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| Signing the Word "LOVE" |
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| "I'm too cool for a picture." |
Letters to my 4 year old brother, Adopted from Russia, who is extra special. I love you Vahnya
Jul 1, 2012
Baseball,Photoshoots,Freedom
Last weekend Jordan had his Baseball Honors Tournament.
Daddy coached his team. They didn't win, but they sure did play a GREAT game (I only saw one game) I love watching my siblings play baseball/softball (and playing it myself).
Next year you'll probably be starting T-ball! I can't wait! Vahnya, you're going to be so much better than the other kids. You know how to hit the ball off the T. You know where the catcher squats and what he is supposed to do. Haha. You're gonna be so good! I love you.
A couple of days ago, Madi and I took you out for a photoshoot. We dressed you in your American Flag shirt, your 4th of July crocs (which you didn't keep on. :), and in hand you had your American Flag. These pictures mean a lot. Not just because its Fourth of July and you're super cute. But because these pictures symbolize so much more. For Example: FREEDOM! You didn't have that in your baby home, you didn't have the freedom to live in a home with a family, here , though, Babes, you do and much more. Here you have the FREEDOM to do what ever you'd like, to be whoever you want to be, and more importantly to SHINE as the amazing BLESSING God CREATED you to be. Sunshine, My heart adores you. :)
I'm just gonna say they turned out to be pretty cute pictures. Even though you eventually ended up on the swing. :) Do you want to see a few?
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Freedom is an amazing thing.
Love you forever!
Sissy, Manda.
Daddy coached his team. They didn't win, but they sure did play a GREAT game (I only saw one game) I love watching my siblings play baseball/softball (and playing it myself).
Next year you'll probably be starting T-ball! I can't wait! Vahnya, you're going to be so much better than the other kids. You know how to hit the ball off the T. You know where the catcher squats and what he is supposed to do. Haha. You're gonna be so good! I love you.
A couple of days ago, Madi and I took you out for a photoshoot. We dressed you in your American Flag shirt, your 4th of July crocs (which you didn't keep on. :), and in hand you had your American Flag. These pictures mean a lot. Not just because its Fourth of July and you're super cute. But because these pictures symbolize so much more. For Example: FREEDOM! You didn't have that in your baby home, you didn't have the freedom to live in a home with a family, here , though, Babes, you do and much more. Here you have the FREEDOM to do what ever you'd like, to be whoever you want to be, and more importantly to SHINE as the amazing BLESSING God CREATED you to be. Sunshine, My heart adores you. :)
I'm just gonna say they turned out to be pretty cute pictures. Even though you eventually ended up on the swing. :) Do you want to see a few?
.JPG)
.JPG)
Freedom is an amazing thing.
Love you forever!
Sissy, Manda.
Everlasting Sunshine
Hey Vo-Schko!
I know I haven't written to you in a couple of months, sorry but that Buddy.
I just wanted to let you know how much I love you.
I love you more than cookies.
Or coconut cream pies.
I love you to the moon and back.
I love you a trip around the world.
I love you more than all the stars in the sky.
More than the grains of sand on ALL the beaches.
More than all the hair on my head.
Vahny, you are the sweetest little brother anyone could ever ask for, and guess what, I am SOOOOO glad God has blessed me with you.
You are a joy.
You are the everlasting sunshine in this Oregon rain.
You can make people smile and forget their pain.
Buddy, your hugs are the best! I love you so much. Words can't explain.
I know I haven't written to you in a couple of months, sorry but that Buddy.
I just wanted to let you know how much I love you.
I love you more than cookies.
Or coconut cream pies.
I love you to the moon and back.
I love you a trip around the world.
I love you more than all the stars in the sky.
More than the grains of sand on ALL the beaches.
More than all the hair on my head.
Vahny, you are the sweetest little brother anyone could ever ask for, and guess what, I am SOOOOO glad God has blessed me with you.
You are a joy.
You are the everlasting sunshine in this Oregon rain.
You can make people smile and forget their pain.
Buddy, your hugs are the best! I love you so much. Words can't explain.
Apr 5, 2012
Its NOT Cool.
There's this word, a certain word, that every time I hear it my stomach flips and I feel like there is seagulls in my chest trying to come out, that some one has punched me in the gut or stabbed me in my side.
What is this word you ask? A word I don't say, a word that I refer to as the "R-word", But to most of you its "retard" and "retarded"
Do you think its cool to call a pencil that doesn't work properly this word?
Do you believe its okay to call your friend who did something stupid this word?
Do you its funny to make fun of some one who's different using this word?
Because it's not. It is then that you are referring to my little brother as stupid, dumb, wrong, imperfect, broken, etc. You get my point. It is NOT. It kills me every time. But I suppose its not your fault since you don't know the real definition, you all think the definition is An offensive term used to refer to someone acting in an irritating or generally stupid way. Usually most people don't mean to use it in the derogatory way. They think, "Well it means the same as stupid so I'll just replace it." Let me tell you one thing, my brother is not STUPID, he knows more than possibly 30 signs, he knows how to say tons of words, he knows more than you will ever know. My brother is perfect. Yes He has Down syndrome, but that's how GOD made him, and we are made in His image!
So please the next time you want to use the "R-word" please think before you speak.
Because its NOT cool.
What is this word you ask? A word I don't say, a word that I refer to as the "R-word", But to most of you its "retard" and "retarded"
Do you think its cool to call a pencil that doesn't work properly this word?
Do you believe its okay to call your friend who did something stupid this word?
Do you its funny to make fun of some one who's different using this word?
Because it's not. It is then that you are referring to my little brother as stupid, dumb, wrong, imperfect, broken, etc. You get my point. It is NOT. It kills me every time. But I suppose its not your fault since you don't know the real definition, you all think the definition is An offensive term used to refer to someone acting in an irritating or generally stupid way. Usually most people don't mean to use it in the derogatory way. They think, "Well it means the same as stupid so I'll just replace it." Let me tell you one thing, my brother is not STUPID, he knows more than possibly 30 signs, he knows how to say tons of words, he knows more than you will ever know. My brother is perfect. Yes He has Down syndrome, but that's how GOD made him, and we are made in His image!
Because its NOT cool.
Mar 21, 2012
3.21.12
3.21.12
To some its just another day, to us, its a special, special day.
Many people celebrate today.
Many people don't know what today is.
Today is World Down syndrome day!
Today we celebrate you and the people blessed enough to be born with an extra chromosome.
3.21
It is also YOUR Gotcha day anniversary. One year ago I typed that you were no longer an orphan, that you ran around the apartment, that I talked to you on skype for the first time.
How can that have been a whole YEAR ago? It doesnt feel like it was.
A whole year has gone by, A WHOLE YEAR!
A year in a family, has changed your life, yes. But my life more so. I know, I say it all the time, that you have made me an all around better person, that you have shown me how to really love and care about people no matter what. Vo-Shko, I love you.
You are one of the best little brothers in the world! Vahnya, how can I even begin to tell you how much you have opened my heart and my mind. Through you I have learned about the lives orphans with special needs have around the world. That they, well most of them, suffer each day, with out the love of a family. The life you no longer have. You have a family, V. I hope many angels can have their "Gotcha days" that they too can have a family!
My brother, I love you to the moon and around the world 50million times.
Love sissy, Manda!
Last year 3.21.11
To some its just another day, to us, its a special, special day.
Many people celebrate today.
Many people don't know what today is.
Today is World Down syndrome day!
Today we celebrate you and the people blessed enough to be born with an extra chromosome.
3.21
It is also YOUR Gotcha day anniversary. One year ago I typed that you were no longer an orphan, that you ran around the apartment, that I talked to you on skype for the first time.
How can that have been a whole YEAR ago? It doesnt feel like it was.
A whole year has gone by, A WHOLE YEAR!
A year in a family, has changed your life, yes. But my life more so. I know, I say it all the time, that you have made me an all around better person, that you have shown me how to really love and care about people no matter what. Vo-Shko, I love you.
You are one of the best little brothers in the world! Vahnya, how can I even begin to tell you how much you have opened my heart and my mind. Through you I have learned about the lives orphans with special needs have around the world. That they, well most of them, suffer each day, with out the love of a family. The life you no longer have. You have a family, V. I hope many angels can have their "Gotcha days" that they too can have a family!
My brother, I love you to the moon and around the world 50million times.
Love sissy, Manda!
Last year 3.21.11
This year 3.16.12
Dec 20, 2011
Your First "Sissy"
Today was an incredible, joyous day!
V, your sissy "Constance" met her family today!
You two grew up together for 3 years and 4 months. She too has DS.
Mommy and daddy met her on their first trip to visit you.
How about everyone read the words of her mom(dad?) and their first meeting of her.
http://thegatherednest.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-4-meeting-constance.html
When I read these words, and saw these pictures, my heart skipped a beat and i wanted to cry tears of joy!
GOD IS SOOO GOOD!
V, your sissy "Constance" met her family today!
You two grew up together for 3 years and 4 months. She too has DS.
Mommy and daddy met her on their first trip to visit you.
How about everyone read the words of her mom(dad?) and their first meeting of her.
http://thegatherednest.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-4-meeting-constance.html
When I read these words, and saw these pictures, my heart skipped a beat and i wanted to cry tears of joy!
GOD IS SOOO GOOD!
Words Can't Measure Up.
Earlier, before I dressed you into your jammies, the fuzzy navy ones with the feet, I was holding you, we were standing over Madi's shoulders as she was on facebook. You were being so snuggley, so cute, so lovey. Then, I flashed back to when mommy and daddy were in country last November, how my arms ached to hold that cute little boy in all the pictures I saw. To when I could only tell the walls of the house, and our siblings how much I love you. Now I can scoop you up any time of the day, (when you allow me to) kiss you on your cheeks, or cute little lips, and tell you how much my heart adores you, how much my life has been made better by you, how much my aching arms no longer ache, how much I never ever want to let you go, how much you have always been loved, how perfectly God made you, how many hearts your cute little eyes have grabbed a hold.
Buds, you are an amazing, gift from God, I wouldn't change you for the world, but if I could I would change the world for you. Babes. You make the sunshine even on the darkest days.
You are perfect in every sense of the word, your sparkly brown almond shape eyes, your cute little nose, your fiery red hair, your smiley little mouth, your chubby little fingers, your cute perfectly spaced toes, your voice when you ask for milk. The way you dance when you hear music, and sing along to songs you know. The hugs that melt my heart, the giggle that is so contagious.
V, you are the most perfect, special, little boy in all the world. And guess what, Vahny, I'm glad--no beyond glad--I'm THRILLED that you are MY brother.
And though these words are to describe the love I have for you, babes, they don't even measure up to the love I have for you. Never.
"I'll do anything
For you dear anything
For you mean everything to me."
I Love you to Timbuktu and back.
Love Sissy Manda!
Buds, you are an amazing, gift from God, I wouldn't change you for the world, but if I could I would change the world for you. Babes. You make the sunshine even on the darkest days.
You are perfect in every sense of the word, your sparkly brown almond shape eyes, your cute little nose, your fiery red hair, your smiley little mouth, your chubby little fingers, your cute perfectly spaced toes, your voice when you ask for milk. The way you dance when you hear music, and sing along to songs you know. The hugs that melt my heart, the giggle that is so contagious.
V, you are the most perfect, special, little boy in all the world. And guess what, Vahny, I'm glad--no beyond glad--I'm THRILLED that you are MY brother.
And though these words are to describe the love I have for you, babes, they don't even measure up to the love I have for you. Never.
"I'll do anything
For you dear anything
For you mean everything to me."
I Love you to Timbuktu and back.
Love Sissy Manda!
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