Every child is a story waiting to be told

and these two are writing their stories side by side now.

For 4 years Mia's story has been written for her. A story that told her that she was not worth the love of a family, that she was not capable of learning, or attending any type of school, especially not a school where she would be side by side "typical" children.

But Mia now knows there is much more to her story and this is just the beginning.

Starting school for all of my children is a momentous time. To see them grow and learn and spread their wings and succeed is what it is all about.

But there is an added joy when I watch these two little ones make their way in the world.

Watching them walk into a school setting where they are loved and accepted and treated just as everyone else is something words can't really express.

A mom always worries about their children being included, feeling confident and being treated how they deserve to be treated while they are away at school. We all want that for all of our children, typical or not, but when your child has a "label" that may hinder those opportunities, the joy you feel watching them succeed just as their peers do, is unexplainable.

It's like you want to shout from the rooftops "See world, I told you she could do it!"

"I told you she was more than a label"

and that is exactly what I wanted to do this week as I watched my girls going to school. I know it is only preschool but it gives me hope for the future that they will be ok.

Mia has come so far in just 2 1/2 months and I can only imagine where she will be a year from now.

After going to her IEP and evalutation at the preschool last week, she has been signing and saying "cool"(school) ever since. She was so excited to put her backpack on and go.

She walked right in to the school with Bree by her side

Bree showed her the ropes and the routine of stopping at the fish tank on the way inside

Mia walked right into her classroom and waved goodbye and she was off.

Off to continue writing her new story and show us all how much she has to offer.

She was more interested in checking out her new surroundings than looking at me for a picture.

She quickly made her way to the phones and baby dolls

On the second day she joined in with her peers and as I stood there watching I couldn't help but think how different this is than what she would be doing in Ukraine right now. It still never ceases to amaze me to stop and think about how her world has changed in the last few months and how she is soaking it all up like a little sponge.

The preschool put the girls in seperate classes thinking that they would both excel better on their own and I am already glad they did. Bree loves her school and "her Shelly" (who unfortunately is not Bree's helper this year but Bree still manages to find her and get her hugs in)

and "her therapists" and while we were at the IEP I noticed in Bree's eyes the concern when Mia was getting the attention from "her people" . For 2 years this has been Bree's turf and so I think they will both do better with a little independence. They still go on the same days at the same time, they are just next door to eachother.

3 days into the new year and I am SOO proud of my Annie Bree!

She has grown so much since last year.

She walks right into her class and sits down with the rest of the class and follows directions.

The teacher's have told me how amazing she is doing and I couldn't be prouder.

She is talking like crazy and doing so well! When I picked her up the other day I told her how proud I was of her for doing so well and she just glowed with her big Bree smile. She knew what I was saying and she was happy to be making me proud! A huge moment for me!

She also started dance again this week and does not need Kyra to go with her anymore.

And the teacher said she did WONDERFUL and that she even waited her turn in class, which last year was nearly impossible for her! Go Bree!

School is something we take for granted. The opportunity to learn and grow in such a setting as this is not given to everyone.

A few months ago, Mia was one of those who was not given this opportunity, nor would she ever be given this opportunity, so to watch her have this chance to shine is yet another miracle in her little life.

The other day we received an email from one of the caregivers at Mia's orphanage wanting to know how she was doing and asked for us to send pictures. It brought tears to my eyes to know that Mia had left her impact on these ladies and that they did indeed care about her, even though their society did not.

These two girls both have amazing stories to be told
They are capable and smart and they are meant for great things
Although it is not always easy, and things get crazy and hard at times with the two of them, but boy am I lucky to have a front row seat to the stories they are writing!

"Life: it's about the gift, not the package it comes in."
Dennis P. Costea Jr