She's 6 today

Happy Birthday to my sweet Vishakha. Even though she's half a world away, we celebrate her, because we are her family, and that's what families do. Since Ken is working tonight, we actually celebrated last night (which was today in India, so it totally counts). We had chocolate cake and the boys all wished for V to come home soon before blowing out all the candles. Then we watched videos of V that my friend took at BSSK this week (she was there picking up her son, yay). The only thing missing was the birthday girl.

Eliza's "Adopted" photo

For those of you who don't know, Third Day (just about the most awesome band ever) is promoting adoption. You can read about it on their website. They are also compiling photos of adopted kids/families in order to make a slideshow to play during their concerts. So here is Miss Eliza's "Adopted" photo submission. So who wants to go see a Third Day concert?

A special Diwali celebration

My bloggy friend just sent me a link to a hotel blog from Pune, India. They had a Diwali celebration for all the kids at institution where Vishakha lives. Click HERE to read their blog post about the celebration & see pictures.

PS: our sweet girl is in the 2nd photo. She's in the front row wearing the red and white outfit.

8396 Miles Away

8396 miles away...there is a precious 5 year old little girl living in an orphanage.



8396 miles away...her 2 best friends found out this week that they will soon have a family, and they will be leaving to come to the USA.



8396 miles away...she knows nothing of the mommy and daddy that love her, and cannot wait to meet her, hold her, and call her mulgi (daughter).



8396 miles away...God is with this precious child. He also loves her. He also calls her mulgi.

One Step Closer

Today, finally, our dossier and acceptance paperwork is on it's way to India! YIPPPEEE!

There is still much more to be done before we get to bring our sweet girl home. Our docs must now be processed, scrutinized and reviewed by the gov't and courts in India, but today I celebrate progress and the fact that we are one step closer to bringing Vishakha home.

A quick update on Vishakha: Her recent progress reports are good. She is still very small (she's almost 6 but closer to the size of a 4 year old), but she's growing and healthy, and continues to make good progress with her speech and physical therapies. She is going to English school, and getting good grades. I have even been able to find a few of the US families who are adopting her good friends at the orphanage, so maybe they can be penpals once they all get to the US. How awesome is that!

Snow Day

Recently we had a perfect day of snowy fun. Lots of snow, and not too cold. It has since then gotten WAY too cold, but we had one great day of winter wonderland fun. Notice there is no sled at the end of the video. Phillip actually popped the sled trying to jump it off the concrete wall. Thankfully he wasn't hurt. After that they decided they didn't need a sled anyway. They could just dive down the hill on their bellies.

Some words to live by

I so admire the beautiful life lived by Mother Teresa. I know we can all learn many lessons from her life of faith, love and service to the poor. I came across this quote from her and thought it was worthy of sharing.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway

---Mother Teresa