I'm writing today with such a full heart. Let me start by telling you a little about Mila. Mila was born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. She was born to a mother, a Senior Professor with a PhD in Science/Chemistry  and a Father who is a Senior Professor, both at a major University in Siberia. They are established and have been married for many years. Mila was born 4 years ago today, November 27th 2009 and was abandoned 2 days later, because she has Down syndrome.
I do not hold any ill feelings against her birth parents. They didn't know. They were more than likely told that this would be best for them and the baby. They do not have the same awareness that we have here in America. I often look at Mila's beauty and wonder what her parents and sister look like today.
I often joke about Heavenly Father sending her down across the world so I could "play" Where's Waldo with my kids. Well, it took me 1.5 years to find her, but I found her! He hid her GOOD :)
I was sent an updated picture of her, when we were "on the fence" about a few little girls. When I opened up the attachment with her picture in it, I KNEW. I knew 100 % she was MINE. I showed the picture to my husband and he said "that's the one."

Mila officially became ours on February 22nd 2012. An Orphan NO MORE. Just a few months shy of the Russian government banning all US adoptions of Russian children. We could have lost her had it been just a couple more months. If we had not had the selfless donors that we had and one AMAZING substantially large donation from an amazing family, we might have missed out on the blessing of Mila. I can honestly say, there is not one single day that goes by..not one...that I do not think of these people. This particular large donor told me that he felt strongly that I needed to get her home sooner than later...wow. Thank goodness for promptings, AND people that listen to them.

So, a little about Mila. She is happy, and loves her family. This little girl loves her Momma more than any child I've ever seen. She trust her mom and dad. She trusts and loves her brother and sisters, though that took a little longer. She has a "favorite" sibling that she adores. She can't sit still for too long. She loves food...ALL food. She appreciates things immensely. She is a quick learner and loves books. She loves Micky Mouse, Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins and Peppa Pig. She often has a small paint brush/makeup brush or a toothbrush in her hand, rubbing it on her lips or sucking on it. She loves water..everything about it, drinking it, playing in it, pouring, bathing in it..everything and anything you can do with it.

Mila loves to dance. She is really good at it, like REALLY good. She loves music. She is very observant and imitates things she sees. She uses sign language very well. She is deathly afraid of loud noises. She is scared to death of the 4th of July, sirens, and car washes. It is like she has had a scary experience with something loud. It is a TRUE fear.

Mila will wave at someone if she sees that I know them, but will NOT let anyone pick her up. She is extremely cautious of people. She does not trust anyone outside of her immediate family to hold her or get too close to her. She will let my sister Kelly, whom we see often, pick her up for a second, but that is long enough. She loves deeper than anyone I've ever known. She looks into my eyes while I hold her with such pure love. It takes a lot of time for her to open up to anyone, but once she does...it's forever, and completely unconditional. She has always come to my dad, she has never been afraid or leery of him. He has held her for a few seconds before at our house, but she always gets right down. Recently we had family pictures. Mila of course runs to me or yells "no" if anyone gets too close talking to her. THEN...out of nowhere...it happened!!!

She went to my dad, and he held her for a looong time. My Heart. I cannot explain in words what this did to my heart. I love them both. 

Giving birth to Hope, my biological daughter with Ds, changed my life. Adopting Mila changed the way I view life.