Now That You Know…

I am eating peach flavored baby snacks that I love!

Dear Mom and Dad,

So now that you are reminded about how much you loved Nana and Poppy despite the fact that they too missed out on so much…  well Nana just wanted me to say, that her love for her kids if far greater than the things she missed doing with them, it is far greater than the things she may never do with them.  Her love for her kids was written like this at the end of the chapters in the story of ME that she wrote for all her kids.  

 AN EXCERPT of OUR STORY…. TO REMIND YOU both … ABOUT WHAT PARENTING MEANS, and how every life is unique, every life is special, and how personal sacrifice, or giving of yourself, opens doors for those you love.   To remind you and keep you going…until you get home, to live your dreams.

In this journey, there have been so many road blocks, and trauma to little souls you cannot possibly imagine.   Educational difficulty, or issues of abandonment loomed heavily for many years, as did all the common trials and tribulations any family faces, just multiplied by six.   Silly things, serious things, health issues, and life’s challenges have become a way of life for us.   We may never pay off this adoption, and in the months day and years that have passed, you may wonder, was there ‘dysfunction’, absolutely, ‘chaos’, undoubtedly and in immeasurable quantities, but when asked ‘would you do it again?’ without hesitation the answer is  YES!

A Mom... A daughter... a journey that has only just begun!How far we have come... and what we have seen, and what we have yet to do....

Yes – to a life of freedom, a life unimagined before, and impossible to have in Romania…here, they were princess’ brought to opportunity, and yes to the evolution  of a son  and now a brother who is truly a unique and special person for having lived this special journey.  What they will all do with ‘opportunity’, and who – or how it effects those around them, is only just beginning to unfold.   Six kids, six lives, six stories… and they each began with the tragic death of a mother, who did not abandon her daughters, but gave them life, and lives beyond measure.   It’s a story that continues, with that unsuspecting man, who made a promise, his crazy wife, and their special family…all loving unconditionally the children who have now grown, and given back to their parents, and everyone who loves and cares for them,  honor, respect, love, compassion, laughter, tears, and everything else that relationships bring.   Nick now a man, spent the past year volunteering  through Harvard University, to teach English on an island in the South Pacific, he continues to make a difference in the lives of people and children.  He has applied to law school, and hopes to work within the realm of  ‘international law’ and political science and is developing skills in culinary arts at present.   Mackenzie, is a soldier, now married to a soldier, and together deployed to Iraq for a second time, serving her new country, and  most importantly are PARENTS to a beautiful baby girl,  for which this is told.   The story of  how she came to be and American, and the incredulous and unselfish gift of her Bunica Melexina.   Mikayla is a senior in college, with a History major and English minor.  Alyxandra, in a junior in college in pre-med, Allyssa a sophomore in college exploring journalism and cosmotolgy, with a passion for fashion  and design.  Arrianna, is a freshman, who hopes to become a veterinarian.  Lives effected… Lives changed… Lives beginning to Unfold.

Lives, forever changed, and gifts beyond measure...Love beyond words.. a new beginning, an unbelievable opportunity to grow, and learn...

Most important, our kids, they are American citizens, with hopes and dreams, freedom and conscience.   They hold the future in their hands, and as a parent, I feel lucky to say we contributed some small piece. 

Dreams and hopes .... experiences we never imagined...

  Since the inception of our dream, I have gotten older,  I have difficulty with things that used to be simple, I tire, or feel as though I cannot go forward.  I look back at my life, wondering will I have made a difference…

Uncle Nick in the Marshall Islands, Army Base!

 Still inside, lurks this young vibrant young woman, spontaneous, strong, a woman who took on Embassy’s,  a Romanian adoption committee, who was a wife, a mother, maybe a little too overprotective from time to time, who without reservation faced any hurdle and even welcomed a challenge or two.   She still lives deep inside, despite the exterior shell.   I still remember love, passion, fun, laughter, and all the wonderful and magic moments that make a life… and my kids, my husband, they are responsible for all of them.   At the end of my story, it is I who will be indebted to them, to you, my family… and especially to Rob, for all you have brought to me.  The promises you have made and kept to me, to our kids, are truly the gift of a lifetime.  I know how lucky I am, how lucky we all are… and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the years of loyalty and dedication you have given to me, in sickness and in health for richer for poorer, I have loved being your wife and your friend.  You are and always have been a man of your word.   In you… and through the lives of our children, a piece of me will always exist, as well as in Guillianna – to each and every child born to our children here after, I hope that they will always know, the ‘absoulute love’ that brought them to this incredible life.  

With all our love, we hope each and every one of our children, knows how much they are loved, today, tomorrow and always…

I have written this with sincere gratitude in my heart to all the family, relatives and friends who have helped us on our journey.  Who have loved us, our kids, and taken into their hearts six incredible young people, and given us the support and kindness that cannot ever be repaid!  For Mackenzie and Mikayla, there will always be an irony in that it is Nicholas, who truly set the groundwork for your lives to be shared with your sisters, and us.  Our appreciation for his unselfish love and compassion, can never be fully expressed in the written word, and most certainly not in my lame attempt at being the author of a ‘story’, but it is another debt, I can never repay.  A debt of gratitude.    Each and every child of ours, and given us special gifts, and our lives so fulfilled in having had a chance to be just a small part of their lives, and small conduits to all the things being American citizens has brought them.  

How … dear sweet children, will I ever really show you, or make you feel what being a surrogate of love, and early learning… has meant to both of us…?

When you tell your children this story… make sure you remember to say… IT WAS THE GIFT OF YOUR NANA’S LIFETIME… and she relished in every single moment –  it’s joys and it’s sorrows.

Great Aunt Pam came out for a visit today… and helped Nana out so much.   I went with Nana and Poppy to take care of a few errands today but for the most part I worked on my princess crawl, and am making great progress.   I promise to post a video when the big event happens, but I am certainly getting closer by the day.   There are these awesome baby food healthy peach like cheerio things I love to eat, and tonight I have it all over my face and am chowing down on them. 

Yummy yummy yummy.... I love them....

See my teeth?

Do you think Nana may kiss me to pieces!  She still gives me a bazillion kisses, and claims they are from you guys.

Until tomorrow Mom and Dad, please stay safe, remember I love you, and I am hangin’ out here at camp and doing my job…. BEING YOUR LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, YOUR DAUGHTER,

I think more teeth are coming!

GUILLIANNA!

A Question…. and An Answer….

So.... I have a question for Mom and Dad...

Dear Mom and Dad,

First let me say, today was GOLDFISH MINI CLASS, it was awesome, and I love the water.

Second, Daddy, the answer to your question is NO… You asked me after yesterday’s love letter, if this was my first job…. and the answer is no Daddy, my first and only job is being your sweet, lovable and wonderful little daughter,  It is the only job I will need for quite a while.  Under this title fall many different responsibilities.  Little mini jobs,  I am your little spirit stick, I am here cheering you and mommy on, and trying to keep a smile on your face while you finish your work in the land of sand.   I am busy being your little pot of gold at the end of a rainbow,  waiting to be in your arms, laughing, and squealing, keeping you up at night, and all kinds of wonderful things a little princess can do with her parents.   I am certainly what could be considered, Army strong… because, I will not give up on wishing and waiting for your safe return, and dreaming about the things we will do together.     I am wearing my peace sign outfit, hoping if peace were to prevail, you might get home sooner.   If that fails, I have a letter prepared for your commander…. it goes like this…

PLEASE SEND MOMMY AND DADDY HOME SAFELY AND VERY SOON, I MISS THEM… LOVE GUILLIANNA!     I’m sure that would work great huh?

Little Miss hopes for PEACE that will bring her  mom and dad home!

Third… is my question.   Nana says, she did not see mommy crawl, nor did she see her take her first steps, eat her first foods, or feed her a “bob”.   Nana says she did not change mommy’s diapers, or take her to the pediatrician.  What I want to know Mommy, is this…. do you love Nana?     Nana says she knows the answer is yes…. that you love her more than you could ever really say… and it is not because of all of those things that most mom’s get to do.  Those are just an added bonus.   You love your mom and dad, because they love you enough to do things that are difficult for thier baby/their child (their children).  They love you enough to go beyond what they can ever think possible to make the impossible – possible.   Nana and Poppy went beyond the imaginable and as you know it has been at times a difficult road with Nana being sick, and even horrible financial trials.   They have both sacrificed so much and worked so hard, for a dream.  

 Nana says she knows you both miss me, and that the “little firsts”, yes, are sadly only to be shared on a computer web page rather than first hand right now,  but we are all very strong, very dedicated, and very much in love as a family.    We are so close closing this small little chapter, in a really big and long book of love, and  we are almost ready to begin the best days ever TOGETHER…

  Mommy knows, love is something that has every thing to do with dedication, it is every thing to do with sacrifice, and it is every thing to do with building dreams.   She knows this because Nana and Poppy were without her for so long too, and worked hard for so long to reunite her with all of my Aunts.   Long hard days, and even longer more difficult nights, but eventually, the work paid off.  Please don’t ever forget your POG… (POT OF GOLD), I am here, making my list, ( the one with all things we will do together)  I know you miss me, and I am willing to send you a few dirty or even new diapers if it will help (dirty ones may be a violation and considered hazardous material).   I can send you a ‘bob’ or one of my toys… I am more than happy to share… but tonight the most important thing I have to give you both, is for you to know that if Mommy loves Poppy and Nana, then she will also know exactly how I feel about you both.  

I also am told (by you know who) to remember there are so many small children in this world  – some who lose parents to tragedy, to drugs, or any number of other crazy things, or some babies who spend months or years in a hospital, where nurses or doctors take care of them,   I AM TRULY LUCKY, we are all lucky, because this time apart, while long and hard, is going to pass. It is temporary!   When I grow up, and look back at this time, I will see what you both went through to give me my chance at life.   I hope that I will never lose sight of this, and always keep your love for me, near and dear to my heart.  (and if I forget, or do the “teenage” thingy… I will always have Nana’s love letters to remind me!)

Until tomorrow, my dear parents, I love you, and will always be, your Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,  (getting some towel to wipe Mr. Griffy’s slobber – GROSS… nah… just playin’  don’t worry no paper towel was wasted or hurt during this playing moment!)

Hey.... I think I need more paper towel here.....

Guillianna!

Mom and Dad…

I had another awesome day!

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are you doing?   I am doing very well, and today took a field trip to Poppy’s office.

Just for a bit, but it was fun.

Me at work!

Making labels.... I love pushing buttons!Don’t I look like I know what I am doing here…

 

Give me anything with buttons and I will make it into a party!

 

I just love visiting Poppy’s office, so many things to look at and play with !

 

I had so much fun!

 

 

Me checking out Poppy's office ....

 

 

I went around the office and checked everything out,

and made sure it passed my white glove test! 

Nah,  never have to do that with Poppy, he runs a tight ship!  I just went exploring, and then we went back to camp.

 

It was fun though, I am always up to a good field trip.

 

 

There is so many new and exciting things for me to look at here!

I hope that both of you are well, and that you know you are missed.   Until tomorrow, remember I love you and that today as always, I am your Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Field trips are fun!

Guillianna!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!

Hi Mom and Dad...hope you are both doing well.  I miss you!

Dear Mom and Dad,

It is Monday in the Mitten State, and nearly time to start wearing mittens because it is cold!  

When I went out in the stroller, Nana had me zipped into the little lambs wool cocoon, and a bazillion layers of clothing… and we won’t say I was warm or anything, but I DIDN’T KNOW A PRINCESS COULD SWEAT LIKE THAT.  Really Nana… ?   Seriously though I wasn’t really “sweating” but you can be sure no drafts were getting into that stroller!  I would say it was safe to assume nothing was getting into that stroller, and personally I was happy for the fact that there was oxygen!

I think today,is the day, Cody was born, so Happy Birthday my cousin … and hope you ate cake for me!   You can be sure I will be eating cake soon, for everyone… because… well, let’s just say I tasted some cheesecake my Great Grandma Sharyn made, and I can honestly say… I have no reservations about eating dessert.  Or anything for that matter… I love trying all kinds of people food.   If Nana puts anything in her mouth, (which seems to be all the time) I look so see if a piece is coming my way.  

Me playing!

Here I am again, do you remember this mom?   Remember when you got a shirt like this for a present from Nana, and so did every one of Nana’s kids… she say’s she never got a photo with all of you wearing them but she wished she had!

I need one that says .... Nana's favorite huh?

My newest trick though is that I not only like a sippy cup, but REALLY I LOVE IT WHEN NANA LETS ME DRINK FROM A REGULAR CUP. 

I get sooooo excited to do this....

Im a big girl now!

Ahhhhh so good!  Nana was right, ice cold water... feels so good on my gums!

Here I am in my skinny jeans!

Me and my new jeans!I am in 12 month size jeans!

 

Hey do these my my butt look big?

 

Nana says, I make everything look good…

 

After I put on my jeans…

I went down on the farm…

Remember how I used to be too small, well not any more..

 

Me on the Farm

So as you can see I was busy today, and I even did a bit more tunnel time… but after all that playing, it has gotten late, and I am going to try to sleep a bit tonight (says Nana) so until tomorrow, please remember I am YOUR LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, your darling little daughter,

Love you both, and can't wait to celebrate my FIRST BIRTHDAY WITH YOU!

Guillianna!