Notice anything different?

November 30th, 2006

Jason and I left for Ukraine November 10th 2006.  We were on a journey of a life time.  One that would lead us to one of the most amazing little girls I have ever known, and she would become our daughter.  I thought of her every day the previous 2.5 years.  How old would she be? What color hair would she have? What kind of things would she like? lots and lots of questions. I was traveling half way around the world to bring her home.  Little did any of us know that not only would I gain a daughter but a whole family. 

That November the Whites (Brian, Pam, and Angelina) and the Kissacks (Landon, Tonya, Noah, Micah, Silas, Solomon, Lyra and Karys) would be on the same journey; looking for a their little girls.   Adoptions had been on hold for over 11 months, we had all been invited to the SDA from different parts of the country and we all had different stories that lead us there.  First us, then 4 days later Brian and Pam, and a day or two after that, Landon and Tonya.  We all found our daughters waiting for us in Mykolaiv. Finally there we all were, sitting together in the "sleeping room" hugging, kissing and completely falling in love with 3 of the most precious little girls we ever laid eyes on.  Over the next 3 weeks, while bonding with the girls we all bonded with each other as well.  Sharing our stories, laughing together, sometimes even crying together.  We went bowling, had dinner, and shared a few drinks.  Tonya gave support for us less knowledgeable new mommies, we talked about our frustrations, the future, our hopes and our dreams. 

Once home we all continued to keep in touch via email and our blogs, over the course of the year we all grew closer and thought it would be a great idea to get together for a reunion.  The Whites were in China but Pam and Angelina were home for Easter so we met in KY in April of 2007. 

In September of 2009, we were able to meet up with the Kissacks in GA, sadly the Whites could not join us as they were relocating to NY.  Then finally last week, almost 5 years later we ALL came back together.  We stayed in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains, and had a perfect 4 day vacation.  The kids played together like they were best friends, not a single fight or problem.  The adults talked about the years that have gone by and even went down memory lane about our 3 weeks together and how it changed us all.  Today all three girls have completely different personalities, but when they are together they fit just right, each complimenting the other.  We never knew 5 years ago when taking that picture above that we would all be so lucky to continue this treasured memory.