Coffee...lots of coffee...long hours...
My time in Georgia kept me ever so busy with three beautiful young ladies and their Grandfather. We rapidly became like family with the feeling we had known each other, always, but had missed some stories here and there.
Our week was filled with normal activities like "homework, cheer practice, school pictures,
dinners at home and smoothies at night". Quite naturally, Reed and I fell into the rhythm of this life, caring for the girls; it seemed too easy.
I nearly held my breath, waiting for something to go wrong, waiting for a hiccup.
Ahh. It came. The nightly routine after cheer practice was thrown off schedule by 2 hours with a late but wonderful dinner at home and so the meltdowns began.
It was comical even in the midst as we ran up and down the stairs consoling one, praying with another and carrying a sobbing little girl up two flights of stairs and back to bed. (ouch...someone was out of shape)
The disruption continued long into the next day until school was dismissed for Labor Day Weekend . Vacation begins!
The girls made a Bucket List of "fun things to do" and we tried to accomplish all we could to make their time special while Mom and Dad were out of the country.
Friday night started with a Mexican dinner at Cheeky's, a restaurant we found listed in the GPS. Little did we know it would lead us on an adventure to a nearby town giving me my first glimpse of the beauty surrounding us. We traveled through the winding hills of GA on the night of the rare "Blue Moon" whose light shone through the evergreens creating unforgettable, magical images in my mind.
It could not have been more beautiful.
A favorite night for all, it was so delightful, we began the quest for another town on Saturday night.
The road to Roswell was memorable (thank you girls...) but the real surprise and charm of this sweet town is in the historical district. There, the streets are lined with adorable little restaurants and people enjoying one another's company. The weather was perfect for out-door dining but we took these starving girls indoors to Pasti's whose old world charm called for all the table manners the girls could muster. As we looked over this exceptional menu, they were given wise counsel from their Grandfather and it provided a timely reminder on how a woman should be treated by a man. I'll not forget that conversation...it was Priceless.
For the grownups Pasti's provided a taste of fine French cuisine with leg of lamb as our main course. A gracious and lovely evening for me; indeed, a rare treat. It was a comfortable quiet night with sleepy girls in the back seat as we head home. Once again we drive under a full moon peaking over the evergreens, illuminating the dark night.
Sunday was church at Browns Bridge Community Church with Pastor Andy Stanley.
Oh! It is an awesome church and I highly recommend their pod casts.
Our fun things included jumping on the trampoline together, head stand practice, bubble baths for the girls, making homemade lemonade and smoothies, among other things.....
Monday we took four girls shopping at The Avenues where they went out 2 x 2 while Reed and I enjoyed
coffee in Barnes & Noble. An early dinner at Ichiban's for Japanese and then it's back home to get on schedule after a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.
Homecoming!!!
The whole reason I am here in GA is to help care for the older sisters while B&C finalize the adoption on two more little girls.
The day finally arrives and after cleaning house and making "Welcome Home" signs we head for the airport to pick up the family. After weeks away the parents return and bring with them Dasha and Leanna, the new sisters.
What a joy to be here and witness this moment; the first glimpse of them coming down the hall.
I've walked alongside B since this was merely a thought.
Like, "Really? Is God calling us to international adoption?"
Yes, He was and I couldn't think of a more loving family to bring these 2 girls to.
I marvel that when they were born in the Ukraine, God had picked out a family in the U.S. who would rescue them and raise them in a Christian home where they are surrounded by His name.
We all enjoyed a few days of family bonding with the littles but
with their arrival comes the retirement of Reed and Zanetta, the"Fifth String" babysitters.
What a great time we (Dadushka & Nana) had "doing life" with the girls and being with the whole family. Unforgettable moments...
Truly I am thankful for them all.
