Recap from our 2nd trip

Our 2nd trip was amazing, wonderful and stressful all in one mix.  We had the stress of court, a bombing nearby, and a sick child thousands of miles away but we got to see Josie smile and laugh for us for the first time.

We got to Russia on Sunday and thought we would just catch up on sleep and site see on Monday but we got a very pleasant surprise.  We were told that our driver would be at our hotel the next morning to go see our daughter!  We had been asking, and hoping for more than one meeting but just didn't know if they could make it work.  So after getting permission from the committee we began on our 2 hour drive to our daughter. Chad's Mom (Jeanette) went to Russia on this trip with us but we did not know if she would be allowed in the orphanage so she stayed to site see the beautiful city of St Petersburg.  Going to the committee takes awhile so we did not get to the orphanage at an ideal time.  The children follow very strict schedules so we have to work our visits around their time.  We got there when it was lunch time so we went to a little cafe for a while until we could go visit.  We rode to the orphanage with another couple that was meeting their daughter for the first time.  It was nice to have them to visit with.  Their little girl is just a few days older than our Josie.  We then got to the orphanage and it was much more relaxed this trip.  They just took Chad and I up to the music room and within a few minutes brought Josie in.  She was as sweet as ever and wanted to snuggle and be held the whole time.  She was very tired as it was almost nap time.  She actually fell asleep on Chad’s chest for a short time.  Toward the end of our visit one of the caretakers came in to set up a puppet show for some of the older children.  Josie obviously loved this caretaker and got very excited when she was in the room.  She played the piano as we were leaving and Josie loved that.  We then had to say our pa-ka pa-ka (bye-bye) until tomorrow.  We were told that Jeanette could come in the orphanage so the following day she got to come with us.  That was a nice treat.   It was not too cold Tue when we visited so they told us we could take Josie outside.  We waited a long time then finally they had her all bundled up and we went out for a while.  She was still a little timid of us and knew we were strangers.  We had a nice time outside and she still wanted to be held a lot and look around.  It began to get cold so we took her inside.  The other couple was visiting their little girl in the music room so we waited for a while in foyer for them to find a room for us to play in.  I began to unbundle Josie and she her personality just began to shine.  She had all kinds of smiles for us and was giving high 5's.  She was being quite the little ham.  That was wonderful to see.  We knew that it was in her as we had seen her interact like that to the caregivers but never with us.  We then went in a different room that seemed to be a room that they do Dr visits in. She had obviously been in there before and loved playing there.  She took a hold of Grandma's bracelet and she held on tight.  She loves jewelry!  She was so sweet and gave lots of smiles and laughs.  She really warmed up to Grandma as well.  There was a big exercise ball and she love bouncing on that.  That was a wonderful visit and it went too fast.  A caregiver came in and told us about her schedule and we could ask questions of her.  Chad asked her to hold Josie while he video recorded her talking to Josie about her stay.  I am very excited to get that translated as her caregiver was so loving toward her.  We then had to say our Pa-ka Pa-ka's until next time.   Court was the following day and that was definitely on our minds as we said our goodbyes.  But court went very well!  The judge was 40 minutes late getting started.  We had met most of the people in the room so that made it less intimidating.  There was the orphanage director (which we love), orphanage social worker, prosecuting attorney, secretary, committee director, our translator/facilitator, Judge, and Chad and I.  It was much like a court hearing here in the states.  When it was my turn I went up to the podium and gave our speech.  Chad and I decided that I needed to give the speech as sometimes he can come off too much a busines like and in most cases that is good, but not so much here.  My speech went very well and then came the question time.  We really had been prepared very well by our adoption agency and knew pretty well what to expect.  The judge really just wanted to know about our parenting style and weather we had prepared to add a child to our family.  She loved the photo album I had brought.  Chad then had his turn at answering questions for a while.  The prosecuting attorney had some questions for us.  Then it was time for the orphanage director to give her observations about our time visiting our little girl and she was very positive.  It was then time for the social worker to give her spill and when she was almost done the judge broke for lunch.  Of course her announcement was in Russian so as everyone was leaving I leaned over and asked our translator what was going on, she replied "lunch time".  After our little break we went back to the hearing.  There was just a little more and the judge gave her ruling.  Even though it was in Russian we knew she said positive decision.  What wonderful words to hear!  After that we could relax as much as a set of parents can when there is a bombing nearby and a sick child at home.  I was ready to get home by this point but we knew our boys were in good hands with Katie and God had control over what happens so we stayed as planned.  The following day was a great day of site seeing with our driver Nadia and translator Maria. We went and saw Catherine the Great's Summer Palace.  That was amazing!  We also saw the Cathedral of the Resurrection ("The Saviour on the Spilled Blood") This was built on the site where Alexander II was mortally wounded.  This was also amazing.  I will try to post some pictures.  The interior was all made of mosaic tiles.  It looks like paintings but it all made of little stone tiles.  It was built in 1883-1907.  That evening we went to a Russian Ballet which was awesome.  We then packed our bags to begin our long journey home.  We will definitely be missing Josie until next time but know that we will be seeing her soon.  We got our date that we go pick her up.  It happens to be Valentines Day!! What a day we will definatley remember always.  We had a wonderful trip and we are so glad that Jeanette could join us for this part of our journey. 

By the way, Katie definitely needs to be hired on as a teacher close by.  She is wonderful and we are so blessed that she is able to keep our boys while we are away.