Sunday, December 31, 2006

One year ago Today...

One year ago today our lives changed. Lauren arrived home on December 30th. That first night I remember sleeping on the floor next to her crib.... I finally fell asleep around 4:30 in the morning.... only to wake up at 5:15 with the intense feeling that someone was studying me. It was Lauren... with a huge grin on her face. I can't think of anything better ever happening to me. The night before, after picking Lauren & Dawn up at the airport, I looked in the rear-view mirror in the car about two blocks from our house. I saw Lauren, sleeping peacefully in her car-seat. That was the first time I truly knew she was ours and I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of joy.
Thank You Orson Mozes & Adoption International for making our dreams come true!

Bulgyn


Bulgyn, our Kazak angel. You took us under your wing and showed us the heart and soul of your country (and our daughter's country also). You were the first one we met and the one who made the most lasting impression. You made us see just how small this world really is and how we are all so similar. We miss you so much. Your call on Christmas day was one of the best presents we had. We love you and will never forget you, and we know we will see you again soon.

Lena

Lena, you were the one who was there when we met our daughter for the very first time. You made our time in Ust-Kamenogorsk a wonderful experience. We will remember your footsteps as they were always in a hurry and we could hear the tap-tap of your shoes as you ran from place to place. We will never forget your visits to Lauren while we were home waiting for our return, checking on Lauren and e-mailing us to tell us how she was doing. Thank you for all your help and we hope you have moved on to bigger and better things. We will never forget you.

Albina

As beautiful on the inside as on the outside, Albina was our process expert. Thank you so much for all of your help. You made our process so easy. We really appreciated all the hard work you did to speed things up and to get Lauren and I home before the new year. We know that it was so hard for you to be seperated from your own daughter while you were helping everyone else get their child. I will never forget our celebration pizza party in my apartment in Ust-Kamenogorsk the day before Lauren and I left for Almaty. Thank you for playing such a big part in one of the most important events in our life.

Semyon


Semyon, our driver, was the youngest of our group but acted like a mother hen. He made sure all of our food was fresh and that we paid the best price possible for any goods. He loved his car and was always cleaning it and he was an excellent driver. He made us laugh and always had a smile on his face. He was a computer wizard and kept our internet connection going strong. He also walked behind me to make sure I would not slip on the ice and always carried Lauren if it was very slippery outside. Semyon.....where ever you are.....we will never forget you.....Thank you for helping us get the most precious thing in our life.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

A Very Bunny Christmas



Lauren has always had a fascination with bunnies. Santa brought her a little white bunny that hops all over the house (with the help of batteries), and one of our neighbors, Pam, gave her a new pair of bunny slippers....... Lauren was in heaven. You can never have too many bunnies.

Silly Christmas Frog



Lauren received a singing frog for Christmas from our friend Harry. She thought that frog was the funniest thing she had ever seen. At first she stayed very far away...then she got a little closer...then she started to dance like the frog. Now she just laughs and dances when ever that frog starts to sing.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Merry Christmas


We went to see Santa the other day and Lauren loved him. I took her up to him to see how she would react - she laughed, held out her arms and sat on his lap. The photographer immediately started taking pictures even though I had not paid or filled out paperwork. When they finished with the picture taking I started filling out the paperwork. Lauren got away from me and she promptly ran back to Santa and started pulling the next child in line off his lap. She was going to climb back up and see Santa again........wait until she finds out Santa brings toys!