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Once again, I am sorry for leaving everyone hanging. After the jet lag, doctors appointments, visits with the social worker, homeschooling and finding our new normal, I find I have very little coherent thought left to offer when I finally have a chance to sit down at my computer in the evenings. While I am sad to say that my mental state at the end of the day hasn't really improved much, I have decided that I can no longer ignore your pleas for an update and so I simply ask for your forgiveness for the nonsensical post that is about to occur. . . . I can still remember the very moment that I knew that we would adopt an "older child." Richard and I were on the first leg of our journey home after our first trip to Ukraine in 2007. There were several other adoptive families on our flight and all of them had adopted children between the ages of 5-13. I can still vividly remember the excitement, nervousness, relief and trepidation on their faces as they each began a new, s...

Yep, it's official! This girl is certifiably NUTS! Which means that she is going to fit right in with the rest of the family! Last night, as we were leaving the hotel restaurant after dinner, Alexis asked the waiter "Who made the food?" He told her that the chef had made the food and asked Alexis if she would like to meet her. Alexis said yes, of course, and we went back to the kitchen to meet the chef. We went back down to the restaurant for dinner tonight and, as we finished our meal, Alexis asked the waiter (a different one tonight) if she could speak with the chef. The waiter agreed and we went back to the kitchen to say hello and Alexis told the chef that she had enjoyed her salad and shared the events of the day with her. She obviously made an impression because, shortly after we had returned to our table, the waiter emerged from the kitchen with complimentary cake for each of us from the chef (and it was YUMMY)! We made three more visits to the kitchen before we he...

Alexis and I were up bright and early this morning (though not as early as yesterday thank goodness) so we could prepare for a fun-filled day with friends. Our friend, Fiona (whose husband works for the Embassy), invited us to spend the day with her family, which included a play date at her friend Cindy's home. We took a taxi to Cindy's home and spent the morning making crafts, playing with friends, and enjoying a wonderful lunch that Cindy had prepared. I had a great time getting to know Cindy and Fiona and Alexis (though a little shy at first) enjoyed playing with all of the kids. Alexis LOVES to take pictures. Here she is with Fiona's camera. I am sure there are some interesting pictures to be found there! With rooms full of toys, the kids decided to move into the bathroom where the shower was quickly transformed into a space ship. Here is Bran, Alexis, Nuala and William ready to blast off! Alexis in the "space ship" After lunch Alexis and I went with Fiona ba...

Alexis and I spent the morning relaxing at the hotel (translation- Alexis spent the morning taking bath after bath after bath!). By noon, the hotel room was starting to feel a bit small, so we bundled up again and set out for a walk around wet, cold, snowy Sofia (translation- WE only walked for about 5 minutes before her little legs got tired and I carried her around Sofia). We walked around the open market and then stopped at McDonald's for lunch. She loved taking in the sights and sounds of the city and looking into all of the shop windows! We stopped by the grocery store on the way back to the hotel and picked up some pretzels and yogurt and replenished our supply of fresh fruit. Shortly after returning to the hotel, the housekeeper knocked on the door and asked if she could clean our room. It desperately needed cleaning and so I thanked her and told her that we could go downstairs while she worked. Alexis had other ideas! She wanted to help and so she helped the housekeeper ...

We hit the road for Stara Zagora yesterday at 6:30am. I'm not sure what time we arrived at the orphanage, but it was obviously late enough in the morning that Alexis was starting to worry that we might not make it :-) We were greeted at the door by one of the caregivers who animatedly explained to us how excited Alexis had been all morning that Mama was coming and that she was going to fly on an airplane. We walked down the hall and the caregiver called to Alexis and told her that Mama was here. Almost immediately, my little Bulgarian firecracker rounded the corner, running as fast as her little legs could carry her, arms outstretched, yelling "Mamo! Mamo!" When we reached each other she jumped right into my arms and gave me the biggest hug and kiss I think I've ever received. What a reception! And yes, tears were shed! While Alexis was changing her clothes, I shared pictures of Lily with the caretakers. It was the first time I had ever had the opportunity to return t...

. . . that I would be in Bulgaria January 2-8, to bring Alexis home!?! Oops ;-) I began my journey yesterday afternoon as I boarded the first leg of my flights to Bulgaria. After the events of the past few weeks (we'll save all of those details for another post), I was VERY grateful for a fairly uneventful trip across the pond. Although my international flight to Frankfurt, Germany was an hour late getting in, I still managed to make it back through security and to my gate with 5 minutes to spare! I arrived in Sofia this afternoon, exhausted, but very happy to be back in this beautiful country to bring my Bulgarian firecracker home! We will be leaving for Stara Zagora before the sun comes up tomorrow morning and, right now, I am just praying that I will actually be able to get a good night's sleep, despite the anticipation of seeing my precious girl for the first time in 5 months! Tonight is the last night that Alexis will ever spend in an orphanage! Tomorrow the real adventure...