Dear President Putin

Dear President Putin, I am not sure if you will ever read this, or it will even reach you, but I felt the need to place my words in a place you may see it. My name is Lisa. I am a mother to seven children. Two of those seven children are from Russia. If you feel the need to review any information about me or my family, it is readily available to you in our post placement reports. They were sent as required in December. My two beautiful daughters have Down syndrome. Isabella Daria is four and Phoebe Anastasia is three years old. They have been home with us for over a year now. My husband and I visited Krasnoyarsk, Russia in September of 2011 for our first visits with our daughters. It was a long road to get there, full of paperwork and heartbreak. We dotted every I and crossed every T as requested and required by your country. Although this paperwork was daunting, we were willing to do what we had to do for the honor of visiting your country and the chance at being parents to your children. We didn't expect a yes, we just prayed for it. What was even harder was trying to explain why we wanted to adopt two girls with Down syndrome. Once again, we did it because we were respecting your laws and wanted to show people that children with Down syndrome are worth the fight. When we arrived for the first time in September of 2011 I fully expected not to like your country. In fact I envisioned myself hating it. After all I grew up in the 80's where it wasn't uncommon for American's to not exactly get along with Russians. When I got to your country, I felt the exact opposite. I felt love. I felt admiration. I felt respect. Your country is beautiful. The country side is gorgeous. The architecture is phenomenal. The people I dealt with were kind and more then helpful. I admit visiting governmental agencies were quite frightening, because I didn't know what to expect. It was fine. It helps when respect is given. Our second trip for court was long. We spent several days in Moscow and a long period in Krasnoyarsk getting all the required documents together. When going to court I was afraid, but I was honest and I believe the judge saw that. I was myself and poured my heart out to her. My husband and I were deeply in love with your children. The first visit was amazing. We wanted nothing more then to be Isabella and Phoebe's parents. Thankfully, the judge gave us custody of our girls. We couldn't have been more thankful. During the mandatory 10 day wait (at that time) I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the girls, see many sights, visit a local ski slope and even see a Russian play. I also visited a church of my faith. When in Moscow we visited Red Square. Never thought I would want to come back some day, but I do. I would love for the girls to see where they came from and for Phoebe's mother to be able to see her again. I know she loved her and I am thankful for that. I guess the whole point of this letter is to explain to you how I feel about the adoption ban. Not sure if it will matter, but in honor of my daughters and the friends they left behind, I felt led to. I cannot even begin to understand how one side over the other feels. I understand your point and I understand mine, but I wish you could understand that not all Americans are bad just as not all Russians are bad. I feel horrified about the nineteen children that have died after being adopted here. It makes me so sad, but it is truly not fair to judge all of us adoptive parents or American's in general because of those nineteen families. Just as it is not fair for me to judge you or your country for things that have happened in the past there. Do I agree with the way children with special needs are treated there at times? No. Do you agree with everything we as a country do? I am sure you don't. Does it make me sick to my stomach to think that children with Down syndrome and other disabilities are left behind? Yes. Do I think that all orphanages are bad? No. Do I think every child deserves a family no matter what? Yes. You cannot honestly tell me that a child is better off in an orphanage then a family. My daughters have changed so much. I have sent pictures back to your country and even researched to find Phoebe's birth mother. I have received nothing but thanks and love from the people we were in contact with while there. They've seen the change. They have seen what love can do. Please reconsider the ban. I understand you may never fully agree with the things we do here, just as we may never fully agree with what you do. It is after all, your country and your children. All I can do is beg, plead and beg some more. I was told once by a person in your country that children with special needs do not have a chance at a life outside of the orphanage. I know personally that here, we can give them a life, a family, therapy, medical care, school and love. With all respect sir, many of your children can have a family here, if you just let us try. Below is a picture of the girls before and after. Not as a disrespect, but as a reference to my above words.

Respectfully, Lisa

Thanks!

The girls and I would like to thank everyone who donated to Dominick's Angel Tree Fund. The giveaway that I had was scheduled to end on December 10th. Nobody used my link (went through RR) so I have no way of knowing exactly who donated. All donations through RR are anonymous. Please continue to give to any orphan you wish. All money is tax deductible. Yes, there are issues at this time with the adoption ban that has been placed, but we will not give up on the orphans. All money will stay with the child as long as there is hope. The girls are doing great. Phoebe has grown at least four inches and is up to thirty pounds. Bella has gained ten pounds and is at least four inches taller. Both girls go to school four days a week and are involved in therapy. Last year Bella could not walk or barely talk. She could not feed herself, chew or swallow. Today she walks everywhere and has no qualms about asking for what she wants. Phoebe's self soothing and injurious behaviors have improved immensely. She is the world's best hugger and knows how to turn on the charm. Phoebe's eyes will need a second surgery and if her hearing does not improve, she may need a hearing aide. The future will tell. Thanks again for loving and donating to Phoebe's orphanage mate. Do not give up on them. We won't. Until they are home....Lisa

I'M HIJACKING JULIA'S BLOG GIVEAWAY!!

Since my give away was a crapper, I decided to hijack Julia Nalle's blog!!! Please visit her blog at this link (copy and paste it.) http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2012/12/no-more-worries.html Please visit this link above and follow the instructions (Donate to one of her AT boys-donate to the child on the very bottom of the Angel Tree-leave a comment on her blog in regards to who you donated to and how much-donate to as many children as you wish (REMEMBER DOMINICK 9HA!!)-then earn entries for sharing. The more AT babies you donate to, the greater your chances are of winning a prize (the biggest prize is helping them get to their goal!!) So, why you are there, make my Dominick http://reecesrainbow.org/29500/dominick-9ha one of your donations and increase your chances! There are also other give aways for other families toward the bottom of her post. Donate to them too and leave Julia a comment. So, not only do you get a chance at their prizes, you also get chances at Julia's too. ++++The big bonus is you get that extra warm feeling in your heart for helping the AT babies grants grow!!++++

BELLA AND PHOEBE SAY THANK YOU!!

Something Sweet For Dominick!

HE ONLY HAS ONE YEAR....

HE ONLY HAS ONE YEAR! ONE YEAR UNTIL HE'S TRANSFERRED. TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS LITTLE BODY WON'T MAKE IT IF HE'S TAKEN TO A PLACE THAT DOESN'T OFFER THE ATTENTION HE SO BADLY NEEDS. PLEASE DONATE ANY AMOUNT TO HIS FUND ON THE LINK TO THE RIGHT (white box.) WITH A $35 DONATION YOU CAN GET AN ORNAMENT WITH HIS PICTURE ON IT. ALL TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!

I Know It Has Been Awhile...

I know. It has been awhile. I feel bad for those of you that followed, but frankly we've been quite busy. I will let you know how the girls are at the end of this post. The reason why I am starting this all again is for a sweet boy that was in Phoebe's baby house. His name is Dominick. I personally saw him several times when I was there last year. He was so tiny. So, so tiny. I can remember seeing him and looking into those eyes. He may not have seen me, but I saw him. I knew he had Down syndrome from across the room. I inched closer while playing with Pheebs. One day I got the gumption to ask one of the head caregivers if they could give me information on any children with Down syndrome they happened to have there. They gave me information on two. One is already at home with his Mom and Dad (We love you Jonas!)and the other still waits. She gave me updates on his medical and personality. I promised her that I would help to try and find him a family. So this is my effort. I am his Angel Tree Warrior and I am attempting to raise $1,000 in the month of November for his grant fund. No, we are not attempting to adopt him. Our family size is to big for his region now, but I still love that little boy and want to help his future parents (I know you are out there!!!) by helping to raise money for his adoption. So I am starting today by asking for help. No donation is to big or to small. I am trying to brainstorm a give away. If you would like to donate something to a give away, we would be happy to accept. Just keep sharing his need everyone, please! In the next few days I hope to have some type of fundraiser for him other then just begging all of you for help (which I will graciously continue to do!) Now, the girls! Phoebe and Bella are doing great!!! They both go to the same school as their brothers. They go four days a week. Bella is in extra therapy. Phoebe has grown to 37 inches tall and 30 pounds. Bella is the same weight, but three inches shorter. Phoebe loves to swing and play outside. She is quite the Princess and so strong! At night she has to be held to go to sleep. Phoebe loves our new kitten and loves our dog!! Bella loves to slide outside, but I think her favorite thing to do is be held. She loves to eat. This girl will eat fruits,vegetables, etc. Her favorite drink is Kefir. Bella was watching The Voice with me the other day and just singing along. She was dancing and holding her hand as if it were a mic. These girls have come so far. Totally different kids. I am so thankful for their mothers for giving them life!! Here is a picture of the girls for you. Keep praying for Dominick!!

My Heart Is Still There...

Yes, my heart is still there. Just a few short months ago when we brought our angels home...part of my heart stayed.



Why did I leave part of my heart there when I was given such a great gift? Such beautiful girls to call our own? The simple reason is, all of the children left behind. I know we cannot save the world, but I still worry about the world of each and every one of these kids.



I know that there are children all over the world that need families. In this country alone there are thousands in foster care, but somehow I feel like God doesn't care where that child is...just that they need us. I have seen the children in this region and met some of them. It is VERY PERSONAL for me.





The children on this post are getting ready to age out of the system. If not adopted soon, they will be living a life in an institution. Not fair. I am not going to sit here and bash any place for their ways and beliefs, it does no good (although I don't like it.) All I can say is it breaks my heart that any child should live a life in an institution just because of they way they are born. So, instead of sitting here complaining about it, I want to do something about it.




So, please take the time and look at these sweet faces. If you are not in the place to adopt...please pray, share, donate. Do whatever you felt lead to do. Please visit Reece's Rainbow at www.reecesrainbow.org. They are listed under 9HA. They will tell you how to get started. Let me personally tell you the agency in this region is amazing and the facilitators are great!










One of the last converstions I had with the woman in this building went something like this...
Lady "We have many, many children in this region with Down syndrome."

Me "Get them listed and I will try to help them find a family."

This is ME keeping my word.

I love all of my friends and family in this region. Praying for families for as many kids as possible.