Yes, we're still alive. We've been just a bit busy. Since we last posted, we've been to meet big brother Tyler and sister-in-law Emilie, had a great picture day and even started kindergarten. I've gone back to work too, but we'll only talk about the good and happy things. Here in no particular order, are some pictures to commemorate our big events.

Blowing kisses. She loves to blow kisses. She blows them to everyone weather she knows them or not. It's her way to say Paka Paka. Muaaahhh!

She loves to be held. I figure since she didn't really get that for the first 5 or so years of her life, I don't mind trying to make up for lost time.

Just a sweet smile. She was talking I am sure. :) She talks a lot. Doesn't matter that no one can understand her. She just talks.

Bubbles are great! She is still captivated with them weather she's blowing them or popping them.

Not sure what she is looking at, but it must have been good.
This was at the play area of the dentist's office. It's the only part of that appointment that she liked. No cavities though! The best part of going to Portland was seeing her big brother Tyler and sister-in-law Emilie. She loves them both. Well, we all love them both. Didn't get any pictures of Emilie though :( Maybe next time we see her.
Mama, NeeNee and Gracie at the Portland Zoo. It was a great day for all of us. Gracie's first day of Kindergarten. I'm sure that we've found the right school for her. They have a whole team of people dedicated just to Gracie to help her succeed. She loves it too! After her first week, she says "A" "aaaaah" "Apple" and is really learning the routine of being part of a class. The other kids love her too!

Hard at work. She really is doing so very well. I'm so proud of her.

More soon. We have Vegas coming up at the end of the month. Can't wait!!!!!!

One month!

Grace MacKenzie Clifton is one month old....Officially!

August 15, 2011 Gotcha Day!

This was one of her caregivers. Her name is Elaina. Gracie was pretty close to her.

She has a thing for glasses. She has her own sunglasses and wears them just like Mama does. On top of her head! :)

Thus begins her fascination with the Beep Beep (car). She loves them and is a pretty good traveller.
Leaving the orphanage forever! One of the best moments of both of our lives!

She likes to be in her stroller. At least she used to like it. Crawled in there voluntarily. :) That has changed a bit in a month.
With St Basil's Cathedral in the background. Unfortunately this was as close as we could get to it due to some construction work and our guide didn't want to walk the long way around. Meeting Grandma and Grandpa for the very first time! Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures.

Sleeping in her own bed for the very first time. So sweet!

Nice welcome home cookie from Cheryl! YUM it was good!
Mama and Gracie were so tired the next day. Neither of us could keep our eyes open even with the good company we had. Sorry Cheryl! We love you!
This begins the state of mishcief we've been in since Gracie woke up the next day. Everything is a game and laughs and love are frequently realized in our house these days. Exactly what I had hoped and prayed for. God is so good in how He provides. She is such a blessing to me. My heart is overflowing and my body is tired! LOL

And if you've ever thought of taking stock in paper products, kleenex or cotonelle might be good about now. We've got to learn the value of a clean roll of toilet paper or box of paper towels. :)

I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to post this. My time has become so scarce and precious. Please know that I treasure every prayer, good thought or wish that is said on our behalf. We are well. Just enjoying our new life together. I'll post more pictures soon.

shhhhh....She's sleeping

Sleep came tough last night. Our hotel room was quite hot, and well, it had been a day of adventure. I'll post about gotcha day soon, but for now, take a look at how my beautiful angel sleeps.....

This was last night when she finally gave up and slept. So tired as it was about 11:30 pm. About 2.5 hours past her bedtime.

This was about an hour later. She stayed that way for about 20 minutes before I glanced at her and in her sleep, she had pulled her pants down and was starting to squat. I would have taken a picture, but instead I ran. Whew....we made it to the potty chair. My sleeping angel went potty and didn't even wake up.

This is what I woke to this morning. It's about 5:30 and neither of us are ready to wake up, but I couldn't resist taking this. Makes my knees hurt a little just thinking about this.

I am awestruck over my daughter. She seems to have taken the first steps in transition from orphanage to family without even blinking. I love her so much! I thank God for His miracles. One is sleeping here for at least a little while longer.

Saturday

Some pictures from Saturday.

Ha ha, this is what I see often. A little beggar who wants to be picked up. She giggles with delight when I do but I make her walk sometimes. Occasionally she protests loudly but then she will walk with me holding my hand without problem.
She is always inquisitive and she loves to learn. I'm so glad that they've given her the opportunity here to learn. Can't wait to see how she grows at home.
This is Amy, she and her husband Dan were allowed to adopt this beautiful little girl Elaina on Wednesday too. They live in Minnesota. Gracie just looked at me like "Ha ha, who has me now? Come get me mama." She loves to be chased.

Can you just see the stinker in her eye? I sure can! This child loves life and plans to see how much mischief she can get into while she's experiencing it.

Karina is a Godsend! She's our interpreter. She ran interference for me since I'm not feeling too well yet and redirected Gracie to the slide. She loves these children and often I see her with one in her arms and she's praying over them. Such a good woman. She's my Russian sister. She wants to visit America some day. I think now would be good.
It's blurry, but cute.

This girl would sit and play in the dirt for hours.
Because it was warm out, they brought out a drink that all the kids gathered around quickly for. I asked if it was tea which is what it looked like but was told that it was dried berries. The little one to her right is so sweet. She's a girl. It took Karina a year to discover that.


I get the impression that Miss Bossy Pants has seen this a few times. LOL

Just a blurry but cute picture of a cute girl.

Just about to break into one of those contagious smiles of hers.

Buckets have multiple uses here and sticks just can't be too short to be of some use.
She really loves instructional time. I think she's gonna love school too.

Genrik! He's my facilitator. Just a boy at heart but drives a mean car (and a scary one at times). The kids love him.

Circle time! The caregiver sings songs and the kids go round and round acting out things from the song. She wanted to give me a show so she used Gracie as the focus of the song often. Later, her parting words to me were that I need to be firm with Gracie or she will become the boss. I wanted to reassure her, but Karina just said that she had some advice she wanted to give me and she will give it to me. :) Lots of advice!

This is Dan. Gracie found a willing cohort when mama said nyet to picking her up during circle time.
Emptying out her shoes before they all go in. Of course, she could have emptied out her pockets, underwear and whole head to try to get rid of all the sand.

I love this girl! My daughter!!!! My heart sings!

Next up: Monday is Gotcha Day!

Tuesday is the Novosibirsk Zoo and then off to Moscow!

Friday we head HOME!!!!

How is it possible that I can be so blessed.

Today, I've been granted the wishes of my heart. They weren't frivolous wishes, they were HUGE ones. To be entrusted with the life of a child is the greatest priveledge I can think of. With it comes a committment that is so fierce it alters the way my body works. My heart is forever linked to a child who was not born from under my heart but in it.

Please meet: Grace MacKenzie Clifton

Born April 4, 2006 in Novosibirsk, Russia

Adopted August 10, 2011

Welcome Gracie! Your mama can't wait to bring you home!

I love you so much!

Novosibirsk trip day 2...The road continues

Today was a good day. I was actually fortunate enough to get some sleep. Seven whole, un-interrupted, blissful hours of deep sleep and boy did I need them! I got to practice what I will say to the judge but I know I will forget. I would forget on an easy day let alone a day of such importance.

We will ask the judge to waive the 10 waiting period on the basis that the longer Gracie can be home before she attends school, the better. If she does not waive the 10 days (which is likely) then Gracie's gotcha day will be on the 20th.

The visit today was great fun for all of us. Gracie LOVES LOVES LOVES the dirt! She digs in it with her hands, writes in it with a stick, pours it out of her hands and just plain likes to play in the sandbox. Oh, and the girl likes her shoes. I had to bring a few pairs of them to see which size is best. The black and white houndstooth pair won out. :) I'm just glad to see that she has some taste. As far as clothes, she is solidly in a 2 which is a relief because that's what I brought with.

I'm getting sleepy again, so I'll sign off. Enjoy these pictures. I am so happy with them. In fact, I am just plain happy with everything right now.

If I could ask for prayers for tomorrow. I have the assurance from Karina (my translator) that she has my back and won't translate anything that sounds truly wrong, but please pray that my words are eloquent and fluid and the judge would see my heart. A quick one about the 10 days being waived would be excellent and truly in Gracie's best interest.

Thank you all so much for your encouraging words and your prayers. God is sooo good and is using this experience to show that. How blessed I am that I can be a part of that. IS THIS A HAPPY GIRL OR WHAT!?