We are submitted and starting a new blog

This has been a bittersweet day. Sasha, our facilitator, texted me at 2AM that our dossier had been submitted. Last time this process took a year; this time it will only be a matter of months. I am so thankful that it is moving quickly. But when I called Gabrielle to tell her, she cried. Why? Because it will be "so long" before we will come to get her. She told me recently in a letter that "time hangs heavy". How hard the waiting is for these children when once they learn they are loved, wanted, and will soon have a family. The SDA now has up to 2 weeks to give us an appointment date. I so hope they don't wait that long and am even more hopeful that the date will be ultra-soon, like August. Yes, to me that is soon but to Gabrielle it is an eternity.

In spite of the tears, however, the conversation today was sweet as we discussed her new name. I have a hard time changing names once I get used to one. I still call Roman, Roman. Gabe calls him Eli. But our daughter-to-be has asked for a new name and so I am committed to starting to call her by that name NOW so that I can get used to it.

I have also started a new blog. You can find it at www.thedavieadventure.blogspot.com. I tried to think of a name that could encompass all our adventures, not just those related to adoption. Its hard to find time to post on a blog; but sometimes I might have something worth sharing and at least I will have that avenue.

Another cool tid-bit to share is the fact that my dear, 11 year old son, Roman, has been translating for Gabrielle. He does awesome! I am constantly amazed at the ease with which he and Vitalik both can switch back and forth between the 2 languages. Roman and Gabrielle have grown up together for the most part; they are already very close and act like brother and sister. He is excited that she will be joining the family, as we all are.

It is my hope, as always, that those considering adoption will stumble upon my blogs, read through them, and see what a blessing it is to bring a new child into your family in this wonderful, God-ordained way. I read a quote recently that I will close this blog with. The statement has to do with interracial adoption but, in my opinion, can apply to adoptions across the board:

It turns out that adopting interracially is a little like getting a tattoo or a piercing. The first one takes some thinking. The second comes easier, and the third, it’s not even a question….suddenly all your worry and fret seems so distant that you’re hard pressed to remember what all the concern was about.

You’re marked forever and can’t imagine life any other way. (posted on randybohlender.com)

I, for one, certainly cannot imagine life any other way than without my children, both biological and adopted. They are all gifts from a generous and awesome God. To him be the glory for calling us to this wondrous task of parenting.

Finishing out the year with photos

One year home and we're going back again

It is so hard to believe that this month will complete one year home with Vitalik and Roman. There have been challenges but they have adjusted really well. A few weeks ago we returned from a mission trip in the region where Roman lived. We served at Camp Friendship for two weeks, ministering to orphaned children as well as others. While there, I had the chance to speak to a beautiful 15 year old girl named Vika about whehter she would like to become a part of the Davie family. She enthusiastically said yes. We have been working on updating our paperwork since March. We kept it a secret for the most part until we had a chance to talk with her. Now that she has agreed, we are happy to announce that we are pursuing her for adoption. Our I797 arrived this week and has been fedexed to Ukraine. Submissions are now handled differently than in 2008 and are based on the age of the child you are requesting. Therefore, we believe it will go faster and easier than last time. They have also been giving dates very quickly for older children so we are hoping to travel in August while realizing anything can happen. We appreciate everyone's prayers as we once again step out in faith in answering God's call on our lives. I will have to either change the name of our blog or start a new one. Before I say good-bye to this one, however, I will post some recent pictures of the family. So stay tuned.