I Get To Do This

Well, Praise the Lord the light bulb went off and the Lord gave me a new perspective about adopting Irina. In the beginning, times were really hard. I was slept deprived, jet lag hung on for awhile, and everyone wanted mom. I had nothing to give anyone and there were so many needs facing me. It was overwhelming, but God in His mercy and grace helped me see things in greater light. He showed me what an honor and a privilege it is to be my children's mom. That I get to do this!!He gave them all to me, even Irina who has missed out on a mother's love for the first 8 yrs. of her life and I get to be her mom! I get to hold her, rock her, play "this little piggy went to market",sing to her and tell her about Jesus. It hit me like a ton of bricks. WOW! God allowed me to be Ira's mother, and not her birth mom. I feel sorry for her mom that she has missed this. She lost a blessing. I found myself praying for her the other day and asking God to heal her and make her whole and drag her to the cross. Send someone Lord to tell her about you. She needs you. Please give her hope and may she know how much you love her and Irina.

Homecoming Pics to come!

Well.. at least we know she's learning!! :]

Today has been a very good day with Ira!!! She is listening sooo much better. Lately, Ira has been learning that if she does not listen she will miss out on something she likes i.e.watching a movie, riding her bike, or drinking coca-cola(she loves coca-cola)! Today long story short Samuel ended up in the girls bed room and wouldn't sleep! Ira got so upset she started yelling,"ne spot ne coca-cola ne bicycle, ne kolad, ne movie!!( If you don't go to sleep you get no coke, no bike, no outside,and no movie!) Samuel was shocked but didn't take it seriously, until she started yelling look in my eyes this is not funny!! What a little Mommy. We were laughing our heads off!! She did this about 5 times ! HeHe!! I love her so much!
Posted by Amy

Having Fun!!!!!

It has been very hectic this week with a child adjusting, a boy with a cold
(a.k.a a very crabby kid), and another boy that well just doesn't understand whats going on!!! But we still have enough time to have a little fun!

Giddy up daddy!!!!

On the way to the beach!!
What a princess!!!(Daddy bought those glasses ;)

"Papa"teaching Era how to swim!!

I was just thinking the other day I don't think mom ever put pics of all of us on the blog because she was talking so much about the adoption!! Well here are her babies!!

Amy - 11yrs Irina - 8yr Samuel - 3 1/2 yrs

Seth-2yrs

( Sorry Its blurry, he doesn't like his picture taken, especially while watching Scooby-Doo!!!)

Posted by Amy

Home For A Week

Well we've been home 1 week today! It's taken this long for me to finally feel normal from jet lag and all the adjustments. Considering how hard this must be for Ira, she's doing really well. Her episodes are fewer and less intense,but she is still definitely grieving everything and everyone from Ukraine. It is so hard to see such pain in her eyes. However, it is in those moments when she allows me to comfort her that we bond the most. She is a fighter, so I assume her will to keep going is how she survived in the orphanage. Even though she fights against our parental love, I think its that character trait that helped her as she lived void of parents. She is still trying to figure out what her role is and what our roles are, but everyday is better. She is a precious child,who really doesn't even know herself because she's never been able to relax and just trust. She's had to be self-reliant to survive.
All the kids love her and she loves them. She is very motherly with Samuel and Seth. It's sweet to watch how she interacts with them. She wants Amy all the time and if she's not around she'll be looking for her. God has been so good and has provided all we have needed. I'm so amazed by His care for us. Just yesterday our friends who are adopting from the same orphanage came to our house with groceries and stocked our fridge!! When we can't get it done God can! Love you Jesus! Thank you Lewis family!!

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!

A new Hollywood star is born!!!!!!

But amazingly she still has enough time to be silly!!!
HEHE

Last dinner/night in Ukraine!

Its soooo nice to know that we are finally leaving within 8 hrs and exciting that we will be in america in 24 hrs!! But also in some ways I am going to miss this place!! Here are some pics of us eating our last meal in Ukraine!!

BYE BYE UKRAINE!!!!!!

Read the post below!!