It's her 4th Birthday!

Today she turns 4.

If she were at our house she would have a birthday celebration.

If I had her in my arms, I would tell her about the day

I saw her picture and how I knew she was the one.

If she were in my arms today, I would let her know just how perfect she is.

ACCEPTED NOT REJECTED.

CHOSEN AND NOT AN OUTCAST.

LOVED.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

BUT, today I will not get to tell her these things.

Her special day will not be celebrated.

She will get no toys.

She will get no hugs.

She will not even know she turns 4 today.

We are so sad that we do not have her here with us. She deserves so much more. The good part of this story is that Anastasia has a family. There are so many others that don't. There are so many families that are willing, but unable. Each child on Reece's Rainbow is available to accept donations through their grant fund.

In honor of Anastasia's birthday, our family is giving financial donations to 2 other children. One who already has a family who is working hard to raise funds to get him. You can visit their site at www.amyandsons.blogspot.com. and one who needs a family and has a matching 5,000 dollar grant. You can read about Albina here. Amy and Sons is doing an I pad 2 fundraiser that ends at the end of this month. Albina's matching grant also ends at the end of this month. If you would like to do something in honor of Anastasia's Birthday then I would ask that you donate to one of these children.

Brief adoption update: our part 2 of our dossier is being reviewed by our adoption agency. We are praying that it will be sent to Russia next week. Once it arrives in Russia it has to go through several steps before it ends up on the judge's desk. Once it is in the hands of the judge and it is reviewed, more paperwork will most likely be requested, after that is complete, then we should receive a court date. The timeline of all of this can be months! We were really hoping to get her by the end of the summer, but I think we are really pushing it now. However, GOD IS ABLE and we can only trust his timing.

Thank you for following our journey!

PS. If you are visiting, but never leave a comment. I am asking that you leave a birthday message for Anastasia today.

Stephanie