Hello new friends and family!
My name is Daniel. I arrived
in the United States on February 2, 2001. My birth date is November 14, 1999.
So, I am just sixteen months old. I have been hanging around waiting for my Mommy
and Daddy to come and get me at the regional baby orphanage in Kremenchuk, Ukraine.
My Mom and Dad started the process of trying to come get me in September of last
year. They didn't know who I was yet because in the Ukraine people come and visit
kids at the orphanage until they find their child. I knew they
would come
for me though, so I waited patiently.
Mom
and Dad had a long trip over to the Ukraine. They stayed there for almost three
weeks because they had to find me, go to court to make me their official son,
and gather a bunch of legal documents and my passport. Not to mention, they had
to wait a whole week in the Ukraine to even come and meet me. You see, the Adoption
Center where people go to see pictures of children and decide which orphanage
to visit was closed. It had been contaminated with Mercury. Boy am I glad. Had
it been open when Mommy and Daddy went they would have been told that I was paralyzed
and younger than what they were planning to adopt. God planned for them to get
me and He knew they needed to meet me in person. When a caregiver walked by with
me I looked straight at them. They both said they wished they could meet me. They
were very surprised to walk into the room and find me waiting for them. The orphanage
tried to talk them into a different child, but they knew I was the one. God had
me waiting just for them. I became a Bickel on January 26, 2001. I feel very lucky
to have been adopted by Americans because I was very small and weak. However,
this is being taken care of now. You see, I was seven and one-half pounds when
I was born and the doctors said my left side was paralyzed. I'm sure glad they
were wrong. When I was adopted over a year later, I was only thirteen and one-half
pounds. Since I've been home, I've gained seven pounds--that's more weight than
I had gained my whole life. I've also grown three inches and the doctor says I'm
healthy!
Even though I was over a year
old, I've given my Mommy & Daddy the great pleasure of seeing my first smile
and laugh after I was with them for a couple days! When they met me I had never
crawled or even been allowed to be on the floor, but the second day they came
to see me, I crawled to a toy just like I was a pro. I made them so proud. Since
then, I've been pulling myself up and even walking with help! Its fun watching
them try to keep up with me now!
I really
like my new house and family. I was very surprised to find out I also have a sister.
Her name is Deborah. About a year and a half ago she started praying every night
for a sister or brother. Little did she know at almost that same time I was being
born in the Ukraine. Deborah says God answered her prayers. I'm so glad Mommy
& Daddy taught my sister to pray.
I
have a great room here with bright colors and Disney babies all over. I really
like Mickey the best and I've already seen him at Disney World. I also like my
new dogs, Precious and Ginger. Ginger likes me best when I have food on my face.
They both give me lots of kisses! The cat, Boots, pretends he doesn't notice me,
but I chase him every chance I get.
I'm very happy now. I have a family that loves me. People often say how lucky I am. Mommy and Daddy quickly say that they are the lucky ones. God has been very good to all of us and has blessed us with each other! I am very pleased to be part of your life now and I can't wait to meet you all!
Love,
Daniel Allan Bickel