The Stumbos Visit

The last four days have been a long time coming. Back when we first committed to adopt Oksana I emailed Ellen when I saw Oksana's picture on her blog and found out that she had adopted a little girl from the same orphanage. Shortly after that we talked on the phone and she told me more about Oksana, Ukraine, the orphanage, and the process. We continued to talk and email all through our paperwork process, during our time in Ukraine, and after we got home. We Skyped as families, as couples (after the kids went to bed), and just the two of us. We said over and over again that we wanted to get the girls together but nothing worked out until now! It was truly an amazing moment when we all met for the first time. Ellen and I were squealing in my driveway! Then we brought Nina in the house to see Oksana and this is what happened:

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Notice how Oksana kept staring at Nina and touching her. After this moment they all came in and it was as if we all had known each other forever. Have you ever met a family where every member of their family clicks with every member of your family and you form and instant friendship? It's a rare thing to find but a huge blessing when you find it! We spent one day hanging out at home, playing, running through the sprinkler, and BBQing. The next day we went to the indoor playground at our church with some other friends that are part of the Down Syndrome community here. In fact one of the families adopted a little girl with Down Syndrome from Ukraine last year as well! If you didn't know, the Stumbos also have a precious girl with Down Syndrome so they already had some friends in this area. Then the boys all went to a Cardinals game in the evening and the girls stayed home to play! On our final day together we went to the Butterfly house and then met up with Renee Garcia and her family who adopted a child with Down Syndrome from the same groupa as Oksana and Nina. The Garcia's were moving to Colorado and stopped in St. Louis on the way through to meet up with us and, again, some families in the Down Syndrome community here.

After that it was time to say goodbye to the Stumbos. I told Oksana that she needed to say goodbye and she said "But I love Nina!". They hugged and Nina said "I will miss you Oksana" in the sweetest voice. I teared up big time but managed to hold it in so I didn't look like a complete blubbering idiot! We miss them so much already and are looking forward to planning a trip to their house. The Lord has truly blessed us with these friends. To think that we were brought together by 2 orphans in Ukraine is just crazy. Enjoy the pictures!

From Left to Right Nina, Oksana, and Ellie having fun in the bounce house.

All of the girls playing play dough.

Oksana and Nina playing in the sprinkler together.

Little Miss Nichole...she makes me smile :)

I love this picture of these two!

This is sweet Dasha who was also adopted from Ukraine by my friend Julie.

3 of mine!

Stumbo and Loraine kids minus Nichole.

The first time Oksana agreed to go down the slide without being on our laps was when she could hold Nina's hand while going down.

Then at the bottom she would put Nina in a headlock, otherwise known as a hug, for a picture!

At the Butterfly House

The whole crew...try getting them all to look and smile...not gonna happen!

Do you know what I love about this picture? These girls are no longer fatherless!

Sweet Ellie, we loved getting to know her!

All of the moms at the park. Ellen and I are on the table and from left to right on the bottom is Renee, Adrienne, RK, and Julie.

Oksana, Kellsey, and Nina....Three girls from the same baby house in Ukraine in matching outfits courtesy of Renee ;).

All of the little Ukrainians!

All of the girls at the park.

And a few of the big boys!

Me and Ellen. I hate goodbyes!