31 for 21 - 2 years later.

I posted the following post two years ago this month.... when I originally posted it, all the kids were waiting. When I reposted it last year, I updated on who had a family and who didn't. This year I am going to re-update it!

The pictures from the original post are put with the Down Syndrome Creed, a poem that is so very beauitufl and inspiring.

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My face may be different

Jimmy - Still waiting, has a family working to commit to him.

But my feelings the same

Tabitha - Had a family working to get her before Russia shut down.

I laugh and I cry

Mark - still waiting.

And I take pride in my gains

Brigita - HOME!

I was sent here among you

Rebekah - Stuck in Russia

To teach you to love

Lilly - Had a family ready to commit to her before Russia shutdown.

As God in the heavens

Lizzy - Had a mama working to get her before Russia shutdown. 

Looks down from above

Ilya - Stuck in Russia.

To Him I'm no different

Maxim - HOME!

His love knows no bounds

Lyla - HOME!!!

It's those here among you

Dennis - Has a family working to bring him home!

In cities and towns

Timofey - Stuck in Russia.

That judge me by standards

Robert - HOME!

That man has imparted

Chandler - HOME!

But this family I've chosen

Tory - Stuck in Russia.

Will help me get started

Orion - HOME!

For I'm one of the children

Jonathan - Stuck in Russia.

So special and few

Meredith - her family is working to get her!

That came here to learn

Lucy - HOME!

The same lessons as you

Artem K - Had a family working to get him before Russia closed.

That love is acceptance

Vika - Status unknown. She's most likely stuck in Russia.

It must come from the heart

Tanya - Stuck in Russia.

We all have the same purpose

Nadine - HOME with her family - adopted domestically.

Though not the same start

Alice - HOME! (Look at her new picture here!)

The Lord gave me life

Margurete - HOME!

To live and embrace

Cyril K - Stuck in Russia.

And I'll do it as you do

Bobby - Still waiting.

But at my own pace

Robyn - Stuck in Russia.

(Down Syndrome Creed)

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So there we are. 

Out of the 28 children in that post...

-10 are HOME!

-3 have families working to get them!

-2 children are still available and waiting for a family - Mark and Bobby.

Mark

Bobby

-And 13 children are still stuck in Russia. Keep praying for them!

Tabitha, Rebekah, Lilly, Lizzy, Ilya, Timofey, Tori, Jonathan, Artem, Vika, Tanya, Cyril K, and Robyn.

Catch Up - Friends in Ohio

When I go somewhere out of state, I've been making it a habit to connect with old friends, new friends, and online friends. Because the adoption world is so spread out, it's hard to go anywhere without being able to do that.

Our trip to Ohio (see previous post), was no exception.

When I found out we were going, I wanted to go visit Sarah's quilt shop.

Sarah is a young lady who runs a quilt shop with her mom. She also happens to have Down syndrome. I've read her blog for a few years, and I was looking forward to meeting her!

After the GPS got us lost, we finally found the beautiful little quilt shop. We had fun chatting with Sarah and her mom and of course, shopping from all the beautiful fabric.

If you are ever going to be in Cleveland, I encourage to go check them out! Their website is here, and you can also read Sarah's blog here.

Oh, and Elijah was apparently tired of riding in the car because when we buckled him back in when we were leaving, he signing "May I please be excused?" Ha! Nice try buddy!

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And then came the surprise of the weekend. I had mentioned on Facebook that we got to Ohio, and Summer messaged me wanting to know where, because they wanted to come see us!

So, long story short, that awesome Spitz family packed up for a road trip and came to visit us at the hotel!

We swam, we ate, we talked, we played, and we had soo much fun!

When Summer and Dave were in Ukraine adopting Bellie, they met my mom, who was just about to bring Elijah home. I met them for the first time in DC last summer, and then again in September and May when I went to watch their kids. And that's it. So our families really haven't really met. Until they came to see us! :)

I'm so glad they finally got to meet, and I got to see my Spitz babies again, even if just for a few hours!

Thank you for coming Summer and Fam! ♥ you!