WAY!
Way!

I am so proud of her. :)

Is It Possible???

Miss Fannie's Hat

Somebody got this book out and had it laying on the table when I came inside to start dinner. Tonight, it is just Mike and me for dinner. The other girls are all at work.
It brought a little tear to my eye, as I have so many great memories from this book.  We read it over and over and over again. I think we nearly retired it checking it out at the library so many times.

I finally bought a copy of it for Easter in 2005 and dedicated it to Anna. It became Sarah's favorite and Erika's favorite after that. 

Times are changing so fast around here.  Little girl books bring back great memories!
I can think of a few grand babies that will enjoy this book too. :)

Adjusting....

           ( A much younger Miss Erika) :)
So now that Miss Erika is driving, I no longer have get  to drive her to school, or take her to work. 
She is perfectly capable of getting there on her own, in her OWN car!
Times they are a changing WAY TOO FAST!
I am so happy for her, and at the same time there is a twinge of pain that she is oh so grown up!
I confess, I drove behind her the first day she drove to work on her own.
But today? NO.  She drove to work with her and Sarah, then dropped Sarah off at a Super Bowl Party and drove home on her own to study.
Whoa baby! She is so grown up!
Love my girl!
The Super Bowl party we attended had no children! In a house that used to bustle with loads of children, there were just two couples, enjoying the game and the commercials.  And I might just say, the "Weiner Dog Commercial" was my favorite. :)
We are entering a new phase of life. 
And we have learned to love each phase.  So here we go!

A New Milestone

Raising ALL of our girls has been an amazing experience.  Erika has been home almost 10 years, Sarah almost 11 years.  More things have happened in that short time than I can write here.
They have overcome so much and are such joys.

And now.... A new right of passage.  Erika is officially a DRIVER!  She has worked so hard over the last year plus to drive.  And now it has happened. :)  With driving comes more responsibility of course.  She has her car, a Taurus, and a job and will be covering her portion of the insurance.
Real life, brings real responsibility.

So, I believe my taxi days of taking her to college and picking her up are over. :(
I say that with a little sadness, but also a little joy, as I know she is thrilled, and it will take a lot off of my plate and free me up to work more in the shoppe.

Erika will also be the primary driver when Sarah starts college next year too. :)

And now it is time for Sarah to start working on HER permit to get her license.
They are growing up TOO FAST!

And just LOOK HOW!
Best friends in the orphanageAnd Best friends and Sisters now!

And look who has gotten so tall!!!!
(to be fair, Erika says she is slouching.  Reality.... Sarah is 1/4 " taller. :)

GUESS!!!

Guess who is 2 cm taller than her sister?  :)



Yes, that little tiny one who wasn't expected to get taller than 4'10".  :)

(This photo is of them in Ukraine before we were blessed to have them for our daughters.

Now there has been this ongoing competition for who will be tallest once they entered into the teen years.   The thing is.... Miss Erika, being a double amputee can "grow" whenever she wants to.  And new legs are being made starting on Monday.   LOL

So proud of you both!