Mirror, mirror

It’s always nice to have updates from Lutaaya’s former home in Uganda.  Since adopting her we’ve stayed in touch with the country director and also friends who visit regularly from the UK.  Lutaaya loves hearing how her friends are doing.  To live with children for 7 years, you must feel like they are brothers and sisters.  I have to remember that in the great picture of things, Lutaaya’s adoption is the best possible outcome for her, but she has also suffered many great losses, losing the friendships she once had, the routine she knew and also losing the younger children who she so desperately adored, protected and cared for. 

When we heard that our dear friends, who loved Lutaaya so much during their visits (and still do), Nancy and Sara, were heading back to Uganda, we used it as an opportunity to get a gift delivered to the children.  My Mum went and bought a set of wall mirrors for the home.  Knowing that it was one thing Lutaaya had missed out on.  I mean, imagine not seeing yourself for the first 9 years of your life so much that when people give you a photograph, you don’t actually know 100% that it is indeed you!!!  This is still the case for so many children in orphanages.  They don’t know who they are!  How can they create an individual identity when they don’t even have the first step of self-recognition?

So Jjajja to the rescue and mirrors were sent to Uganda packed up and on their way with Nancy and Sara.  A few weeks ago we received an email from the country director showing us that the mirrors have made it up on the walls.  I thought you’d like to share in the joy we had in seeing the photos too.

It’s also heartbreaking to know that each time we hear from Uganda there have been new additions to the home.  So sad to think that even with all the help going into Uganda, the country is still no further forward in preventing baby/child abandonment and it’s still happening today.  This little cutie is a recent new addition. 

She’s also in the mirror picture above.  Aged at only 18 months old, she was left to fend for herself, through no fault of her own.  All this precious little girl needs is a mother’s love but yet she wakes up each morning in an orphanage.  Please keep her and all the other children at Lutaaya’s former home in your prayers.  Please pray that families can be traced and positive resettlements will happen.  Failing that, pray that these children, like Lutaaya, will find their forever families and forever homes, so they get the Mummy cuddles they need and deserve.

Is the end in sight????

On Friday 3rd June 2011, my sweet girl had been in the UK for six months.  This means that we can now apply to the court for a UK adoption order.  It's been a week and we haven't heard anything.  Please keep in your prayers that we get a date soon.  It really is the light at the end of a long tunnel.  I know she's mine, but this OFFICIALLY makes her mine and I can't wait for that piece of paper!  So please pray - court date soon!

Gardening with Grampa

Lutaaya thrives on being creative.  She loves hands on learning!  What better way for her to learn than have advice from the expert, in creating new beauty in this wonderful world.  It was time for her to explore the garden and the joy of creation.

So down to 'Grampa's greenhouse' she goes.  Grampa being the gardening expert.  And oh how much fun they had.  There is a huge amount of respect between these two special people.  Lutaaya seems to know that Grampa has a wise head.  He is a perfect role model for my sweet girl.

Not too keen on the smell of the fresh compost!

Doing such a good job

The busy life of being 'Mum'

Lots of people have commented on how slow the blog updates have been lately.  I can only apologise and as you'll see, the updates have been 'updated'.  You can have a catch up of what we've been up to over the Spring season by scrolling down.

It's true to say that becoming Mum overnight to a 9/10 year old, we certainly hit the road running.  I also can't deny that I love it!  I love the organised chaos.  I love the every day moments.  I love the realisation of day to day moments that can be recognised as 'firsts for Lutaaya.'  I love being Mum.

So the reason for the lack of regular blogs, has simply been down to being so busy.

The reality of now being a full time worker as well as a single Mum is in full swing.  It's manageable.  Just.  With huge thanks to my friends and family.  We have many 'angels' in our daily lives who dip in and out to steer us along and give us that helping hand we need.  I am grateful for that.   

We took full advantage of the Easter school holidays and had an action packed itinerary.  So here goes, here's the lowdown on our Spring holidays!

First stop - the zoo!  Being an adoptive Mum, I need to try and enable Lutaaya to experience the things most children experience in their earlier years if they were born in the UK.  It's a tricky balancing act, as I don't want to 'simple' her by doing 'baby' activities, I want her to understand what other children have experienced so that she too has memories of these events.  She needs experiences she's missed out on as well as experiences appropriate for her age now.

But I think we all enjoy a trip to the zoo no matter how big or small we are!

There certainly seemed to be an animal theme going on this Easter, as you'll realise!  Next stop - the community farm.

We loved this little farm as it offers great hands on learning for children young and old.  It has a real family feel about it, and offers an intimate atmosphere.  Great for a little girl to explore!  I think this will be one of many visits.

Then came a Royal Wedding!  Lutaaya loved watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate on TV!  It just so happened that it was one of her Godfather's birthdays too!  So we were invited to his birthday/street party.  And look who turned up!

There is a Lutaaya hiding under there!

Uncle Cameron returned home from France, so he wanted to give Lutaaya an Easter treat.  Farm number 2 coming up!  A day out, as an Easter gift off Uncle Cameron.  Not so many 'animal' photos included in this one!  Just one little girl and one BIG kid, having lots of fun!

This is in the BIG Ferris Wheel!  Not quite sure what she expected but it was the one thing she wanted to do all day!

So there you have it!  The reasons why we were so busy, I never managed a blog update! 

Our journey continues, so I will try my best to keep the blogs coming! We should have a court date soon for an adoption order in the UK!  I'll keep you all posted.  I can apply on 3rd June so please pray that the date will come soon.  We can finally put the legal journey to rest then and know that we truly are a 'forever family'.

Easter Eggstravaganza

Doesn't this photo sum up Easter more than any words could?  Lutaaya knows that the words are true!  I hope you manage to 'smile' too, as the words are true for you too!

We didn't lose sight of the real meaning for Easter but we also wanted to add some fun.  So Easter morning, we woke up early and announced the arrival of the Easter Egg hunt.

The basket was empty when Lutaaya started and clues were scattered around the house, leading her to the next egg.  Oh my!  How she got involved quickly!

Initially Lutaaya didn't understand the egg hunt?!?  She would have preferred to have stayed in bed all day I'm sure!  But soon she realised how much fun this game could be!

Lutaaya managed to work out every clue!  All around the house, in the smallest of hiding places, she went on her hunt to find the eggs.

Its amazing where you find eggs on Easter morning!

Ta da!  Look what was at the end of the Easter egg hunt!

Lutaaya loves her scooter!  Its a lot easier than her bike, to learn to ride and she loves the freedom it gives her.  At every opportunity she scoots rather than walks. 
You may have noticed that there isn't any chocolate mentioned here!  Reason being: my little girl isn't too keen on it!  So better her have something she can stay active with, than get her something she doesn't really like! 

Loving Water! Loving Life!

Lutaaya simply LOVES water.  She loves the fact that it's in the tap whenever she needs it.  It's obviously something she is NOT used too.  After all, she spent the first 9 years of her life in Uganda, where running water is a luxury rather than a necessity.  Taps are a rare sight, and to get hot water, would need a lot of hard work, rather than simply turning the tap on!

So having some fine, sunny weather, gave Lutaaya and Granddad some fund times.  I think the photos speak for themselves and REALLY shows to what extent Lutaaya LOVES water!!!

Some quieter time trying to get her helicopter to work

From Tusker to X Factor

During our stay in Uganda, Lutaaya became obsessed with watching a Ugandan talent/singing TV programme called Tusker.  (When the electricity allowed).  Unbelievably, after our long stay in Uganda, we had to leave before the final.  So if anyone can enlighten us who won Tusker 2010, we'd love to know. 

On arriving in the UK, unbelievably, X Factor was still on TV.  There were about 4 weeks left of it.  Instantly Lutaaya saw the similarities between Tusker and X Factor, and I guess to a certain degree, it gave her a little of 'home' through a very random way.

Lutaaya placed all hopes in a black lady, Rebecca, winning.  She ended up taking second place.  Lutaaya loved the excitement and hype of the show.  So when we had the opportunity to go and see the live tour, we jumped at the chance.

What a night!  Lutaaya ended up covered in ticker tape and loved every moment.  She certainly loves her music.  Seeing her singing idol in real life, was a little overwhelming and she struggled with her emotions at one point, but we quickly talked about it and she enjoyed the rest of the show.

Ffion and Lutaaya doing the X Factor sign!

Loving being in front of the stage!