IAC 438-440

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 438 on September 13, 2018:

1) Spanish dossier from May 2012 referred a female child aged 3 years and 10 months

2) Spanish dossier from June 2012 referred a male child aged 2 years with features in health status

3) Italian dossier from May 2014 referred a male child aged 8 years and 1 month with features in health status

4) French dossier from August 2014 referred a female child aged 2 years and 4 months with features in health status and a family history

5) Canadian dossier from November 2014 referred a male child aged 2 years and 3 months  with features in health status and a family history

6) US dossier from October 2016 referred a female child aged 4 years and 2 months with features in health status and a family history

7) US dossier from January 2017 referred three siblings aged 6 years and 9 months & 2 years and 5 months & 3 years and 6 months with features in health status

8) US dossier from September 2018 referred a waiting child (#3456) with a profile on the MOJ site

9) US dossier from September 2018 referred a male child aged 1 year and 2 months with features in health status

10) US dossier from September 2018 referred four waiting siblings (#3525 & #3526 & #3527 & #3528 ) with profiles on the MOJ site

11) US dossier from September 2018 referred a waiting child (#3554) with a profile on the MOJ site

12) US dossier from September 2018 referred a waiting child (#3504) with a profile on the MOJ site
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 439 on September 20, 2018:

1) Spanish dossier from September 2012 referred a female child aged 3 years and 6 months with features in health status

2) French dossier from December 2013 referred a female child aged 2 years and 5 months with features in health status and a family history

3) US dossier from July 2015 referred a male child aged 2 years and 3 months with features in health status

4) US dossier from July 2015 referred sisters aged 5 years and 10 months & 3 years and 7 months with features in health status
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 440 on September 25, 2018:

1) German dossier from October 2012 referred two sisters aged 4 years and 6 months & 5 years and 9 months

2) French dossier from November 2013 referred a male child aged 3 years and 9 months with features in health status and a family history

3) US dossier from June 2015 referred a male child aged 3 years and 2 months with features in health status and a family history

4) Italian dossier from June 2016 referred two sisters aged 10 years and 2 months & 9 years and 3 months

5) Belgian dossier from August 2017 referred a waiting child (#3630) with a profile on the MOJ site

Drop By Drop

From the ashes of the toddler whose bucket was almost empty, our Rex has risen into a boy with the fullest heart and most sparkling spirit.  We are so thankful for the privilege of being loved by him.

CSA Open Farm Day

Peter Pan

This weekend, Emilia and I had the pleasure of attending the Peter Pan ballet at Music Hall in Cincinnati.  The tickets had been generously provided to Emilia by a local charity that became aware of Emilia's love for ballet.  I was worried how Emilia would handle the full length, not sensory friendly performance, but she did beautifully.  She was alert and enchanted as the story evolved on stage and asked numerous times that the curtain not close.

Our seats had been assigned with Emilia's needs in mind and she had the option to sit or stand.  We would have also been able to exit easily should it have been necessary to do so.

After the performance, Emilia wanted to take a closer look at the orchestra pit and the stage and I was happy to oblige.

I'm so lucky that I got to spend such a wonderful afternoon with my little girl and see her face full of the joys of music and dance.  It's such a privilege to be with Emilia when she's carried away by magic and free, for a little while, of any care in the world.

Friendship

We're so lucky to be able to provide Ella with a lasting link to one of her former orphanage mates.  The girls are so incredibly alike and remember a lot of the same things from their years in Armenia.

To make it even more special, there's also a deep connection between Ella's friend's mom and me.  I am very protective of this friendship and greatly value the (not enough) time we get to spend face to face... not to mention the countless hours of keeping each other going via Facebook. 

So, these last few days of friendship under the same roof were much needed, restorative, relaxing, fun, fattening, affirming and awesome.

Emilia Is Nine

We recently celebrated Emilia's ninth birthday - she had a larger gathering a few days before her birthday proper and a special dinner on her actual birthday.  Since her heart is with anything ballet these days, we themed her party accordingly and hired two teen ballerinas to surprise her.  They were a smash hit and Emilia had a blast.

Dance of the Little Swans - A favorite of Emilia's

We decorate our dining area for at least a week.

Dairy and nut free cake balls

Our friend Emilia made a special present for our Emilia

Our school does not allow sweet treats for birthday celebrations, so Emilia, our funniest child with a wonderful sense of humor, took in a joke for each of her classmates on her actual birthday.

Emilia enjoyed her birthday dinner with our cousins.  I don't know anyone who sings Happy Birthday as enthusiastically as Emilia does and she certainly did not hold back on her own special day.

Blowing out the candle

Sweet daughter, we want you to know

that even if your past will always complicate your present,

you are enough.

You were an original blessing to your Bulgarian mother

who welcomed you into her life against all reason.

Your are always and forever a treasure to our family.

Your are a miracle in progress

and we can't wait to see what comes next.

Happy birthday, ballerina!

We love you.

Ella's Together Forever Day 2018

Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of Ella leaving the orphanage in Armenia and joining our family.  Historically, she struggles more in October surrounding some significant dates, but this month the day was blissfully off her radar because she is very excited about an event we have coming up soon.  I mentioned the anniversary to her just before dinner yesterday and Ella took note, but not overly so.  We surprised her with a stop for icecream after Emilia's ballet class and jammed to some JT on the way home.  I am glad we found a middle ground to acknowledge the day without turning it into a big production.

When talking about adoption and family, my usually verbose child often gets verklempt.

Happy Together Forever Day, Ella.

You make us rise to the challenge every single day.

You are full of questions and strong emotions.

You're always ready for an adventure.

You're working hard to overcome.

And most of all, you're worthy, appreciated and loved.

#yourethebestandyouknowit