He's done. It took a little over an hour. I haven't talked to GI, but the resident showed me a really irritated esophagus, with some little noduls that they biopsied. He also has some ulcers in his stomach. Interesting! His nissen is loose, but not completely blown. We'll see what she says about tightening it so he's not aspirating anymore!

I'm hoping to go back and see him soon.

Family blog

Now that we are home, I'm going to be blogging from our family blog. I'm going to leave this blog up, because its helpful for people to look at different posts about different area's in the adoption process!
Click here to visit our family blog!

I need to decide what to do with this blog. Do I want to keep it or just post on my family blog now that our princess is home. There is definitely more pics and stuff on the family blog.

Today Arina had an ENT appointment and a swallow study.
First, the good news.. although her nasal airway is extremely small, he thinks its ok to try and sedate her without general anesthesia. Of course they'll be ready if she tries to pull anything, after all, she does have that extra chromosome that screams naughtiness!
The bad news.. she aspirates just about everything you put in her mouth! She aspirated nectar thick. They tried honey, but she just cried because she couldn't suck it out. They wanted to put an NJ down right then. I called my ped, and she wants to consult a few people before going forward with a tube. We hate to take a baby that is eating great, and create an oral aversion by taking her food away. And since we've only had her a week, we don't know if she gets frequent pneumonia from aspirating.
I'm torn, on one hand, I am the one that said she needed a swallow study. She sounds horrible when she eats, and super junky afterwards. On the other hand, I am enjoying feeding a baby again, and although we knew when we adopted another DS child, that these things can happen, I really don't want a tube for her! So the next couple of days will be some real soul searching on what to do for our princess!
Also, I want to get a double stroller, but I'm torn as to which kind to buy. I was leaning toward the jogging ones, they seem to be the lightest. Any double stroller is going to be bulky, but the front and back ones seem heavy and hard to handle. Also, I need to find one that will have room for all Jax equipment. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated if you have one you really like!

Arina "Rocks"

We took Arina to her ped today. Poor baby is probably thinking we are a little crazy right now. She got 3 different x-rays, 8 tubes of labs, 4 shots, and a TB test. They tested her for everything from HIV to Hepatitis.
Her chest x-ray doesn't look too bad (I'm used to seeing Jax x-ray) Her heart is not enlarged, but the shape is suspicious. She needs an echo stat, but it needs to be sedated, and since we know she has airway issues, we can't sedate her until we talk to ENT first. So we were able to squeeze her into ENT next Tuesday, then we can know if we need to do general anesthesia in the OR. They will also do a hearing test when they do the echo. Trying to get this girl fine-tuned!
She also needs a swallow study, she chokes like crazy when she eats, and I'm guessing she needs thickened milk.
But she is fitting in just fine. And the boys love her "trick"!

Baby Arina is home!

Daddy and baby came in at 10:28 last night. We didn't take any pics with our camera, as we were a tad busy.
She is an angel! She never fusses, you put her in her crib and she goes right to sleep! Her brothers are fighting over who gets to feed her, hold her, push her, whatever!
She hated her bath this morning, I'm not sure if she has never been in a bathtub, or if it was a bad experience at the orphanage, but she screamed the whole time!
I can't even explain how I feel. Its been 8 years since I gave a baby a bottle, fed them baby food, and sat them in a shopping cart! We are enjoying every minute of her!
Sorry for the first part of the video. Ray was coming, so I threw my video camera at my niece and told her to tape!
And sorry its so long, I don't know how to split it up.
Oh and the cutest thing. You'll see in the video Tanner is crying, I ask him whats wrong, and he says "I'm just so happy". It was the cutest thing ever!
The video looks better on our other blog, its not cut off like it is here.

Orphan no more!

Update from This morning:
They are coming home tomorrow! I'll let everyone know what time the flight comes in so if anyone wants to come. It will be evening, hopefully around 7.


Arina is no longer an orphan! I guess she hasn't been since court, but when she has to stay in the orphanage, she still seems like an orphan. She's outa there!!
It was so cool that the Browning family was there to meet their babies for the first time! I so remember that day, in that very room. Seeing Arina for the first time, and thinking she was so tiny!!
I got a phone call bright and early today, while I was still asleep. From a friend that Ray saw on facebook and asked her to call me and tell me to go skype with him. I had to wake the boys up, but as soon as I told them their baby sister was on the computer, they jumped right up.
They were loving seeing her, so close, making her sweet faces, and nodding at her hands. Oh I can almost feel her in my arms!
We are hoping he can find the right milk to give her. They give her porridge at the orphanage, so Ray didn't know what to give her. My ped said whole milk should be ok, and if she seems super spitty or gets diarrhea, then we could try soy. Wish daddy luck, as this is a little out of his league, he usually will let me decide that kind of stuff!
He's thinking he may be able to come home Wednesday. His facilitator thinks they can do the Embassy stuff in one day. She couldn't guarantee, so until I know tomorrow morning (5pm his time) I will wait to change his flights so I don't have to pay to change them twice.
Oh I can't even describe the feeling of knowing that daddy has her, and that soon she will be here. There's no euphoria like it!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to everyone!
An update on Daddy and Dzia Dzia.
They are getting tired of being there. You know how hard it is to live out of a suitcase, and away from family.
But tomorrow is gotcha day! Her passport came Friday afternoon, so tomorrow they leave at 7:30 to go down and get her out of the orphanage. I told Ray that once he gets her out, time will fly. He'll have her to take care of, and her embassy stuff to do. So before he knows it, they'll be flying home.
Us on the other hand, time still goes dreadfully slow! Again, I know that down the road we'll forget about how hard this has been, but right now, when I can almost feel her in my arms if I think really hard, its hard to stay sane!!
I will let everyone know here and on facebook about the day and time they come home. I know a lot of people want to come to the airport, and how great would it be to give her a huge homecoming! Plan on Thursday, unless some other delay comes up. I'll let you know the time!
This time tomorrow, we should be skyping with daddy and baby!

The last auction

For all of those that won in the last auction, right before we left the country, if you've paid and I didn't get a chance to send the items out, I'm doing that right now. I'm sorry for the people that had halloween bows in their item. Its been so crazy I haven't had a chance to get organized. There's only a few that haven't paid, if you still want the items, leave me a comment and I'll put up a new chipin to pay. Also a couple of people recently asked about purchasing bows. I'm also getting around to answering those emails, and pulling my bow stuff out of storage so I can make some more. Please be patient with me!

The bummer post

They say that adoption is not for the faint of heart. Especially international adoption. Much more paperwork, money and headaches involved in international adoption. We were just joking last night that when you are in the process of adopting, everything will break in your house or car. We did have our fair share of that, having car repairs, and to replace our garbage disposal and dishwasher. We are really super strapped right now. We had to pay for a second set of airfare that we weren't expecting. It cost me 3 times as much to fly my sister home than it did to fly her here. Ray didn't get a paycheck last week, and won't get one again until he goes back to work. He should bring a lot of money home with him, he took way more than he needs. We would rather be safe than sorry, when he's so far away. But it doesn't help me at home now!
I always said I saw myself doing this again in a couple of years. I would love to add one more girl, try and even it out in my house a little more. But you know that going overseas made me realize that I can't leave Jax like that again. They say, oh your kids will be fine, and yes, my other kids were fine. But Jax is not fine, and I can't take that risk again. My facilitators were joking that if I do this again, I have to do married adopting single, which means only one of us has to travel.
I also know that when she is home I will forget all about this part. All this stuff people say, I do know is true, but it doesn't make it easier right now. I still have my whiny days, like today!
Arina's region doesn't offer the red passport anymore. I know that soon no region will, when the supply runs out, no one will be able to get one. But it still sucks right now because many people do get them. These red passports you get the same day, or the next day. These new passports, have to go through Kiev, and then back to her region. The soonest they think they will get the passport is Friday. Which means the soonest daddy will be able to leave is next Wednesday!
This really sucks, because I've had a long couple of days at home.
Now I'll freely admit that I would never survive as a single mother, never! I depend to much on my hubby. Yesterday we woke up to two inches of snow on the ground!
Seriously, snow!
I know, it stinks. Its way to early for snow. It all melted by the afternoon, but that brought on a whole new problem. It was a huge storm. Lots of rain before the snow started. The wind was blowing so hard, that I thought for sure I would wake up to a blown over fence, since my hubby wasn't home to fix it. The fence was fine, but everything was soaked. It melted so fast, that it filled the window well in the boys room, and was leaking water into their bedroom.
At least I thought enough to remember that Ray had a shop vac, that would soak up water. So I sat outside for an hour, vacuuming water out of their window well, so it would stop leaking into their bedroom!
Daddy will miss Halloween, and also Carter's birthday, which is the day after Halloween. Again, I know these are the sacrifices that we agreed to make when we committed to her, but it also adds to a bad day.
Last but not least, its snowing again right now, so we will wake up to a not so pleasant surprise. Yuck!!
I want her home so bad, that every extra day is seriously making me crazy. It seems like its been forever! Its been a year November that we lost that first baby girl that we wanted. And its been 12 years that I've wanted a girl. These last few days are taking months in my mind!


Tomorrow will be a better day, and my pitty party will be long forgotten. Thank goodness!

Back in Ukraine!

Daddy and Dzia Dzia (grandpa) made it safely to Ukraine last night. Ray says his dad is in heaven! His family is from Poland, Dzia Dzia is polish for grandfather, and he loves being in a country so close to his. I guess the driver spoke some Polish so they talked a little to each other. Today they didn't do much, as the birth certificate place is closed on Monday. So they did some site seeing, I guess they walked a LONG way, talked to some teenagers, one was a hip hop dancer that wants to move to the states to persue his dancing career. They exchanged emails and facebook info!
Tomorrow bright and early at 5:30, they will head down to Arina's region. Get the court decree, her birth certificate, apply for her passport, and I believe get her busted out then! Wahoo, I can't believe it.
Just think, she has no idea that this is her last night sleeping in a crib alone, with no family. Tomorrow she will have two men wrapped around her little finger!
Carter has been asking me the cutest, 7 year old questions.
The first one he asks a lot is, if she is crying in her bed, can I go in and get her out?
And the other is, can I get her dressed by myself sometimes?
Too cute!!

Daddy's coming!

Grandpa's passport came today! Its a good thing because I already booked their flight for Saturday, and Ray was going to leave whether grandpa was ready or not. Today the 10 wait is over, and we want our baby girl home.
They will fly out Saturday, and hopefully home that following weekend. We hope they are home by halloween, but I'm not so sure. I was thinking halloween was two weeks away, so I bought her and Jax the cutest Mickey and Minnie costumes, and we probably won't even get to use hers. If all goes smooth, they should be able to fly home Friday, right now their flight is scheduled for Sunday (Saturday was booked)
I'm trying to not be bummed that I won't be taking her and Jax to the boys school in their matching costumes, I'm just trying to think that in about a week and a half, I'll have her in my arms for good, and I can dress her up all I want.

(oh and by the way, you'll die when you see the Christmas outfits I bought for her and Jax! Now I just have to find the big boys something to match!)

(oh, oh, for those who mentioned from the videos in the previous post, Arina is OBSESSED with her hands! Its true, that is her favorite toy. She puts them in front of her face and moves her fingers. Thats probably the only real toy she's had in the last year)

Videos of our baby girl!

I finally got around to downloading these videos.
Still praying grandpa's passport comes by Tuesday so they can leave Wednesday to bring her home!

Kisses in the wind

KISSES IN THE WIND (The Waiting Child's Lullabye)


I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

Home sweet home!

We are home, after a long 24 hours of flying, having our lugguage not make it on our flight from Germany to Chicago, but we are home! Auntie Boo brought Jax to the airport to greet us, how great that was to see his little face as soon as we got off the plane!
Being home if bittersweet, I hate that Arina is ours, but she is now thousands of miles away. Ray is really hating it, he's thinking now he wished he would have stayed for the ten day wait, because he hates that we left her there. Daddy and grandpa will hopefully fly out next Thursday to bring her home, it all depends on how fast grandpa's passport comes.
Our last day with her, she was still in the sick unit, but playful as ever. They don't keep her as bundled in there, because she had that fever on Sunday. Its nice to be able to see a little more of her. I pulled her tights off because I was dying to sneak a peak at those piggies!

A lot of our pictures have this face, she doesn't like the flash on the camera, and it flashes a couple of times so by the time the picture is taken, she looks like this!


Our tiny couch that is our play area while she is in the sick unit.

Daddy is so worried that she is going to wonder where we went. Every day for the last week and a half, at 1:00 we would be there. I just hope she is young enough that she'll just forget!

Soon baby girl, daddy will rescue you and bring you home to us!

Introductions!

Sorry, I'm at the airport and don't have a picture to post.

Introducing to our family...Arina Marie Rugg!

Sitting in an airport all night until our 5am flight, wish us luck!

My poor baby is sick!

These pics are from yesterday. I call this her boy outfit! With no bows in her hair, in this she really does look like a boy! That day daddy showed her how he wrestles with her brothers at home. Kind of give her some lessons on how they like to play! She was all for it!

Our sweet baby is sick today! When we got there they took us to a whole different part of the orphanage. They said she had a fever. We were only allowed to stay for a half hour. A half hour of cuddling my baby that I could tell didn't feel good. My nurse/mommy feelers were out, and she doesn't sound junky, and her breathing was ok, so hopefully its nothing big. I kind of feel like the finger is pointing at us as who got her sick. Unfortuntely, it may be true. Although we are not sick, she has never stepped foot out of the orphanage. Her little body is not used to the little, everyday bugs we all are exposed too. I think the first few months of having her home might be one sicky after another. My poor baby!

Court is scheduled for Monday,and if you don't already know it, I can say her real name then. Then the next day we are headed home!

Pictures tomorrow, I promise!

We got to our hotel. Its right on the river which will be nice because its something we haven't been able to see here because its just too dang cold to walk around!
I'm still hoping for court Monday, I know our facilitator was running around today with our interpol, so we should be good to go!

Thanks to nasty people, I have now taken anonymous comments off my blog, and have them moderated. For those anonymous commenters that are nice, I'm sorry, some people have to ruin it for everyone. This is the most I can do without making the blog private, which I don't want to do.
I post most comments, even if they are nasty, but when you start talking about my children, that is going to far, and it will be deleted everytime. I know its the same person because I can tell in the way they comment. Go somewhere else, we don't need you here!

Who cares!

You know, these nasty comments don't really bother me that much. I chose to leave my blogs open, and I chose to be brutally honest, so I get the know-it-all comments a lot! 

I would love for these people to fly over here for a few weeks, and then open their mouths and make a comment again. Its not like we are in Paris, or London, where people speak English and there are a lot of Americans there.  I have seen two American missionaries here in her region, and that is it! Nobody else speaks English, which makes everything much more difficult.

And for some clarifications for the judger's who speak when they don't know the process... we are not leaving her here and flying home for the weekend. First of all, I'm not going to do a full day of flights, just to be home for a few days and come back. Second, and again brutally honest, I don't know if I could come back after going home! We were hoping to get our court date Friday, so that we could leave Saturday to come home. And the reason we are leaving her here is not us, its the system. They have a 10 day waiting period after court, which MOST families fly home during. So we fly home for the 10 days, and then Ray and his dad are going back to pick her up, and I'm staying home with the boys. We hate to leave her here, but we have no other choice, and I know she is well taken care of at her orphanage. 

Yes, I will be going home to my comfy house, and so will she soon. We are fortunate Americans, and we will definitely appreciate what we have a lot more when we get home. So you can't tell me that you wouldn't want to go back to your comfy home either! Because I know that would be a flat out lie!

I'm not depressed, because really depression is something long lasting, I'm homesick. And it is hard sitting in a tiny room, with no toys, and play with a baby for two hours. We just want her home to play with. We are trying to teach her to laugh, she is very stoic. She is not used to be tickled, or playing paddycake. She's just never done those things. Just wait until her brothers get a hold of her, she'll learn real quick! She is always falling asleep on us, again, not used to being cuddled. But we can't let her sleep, so we are constantly trying to keep her awake. Man, its difficult sometimes!

Interpol is in, but it still needs to go to the SDA. So we are here another weekend, with court (tenativelly) scheduled for Monday. I think we are going to go to the hotel tomorrow for the weekend. Just because they have bowling, and pool, so we can keep ourselves busy while we wait. A getaway within a getaway! (Although I wouldn't call this whole trip a getaway!)

Groundhogs day!

(this picture is supposed to be with the bow pictures, but a lot of the stuff on this computer is in Russian and I can't figure out how to move it!)

Everyday is the same. Sleep late, because we stay up late talking to family, and its not like we have somewhere to be! Go see the baby from 1-3. Although I love seeing her, its getting harder to entertain a baby for two hours. I'm tired of the visits, I just want to get this done so we can go home. Its much colder in her region than in Kiev. We think its because its right on the river, at the largest part. You can't even see across, it looks like the ocean. We each only have one sweatshirt. We may give in and buy an expensive one here. Thats all we've been able to find so far.

Interpol still hasn't come in. So still no court. We are considering going to a hotel because the apartment is freezing! And I think I may just be more comfortable there. We can use our own computer, which means we can skype again with the boys. We haven't been able to skype since we've been in her region. I really, REALLY, want to go home this weekend, I don't want another weekend here. So please, please pray that interpol comes in tomorrow. It leaves us wondering why they send families to the country before all the paperwork is finished! 

Its hard to explain to you my emotions right now. I don't want to leave my beautiful girl, but emotions thinking about home just take over my heart. I feel like I've abandoned my boys, and feel like I've taken risks when I have children at home. I don't know why I'm feeling this, but this routine everyday is literally making me crazy. My appetite is gone, and I just want to go home. People keep telling me I'm the strongest person they know, and that I can do this. But I'm not so sure I feel the same. I crack a little more each passing day with no court. 

Anyway, here's some pictures finally. I gave in and downloaded then on to this computer. I'll just have to leave them a note to delete all of our pictures when we leave. One day it was actually nice enough to go outside for a bit. So here's some of her orphanage.

Trying out our bows and beanies from home!

We call this the cabbage patch face!

Time is ticking by

Sorry, no new pictures today. We are staying in an apartment where we have to use their computer, not our laptop, so I'm downloading all my pictures on somebody elses computer. Some people in Ukraine will rent out their apartments for adoptive families for extra money. So we basically kicked these people out of their home for a few days. I tried deleting my pictures off that I have taken so far, but they keep coming back. The majority of stuff on this computer is still in Russian so reading it is impossible. 

We had our third visit with our baby girl this morning. Again she is bundled so much that she can barely move. Her clothing today: A long-sleeved sleeper jammy, thick tights over that, the thick, pink pants and top over that, and socks over her feet. 3 layers, and that is indoor clothing! She is still very quiet, but today she was extremely cuddly. I think she is realizing that we cuddle with her and she is loving the attention. It breaks my heart to leave her for 10 days. I don't want her to think these people that came and loved on her just up and left, but once she's home for a while she won't even remember that. 

And I'm sorry that I never said what happened with Jax. Last Thursday, I believe, he was making strange noises from his trach. When at Auntie Boo's he did it again, but it got louder and louder. Then he acted like he couldn't get any air and started thrashing around. She tried suctioning him, but it got worse and he turned blue and limp. Somewhere during all this her son called 911. They used saline and was able to get him breathing again. They took him to the hospital but he was fine and came home that night. They were saying it was a plug, which is just weird to me because I've never experienced that with him before. The next day she took him to my ped, where he did it again but not as severe. She sent him straight up to the ENT to see if there was scar tissue in his trach. That all looked fine but she admitted him overnight to make sure he was ok.  He is home now and doing fine, but it still just makes me want to go home and never leave my boys again. 

I must be such a pansie! The boys are fine at home. When I talk to them on the phone, none of them cry or say they miss me, which is just fine with me because it helps make being gone a lot easier. Me and Ray definitely are having a much harder time then they are. That is why we decided to come home for the 10 day wait. We really don't have the money to fly again, but we'll have to dig it from somewhere because I need to come home. Yeah, Sunday is ending, only 2 more days until court, then we go back to Kiev for one night. Then we have to be at the airport at like 2:30 in the morning Thursday to fly home. I can't wait to see my boys, go to movies, and our favorite places to eat. Is so cold here right now, that we can't really explore because we freeze. We didn't bring near enough warm stuff. It was 80 in Utah when we left, and the other day they said it was 80. I can't wait to get back to that weather!

First full visit

See, she does have hair, quite a bit actually!

Today has been a much better day. We found a pizza place close to our apartment, and tomorrow we will wander a little farther and see if we can find the Mcdonalds we saw on the drive in! We go to the orphanage every day at 1 to see the baby. The orphanage staff is very nice, and they take great care of the kids. Its clean and bright and lots of toys around. I haven't seen any other children. They pretty much bring her to us and then we go to a playroom. There are a couple things I want to get checked out quick. She is very spitty, so she needs to be checked for reflux. I could tell from my picture that I had that she has a very flat nasal bridge. Well in real life, its nonexistent, and she sounds like a bulldog when she breathes. I'm sure some airway issues and sleep apnea exist with our angel girl. But she sits, almost by herself. And she can get up on all 4's. Look at her go!

What you've all been waiting for!

Sorry these pics are dark and not the greatest, we only had minutes with her before they wisked her away and us away to do paperwork. She's actually smaller in person than she is in pictures. She only weighs 13 lbs, but with all those layers on, she looks huge. Her little features are just tiny. They said she has a hole in her heart and something else that I never did get clear in English, just stuff cardiology will check out when we get home. 

Seeing her was the highlight of the day, of course, but we are still struggling just being here. Jax was naughty and spent the night in the PICU, but I believe he's going home today, but that just makes things worse. Our facilitator was fantastic and had paperwork expedited so we can get home as soon as possible. We ran around having things notarized, and our court date is Wednesday. Then I think we are both flying home, because here they don't waive the 10 day wait. Who's coming back, we don't know yet, emotions still need to be worked out before thats decided. 

Oh and we are going to leave her real name instead of Makayla. We can't say what it is until court is over, but when we saw how beautiful it was and how well it fit with Marie, we decided to leave that part of her history alone.

SDA appointment done!

Our airplane from Chicago to Germany.

Is this staircase straight out of a horror movie or what?

The view from our apartment window.

Recognize these adorable babies? Peach and Mallory's mom showed us around a bit, and took us to Mcdonalds! Beautiful Aaron, also just adopted, and on his way home now!
We had our SDA appointment today. It was short and sweet. The picture they have of her isn't the same as ours, but she is the same age, so we still have no idea what she looks like now. They wouldn't let us trade pictures, but thats ok since they look the same. They said she has a heart defect, but when he tried to pronounce it, it didn't even sound remotely familiar. I don't think they know exactly what she has. But of course when we get her home, we'll have the cardiologist tell us exactly what is going on with her little heart. And thats about it. We go pick up our referral on Wednesday at 4, and since our region is so close, our facilitator will just drive us there on Thursday morning after he submits dossiers. So Thursday you should see pictures of our baby girl finally! And what she looks like now. Trust me, we are all dying to see her!!

Ok, I can breathe and elaborate!

When I wrote my last post last night I was crying the whole time and trying to just get through it.
Our plane ride from SLC to Chicago was horrible! It was a tiny airplane that had turbulance the whole time. I was actually feeling pretty good in the airport, so I didn't take my valium that my doctor gave me. Well after we took off, and it was so shaky, I took one of my valium and chewed that sucker and swallowed it without any water! I'm going to make sure none of my planes home are that small, just can't do it. I talked to the boys one last time from my phone in Chicago. Then as I sat on the airplane, I bawled my eyes out. I still had two more plane rides to get through, and I was already exhausted and missing my boys. The flight to Germany wasn't bad, I highly recommend Lufthansa if you go out of country. They are super nice, and having the TV in my headrest kept me busy during that long flight! Our flight from Germany to Eastern Europe (tomorrow I can tell you exactly where we are, if you don't already know)I slept the entire time. I didn't even wake up for lunch. When we got here, everything was a whirlwind. We were dropped in our apartment with a phone and nothing else. We felt scared, alone, and exhausted.
If I didn't have the internet in our apartment I really would have lost my mind. One thing that made me absolutely crazy was not being able to pick up the phone and call my boys. I had to email my phone number to my sister. I will skype with the boys tonight, but not having that communication at first is super hard! Plus I needed reasurance from my friends that have been here, done that. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
I have to be honest that until a few hours ago, I was being so selfish. I was not even doing what I told my boys they had to remember. Which was that we can sacrifice being away from each other for a few weeks, when Makayla has been alone her whole life. Well I was ready to forget about the whole thing and jump back on a plane home. I wasn't thinking it was worth it. Now I'm getting excited for my SDA appointment tomorrow, and then on to see her!
Its getting better, but I tell you that it was much harder than even I imagined! If you are soon to travel to adopt, please remember that. Everyone that I talk to now that has been here a while is doing great, but they all said they went through the same thing. So don't let it scare you away, just be prepared for massive crying the first couple of nights!
Tomorrow is our SDA appointment, I'll update after that!

We're here, semi unscathed!

We made it. Oh man I never want to see another plane again! I'm already homesick, tired, and totally freaked out. We have no idea how to get anywhere, and we are in a dilapidated old building. I miss my boys and could just cry. I need some sleep, then I will feel a little better about things!

Auction closed

The auction is closed, and I'm in the process of emailing the winners. If you know your the highest bidder, you can go ahead and pay with the chipin on her blog. I will send the items as soon as they are payed for. Make sure the address on your paypal is right because that is what I use to send the items! Thanks again to everyone that participated!

Happy birthday baby girl!

Happy happy birthday Makayla! Today is a big day, your first birthday. The birthday that your supposed to dig into your cake, and get lots of presents! All your birthdays from now on will be big celebrations. We are coming, baby girl! And you will have a family that loves you. Big brothers that will dote on you, and good friends that will play with you. Never again will you have to celebrate a birthday alone, with nothing!
Soon, just a couple of weeks, and we'll be holding you! We love you baby girl!

For Makayla's birthday, please go here and vote for Andrea with Reece's Rainbow, for People magazines hero of the year. This women has adopted hundreds of children! Every child adopted through RR is because of Andrea, and look how many children she's saved. You can vote as often as you like!

The auction is going until Monday night. Scroll down and bid away!!

Auction rules

Ok, this is a small auction, I don't have an ending date yet because I hope to add more items. So keep checking back!

Remember to leave a comment under the item you want to bid on.

And make sure to up your bid by two dollars from the previous bids.

Any questions just leave it in a comment and I'll answer, remember to leave your email address so I can get a hold of you.

If you have something you want to add, email me at laceyrugg@hotmail.com

Thanks, and happy bidding!

Auction item #1, photography session

A photography session with Mindy Sutton. Includes a one hour session on location at the place of your choice here in Salt Lake City, and a disc with all the pictures so you can print as many as you like! You can do the whole family, or just your children. You pick!

Starting bid $20.00