As I said in our last post, we've moved on to a new blog for the new chapter in our lives. I am striving to be transparent, uplifting, and humble in this public space. Feel free to follow along.
http://brad4d.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Red Thread /Family Pictures
"There is an Ancient Chinese Proverb that says, "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break."
We want to give a big thank you to Lindsey Hawk http://www.lindseyhawkdesigns.com/ for taking the time to capture our new family. If you are an adoptive family and are interested in some updated photos, consider Red Thread Sessions. What a blessing it was to have our newest member a part of all our family photos at no cost to us. It was a very special gift from Lindsey that we are so grateful for. And really, Vilija is so cute, who wouldn't want to photograph her!
Beautiful, with 3 distinct personalities. I love them so much!
This one is my Favorite
Two Girls to be girly with, something I never imagined.
Handsome Boys
Playing Peek A Boo or "Coo-Coo" in Lithuania
Oh my heart! This handsome little man!
Starting Kindergarten this year
Will always be my princess, Pink, girly, and sparkly through and through.
She will be in First Grade next year!
This Mama is a bit in shock.
Beautiful...just Beautiful
Why would you not want to spend every day with this?
A glimmer of ornery?
Sisters and they both love it.
This my friends is Tricia's TRUE personality
Yes Brayden, I am afraid the boys are out numbered now.....you look concerned.
LOVE this Man sooooo much!
And I love journeying this crazy/lovely life with Him
Heart Full
This is Redemption.
God sets the lonely in Families
Ready for more?
And just in case you were Worried that we were too picture perfect.....This is the REAL us.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Almost 3 Months Home
Our new family, Easter Sunday |
Our Firecracker |
I think she is a little proud of herself |
Sporting her new pink Glasses |
Hi Fiving Granddad at her first Easter. Every time they visit thesetwo play immediately for a good half hour. |
Swinging with Grandma and Granddad the first time they met. |
Tricia has really exploded with reading this year, and can't get enough of it. We are so proud, and love seeing her use her new skill to read to her sister. |
Brayden telling her about our last vacation to Maine |
as born and what that meant for Tricia, and worked hard to amp up the love for him and spend more time with him. It didn't take long for our Brayden to reappear with a special protectiveness for his new sister and a big desire to be a big boy. He helps more at home. He took off his training wheels on his bike and refused to relent until he had mastered it. Maturity suits him quite well :-), and I love it. After I am done crying that my baby is growing up.
Daddy's beard was a stumbling block for bonding with Dale at first. Now she loves when he comes home from work and enjoys his "chipmunk kissies" |
Whew! A lot has changed since the two of us decided to make our lives one in 2005. |
Thank you for sharing in our journey. Thank you for making it to the end of this incredibly long post. Thank you for playing a part in Vilija's redemption and the act of love, which is never a mistake. I am trying to decide what to do with this blog. I may make a new one for family updates. I may use this to advocate for more Orphans, or for Dale's exciting to new adventure of cycling to fund raise for more precious kids with Down Syndrome like Vilija. Check out RODS Racing for more information about that! Either way I'll let you know for those that want to keep up with our family!
Sporting their new gear to support RODS Racing |
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
Vilija Renae Bradford
With word from Court this afternoon, we would like to introduce you to our daughter and the newest member of the Bradford Family.
Here is a little excerpt from my Journal:
"After all this I asked how she came to choose Vilija's name (the social services worker who handled her case when she was born). Upon hearing the translation her face lit up with the most beautiful smile. This I learned, was why she came to court. She has a method I learned when registering orphan children to use a calendar that shows a tradition from pagan times. Instead of celebrating birthdays back then, Lithuanians would celebrate name days. There were several names attached to August 5th but Vilija (pronounced Vi-leah) stood out that day. With a bleak future ......"Vilija" was special. Vilija is a derivitive of the word "Vilte" which means hope. She prayed that this child would have hope someday. A hopeful future. So when she came to court that day it was to see this hope finally coming true. Hope had come in the form of a family and she just had to see it. She told this story to the judge. I almost wept right there. Goosebumps.....Her name is literally HOPE (Vilija) REBORN (Renae)"
Jesus really is the most beautiful redeemer isn't he? and he makes the best stories out of tragedies. We are humbled and elated to be privileged to be a small piece in his glorious plans.
Vilija Renae Bradford
Here is a little excerpt from my Journal:
"After all this I asked how she came to choose Vilija's name (the social services worker who handled her case when she was born). Upon hearing the translation her face lit up with the most beautiful smile. This I learned, was why she came to court. She has a method I learned when registering orphan children to use a calendar that shows a tradition from pagan times. Instead of celebrating birthdays back then, Lithuanians would celebrate name days. There were several names attached to August 5th but Vilija (pronounced Vi-leah) stood out that day. With a bleak future ......"Vilija" was special. Vilija is a derivitive of the word "Vilte" which means hope. She prayed that this child would have hope someday. A hopeful future. So when she came to court that day it was to see this hope finally coming true. Hope had come in the form of a family and she just had to see it. She told this story to the judge. I almost wept right there. Goosebumps.....Her name is literally HOPE (Vilija) REBORN (Renae)"
Jesus really is the most beautiful redeemer isn't he? and he makes the best stories out of tragedies. We are humbled and elated to be privileged to be a small piece in his glorious plans.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Counting Down The Days
Nearly one year ago we made a committment to adopt our precious daugther. We will be bringing her home at the 1 year mark. What an incredible journey!
We arepatiently impatiently counting down the days until we can go and get her. The kids made a wonderful snowflake/valentine chain to count down each day. Man does it seem too long, but I know that time will fly! Though all the snow cancellations arent helping make our days go any faster......sewing monsters, cutting snowflakes, and lots of reading are cutting it for now. From what I hear....she is really ready to start her new life! We are coming honey......running as fast as we can!
We are
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