Pink Slips!

It was one year ago today that all the hurdles were cleared and after 40 days in Ukraine, we became the legal parents of Kayleigh and Michael!  Needless to say we were really, really happy to reach that point in the adoption process, to be done with all the paperwork, waiting, visas, waiting, passports, waiting, home studies, waiting, fundraising, waiting, flying, waiting, translating, waiting, immigration....  you get the idea!

We so very much wanted to get past all the "temporary" pieces of the adoption process and arrive at that point where there was one simple fact: that they were our family and we were theirs!  God really moved in the whole thing from the beginning and to this day, and they have always been a natural fit for us and us for them.  You would never guess they've been with us a year and not their whole lives.  It has been nothing short of a miraculous year as they jumped right into our family life, have been truly wonderful kids, and truly a blessing to get to have and to love.

Both kids have blossomed and grown so much in the past year.  Kayleigh is a beautiful 16 year old girl now who is awesome, super smart, and has the Tansey sense of humor.  She excels in her schoolwork, makes friends easily, is fantastic with little kids.  I love the time we spend together driving home from dance class, hanging out and McDonalds getting ice cream and fries, and our endless games of tag in the car!

Michael is so different than when we met him.  He has gone from a quiet and pretty shy boy to a wonderfully confident teenager.  He's not quite the student Kayleigh is (then, what teen boy is.....) but we can tell he is very smart, and very athletic!  He is a very warm and happy person and a true joy to spend time with.  He's jumped into martial arts with Dylan and I and has excelled, and us three men have a great time together.

Thanks to all of you who have been on the journey with us since its inception and have stayed along as we continue the ride.  It has been truly gratifying to know that God has found a place in the world for them where they may have every opportunity to have a great life.  We are glad we get to be a part of it.