Christmas

Christmas this year was bitter sweet as it just seems there is a little someone missing.  We had a wonderful time with our boys and have enjoyed having them home but it is hard to think that our little girl just spent her 2nd Christmas in an orphanage.  There are presents the boys wrapped up for still waiting for her under the tree.  We are praying that we get a date for court soon so we will be able to bring her home soon. 

No News.

We have not heard a travel date for our 2nd trip.  All Russian governmental agencies shut down for their New Years Holiday from Dec 17-Jan 11 so we predict we will not hear a date until they get running again. The 2nd trip is for court and we also get to visit our little girl.  God willing, when that trip is complete we return home for about 2 weeks and then get to go back to pick up our little girl and bring her home!! The 3rd trip is about 10 days long so the plan is for me to go for the beginning and Chad will stay with the boys and work.  Toward the end of the trip Chad will come join me to bring our girl home.  The boys are very excited and have been helping me get her room ready and pick out special toys for her.  The wait to find out a court date has seemed very long but we just remind ourselves that she is God's Child and when the time is right he will make it all work.  Also we were told that the adoption process would take about 18 months and has gone so much faster than we would have ever predicted.  If we would not have fallen into the Holiday shut down we would have gone even faster.  Our dossier just left US on Sept 22.  Despite, this we are very excited to get her home to be part of our family.  Please pray that all will go well and she will be home soon.

It became so clear

Last night while sleeping I had one of those moments when everything became so clear.  I will back up start from the beginning.  I knew from the time I was about 12 years old that I wanted to adopt a child someday.  I have always felt that all children come from God and he has a plan for each of them and knew that if I had a family and home that I would provide that to a child.  Chad and I talked about this many times and we always left is as we would pray about it and ask God to show us his plan.  There were many little things that began so show both of us that is something we would like to look into. One example of this is that we both had been having the same dream for a long time but had no idea where it was or why we couldn't understand what anyone was saying.   A little over a year ago we decided that we would look into adoption a little farther.  We began to talk to people and request a lot of information.  We were getting to the place that it just may really happen and quite honestly I began to get cold feet.  I just didn't know how I was going to be able to be a good mother to the 3 boys we have while doing all the paperwork required let alone leave them to go oversees. Not even to mention the added duties and dividing our time that happens when adding another child to our family.  Then came that crazy week when Eric had surgery to get his tonsils out and tubes in.  A few hours after we got him home from the hospital Tyler came down with H1N1, and wow was it hard to be Mama that week.  I was trying to keep a recovering little one, away from a pretty sick boy.  And of course there was wild man Wesley in the mix.  Chad was a huge help but after they just got to feeling a little better he really needed to go on an emergency trip.  I prayed many times that week that God take the feeling of wanting to adopt off my heart if it wasn't right for our family.  I just couldn't see how we would handle another child.  The following Monday, Tyler was back to school and I took Eric and Wesley to daycare so I could have a few hours by myself.  I decided to go to town to begin my Christmas shopping.  On the way to town I prayed that if God really did want us to adopt a child that he would give us a sign.  All day I had a feeling that I have never had before.  I just had a sense that God was right there with me.  I didn't get much shopping done as I was so distracted with my thoughts and feelings.  While in Target I saw some Christmas music and thought maybe that would cheer me up.  Without even looking at the songs I put one in my cart that said Christmas Praise Music. That evening was crazy as ever with boys running in every direction.  I put my new CD in and remember thinking that it was way to hip hop for me right now and was really giving me a headache.  I would have normally turned off music that was too much as I really don't like extra noise but for some reason I left it on.  I got the boys in the shower.  I can remember as clear as it was yesterday, I was loading the dishwasher and I told God that his sign better be a big one after the week I'd had.  At that very moment our house got absolutely silent and this song came on. The tears came down my cheeks and I knew at that very moment that God had a child for our family and it was up to us to find her.  Since that day I have never had a doubt that this is what is right for family.  What came to me in my sleep last night, so clearly that I had to get up to verify it on my calendar and my journal, was that the very day that I heard this song on my new CD is the exact day that our little Josie was born.  Oct 19, 2009. 

Love this!!

The Starfish
An old man was walking down the beach just before dawn.  In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea.  As the old man approached the young man, he asked; "Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?"  The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun.  "But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish, exclaimed the old man.  "How can your efforts make any difference?"  The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea, he said;
"It makes a difference to this one!"

1st trip recap

We are home again in Kansas.  Our boys are still with family in NE celebrating Thanksgiving so we will get some catch up sleep in before they get back.  We had a wonderful first part of our journey.  We will be anxiously waiting and missing our little girl until we get the call to come back for court.  After court, we will come back to the US for about 2 weeks then return to bring her home for good.  We are estimating court will be late January as all governmental agencies shut down for 2 weeks for their big holiday time the first of January.  There is a tiny chance it could come sooner but only time will tell.  She is a wonder, perfect, little princess and will be missing her very much.  We were very pleasantly surprised with her orphanage.  It was remarkably clean and the director and nannies were very caring. The nannies even wear slippers inside and change into shoes to go outside.  Our little girl didn't have a scratch or bruise on her anywhere.  They obviously take good care of the children.  She seemed happy and well loved.  As much as we wanted to pack her in our backpack and take her right home, it definitely makes it easier to leave her until next time.  She is a very tiny little munchkin and it was hard for the Mama's instinct not to kick in when they told me they are taking her off the bottle.  I really wanted them to leave her on it as her whole diet will change soon and she obvioually need the nutrition.  We just couldn't do anything to question their ways and authority. It was a weird position to be in to be able to legally sign her name but yet have to go to the governmental agency to get permission to even visit the orphanage.  Then we had to wait in a room until they were ready to bring her to us for a visit.  Then when the time is up they sweep her away.  We were not allowed to see anywhere in the orphanage that had other children. 

We are so fortunate to have good family and friends that watched our boys and took over the office for us to make this trip.  Thank you is not enough for all the kinds things you all have done for us to be able to go meet our little girl.  Thank you so much. 

The people of Russia were so polite and hard working.  It is very obvious that they feel very fortunate to have a job.  Everywhere we went there was someone that could communicate with us in English.  The architecture there is amazing.  It is obvious that a lot of their government money goes to buildings and history. 

In some ways Russia is much like the US.  It is quite modern and we saw people walking around with I-phones and notebook computers, but yet when we asked our translator what clinic she uses for a doctor she said she just doesn't go.  She said it just take too much time and is too hard. We went with our little girl to a medical facility to get her 1st medical clearance for adoption.  This is a hospital that is considered good in their standards, and in the US it would have been shut down as a Vet clinic.  It was not fit for anyone to be treated in.  It was very hard to be there with our sweet girl.  There were ambulances getting stuck bringing patients to be treated because it was located on a gravel road and the snow was too deep.  When one ambulance got stuck the next 2 just waited until the first on spun out enough to get out. The lack of heath care funding was definitely the most culture shock for us.  I wanted to bring my video camera out but knew what it would be bad if we offended them as they have to testify for us in court.  It was so crazy to see everywhere we looked there were modern cars, automobile manufacturing, Levi and cell phone stores but the health care was so under financed so there were just no advances.  We talked to a neurologist that had a practice in the US for may years before returning to Russia and he was appalled that we were getting our EKG's done in a facility that used clamps on our wrists and ankles and suction cups on our skin instead of going to the American hospital. Obviously this is a requirement.  We would of never had chosen to go to health care there.  I am now glad that we did as it opened our eyes a lot.  This was the most elite hospital in the whole area of 5 million people.  This doctor obviously knew what was available but said there is just no funding to move forward.  As a doctor, he had waited 4 hours to get a ticket to have the chance to be seen that day by a heart doctor.  Many of the doctors that we saw looked to be in their 80's.  We asked our Russian coordinator and translator if the medical field was good paying and they both said the pay was terrible.  In my book, less pay would equal less qualified people and less technical advances which would equal lesser quality health care.  It's no wonder their own president came to America for heart surgery.

We got to see her for a little bit today.

Today we got to see our little princess for a very short time as she was brought to town to do some paperwork.  We got to see some big smiles!!  The rest of the day was spent doing paperwork and walking around town.  It was bitter cold today and snowed all day.  The driving here is crazy but we are fortunate to that we had a great driver today that got us around without too much delay.  Tomorrow is Chad and my medicals and it should be interesting.  They do not have family medicine doctors here so what would be a very short visit in the US we are told will take anywhere from 3-6 hours.  We are told we will have to see 6 specialist just have what would be a physical in the states.  Oh well, we will then be one hurdle closer to bringing her home.  I think we get to sign some paperwork tomorrow with her new name to submit for court on the 2nd trip to make it legal!! That will be exciting!

The time change hit us hard today as we just haven't slept well here.  We go to bed at 10:00 pm here when it is 1:00 pm there.  I guess our brains tell us to take a nap so we end up waking up at about 2 or 3 am.  I'm betting we do some catching up on the plane Friday.

Orphanage donations

We asked the Orphanage Director if there was anything she was needed for the children that was not available to her and she replied Desitin (diaper cream is not available in Russia) and Party clothes for the children.  They rely on clothing donations for the children and normally they get practical clothes but they like to dress the children up to meet their new parents.  If anyone has newborn to size 3 gently used church clothes that they would like to donate we would love to bring them some on our next trip.  We don't have a date for that trip at this time but we will update on here when we get it.  We expect it to be late Jan as all Russian governmental offices shut down from the end of Dec to Mid Jan for their big New Year’s celebration.  After the 2nd trip we would not have suitcase room as we get to bring our little girl home on the 3rd trip and will need the space for her things. 
Thanks
Kelly

Boys

Boys we miss you very much.  I'm glad you are having fun with Katie.  Uncle Rick will be there tomorrow and they you will get to go to Lance's house the next day.  We hope you have a great time while you are there and we will see you very soon. 

We thought you might want to teach all your friends a couple Russian words.
The word for bathroom in Russian is "toilet".  
Hi in Russian is Privet  Pronounced   pree v et
It is bed time here before you get out of school so it is very hard to call you but we will try soon. 
We love you tons.
Mom and Dad. 

Playtime in Leningrad

We went back to the orphanage in Leningrad today to see our little princess.  She warmed up to us a little more and although very somber showed us a little more of her personality.  She still wanted to be held most of the time and was very quiet but we did get to see one tiny smile.  We only got to be with her for about 45 minutes yesterday but got 2 hours today.  We will get to see her for a very short time tomorrow for the last time on this trip. While we are missing our boys terribly we will be glad to see her again when the next trip comes around. 
It got much colder today and snowed off and on all day.  We have yet to see the sun this whole trip.  So far it has been gray out every day.  The drive to Lenningrad is 2 hours each way.  I asked our translator if the roads ever got bad enough that they had families that could not make it to the orphanage and she was very quick to answer "never".  She said they never close the roads or schools down unless it is colder than -30 degrees.

Pictures from St Petersburg

St Petersburg from the air

Gateway to the Baltic

Peter, Paul Cathedrial

The ceiling of the Peter Paul Cathedrial

Inside Peter Paul

The Peter, Paul Fortress

The ceiling of the St Issacs Cathedrial

All in mosaic

Inside the St Issacs Cathedrial

All inside St Issacs Cathedrial

Pictures of the Orphanage

Back Playground

side of the Orphanage

Nannies taking the babies out to "get some air"

The orphanage from the street in the heart of town

There are 4 little sheds with baby beds in them.  The nannies said they take them out to the sheds when it is cold for one nap a day to "catch some air"

Trying to get some pictures on here.

I tried my hand at uploading some pictures of Russia but have not been successful yet.  It might be my lack of computer skills or that we lose internet connection A LOT.  I'm not sure if it ever gets enough time to upload them.  If anyone knows how let me know, and I will see if this evening if we get connection long enough maybe I can get some on here.  It is 8:15 am while it is 11:15pm CST in the states.  We are getting ready to go to the orphanage again today.  No one is in much of a hurry here in the morning as nothing gets started until about 10:00.  Our drivers have always set up our pick up times for 10:00 or 10:30 even when we try for earlier.  Now once they get going the hurry begins.  The driving has taken some getting used to.  We have had safe drivers but what is custom here is far from it in the states, and we have yet to see anyone getting pulled over for traffic violations.

We got to meet her!!!

She is a TINY little sweetie!!  She is just precious as she can be.  She loved to just sit in our laps and be held.  That is not something that either of us is used to with the boys.  She was running a low grade fever so maybe when she if feeling better that will all change.  Her orphanage is old but very clean and neat.  It is right in the heart of town.  We are not allowed to see much of it but we were told that there are approximately 100 children all under 3 years old there.  Some of the ladies had babies outside in buggies and we were told that all the children get to go outside every day.  All the caretakers are all women and they were very concerned that our little sweetie had her hat on.  We were told we could take it off to see her hair but an older lady came and but it back on after a few minutes with it off.   We did not have long with her today.  We had paperwork to do and committees to see to even get permission to visit the orphanage.  We can't wait until tomorrow when we can spend more time with her.  Unfortunately we are waiting for some results from doctors before we can make anything final.  At least as final as it can be when we must make 3 trips.  We are not sure when we will have the results as it could be after we get home.  Hopefully they will come very soon and we can make it as official as possible.  Prayers for quick good news.  It is off to bed for today.

Touring the city

St Petersburg is a beautiful city.  The downtown area that we are staying is pretty Americanized with coffee shops all over.   The buildings are very old but beautiful.  It is interesting that everywhere we go there is someone that speaks enough English to communicate with us.  We went out on our own yesterday but will be going with our translator today and touring farther away from the downtown area. The hotel has some interesting things to get used to.  There is a key reader in our room and our key has to be in it at all times in order to turn any lights on in our room.  Also the elevator has a reader also which has to have the key in it and will then only take us to the floor that our room is on and back to the lobby.  Today is a day to check out St Petersburg then tomorrow we get to meet our little girl!!

Someone asked which way we flew to get here.   We flew east.

We are in St Petersburg

We finally made it to St Petersburg.  We spent 15 hours on planes and 22 total travel hours to get here.  Boys we were on one plane ride for more hours than Tyler was at school today!  Only we didn't have recess or PE.  Just a lot of reading and nap time.  We are going to go explore the city for a little while.  Chad's phone is not currently working so we are going to try to fine out what the problem is, or just get a Russian phone for emergency use.  E-mail will be the best way to contact if needed.  Boys, I hope you have a fun day with Katie.

We are on our way!

We are in Chicago and will be leaving for Frankfurt Germany in a little while. We will then go on to St Petersburg Russia.

We meet her Monday and Tuesday

We found out that we get to meet her Monday and Tuesday.

The Beginning of our Journey

We created this blog to keep in touch with all of you as we are on our journey.  We leave for Russia this Friday to meet our little girl for the first time.  She is a beautiful little one year old, and we are very excited to meet her.  Sorry, no pictures until the adoption is final.  This will be the first of three trips we will be making to bring her home.