Welcome Home Livea Kara-Ann!

I still feel as if I am in a dream, holding Livea each day and actually seeing her smiling face and sweet eyes look up at me. Our first four days at home together have been wonderful and it seems like our new little one just fits right into our home and our lives, like she is just supposed to be here.

Dean arrived in Atlanta with Livea late Friday evening and as soon as they crossed the arrivals lobby I scooped our little one up in my arms! She remembered me! Even though she was tired she played with us in the vehicle on the way home from the airport - sporting sunglasses, clapping, and crossing her arms in a cute little hip hop pose! (The orphanage caregivers in Kaz teach the children music and dance).

We kept her on the same schedule she was used to at the orphanage and she seems to be doing really, really well with that! We are definitely going to need to keep her on a structured schedule as this seems to make her feel secure. Yesterday I put her on the potty before I fed her and that brought tears and cries. What was I thinking!? Potty time is after supper! I wondered if the sweet angel thought she wasn't going to get to eat that night?! I quickly fixed my mistake and all was well again!

We took her to church Sunday morning and Livea got to attend her very first Children's Church with Mrs. Anna, and Big Red and the rest of the puppets. It was a very special moment and I had a hard time keeping the tears in check. We then went into "big church" where Aunt Sherry insisted on putting Livea to sleep in her arms. I can't believe I left my camera at home!

Each day I think I spoil her a little more. She now wants to be held more and more and when I put her down for a nap or to bed she lifts her arms up, says Ma, cuddles up in my arms and expects me to cuddle and rock her for a few minutes before I lay her down! It is as if she is just soaking in our love and attention!

She is such a sweet little angel and we are so thankful and so blessed that God allowed us the privilege of this journey.

Here's a video of Livea playing in the floor.

And another of Livea and Lilliana playing.



Livea sneaking bread out of the bread bag while Dean was checking messages :) I guess she was hungry!

Before we end this post we both want to thank those who helped us out along the way. Last December many people bought poinsettias from us because they wanted to be a part of this adoption. We raised several hundred dollars and used that money while in Kazakhstan to help purchase vitamins, bottles for babies with special feeding needs, scales to weigh the babies, and a push-reel mower for the orphanage. I would also like to thank our families for their prayers, encouragement, and for helping us out with Lilliana while we traveled! That was hard. But I know it has made a meaningful impact on Lilliana, Lindsay, and my other nieces and nephews that went through that time with her.
Thank you Pastor Kelvin for being willing to listen to God's leading and then share it with us on Sunday mornings. So many times I would come to Church with doubts and questions and your sermon that morning would be perfectly orchestrated.

I've always wondered exactly how the scripture "I will reveal Myself to you through My Word" actually worked. As we worked through this Journey to Livea, God revealed his faithfulness to us one day at a time, based on what His Word said and as we stepped each day in trust. He showed us that the journeys we take with him will be fruitful. We also learned that He doesn't just send money magically LOL. We always had sacrifices to make as we continued with the steps in the adoption process. We have grown. We have learned. And we are Amazed and in Awe of today's reality.

When we started this journey on June 10th, 2008, our child was not even born yet. Yet on faith (due to God's consistent prodding!) we stepped out, not knowing where the path would lead. Over the course of time, God provided for our every need, and ultimately led us to the Shapagat Baby House in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, where we met a sad little girl with the most beautiful eyes. And on August 27, 2010, we brought Livea Kara-Ann Holland home.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thes. 5:24)