Filling the Time

There's so much to do to get ready for bring D and M home and that IS a good thing. This morning I find myself quite anxious to get them - ok, sad and missing them, wondering what they're doing now as their day is winding down. It is so nice to have positive things to do each day to get ready for them to come - pray for them, learn Russian, exercising to be ready to keep up with their energetic selves, working on English learning preps, fixing up their playroom (bedroom is done). And, I've got work in there, too! Alas much to do and hopefully it will pass faster than I think. I'm ready to bring on August because, since it is supposed to be in September, it'll be there all the sooner.

English as a Second Language Training

It was so neat how God continues to provide things I don't even know I need for this adoption. Yesterday, Gay Lynn and I got to attend an English as a Second Language training session all day. Next Saturday we'll spend the day doing it again and we'll both be certified ESL teachers. I know who my first students will be - the same ones I'll be kissing goodnight each night soon (can't wait for that!!). Just found out about it a week ago, but it was definitely a great way to invest a couple of Saturdays.

We even have to do a couple of beginner lesson plans to be prepared to practice with the class next week - thinking mine will have a strong flavor of practicality that will be extremely helpful for 5 and 3 year olds that may arrive shortly! Sketched up a few flash cards this morning so we can start working on things on the way home!

Sure will be interesting to see how the Lord uses this now and down the road in our community.

Momma's journey with Rosetta Stone trying to learn Russian continues - it is hard but continuing. The ESL trainer challenged me yesterday to have them keep up their Russian since it is so difficult to learn foreign languages later. Definitely want to pray about that, since I know that means Momma will probably need to keep up with learning Russian for that to be reasonable - perhaps a dinner or two a week can have Russian conversation. Any ideas and thoughts?

Rosetta Pebbles?

Had a delightful evening tonight after work in Tennessee. I loaded Rosetta Stone and did the first lesson. OK - I'll probably have to do it again - when I finished it told me that I got 65% right the first time....not too good. And, you have to SAY stuff like natives before it lets you move on to the next question. I spent 5 minutes at least saying Women Eat in Russia - I'm on the 4th floor and I wanted to throw the computer out the window for sure! I press on! I'll get it - gotta look at those pictures of two great children I'm looking forward to welcoming home. I'll probably appreciate the effort they'll spend learning English better with all of this for sure.

After the lesson, drove over to Chattanooga where I got to visit with my friend, Dee, who is here at a Precept workshop. It was great fun meeting her and a friend that came with her. We live in the same city, but across town and I believe it was quicker to drive from Cleveland to Chattanooga than it is to see her at home - we don't get to see each other enough for sure! Always fun to see great friends - and even more special in unusual places! They got to see a picture or two of D&M and hear a story or two from the trip!

My new hobby

I've decided that if I'm going to expect my children to learn English, that the least I can do is do my best to learn enough Russian to help them until they do. I've bought the Rosetta Stone software in Russian to see if I can do some good. They put a 6 month money back guarantee on the software, so hopefully that means I'll be fluent by September....ok....functional. Elena definitely spoiled me, but it will be fun for the children to see how much their mother has learned between the last visit.

So, my to do list until they arrive - getting kind of booked:
Get Playroom ready
Exercise more -they're energetic and I want to be able to play EVERYTHING with them!
Learn Russian
Get a swing set put up in the back yard -
Get an extra door or gate put up between my backdoor and the swimming pool
Make sure I have some clothes, underwear, shoes, etc. for them to wear on the trip home and for a couple of weeks afterward (sure hope they're summer and early fall clothes - no cold weather gear will be needed I hope - especially not for Russia!!)

Looks like I won't be having my time to watch TV these next few months!

Its amazing how much my thoughts and plans are changing already - I got mushy this morning when a sticker came off on my clothes in the washing machine - one of many that they'd stuck on my shirt in Russia - sure wished they were with me now to put another 30 or 40.

More Paperwork

Got to file my court paperwork request yesterday. Got it by email at noon and had it notarized, apostilled, and out by FedEX with pictures for D & M by close of business for FedEX at 7. It is SOOOOO nice to work about 3 miles from the Secretary of State. For those of you that aren't initiated into international adoption - the apostilles are generally a real pain to get - have to go to a notary then send off the documents to the state capital for the state to put a really pretty seal on things saying your notary's seal is valid. I've been to the Secretary of State's office at lunch no less than 10 times since January for various documents. Most people wait and take a long drive or hire a courrier to go to their state capital periodically. What a blessing to live and work so close to this office NOW - and its awfully cool to be able to do it at lunch!

Can't let my children be waiting for me for anything! I'm not sure who's more ready for them to be gone from that orphanage and on to their new home - them or me (and I KNOW D is ready to get home!). I'm having such a great time remembering what a good trip it was - sort of have a permanent smile attached now.

Just for Kayla

Kayla's been giving me a lot of grief about trying all of the Russian food. She particuliarly wanted me to try Borsch, so I certainly felt like I should please my sister! I found quite a few dishes that I liked that were Russian. Found it much more fun to go to places where you could LOOK at what you were going to eat (and even better if they had the English description, too). In Moscow there was a cafeteria style restaurant that was fairly inexpensive called My My, but was pronounced (Moo Moo - notice the cow spots on the plates and bowls).

In the interest of full disclosure, you can tell from the big smile on my face that I most definitely didn't actually eat the borsch. Elena is a good Ukrainian, and ate it regularly so I could use it as a prop. I did eat the potatoes with pork dish on the right. It was good - you can know that because I ate it twice!

For those heading down this way, you'll love the food if you like salads. There were way more choices on salads than there were entrees even - lots of mayonaise salads so I have to say that I didn't sample any. And, they had beautiful pastries - did try one of those at the hotel towards the end. It was great and obviously I should've braved it a little sooner!

Its so hard being home and waiting for that date that may be weeks or months from coming. Jet lag is pretty much over, but now I'm just plain sick. Think I'll take a little Tylenol PM before I pick up the children - 4 sleepless nights in a week, all that excitement, and a trip home on a full plane didn't do so well for coming home healthy!

Pleasant Surprises

I've just been savoring the trip and counting the blessings. There have been many and I've already listed lots of them, but since I thought of a few more things that were different than I'd expected, thought I'd share a few more:

1) They've got great teeth and they obviously brush them often. I'd heard that children in orphanages never brush their teeth, so I was expecting huge dental bills. Sure won't be disappointed to have to put them through that early on - maybe we can wait until they know a bit more English!

2) Always heard that they don't take baths and they're afraid of water. Not this orphanage. I'm sort of thinking that its a pretty good sign when you get to see your child swim - thinking that won't be a problem. Since I've got a pool, that's an extra special blessing. I'm definitely working on keeping them out of the immediate pool area with a extra door/gate and early swimming lessons (immediately!), but I was so happy to know that it won't be a big issue!

3) When M went and told orphanage workers "I am beautiful" when we put on her new dress, it definitely told me what she's hearing from her caretakers. It was obvious in more ways than this that D & M are loved and cared for excellently, but it was definitely a confirmation to me that they've done some things right when she's so proud of something new.

4) I was afraid that they'd be cooped up inside all of the time because their climate is so cold. Was I ever wrong! I'm starting to be concerned that my subdivision yard is going to be confining - and its pretty big! I'm thinking these children will love being on our family's farm to get to run and play like their orphanage yard. I'm sure Grandma and PawPaw won't mind that! I can picture D and M riding around seeing the baby calves, picking dewberries, and other fun stuff like that.

5) I've heard that siblings may not even be in the same orphanage and hardly know each other. My children have been living as siblings for a couple of years at least - and you can sure tell it. They were mighty quick to call the other's name when one of them found something good to eat or play with in Momma's backpack of goodies each day. And, D was always keeping his eye out for his little sister, M, wherever we were. When Elena noticed it one day and said something about what a good brother he was to watch out for her - of course, he said he wasn't - that he was looking at the tires on the van, but it was obvious that that wasn't true. Isn't that just typical of a brother though?!?!

All in all, most of my thoughts from my reading these last months were that this is one great orphanage. Its not a family, but these children have been cared for and loved as much as is possible in a group environment. I KNOW that will make a difference in their adustment to home - a good difference.

Sure wish I knew when the end was on counting days! They say September, but I'd sure love it to be sooner.

Home - and back to work this morning!

It was a very late night - home almost midnight, but it is back to work this morning. Let me know in the comment section if you have specific questions about the trip and I'll be glad to try to answer them. This Momma does feel blessed!

Greetings from the Atlanta Airport

Bad weather and airplanes don't mix well, so Elena and my planes to our respective cities are delayed at least 2 hours. We're at separate terminals hoping to get out at all tonight! We did get to take a look at a lot of our photos and even got to order the important ones - the ones that have children in them from Walgreens for Gay Lynn to pick up! And, my folks can even get a set tonight where they live.

Here are a few photos from Moscow.

Food - What they eat

In response to the question about what the children eat, they mostly had porridge every day with hot tea. I actually only got to see the children sit down to eat on the day we left and they had the porridge (looked like thin tomato juice with very little else in it), hot tea, and then they were bringing them some sort of casserole looking thing to go with it. They knew about bananas and requested we bring some bananas and juice for our second day. Of course, we were happy to oblige. They have many kinds of small juice boxes here, so we brought cherry, pineapple, and apple for them. They liked them all, but I don't think had ever had any before. I think the prospective adoptive parents bring them for the children and they'd heard about them from the others. They didn't really act like they'd had the juice boxes before - and they're definitely not like normal banana eaters in our family - they ate even the brown ugly parts!

They'll get to experience a lot of new firsts for sure.

We're off to explore Red Square and most of the traditional Moscow sites. We rode the subway yesterday. Today we'll ride a boat on the Moscow River to get to Red Square. And, home tomorrow!

A little update for those that might be going to Russia to adopt

For those that might be heading to Russia, here's a few tips:

1) Phone cards are readily available for use in the region. We can't use the same card in Russia that we did in the region, but both are about $0.10/minute to call the states, so we can actually call plenty to give the fun details. The cards are in Russia, so while Elena has been invaluable for me, I'd advise getting your translator to help you make the first call listening to the instructions and telling you when to do the next number - after that you won't need help and can do it by recognizing the voices.

2) There are plenty of exchange places all over for money, so don't worry too much about that. The rates are not tremendously different, but it is worth noting the differences. My largest amount was changed on the street by some guys that just walked up to the car that my facilitator knew about.

3) You won't have to starve to death. No, Kayla, I've not tried Borsch or however you spell it, but Elena has eaten it a lot (along with a beat and mayonaise salad and the like - resisted the urge there, too, as well). But, I've tried some Russian foods - one dish very much like jambalaya with pork, rice, and vegetables I ate several times in region (oh - the bread's been great everywhere). I had a beef and potatoes with some weird sauce (not mayo) one evening. And, today I ordered some sort of Russian pork and potato dish that probably had a lot of sour cream in it, but it was great. I've gotten somewhat adventurous (for me anyway).

Update on Medical Exam

As usual when we worry, there was really nothing I should've worried about. It went fine although ODD does not adequately describe it. It was supposed to be an 8 doctor medical visit. The only thing that was remotely like some American thing you'd expect was the visit with the psychiatrist. The main visit was with four doctors sitting behind a table with notes. They asked what surgeries I'd had. They wanted to know why I had a knee replacement, but that was about it. They asked what medicines I took, one came around and checked my reflexes and had me follow an object with my eyes. A different doctor came around and checked my blood pressure and listened to my heart. Finished that's it! The building was so old, there'd be no way my physician friends could stand practicing here. I'm sure Earl K Long is at least 100% nicer than this was.

And, the documents are now complete. I'm really waiting on the Russian government to be able to send paperwork to and from Moscow back to their region to set the court date.

Got to send a card and some Moscow postcards to the children via the translator for the medical exam. I'm hoping I can send some letters with pictures periodically - as I work on their playroom, pictures of me and them from our visit, and things like that. I do pray that time goes by quickly!

Back in Moscow

Moscow is very different than the region. We got back last night, and so far all is fine. Have high speed internet in the room here, but the juice is all gone out of my laptop and I didn't bring the three prong to two adapter that I need to use my converter (It only has the two prongs).

Yesterday was another great visit with the children. When we went up to see the children, M had on her new dress from the day before - think she liked it, huh? We gave her the new ponytail pretty bows and she immediately took those off and put on her pretty new ones. Then we gave D his new clothes (5's) but they absolutely swallowed him. 4's it will be I think. He's much bigger than her, so I'm back to thinking they're really in 3's (her) and 4's (him).

We went out to play and I gave them nectarines - they'd never had anything like that but liked them. M said she liked that better than the banana, and she loved the banana. Isn't it going to be fun to experience so many new things with them?

D had expressed some fears about riding in a car, so we decided it'd be a good time to get our driver to take us for a ride. D was scared to go at first, but after a 1/2 round, he was cured! He wanted to keep going.

They picked more mylinka (Russian for rasberries) around the orphanage grounds and we played out in the yard for a couple of hours. The doctor came out to visit us and noticed that D had a little bit of a runny nose. When I took him back up they gave him a pill - he took it without any water or anything. Guess we won't be needing to worry about any liquid (nasty) medicines with these children - definitely thought that was interesting.

The leaving was the worst part. It happened suddenly when I just brought D back to use the restroom - and all of the children were sitting down to eat a little early. I sent him to eat and went back out to get M where we were all playing with Elena and the translator. When we returned D was sobbing because he didn't want Momma to leave. He just put his face on the table and cried and cried. Momma cried too. I assured him that I loved him and was going to prepare for he and M to come home but I would come back as soon as I can for them. I pray it is soon for all of us!

We had a 6 1/2 hour drive back to Moscow - definitely different. I see things so differently now - looking at everything as to what D and M are going to think....what they'll want to try......definitely will need help getting them home!

Off to the medical exam in a couple of hours.....definitely not looking forward to that, but really the trip ended for me yesterday. We'll sightsee and I'll enjoy it, but I cannot even imagine things going as well as they have. All of my paperwork reaches Moscow today, so I'll be ready for court when I complete the medical exam today!

Back in Moscow

Well, I am back on blog duty again today because Markay doesn't have the right converter for her computer. Hopefully she will be able to get on some time later tonight. Markay called today but unfortunately I must have been away from my desk so she left a long message. She said that she was able to see the children this morning for the last time and had made it to Moscow. She said that when she left D was sobbing and could not be consoled. Needless to say I am sure that broke Markay's heart. Hopefully she will be back to get them very soon.

The 8 Dr. visit is tomorrow and you can be sure Markay is dreading that. Please pray that it will be no big deal and over very quickly.

Thanks to all of those following along. Hopefully we will get more updates later.

Kayla

Elena and other fun stuff

It is almost 6 AM, but I've been up since 2 AM. It has nothing to do with jet lag and everything to do with praising God for showing me His plan and being able to see Him at work in this whole story. I'm adopted as His child, and He loves me greatly. How much more special is it to see that God had a planned Momma that was praying for it take a while to get the children to allow her to save money and at the same time praying for just the right children that God had for her. How interesting that He provided an unexpected sum of money to let Momma know that it was time, and it really was time. That special sibling pair was just about to be separated because of the age of the other and would be much more difficult and unlikely to adopt later. God is good. I'm so thankful God didn't answer my prayers in the way I asked - got to witness His REAL power to do His good pleasure! I was singing Jesus loves the little children of the world at 3 AM - and about every other praise song all morning. What a pleasure it is to recount His great and mighty works in such unexpected ways. I'm not a cryer, but I have this morning recounting such great stuff!!

And, can you imagine that my cousin, Brandon, found a special wife in Elena who was willing and able to come with me and speaks Russian and loves children!! I definitely think she'll be Aunt Elena to D&M and I'll never be able to get over what a blessing she's been! She's so sweet with the children, but picked up the camera to take pictures without me even thinking to ask. Momma gets to be in the pictures! She speaks their language but she keeps teaching me what to say and helping me understand what they need - definitely letting me be Momma. What a great help she's been! I know she'll miss the children greatly when we have to say goodbye later today - it'll be hard! Thanks,Elena for coming, and thank you for sharing her for a little while, Brandon!

Momma's Scratching her Head

We got to go back after lunch to visit the children some more. We got to dress M in her new little pink flowery dress that I brought. It fit, and went perfectly with a little hat that I brought. She loved the hat and the dress. She went and told the painters next door "I am beautiful". I almost cried. Playing hard in the ball pit she lost a pony, so Momma had to redo it. Got my first lesson, but definitely need some lessons from Kenna on such things! M is something else. This afternoon the caretaker asked us about where her doll was - apparently she'd wanted it after all! Of course, that was quickly remedied! We didn't know, but she'd kept the animal cracker box they'd emptied and we'd put in the trash. She'd filled it with Teddy Grahams and was carrying it around like a toy - occasionally eating one, but mostly enjoying the box. Later in the afternoon she made a point of going to share with all of her group members - one each. The caregivers shared more out of what we'd brought for them yesterday. When I saw how sharing she was, Momma shed her first tears over her sweet little girl!

D is a hugely affectionate little boy. He's going to whip me into shape for sure! He played this game of riding his bicycle from one side of the orphanage to the other and calling "Momma" at the top of his lungs. I'd run over - shower him with hugs and kisses and he'd ride to the other side and do it again. D's trying to teach me a little Russian. Elena noticed right off that he's trying to talk slower to sort of show me how to do it. I'm figuring that he's going to learn English a lot quicker than I'm learning Russian.

Afterwards we went clothes shopping - D's the absolute biggest child in the orphanage and his clothes don't really fit him. So, we went to purchase some 5's for him to tide him over until I can bring him home. OK - we had to get his little sister another outfit, too, (and some cute, ponies!). D's going to do great. I'm continually more impressed with how great the children are doing - how wonderful this orphanage is! Any parent would be blessed to get one of these much loved children only missing a family to love them!

We do get to see them tomorrow before heading to Moscow for the dreaded medical exam on Friday, a little sightseeing, and a return trip on Sunday. I've finished all of my regional paperwork, so I'll be praying for a quick court trip. I hate to wait too long - heard today August or September, but we'll see about that - praying for quicker.

Today's visit

Today it is raining very hard. Its very hilly here so there are rushing water streams in the streets everywhere. We first went to sign some papers and get interviewed. It wasn't too bad although she did at one point express concern over if they could let the children go to my area because of hurricanes. Of course, I had to then walk through 8 feet wide, 1' deep water to get to the van to head to the orphanage. That was funny. I told the translator I should take the children home now to keep them away from this horrible weather. I'd love to take them home now!

When we went to the orphanage we went to the playroom where they had nice mats and a slide that goes into a big tub of balls. Have I said how blessed my children have been to be at this orphanage? We first met with the neuropsychologist to hear about the background - sort of laughed when she said that M was slow to play with dolls! And, I've not seen one but they said that D knows how to use a computer mouse! What an orphanage! I don't doubt they do have computers - I've just not seen them. She said that D would've already been transferred (to the orphanage for older children) but that he was going to be adopted so he will stay here until I come get him. That is great!

Then two cute little children came in - he with too short pants with suspenders all spiffed up and complete with big smile. She had a cute red dress and was so proud of herself. She had ponytails everywhere - maybe 8-10, so Kenna will definitely have to train me in fixing her hair!! They had asked for juice and bananas yesterday, so we had a snack of that and they played hard in the balls. We did stickers and coloring books for a while, but they seem to really like more physical play. D was proud to put some stickers on his pants. He kept asking Momma to save him from the sharks in the pool of balls - of course I was glad to oblige! I got lots of kisses! They play hard and physically - D's a big tease wanting me to come and get him, and I'm happy to oblige. They got wild a few times, but are very obedient when I told them to sit down - they're clearly used to following directions.

Oh - I do get to see them again this afternoon and tomorrow before heading out. How hard it is going to be to leave these children. It seems so strange, but they're already calling me Momma!! What a blessing!

Ooops

Laptop died today unfortunately. I brought a converter, but it only takes the two pronged plugs- laptop is 3. So, I may not be able to use my laptop when I'll have internet in the room. Maybe I can find one here, but maybe I'll depend on the internet cafe like we have to do here. I'm mainly disappointed because I wanted to show the children their pictures from yesterday as a slideshow today. I showed them their referral pictures yesterday on the Ipod. They enjoyed that - and the book of their new home!

Oh - and take copious quantities of bubbles with you if you're adopting older preschoolers. They love them! Of course, they get so excited when they blow the bubbles that they lean over to chase them and dump out the good stuff! We went through 5 bottles yesterday! Unfortunately, we'll have to make a special run on the way this morning to get more!

Off to enjoy D&M for the day!

And another thing!

I've read so much of people hiding where children stay in the orphanage. They showed me this area right off, and it was nice! They have 15 smallish trundle beds (no bars, but sort of more like huge drawers with mattresses on them). They were perfectly neat and orderly. I'm sure that D & M are the ones that keep it so neat and will bring that trait home with them (I hear the yeah, rights, but we'll see). Just outside that room they had a large eating area with a table neatly set for their porridge lunch to come. Outside that area is a changing area and each child has a locker to keep their things. I couldn't possibly be more impressed with what they have done with clearly very little. I'm blessed to get to follow behind an orphanage where my children are clearly cared for as much as you can be outside of a home environment!

So much fun!

Its 11:30, just now dark, and I'm so keyed up and excited that there's no way that I could possibly go to sleep anytime soon! This has been one fabulous day. I feel so blessed. This trip and these children have been well covered in prayer, and it has definitely showed. It sure started off different than I expected, but it really worked out sort of neat to have special time with D first, then M this afternoon was ready to jump right in. I can count blessings instead of sheep tonight when I try to lay down for a while.

Part 2 - Very unexpected, but interesting

Well part 2 was different than I expected, but great fun. We went up and M came up to me immediately with a sweet smile on her face. I had her kookla (doll for you Russian challenged - ok, I'm Russian challenged. She held it semi-sweetly but not close for sure, and ran off to get her hair fixed up. She came back with ponies - 3 of 'em that would make Kenna proud! I got to help she and D put on their shoes and we got to head out to play. Well, then we went outside to these really neat outdoor playrooms they have - three walls with murals painted on them and a giant wooden playpen and benches in them - lots of room to play.

Miss M quickly went to get the REAL toys out of my backpack - far more worried about D's big crane, the slinky, and anything unrelated to a doll in any way. It took about 2 minutes to discover that she is highly unlikely to ever touch that little doll again - or any doll. She loved to swing, slide, pick berries, and other stuff - either with D or by herself sharing her latest discoveries. We got to stay 3 1/2 hours tonight - all by ourselves. She's cute, has a stubborn smile, but Kayla was always concerned that her daughters would grow up to be cheerleaders - I'm not thinking that concern is one that I have. M seems to be her own little girl - plenty of stubborn to go with the rest of the family, but definitely content to do her own thing. I'm a blessed Momma.

D showed off his bike riding skills - he's definitely headed for a two wheeler in no time. M is still too small for the "big" bike he was riding w/ training wheels. Mom will definitely be back in the biking business soon. Its going to be so much fun. And, Grandma and Pawpaw, these children will absolutely love the farm! The explored every place on the orphanage grounds for cherries, rasberries, and some grape things.

Was disappointed to find out this afternoon that I probably will be busy Thursday signing paperwork to say that I'll accept them and won't get to visit. I'm praying that is not true. I want to spend every minute I can with them. It is going to be so hard to have to leave them here.

I met D!

This morning M had to go to a medical clinic somewhere for a checkup related to the adoption, but I got to meet the happiest, smiliest boy (maybe next to Carson) you'd ever want to see. When I went to play with them, his group was outside playing in the yard. He had a Mickey Mouse baseball hat on. He was a bit shy at first, but he quickly was all into the bubbles that I'd brought. We attracted lots of attention from his friends as well. They all loved seeing the books we'd made of his new home and family. He rides a big bicycle with training wheels really fast. You can see that he's a leader of the pack. They let me see where they sleep and eat - they each have their own locker, too.

After a while, D wanted to go swing and he grabbed my hand and we went to swing. It was really a smaller child's swing, but he loved being pushed. He said that he was old enough to do it himself, but he liked having a mother to push him. He didn't get tired. Elena took pictures and videos and played with the other children.

After the swing, he wanted to take me to see him swim. They have a physical therapist that works with them in the pool. Apparently yesterday was the first time he's ever swam. He and his two friends went to the therapy pool with about 6" water in it. They stripped down to their underpants and swam away for 20 minutes or so while we watched D show off for us. I'm so glad to know that he likes to swim. Callan and Kenna better keep up their swimming because I'm thinking he'll be a fish just like them very soon!

What a happy little boy he is!! Can't wait to meet M this afternoon. I get to go from 4-6 to meet her and probably see D again.

Hopefully I'll have some pictures to add soon. Can't show pictures of the children, but perhaps I can show the playground.

I was very impressed with the orphanage and how they use what they have so well. These children are very well cared for and loved. I'm one blessed Momma!

Oh - and this is a VERY active boy. I've definitely got to get a swing and a bicycle before he gets home!! Thinking that he's going to definitely keep me hopping - a very good thing indeed! I love him already and am so thankful to have met him. Gotta get him home soon!

Markay arrived

Hopefully this will work since I have been given the task of updating. Markay should have access to an affordable internet cafe soon, but until then I (Kayla)will be updating.

Here's a quick summary of random observations:

1) I'll be drinking very little. They had a hole at one stop for gas. No, I didn't go!

2) Customs checked nothing - didn't even ask any questions, but it was a TOTAL ZOO. Everybody rushes up to a line with no order. We were the last ones through off of the plane - just can't bring myself to cut.

3) The ride to region is very long and rural. The engineer in me was amazed that they apparently run overhead steel lines for their water service lines! Shocking! Oh - and they paint it whatever color they want in front of their house!

4) The ride is scary. They treat a two lane road as a four lane - assume the slow cars or trucks move to the shoulder, pass as they please, and the ONCOMING car is faithful to move over to their shoulder to allow for said passing.

5) Elena is a huge help. OK - I'd be dying without her!

6) The hotel is not air conditioned, but we're on the 6th floor so I'll be sleeping with the windows open.

7) Delta's wonderful for flying over - we could watch movies on a screen in front, listen to lots of variety of music, track the plane's exact location and miles to go, altitude, etc. Very cool!!

8) The bathroom in the hotel will definitely have to be part of my picture scrapbook. Actually the whole hotel will make for some interesting pictures.

9) Got dark at 11 PM or so.Hear they've told the children I'm coming tomorrow.

Markay

Generally not a good thing to see the plane...

coming to take you to Russia has been diverted to Nashville. Looking extremely doubtful that we'll leave on time, but we shall see. We had one of those really heavy afternoon type showers here. I was tracking the arrival of the flight and saw that they had to go backwards on flightaware.com back to Nashville when clearly they were in the Atlanta area. Disappointing, but they'll have 11 hours to make up the delay. It'll be ok!

I'm a gadget guru, so it is way cool to be able to see what's going on before the airline lets you know anything. They've still not said a word yet about our flight even being delayed. There's no way it won't be!

Greetings from Moscow West

Ok.....greetings from the Atlanta Airport. Got to the airport 2 1/2 hours early as instructed and that landed me on an earlier flight to Atlanta - to wait there instead. These international terminal waiting areas are huge - and empty! I'm waiting all by myself now, but Elena should be arriving soon.

Already checked on the international terminal and unfortunately couldn't get a cell phone that would work there yet, Gay Lynn. I'll be checking into it when I get there - or maybe it'd be better to say that Elena will be checking into it for us! I have tourist stamped across my forehead with bulging backpack, tourist visa, and way more layers than you'd normally wear in the south in the summer. I didn't want to pack a jacket so I had to wear my Louisiana Tech warmup suit - you know Tech had to go over with me (just with I could already be sharing Dawg apparel with the children!)

Unless something really interesting happens in the next few hours, I'll be writing from Moscow next!

Quick Update - 14 hours and counting down!

Gotta be at the airport in just a few short hours. Got the visa in hand and fortunately I found out you really are supposed to have a couple of notarized copies with you just in case. That's not easy to get on the Saturday after the 4th of July! Fortunately, we've got a willing and cooperative (and available!) notary in our Sunday School class!

Tomorrow's the big day - the one I've looked forward to since I started this process. I'll meet the children on Tuesday. Most of Sunday and Monday will be spent travelling. Heard from another parent that adopted here that the children are likely to be very receptive to my visit (the children are all waiting for their parents to come to pick them up!). And, I'll get to share with all of the children while they play outside. I expect to get to play with them a couple of times a day from Tuesday to Thursday. Oh - and did find out that I'll only have internet access in the room in Moscow - will have to go to an internet cafe in region. And, this hotel has a wonderful breakfast buffet each morning - boiled hot dogs, plain spaghetti noodles, and cole slaw. Yes, that is breakfast. But, there is a grocery store nearby, so that is great! Oh - and a fridge in the room - an unexpected blessing after I heard that the Russians drink all of their "cold" beverages at room temperature - a little different from the "icy cold" we like!

I'm hoping that Elena and I have time for lots of souvenier shopping on this trip - that way I'll be able to focus on taking care of the children and their needs on the next trip. And, I'm taking lots of gifts for the orphanage on this trip, so I'll have plenty of space for the return trip! Think it'll be fun to find some special things that we'll be able to discuss their homeland and heritage when they get old enough to understand. I hear that Elena's presence will make my money stretch much further in that regard. Guessing they'll probably think I'm her shy mother or something in the stores since I'll be saying NOTHING to expose me as a tourist!

Its been a wild time this weekend with all of Kayla's crew in for the holiday weekend. We had a lot of fun, but since they have 3 small ones it sure gave me a picture of how much different life will be when D and M get here.

Praying that we get off to a great start on Tuesday and they are eagerly anticipating my return by the time I leave them on Thursday. Then, I can start praying for a quick court trip. Another friend here got her court date this week and left today - 4 days notice. Sort of liked the advance notice I had, but it will be so hard to actually know my children and have them over 5000 miles away! Besides, summer's passing fast and they say that swimming is one of the best attachment activities there is! Home awaits!

Its on the plane!

I love FedEX tracking. Its on the plane from DC as we speak! Great news!

No Visa!

Pray it comes tomorrow! With Friday being a holiday, there's not any room for error. I sent everything off within 24 hours of being notified of the dates as requested. Now, I still have no visa. When I didn't have it yet last week I was told that the person getting it was on vacation and that I would have it on Wednesday of this week. I don't. In fact, the envelope they're supposed to use it to send it in hasn't even been logged into FedEX's system. Its set to come to my office (which is closed on Saturday). I may be chasing a FedEX guy around on Saturday! I'm looking at two smiling faces that need to meet their new momma! Pray that this is resolved!