The One About The Three Plates For Breakfast

So, this was breakfast Thursday morning...

Dave sez, I consider myself to be a God-fearing Christian. I believe that Jesus came and died for my sins. And it has taken me a long time to not worry or care what anyone else thinks of that. I still feel a little self-conscious, though. What this journey that Cathy and I are on has taught me is there are things that I have no control over. There are things that I am part of that are much bigger and grander than I am. There are times when I need to just sit back and enjoy the roller coaster ride. Adoption is a roller coaster ride.

When we got back to the orphanage from our visit to the SDA and notary with Valentin, we had planned to celebrate this milestone with Masha. Cathy and I walked over to the market not too far away and got a small cake, a loaf of bread, some sausage, cheese spread and apple juice. The cake was sliced, and we cut each slice in half to share with the other children and the care givers. In return, we had potato soup, along with a delicious plate of fish, mashed potatoes and chopped beets.

Now, the reason I share with you that I consider myself a God-fearing Christian, is that I believe in answered prayer. A few years ago, when I posted my resolution to "Be a Dad in 2011" on Facebook, I had said that in prayer. I have thanked God every day for each one of our children. I have seen that things I have asked for have happened and been given. Like I said, it's taken me awhile to be okay with that being my thing. Because it really is just my thing, and by extension it is Cathy's and my thing. If it's your thing, that's great. But if it's not your thing, that's okay, too.

As we were finishing our celebration lunch, Igor came in and sat down with us. He said that he was going to make arrangements for us to sign Masha out of the orphanage.

Mama watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with her daughter

I can only imagine what Cathy's reaction was, but I nearly fell out of my chair and passed out. This was answered prayer. We weren't exactly sure if we could share this. I'm still not completely convinced that we're not violating some rule by sharing this. But I want to encourage you. I want you to know just how incredible this journey has been. That all of the ups and downs have been more than worth it; and the peaks of joy have more than made up for the challenging valleys that we have encountered. If our journey has been about anything it has been about hope. At least for me. There were times when I thought I would never have any children; times when I thought I would only have one child. Here we are now, blessed with three! Cathy and I have gone from a very dark and sad state of hopelessness to delirious joy.

Do you want to build a snowman?/Or ride our bikes around the hall?

God has answered my prayer. Not just my prayer, but Cathy's; and every prayer said for us.

Bella's view of the room from her bed

The big, wide world is a bit overwhelming and scary. There are a lot more choices than there used to be. What we are doing is using the Google Translate app and communicating that way.

The sketch comes pretty close, don't you think?

Thursday, May 1st and Friday, May 2nd are holidays here in Kiev. "The Day of International Solidarity of Workers". This is a holdover from Russia. We got an automatic alert from the U.S. Embassy here in Kiev through the STEP program we signed up for advising us to be aware of marches and parades Thursday morning at 10am. So, we had a late breakfast of scrambled eggs, bread and juice.

We took a walk over to St. Andrew's and the SDA building. We went inside St. Andrew's. Cathy and I said a prayer of thanks. We've been saying prayers of thanks when we eat and before going to sleep, too.

We walked down the hill behind St. Andrew's and the SDA and had lunch at Domino's. We asked Bella what kind of pizza she wanted. The choice was a bit daunting, but we learned that she's not a big fan of pineapple...at least not pineapple on pizza. But she was a real trooper and ate it anyway. Cathy got a salad and we shared our pizza with her. Bells isn't really a big soda drinker either. Which is fine by me. Instead of walking back up the hill, we took the train to Maidan station and we let her pick out a couple barrettes in a shop in the subway. Mama let her stand in line and pay for them herself. I bit my lip and paced.

I find myself trying not to stare and watch her reactions to the Big, Wide World. It's one thing to have to face it all, and then another thing on top of it to feel self conscious about it all.

I certainly realize just how blessed I am. I see what I am very thankful for.

We will be getting the Court Decree approving our petition to adopt Bella on Monday, May 12th. Then, she'll be getting a new birth certificate and passport. After that she'll have a physical with a doctor here for her visa from the Embassy and we will be on our way to our Happily Ever After.

In just a few weeks from now, we will be the Forever Five.