This is a blog about a Russian adoption. Please, go to the beginning and read our story. It is a beautiful story about a family who thought they were "rescuing an orphan" but instead did nothing more than "find their son".
If you are considering adoption, let our story be an encouraging one. In the midst of painful stories and adoption tragedies, exists our experience of overwhelming joy.
If this story has impacted you in anyway, could you please leave a comment below? I want this to someday be a gift to my son, Zac. I want him to know just how much his life has impacted those around him.
15 comments:
I have had your blog under "My favorites" for a long time and have followed along but I don't think I ever commented. My husband and I are still in the waiting process of adopting from Russia and Zac's story has definitely given me hope to continue through with this journey. We have experienced many ups and downs already(had an incomplete trip 1 in August 08) but remind ourselves that the end result will be worth it. I am sad your blog is ending. Thanks for sharing
Laura
Oh my sweet family! I just keep reading this blog and hoping you will not quit! Yet I know that life keeps moving. Zac, I don't even remember when you were not my grandson. Really! It is like you have always been here. And indeed, you have been in our hearts long before you arrived. We thank your birth mother for giving us such a blessed gift. I love the moments when you tell me your silly names. I love your laugh. I love my youngest grandson more than I ever imagined possible!
What a year, what two years! It's been a remarkable journey, but now you're home with your family. You make your grandpa proud. You are a miracle of love. Thanks for being a part of our lives. We love you. Grandpa Horner
It has been an honor to learn to know Zach and your family through your blog. I hope you give us some kind of a link where we can continue to follow your family (facebook, another blog??) as we feel a bond after praying over you guys through out your adoption journey.
God bless all of your lives!
www.xanga.com/happymom4
Hate to see you go... What a wonderful gift your story, your adventure, and your beautiful journey as a family have been! What a precious boy-- You have taken the simplest moments, and the most heartfelt, and shared them in a way that has made us all "extended" family members... God bless!!
Much love,
Valerie
Has this story impacted me in any way? Well, yes, in everyway. I have a new grandson to love. My heart was opened to a greater meaning for family - it includes all who come through us and to us. I recognize that I too am "adopted" as a child of God and am eternally grateful that I have come to know that through Zac. There is a contagious joyfulness in Zac and his spirit. You and Katie have been amazing - carefully and lovingly bringing Zac into your family. Hallie and Jake have embraced their new brother. I could do no less than love him as all of you do. It is a great story and I am so fortunate to be able to see it continue in our everyday lives even though this blog comes to an end. May your family continue to bless and be blessed with Zac. Love, Nannie
I am thrilled to get to leave this comment for you all and Zac. I discovered your blog in the weeks before our first trip to Magadan, Russia. Between our first and second trips, I looked to your blog alot for inspiration. I remember the first video I watched was of you practicing your Russian greeting for your son...you taught me to say "Pasha!" I decided then and there that I was a slacker mom for never having considered learning a greeting for my children! So, I ordered my Simple Russian for Adoptive Families CD...and struggled through my own welcoming phrases. Since bringing my 2 little ones home to join their 2 older siblings, I haven't had much time to check in...but anytime I have spent here has been uplifting! It has been wonderful to see all of your children healthy and happy...and I hope and pray that it will always be that way for you. Always consider us your friends... Michelle & Todd Hollenshead and family (Louisiana)
As you know, we just love your blog and have greatly enjoyed following your adoption of Zac. Adoption is truly a special blessing that we have been so lucky to experience. It is amazing how God grows our hearts through adoption. So many lessons learned through each step and so many blessings in the end. We will miss your funny posts, but we know that Zac has found his forever family and will grow up to be a Godly man! I cannot wait to hear (hopefully we'll get updates) about Zac as he matures and follows Gods plan for his life!
Much love to your family!
We were there with your parents when they first met you. We experienced the same miracle on the same day; halfway around the world, we found the son for whom we had been hoping and praying.
Zac, we remember that day so clearly. After a journey that turned day into night and night into day, we found ourselves on a country road leading from the airport into the city of Novokuznetsk.
The road was bumpy, but the sun was shining, and we vividly recall gazing over the hills to see a beautiful rainbow. We feel that rainbow was a sign of the moments that awaited us.
We remember the joy of holding our son for the first time and glancing over at your parents, watching them experience the same feeling as they held you for the first time. After a few days of visiting, we said good-bye to our babies, assuming we would be back very soon.
We had no way of knowing that it would be almost a year before we could bring our sons home.
Your father and mother, through their blog, kept us going during those long months as we waited for word of when we could finally bring our boys home.
The blog captured the experience so very well, and we have printed every page to one day share with our son. Our favorite is the "cow wash" entry. We have shared that one (and the laughs that go with it) with countless friends and family members.
We feel so grateful to have become parents in this very beautiful way; we know your folks feel the same way.
Have a great life, little Zac. And remember, you have a friend in Massachusetts with a very special connection.
Love,
A and D
Zac's story has indeed been wonderful. Thanks for sharing the beginning with us. No matter where life takes you Zac I hope you always know how much you were prayed for by your own family and by people you may never meet. God bless you sweet boy.
I watched your video in Birmingham Alabama and cried my eyes out. we are waiting to travel for 1st trip.I made some friends watch the homecoming video it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!!!We have 3 bio boys and are adopting 2 sisters!!!Your family is beautiful and your story is heart touching!!!!
I have read every post as my husband and I contemplate adopting a boy from Russia with two bio kids in the mix (4.5 year old girl and 13 month old boy). I will tell you that I have read many, many blogs, but this one was exceptional. I don't know if it is because it most fits what we are looking for in a family or what, but I must say that not only did it inspire and move me, it also completely scared me. How will we go through this process with your journey as the baseline? I don't believe it can be any better than what you have! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your story. I look forward to seeing some truly extradordinary things from your little Zac in the future.
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