Indra is 16 today: her adoption story (pics)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Today our daughter Indra turns 16. She is the best thing that ever happened to us! When I am not feeling well, she can do everything in the household, from cooking to washing, ironing and cleaning. She is always smiling, so we have always been calling her "our lil sunshine-girl" !
Indra was adopted by us in 1990. The first picture we got from her was this one:
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop1.jpg
There was no explanation included, nothing, just this pic. She is holding a little paper with her original name( Mukul), and our last name in small letters too (Gabriels). In fact we didn't know if this was a girl or a boy, as the name is unknown here in Belgium.
But then we got a phonecall from the adoption centre: she was a lil girl of 15 months old!

We got these pics too then:
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop2.jpg
see the little Hindu spot on her forehead!

http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop3.jpg
on her last day at the orphanage (see x, on the right)

ON September 18 1990, she arrived at the airport of Brussels. This is the group who arrived together with her.
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop4.jpg

Look at me, I just got my girl!!
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop5.jpg

First time changing her diaper; and some new clothes ;)
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop6.jpg

more coming!!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Then we arrived at home. She was so scared... ! It was okay for us to hold her; but she refused looking into our eyes.
This was how my hubby had to hold her. It was her favorite "position for more than a week!!
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop7.jpg

It got better little by little
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop8.jpg

She was 18 months old this day!
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop10.jpg

Read me a story, please!
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop9.jpg

She got baptised on Dec 8 '90, by my uncle and godfather!
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop11.jpg

Hi folks! I LOVE it here!!!!
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/adop12.jpg

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetheart!!

[King Spartacus]

Happy Birthday Indra! (what a lovely name!) If you're half as gorgeous now as you very when you were a little kiddy-wink, then you're now a stunningly beautiful 16 year old lady!!!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/spartacuscat/Congratulations.gif

[QueenScoopalot]

What a wonderful, and touching thread Lut! I can tell that Indra has made you a very happy mom. :) :) Happy Sweet 16th Indra! :D Hope you're taking pics today. ;)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by King Spartacus
Happy Birthday Indra! (what a lovely name!) If you're half as gorgeous now as you very when you were a little kiddy-wink, then you're now a stunningly beautiful 16 year old lady!!!


Wow, thank you!! We got her name from an Indian film! We saw it among the names of the actors, and knew "that was it!!"!!

This is how she looks now!!
It won't surprise you to know that she has a boyfriend already (since 7 months now!!)
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/indra%20maart.jpg

[chocolatepuppy]

Happy 16th Birthday Indra! I hope you have a great day! :D

[King Spartacus]

One boyfriend and a sting of admirers I'll have to assume after seeing her piccie! Mamma would give her right hand (OK... maybe not, but she'd give quite a lot...) to have such stunning eyes as that!

[Jadapit]

What a beautiful tribute to you daughter. She is beautiful!! Happy 16th birthday Indra.:D

[sirrahbed]

That is such a sweet story of Indra's adoption - the pictures look like she came from a very happy place judging from the smiling caretakers!!:D But, nothing at all compared to a real home with mommy and daddy!!

Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Indra!!

Congratulations ((((((LUT))))))

[kittycats_delight]

http://www.indigogirls.com/bbs/images/smilies/party.gif Happy Sweet 16 Indra http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/rwhite/Holidays%20and%20Seasons/Birthdays%20and%20Anniversarys/h-happybirthday.gif

My Indra you have grown from such a pretty little girl into such a gorgeous young lady. Have a wonderful birthday sweet little 16. I can just bet your mamma and daddy are just so proud of how you have grown up. :D

Happy Sweet 16 once again Indra.

[gini]

Oh my, Lut, what a wonderful thread.

Isn't that so precious that she would only let Bernard hold her like that? Bet she wound her way right into his heart that week.

Indra - I am so happy that you have what you deserve - parents that wanted you so badly and have loved you to pieces ever since you came into their lives.

You look today just as sweet as you did as a baby.

HAPPY 16th Birthday Indra - enjoy every single minute of being 16 - a very special age.

One boyfriend only? Something tells me that your future holds lots more boyfriends than just one. Have you looked into a mirror lately?

:D :D

[petslover]

That was such a sweet story. Hope your daughter has a wonderful birthday! Is she getting her liscense yet?

[luvofallhorses]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/kristalove/cat_14.gif

Your daughter is very pretty, Happy Birthday to her and many more to come :D

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by petslover
Is she getting her liscense yet?

No, here in Belgium you cannot start driving before you're 18 !
In my opinion, 16 is way to young to drive a car...

[Ginger's Mom]

What a wonderful and happy thread. Happy Birthday Indra, you are a beautiful young lady. I hope you and your family enjoy this very special day.

[Barbara]

Happy Birthday Indra !!!!!

You can wear all these gorgeous orange and brown shades that are in this summer- and in which the native Europeans look greenish and blue;)

[NoahsMommy]

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY, INDRA!!!!

Lut,
Thank you for sharing Indra's story with us...she was a cute little girl and has grown to be a gorgeous young woman.

You and your hubby are so great!!

Hugs,
Kelly :)

[Randi]

Happy Birthday, Indra !

Have a wonderful birthday, and many more to come! If I know your mom, you’ll be spoiled rotten today. ;) You are growing more beautiful every day! Have fun! :D

[Kfamr]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

HAPPT SWEET 16th BIRTHDAY INDRA!!! I hope you had a great day. You sure have become a beautiful young woman.:D

Lut, thanks for sharing Indra's story with us.:D

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by Barbara
Happy Birthday Indra !!!!!

You can wear all these gorgeous orange and brown shades that are in this summer- and in which the native Europeans look greenish and blue;)

How could you guess!! Orange is indeed Indra's favorite colour!! And it is true, she looks fantastic in it!
Well, she looks fantastic with ANY colour, I am so jalous when I compare my pale white skin with her gorgeous brown tan!

[Karen]

Happy Birthday, Indra! ANd Miss Hoppy says Hi to Jasper, too!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by Karen
Happy Birthday, Indra! ANd Miss Hoppy says Hi to Jasper, too!

He he, of course you mean Jasper, the guinea pig??
LOL; this is really so funny: I had told this yet, but the name of Indra's boyfriend is JASPER too!! Ha ha, what a coincidence, hey!!

Miss Hoppy, Billie the bun asks if you say "hi" to her too ;) :D

[Karen]

Yup, Miss Hoppy says hi to Billie, too! :) How funnay that Jasper and Jasper have the same name!!!!! One of the newest babies in my church is named Japser, too (his twin is named Greta - I forget who was born first of them)!

[Jods]

Happy Birthday Indra!! What a touching thread. :)

[lizbud]

Lut,

Indra is a beautiful child. I noticed the habits of the nuns who
cared for Indra as a small child. Are they from the Missionaries Of Charity founded by Mother Theresa?

[kimlovescats]

Oh Lut, thank you SO MUCH for sharing this beautiful story. Your face is so happy in your first pics with your new baby girl. I see that big brother looked extremely excited and proud of his new baby sister too ... HOW CUTE!!! She was a beautiful baby and has grown into a beautiful young woman! Happy Birthday Indra!!!:)

[popcornbird]

Oh, what a beautiful, touching story!!! Indra is such a lucky girl to have such loving parents. :D

[Oggyflute]

Happy birthday Indra, heres to a very special day.:)

[luckies4me]

She is beautiful and the baby photos are so nice to see. Happy Birthday Indra!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by lizbud
Lut,

Indra is a beautiful child. I noticed the habits of the nuns who
cared for Indra as a small child. Are they from the Missionaries Of Charity founded by Mother Theresa?

Yes, they are!! In fact we know that mother Theresa went to the orphanage everytime that a new group of kids was ready to leave. We were told that she greeted and blessed every child in person!! So, the fact that our dear Mother Theresa touched and blessed our daughter,makes us so proud. No wonder that she develops into such a wonderfull girl, she is really blessed!!

A friend of us visited the orphanage a few years after Indra left there, and she met Mother Theresa in person! She told her about Indra, and MOther Theresa gave her a little handsigned book for Indra. Needless to say that this book is a treasure for Indra!!

ps. One June 2nd our son is turning 20; I will make a thread about his arrival too!

[sandragonfly]

wow, some unique adopt purrtures! indra is very lucky to have you as it's her 16th years today...happy super 16th birthday, girl!

[jenluckenbach]

Happy birthday to a very lovely young lady. :D

[Albea]

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, BEAUTIFUL INDRA!

[Vio&Juni]

Sweet Sixteen :) Happy Birthday, beautiful Indra!

[trayi52]

Happy Birthday, Indra!! I hope you had a wonderful sweet 16 Birthday!

Lut, Indra is a very beautiful young lady, and I really enjoyed seeing her adoption pictures and the picture of her now.

Willie:)

[anna_66]

Lut that was a truly touching story on how you came to have your beautiful girl:D She was lovely as a child and even more lovlier as a young lady! Hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating her birthday!

[smokey the elder]

What a great story. Happy Sweet 16, Indra!

[ramanth]

Happy Sweet 16 Indra. :)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Indra read all your replies, and she was VERY happy with them!!
She said: "Wow, you have such great friends, mom!!"
She is right, I am happy for that!!:)

[prechrswife]

Happy Birthday, Indra!

On a personal note, I loved seeing her adoption story in pictures. Those kind of stories help keep me going as we wait for our own precious little girl.:)