In 6 years

Today Barry and I are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. So much has happened in that time that it feels like that number should be MUCH higher. I love him more today than the day we married, as I hope most married folks can say :)

In 6 years, we have moved five times all in the same general area.

In 6 years, Barry has finished active duty Marine life, and was rehired as a civilian with the Marine Corps.

In 6 years, I have been a school secretary, preschool operator, and a stay-at-home mommy.

In 6 years, we have had three babies and two miscarriages, and are bringing home our 6th child in a few short weeks. (Pause: does the math not add up? HAHA... Fischer and Morgan were "mine" and "his" when we met, then we had three together in a very short amount of time. And now we are adopting.)

In 6 short years, I have learned about my husband... who he is, what he loves, how he operates, his hopes and dreams. I have also learned about myself. We have grown individually and as a couple. We have grown closer to our Lord and Savior. Our eyes and hearts have become softer toward things in life. We have become closer to each other. And our bond is stronger than ever.

Us in the Podil area of K, behind us on top of the hill is St. Andrew's Cathedral from previous blog posts... the SDA office is right next to it and we're about to walk up the road to it!

6 years ago, we could have never dreamed of what we have today. We never would have thought we would be adding 4 children to our family in that short amount of time. And we would have never thought we'd be traveling to a new country, and for sure we never thought we'd be adopting. Yet here we are. Celebrating our 6th anniversary in a foreign country, and adopting our 6th child.

At Cafe de Paris... best place we've eaten here! It was delicious! Right down the street from the SDA office (this is after walking up the steep hill "St. Andrew's Decent".

Some may think we're crazy. And in some ways we are! But the love we have for God, each other, and our children cannot be questioned or denied.

In 30 years when we look back on this year, I can say my husband took me to Europe for our 6th anniversary :)

At the K Opera House... went to see our first Russian Ballet (well our first anything ballet). Thanks again Rachel for giving us the day/night out! That was a wonderful anniversary gift :)

Only we will know what that truly means... not the lavish Western European dream vacation, but where Heavenly Father wanted us to be in Eastern Europe, saving an orphan from institutional life. In a country not many would pick for a vacation spot, although the capitol city is beautiful and lots of fun. At an orphanage every day seeing our son and others in their "groundhog day" life, even though it's one of the best in the country it's still an orphanage. And if they're not adopted, they will go to a mental institution.

We are on a mission that God sent us on to save an orphan. We are here to save Micah, and to help advocate for others who were born in a part of the world where babies are not accepted if they are different... if they are born with a disability, an extra chromosome, a "defect"... they are discarded and left at the hospital, even if their parents were married and really wanted a baby. I cry every time I see the newborns lined up in their carriages outside, just lying there waiting for something. Wondering why their mamas left them behind. Waiting for a new mommy and daddy. And the older children, playing seemlessly with other orphan kids... riding around in circles on their trikes and toys. Every. Day. Waiting for a family and knowing what a family is when they see their brothers and sisters leave with mamas and papas.

These kids need homes. They need love. They need a family. They need a mom and dad who will love them unconditionally. Some say "I can't do that." "It's not for me." But when God calls you to do something, He will give you the tools you need to do it. God calls the world to care for the orphans and widows. It's not just for us or a select few. The children in this orphanage do not all have a disability... but the ones who do will most likely never be adopted by families in this country. They will live out their lives in a mental institution. Some may die in the first year after being transferred from the baby house. Or they will age out and be put on the streets to fend for themselves with nobody to turn to.

If you can't adopt a child, PLEASE donate to a child's grant to help his or her family bring them home. We have picked a child to advocate for: Aaron. Most of you know his story and why we are praying for this sweet kid. Please go to his grant page and donate a small amount of money. Give to him as our anniversary gift.

We are asking that everyone donate a minimum of $10. This is not a lot to ask. Many of you have given to other organizations, or were moved to sponsor a child from a TV infomercial... you donate to charities all the time. Or you give a few bucks to the guy on the corner. This is a plea for a boy we have held. This request isn't to upset or make anyone feel guilty or angry... it is to ask you to help save an orphan in a way I know most of you can... financially.

$10 is thrown away every day on fast food, pedicures, manicures, getting your "hair did", car washes, chocolate cake, coffee, ice cream, a new outfit... you name it! $10 is not a lot in America.

$10 in Aaron's country is what an average construction worker makes in a FULL 10 hr day of work.
http://reecesrainbow.org/aaron512

Aaron is 2 1/2 years old. He needs to learn to walk on his own so he can get out of this playpen. Donations will help him be able to do that with his forever family.

This is what we have done in 6 years. Now that our eyes have been opened to the needs of others, think of what we can do in another 6 years! Love you all!

**Loved the comment about being "Cheaper by the Dozen" in the next 6 years. HAHA!