"I'm so happy, I could scream!" These are the words Marina spoke to Julianna the first time she told her that our family wanted to adopt her. That was over a month ago... and we hadn't even met!
Fast forward to today and I feel the exact same way... I am so happy I could scream!
What an amazing 4 days we have had!!!
Saturday we spent the day at the pool... taking our mind off the fact that we had to wait until 6:10 pm before Marina's flight arrived. As it so happened, her flight arrived early so we were only there 5 minutes when we saw Marina and Lisa walk through the doors. Julianna was so happy to see her best friend. Andy and I watched and waited... and cried as we watched the girls hug. Then it was our turn... it was surreal... something you only see in the movies. Marbella and Milana ran right up to Marina waiting for their hugs. They were so ready to open their hearts to their new big sister... as if they knew it was always supposed to be this way. Then we got our big hugs!!!
If I told you that it was a natural transition right from the start then I would not be telling you the truth. It was awkward for Marina as well as for us... as we all expected it would be. We went out to dinner and Julianna translated everything. Her first meal with us... buffalo chicken wings and cheese fries... welcome to America! :) We all came back to our house and Marina and Julianna had lots of catching up to do. It was fun listening to them talk and watching their excitement for each other. At the same time, I could feel myself longing for that familiarity with her - not expecting it, just longing for it. God has been with us from the start... I knew in my heart that it would come... but when? Patience is not my best virtue! :) Sunday morning we ate breakfast and headed to Wal-Mart to buy some new clothes and necessities. Then off to Julianna's house for some pool time. Up to this point, Marina had Julianna as her security. She didn't leave her side. It was comforting that she had someone while at the same time, I was becoming anxious to have some time with her so that we could bond as a family. It did not take long for me to feel her looking to me for comfort. I say this from my perspective. I know that Marina may read this and say "Mom, you had it all wrong from my perspective" but then she can add her own blog post and set us all straight! :) We were having a very difficult time communicating... totally depending on Julianna to help us and now she was no longer there. So, she helped me put the girls to bed... listening as we read the girls their Bible story... praying with us... snuggling up while we listened to a couple songs. It was nice... once again feeling right. We went downstairs and opened a 500 piece puzzle. A great activity allowing us to be together without the feeling that anyone needs to talk... being in each others presence without any pressure to try to talk. It was great. In fact, we spent most of Monday doing the exact same thing until we finished it late afternoon. It was then that Marina and Andy started "talking" via Google Translate. They talked about how we met... the fact that I am 7 years older then Andy (she giggled)... what are our favorites... stuff like that. Then we went out to dinner. As we got in the car Marina started talking... sharing with us that she loves the sound of rain at night. What? Are we communicating? She is smiling and I can start to see the beautiful twinkle in her eyes. We go to dinner then to Jamba Juice and sit outside. We have found out that she loves the heat and doesn't like the cold of Ukraine. We go back to the house put the girls down for bed as a family again and then Marina and I are off to Sprouts and Kroger. On the way we started talking. Yes, you read that correctly - we were communicating. It was then that I realized Marina understands much more English then we thought... then she wanted us to think. She began letting her guard down. She began to trust me enough to let me know she can understand me. We had so much fun. She tried every candy from the bins at Sprouts and was amazed by all of the choices. I found out what foods she liked... and didn't! (She doesn't like pizza...oh no!) We then went to Kroger and could have spent hours there. It was so fun. We were communicating! We were laughing! We were bonding. GOD IS GREAT.
Now that I knew she could understand me, I could tell her how God spoke to us about adopting her... that He led us to her. He choose her for our family. I could tell her that even though she is going back to the Ukraine in August, it won't be for long. That we will go get her. It made my heart melt to see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice that she wants us to. I felt the elation that I felt in the hospital after having my 2 little ones. I couldn't sleep because I was so happy. The progress was incredible! When she asked me if I worked, I responded with a "no" then I quickly said "yes, I work by taking care of Marbella and Milana... and that is a big job." She then told me that she would help me take care of them when she can back forever. My heart melted! No sweet Marina... when you come back forever my job will be to take care of Marbella, Milana, AND Marina. No sweet Marina... it is time you had a momma take care of you. God has asked me to do that... and I am so thankful He has! I intend to obey Him in that!!!
Right now Daddy is teaching Marina how to play the Wii. Comedy at its finest... especially since she has already learned how to whip up on him in tennis! :)
Thank you all for your incredible support and prayers. Keep them coming! The enemy has been trying to find his way in but we have been bathed in prayers so he doesn't have a chance right now. Milana got sick Sunday night and threw up everywhere... sweet Marina kept us company in the bathroom while I was bathing Milana again. I was gagging but Marina didn't leave. Andy has had a fever for 2 days/nights - keeping him away from his quiet time with God and preventing him from spending too much time with us. As we are trying to raise money to help us pay for the huge adoption fees our A/C goes out and we needed a new coil then on Sunday our living room TV broke. The evil one doesn't like adoption. He is trying to create distractions, but thankfully he doesn't have any power. Your prayers have been heard and are making a huge difference... please don't stop now! We are so blessed to have your support. We are so blessed to be called to be Marina's parents. Andy will post an update with pictures (I don't know how!)
Love to you all -
The Green's
