Fun at the Park!

It is GREAT to be home!
Alyona spent the day exploring our park and had a great time.












And what girl doesn't love taking her dog for a walk?



We are thrilled to be making new memories and are planning on a very Happy New Year! A special thank you to Kira for being our official photographer.

Day 35: Home Sweet Home

Swerdfeger - party of five!

One year ago today April asked me if I was interested in adoption. Not just any adoption, either. She had on her heart an orphan with special needs, who lived half-a-world away.

As I read the description of a little girl who loved to laugh and read, my heart jumped. For so long we had discussed our desire for a larger family. For so long we had tried. For so long we had prayed, and prayed. Could it be that God's answer was this little one with an extra chromosome who really was half-a-world away?

Yes.

That was my answer to God, and to April.

Yes, we should adopt.

Yes, Alyona was the one.

Yes, I had no idea what we were in for.

It has been the hardest thing we have ever done, and yet the most rewarding. God has stretched us, and blessed us beyond measure. He has grown us, and shown us His grace and mercy.

A year ago we did not have any paperwork started, we did not have the money, we had no experience in adoption.

Today there is one less orphan in the world.

Today Alyona has a family.

Today she and momma arrived home.

If God is speaking to your heart about adoption, today is the day to say yes.

If God is calling you to help finance an adoption, today is the day to give.

If you have prayed for us and Aly, today is the day to praise God and give Him thanks.

What a year it has been!

Day 34: We're in London!

Alyona is a pretty good traveler. She fell asleep in the car on the way to the airport, so I knew that a mid-flight nap was not going to happen. Oh well. Other than not liking the airline food and having to keep her seatbelt on, she did really well. We started off by reading the book Airport by Byron Barton, which is a favorite in our family.




Aly worked on some coloring projects.




Towards the end of the flight, I noticed she was getting a rash on her face. Poor girl. So many new things, I have no idea what caused it.




We made it to London and she was a bit concerned when she saw our room. I on the other hand was ecstatic! I figured she had to be as hungry as I was, so we were off on a mission. With a little food in her tummy she perked right up.




I turned on the music for Aly and she fell asleep before her head hit the pillow.




I am looking forward to finally being home and with my family. I never could have imagined what the past 34 days being away from home would have been like, but when I look at Aly I know it is all worth it!

Day 33: We Have the Visa!!!

We are so excited that we finally have Alyona's visa. To celebrate we played a game of volleyball/soccer. Aly won!



While at the embassy, it was great to be able to meet several other families that were adopting. We ran into The Birschbach's (Jill and her friend Debbie). It was great to get to see Elijah! We also got to see The Hansen's (Mark and Melanie) and their beautiful daughter Maia! It would have been such a great photo op, but unfortunately you have to hand over your camera when you enter the embassy.

We are so excited about finally being able to come home. Kelsey was sweet enough to delay her Christmas baking, so we would have fresh Christmas cookies to come home to (such a sweetie!).

Day 32: It's the Final Countdown!!!

Can we PLEASE go home now? Soon, very soon!



The end is in sight and the final countdown has begun!!!

3 - (Monday) This morning we went to our appointment at the embassy for our document intake and then went to Alyona's medical appointment.

2 - (Tuesday) We have our final appointment at 11:00 at the embassy to pick up Alyona's visa.

1 - (Wednesday) We fly to London.

0 - (Thursday) We arrive home ! ! !

Day 31: Just Hanging Out

Alyona had a rough night last night, so we decided that we would have a mellow day, just hanging out in the apartment. The fact that it was snowing outside solidified our decision.




We were able to skype with our family last night. It was great to see Brian at home with our girls and Aly was thrilled to see Papa again. My girls looked relieved to finally have him back home and immediately put him to work on flood duty. All of the rain in southern California can stop at anytime. Please!




Well today, Aly spent a good portion of the day listening to music while looking through our photo album, pointing to everyone. I think being able to skype has made these people in the photos finally seem to click with her.



We had a surprise visitor who came bearing gifts. Our facilitator dropped off Aly's passport and birth certificate for us to take to the embassy in the morning. Yay!!! It is such a great feeling to finally have these in my hand. It such an amazing feeling seeing our name on her birth certificate. She was abandoned in the hospital and never had visitors, but yet I wonder if her parents think about her. My heart breaks for her birth mom, who carried her, and loved her, but was probably unable to care for her. I am so thankful for the privilege to be her mom.




I am so excited that we are another day closer to bringing Alyona home!

Day 30: Merry Christmas

Sorry for the short post, but it is better than no post.

Good news, Alyona's passport is in.

Here is an update on where we stand: Monday 9:00am embassy appointment for document intake and her medical appointment. Tuesday we should receive her visa. Wednesday fly to London. Thurday fly home.

Alyona took me to Mandarin Plaza today so she could burn off some energy and so she would have a good nap.




I actually miss the snow. It's been warm and drizzling and this is all of the snow that is left.




We had the pleasure of having lunch today with Meredith and the newest members of her family, Aleksa and Wesley. She suggested having a Christmas lunch together at TGIFridays and I am so glad that she did. She wrote a post today titled, The 12 Things of Home That I Look Forward To... and it is so true. It is as if I wrote it myself.




This would be Aly's "I just dozed off, how dare you wake me up look." She dozed off for 2 minutes... kiss that nap goodbye! It never happened. Oh well, it's Christmas after all.




We take an elevator to the sixth floor and then have to climb a flight of stairs to our apartment. I am so thankful Aly will sit and wait for me while I carry up her stroller, groceries, etc.




Please pray for Aly. This afternoon I noticed that she is getting sick (coughing, sneezing, and sounding rattly). Poor girl, she sounds miserable.