Happy Birthday to us!

Today, May 25, is our family's birthday. 8 years ago we told "yes" to each other and became "one". I remember it like it was yesterday. We didn't have a big wedding because I didn't have any family here, only a few new friends I had met. I couldn't help financially and Bob had to buy both our rings. Of course I saved a lot of money by making my own wedding dress, we only spent about $30 on the fabric and the beads. I made it on Bob's old sewing machine and had to wash it in the washing machine the night before our wedding because the sewing machine was leaking oil. I don't remember being nervous or super excited. Maybe because i didn't believe it was happening, it was too good to be true. I thought somebody would slap me in the face and I would wake up in my apartment in Russia. I still sometimes can't believe I have such a wonderful husband - Bob. Today I gave him a card and it says "The Lord knew what He was doing when He put our hearts together..." Bob was always So good to me! He talks to me and he helps me, he encourages me and lifts me up, he teaches me English (still!!!) and how to deal with American people. We are SO different and SO the same! I thank God for every day I have with Bob. And I thank Bob for being the best husband for me and the great father for our daughter. And I thank him for being with me on this adoption journey.
We are waiting on our approval from USCIS. As soon as we get it, our dossier is going to Ukraine.

Happy Mother's Day

This was my third year celebrate Mother's Day as a mother. We had a good day. Anastasia made a card for me. She wrote "Dear Mom, you were always there for me when I am in trouble or sick. I love you so much!!!" That was so sweet! I love her very much! She makes my Mother's Days and all the days between them! Four years ago I didn't even want to go to church on that day because I wasn't a mother and I didn't have my mom any more ( she died from cancer in October 2004 ) and this holiday was giving me pain and tears. I still miss my mom very much. I would love to tell her about my daughter and ask her advise. I want to ask her about my childhood and i want to tell her how proud I am of my child. I just want to tell her that I love her... But I can't. I even don't know where her soul is right now. She was a Muslim and she wanted to die as a Muslim. When I came to the States I met Jesus here. I gave my life to Him and I got Him as my Lord, Savior, Heavenly Father, Friend... And I witnessed to my mother and shared Jesus with her. She didn't change her mind. Every time I think about it, my heart aches. I can only hope she thought about Jesus before she died. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me". You can look at His words under any angle but the meaning is plain and simple: only through Jesus you can come to the Father. Jesus is not a fairy-tale story. He is not one of the many ways. He is not dead. He is real and He is alive. I've seen His miracles in my life. And my daughter is His gift. Thank you, Jesus, for this precious child that makes my Mother's Day into HAPPY Mother's Day!