GOD GAVE ME YOU!

Hello to all my blog followers.

Today is a VERY SPECIAL day for me.  On this day 4 years ago, we had traveled over 4000 miles and over 20 hours to get to my little girl, Olesya.   This day - 4 years ago.. -the first day we met her she was so innocent and shy.  She came running into the room and I picked her up and put her on my lap.  Stephen was grinning like he had just won the lottery.  I was excited and nervous.  I put her down on the floor and she walked slowly around the room, finding toys to play with.  Stephen got down on the floor and played with her while I took pictures and video's.  The doctor who had taken the train from St. Petersburg, looked her over and checked her heart and said she was fine.  She translated some of her medical records for us while we played.  The first morning visit was quick and didn't last very long.   She was so tiny and precious.

We went back to the hotel and waited for our next afternoon visit.   When we went back in the afternoon, she had changed her clothes and they were outside the orphanage trying to stay cool in the playground area.  We took more pictures and videos.  Our translator took our first family portrait.

Stephen and I are so happy.





The day went by really quickly.  It was really hot and she was really fun to play with.

here she is running from me... she was so rotten (is so rotten)

We left this day knowing that tomorrow we would sign papers requesting to adopt her. Who wouldn't? 

The next morning we got up and got ready to visit with her the second day.  The morning visit went smooth.  Before we left they asked us if we were ready to sign papers.  Of course we were.  So we signed papers requesting to adopt her.  We were excited and more than ready to be her mommy and daddy!

 

 

The second afternoon, we played some more.  I had brought along a dress, to see what size she is wearing.  Here she is wearing an 18 month dress at age 26 months and it was a little big.

 



 

 

It was the end of our second day and first ever visit to Moscow and Tambov, Russia.

 

We said our goodbyes and I was determined she wouldn't have to wait long for our return.

 

Our second family photo (1st visit for Tambov).

 

It took months after we came back home to finally get all the requested papers together and get our court date (November 15, 2011)  and finally in our arms (December 2, 2011) and finally home to the USA (December 8, 2011!).

 

We love her more than we could have ever imagined.  She is the BEST part of my day.... The first person I think about each morning and the last person I think about each night.  

She is happy and healthy and smart and beautiful.  She is friendly and loving and caring and ornery rotten and she loves the little boys.  She already has two marriage proposals in Kindergarten.  She says they both want to marry her, but she tried to kiss another little boy.  Stephen said he thought he would have to chase the boys away... but it seems he might have to keep a close eye on the rotten little girl as well.

 

She starts 1st grade in August!  Are you kidding me - why does time have to go so fast?  If someone could please slow it down, that would be great.   We have had so many first with her and she has had so many first with us. 

 

We missed a lot those first couple years (32 months).  She doesn't recall any of it as far as we are aware. 

 

GOD.... Prayers.....Family....Home......Dream......Happiness... Joy......Peace......Love.......Hope.......

 

GOD GAVE ME YOU!

 

I couldn't be more honored or proud to call her my daughter! 

 

The proud mommy of Olesya!

Tamra Lewis