Our Final Day in Bulgaria

When I mentioned earlier that Selah liked to be out and seemed to have a spirit of adventure with no looking back, today once again proved my theory correct! We spent the day downtown walking throughout the historical and government area of Sofia. She loved walking and walking and then walking some more! We were able to see all the major churches and historical sites once again. When Bryan and I did that in one day back in September we never dreamed we would be able to conquer it again with Selah in tow! She way more than tolerates it, though, she absolutely loves being on the go! Our biggest complication is having a newly potty trained little girl who thinks it is so much fun to visit ALL the potties in town!

Actually, our most stressful times are in the apartment. I don't know why, but in there she gets very upset and filled with anxiety. I'm not sure what the correlation is...maybe just the close quarters or that we have minimal stuff here to occupy her. The apartment is a 2-bedroom, though, so it is definitely not overly small. I hope with a routine and more toys to play with at home, she will do better in the home.

I feel like we have had some major breakthroughs with Selah today. Even though it started as a miraculous bedtime, she ended up having another night with very little quality sleep. But, despite that fact, she started the day with a smile on her face. She has started singing with me again which has been so fun! We have a book with the song "BINGO" written into story format and she has the song down perfectly! Well....melodically anyway! The words and letters aren't anything that sounds even remotely similar (except for the "OOOOOOOOO"- yes..she really holds it that long!), but she sure has the melody down and sounds great! We also did some dancing today to a little Ricky Martin on VH1," Living la Vida Loca"! She loved it! I thought for sure Daddy would bust out the "Daddy Dance"...that will be a funny day! It is quite the move.... ;-)

I love this picture because I can see pure joy on the face of sweet girl. It is my favorite from the whole trip!!!! 

Our flight leaves at 6:00 am and one of the ladies from VESTA will be picking us up at 3:30...ugh. But, it gets us into Phoenix at 6:00 pm so that should help the transition. It won't be too late and will give Selah some time after we get home to explore her new home and brother a little before crashing. I am praying for a safe and smooth flight with no delays and for our girl to sleep a little bit, at least, and not have delirious tantrums throughout the flight.

Ciao for now! Next stop, home!

P.S. Debby, I know you are leaving the states tomorrow and we will pass each other in the sky somewhere! Best wishes and many blessings on your visit! I am praying for you all!

 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91: 11-12 

Blessings and smiles,

A New Day

Today was a beautiful day in Bulgaria! The sun was shining and it must have been in the upper 60’s! We were finally able to head to the park and explore! It was such a blessing! Selah enjoyed herself so much and we so enjoyed being a family together. We talked of Landon often and missed having him with us to make our family complete. Zach kept talking about how much Landon would like the park and then spent about 15 minutes on Skype telling him all about it!


The park was gorgeous! Right now the trees are just beginning to bud and the flower gardens are being planted! I can only imagine how green and lush the area will be in only a few more weeks! Those of you traveling over the next few months will be in for such a treat! There were several paths and playgrounds throughout and even two outdoor “fitness stations”! The exercise equipment was really high-tech and in great condition and people of all ages were using them! Very impressive!

We also had our Embassy Interview today which was quite quick and easy. Everyone was very friendly and they just asked us a couple of questions. I was really happy to be able to locate the man that went to speak to our judge on our behalf. Without his efforts, who knows how much longer it would have taken to bring Selah home! They brought him out to meet us so that we could personally thank him and let him meet Selah.

Selah had a very good day today. When she woke up in the morning, she really seemed to pull away from me a lot. After a couple of hours, though, she warmed up again and became her usual loving and giggly little self! She brought us big smiles and really had a wonderful time playing with Zachary and Daddy at the park! I played some, as well, but I tend to be the memory keeper (aka photography and videographer!). It was really sweet to see her play so well with Zach. He again was the most awesome big brother ever. There are so many things that happen where he would NEVER cut his brother some slack over the issue, but for Selah there is an endless amount of that slack!! He even let her take his cherished “Lamby” to bed tonight! Lamby is Zach’s stuffed cuddly that he has had for years and it goes EVERYWHERE he goes. He has never slept without it and tonight he didn’t even flinch when he let her walk away with it to bed! That is love!

Speaking of bed…thank you for the prayers! We witnessed a miracle tonight! Selah cried her way to the bed tonight when we said it was bedtime and I thought for sure it would be another night like the others. But, I was sooooooo wrong and am sooooooo happy to admit it!!! She calmed down with Daddy reading a book and then our sweet girl went to sleep in about 15 minutes! Other nights we have tried both of us together with her then taking turns, but tonight we started with Daddy and my turn never came up! She hugged Lamby close and rocked herself with Bryan’s arms around her until she fell asleep. Huge praises to Jesus! She is still rocking and that may take a while to completely eradicate, but there were very few tears, she let her daddy hold her while she rocked, and it only took 15 minutes! We are so thankful!

Tomorrow is our last day in Sofia and then we have an early flight out on Saturday! We hope to spend some time downtown walking around for a while. Selah really loves the outdoors and exploring, so I think it will be a good day! We will hopefully get to bed early tomorrow night so that we won’t be more exhausted than necessary for the trip back! At 6:11 pm on Saturday we will land in Phoenix! We are so excited to go home! Hopefully I will get to post yet again tomorrow, but I just may be too swamped with packing and getting to bed early!

Thank you again for all the love and prayers!

Blessings and smiles,

A Whirlwind of Emotions....

Wow! Another day has passed. But, tonight I actually have some energy after getting Selah to sleep to sit down at my computer and post!

Where do I start? I could ramble on forever about all the events and emotions over the last couple of days, but I honestly cannot figure out how to get it all down on "paper". There are the many many moments of laughter and giggles and cuddles that are so fun! For example, our sweet little gal who has never witnessed anything of the fashion world and never been exposed to what is "girly", has a PASSION for shoes, hair bows, clothing, sparkly jewelry, and clothing! Poor Bry, he is doomed! She spent the morning digging through her suitcase trying on each outfit, changing her shoes over and over and over, and oooing and awing over her pretty necklace, bracelet, and socks Grandma made! Then, since it was cold and rainy today, we went to the mall, where she was drawn to all the shoes, jewelry, and purses! I laughed so hard! Daddy already had to spend some money on a couple of things she just "had" to have!

She thinks her suitcase is fabulous! After pure exhaustion from trying everything on, she plops herself in it to take a break!

Zach has been so incredible. He loves his little sister so much and has unbelieveable patience and understanding. He is wise beyond his years in so many ways.

Outfit #5 complete with a sassy pose!

Then there is the fact that she fits in perfectly with our family in that she loves to be on the go! She gets stir crazy in the apartment just like we do! She keeps bringing me her coat and asking to "go". It is almost as if she is telling us that she has spent way too many days looking at the same walls and it is time to see the world! I just love that spirit!

That spirit has been shining brightly in more ways than one! It shines very brightly in the fact that she had approximately 36 hours of a "honeymoon" period! After that, she decided all was fair game! One small example is when she went over to the stove and turned it on. I told her "no touch, hot" (in Bulgarian, thanks Maire, for the phrases cd ;-) ) and about five minutes later she did it again! I again took her hand away and said "no touch, hot".  About an hour later, she was standing next to Bryan and she ran quickly to the stove, turned it on, took a quick look at him, and then darted away and did her little rocking thing to comfort herself. So, she was testing us but at the same time worried about her misbehavior. Little stinker...but after we held her, looked into her eyes and told her the same thing again but with a little bit more emphasis, she didn't try it again. In so many ways she seems so little and as if she is not processing everything, but then when she does something like that I can tell she is processing A LOT and really testing to see how big our love is. I pray she will soon realize our love is waaaaaay BIG and we're never leaving....ever!

On the other hand, there are times that are absolutely tough. The nights are beyond what I could fathom. The fear and the heartache that come in her sobs leave me feeling so inept and so helpless. I just keep speaking the name of Jesus over her. I claim His promises for her life....I claim Him as her Peace, her Comfort, her Healer. I sing quietly in her ear. I hold on and hug her even when she pushes me away. I have realized why the director mentioned that the nights are not good. I fear what her nights have been like for so long. I fear the ache she has so deep in her soul, but I know that fear is not the answer. Like Bryan told me tonight, the past is the past and all we have is today and tomorrow and the next day. God will make a way...God will heal her broken places and open her heart wide to be filled with His love and our love. I cannot forget that...not even for a moment.

Thank you all so much for all of your prayers. Your love and prayers can truly be felt and I know that God is hearing them! Please don't stop them from comin' though! Please pray for all the open spaces of loneliness and insecurity to be replaced with a confident sense of belonging and a knowledge that she is a child created by a God Who only creates that which is beautiful and wonderful....and that she has been chosen long before the stars were ever even placed in the sky. Pray that whatever has hurt her soul during her life, be long forgotten because none of her past defines who she is today and in the future. Please pray that all of that hurt be replaced with joy...immeasurable joy!

Love to you all!

Blessings and smiles,

Immeasureable Joy!

First of all, I am so sorry I didn't get any posting done last night! The good news is that one little princess wasn't letting go of me nor had she any plans of sitting still until I got her to sleep...and that required me laying with her which is not good on as little sleep as I have had!

Selah Day- April 4th, 2011 - a day of experiencing the goodness of God in amazing magnitude! We started the morning with a 7:30 pick-up by Petko and then stopped a couple of times for another parent and translator. We made a stop in Plovdiv to drop off the other parent and then headed to Narechenski Bani! I was so nervous the last few miles....I had butterflies in my stomach! Zachary was so cute. He was really nervous, too! As we winded through the mountains, we came around that last curve and there was the little village! And then...there was her orphanage!

We walked in and went to the director's office where we talked for a few minutes. Within ten minutes, Selah comes around the corner in the arms of one of the caregivers! I don't know if they handed her to me, or if she reached out to me, or if I just grabbed her out of their arms!!! All I know is that she was in my arms and I just couldn't hold her tighter. (and yes, of course, mush that I am, the tears were flowing) God confirmed in that moment, though, that He had prepared her heart and that she had never forgotten. Our prayers had been answered.

We were there for another 45 minutes or so asking questions and signing some paperwork. At first the assisstant director whom we had gotten to know on the last visit and loved so much, was not there. I was sad because we had hoped to see her and then at the very last minute she arrived! Someone had called her and told her we were there! She came in just to say "good-bye" to Selah and greet us. She is such a treasure and I know she was loving Selah well for us while we were gone.

Finally, it was time to leave! Yippee!! Again, God was so good. She didn't cry or even look back. She jumped in that car with us and was just as happy as could be! We drove for quite a while and then stopped for a late lunch. We were all starved by then, especially Selah! She was getting upset because of being tired and hungry and started wanting to comfort herself with the rocking. I know that it is the reality for orphans, but it still aches when I see it. I know that in time, though, we will be able to be her comfort.

Lunch was fantastic the child seriously ate more than Bryan! For anyone that knows Bryan, that is quite an accomplishment!!! She ate everything on her plate and a lot from everyone else's plate as well! She is not afraid to try new foods...for sure!

We arrived back in Sofia and went to the police station to apply for her passport. It was a smooth process and soon we were back at the apartment. By this time, though, it was around 5:00 pm. First thing on the agenda was a bath for sweet Selah. In her true spirit of adventure, she jumped right in and LOVED it!  I brought baby lotion along and gave her a nice massage after which she loved, too! Then we dressed her in one of her special outfits and I had my first adventure with girl's hair! It was so fun because she sooooooo enjoyed it! She loves pretty things! 
                    

Next we Skyped with little L at home because he was heading to school shortly and we were so happy to see that he and Grandma and Grandpa were doing great! Our friends had stopped over the night before to fix the volume on the webcam for us! Our first night we hadn't been able to hear them, so our savy tech friends rescued us! Thanks, Kar and Isaac!

We then headed to the park and dinner and by the time we got home, Selah and the rest of the Schumakers were exhausted. The director had told me that Selah never lays down to sleep unless someone sits by her. If you leave her, she sits up and lays her body on her lap and rocks herself to sleep that way. They said she often sleeps sitting up.... So, pj time, kisses, prayers and snuggles went well, but sleeping did not. There were moments where Selah cried and my mommy heart wanted to make it all better, but all I could do was hold her and love her. I wish I knew exactly what the tears were about...just the difference of where she was? A grief over leaving everything she ever knew? Or was there even more? I may never know, but I do know that God met us there and as I whispered the name of Jesus over her again and again throughout the night, she finally calmed. She woke me up at 6:30 am with her hands on my cheeks, holding my face, looking into my eyes like just like my boys have since they were babies,  and giving me the most precious kisses ever.

Now? We are all still in pj's trying to entertain our little busybody! She wants to check out EVEYTHING! There is nothing left unturned! She is so excited about life....and I am so thankful God has filled her heart with such resiliency and such unstoppable JOY!

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;let them sing joyful praises forever.Spread your protection over them,that all who love your name may be filled with joy. Psalm 5:11

We've Made It!

We arrived safe and sound today without any delays! Our flights were smooth and connections all on time! Little Zach seemed to do fantastically and told us a number of times that it really wasn't that long at all! He doesn't like to sleep very much and usually doesn't unless forced to, or is in the quietness of his own room. Therefore, out of a total of 24 hours, our super energizer bunny slept zero minutes on the first stretch, 45 minutes across the ocean, and another 45 minutes from Munich to Sofia! He insisted he wasn't tired, but when we forced him to lay down, he zonked out and I don't know if he will make our Skype call with Landon and Grandma and Grandpa at home!!!!

Tomorrow morning VESTA is picking us up at 7:30 am to drive us to Selah's orphanage. By 10:30 our time (12:30am AZ time), she will be in our arms forever! Can it really be true? Pinch me if I'm dreaming!

Please pray with us that sweet Selah's heart will be prepared to know us and love us...that her fears will be quieted and that she will simply know that she is loved, cherished, and chosen by not only us, but by the God of the universe Who so perfectly created her with an amazing plan for her life.

"I will not leave you as orphans...." John 14:18

Now? We get to call home and Skype with little L and then I am showering and going to bed! Tomorrow is a big day :-)

Blessings and smiles,

Our Dreams are Coming True...Tomorrow we Travel!

It's here! It's here! It's here!!! We are leaving TOMORROW to go get our baby girl and bring her HOME!!!

We are so incredibly excited and thankful that this day has come at last! There have been days when the mountains seemed so big and I grappled with how big our God is....but through it all, He has shown me time and time again that He WILL and DOES move every mountain that rises before us! WHICH reminds me of a great song :-)

Our very good friends came up with a song for each of their girls when they were born and so, of course, they found the perfect one for their daughter whom they adopted from China. I've loved it and think of it so often, but truly did NOT want to be a copycat! But, last week, on American Idol, the group performed "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and when I heard it, I couldn't even sit still...I thought I would burst! After all we have gone through to bring our Selah home, I want her to know that there just "ain't no mountain high enough, to keep us away from you, girl"!

Of course, I have to give you the lyrics, and you CAN'T just read them...promise me you will be singing! ;-) I KNOW you all know this song!!! Get out that hairbrush, or pencil, or whatever works as a microphone and sing it out just like you did when you were a kid! How can you not?

Listen, baby
Ain't no mountain high
Ain't no valley low
Ain't no river wide enough, baby

If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call my name
I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry

'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you

Remember the day
I set you free
I told you
You could always count on me
From that day on I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way,some how

'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you

No wind, no rain

My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart
If you ever need a helping hand
I'll be there on the double
As fast as I can

Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you

Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough



 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,before the Lord of all the earth. Psalm 97:5

BTW- I will be posting as often as possible from Bulgaria...depending on how much Miss Selah lets me :-)

Twelve More Days!.

It is actually only ten more days until we travel, but "Gotcha' Day" is twelve more. So, ten days to get as much nesting accomplished as possible! I've been keeping very busy with checking off my "to-dos" on my looooooong list. It has been a bit tough, though, because we have a year-round school schedule so my boys are on their second week of spring break. They go back to school next Tuesday. I've been trying my best to simply enjoy them because I know that life will be very different in just a couple of weeks!

Tonight I called Selah. If I call at midnight, it is 10:00 am there. It is one of the timeframes that works well for the director and caretakers. Usually we call in the mornings, but my husband couldn't make the call with me in the morning, so I called on my own tonight while he was sleeping.

At first the call went very well. Selah was so happy and so full of giggles and "Mommy mommy, mommy"! I've learned enough Bulgaria to understand that she was now potty trained...YES!!! Happy Dance for that one!! She also seemed to understand that I was coming on an airplane, too, so I feel that they are really trying to help her be prepared for our arrival and all that will follow.  I was smiling big and feeling great that it was such a good conversation, but then, all of a sudden, my sweet little girl started crying hysterically...truly hyserically.  I kept saying anything I could think of like... "it's okay" and "don't cry" and "are you okay?' ...the only things I could spit out in Bulgarian.It went on for what seemed like an eternity while her caretaker kept repeating "don't cry" and "be quiet"....then they hung up. Ugh. My heart broke and my stomach was immediately tied in knots. Now what?

But here is the amazing thing. Just prior to my call, I was reading one of my daily devotions I get in my inbox. This one was from Proverbs 31 Ministries and was called "When I'm Not There, God Is". It is a discussion of the struggles we have as moms with worrying about our children when they are not in our care. The scripture that went with it was

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

Psalm 91:11 (NIV)

As I read the devotion, I had immediately connected it to all my children and especially to Selah. I thought "Thank You, God, for that reassurance" and went to make the telephone call. Can you believe how good He was to me? That was the exact word I needed to not become an emotional wreck once again after that phone call!

My very close friend used to have great fun teasing me by claiming that God was always so gentle with me! Not long ago, though, she admitted He hadn't been quite as gentle over the last couple of years. But, just over the last couple of weeks, I have once again begun to feel His gentleness surrounding me. It has been as if He knew I needed a little something extra to remind me of His promises and to hold on to His Word...His truth. Tonight, it felt as though it were Him telling me that it is going to be okay. I may not be with Selah yet, but even in the midst of her tears and in the moments when I ache to wipe her tears away and hug her until she smiles once again....He is with her and He will protect her and care for her. Just as His Word says, He is commanding His angels to guard my sweet Selah in all her ways!

I will close with the prayer written at the end of the devotion (written by Glynnis Whitwer):

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for caring for my children even more than I do. Thank You for hearing my prayers, and for protecting my children. Help me to learn to trust You more, and to pray more about even the smallest details of their lives. I want to be a woman and mom who trusts You, the true source of all help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.