Wednesday, October 15, 2014

It's Been Fun........

I've enjoyed the journey that blogging has taken me on over the past 4.5 years! It has been a fabulous place to share our adoption journeys, successes and failures...but all good things must come to an end and I've decided to close this blog indefinitely. I'm not sure if I'll pick back up again in the future, but right now I have decided not to blog. I'll be making photo books online so the girls will have those to look at when they're older, instead of printing out the blog like I've done in the past! Days are crazy between therapies, activities, schools, two parents working, and trying to carve out some "unscheduled" time. The girls are getting older and privacy is becoming more of a priority for our family! Thank you to everyone who has followed our adoption journeys over the past four and a half years. Your support and encouragement and prayers have gotten us through many tough times! Thank you for being a part of such an exciting time in our lives! If you'd like to keep in touch, feel free to email! My email is listed in the tab at the top! It's too hard to say goodbye, but "see you around" doesn't really work here either.....so we'll leave it at that :) 

24 comments:

  1. Good luck and thank you for all your sharing.

    I"ll always had the girls in my heart and especially Mila for all her so special journey.

    God bless you

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  2. Aw, you will be missed. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Completely understand, but so sad. I will miss your beautiful girls.

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  4. I'll miss following your blog and seeing updates on your gorgeous girls. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world of adoption these past 4.5 years and try to update occasionally so we can see how your girls grow and change in the future!

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  5. Will miss seeing these cuties! Understand the need for privacy and being a very busy mom. Thanks for sharing the adoptions and wish you all well.
    Pat S
    St. Louis, MO

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  6. Thanks for sharing your story with us. You have a beautiful family and I wish you all the best.

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  7. I am SO sad! I hav enjoyed watching your 3 Lovies grow from fragile Babes into beautiful, spunky girls!
    I sent you a Friend Request on Fb. Would you please add me? I would love to continue keeping up with all of you.
    Much Love and Many Prayers for your sweet family.
    Jo Moseley

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  8. Blessings to you, Shawn, and your precious girls as you continue to journey together. I know I am going to miss your updates very much but completely understand your decision. Watching God unfold these beautiful stories of love, hope, and redemption has been like watching three of his best miracles happen! I will continue to pray for your strength and joy in all that comes your way. Just enjoy life with Zoya, Mila, and Sofia and all of the precious moments it will bring...both hard and easy. ((((((BIG BIG HUGS))))))))!!!

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  9. Oh no!! But I totally get it. I've taken two breaks from blogging and it was so helpful to get my focus back. I hope you'll eventually consider returning. Love seeing your angels!

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  10. I am sorry to hear you won't be blogging anymore. I always looked forward to your updates about the girls and how they are adjusting and learning new things. You and your husband could (and I'm sure have) be such an inspiration to many in the adoption world. The love you have for each other and your girls is incredible and it shows in every post you write. I will miss not being able to following your journey as the girls get older and thrive in new things, but I understand how life can get in the way and you just run out of time at the end of the day. Good luck and God bless you and your beautiful family. It has been fun to watch your family grow.

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  11. I'm sad to see you leave, I enjoy hearing updates on your girls but I understand.

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  12. Hi Sarah,
    I commented last night but not sure if it went through so wanted to comment one last time...
    Although I am soooo sad to see you go, I DO understand that family time must come first! You guys have "a lot on your plate" right now and actually, with the lengthier times between posts, I kind of wondered if perhaps you might be considering wrapping things up.
    I wanted to thank you for sharing your beautiful girls with your readers--they are precious and oh so smart! You guys are very blessed and I have so enjoyed sharing glimpses of your journey! Although I don't know you personally, your family holds a special place in my thoughts and prayers.
    Please, if you would, next time you give the girls a hug, give them an extra one from a "friend" in Maine!

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  13. I will miss reading about you, your beautiful family, and your beautiful girls! I wish you all the best. I have followed little Sofia's story from the beginning, ever since she was listed on RR, and fell in love with Mila and Zoya in the process of 'meeting' your family. I've considered it a blessing of mine to get to catch a glimpse into the wonderful life Sofia now has, so full of love and hope, ever-changing and growing. I can't even call her little Sofia any more, because she has grown so much! I'm so proud of how far she has come and hope she will continue to thrive, as well as her amazing sisters and family. Wherever your collective travels take you, please know I have felt so blessed to be able to feel like I have been a part of your lives, even though we've never met personally. Times are constantly changing, and I respect your decision to stop blogging. Your girls will be able to look back at a time capsule of their lives, back when they were small, on top of their personal albums you'll be making. I hope your personal family journey takes you to so many more amazing places, that you never stop dreaming and reaching for that next level of potential you know is there, and that your girls never lose their love for dance, because it is such a special thing. Though there may be challenges ahead, nothing can ever top the love you have for your children, or that your children have for you. Good luck in everything you do, and may all your future endeavors be endlessly fruitful and bountiful.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw

    "I hope you never lose your sense of wonder;
    You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.
    May you never take one single breath for granted;
    God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed.

    I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean;
    Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens.
    Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance;
    And when you get the choice, to sit it out or dance -

    I hope you dance..."

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  14. Please consider posting your DIY swing posts in another venue or maybe leaving them open for public viewing. I know a lot of people who have benefitted from them.

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  15. I have been following you for a while and I am sorry to read this, but I understand your reasons.
    Me and my husband have adopted a little girl from Burkina Faso, without DS, though, but I have learned a lot from reading your blog and I admire the work you do with your girls. Best of luck to you and your family and Thank You! Tine in Denmark, Europe

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  16. I have been following you for a while and I am sorry to read this, but I understand your reasons.
    Me and my husband have adopted a little girl from Burkina Faso, without DS though, but I have learned a lot from reading your blog and I admire the work you do with your girls. Best of luck to your and your family and Thank You. Tine from Denmark, Europe

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  17. So sad to read this but totally understand:) You have been so lovely to share your family, your adoptions and your life. I wish you and your family a lifetime of health, happiness and love.

    A very big fan.................................Susan Karalias from Boston

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  18. So sad! But I'm so thankful that you shared as much as you did. I started following this blog in high school. When I finally meet my son or daughter one day, they will be adopted and have special needs. I may never have found this path if it weren't for you and your beautiful family. I'll never forget the day I saw that Zoya had been moved to the "my family found me" section and the happiness and hope that I felt for her that day.

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  19. I commented when you first posted this, Sarah but not sure it went through! Anyway, I wanted to say (at risk of repeating myself lol) that I am sooo sad to see you "go"-although I completely understand that life gets busy! THANK YOU for sharing your lives with us, your readers and especially those precious girls of yours! They will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart (as will you and Shawn!) and I know I will think of them from time to time and wonder how they are doing, how big they've gotten etc. I wish you all the very best and if you guys take the girls trick or treating I hope they have a wonderful time! Hugs and prayers, Lori in Maine

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  20. I will miss your blog posts and the photos of your girls dearly. I've been following you since just before your adoption of beautiful Mila.

    Wishing you all the best with your beautiful girls. Maria (Sydney, Aust) xxxx

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  21. I will miss reading about the growth of your wonderful children. I was born and grew up in Ukraine and know much about living conditions of children in orphanages there. That is why it was such a joy to see your precious girls blossoming in your family. I am so happy they are safe now and are being loved. I wish you all the best.

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  22. So sad to see you go, but I understand. Life is crazy for my husband and I with one child with disabilities and one "typical" child; I can't imagine how much more you have to cram into your days. Take care and hope to see you here again one day! Thanks for sharing how far these little sweethearts have come. Hugs to you!

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  23. I understand but will sure miss reading and watching your girls grow. I have followed your blog since you started it. If you have a facebook page, would you please friend me? Denise Holland Poarch.

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