Reece's Rainbow Utah Family Reunion

I sure love these reunions!!  Our Utah numbers are growing like crazy, and it makes me so happy!!  The last reunion we had in August, there were only two Reece's Rainbow kids whose adoptions had been finalized.  This time, there were tons of kids that had made it home!  It's so exciting!!  There were even a few families with kids home that couldn't make it.  Hopefully this summer we'll be able to get everyone together.  And hopefully this summer, our baby will be included in the mix ;)

Here are our seven Utah girlies and one Idaho boy who've made it home!  Six of these kids are from Russia and two are from Ukraine.  One of these girls came home Christmas Eve, right before the ban was signed by Putin.  Incredibly, four of them made it home AFTER the ban!!  Their parents had already passed court and were in their 30 day wait period when the ban was signed.  The Russian Supreme Court decided they could go home.  For two of these (who belong to one family), they went right home with no problem.  The other two, however, were stuck in Russia with a judge who was not going to let them go home without a fight!  Their warrior mamas stuck it out for a whole month in Russia until they were finally able to come home with their darlings!

I am privileged to belong to this incredible group of families.  This adoption road is not always easy, but it's always worth it.  These kids have a second chance at life.  They are adored by family and friends and are loved beyond measure.  And...they get to have best friends to grow up with!  An added bonus for the parents, too, is that there's always someone to talk to.  Someone to get advice from.  Someone who knows what you're going through.  Friends who get that fundraising stinks, dossier's are an exhausting amount of work, and training's a pain (although invaluable).  Others who understand "stimming", attachment disorders, and eating issues.  Those who know first hand what it's like to have post adoption depression.  Important for me, too, is a group of people who completely understand the attachment we feel for our little love and the heartbreak we're going through to be kept away from her.  So though I haven't known these families for very long, they are some of my most treasured friends!  I can't wait until our next party!!!