Ella's Together Forever Day #3

On October 8, 2014 we took Ella from the only home she'd ever known, an orphanage in Gyumri, Armenia, and she joined our family at six years old.  It's been three years of ups and downs that have felt like two steps forward and one step back in many ways.  We're still struggling with a variety of post-orphanage behaviors in a child that is becoming increasingly educated and independent.

passport photo October 9, 2014

I'd like to be able to say that yesterday was a happy and celebratory occasion, but it was not.  Ella may be one of the adoptees whose trauma flares up around anniversaries such as this and whose behavior deteriorates as a response.  But Ella's smart enough to be aware of all of the dates that are significant in her life's journey, so it's practically impossible to skip Together Forever Day to circumvent some of the challenges.  Instead, we work through it which is harder, but probably healthier for Ella in the long run.

As always, Ella requested an Armenian culinary treat for her special day.  After pouring over two Armenian cookbooks, she settled once again on a sweet bread called gata which I baked for her.

Happy Together Forever Day, Ella!

Daddy and I are fully committed to you and our family.

Adoption is a marathon, not a sprint,

and we're in it for the long haul right by your side.

Precious daughter, we love you.

Donut Day

Twice a year, our elementary school offers a free breakfast to the families whose children attend there.  It's a lot of fun for the kids, so we try to be a part of it.

This year, we saw so much progress in Rex and Emilia.  Both were able to remain seated at the table with their food rather than run through the cafeteria like wild.  Emilia was greeted by friends and returned the greetings.  She recognizes many people at the school and addresses them by name.  It's so rewarding to witness the small successes of our two younger children.

Ella was excited to see some of her friends and enjoyed breakfast with her school bestie.

A Weekend Away

Last weekend, we met up with another adoptive family in the Ohiopyle area of Pennsylvania.  It was a great opportunity to spend time with my dear friend R and allow Ella to keep connected with her Armenian friend M.  The girls were group mates in Gyumri and definitely remember each other.

We rented a house surrounded by woods and a pond and had a very relaxing, leisurely few days with lots of campfires, games, movies, walks, good meals, and conversation.  There was practically no internet access, so we were really able to unplug from the daily grind.

Balloon fights

Roasted marshmallows at 10:00 am - and why not?

She gave us a huge scare on this trip, but thankfully she is okay

Ready for the long-awaited sleepovers

We've only been home for two days and I already miss my friend.  Can't wait to see her and her little family again next year.

Ella's Nine

We recently celebrated Ella's ninth birthday.  Since Ella loves all things out of the ordinary, she was planning her birthday for months, so my job of preparing her special day was easy with clear instructions for food, decorations and guests.  Ella was surrounded by friends and family on her birthday and enjoyed herself very much.

Happy birthday, Ella!

Daddy and I love you so much

And marvel at how quickly you are growing up.

You're funny and bright,
Headstrong and  fierce,

Beautiful and vivacious.

You love stories, whether told, read or shown to you.

You love the outdoors for swimming, biking and camping.

You crave attention and affection.

You're a girly girl with an interest in fashion design

And a tomboy who who plays rough and tumble.

Here's hoping that this next year of your life

Brings you happiness, solid new knowledge, and lots of love.
We're always here for you.

IAC Results 396 to 402

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 396 which was held on June 6, 2017:

1) Italian dossier from July 2011 referred a male child aged 4 years and 2 months with features in health status

2) US dossier from January 2013 referred a male child aged 3 years and 3 months with a family history

3) Italian dossier from February 2014 referred a male child aged 8 years and 11 months

4) US dossier from June 2014 referred a male child aged 2 years and 5 months with features in health status

6) Italian dossier from May 2016 referred a sister and brother aged 8 years and 5 months & 9 years and 9 months with a family history

7) US dossier from April 2017 referred four waiting children (#3360 & 3361 & 3362 & 3363) with profiles on the MOJ site

8) US dossier from May 2017 referred a waiting child (#3374) with a profile on the MOJ site

9) US dossier from May 2017 referred two waiting children (#3055 & 3056) with profiles on the MOJ site

10) US dossier from May 2017 referred a waiting child (#2879) with a profile on the MOJ site

______________________

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 397 which was held on June 8, 2017:

1) Norwegian dossier from November 2011 referred a male child aged 3 years and 11 months with features in health status

2) French dossier from October 2014 referred a male child aged 1 year and 1 months with features in health status

3) US dossier from April 2015 referred a female child aged 1 year and 8 months with features in health status

4) Italian dossier from June 2015 referred two brothers aged 9 years and 1 months & 7 years and 2 months

5) French dossier from September 2016 referred a brothers and sister aged 9 years and 10 months & 6 years and 3 months with features in health status

6) US dossier from May 2017 referred a waiting child (#3348) with a profile on the MOJ site

7) US dossier from May 2017 referred five waiting children (#2910 & 2911 & 2912 & 2913 & 2914) with profiles on the MOJ site

8) US dossier from May 2017 referred a waiting child (#3173) with a profile on the MOJ site

9) US dossier from May 2017 referred two waiting children (#2208 & 2209) with profiles on the MOJ site

10) US dossier from May 2017 referred four waiting children (#2830 & 2834 & 2835 & 2836) with profiles on the MOJ site

11) US dossier from May 2017 referred a waiting child (#2660) with a profile on the MOJ site
______________________________

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 398 which was held on June 15, 2017:

1) Spanish dossier from April 2011 referred a male child aged 1 year and 8 months

2) Dutch dossier from April 2011 referred a female child aged 2 years and 2 months

3) Spanish dossier from August 2011 referred a female child aged 1 year and 7 months

4) Danish dossier from September 2011 referred a female child aged 1 year and 7 months with features in health status

5) Spanish dossier from March 2012 referred a male child aged 1 year and 6 months with features in health status

6) French dossier from February 2014 referred a male child aged 7 years and 2 months with features in health status and a family history

7) US dossier from July 2016 referred a waiting child (#3413) with a profile on the MOJ site

8) Italian dossier from May 2017 referred three children, male and female, aged 3 years & 6 years and 11 months & 5 years and 8 months with features in health status

9) US dossier from June 2017 referred two waiting children (#3148 & 3149) with profiles on the MOJ site

10) US dossier from June 2017 referred a waiting child (#3279) with a profile on the MOJ site

11) US dossier from June 2017 referred a waiting child (#2665) with a profile on the MOJ site

12) US dossier from June 2017 referred a waiting child (#3300) with a profile on the MOJ site

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The following referrals were issued in IAC session 399 which was held on July 7, 2017:

1) Dutch dossier from June 2011 referred a female child aged 2 years and 2 months

2) Spanish dossier from July 2011 referred a female child aged 1 year and 10 months with features in health status

3) Cyprus dossier from August 2011 referred a male child aged 1 year and 10 months

4) Italian dossier from March 2013 referred two brothers aged 8 years and 2 months & 6 years and 9 months with features in health status

5) German dossier from February 2014 referred a male child aged 1 year and 9 months with features in health status and a family history

6) US dossier from July 2014 referred a female child aged 2 years and 9 months with features in health status and a family history

7) US dossier from August 2015 referred a female child aged 1 year and 4 months with features in health status and a family history

8) US dossier from September 2016 referred a waiting child (#3372) with a profile in the MOJ site

9) Italian dossier from April 2017 referred a female child aged 12 years and 2 months

10) US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3047) with a profile on the MOJ site

11)  US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3261) with a profile on the MOJ site

12)  US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3050) with a profile on the MOJ site

13)  US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3111) with a profile on the MOJ site

14)  US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3368) with a profile on the MOJ site

15)  US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3409) with a profile on the MOJ site

___________________________

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 400 which was held on July 13, 2017:

1) Spanish dossier from June 2011 referred a male child aged 3 years and 2 months

2) Dutch dossier from June 2011 referred a male child aged 2 years and 10 months

3) Dutch dossier from June 2011 referred a female child aged 2 years and 10 months

4) French dossier from March 2014 referred two sisters aged 5 years & 4 years and 1 month with features in health status and a family history

5) French dossier from July 2014 referred a male child aged 2 years and 2 months with features in health status

6) Italian dossier from December 2014 referred a male child aged 11 years and 6 months with features in health status

7) German dossier from September 2015 referred a male child aged 3 years with features in health status

8) US dossier from November 2015 referred a female child aged 7 years and 4 months with features in health status

9) US dossier from March 2017 referred three siblings, male and female, aged 6 years and 1 month & 3 years and 7 months & 4 years and 8 months with features in health status

10) Italian dossier from April 2017 referred two brothers aged 7 years and 4 months & 10 years and 3 months with features in health status

11) Italian dossier from June 2017 referred two sisters aged 11 years and 4 months & 10 years and 3 months with a family history
____________________

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 401 which was held on July 20, 2017:

1) Dutch dossier from July 2011 referred a male child aged 2 years and 4 months

2) Spanish dossier from September 2011 referred a male child aged 2 years and 10 months

3) Irish dossier from June 2012 referred a male child aged 2 years and 10 months with a family history

4) French dossier from February 2013 referred a male child aged 3 years and 5 months with a family history

5) US dossier from August 2013 referred a male child aged 1 year and 11 months with features in health status

5) US dossier from July 2014 referred a brother and sister aged 7 years and 11 months & 4 years and 9 months with features in health status

6) Italian dossier from November 2015 referred a female child aged 10 years and 10 months
____________________


The following referrals were issued in IAC session 402 which was held on July 27, 2017:

1) French dossier from September 2011 referred a male child aged 1 year and 9 months

2) Italian dossier from October 2011 referred a female child aged 4 years and 9 months

3) Italian dossier from July 2012 referred a male child aged 7 years and 9 months

4) Belgian dossier from June 2015 referred two waiting children (#3302 & 3303) with profiles on the MOJ site

5) US dossier from May 2017 referred a brother and sister aged 9 years and 11 months & 6 years and 4 months with features in health status

6) Canadian dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3205) with a profile on the MOJ site

7) US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3135) with a profile on the MOJ site

8) US dossier from July 2017 referred a waiting child (#3429) with a profile on the MOJ site

The Pledge Of Allegiance

My exuberant daughter is not going to let her severe apraxia of speech keep her from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with gusto.  I love that the five intelligible words pretty much sum it up even if these words are not all part of the pledge: America, god, possible, for all.

The Great American Ballpark

Thanks to the generosity of our neighbors, Craig and the girls got to have a date today at the Cincinnati Reds baseball game.  They had a wonderful time.