Retail Therapy

The boys and I have been getting a jump start on the new school year by doing some school shopping. With one going into kindergarten and the other a freshman in highschool we hit a variety of stores.Each has their own distinct style and of course sizes ,so we went to two different malls.I wanted to make sure that both the boys are all suited up in case a miracle occurs and we travel for court in the month of August. Ava also scored some new duds ! We also could not resist getting some more clothes for the kiddos at the orphanage.They had a great sale on sleepers , blue jean jackets and jeans. Wait till Our driver and translator (V &A ) see Bret and I coming with those bags again! A was a pro at getting all of those bags and all of us in the car! I hope he is ready for round two!!!! I will leave you with some photos of the orphanage donations. Jake has volunteered to be our model . Cody has the night off!
N

Great things

We have been home for a few days now . And I think we have just about defeated the grueling jet lag that just about killed us both! I have to say that we have both been in a state of shock over the events of the past week . We were so lucky to have had one last visit with Ava on Saturday. She saved the best one for last. She was so different from the little girl that we met on Monday. The doctors said that after two days of our visiting with her she was far more emotional. Well, I have to say Bret and I were truly amazed at her on Saturday. It funny to think that a little person reaching out to you could just melt your heart...and it did. When we had to leave the doctor said we will wait here for you to leave. As we walked away ,I could not bring myself to look back at her. I now wish I would have.
I really have a better understanding now of what is meant by good things come to those who wait. Each step of this adoption process seems to creep by and you have to wonder will it ever happen . Then you move on to the next stage of the process and realize that you have NOW entered the most difficult stage. We met this wonderful and amazing little angel who has stolen our hearts and we had to walk away.So we now will wait and pray for that phone to ring so we can return to our sweet girl and never be apart again. I think I will change the saying to GREAT things come to those who wait!
N

Saying goodbye

Today ,we had our medicals done. Everyone was very nice and it was not bad at all. I have been a little under the weather today. Hopefully my tummy will be feeling better tomorrow as it will be our last day to spend with Ava. We have really been amazed at all of the changes in her as we visit each day.So, it is very heartwrenching for us both to think of leaving her behind.A friend had shared how she had completed her family both through adoption and through the birth of her children. She had shared that her labor during adoption was far more difficult of the two. Having given birth to two wonderful boys, I have to agree with her. We are so excited about seeing her tomorrow but at the same time having to say goodbye to her just seems unimaginable. Please pray that she knows how much she is loved and for a quick return back to her.
N

We are having a wonderful week with Ava! We have been so excited with all of the progress she has made with us in the past few days.She was sitting in my lap the other day and I felt something warm on my leg. She had sprung a leak! The ladies all ran around cleaning things up and looking at me not sure how I would react.I think after I broke out in laughter that said it all!Little do they know I am the mother of two boys. Need I say more? I have seen ,heard and worn everything gross that you could imagine! From boogers to ...well let's just saw I have exsperienced it all!I wore that baby pee pee with pride!We are really starting to get anxious about leaving her here. She has a wonderful group of caregivers that take such good care of her. That will help us with the difficult task of going home without her.
We have our 8 doctor medical exam tomorrow.We are going to squeeze in one more visit in with Ava before our trip is up.We have been taken such good care of by our driver and translator this week. Without them our trip would not have gone as smooth as it has. They took us under their wings and have kept us safe and entertained! We have really loved all of the agencies staff in Russia. What a great group of people ! They truly love these children and make it their life work to help these children. May God bless each one of them!
Well, we are off to bed!The jet lag is kicking our booties!B is already snoring!

Paka!
N

We are really here...I promise!

First I have to say that I am the worst blogger in the history of man kind! We have been so exhausted physically and emotionally that we are not even sure what day it is!
We left Houston at 11:45 Sunday night but not before a lot of tears were shed! The boy's and I were having seperation issues! They managed to drive off with my parents without me hooked on the bumper of the car! I miss them terribly!Our flight was uneventful and despite Bret's prediction that I would take the plane down with all SEVEN of our bags we arrived without incident. No I did not bring my whole closet ! We had 2 Huge bags of clothes for the orphanage. Bret provided some much needed comic relief by falling down with the luggage!But what was really funny was the look on our drivers face when he saw Bret approaching with all of our stuff...priceless! So I know you guy's are saying get to the good stuff already!
We arrived at the Ministry of Education Monday morning to receive our official referral. I cannot share any details about the child out of respect for her privacy. They ask if you would like to meet the child ...Bret said I did not let them finish the question and interrupted with a firm and loud yes! We had Dr. M meet us to evaluate the child and he was wonderful. We would have been really scared without his help. Well, after our first visit with the baby our translator asked what we thought ...Bret said can we take her home now! He is in big trouble on day 1 she manged to wrap that man around her pinky finger ...really tight!
So , I guess you all figured out that we have both had our hearts stolen by this dancing Russian princess !!! And yes she really dances. We are really excited about this new chapter in our life and cannot wait to bring baby Ava home!


N

Just a few more days!

Did you look at that ticker? We have our visa's in hand and are ready to go! Well ...kind of!I can hardly imagine that in a few short days we will be meeting the newest addition to our family...our daughter! We have been buzzing around finishing up last minute details for our trip. There has been so much to do that just when I think I am done... something else pops up!
We are so excited about this blessing of adoption but I am also suffering from a mix of other emotions. I absolutely dread leaving my boys! The thought of going so far away from them is weighting so heavy on me. I know they will be in good hands with my Mom and Dad but I will miss them terribly!Today I am going to spend the day with my boys and enjoy every minute of it! My cousin,Shan, shared some advice with me some years back that I have come to rely on whenever I am faced with uncertainty or fear. She said if you just give your troubles to God he will carry you through. She said when you do it the troubles will be replaced with a feeling of peace . I have relied on this at so many times in my life and it works.So I will once again lay all of this at his feet and wait for any fears that I feel to be replaced with his peace.
Well, our next post will be from Russia! I will do my best to keep everyone updated as the events unfold.Please keep our boy's and this little girl in your thoughts and prayers!You can never have too many of those.
N

One Crazy Mama!

Since we received the call I have been running around gathering stuff for our trip! My mind has been going in a thousand different directions! I think I am suffering from some sort of sensory overload ... smoke could billow out of both of my ears at any moment!
We are so excited about meeting our daughter but sad about leaving our boys! Nick just turned 14 this past week and I think he will be OK .Now Jake is 4. He is tough as a boot on the outside but still a momma's boy! He still does not have a good grasp on time so hopefully it will go by fast for him with T and Pop! When the social worker came for our first home visit Jake thought she was bringing the baby then! He was so disappointed!He was ready to play! I pray that they are safe and having fun while we are gone!
It amazes me how God prepares you for the "birth" of a child . I am waking up earlier and earlier each night! I remember doing this with both of the boy's. I believe that this is his way of preparing you for sleepless nights ahead. Hmm...I will have to buy some extra concealer to camouflage those big bags I will be lugging around!
Well off to finish packing! I have got to try how to figure out how to fit 75 lbs. of orphanage clothes in my bags!I priced the shipping costs to Russia for the 2 boxes ...$650. ...EACH!!!!
Needless to say we will pay the airline extra $ to bring them.Congrats to all of the Families that have court this week!
N