March

Spring is in the air.  Our lawn is finally changing from the miserable shade of brown to a lovely spring green.  The bulbs (on our neighbors flowers...heaven knows WE didn't plant any bulbs this fall!!) are starting to grow and some flowers are even popping up!  The temperature around these parts has gone from a high of 15 degrees to 60 degrees!  It's such a cheerful time of year.
It's been devastating for me this year, though.  March is when we were supposed to go back to Russia for our court trip.  Up until this point, the adoption ban hasn't actually slowed down our adoption.  We plugged away at our court dossier and just kept hoping and praying that it would all be resolved by the time we could go to court.  That hasn't been the case.
We are keeping up the fight, though.  We're working with some friends on some ideas and plans that may or may not pan out, but at least it's keeping our minds occupied!  I'm so thankful for the many people that are in the same situation we are.  I'm thankful for their understanding and support.  They know exactly what we're going through, and it's amazing to have people to talk to who just "get it".  There are so many people, both in this country as well as in Russia, that care about the kids left behind.  They are all fighting so hard for our Dasha girl and for all the kids who won't have families now that could have.
I was reading a talk yesterday and came across the scripture from Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God".  This is what I am going to focus on doing.  I'm trying not to let the anxiety stomach aches get the best of me.  I know that we did not find our girl by chance.  If she is meant to be in our family, it will be.
Until then, I am trying to enjoy the grass, sunshine, and flowers.  It's World Down Syndrome Day in two days, and you can bet we'll be thinking of our girl.  Praying like crazy that by this time next year, we'll be celebrating with her!!