on a daily basis. We don’t have time to relax and enjoy each other in the evenings all week, and I can’t go to many school activities during the day.”

But the rewards are tremendous.

“My life now is very busy, more stressful than the single life, but more fulfilling,” says Marianne. “Every minute outside work is spent in caring for and nurturing these children, trying to make up for the love they missed as infants. They still have so much to learn about life  —  beyond just physical comforts. But I have seen such progress. I have high hopes for their success in the future.”

It took Marianne five decades to make her dream of being a mom come true. But these days, she feels as though she has found her calling and is celebrating the everyday moments of parenting.

The caring goes both ways. Recently Kuzma was kissing her goodnight, when out of the blue he said, “Thanks for picking me out in Russia.”

“Anastasia constantly watches me to see what I need,” says Marianne. “They both are very thoughtful in their own little ways, running to get me Kleenex when we are watching a sad movie, or setting the breakfast table as a surprise.”

Words to Inspire

“I was lucky to get two wonderful children. I know it is a gamble and my life will never be peaceful and calm like it once was. But I consider life an adventure now. Those children appreciate all the small things of life  —  and that is passed on to me. When I consider what their lives would