Flashback Part 3

Introducing, flashback part three........

Day 3

This morning, was a little different. We were cherishing our hour with Levi, as always, during visits. My mom, dad, Levi and I were right next to the playground your groupa goes almost everyday. I remember it like it was yesterday- Levi and I were being spun on a spinning wheel type thing we usually see at parks, here in America. This time, not the entire groupa came out, but thank goodness, you happen to be one of them in there :) As soon as I saw you all there, I tried convincing my mom to go over with me. She told me to go, and that I would be fine, about 10 feet away. So I walked between the small, green bushes, and stepped foot on the other play area, with a camera in my hand. Now of course, being around, basic strangers, who don't speak your language and are who knows how nice, get's an 11 year old a little nervous. And on top of that, I'm not the most outgoing person. But your caretakers are really sweet and you kiddos, are more then welcoming! After interacting with you guys for a few minutes, I unzipped the camera case and took out my (aunt's) camera, and began to take pictures of you. I got some pretty adorable snapshots ;) It got later, our visiting hour was ending, and so was your groupa "outdoor time". That ride back to the church (in which we were staying in Zap) , was a bidder-sweet 20 minutes. I had spent 2 hours with my amazing little brothers and held your hand for the last time. Saw your adorable face for the last time...hugged you for the last time...experienced your eye-opening smile for the very last time. I knew it would be a day of "lasts" for us, as far as being able to play with you because we were suppose to leave with Levi and Gabe to Kiev the next day. So knowing that this would be the last day we would be visiting Artem and Vitalik from the orphanage was a overwhelming, happy feeling. Yet, knowing that I wouldn't get to see you anymore, that, that was the bitter part. After the 3rd time seeing you, I felt like we had a connection. Almost like you were another brother we came to bring home. And knowing that we couldn't bring you back, felt like we left a family member behind. BUT! If it's God Will, we will meet again <3

Love you dear! 

Genesis

Flashback Part 2

From the last post, I explained I'd be writing letters to you, as if I were in Ukraine. Flashbacks.  

Day Two 

Dear Sunshine,

Today was amazing. I will never forget it. We again, used Levi as our 'navigator' and walked to the same play area where your groupa goes (almost) everyday. As we approached the corner, I heard kids screaming with laughter and running toward us. I kept walking and saw your sweet smile on your chubby little body, sitting on a painted tree stump. I waved, and once again, my eyes met your heart melting grin. I got down on my knees and you grabbed my hands. This time I brought the flip camera...I started recording your giggle. Your nannies, who did not speak one bit of English, tried asking me what time it was. They pointed to the video camera, than their wrist, as if they were wearing a watch. While babbling Russian- I had absolutely no idea what they were saying. I tried telling them that the camera wasn't a watch and I asked my dad what time is was. When he answered me I gave them the time and heard a word I could understand- Spaseeba which means thank you. Shortly afterwords, more nannies came out with several cups of what I believed, hot tea. That, or dirty hot water. They held the cup to your mouth and expected you to chug it down quickly. That was done with each and every child outside, including Levi. You all seemed to enjoy it, like it was a treat, yet I still feel bad for the way they quickly poured it down your throat. Along with the beverages, came trays of bread. A loaf of bread was spilt between the ten of you. After you all ate and drank, some of the kiddos went and sat in the metal, toy car.

I sat next to you and Levi a.k.a. Vitalik on one of the benches inside the car. You were holding my hands when my mom walked over to take pictures. I have a few photos of you holding my hand and hugging me. I tried reaching for you, I thought you'd want to sit on my lap. But you didn't respond. We spent a great amount of time in there, taking pictures together and sitting next to each other :) Eventually, your groupa had to go inside and we had to bring Levi back so we could spent the other hour with Gabe. I can't wait to see you again tomorrow!

Love,
Genesis

Flashback

I spent 3 mornings with you, outside on the orphanage playground. Since you don't understand English and I didn't have this blog while in Ukraine, I'm going to write letters as if I were in UA right now, visiting you. Basically, I'm writing down my thoughts about you, from the last six months :)So first, day ONE.

Dear Kory, 
Today we were playing outside with Levi, when I saw your groupa come out. I wanted to follow so bad! But I'm too shy... So I waited and convinced my parents to come over to the playground with me and Levi. We walked over there and set Levi down to make it look like he came over here on his own ;) We had brought a little bubble gun thing that we bought at the market for Levi. My mom and I followed Levi to you and the other kiddos and that's when I saw you. I had a gotten a glance of your sweet face inside the orphanage when we were picking up Levi for a visit once. I was surprised because we were told Gabe and Levi were the last children left in that orphanage with Down syndrome... 'They' were wrong. In fact, you and Sasha ('Alexander' on RR) were the last kids to be born with DS there. Besides little Stacy (also on RR) in Gabe's room. So anyway, I saw you sitting on a painted tree stump, smiling at us=) My mom and I were blowing bubbles with the gun and we made the kids all hyper and the nannies got mad hehe. We felt mad so we stopped. Than, I got down on my knees, in the sandy dirt and gave you a smile. Of course, being as cute and sweet as you are, you smiled back :) Than, reached for my hand...The most interesting part about me I guess? Or you just wanted a warm hand to hold. Either way, you played with my hand for half the time. A few minutes later, I went and sat with Levi and Sasha and my mom on the little boat/bench thingy. One of the nannies, the sweetest and eldest of all, brought you over to the boat, and sat you on my lap. Now my mom and I were wondering why the nannies were like....trying to get us attached to you. Maybe they wanted you to get adopted? I have no idea. But it was sweet. My absolute favorite part (next to meeting my brothers) is the 2 minutes you sat on  my lap. You were so cute and chubby and sort of 'floppy' I guess. Like a baby=) I loved it! And I will never regret meeting you.... NEVER. 


With love,
Genesis <3

Minus Nine

So I have come to a thought. I have ten precious children at heart and love each and every one of them! One of those 10 happens to be 'Kory', which whom I met in Ukraine while adopting my brothers. I fell in love with this amazing little boy and automaticly, he was the first to 'be born into the family' when creating this blog. Because of the (short) history Kory and I have, more then half the posts have been written to Kory.

Like I said, I absolutely LOVE the kids I have and part of me doesn't want to do this... But I think it would be best if I put my 'family' on hold for a while and focused on Kory. I have decided to end the family blog and just write letters to lil' K.

PLEASE, don't think I'm favoriting this child or being selfish. I just think it makes the most sense, after writing so many posts to Kory. In the future, I will resume "You're My Baby, You're My Sunshine". I have decided to change the title just so that people won't get confused, in case this post doesn't reach everyone... If ya know what I mean? ;)


Please keep reading! I'll be updating.



Love,

Genesis










I love you Gabi, Jamison, Juliet, Becca, Maribel, Adam, Nikita, Will, Kory, and Paige! Your Mom at heart love's you and one day, you'll have a REAL mommy, to take you home and hug and kiss you!!

DS Awareness Giveaway!

Well I'm sure you know, October is Down syndrome awareness month.... And it's October!!!

SO, to celebrate the great blessing of DS, I am hosting our very first giveaway! From 10/17-11/17 YOU have the chance of winning one pair of knit booties or a pair of adorable handmade socks!

Tinkerbell socks, size 0-6mo

Iceskate booties, 3-6mo
Donated by Soxs That Rock (Thank you!!)

Aren't they just adorable? Now to find out how you can own them!--- $5 = 1 entry~ $20 = 5 entries
                               Giveaway begins~ October 17th, 2011. Giveaway ends~ November 17th, 2011.
PLEASE LEAVE COMMENT ON BLOG after donating, to let me know what item you would like your entry/entries to go for. A Chip-In will be added to the blog for GIVEAWAY ONLY.



And the best part? All of the money is going to 'my' kiddos! Yep. By donating just a few dollars, you are helping ophans in need :)




Love,
Genesis

Dear Maribel

My little girl...

You are just adorable and soo sweet!

Buuuuut! I have been waiting and waiting AND waiting for new info/photos.............
And that day has finally come!!

Little miss Maribel, we have recieved information from your orphanage, they say you
have mild heart disease which does not require operation. You are reasonably active, you love to play with other children. You are a big help for your caretakers. You watch animated cartoons with great and concentrated interest. You are in the group with regular children. Your behavior and appearance differ nothing from the other children in the group. And you are VERY nice, with beautiful eyes!


Well you sound like the ultimate daughter/sister/cousin/niece! I know you would just BLOSSOM in a loving family of your own :) And that's why I will NEVER give up on finding you a home. You more than deserve it, M <3



Keep on giggling and shining!
Love your mother at heart,

Kory... I Can't Stop!

My little K buddy, I think about you NONSTOP. I can't help but write several letters to you! =) 

 If only I could see you again... 
I pray every night for that. For God to give me at least one more day with you. 

I also pray constantly for a little sister. Since my life is full of four crazy younger brothers ;) But I rather have you then a sister. That's how badly I wish you could be in our family! Even if you didn't come in as my brother. I just want to have the honor of telling people, I'm related to you. 

So you'll probably have like a dozen more of these little notes in the next few weeks. Because out of 'my' 10 children, you are the one I enjoy writing to the most <3. 





Don't forget meee! Cause I'll NEVER forget you. 

Love you sunshine!
 Your mommy,