Special Guests

When we first committed to Lilya, we heard about Bella's family.  Bella came home a year ago, from the same orphanage where we adopted Lil from.  Bella's mom, Paula, was so helpful for us - sharing their timeline and experiences.  When they brought home Bella, they had met Lil & had pictures of her.  It was so reassuring & wonderful to actually be able to email with someone who had not only been there, but had met our girl in person!

I was so excited when we found out Bella's family would be traveling through our state and they were able to stop by for a visit!  Lil had been home for about a week when they were traveling through.

Bella & Lilya weren't in the same groupa at the orphanage, and who knows if they remember each other - but it was still such a treat to get to meet Bella & her family, and to see the girls together in the US!

Bella & Lilya

Bella, Lil & Ruby

Lily looks so tiny in these pictures, but part of that is due to the couch.  She's really not smaller than Ruby.  She's not that much bigger, but she's not smaller.

Our Ukrainian girls!

Bella's big sister, Elizabeth, was in Ukraine last year with her parents, and got to hug Lily on her birthday.  It's so nice to know Lil wasn't completely alone on her special day.

It was such a special treat to get to meet their family - and I'm so thankful for all they've shared of their experiences, with us.  AND, I'm so very happy they were able to see Lilya, live and in person, here in the US, with a family.  I'm very thankful for their part in our adoption, and look forward to seeing them again as the girls grow older.