Christmas - Olga strikes a pose!

Olga asked for leather gloves for Christmas--the bow in her hair was just an added 'bonus'!

Christmas - Nina and her beautiful smile!

I snapped this shot of Nina while she was helping Grand-dad open his Christmas gifts! She often avoids showing her big smile for the camera--I'm so glad I captured this one!

Christmas 2006

The Journey Begins

In the fall of 2000 we made the decision to actively pursue—and stop simply talking about it—adopting two infants or toddlers from Russia. At the time I had my “dream job” as the Loss Control Officer for a multi-state financial corporation—still, the longing to be a mother continued to be my constant companion. My husband was enjoying his career, as well as increasing responsibilities and opportunites to serve in our local church. We both were content with our life together—which is sometimes a dangerous place to be! Ha!

At the end of September we began the seemingly endless process of requesting and gathering the necessary paperwork that is required simply to APPLY for acceptance by an adoption agency. Just three months later, in January 2001, we had been accepted by the adoption agency that was top on our list (local agency founded by a Xian couple who had served several years in Russia as medical missionaries) and our dossier was complete and on it's way to Russia!

And so began our waiting...

Family - 2006

Boy meets Girl

We met at church while attending the same college and quickly discovered we shared a passion for studying and discussing the Bible. Through mutual interests and friends, in just a few months we become very good friends—even “best” friends.

We married less than 14 months after we met. Within three months after being married, we decided to let God “plan and grow our family according to His timing”--and He did, however He didn't use my womb!