my oldest baby & sister pics

We kind of decided very last minute to bring Madeline with us.  It was a combination of reasons but the biggest for us was that she is very relational and emotional and we thought it would be a great time for her to form a sweet bond with Paulina.  We knew the travel, food, hotel stay, and such would be difficult but we thought we could all handle it together and that it would be worth it.  So we expedited her passport & bought her a ticket!  The day we told her she was so funny.  At first she didn't realize what we meant and then when it clicked that she was getting to go with us she was SO happy!  We only told her two days early but even then it was all she talked about.  About 1 hour after telling her she was coming she had her bag packed! 

Now I must spend some time being a proud mama because Madeline has gone above and beyond our expectations and hopes!  I wouldn't have necessarily called her our flexible child but this trip she has been incredible!  We have flown overseas, traveled through the night, slept in vans & trains, walked several miles a day, eaten strange meals, sat through long Russian conversations, and through it all she has seriously gone with the flow.  It has been a huge answered prayer! 

Even more than all that, watching her meet Paulina and love her has been some of the sweetest moments of my life.  She walked straight up to her and put her hands on her and talked with such gentleness that my heart almost burst from joy.  She tickles her, sings to her, dances around her, tells her fun things, rubs her face, arms, and legs, plays with her, and just loves getting to know her and be near her.  She loves for Paulina to sit in her lap and will just sit and snuggle her.  She wants to think of ways to teach her new things.  She prays for her.  She is such a loving sister to Paulina and we couldn't be more thankful for the way God has answered so many prayers and is building such a sweet relationship between Madeline & Paulina. 

One last added sweet story about Madeline (for now at least :)…there are 3 other kids in Paulina’s room and every day Madeline goes right up to each one of them and talks to them and plays with them.  She brings them toys, tosses a ball with one of the boys, tickles them, has gotten to know which toys they like best & what their personalities are like, and pays them such good attention.  It is so sweet to see her love for these kids.  Once I told her we could pray for these children to have families and she said, “I did this morning!” 

I will say it probably 1000 times but again, we are so thankful we brought her and for how God is shaping her, Paulina, & us through our time!