Our family was featured in the Chosen Marathon promotional video. Below is a link if you want to see it!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EVVSVE6rLzM&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEVVSVE6rLzM%26feature%3Dyoutu.be
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Chosen Marathon
In closing this blog of the chronicles of our journey to Nik and our 1st year together, I wanted to post pictures of the Chosen Marathon. Brent and I ran this race in 2011 with Team Bowen (Allison Parker, Gene Wilkes, Joel Verinder, David Morales, and Mark Housewright) as a fund raiser for our adoption. At the time, we didn't even know who Nik was and our generous friends and family helped us raise around $4000 for our adoption.
The Chosen Marathon is an amazing event that benefits adoptive families and other programs that aid orphaned children. This year, Amber Wing and I formed a team to support Marissa's House orphanage in Africa. Returning to Chosen this year felt like the completion of a journey. The amazing people that organize the race celebrated Nik's story with us. While I ran the full marathon, the kids ran in a kid's fun run. The race was a very fitting event to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Nik's home with us. It was the perfect end to an amazing year.
The Chosen Marathon is an amazing event that benefits adoptive families and other programs that aid orphaned children. This year, Amber Wing and I formed a team to support Marissa's House orphanage in Africa. Returning to Chosen this year felt like the completion of a journey. The amazing people that organize the race celebrated Nik's story with us. While I ran the full marathon, the kids ran in a kid's fun run. The race was a very fitting event to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Nik's home with us. It was the perfect end to an amazing year.
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| Family photo at reception for adoptive families |
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| Gearing up for the kid's fun run! |
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| This card was used in promotional materials for our team. Notice Nik's photo on the front! |
The Readers of the Blog...
We have been amazed at the number of people that have read our blog. Here is a screenshot of the blog statistics that show how people all over the world have viewed the blog.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
A few words from Dad...
It has been really hard for me to encapsulate this past year. There are a few truths that stand out to me as having been very evident over the past year.
The first truth is that Nik is where he is meant to be. Every time I think back over the process of bringing him home, I'll have a random memory of something amazing. Something that reminds me that he was truly chosen for us. What I think of most is...elephants. I know, it sounds crazy, but elephants are a way that God chose to point us to Nik. I know this begs for an explanation, so here is the short version. Ann-Marie and I read a book during a particularly tough time during the adoption process. The book is The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. In the book, a young boy (named Peter...the source of Nik's first name) who had lost his parents is confronted with the impossible news (from a dubious source) that his sister is alive and to find her he must "follow the elephant". It is a beautiful story of hope. Ann-Marie and I would often in a difficult situation look at each other and say "we just need to follow the elephant". While the elephant appeared many times to us throughout the journey, none was more amazing than the first time we met Nik. I could hardly contain my amazement when I noticed that his shirt had an elephant on it. Elephants still appear in our home regularly. Nik's favorite stuffed animal...an elephant. The only animal Nik asks to see at the zoo...an elephant.
The second truth is that Nik is an amazing boy. He may be one of the bravest people I have ever met. Think of all the new experiences that he has had over the past year, some mundane like new foods, some frightening like surgery, and some fun and exciting like swimming. No matter what the experience, Nik approaches each new thing with confidence that is amazing. Another one of my favorite memories is of going into his room one morning after we brought him home and finding him repeating to himself "This is my home. This is my home. This is my home." The courage that it must have taken to tackle each new day must have been tremendous. He doesn't have to repeat that anymore. It is his home and he knows it. I love that he knows it. It means that all my failures over the past year haven't been able to overshadow the truth that he is loved and accepted and that he can trust us.
The third truth is that there is an ongoing battle between good and evil. I feel like we have been part of that battle in way that I could not have anticipated 18 months ago. My understanding of Ephesians 6:10-17 has gone to a whole new level.
It is clear to me that our adoption of Nik was spiritually opposed. The process of coming together as a family has been no less so. When we were finally able to bring Nik home, I thought that the hard part was over. What I didn't fully realize was that the rescue of Nik's heart was just beginning. There were times over the past year that I failed to put on my 'armor' and my family suffered for it. However, the overall picture of the year is that of success. We are winning the battle for Nik's heart. He is fighting hard and so are we...fighting hard for the love that we have and for the fruition of the plan that God has set in motion for our family. Nik's heart is a prize well worth fighting for. Every time I pick him up at the end of the day and he gives me a big hug, the feeling inside is a feeling of victory. A feeling that says "Yes, our love did grow today!" He is my son, I am his dad, I love him, and he loves me. We win.
The first truth is that Nik is where he is meant to be. Every time I think back over the process of bringing him home, I'll have a random memory of something amazing. Something that reminds me that he was truly chosen for us. What I think of most is...elephants. I know, it sounds crazy, but elephants are a way that God chose to point us to Nik. I know this begs for an explanation, so here is the short version. Ann-Marie and I read a book during a particularly tough time during the adoption process. The book is The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. In the book, a young boy (named Peter...the source of Nik's first name) who had lost his parents is confronted with the impossible news (from a dubious source) that his sister is alive and to find her he must "follow the elephant". It is a beautiful story of hope. Ann-Marie and I would often in a difficult situation look at each other and say "we just need to follow the elephant". While the elephant appeared many times to us throughout the journey, none was more amazing than the first time we met Nik. I could hardly contain my amazement when I noticed that his shirt had an elephant on it. Elephants still appear in our home regularly. Nik's favorite stuffed animal...an elephant. The only animal Nik asks to see at the zoo...an elephant.
The second truth is that Nik is an amazing boy. He may be one of the bravest people I have ever met. Think of all the new experiences that he has had over the past year, some mundane like new foods, some frightening like surgery, and some fun and exciting like swimming. No matter what the experience, Nik approaches each new thing with confidence that is amazing. Another one of my favorite memories is of going into his room one morning after we brought him home and finding him repeating to himself "This is my home. This is my home. This is my home." The courage that it must have taken to tackle each new day must have been tremendous. He doesn't have to repeat that anymore. It is his home and he knows it. I love that he knows it. It means that all my failures over the past year haven't been able to overshadow the truth that he is loved and accepted and that he can trust us.
The third truth is that there is an ongoing battle between good and evil. I feel like we have been part of that battle in way that I could not have anticipated 18 months ago. My understanding of Ephesians 6:10-17 has gone to a whole new level.
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (NIV)
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| Happy Adoption Day Dinner. We had Nik's favorite: Tacos! |
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| What's a celebration without cupcakes? |
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| Yummy! |
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Happy Adoption Day!
One year... It is almost unimaginable that this day last year, Nik left the "home" of his first 3 1/2 years with Brent, Maddie, Dylan, and me. I think we were all a little unsure of what to expect and what life would look like. What Brent and I did know, beyond a shadow of doubt, was that Nikita had been called to our family. The events and circumstances that brought him to us were nothing short of miraculous. When I think of what his life could have been without the intervention of God to bring him to our home, I am speechless. The statistics say he likely would have never been adopted, never known God, never been in a family. Statistics say he would have never had opportunities to go to college and likely would have fallen into patterns of drug or alcohol addiction. Suicide rates among Russian orphans are very high too. It is hard to think of what could have been.
The contrast between Nikita in October 2012 and October 2013 are mind boggling. This time last year:
I will not lie and say everything this year has been easy. The truth that this blog does not tell is that there have been many tough moments. We have faced challenges. All of us have been stretched in our ability to love and to sacrifice. But, in the tough moments, I have held onto the promise of God's amazing plans for Nik. He is a special boy and I believe with all my heart that God has plans "bigger than we can ask or imagine" for him (Ephesians 3:20). His future is bright. While Brent and I are far from perfect as parents, we know that God is Nik's perfect Father and He has great plans for Nik's life.
Nik is a very loved little boy. Maddie and Dylan show the purest form of love for him. He is their brother. They look after him, care of him, and, yes, fight and argue with him as they would with any sibling. Their willingness to pour sacrificial love into him shows me why Jesus said that the "kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these..." The friends in our lives, many of you who read this blog, have also poured yourselves into Nik. You have accepted Nik, loved him, and cared for him in amazing ways. Nik's grandparents have opened their hearts to Nik as their grandson. They adore him and he loves them.
As Nik's first year with us comes to a close, I will end my monthly blog entries. We would love to continue to keep in touch with each of you who have followed his journey through Facebook or through private communications. Please be in touch and please continue to pray for us as we parent Nik and pray for Nik in the years ahead. I would like to close this blog with a note to Nik:
Dear Nik,
I will never, ever forget the first day I met you. You were, understandably, very scared and apprehensive with the worker at the orphanage brought you outside to daddy and me. But, you quickly warmed up to us and offered to hold my hand a few minutes later. I loved our visits with you in the orphanage as they provided a chance for us to get to know you. Your charm, affection, and first English words "Mama" and "Papa" warmed my heart. I loved you and you were my son from the very beginning. It was heart -wrenching to have to leave you twice to come back to Texas. I hated to see you sad as we said good-bye. You had won my heart. It was amazing to walk away from the orphanage with you one year ago. My heart was sad for you that you had to say good-bye to the only life you had ever known and the only people you had ever known. But, it was joyful to know you would be with us forever!
Being with you this year as been an adventure. Our first days and weeks with you were challenging as we couldn't communicate well with one another. But, those days were also amazingly wonderful as I watched you embrace your new life--everything was a first: a first trip to the store, your first time to see animals, your first trip to a restaurant, your first holiday season. For me, the highlight of your first year was your 1st birthday. I loved celebrating YOU! You deserved it. You are God's special creation.
I know beyond any doubt that God has a special calling on your life. As we watched the doors to Russian adoption close soon after your arrival home, my belief in God's redemption and rescue of you was solidified. I think often of the verse that we dedicated to you at our church. I view this passage from Isaiah 43: 1-3 as a promise for your life:
"But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"
I love you so much, Nikita. I am honored to be your mommy. You have become an amazing member of our family and I am glad we are together. Thank you for opening your hearts to all of us.
Love, Mommy
Highlights from this month:
The contrast between Nikita in October 2012 and October 2013 are mind boggling. This time last year:
- Nikita had never heard the name of Jesus. He did not know God; he had never prayed; he had never been to church. Now, Nik prays on his own (often begging to be the first to pray before dinner), talks about Jesus, and loves going to church.
- Nikita had left the orphanage only a few times in his life. He got very sick and vomited whenever we drove in the car for the first month he was with us due to a lack of experience in cars. Now, Nik rides with us everywhere without complaint.
- Nikita had never experienced most of the things all of us take for granted as part of everyday life. Nik had never seen a dog or any other animals (other than the birds that flew in the trees at his orphanage). Now he has been to the zoo a half dozen times and is best friends with our dog, Sasha. Nikita had never been to the grocery store (or any other stores for that matter), he had never had pizza, hamburgers, or his all time favorite food, the taco. Nik had never ridden a bike, swam, or seen a movie in the movie theatre. I could go on and on about all the things he has experienced for the first time this year. Its been amazing to watch.
- Nikita had never owned anything. Any toys or clothes that he used in Russia were considered property of the Russian government and, therefore, he was not allowed to claim them as his own or take them with him with he left. The only exception is a favorite book that a kind nurse "snuck" in our car as we left the orphanage. We treasure this as literally the only object we have from the first 3 1/2 years of his life. Now Nik has a closet full of clothes and a room full of toys.
- Nikita knew no English, and spoke fluently in Russian. Now, he speaks English and can only remember a few words of Russian.
- Nik had no concept of family or of love. Now, he loves to comfort us when we are sad, kisses our "boo-boos" and tells us he loves us. This morning, Nik told me, "You are a good mommy."
- As far as we know, Nikita had never celebrated his birthday, Christmas, or any other holidays. now he eagerly anticipates holidays and other celebrations.
I will not lie and say everything this year has been easy. The truth that this blog does not tell is that there have been many tough moments. We have faced challenges. All of us have been stretched in our ability to love and to sacrifice. But, in the tough moments, I have held onto the promise of God's amazing plans for Nik. He is a special boy and I believe with all my heart that God has plans "bigger than we can ask or imagine" for him (Ephesians 3:20). His future is bright. While Brent and I are far from perfect as parents, we know that God is Nik's perfect Father and He has great plans for Nik's life.
Nik is a very loved little boy. Maddie and Dylan show the purest form of love for him. He is their brother. They look after him, care of him, and, yes, fight and argue with him as they would with any sibling. Their willingness to pour sacrificial love into him shows me why Jesus said that the "kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these..." The friends in our lives, many of you who read this blog, have also poured yourselves into Nik. You have accepted Nik, loved him, and cared for him in amazing ways. Nik's grandparents have opened their hearts to Nik as their grandson. They adore him and he loves them.
As Nik's first year with us comes to a close, I will end my monthly blog entries. We would love to continue to keep in touch with each of you who have followed his journey through Facebook or through private communications. Please be in touch and please continue to pray for us as we parent Nik and pray for Nik in the years ahead. I would like to close this blog with a note to Nik:
Dear Nik,
I will never, ever forget the first day I met you. You were, understandably, very scared and apprehensive with the worker at the orphanage brought you outside to daddy and me. But, you quickly warmed up to us and offered to hold my hand a few minutes later. I loved our visits with you in the orphanage as they provided a chance for us to get to know you. Your charm, affection, and first English words "Mama" and "Papa" warmed my heart. I loved you and you were my son from the very beginning. It was heart -wrenching to have to leave you twice to come back to Texas. I hated to see you sad as we said good-bye. You had won my heart. It was amazing to walk away from the orphanage with you one year ago. My heart was sad for you that you had to say good-bye to the only life you had ever known and the only people you had ever known. But, it was joyful to know you would be with us forever!
Being with you this year as been an adventure. Our first days and weeks with you were challenging as we couldn't communicate well with one another. But, those days were also amazingly wonderful as I watched you embrace your new life--everything was a first: a first trip to the store, your first time to see animals, your first trip to a restaurant, your first holiday season. For me, the highlight of your first year was your 1st birthday. I loved celebrating YOU! You deserved it. You are God's special creation.
I know beyond any doubt that God has a special calling on your life. As we watched the doors to Russian adoption close soon after your arrival home, my belief in God's redemption and rescue of you was solidified. I think often of the verse that we dedicated to you at our church. I view this passage from Isaiah 43: 1-3 as a promise for your life:
"But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"
I love you so much, Nikita. I am honored to be your mommy. You have become an amazing member of our family and I am glad we are together. Thank you for opening your hearts to all of us.
Love, Mommy
Highlights from this month:
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| Visiting with Nana |
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| Camping with our lifegroup! Nik fell in the water quickly after this photo was taken... |
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| Our Lifegroup friends! These kids love Nik so much. They prayed for him with their parents before he was here and love and take care of him now. |
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| Poor Nik had eye surgery this month. It was hard to wake up from anesthesia.... |
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| Celebrating Grammy's birthday with Nik's first trip to a pumpkin patch! |
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| The pumpkin patch is fun! |
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| Love! |
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| My pumpkins with the pumpkins! |
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| Family pic in the pumpkins! |
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
11 months!
It amazes me that we are approaching the 1 year anniversary of our adoption of Nik. My plan has been to update this blog at least every month until the 1st year after his adoption. So, I am nearing the end of my blog updates.
Nik continues to grow and develop in amazing ways. I took him to see a speech therapist this month through the school district. We wanted him assessed to see how his speech was developing. The speech therapist was very impressed at his English skills and did not recommend any need for speech therapy. That was encouraging to us to know that Nik is on the right track. He is able to communicate more and more with us. Sadly, he remembers almost none of his Russian.
This month, Nik started back to school at the preschool at our church. He loves his teachers, Ms. Karen and Ms. Becky. He is really happy at school this year. He is going 4 days a week and is eager to go each morning and anxious to tell me about his day when I pick him up. It is exciting to see him happy and well adjusted.
After a visit to the eye doctor last week, we did learn that Nik is going to need eye surgery. We are doing the surgery next week to help the muscles that control the tracking of his eyes work better. I'm a little anxious to see him undergo this procedure, but the doctor has assured us it is necessary and will prevent problems in the future.
On August 28th, we "readopted" Nik in Texas. This court hearing before a Texas judge contrasted greatly with our court date in Russia on September 18th of last year. As the anniversary of that day came, I was overwhelmed to remember the day we nearly lost Nik forever. Brent and I have no doubts that God intervened to bring Nik home.
Here are pictures from this month:
Nik continues to grow and develop in amazing ways. I took him to see a speech therapist this month through the school district. We wanted him assessed to see how his speech was developing. The speech therapist was very impressed at his English skills and did not recommend any need for speech therapy. That was encouraging to us to know that Nik is on the right track. He is able to communicate more and more with us. Sadly, he remembers almost none of his Russian.
This month, Nik started back to school at the preschool at our church. He loves his teachers, Ms. Karen and Ms. Becky. He is really happy at school this year. He is going 4 days a week and is eager to go each morning and anxious to tell me about his day when I pick him up. It is exciting to see him happy and well adjusted.
After a visit to the eye doctor last week, we did learn that Nik is going to need eye surgery. We are doing the surgery next week to help the muscles that control the tracking of his eyes work better. I'm a little anxious to see him undergo this procedure, but the doctor has assured us it is necessary and will prevent problems in the future.
On August 28th, we "readopted" Nik in Texas. This court hearing before a Texas judge contrasted greatly with our court date in Russia on September 18th of last year. As the anniversary of that day came, I was overwhelmed to remember the day we nearly lost Nik forever. Brent and I have no doubts that God intervened to bring Nik home.
Here are pictures from this month:
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| After school treat! |
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| Nik's court hearing! |
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| 1st day of school... |
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| NIk is proud of his Cars backpack. |
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| I've officially taught Nik to love shopping! |
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| Nik loves to eat just about anything... sweet potatoes are a favorite. |
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| Learning to fish with dad... |
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| Happy boy! |
Monday, August 26, 2013
10 months!
This month has been a month of fun summer activities. We've visited the art museum, swam a lot, , visited the fire station, and had fun with friends. We also enjoyed 2 fun visitors: Caleb, Madison, and Brandi Smith, and Uncle John! Nik continues to learn more and more English and continues to be a fun and happy 4 year old! He is such a blessing to our family.
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| Enjoying breakfast with our friends, Caleb and Madison Smith! |
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| Doing our own art at the Dallas Museum of Art! |
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| Dallas Museum of Art |
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| Dallas Museum of Art |
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| Dallas Museum of Art |
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| Kid Mania with friends! |
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| First Rangers Game! |
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| Rangers Game! |
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| Dinner at Benijanas! Nik loves to eat and watching our food get cooked was a lot of fun! |
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Its been 1 year!
Wow! It is amazing to me that it is one year ago today that Brent and I met Nik for the first time. Read about The meeting to revisit our thoughts and feelings that day. What a difference a year can make. The somewhat apprehensive, yet lovable little boy is now an energetic, happy, and playful 4 year old American boy. Below are pictures of us with him when we met him on August 6, 2012 and a picture of me with him this morning... I even wore the same shirt in honor of our anniversary!
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| Nik was a little scared of us at first... |
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| But, he was quickly interested in toys we brought with us. |
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| Holding my hand for the first time... |
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| All smiles! |
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
9 months!
It has been right at 9 months since Nik was officially "our son". And, we approaching the 1 year anniversary of our first meeting with him (more to come on that in a later post). Wow!
The last month has been fairly un-eventful as we have enjoyed a relaxing summer. Nik celebrated his first 4th of July at Mimi and Papa's house with family. We have enjoyed a lot of time in the pool and other fun summer activities including crafts, time with friends, and outdoor activities when its not too hot. Big brother, Dylan, celebrated his 6th birthday and got a new bike. This meant that Nik also got a "new" bike (the one Dylan outgrew). He is trying hard to learn to pedal so he can keep up with Maddie and Dylan.
Nik's conversational skills are developing daily! I am enjoying getting to know him better as he is speaking and expressing himself more and more everyday. He has also been able to communicate some of his emotions regarding his adoption. We want so much to help him learn to express and process the feelings he has surrounding his adoption and all the changes he has faced in his 4 short years. He has actually become somewhat emotional on a couple of occasions as he has acknowledged recognition that he has not always been with us. He told me yesterday that he wished he was with me when he was a baby. We were able to talk about it and I told him I wished that too but was so happy God brought him to be in this family when he was three. I told him I was glad he would be here with us forever. I pray God always gives Brent and I the right words to say to him when these issues are discussed over and over again in the months and years to come.
Here are some pictures of this month...
The last month has been fairly un-eventful as we have enjoyed a relaxing summer. Nik celebrated his first 4th of July at Mimi and Papa's house with family. We have enjoyed a lot of time in the pool and other fun summer activities including crafts, time with friends, and outdoor activities when its not too hot. Big brother, Dylan, celebrated his 6th birthday and got a new bike. This meant that Nik also got a "new" bike (the one Dylan outgrew). He is trying hard to learn to pedal so he can keep up with Maddie and Dylan.
Nik's conversational skills are developing daily! I am enjoying getting to know him better as he is speaking and expressing himself more and more everyday. He has also been able to communicate some of his emotions regarding his adoption. We want so much to help him learn to express and process the feelings he has surrounding his adoption and all the changes he has faced in his 4 short years. He has actually become somewhat emotional on a couple of occasions as he has acknowledged recognition that he has not always been with us. He told me yesterday that he wished he was with me when he was a baby. We were able to talk about it and I told him I wished that too but was so happy God brought him to be in this family when he was three. I told him I was glad he would be here with us forever. I pray God always gives Brent and I the right words to say to him when these issues are discussed over and over again in the months and years to come.
Here are some pictures of this month...
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| Happy first 4th of July! |
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| The 4th at Mimi and Papa's House. |
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| Enjoying a fun visit with cousin, Tommy! |
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| Working on some crafts! |
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| Learning to ride is "new" bike (in pajamas!) |
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| Fun in the pool! |
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| Summer fun! Lunch out with Grammy! |
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
8 months!
This month has been very exciting for Nik. Its hard for me to believe it has been 8 months since he arrived home with us. As I wrote in my last entry, Nik turned 4 this month and we had a fun day of celebrations. He is still singing "Happy Birthday" to himself on a regular basis.
The other big event this month was our first family vacation as a family of five! We went to Cancun, Mexico and had a great time! Nik was not a huge fan of walking in sand, but considering he refused to take socks off his feet until about 4 months ago, that is no surprise. He did love the pools, the all inclusive resort (ie non-stop eating!) and the time together as a family. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the trip!
The other big event this month was our first family vacation as a family of five! We went to Cancun, Mexico and had a great time! Nik was not a huge fan of walking in sand, but considering he refused to take socks off his feet until about 4 months ago, that is no surprise. He did love the pools, the all inclusive resort (ie non-stop eating!) and the time together as a family. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the trip!
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| Fun in the kid's pool! |
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| Meeting a real iguana at our resort! |
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| Tired after a long day in the sun. Poor Nik fell asleep waiting for us to get dressed for dinner! |
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| Enjoying a fun dinner at the resort. Nik is a big fan of sushi! |
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| Mr. Photogenic! |
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| First time in the ocean... not a big fan! |
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| Painting pottery by the pool... |
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| It rained one afternoon on our trip! Here Maddie and Nik are trying to eat the rain! |
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| Family Photo by the Beach! |
June 20th also was the one year anniversary of the day that changed all of our lives forever. On June 20, 2012, we received this photo and a video of Nikita. We loved his face from the moment we saw him and knew God wanted us to be together. It is hard to believe that one year later, this same little boy is thriving in our home. We love him dearly!
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| Nikita's picture from Russia that we received 1 year ago. I don't know how old he is in this picture. I suspect it was taken sometime early in 2012. |
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| Nik Bowen, age 4! Living in Plano, Texas |
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| Nik and his family! |
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