An update!

Two years ago today was our "Gotcha Day" of our daughter Julianna Alyona. She was 14 years old when we adopted her. We had a closed blog but we have decided to make it public to help advocate the adoption of older teens. So you're probably wondering how the last couple years have gone-- the first year was both the happiest and saddest year of my life. It is hard to hear about your child's life prior to adoption. Stories of being hungry, abused, and all alone. I will leave it at that. My daughter had to adjust to being here and around 4 months in was the hardest period for her. Once we got through all of that she still said "I'm so happy to have a family. I'm afraid I'll wake up and be in Ukraine again." No, sweetheart, you are here to stay :) I have put many hours into my girl; holding, rocking and singing to her. I think we have gone through every phase, infant to now a teenager! She has had to learn so much including simple things such as automatic versus push doors. We have also learned some things. For example, we can never grab her while trying to discipline. Time in, not time out, works best. Jealously is an issue that will always affect her due to her being rejected in an orphanage for 8 years. So what does my girl enjoy? She loves picking her clothes for the next day, trying them all on and having choices. She loves smells, perfumes, soaps, body washes, etc. If I get anything scent related I can expect her to instantly start smelling! She's also involved in school choir and taking voice lessons. She recently got a puppy and is enjoying training classes. I hope that she will also start 4 H to give her the opportunity to get more involved in social groups of kids her age. I tell her all the time I wish I knew which other boys or girls have her heart; I would go snatch them up in a minute. We feel so blessed to have such a large and happy family. Diane