Little Ballerina

August 31, 2008
Sova's 1st day in America...she walked into her room and put on a tutu...


August 31, 2009: One year (to the day) later she is in that same tutu at her 1st Ballet class.


I took her to the studio a few weeks before and the instructor gave Sova her own little tour of the 3 studios. While the lady was talking to me- Sova started jumping around in the center shrieking, 'I just want to dance- I just want to dance!'
Because of her uncoordinated- and still somewhat awkward legs- I thought that dance would actually be good for her (and the fact that she has been asking to do it since she learned English;)
Everyone knows that Sova is not shy- but the day before Ballet we were talking about it and she said, 'ummm...maybe tomorrow we will just have a stay home day..."
I couldnt believe she was nervous- she's been through newness all year and never showed nervousness...I actually see it as a good thing...she know's what is normal and safe (home w/ mommy:)
Anyways...she ended up loving it...
I was glued to the observation window...wondering how all the other mom's could sit and chit chat- I didnt want to blink and miss a second of this! It's 45 minutes long- She listened and followed all the instuctions...I was one proud mama :)


This is her nervous stance- hand on the hips-observing...

the girls each bring in their own dance bags to change from their tap to ballet shoes


Prima Ballerina

One Year!

Tonight I felt inspired to go to an Indian grochery store and make some authentic cusine....but then Mike reminded me that the we should probrably all 'eat' ...I will have to save my creations for another day! We took the kids out to dine on Indian Cuisine and icecream by a harbor. When we got home we watched some video clips listening in awe to Sova chat away in a foreign language that she can not catch a single word of now!
"What did I say mommy!?"
Insane huh? Caleb thought Sova was just being funny- I dont think he even remember her speaking in another language!

What a year! I am encouraged that we survived possibly one of the a hardest transistions we have yet faced. Having 3 little ones was (is!) pretty tough- there is no hiding that...But I have already seen how much each of them has grown and matured this year and it is definatly getting a little easier. I am so proud of them all...Of course we all know how brave and amazing Sova has taken to her new life- she is something else! But the boys were just as amazing- ready to love and accept this (litteraly) foreign 4 year old girl who jumps in the middle of them. Jacob was ready to love and accept her from day one...and yes there is some rivalry and teasing we are working on but this kid is serious about protecting and loving her. And Caleb who was the more hesitant one (and as a sick 2 year old when she came home- rightly so!) has grown to know that she belongs here just as much as he does- he probrably doesnt remeber life w/out! They are great buddies and have a special bond...she really loves be w/ Caleb...it's so sweet.

Jacob has been asking me if we can adopt a 7 year old boy from China! I found that so funny- I love it- that he does love having siblings and he understands the importance of adoption- but I crack up thinking that he is putting in age and country requests to me! Sounds to me like he was thinking a permanent big boy playmate would be cool. And I know he likes the facial features of Asians...he recently had 2 big black eyes that shrunk his eyes (from a nasty fall) but he said, 'Dont worry mom, I like how my eyes look- they look Korean and I think their eyes are cool because they always look serious!"

Iv'e been reminicing alot this week- looking back at my journal from India. It's weird because usually on the boys birthdays- I look back to their births...the day I met my child face to face and held them. I know every last detail of those days- it's ingrained in my memory. And this is what today was for us. The adoption world calls it the 'Gotch-ya Day'....the day you meet and hold your child. So we have added an offical holiday to the Turner calander...we dont know whether to call it 'India Day' and celebrate her heritage- or 'Brother and Sister Day'- to kind of include the boys more...the day they became brother's and sisters...(Sova wants to call it brother and sister day- and Jacob wants to call it India Day...weird kids ;)
Regardless of what it is called- I know it was one of the best days of my life...every last detail is completly engrained in my memory just as the births of my boys. The only difference is that there was no drugs involved :)
The fear, the sweat, the excitement, the jitters, the daddy paceing the room, the child entered walking through a door (ok that part my be a little different), the tears, the laughing and crying, the exhaustion, the complete and utter joy...

I cant beleive she has been here with us for a year! That feels so good to say!

Right before we left the orphanage...we can only imagine what they were feeling inside...The 1st 48 hours Sova barely made a peep...it is so strange looking over these early photos- she was expressionless- almost like a robot...

BUT...the girl certainly has Life to her now!

I will never forget the hairclip fettish...it's funny- as soon as she realy grew hair she stopped doing thisBox PlayThe 1st biggest smile I ever saw on her was when I let her try on her new Christmas dress...it is still her favorite thing to wear that she owns...Christmas Butterfly...she was shocked Christmas morningFirst Space Shuttle Ride
She is loyal and loves to love!Experiencing Cold...
I remember she would touch the cold tile w/ her toes in the fall mornings and giggle and say 'COLD!' She also would look around for the snowmen....she thought they magically appeared or fell w/ the snow!
Merry-Go-RoundLearning to TrustLittle Singers belting the most passionate rendition of ABC's you've ever heard :)She really has an eye for and appreciates 'beautiful things'
Perceptive thinker...always thinking and processing...that brain of her's worked double time this year!She would wear these shoes everyday if she could... her 1st tantrum and 1st trouble I experienced with her was in Target the 2nd week in the USA- she saw these and she WANTED them! I didnt get them and her world crashed- I've never been part of a bigger scene w/ a child before in my life... I was shocked and freaked out about what kind of child I really brought home! It happened once or twice after that too- then we took a long break from stores...and amazingly it completely ceased! She will happily walk out of any toystore empty handed w/out a peep...She must have experienced some type of overload in the beginning!
Anyways, in the spring I bought her these and strangers always ask her if she is Dorothy...she looks at my questioningly and I smile and think- 'yes...in a way you are...you are home.'

Kenai Micha

Kenai Micha (pronounced- Keen-eye :) It took a little getting used to but I Love the name now :)
My 3rd beautiful nephew! (yes- Im quite late on the post)
He is such a sweet quiet baby- Jess is blessed!
We had an awesome time W/ aunty Jocelyn visiting (always too fast the week goes!)
We were watching the draw bridge go up in Mystic...a summer staple!

So I just had to post the Kenai pics because I felt like a bad aunty...
Sova has 2 friends over this afternoon- they are sister's and so sweet- I love listening to them... Here they are playing Tinkerbell/ fairies under a living room tent. Caleb is napping- Jacob is at Jack's...I must go accomplish Something!

Summer Fun! Jack and Jacob on the kiddie drop...Jacob gets scared of alot of rides- I was shocked he went on this!


The Boys picking raspberries
Those socks are not my doing...and that large baby bump behind Sova is no longer there! Introductions to my newest nephew coming soon! aka. once I get to the hospital to see him!
There is something so peaceful when you pick your own fruit! I loved this morning- it was beautiful!
Caleb owes alot to the farm...he would pick and dump out- I think he thought he wasnt allowed to pick alot but he wanted to - so he kept dumping them! At the end- he proudly showed me his 3 bright berries!

3 year olds...oh my- he reminds me so much of 3 year old Jacob here. Jacob Lived in rainboots when he was 3 and 4. Caleb is going through this now too. Kinda of cute but not in 88 degrees! Mike gave him a new quading helmet- he wore this around the house and yard all day.

Happy Birthday Sova-Grace!

The Big Day:


The Princess's (and prince:)
Caleb, Sova, Bella, Adellia, Annalia, Trishna, Emilia, Sophie & Josie :)
Punch Time

Decorating princess hats

games
Sova didnt know that the birthday person usually doesnt sing...she was the loudest one singing happy birthday!
Check it out ;) ok- I pictured it alot nicer in my head!

Sova Grace:

I have never had so much fun planning my child's birthday. This was her first celebrated birthday ever...she was waiting a long time for her day to come!
This little butterfly princess in now 5. The night before her birthday I went in and danced to music and rocked her like I sometimes do. This time I felt as if I never wanted to leave her room because I knew that the next time I saw her she would not be 4 anymore! How fast that was! I spent one year stareing at a picture of a three year old - picked up a 4 year old - and then oh how these last 10 months flew!
Teary I talked to her about how special the day of her birth really is. She didnt even know what a birthday meant besides a party, presents and cake...
I told her once again about how that is the day that she came out of her birth-mothers tummy...it is a very special day because God made her and wanted her born that day...everyone is happy that she was born and is here. She then says, 'yes- my India mommy could not give me food.' I was surprised she rememered our talk...a few months ago I explained her whole story to her and gave possible reasons why she had to wait at the orphanage for us...a question she still asks.
Nearing her Birthday I thought alot about her birth mother...the questions loom over me- and I know I will never know- but I want to know her story so badly...
This woman gave me one of the greatest gifts of my life. Her pain and sorrow has become my joy. It does not make sense- I wonder if she is alive- I wonder if she was a young girl or a woman w/ too many children- I wonder how often she thinks of the baby girl she gave birth to- I wonder if she is as beautiful Sova is- I wonder why she did that- I wonder if she wonders?

This little girl has a mighty purpose on this Earth. She was formed and created by God and has a calling on her life. She has a voice that needs to be heard. She has love that needs to be shared.
Sova-Grace you amaze me every single day. You are so sweet and compassionate. You hate hurt, sickness and pain- in Others- and try your best to help at all times. You are perceptive, thoughtful and smart. You have been through much and are going to give much.
You are a blessing and a joy. I am so excited so share my life with you as your mother. I have enjoyed dressing you in pretty dresses and making pigtails and playing tea party- more than you know, I love having a daughter! God chose you for us and us for you- I see what a perfect fit we all are. I will always stand amazed at what He did. I look forward to watching you grow up into a young lady- yet will guard your childhood years with All my might. You mean so much to us- we love you so much! And yes- from your own words, 'forever and ever!'