I Love You

Dear Jaymi Viktoria,

These last few weeks have been very hard because your country has passed a law banning US adoptions of Russian children.  We are still not sure how/if this law affects us.  Your dad and I have tried our best to stay positive, prayerful and hopeful.  I haven't prayed this hard for anything since your little sister Kaelyn was very sick in the hospital.

This is what I wrote on facebook yesterday:

"As of this morning, I'm leaving for Russia, by myself, on Sunday. Wayne is finishing up his last class of his MBA and can't leave now. Things are still very much up in the air, but I want/need to be there, so if the opportunity becomes available to bring our girl home, I will be there. We are so grateful for all your prayers and thoughts and would love if you will keep them coming. This is very much a leap of faith on our part, probably the biggest yet and we need The Lord to prepare the way before us. Lets pray our little girl home!"

I woke up early yesterday morning and felt this sense of urgency that I needed to go to Russia as soon as possible.  Even after it looked like that wouldn't be possible, I just couldn't kick that feeling.  Then a few hours later it was looking possible and I made the needed arrangements to leave.  By the end of day I was all packed and ready to go.  I am praying that Heavenly Father will watch over me as I travel and that things will be in order to bring you home.  I'm so lucky that another family, adopting a cute little guy also with Down syndrome from the same city, will be traveling this week.  I'm so excited to finally meet them and have support while in country alone.  

There are so many people praying for you and us, I know Heavenly Father has not forgotten our pleas and will do all in his power to bring us together.

Your Christmas Angel ornament hanging on our Christmas tree.  There  have been people praying for you to find a family for years.

This is the first picture of you we ever saw, the one that said, "I'm your's, come get me"

Over Christmas break I made 20 little quilts, with the help of family, to bring to your orphanage to leave with your friends.  It was a very spiritual experience sewing those quilts and thinking of all the beautiful children with special needs that may never have a chance to live with a family.  It took a lot of faith for me to continue making them as I was in the middle of them when we found out about the law in Russia and that we may never be able to go back.  I just kept telling myself that I was going to deliver those blankets, I just had too.  Well deliver them I will, they are packed and ready to go with me this weekend.  

Thats me, working a way.

Dad and little sisters being very patient at the fabric store.  

Your great-grandma Ruth working away.  She is the very person that taught me how to sew and inspires me to keep doing it.  She inspires me to keep doing a lot of things and she CANNOT wait to meet you!

Little sister Bryn wanted to be part of the excitement and send her love to  your friends.

Uncle Ryan and cousin Shane were pro's on the quilting machine.  Grandma LaJean helped tie lots of knots of love into each quilt.

The quilts on the left are all packed and ready to go in their vacuum sealed bags.

Making these quilts is one of my most favorite Christmas projects yet.  Maybe we will have to make it tradition.

I'm coming little girl and I assure you I will do everything I can to bring you home.  I will be buoyed up by the strength and power of prayers of many who are concerned for us.  This past year has been an incredible journey, with many ups and downs, failures and triumphs, fears and miracles.  It has opened my eyes to so much, for that I am so grateful, so determined to change the world, one day at a time, in any way the Lord needs me.  

I love you,

Love Mommy