Saturday, August 13, 2011

Fate and an Anniversary...

It's Saturday night. Alex, Tatiana and I are in a hotel, celebrating a weekend of adoption with the annual Lighthouse Adoptions picnic. I LOVE this gathering. Wouldn't miss it for the world. And this weekend, it's even more of a celebration for Tatiana and I. Tomorrow marks the EQUAL point of days spent IN the baby home/hospital and days with mama. This is always milestone in adoption as it's nice to think that time can heal some of the wounds that were opened in those early days, alone without a mama.

I can't believe how time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday I was just making contact with Lighthouse. Just yesterday I was thinking about the little one I'd bring home. And tonight? I am getting ready to celebrate my daughter's equal time out of the baby home mark. Hard to fathom!

The road to this moment wasn't always smooth, and it wasn't always picture perfect. However, I truly believe that fate took a hand in putting Tati and I together. Three years ago this summer, I was waiting for a little boy referral from Moscow. In my heart I always wanted a little girl, but I also have the patience of a gnat. When first speaking with Lighthouse, the wait for a little girl was long. Russia was just slowly getting back up to speed with adoptions after the "Great Re-accrediation" of 2008, and there were LOTS of families in line for little girls. For little boys? Not so much. So knowing that I couldn't control gender if I was giving birth, I figured, sure, why not! A little boy would be dandy.

Suddenly that summer Moscow City closed to singles -- and another door opened. Vladivostok. FAR, far away from Moscow. Heck -- I couldn't even pronounce it correctly for about the first 3 weeks. While out to dinner one night, my mom brought me a magazine she received in the mail. The magazine had NOTHING to do with adoption or travel, but had a map inside with 1 major city highlighted - VLADIVOSTOK. Surely, it was a sign.

So off to Vlad it was. My referral for a little guy came in and I traveled in October of 2008. All the gorey details are in the blog from during that time -- and I don't hide anything that happened, but suffice it to say, the sweet face that came in my referral was not meant to be. The IA doc who analyzed his file pointed out a "yellow flag" that could turn into a "red flag" but unfortunately more information was needed to judge that. The kind of information that you'd likely need to find out in person. And I did. Heartsick, I was told there was another child at the same baby home that I could see if I was willing to consider a girl. Willing? Ummm sure! Before I knew who she was, I saw her on the playground and fell in love instantly. When I was told that was her, I think my friend Rhonda cried harder than I did, but I knew instantly that we were a match. Without that sweet "yellow flag" referral, I never would have gotten to Vladivostok to meet my little T. Some say circumstance. I say fate.

While we've our bumps and bruises along the way, I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you fate!

The "house" (or family) that Lighthouse built!!
Tatiana - playing at the Lighthouse picnic
Party in the hotel! New jammies from Gramma and Grampa!!

8 comments:

Joy said...

Amy,
What a special day! To get to celebrate it with others who know how special it is makes it even better.
Joy

Jeanette said...

So wish we could have been there :( Would have loved meeting everyone in person. Glad you had fun!!!

Grace has the same pj's and curls has T!

www.adventureswithaidan.org said...

That was one of my favorite anniversaries too. . .What a blessing from God! Awesome stuff. . .

Table for Seven said...

i hate we missed it we will be there for the next one!!!!

Yvonne said...

It was wonderful spending time with you and the kids! Can't wait until the cruise!!!

Smilen Champ said...

Hi
My name is Jenna and I came across your site. That is such a special celebration. You are a wonderful mommy to wonderful, precious, and special kids. I like their cute pj's. I was born with a rare life threatening disease, and I love it when people sign my guestbook. www.miraclechamp.webs.com

Sherry said...

What a wonderful day to celebrate, I can't wait to get there! We live not far from you, and I grew up very near you.

I've included you in my favorite adoptive families links, and I thought it only fair to offer you the same option. Our blog is mitchellsmakingthemost.com (seriously long URL, but now stuck with it!). We're adopting from Russia, currently waiting for our 2nd referral. Thanks for all the great stories, it makes me smile when you've put on a new post. Best to you and your kiddos, they're precious!
Sherry

Barb said...

Congratulations on reaching such a special, important milestone in your life together!

Your kids are just waaaay too cute!