Five glorious years!

I’m often caught off guard by how quickly time seems to go, and this is no exception. My heart is full of incredible joy today as we celebrate Marina’s 5th adoption day! Really, 5 years! 5 years ago we stood in front of the judge in Krasnoyarsk, Russia and became parents for the very first time. I will never forget the joy that surged through my body as the judge made her declaration, and the tears that stung my eyes at the mighty works of our Lord! We had prayed for a child for so long, and Marina was the answer to those prayers!

Marina, you have given us 5 years of complete joy, love, laughter, entertainment and pride. We love you more than I ever knew possible and are so incredibly blessed and honored to be your parents. You have such a beautiful little soul and we are so proud of the person you have become. You make being a parent so much more than I expected it to be and I love every minute I spend with you and your brothers. God fit you perfectly into our family 5 years ago, and I pray that we have many, many more years together to celebrate you!

Here is a picture of Marina on the day she officially became ours!
And here she is 5 years later and as beautiful as ever!

Thank you for celebrating this special day with us today. Of course, we could not celebrate this day without thinking of the special families we met during our time in Kras. So today, we also celebrate our dear friends Brian and Sarah and Craig and Brigitte and their beautiful children and the friendships that were created half a world away. We love you guys! Happy adoption day!

With love,

Mike and Kristen