1st day/night

As I look across the room I see this adorable, three year old girl, dancing to some sort of Latvian or perhaps Russian music.  I hope it's rated G!  She has been , probably, one of , if not THE best behaved, most calm, friendliest, well balanced child I have EVER met.  We can't get over feeling that she has been with us since day one of her life.

But day one for us obviously didn't start in a hospital, though it very well could have.  Rather, we signed on the dotted lines to take her for the week and she was led into the room, prepared to go with... in her words...  "mommy and daddy to go home."  I tell you, she is smart.  Otherwise, the orphanage has one heck of a prep program.  

They sent her with a bag full of very nice clothes.  Including six diapers and new undies!  Once back to the flat, we settled into comfy clothes, slippers and then it began!  Baby Alive, I am not kidding!!!  I have changed A lot of diapers the past day, spent numerous hours in the toilet "getting it all out."  and so on, and so forth.  Needless to say, this is the hardest adjustment to make quickly.  But one well worth making.  It is odd to me that I haven't minded at all... not even after settling into bed three times just to keep getting back up and down.  I was TIRED this morning.

She is over chatting with Daddy right now.  The language barrier hasn't been an issue AT ALL!  She is picking up a lot of English as well as communicating easily back to us in Latvian.  I feel it is best to meet her half way right now.  She was trying to tell me something last night in Latvian that I just wasn't picking up on.  So then she clearly said "book" and then went to get my translation book.  I tell you, this girl is SMART!!!

I have so much to tell... but according to her schedule, it is walk time.  So, I will hope to post more at her nap time (if she cooperates today with this one).  

Ciao for now

Okay, we are back from our walk, lunch and potty time.  Little Miss Dina is (supposedly) taking a nap.  I have caught her with the light on and a book.  At least she has a book.

Brent ran to the store and is now back... being noisy.  I bet I catch her with eyes wide open.

Lunch was nice.  Seems to me that a small, anything, here is actually a super size in the US.  Yikes!  So Dina had a crepe and soup for lunch with a shake.  Man can she put away the food.  She finished all but half the soup.  Again... they were huge servings.  

It is soooo cold here today.  After several layers, hats, gloves and a scarf, we were still cold on the walk.  It is sunny, however.  People here have been so friendly.  I had expected them to not smile etc...  They smile, they don;t mind us not speaking Latvian or Russian and are generally quite helpful.  As far as a vacation goes...  it is nice.  There's not enough historical sites etc, to make it  along vacation.  But combined with other cities; it would be great.  As for adoption, it is remarkable.  I cannot say enough good to someone considering this  country (or our About A Child) for adoption.  We feel very lucky.

I am hoping to talk to Carson James later.  Also Robert.  Since we are leaving early, I am trying to convince Brent to visit Slovakia before leaving for home.  Finger again crossed.  It would seem silly not to visit more of Europe while here together.  

Well, for now I need to go.  Brent needs to work on the computer.  I look forward to telling more adventures... oh, before I go, Dina has a bit of soul sister in her.  She was a dancing queen at lunch.  She seems to like a strong beat and some groove to her music.  

Later, Lisa

On Meeting Dina

So, today was not only my birthday, but one of the most amazing days of my life.  It was so simple, yet so profound.  I think my belief and faith in God just jumped to a completely unheard of level.  To even think about this event is mind boggling.  But to be a part of it... well, that is something completely different.  I am so honored to have been chosen to care for this little girl.. a little girl, half way around the world... who I never would have met if EVERY single step had not been planned and ordained by God.  Oh, and having a super star, adoption agency hasn't hurt either!!!  

So, we arrived at the orphanage.  It is a four story, limestone, stately building.  As you walk up to the door, you can see a fenced, playground area with large outdoor, play equipment.  It was the first sign that we struck gold.  Out of all the orphanage, stories, of things that could be bad ...  we found a clean, well equipped, well run, actually very lovely home for children.   We entered the building and were asked to wait in the lobby area.  The entire building smelled like wonderful, home cooked food.  We hadn't eaten lunch so it made me VERY hungry.  It was as clean inside as outside.  There were a few, mostly older, women bustling about to and from.  Soon, the woman who was standing in for the Director, escorted us to her office.  There we were met by the orphanage doctor and psychologist.  

Our interpreter assisted in relaying a short biographical history of Dina from the director's assistant, followed by the doctor and psychologist reports.  I admit to having tears in my eyes when thinking of the good news we were given about Dina's condition.  In addition, my heart felt full of amazement at the strength of her birthmother, who obviously very much wanted her... it seems she would visit Dina often for several months.  However, she very much accepted that she could not care for Dina.  I will always feel indebted to her for her selfless bravery.  

Oh, before I move on... a little funny... when they told us the doctor and psychologist were coming into the room my first thoughts were... "what if the language barrier keeps them from getting a clear perspective of us during their exams of us?"  Okay, so I was a little paranoid...  it never dawned on me to think they were there to tell us about Dina!  I chuckle now.

After the information session, we were led into the nearby room to meet her...Dina... 

after one year of paper-chasing, one year of looking at her photo and telling it... as though she could hear me... "mommy is coming soon."  Here we were... and there she was.  It's such a surreal experience.  Not overly emotional, just... surreal.  My first impression was that she was so much smaller than I thought she would be.  I had pictured her on the big side.  Her hair was more blond and her eyes... a deep, dark blue.   She was playing contently on the floor as we entered the room.  We were introduced by the Doctor as "Aunt and Uncle to visit her."  Then Dina was asked to shake our hands to say "hello."  She did so, very politely...until she came to me.  Then she ran into my arms and smiled as big as she could while hugging me.  We were all taken aback.  I swear to it... it felt to me as though her hug was recognition of my promises to come for her."  I will never be able to adequately express this moment in my life.  It was just as a birthing experiencing that only a mother and her child experience.  Please know, I don't intend to leave my husband out of this picture... he was very much there with us... this was just a daughter and mother moment.

We played for a bit with Dina and then the doctor, came back for us to lead us to her office for a look at Dina's physical situation.  Please know, we are just so thankful that things are better than we had imagined.  I think this is one thing I picked up from other adoptive parents.  I have read so many times how parents went on their adoption journey expecting medical conditions to be worse than they actually were.  I just knew this was the case with Dina.  This was something I researched and researched and spoke with doctor's about before the trip.  All the research and conversations took me to the same place... we will have to see her or get more information to tell you more about the possible outcome.  But I had this "feeling" from the first time I gave her a second look... I knew it would be okay.  Again, thank you to God for the little ways He has of speaking to us.

Another very special moment came when Dina was coloring in the doctor's office.  The doctor asked her what she was drawing and she said...  "mommy."  The picture was a black, mark of some sort... which DID look like me... I was wearing a black outfit.  

Then, as soon as we arrived, we were leaving again... with hugs for me and then for Brent(yeah!!!), we left her for the day.  

We then walked around old town Riga with Viktoria.  I promise to talk more of the city on a future blog as this one is already so long.  Needless to say... it is a city that was in existance since 1200 AD!!! So it rich with history and beauty.  The fish market is NOT so beautiful.  Great fish, but YIKES!!! They were some of the most odd looking things I ever saw.  I just have to mention the half fish, half worm thingy...that was still ALIVE and trying to breathe without any water!!!  It was even grosser than the kidneys and the livers and the other gross stuff down the aisle from it.  Linda...you know what I'm talking about...  Gross, huh?

Well, after a long drive to orphan court. we met with the judge and were granted permission to take Dina for one week to know her better and for her to know us better.  We were expecting two weeks...so this was a great surprise.  We feel this is so much better for all concerned.  Of course, there will never be a good time to "give" her back while we finish the paper chase.  But the wait will soon show us the glory in the entire plan... which includes the waiting time.  For those who may read this and are yet to reach this point in the journey... please know, it's much easier if you keep living your daily life as usual and hope for the best.  Of course... don't leave ANYTHING unknown...such as if your paperwork arrives where it should, when it should etc...  ALWAYS follow up!

Well my kind readers, I need to leave for the evening.  My husband and I are going to enjoy a movie.  Of course, we have to watch it via the computer.  Oh well, it shows us how much we DON'T need that we have back home.

Adieu~

Finally in Riga, Latvia

Hello family and friends!  Wow...what a long day.  It's technically, the next day in the evening.  But...It's seems to me it's still the 27th of January at about 8:30pm.  We were able to get lots of sleep on the plane.  We upgraded to the economy plus on United.  Great idea!!!  We figure it to cost as much as a very expensive massage with a big tip... something we would be in dire need of if not for upgrading.  We have a few obstacles here.  My phone is not working and my charger to my computer buzzes when I plug everything in with the adapters.  I'll figure it out tomorrow.  

The city is very nice.  Very clean and trendy with many stores and good food just down the street.  The apartment is great.  Linda... thank you for leaving a few goodies behind.  I won't have to blow up the beach ball since you left yours:)  This apartment is in such a great location and so clean and comfy.  Victoria did good.  

So...what you are all hoping to hear about... tomorrow at a quarter till nine... Victoria will pick us up to take us to the orphanage.  We will first meet the director and then...  my baby girl.  We drove past the orphanage on the way from the airport.  It is such an odd feeling to know your daughter is there and you can't be there.  Victoria and Bruno said most of the babies in the orphanage go from one orphanage to another after they turn two.  Then onward at age four or so.  Dina has been in the same orphanage the entire time.  They said it is due to her medical conditions and the fact that she is soooooo smart.  You have to love hearing things like.. "smart, helpful and friendly" when talking about adoption.  As great as all that is... I am very sad to know I will be a part of "taking" her from the only family she has ever known.  I know it is the best thing for her.  But I think we can all agree.. we are not use to tearing kids away from those they love as though kidnapping.  For all she can understand, it is just that.  I hope all reading this will pray for her and for her caregivers in addition to us over this very tough situation.  

I am not going to post long tonight as we tomorrow is such a big day.  She will really cry if some weird woman shows up with scary dark circles under her eyes!  I'm also a bit worried that I will lose the email contact before getting to email you all the address of this blog.  So for tonight... goodnight.  

Deanna, tell my baby boy his mommy loves him.  I'll get photos out tomorrow if possibe.