Catching Analina Singing

We have no idea what song she is singing as it's in Marshallese. We think it might be a gospel song as her family sings quite a bit of gospel throughout the day.

As you can see, we had her hair cut to chin length and the sassiness of the cut suits her just perfectly!

Traveling home

Analina's family met the three of us at the airport, donning us with lei's, necklaces, flower crowns and jewelry. We hung with them for awhile and we then said our pleasant goodbye's as we were herded into a "waiting area" for about 45 minutes and then we walked the tarmac to the plane and noticed the family was waiting by the fence to watch our departure! We blew kisses and waved all the way up the stairs to the plane. Analina was just so excited to get on that plane for her very first plane ride out of her country. Analina hurriedly took the window seat, situated her belongings and turned to look at her family still waiting at the fence and whispered Marshallese to her family and continued to wave.

As we taxi'd to the runway, Analina closed her eyes and fell asleep. Her first big plane ride and she slept through the lift-off and the next 4 hours until I woke her for our landing. No major excitement from her there either. I think she was too tired to notice anything. On our flights from Honolulu and Tokyo, she was a big hit with everyone around her! She did fantastic and laughed and slept and watched tv and acted as if she's done this a thousand times before!

She had many firsts during our trip - escalators, elevators, moving walkways, Japanese and so much more we probably simply take for granted. She just took it all in like and acted like she belonged.

Janette, our generous and big-hearted friend, brought Christina and William to the airport to meet their new sister! How wonderful it was for us to see our two older children! What a wonderful moment to have the Brinegar family of 5 together!

Our family friend, Ro and her children, Rebecca and Jarrel stopped over to welcome Analina. They brought her a stuffed doll as well as a baby doll that talks and sings and has a bottle. What a hit that was with Analina! She slept with them!

The kids all slept together in the family room and all was quiet throughout the night. How lucky we are to have each other.

Farewell Picnic By Jane and Bubu Atma

Analina’s Auntie Jane and Grandma Atma (Bubu Atma) generously planned a farewell picnic for us at a picnic location near the airport. About 25 family members were present to farewell us. They prepared rice, a Micronesian noodle dish and grilled chicken on an open fire pit in the ground. A couple of the boys climbed a tree to pick pandanus fruit for everyone. The meal was eaten with our hands (Cathy cheated and used a spoon – what a spoil-sport!).

As the adults prepared the meal, the children swam in a lagoon – Analina was just so proud of herself for having a swimsuit while the others swam in their underwear. Analina, being the independent and determined young girl chose to bring her swimsuit of her own volition and paraded around as if she were special! Funny! We caught much of their conversation on video – all in Marshallese of course but it seemed as though they were discussing her going to America. Analina appeared awfully proud of that fact given the manner in which Bubu Atma has informed Analina of the reasons why she will be our daughter – all because Bubu wants Analina to have an education in the U.S.



Tom did a little fishing as Cathy shot photos. The children all came around to watch and wandered back and forth between fishing and the picnic site. What an easy, simple day it was. The children were kept out of school for the sole purpose of the farewell picnic – we felt honored. Analina spent her time with her cousins (mostly bossing them around!) and completely ignored us!!! It was a sight to watch her interacting while in her natural environement.

Following the meal, the family sang for us as Jane played the ukulele. Several family members then presented us with handicraft gifts and Jane shared some wonderful words with us making us feel a welcome part of their family.

Court Day!

Friday, April 17 2009 - Tom and I arrived in the High Court of the Republic of Marshall Islands to petition to adopt Analina Beta. 5 people testified - Melody Beta - the birth mother, Atma Beta - the birth grandmother, Claudia from the Central Adoption Authority, Cathy and finally Tom. We went into the courtroom with reservations on whether someone would try to influence Grandma Atma against the adoption. But, everyone who took the stand was positive about us adopting Analina.

The culmination of all our work and time put into the adoption happened in those final words at 12:15 where the judge says "I hereby grant the petition ....". Wow - a victory like no other! Analina was now a Brinegar. So many feelings coursing through our bodies and minds - we were numb!

We all went to celebratory lunch together at the RRE resort diner.

Analina unfortunately was in court during the entire proceeding and became quite sad at leaving Grandma Atma so Grandma agreed to come stay with Analina overnight at the hotel. They stayed in their own room and Analina was a little busy bee setting up the room and putting her backpack belongings in one of the dresser drawers and telling Grandma all about what she's been doing. Grandma had a good talk with Analina explaining what was coming up in her little life. Whatever Grandma said, she most definitely did right by all involved.