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Ardith Todd: Dear Niki, Was just looking at the pictures of Irina through the years. She looks like a happy interesting person. How lucky she is to have you to care for her. Thought I might see you last spring at the #58 100th celebration (think it was a l00) It was a weekend of activities organized by Claudia. Wonderful!! Only two other former teachers were there besides Claudia and myself. Maxine and Ann Berry. We are very well and still able to travel. Can't believe I am 84. Love and best wishes to you both. "A" December 26, 2008 6:43PM Tammara: Hi, I viewed your pictures last year, and received a beautiful email from yourself as I too was thinking of adopting a child. This never happened (although will stay with me as the future progresses). I do however now work in a 'children's home' for children with special needs. If I can make 10 minutes of happiness in one of these kids lives then I am happy. I have enjoyed viewing your pictures from this last year, and your daughter is even more beautiful as time passes. She has one of the most adorable and endearing smiles. Thank-you so much for sharing her life through your commentary. Not only is Irina a special little girl, you are a very special mommy. November 26, 2006 11:30AM Bonnie: Wow this is a wonderful sight and helps me as I begin the adoption adventure of a 3 year old. Great photos. Emily in the orphanage looks like me at that age! Strange, but true. Thank you for this site and all the attention you put into it. July 15, 2005 9:53AM Misty: I saw your post to the guestbook on Jeremy.com. I saw your beautiful daughter and spent days looking at all the photos. I almost feel that she is someone I know! LOL I was disappointed to see that the site has been password protected so that I can no longer follow the lovely life that you have given her! She looks like she's the happiest, luckiest little girl ever! June 22, 2005 9:55PM Tess Camarador: Whatever you have done is a something really wonderful. Our family have done the same in the Philippines. Our little girl now is 31/2 yrs old who has been a fountain of joy to us and the people around us. God bless you and Irina. May the love of God always bind you together. June 1, 2005 11:34PM renay: this is a very great thing u have done! u owe yourself the mother of the world award! u are a great mom! i don't really know u but after looking at the pic's and slides and thing's i feel like i do! May 29, 2005 9:11PM Texas: God Bless You and Your Daughter. Your both beautiful. It is a blessing to know that you two have been brought together. Always believe her and never stop protecting her. May 29, 2005 11:56AM lollybine: I ran across your site by accident, and just loved it. Our niece just adopted a 5 yr old girl, from Russia this year in Feb. They had already adopted a boy from the Ukraine when he was 6 mos. old. I have wonderful pics of them if you'd like to see them. Email me and I'll give you the link. Marvelous job on this site. God Bless you. May 24, 2005 5:24PM kansasgal: i fell across your website of pictures, keep a good journal and answer lots of questions, and dont keep secrets about the adoption. My life has been hell, and, the secrets just keep coming along, making me feel even more of an alien and less of a part of a family. Adoption is a wonderful thing for the parents who recieve the bundle of joy, but, can be hell for the child it has affected..... my parents loved me with their whole heart, gave me all the worldly goods to keep me happy, but never gave me roots, or, handles to hold on to in growing up. Now, alone, and no one to fall back on....at 52, im still lost.... sorry to dump on you, it just hit a cord seeing the pictures of your adopted child. 7 was my favorite year i was born on the 7th, of the 7th month, in the 52nd century but, it seems nothing was ever special about that 7..... kansasgal May 20, 2005 10:00PM JENIFER: Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. What an honor to know that there are people such as you out there to rescue babies from sad lonely lives. Just out of curiosity, do you have any contact at all with her birth mother/parents??congratulations again on your beautiful family May 18, 2005 5:13PM kelly: i accidently came across your pictures and i am very glad that i did! i am 14 and my aunt has just had the blessing of adopting a beautiful baby boy! i just wanted to wish you the best of luck in all to come and that you and your daughter are beautiful, i am so happy that you were blessed with such a treasure. best wishes May 11, 2005 2:45PM Danielle: I stumbled on your album by accident but have been here looking at it for about half an hour now. Your photographs are beautiful and interesting, i hope you keep up the great work. Best wishes from Australia. May 6, 2005 8:48PM Nettie: I saw your email at Who Is That With Jeremy? Your site is beautiful! May 2, 2005 10:35PM Maud: Wow you are so lucky to have such a gorgeous daughter! i loved looking through all the pictures!! April 30, 2005 5:45AM leighla: Wow!!!!! Lovely photos & precious momments that can never be bought nor repeat.....this are treasures really...congratulations!!!for keeping & organizing such albums, its like a project of obsession and satisfaction on your part...seeing them is a lot of fun.......hope to see more of your creativity.......reagrds & take good care always.... April 28, 2005 8:50PM Sam: Your albums demonstrate a labor of love. Thank you for sharing a part of your world. http://www.picturetrail.com/bircher April 11, 2005 7:02PM Lulu: hOLA April 8, 2005 10:49AM stephanie: The pictures are great i sat here an hour looking and reading them, you are so blessed. April 4, 2005 5:41PM Julie: Your kids are cute April 4, 2005 8:47AM Gordon: Thanks for sharing your pictures of your daughter growing up. She looks like she is full of life and is very happy. Congratulations on a great job. March 28, 2005 7:25PM gloria: What a lovely mom you are, love is the most powerful thing that could make everything happened, thanks for being so wonderful, your husband too. Blessings for all your life. March 12, 2005 1:39PM *RaCheaL*: Your story is beautiful, and Irina is just gorgeous. I would love to know more about your story! I have a daughter, Kiana who is 6 1/2 months old. www.picturetrail.com/prettysinpink. Feel free to email me, i have some questions for you about the whole adoption! Take Care!*Racheal* March 5, 2005 5:04AM melindav: Your story is incredible. You have such a big heart to share your life in so many ways. Thank you. Irina is beautiful and her smile is pure joy. You are both such a blessing to each other. March 4, 2005 1:40PM rafdarrow: I love how you are telling your story with pictures! I am a mom of a girl the same age (I think - 3/23/97) and it's fun to see the same experiences going on somewhere else - the pumpkin patch, soccer awards, school programs... If your daughter wants a 2nd grader pen pal, let us know! rafdarrow@yahoo.com March 4, 2005 7:57AM catherine: I love your pictures, and how they tell your story. it is very heart warming! Irina is just adorable! :-) March 2, 2005 3:04PM Elyandro: Hi dear friend! It was nice and amazing reading about your life with Irinas in adoption process. I had the pleasure to become a father 6 months ago and know the reason why God loved us so much!!! Have sure Irinas was gift from God to you. Take care. My username in picturetrail is "matthew" who is the name of my son. Visit our pictures too. We are from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and thanks for the attention. God bless you! February 18, 2005 11:13AM Elizabeth: hi,I am from Manila, Philippines, like you,my prayers were answered in 1997, God gave me a son,he was just given to me when he was just in his mom`s womb, now he is 7 years old... I really liked your album.. and I am making one also for my son. God Bless you and ur family. February 15, 2005 12:13AM Kim: I love your website! We are in the processing of adopting from Eastern Europe. We have completed our paperwork, but are waiting for a referral. Just viewing your pictures and reading your story makes the wait easier. We are thinking of adopting a 3 year old as well, so it was especially nice to read about Irina. It seems as though she has adjusted well, despite being "older" when you adopted her. Thanks!! February 13, 2005 9:35AM Katie: Great site, touched me deeply. Irina seems like a wonderful little girl and you, a wonderful woman. Take care and God Bless, xxx February 10, 2005 3:03PM Your Admier: Ithought your story was touching and those girls are SO cute...: ) Y.A. January 30, 2005 2:49PM nany: hi! you don't know me, but i was reading your story and Irina's and it touched me deapply.I'm so happy to see that there's nice peapple who are ready to share there love with kids.I'm from Montréal Canada and here peaple like to adopte kids too. I thinks its very nice..good bless you and your family for that gentle thing you did January 28, 2005 5:58PM Lauryn33: such cute kids!! January 26, 2005 6:22PM Lisa Harper: Hi, just wanted to say thanks for all the pictures, this is wonderful. This hits close to my heart, we have adopted four girls in all, that were born in Russia. Three were born in Rostov-on-Don, is that anywhere near where you got your little girl? One of our girls are from Siberia. We have been so blessed to have our girls and I can tell you have been blessed by your little one. Please keep posting all your pictures and stories. They are wonderful, if everyone only knew how wonderful the experience of adopting was, people would be adopting more. There are so many children that need homes with people that will love them. Most have nothing and no one in this world. And life at 16, after school is through, the children are more than likely put out on the streets. Praise God for your story and pictures, may it encourage others to take the step and give a child a chance. Thanks Lisa January 22, 2005 11:53PM Melissa: Hi you do not know me but I wanted to thank you for having these pictures up! It was amazing to me as I read the story of Irina. My younger sister Karina was adopted in November of 2000 from Novokuznetsk Russia. My parents have told me all about the trip. It was so similar to your experience. I found it amazing that people so far away could have such a similar situation. I agree that adoption is a miracle. My sister is almost 6 years old. We got her when she was 18 months old. She is happy healthy and is in Kindergarten! Her Russian name was Shishkina Irina and although we changed her name to Karina a lot of her baby dolls are named Irina or Shishkina! Anyways I just wanted to let you know my story and thank you so much for sharing yours! Best of luck in the future. Melissa January 22, 2005 10:08PM Janet: I cried when I viewed your album. It was a wonderful thing you did adopting this beautiful child. I have two grand children and I can see how much this child is loved. January 22, 2005 5:28PM Emma-Lee Chase (Toronto, Ontario, Canada): Hi there! I stumbled across your picture album, while looking for somewhere to host my eBay photos. Your daughter looks like she is adjusting and bonding well. Maybe there is a way to have someone backup this album for her, so she can save the images for decades to come (off-line), too. Congratulations, and best of luck!! January 16, 2005 10:21AM iceland: ohh wow- these pictures are so beautiful... your daughter is so pretty. Have a wonderfull live.. You seem to be a great mother and its so good that irina got a chance for good live--- January 15, 2005 10:45AM : Great Photos January 12, 2005 4:40PM mardan: i wil album maken January 10, 2005 6:04AM Chelsea: Hey...i seen all of the pictures of Irina and shes beautiful...i hope shes doing well...im going for now bye. January 7, 2005 6:58AM Linda: Thank you for sharing your journey with me. I was so captivated and interested to see Irina's progress over the years and it is obvious you love that precious, beautiful girl beyond words. Bless your heart for being such a loving person and mom and keep up the excellent work. The world's children need more moms like you. January 4, 2005 3:23PM liz and billy: Thank you for showing us this album. It was truly inspirational. We loved seeing Irina grow up into a beautiful young lady. We wish for only the best! - Love - Liz and Billy January 1, 2005 7:31PM Nikki: Wow, this album is very inspirational, i love it! January 1, 2005 5:53PM hey: heyy...cute picss mwaaa 3 December 23, 2004 1:20PM Tammara: Hi, I came across your albums quite by accident, and was drawn by the commentary you provide. You have a very beautiful daughter, and I enjoyed seeing her adapt to her life in the US. I myself have been thinking of adopting a child - your images will stay with me a long time to come. Enjoy your lives - you deserve each other. Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2005 to you and all of your family. Tam xxx December 22, 2004 5:40PM Debbie Robbins: Great Photos,I really enjoyed looking at your album and your beautiful little girl growing up.Boy,they grow up quick,dont they.Thanks for sharing.Debbie R. December 20, 2004 5:03PM michele: hey, ur daughter is so pretty, i can tell she will be a model when she grows up. Good Luck in life. xox December 18, 2004 8:58AM Asha: That was very beautiful. You brought tears to my eyes. Your daughter is precious. (((((Big hug))))) :) Asha December 16, 2004 5:36PM Tammy Altom: I enjoyed going along with the two of you in what can only be said is a woderful, life changing experience. Thank you for the opportunity to witness a beautiful littel girl being added to a family that loves her. Many parts of this story brought happy tears to my eyes, and I thank you for showing me another miracle of God. This was a wonderful story and one I will cherish always. Thank you, Tammy Altom December 16, 2004 10:42AM Tonya: What a wonderful site you created her for such a lovely memory walk!! So very touching indeed! December 11, 2004 12:18AM Hazel: HI! you´ve got a great homepage! Sorry, we don´t know each other but I checked out your daughter´s pictures coz I was looking for a good homepage for my daughter´s pictures too. Irina is very lovely. I was an adopted daughter too... I am touched by the way you love your daughter and are proud of her. I am a new Mom and I have a daughter who is turning two next year on the 25th of Jan. She´s a very sweet baby and I love her so much. The biggest goal in my life now is to be the best Mom for her. God bless you. Hazel December 9, 2004 4:41PM Lindsay: I loved looking at your album im only a freshamn in high school ,but I really love the thought of adoption and i defently plan to adopt one day. I love watching your beautiful child grow and live through her new life. Shes is adorable and im very interested. You can never find a great family that would give therelife to a child from somewhere else in the world. My family isn't like your I wish they were though. Its only my mom ,me and my dad. I really wish I had a younger sibbling. I really hope to hear from you, if you can find the time. I'm very happy to write to you. December 8, 2004 5:45PM Wildfire: What a great idea. I know that you can have a slide show with the screensavers, but this is neat. Thank you for sharing with me. Enjoyed, Wildfire December 8, 2004 10:47AM kelsey: Hey..i have to ask you something.. PLEASE emial asap..superdupertoothpaste@charter.net December 7, 2004 8:14PM Rita Garrett: Hi Nicki, I just received your e-mail and looked up Irina's website. She is absolutely beautiful. These picures say it all. I will e-mail you back. Thank you so much for your encouragement and for taking the time to make this photo albumn. I only got through the first two years tonight but I will have seen all the pictures in a day or two. Rita December 5, 2004 9:23PM Amy: I just happened upon your photo albums, and I quickly became entranced by your lovely story. Your little Irina is so beautiful, and it is evident how very happy she is. Thank you for sharing your memories...you are truly a generoous soul. December 2, 2004 5:36PM karen: i found your story interesting and the pictures are wonderfully.. Such a beautifull little girl.. i have four cousins who are adopted.. two of which were adopted out of korea....i think it is wonderfuly for people to open their homes to children.. my aunt is also a foster mother ... December 1, 2004 1:57PM Jacquelyn: The time spent looking at your pictures was quite enjoyable! Im so happy to hear these darling children do find wonderful loving homes.. I can tell by your little girl's expressions she is one happy girl and im sure a JOY to you and your family THanks so much for sharing.. December 1, 2004 2:58AM majess: hello!!!i was just browsing here your child is really pretty and all...anyway,i just pray that she would grow into a beautiful young lady November 29, 2004 8:33PM Jorge Camacho.: Thanks for this model of getting-giving life. From Monterrey, México. November 27, 2004 2:01PM Bethany: Hey, I was just looking around www.picturetrail.com and came upon your albums! Your daughter is absolutely beautiful, and she looks so happy in America with her new family! Good luck and God Bless! November 18, 2004 3:50PM Virginie: Hello, I'm 18, from France in Europe, and I just wanted to thank you for this wonderfull pics of joy ! November 17, 2004 6:35AM Kaye: just spent the whole day looking at your pictures. i am from the philippines, and i enjoyed your albums very much. what a photo diary! i'm sure your little irina will treasure your pictures and appreciate all that you've done to capture the memories. my husband and i have always planned on adopting a child someday , and your story just convinced us that a child born from the heart is just as special as one born from the womb. GOD BLESS YOU and your family. November 16, 2004 7:53AM Joan: Wonderful wonderful Story! Your daughter is truly a butterfly!! Enjoyed the picutres! What a joy to see. She has a beautiful smile! November 15, 2004 10:16PM Sophie: hay!! oh my gosh your girls are beautiful!! may god bless you in everything!!! much love!! November 10, 2004 3:51PM John.: It has been an absolute joy visiting your picture trail. Disney pictures were brilliant,such happy smiling faces. You've done a wonderful job. www.picturetrail.com/banker2 Best Wishes from John. U.K. November 10, 2004 1:50PM Katrín: Thanks for sharing your pictures! This is a very beautifull story that has made me even more sure, that I want to adopt children my self. I wish you all the best for the future. God bless you! November 10, 2004 10:33AM Denise: These albums have given me such a feeling of peace and joy. Thank you so much for sharing Irina's life with us. You are Irina's angel on earth and I will pray to God to fill your family with blessings and happiness for the rest of your lives. I was especially motivated by the happiness in Grandpa's eyes. Again, Thank You! November 2, 2004 2:36PM ruth: I am an adoptee too-so are my two siblings- brother and sister. I've always believed that I was meant to have the very parents in life that I did. Nothing is chance.I have daughters so I know how much joy she brings you.Thanks for sharing. November 2, 2004 1:56PM Rudi, Greta,Nargiz and Eliman: hello , we are a family from Belgium and after surfin on the net i discouverd this site about the adoption of your lovely and beautifull daugter irina . It brought back so many memories and yes sometimes we were really touched and emotional , because we've reconnised so much of some things and moments ! Yoe see , we've adopted our childrens twoo years ago from Semi-Palatinsk in Kazachstan . At the 26 of november they will be 2 years in our family here in Belgium . They are also lovely kids and we are very happy to have our family together . This braught us to the idea to open also such a site with pictures from our adoption . November 1, 2004 12:53AM mjek: I love to see more pictures of all the our friends arround the world. October 27, 2004 9:36PM rosanne: hello,my name is rosanne and i'm 15 years old i'm from the netherlands,europe, and i live here just for 4 months in orlando,florida, it feels for me if i'm adopted to because everything is new here for me.it's very different from everything in the netherlands. i love your pictures,very nice that you made this.. October 24, 2004 8:55AM Sarah: It truly is a small world!!!The previous "Sarah" link is also from me. I began to look through more of your pictures, and found one was taken in Terre Haute (my husband is from there), then I found one of the Indianapolis Zoo, and then one in the Fishers Town Hall. My husband and I live in Fishers, Indiana too!!! I would love to talk to you more about your adoption experience! October 21, 2004 8:55AM Sarah: Your album made me cry... My parents adopted my younger brother from Korea twenty years ago and I've always said I, too, will adopt a child. My husband and I just had our first baby, a girl, 8 weeks ago, and it was an amazing experience, but I know adoption must be amazing in a truly different way. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. Many wishes to you both in the future. October 21, 2004 8:44AM Kasha: Was just looking around one day and came upon your pictures of your pretty girl. I am sure you have given her a great life and she has brightened your life too. Best wishes to both of you from Oklahoma! October 19, 2004 12:11PM lmntree: What great albums. I too am a teacher and adopted a daughter from Russia three years ago. My daughter is now 4 and the light of my life, as I can tell Irina is to you. Being a mom is an incredible feeling, it is not. My albums can be seen under member dhurst. Thanks for sharing yours! October 19, 2004 10:27AM Lauren: I applaud you on your fantastic efforts with Irina, she looks like she has blossomed tremendously. You have given this little girl such a blessing and I'm sure it's a blessing to have her in your lives. Browsing through the pictures brought tears to my eyes at how wonderful a job you are doing. All the best, Lauren, Perth, Western Australia :) October 18, 2004 12:35AM bestnana2: Your story of adoption is beautiful and you have a beautiful child. I enjoyed viewing these albums. October 17, 2004 1:22PM Andrea Collins: What a very beautiful little girl. Enjoyed looking at your albums. October 13, 2004 5:59AM wendy: you are an awesome and beautiful little girl wish you the best in life and you are blessed. October 12, 2004 6:01AM Victoria: It's true, your phot's are beautiful. Kinda got teary-eyed looking at them. You have a beutiful family. Best Wishes always! Love, victoria October 7, 2004 3:51PM mamiremixed: hey i love the pictures..the lil girl is beautiful...wish u all the best =O) October 5, 2004 5:33PM Sandy: What a great story and picture trail of a beautiful and well adjusted little girl. May you both have all the love, health and happiness in your lives October 4, 2004 8:59PM Jacqueline: Wow, this is amazing. I came across your album while looking at a friend's back-to-school party pictures. Irina is adorable. May God bless and keep you both. -Jacqueline, 14, CA October 2, 2004 7:47PM Brittany: What a beautiful girl!!! Brittany in Tennessee October 1, 2004 1:04PM xuantruong: hi September 28, 2004 7:37PM www.picturetrail.com/jampan3sy.0cl.: hello0 what a`nice site xXx a`girl from the Netherlands September 28, 2004 9:18AM Aida: You are indeed lucky to find such a beautiful girl to be your daughter. Wishing you all the best and may God bless you always .... :)) (aida - singapore) September 24, 2004 7:00PM manya: dear irna God has blessed you dear little one my babies are adopted also...and my own mama came from Russia..so i feel we have a special connection thru the Russian people take care and love your mama with all your heart...love your friend manya September 22, 2004 9:39PM Meghan: Your daughter is very lucky to have you in her life! Her pictures are beautiful. I was adopted also... it's a beautiful thing. September 22, 2004 12:36PM Crystal: I love seeing happy stories such as yours, Irina is a beautiful child and you're very blessed to have her in your life, and she is just as blessed. September 20, 2004 11:25PM Breana: I love your albums. Your daughter has grown into such a beautiful young girl. I commend you for making the decision to change someone's life in the way that you have. September 18, 2004 3:00PM 15: Irina is so lucky to have someone like you, you seem like a wonderful person. She is beautiful and is growing up well. When shes older she will really appreciate the wonderful childhood she had. September 17, 2004 7:11PM rosemarie: u rili did a great job by welcoming her in ur family...i was so touched..may god bless u en ur family.. September 16, 2004 12:36AM megan: my stepmom and my dad apoted from russia.last year they got them a little boy so please email me back i will send picture of him September 13, 2004 1:31PM Sandy: Thank you for sharing your pictures of your sweet daughter. Her smiles light up her whole face! I have never looked at any of the featured albums before, however I was definitely inspired by the history of Irina's life unfolding in such an interesting & wonderful picture story! Thank you again! Sincerely, Sandy September 10, 2004 10:40PM Shake It Brother: Wow, even though I'm only 13, you have a wonderful daughter. Godbless. September 9, 2004 7:25PM Catherine Shergi: Thank you so much for sharing your daughter with us. September 7, 2004 10:23AM Meg: Wow! You have a beautiful daughter. You are so lucky to have found each other! May your life continue to be filled with love and may your light shine through as all! September 6, 2004 9:23AM Carrie: Hello again, I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't mind sending me an email about which agency you used. I am in the process of selecting an agency and would like to go with one that others have been successful with. Thank you. August 31, 2004 7:39AM Carrie: Thank you so much for the glimpse into your experience with an international adoption. I have considered adopting from Russia for a long time now, and stories like yours are so very encouraging. I have felt drawn to adopting a child from Russia and am just now begining the process and am so encouraged to see single women adopting Russian children. Please tell your daughter that she has inspired me and that we share the same birthday! Thank you. August 30, 2004 11:40PM Donna Strom: Wow! I'm inspired....I'm going to start right now and build an "over the years" album for each of my grown-up sons. What an absolutely precious little girl. And how lucky she is to have found you. All the luck in the world as you grow together! August 28, 2004 12:29AM Kristina: What a beautiful story, a beautiful girl and family! Irina is growing up wonderfully. XOXOXO God Bless you all! Kristina (www.picturetrail.com/gagesmommy) August 26, 2004 10:17PM liza_nz: Your little girl looks so loved and she is absolutely beautiful - a real credit to you. If fate dictates I cant have children after all, then hopefully I can help a little girl or boy be as loved and as lucky as Irina is. Congratulations to you both. Aroha. Liza August 21, 2004 12:23AM Jenna: Your little girl is so adorable! Good luck with her! I'm only thirteen, but I wish I had the childhood that she did. I don't want to say much but I'm very glad you found her a good home. August 18, 2004 5:59PM Kelly from PA: www.picturetrail.com/gackmomma I'm so touched by your beautiful little girl and the story of your family! May you and your little girl be blessed in life, I know you cherish every moment! August 17, 2004 10:21PM Robin: How wonderful to see such a happy family for a change,in a world so filled with violence and hatred.Your pictures and story really tucked at my heartstrings.Irina is a very lucky girl and your albums will provide her with a lifetime of memories.May God bless you all. August 17, 2004 9:47AM Charlotte: Hello very nice trail! Beautiful picture's www.picturetrail.com/horseslover August 15, 2004 1:17PM Sheena: Hey there.. I really enjoyed looking at all of your pictures. Irina is a darling little girl. When did she learn english? Good Luck, she seems very happy. August 13, 2004 2:21PM Stephanie: Wonderful... I have two adopted step daughters from Bulgaria... it is wonderful to help these children with a better life. August 13, 2004 12:36PM CoronaBitch: wow i luv yo album it's really touchin n all da pixz dat u tok was so great so are u gonna adopt another one? well good luck for u n Irina n best wishez for u both bye August 12, 2004 8:51PM natalie: excellent work..wow it looks amazing!!! i was soooo moved by this.. i'm a very emotional person.. August 12, 2004 7:46PM sTaCia: hEy NiCe pIx yOuR gIrL Is so CuTe WelL i DoNt hAvE MuCh To sAy bUt gOoD LuCk wHiT yOuR NeW KiD AnD GoD bLess YoU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! August 12, 2004 6:53PM Grandma Nancy: What a beautiful daughter. Your story is remarkable and very similar to ours. My daughter, Lerinda, and I traveled to Novosibirsk in FEBRUARY of 1998 to adopt her daughter, Gabrielle, from Orphanage #3. Yes, can you believe that. Her Russian name was Lilia, but Lerinda had planned to use the name Gabrielle. Gabrielle just started 1st grade. Where do you live. Lerinda is married now and lives in Winston Salem. She also has another little girl who is 3. How is your daughter doing in school? I will look for a good picture of Gabrielle. Nancy Saint August 12, 2004 6:05PM Nicole: Your albums were so beautiful. I nearly got tears in my eyes when I was looking through your first album of Irina. She is a beautiful little girl, and it's so wonderful to see the two of you so happy together. Thank you so much for sharing, and if you would like to see my own album, it's nicole330 here on Picturetrail. Take care, Nicki and Irina! August 9, 2004 9:02PM Ainslee: www.picturetrail.com/nickicita Very nice! Beautiful girl. I can only hope to get some photos of my daughter prior to my meeting her! Thank you, July 29, 2004 11:30AM amy: wow, i'm so happy i came across your page. You did a great job by adopting her. she is really beautiful. may god bless you both. take care July 28, 2004 12:09PM Irmeli: Hi there! Thank you for sharing the photos with us! My best wishes to both of you from Finland July 28, 2004 4:51AM Amber Kelley: Hello. I'm 14, and I came across your album. I just have to say that your little girl is so cute. She's going to grow up and be beatuiful. I had a lot of fun looking at all these pictures. I bless you and your family. Good luck with your life. =) July 26, 2004 4:35PM Penney: A beautiful story and a courageous family. May God be with you and your family always. With love, Penney July 26, 2004 11:28AM Jenny: Your story reminds me alot of my own, my little sister Anna (Anya) was adopted from Russia 7 years ago.The blessings of adoption are overwhelming as time moves on and I can see you are experiencing the same. Stay strong and God bless. July 22, 2004 2:44PM sarahbethh: an amazing story, and an amazing little girl. God bless you and your daughter. 3. July 20, 2004 9:49PM aubin: Beautiful story and a lovely little girl! Both of you are very luck to have each other! Thanks for sharring your experiences with us. Blessings. July 20, 2004 9:43AM Jennifer: Hello, What a nice trail do you have So much picturs I'm from Holland Bye Bye JEnnifer July 19, 2004 2:11PM Dawn: I have no idea how I got here...but I have spent the past half an hour crying!! What an amazing story and what an amazing, beautiful little girl you have! *hugs* Dawn Ryan July 11, 2004 12:43PM A Mother from Kuwait: God Bless you for this journey u have chosen and give u and Irena many years of happiness. What u have done will give u many rewards in this life and the Hereafter...Aya July 10, 2004 4:42AM Sue Meler: Thank you, Your pictures brought tears to my eyes and memories to my mind of adopting my little 16 mo old from Vladiostok in 1998. Irina is a beautiful little girl..wishing you both many more years of happiness together! Sue July 9, 2004 2:51PM Jessica: Not sure how I stumbled across this website, but I'm happy I did. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. You are an angel. My God bless and keep you both safe and happy. Jessica Henry (Cleveland, OH) July 8, 2004 10:40AM Bonnie: A lovely little girl, that obviously fills her mother's heart with sunshine. What a wonderful gift from God! July 4, 2004 7:33PM Melinda from Virginia: I just wanted to say that you are a very special person to take this young child and turn her life around to a beautiful future. We need more people like you to help those less fortunate. I am a mother of two children and cherish every moment that I have with them. Thanks for sharing this great picture album. July 4, 2004 6:29AM Laura: I just happened upon your albums looking for a friends albums! Just had to have a peep at your pics. A truly lovely story & you have a real sweetheart of a daughter in Irina. Best wishes Laura (Manchester, UK) June 23, 2004 1:32PM diana: beautiful June 13, 2004 6:45AM Stephanie Miller: What a wonderful story and a Beautiful little girl! I just happened upon your photo book when I went to Picture trail to look at a friends photos. Hope you don't mind that I took a peek! Stephanie June 6, 2004 10:13PM Lauren: Hi,even though I'm only 14,I know a very happy child when I see one. Your daughter is very adorable,and looks like a princess!! You and your family are the greatest people ever,for adopting little Irina. She's quite a cutie! God bless you all! June 6, 2004 6:33PM Karen H: Hi Nikki Can you e-mail me at the above address? :-) June 3, 2004 7:05AM Jenny Swift: What a beautiful albumin! The love and joy is so apparrent. Robby, Jerry, Shannon and Tommy loved the picture of Jerry and Irinia at McDonald's. Talk to you soon. February 8, 2004 3:55PM Maureen: What a beautiful daughter you have. I returned to the US from Russia in October with Twins! A boy and a girl. Who are now 16 months old. They are beautiful and I can not imagagine my life with out them. Their names are Ivan and Maria. God Bless and watch over you and you're family. January 7, 2004 9:33AM The Barnes': Enjoyed seeing Irina's pictures, it's been awhile since we have seen you. She is as cute as ever. The web site is great, you are so talented! November 29, 2003 10:49AM Phyllis: Very cute. I need to do this as soon as I get a good camera. It us fun to look back at the othe pictures too. She is growing up so fast. November 23, 2003 6:51PM Bette Maffucci: Enjoyed all of the new pictures. The special effects are nice and its quite user friendly to get to the slide shows. Nice that she is able to stay in touch w/ other single-mom's kids. Does she still speak Russian and does mom? My best to you and your family. Nice family pic btw--nice to see your parents looking healthy and happy and sister too! November 23, 2003 10:17AM Nicole Williams: Nicki, Irina is truly a gift from God. You are lucky to have such an opportunity to change this little girl's life and your own. Through each experience you go through, remember someone is praying for you and your family. I am glad I have had the chance to meet and work with a genuine person like you. Always use your talent of photography to enhance the lives of others. You will be blessed. Miracle's mommy: Nicole Williams October 28, 2003 6:46PM Joy Scotten: Hi, good to hear from you. Boy is that little girl growning up. I sure hope you have a good time in FL. Glad your Mom is doing better. It hurts worse when you fall at our age. Seems like we only see each other at funerals and I can wait on that but if you are in Portland, we would love to see you. We love our new house. June 1, 2003 3:46PM Robin Locy: Nicki and Irina - Congratulations on your Gotcha Day celebration (and wonderful web site). My daughter has been home since 3/1, and I look forward to her first Gotcha Day! May 19, 2003 10:38PM hamilton, Marcia & Bob: We have enjoyed this wonderful adventure with Irena May 17, 2003 1:35PM Jacquelin: I think it is wonderful you gave this beautiful little girl a home. May God Bless YOU for your generous nature to help this child. Jacquelin May 12, 2003 12:10PM Christina: Nikki, Your daughter is just beautiful! I'm totally envious of the work you did to make this wonderful picture story! Christina April 9, 2003 7:04AM Susie from Texas: Nicki: What a precious album. The music makes it even sweeter!! Irina is a doll. Our little doll, Dasha, has been home now 15 months and your album brings back such precious memories! Great job. Best wishes and God's blessings on you and Irina! January 26, 2003 3:54PM laura quebe: Nicki... That was completely amazing. It brought back so many memories of our time in Russia. I am so happy for you and Irina. You have inspired me to get my pictures in a story book... We have also had the opportunity to reunite Maxim with a boy from his group. Thank you again for sharing your story! laura, mom to maxim b-12-30-00 a-2-15-02 December 16, 2002 12:53PM Kathy Beasley: Thank you for sharing your photo album! It was wonderful. We just returned home 12/7/02 from Monchegorsk Children's Home with our new little girl, Lauren Polina, DOB 9/23/96, ours forever 12/2/02. She has been "home" a week today and doing wonderful! I relived our trip in viewing your photos. Thanks for sharing your experience! December 14, 2002 5:01AM Maureen: Great album!!! I love seeing all the pictures of Irina over the past two years!!! Maureen November 16, 2002 10:28PM Karen Roth: Thanks for sharing. She is beautiful, and the pictures truly are worth a thousand words!! October 1, 2002 7:11PM Alberta Gattorna: You are a very beautiful little girl. Your Grandma and Grandpa are so proud of you and love you very much. Maybe some day I wll meet you. You are so lucky to have a Mama who loves you so much. September 19, 2002 10:13AM Miss Brown: Irina is such a doll. She brightens each of my days with her big smile and her giant hugs. I wish her all the best of luck, and can't wait to see her continue to grow! September 11, 2002 1:58PM cornelia: Your album is beautiful. Irna appears to be happy and thriving. Enjoy many years together. I too am working with Kids First. July 31, 2002 5:27AM heather from texas: I enjoyed looking at your site. She is a beautiful little girl. Hope you live happly ever after. June 28, 2002 2:34PM Penny Ray: Thank you, Nicki, for sharing this web-site with me. The pictures are great. Irina is beautiful! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about your Russian adoption experience. May 17, 2002 11:38AM Trista Ehlers: Nicki, I enjoyed all of your pictures very much! Irina is a doll...I know you must be very proud! Warm Regards, Trista Proud Mommy of Laine (a.7/4/00 Samara, Russia) May 2, 2002 6:19AM Christine Gest: Nikki, This is by far the BEST online family site I've seen (and I've seen alot of them!) You and Irina are absolute magic. How wonderful for both of you and how special that you have made this album for her to cherish also. Thank you for sharing. March 21, 2002 8:10PM Julia Van Riesen: Your album made me cry. We returned from Moscow on June 6th, 2001 with our daughter Sophia. She is now 22 months old. It just brought back so many memories of the children we have to leave behind. Irina is beautiful and a total treasure to you I am sure. We could not imagine our life without Sophia now. Thank you so much for sharing your album. Regards Julia Van Riesen (Canada) March 2, 2002 12:31PM susan dragoon: This is such a wonderful album. You are so very lucky! Thanks for sharing. I hope to be in your shoes soon! February 18, 2002 7:52AM Jerry & Mae Douglass: We are soon to be adoptive grandparents and so appreciate your sharing with all concerned the wonders of love. Irina is beautiful. God bless. January 23, 2002 9:40AM Jan Baker: What joy is shining from that beautiful face! You two were meant to be together - your smiles just sparkle! I can't wait to take Irina's pictures back with me to show them how beautiful and happy she is! January 22, 2002 8:22AM Nada Karas: The pictures are fantastic. You adopted Irina almost one year after we adopted our daughter, Nina. Our court date was on May 15, 2001. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Hope to see you when you're visiting your folks. January 11, 2002 2:14PM maureen: fantastic nicki, I loved going through the various albums and looking at the pictures. You have done so well with the frames, the storyline etc. Keep up the good work Love Maureen December 29, 2001 9:35PM Jack and Margaret: hard to believe how much she has grown. December 21, 2001 3:17PM Candy Howard: I love looking at your pictures and seeing the difference in Irina's face. The music is so pretty. Would love to see you and Irina again soon. December 10, 2001 4:40PM Cara Bach: Your website of Irina is WONDERFUL. Irina looks so different from her referral picture. Now she is wearing a happy face and full of color! Eileen is real excited to see her little ones on here with Irina. See you or talk to you soon! November 13, 2001 1:33PM Cara Bach: Nikki- Your website of Irina is WONDERFUL. Irina looks so different from her referral picture. Now she is wearing a happy face and full of color! Eileen is real excited to see her little ones on here with Irina. See you or talk to you soon! November 13, 2001 1:32PM Cubby: Your daughter is beautiful and I can almost see through the pictures that she is pure joy through and through. We also have the pleasure of having a Russian daughter who has been home three years now. She just turned nine and is the love of the family. October 4, 2001 11:24PM Wendy Boman: Hi, Saw your post on EEAC-PEP and I love your web-site! What a cutie your little girl is! September 30, 2001 10:59AM Kathy Roberts: I love your photo album!! Irina is beautiful and very lucky to have such a wonderful mom! September 9, 2001 11:26AM shari shepherd: Hi Nicki and Irina !! The webpage looks GREAT !! I really want to do something like this for Brooklyn soon .... maybe you can help me ?? Irina has grown into such a beautiful young lady. Nicki, you are very blessed !! ENJOY ! :-) September 4, 2001 5:45PM Kelly Hart: Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures of Irina. She is a lucky little girl to have such a special mom. September 4, 2001 7:59AM Kormen: Hey Nikkipoo & Irina, she is getting so big girlish. you are doing such a wonderful job raising her. thanks for sharing your pictures. September 3, 2001 9:56AM Pat and Joe: Hello. Great to see all the pictures and all the activities you are involved in. Irina is growing up so fast. She is a doll. Nikki you are a loving mother and Irina is lucky to be part of your family. August 28, 2001 7:11PM Fran & Cheryl: Hi Nicki & Irina, What a wonderful job on the pictures.Irina is growing soooo fast. Miss talking to you Nicki. See you soon I hope! Love Ya!! August 22, 2001 6:18PM G. Kilavos Family: Nicki and Irina, Wonderful web page, well done! It is great to see Irina grow up and bring happiness to everyone who meets her. Both Nicki and Irina are very lucky to have each other. Love, Thea Georgia, Uncle George, and cousins Candee, Tom and Nick August 15, 2001 6:02PM Emerald: Hi to Nicki and Irina!! Great job with the web page! Thanks for letting me be a small part in watching her grow, even if through web pictures. You both have been blessed with the other and I wish you both much happiness in the years to come. God Bless and Take Care August 9, 2001 7:55PM Kormen: hey girls, whaaaaats uuuup! Great job :o) August 9, 2001 3:31PM Robin Chaddock: This is almost unbearably wonderful! Nicki, you are an inspiration to moms and dads to just do something like this. We don't have that much time with our little ones (Grant goes to Kindergarten this fall!) and this is such a great idea! Blessings on your family for sharing this! August 8, 2001 8:58AM