I've got this great idea about a Mommy Bear from Shelley, another fellow adoptive parent. Victoria and I went to the Build-a-Bear store and created a Mommy Bear for her to hold on to while I'm in Ukraine! This Mommy Bear can even speak with Mommy's pre-recorded voice :) It was a big hit, so I hope it will make it easier for Victoria to be without me.
Luckily our son doesn't need a Mommy Bear anymore :) Though Oleg and I managed to spend some quality time with him this week, which is not an easy task - he's either at school or at work, or out :)
We are more or less ready to go, just 3 more days... It's a very emotional time for us. Not only we are about to become Raisa's parents, but also we are going back to our homeland for the first time in 11 years. We left Odessa on the cold November day in 1996 with just the clothes on our backs and knowing how to say "Hi", Bye" and "How are you" in English. We found our American dream, and we'll do everything possible to help our new daughter to find hers.
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19 comments:
What a neat idea for the Mommy Bear!
And what a great story how you came to the US. We'll be checking your blog daily and sending many prayers your way for a smooth adoption! I hope we get to meet!
I am misty-eyed at the thoughts of you then and now Raisa realizing the American dream.
I hope the Mommy bear works wonders!!
I LOVE the Mommy Bear idea. Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to do the same with Sarah.
Your return to Ukraine is so emotional for so many reasons. It touched my heart to hear about when you last departed and came to the US. How incredible that you can now offer the same opportunity to Raisa and offer her the stability and love of a family while she makes that transition.
You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers during the last few days pre-travel.
I really hope you'll be able to post while in Ukraine! I, too, can only imagine you and your husband when you left... And what you went through to learn English and build the life you have. I'm sorry that Raisa lost her parents, but it's so wonderful she'll now have you. I'll be thinking of you! Bon voyage!
Here's another idea--buy a couple cards for Victoria and already write messages on them. Then have your mom mail them periodically so Victoria will get "real" mail. Or hide little notes throughout the house in unexpected places. I've used a heart-shaped hole punch in the past when I did that and then just wrote one sentence messages.
Okay...you did it. You made me teary! What a beautiful post!
Only three days left!!! I can't wait to read about your adventures and to see Ukraine through your eyes.
Oh Nataliya! Beautiful post. You brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful Mommy bear you will be for both of your daughters. That is a great idea for Victoria! I really wish we would have done that for our little guys! Best of luck on your amazing journey. I will be one of the many blog addicts glued to your blog while you are gone.
Godspeed, Karissa
Nataliya, I hope you have a wonderful trip! Your daughter doesn't know yet, just how blessed she is getting the two of you as parents. :)
Did you see that I tagged you?
That is beautifully written.
Your blog today gave me goosebumps. To think that you left with nothing but each other and hope for the American dream. How emmotional this trip will be to return to your Motherland and to bring home your new daughter. When you returns with you, meets her new brother, sister and grandmother, she will have such a wonderful childhood filled with love and promise. I look forward to reading your blogs while you are in the Ukraine.
Oh Nataliya, what a journey you've had for nearly 12 years. I am so glad for you, Oleg and your children that you've found your American dream - and I am sure Raisa will find hers, too. You are also setting a wonderful example of love and sacrifice, and family togetherness, for Victoria and Alex. BEST OF LUCK in Ukraine (no, wait, I am supposed to say something like NOTHING WILL GO RIGHT...in Ukrainian tradition - right?! Haha)
Your fellow adopting mom friend,
Kelly
just realized the time is here, amazing, and also so touched by your blog, knowing as I do, you and Oleg, alex and victoria over the years........
Three days! How does time pass so quickly?? See you in Odessa!
I'm so glad you used the mommy bear idea!!!!
I can't wait to follow your journey. Yours will be a unique experience & I can't wait to read about your perspective on the process. Wishing you the best as you travel to bring your daughter home!
What a neat thing to be going "home" to collect your new daughter! I am SO reminiscing this week about being in UA. I loved it. Enjoy your trip. And that idea about the Mommy Bear is brilliant!
This is an amazing, wonderful story. Raisa will be coming to America on the 400th year anniversary of the first English colony. It's people like you and Oleg who make our country a great one. Every day I spent in Ukraine I ran into people I despaired for, because I knew how successful they would be if they just had a chance to do something with all their gifts. Thank God that you and Oleg are giving another precious child that opportunity. I hope you'll be able to share your experiences with us while you're in Odessa. I pray for all God's blessings on this incredible journey!
Nataliya,
I wish you the best of luck when you go on your trip this week. I know everything will go as smoothly as possible! Have fun visiting with friends, and going to all your old haunts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please, if there is any way I can help, or anything you need, don't hesitate to ask!
Maryann Hubbard
iammare01@aol.com
I don't know if you leave tomorrow or Sunday but Bon Voyage! Can't wait to read your blogs from the Ukraine.
Nataliya, I found your blog recently through mutual blogger friends and am really touched by your story. Have a wonderful trip!!! Best of luck with everything.
It's wonderful that soon we can see Raisu at home. I very happy for you.
Good luck. God will be with you everywhere.
Anastasia Hale.
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