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Our Yana

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Monday was a very special day for our family. Not only did Grace come home from the hospital, but we got to celebrate seven years with a very special girl!

I can remember the first night that Yana came to live with us like it was yesterday. She was so sweet and silly and scared.

And now, look at the young lady that she has become!


We are so proud of our precious daughter. She has matured immensely in this past year. Her love for God and for others has deepened, she has learned to serve others with real joy, she has stepped out and tried new things, and she has become both more vulnerable and more bold. She is really growing up!
Usually, we make Russian food for Yana's adoption day, but since we had just gotten back from the hospital, Yana was more than happy to go out to our favorite little Mongolian grill.




We always buy our children something special from their home country for their adoption days. This year, David found a beautiful Ukrainian egg with an icon of Jesus on it to give to Yana. We also have blessing books that we write in for every birthday and adoption day. The children really treasure these books. And of course, we sing "Happy Adoption Day," and I cry (every.single.time).



Yana learned a new game from her friend, Alyssa, that she wanted to play. She soundly beat us all!



After cards, we all played charades. Our family loves to play charades. Below, Jadon is acting out the "Hallelujah Chorus."

Since David and I both studied philosophy, we like to pick really tough book titles for our charade subjects. Lily was so funny. She kept yelling out things like, The philosophy of God, and Marx and Hell, before we even started acting out the book. We all laughed so hard.

The favorite of the night was, Immortality, the Other Side of Death, acted out by Adam. Try acting out the word, Immortality, syllable by syllable, the next time you play charades! Fun, fun, fun!



Oh my goodness! I am just so grateful for this beautiful girl. She has been a gift to us every single day of the past seven years. It hasn't always been easy (this growing-into-a-family thing), but it has been absolutely worth it, every step of the way.

We love you Yana! Happy Adoption Day!

9 comments:

No Greater Love said...

Happy Adoption Day, Yana!!!! You are an absolutely beautiful woman of God, and we love you soooo soooo soooo much!

Love Uncle Mike and Aunt Mer, Caleb and Elijah....and especially Ruthie.

Anonymous said...

Happy Adoption day!!! What a beautiful way to celebrate as well!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Adoption day!!! What a beautiful way to celebrate as well!!!

Anonymous said...

sorry....apparently I like what I said so much to publish it twice!

www.manyheartsonefamily.wordpress.com

Cheri said...

Wow! And all along I didn't even know that she was adopted! Happy Anniversary! She is so beautiful. I'd do almost anything for hair like that.

Waitingfaithfully said...

Happy Adoption Day, beautiful Yana!

Sarah, I love your family traditions--and would like to hear more about your blessing books someday when life gives you a breather! :)

Love you, friend!

Tina

Peter and Nancy said...

Many congratulations on seven years together! I just caught up on your posts (we've been vacationing & attending India Heritage Camp), and I'm so relieved to hear that Grace is doing better. What a roller coaster -- with a celebration to cap it all off.
Nancy

Kristen said...

AHHH I lOVE this post!! SO sweet, and you made me laugh and cry! I'm so happy for Yana and your family- you all are truly an incredible witness for Jesus!!

Difference2This1 said...

Happy Adoption Day Yana!!!

So glad we finally got to meet your sweet girl in person!!

Blessings, Jennifer

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