Got our referral in hand! And we brought our passports this time-ha! Michael fortunately caught that they only gave us a letter for one as we walked out the door and we had to run back in to get the other. I'm so thankful he noticed that! This basically givea us permission to meet the kids.
Today was good. We took the metro in and walked and saw the sights. We visited a beautiful church and I bought a cheap scarf so I could go inside. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but wow. I don't even have words to describe the beauty of this cathedral. Then we walked to the adoption center and waited...and waited...We met several families there adopting from all over. After we finally got our referrals, we stopped and ate and hit the metro back to the apartment to rest for a minute. Michael is having so much fun ordering in a language we don't speak much of ;). And here we wait until about 9:30 my time when we will be picked up to head to the train station. We will arrive in our city at about 7:00 tomorrow. I will post again from there as soon as I'm able!
Pictures from today coming. I took pictures of all kinds of normal things just for you Kathy. Please keep praying for a fast court date!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Today's appointment
Well we just rode the metro home to our apartment. Interesting experience. And super cheap which is always good.
Our appointment went very well this morning except for the fact that we left our passports at home. Oops. The lady was really nice even though she must have thought we were complete idiots. We were asked a few questions and then were read bits of the files on the kids. They told us what little information they know on their history. We will find out more about their life after arriving at the orphanage when we arrive in their city. We also got to see baby pictures of each and a toddler picture of Malachi. Oh my heart. We were told we could trade out for these pictures soon.
As of tomorrow we will be able to pick up our official permission to meet the kids and we will take the overnight train to their city. We have elected to stay at an apartment closer to the orphanage so we can just walk instead of having to pay a driver each day. The downside is there is no wi-fi in the apartment. We will be able to walk an get internet access though so I will be keeping up this blog as much as I can. The apartment is also about half the cost as well, so it seemed like the best choice.
We are headed back out to get lunch and see the city!
Our appointment went very well this morning except for the fact that we left our passports at home. Oops. The lady was really nice even though she must have thought we were complete idiots. We were asked a few questions and then were read bits of the files on the kids. They told us what little information they know on their history. We will find out more about their life after arriving at the orphanage when we arrive in their city. We also got to see baby pictures of each and a toddler picture of Malachi. Oh my heart. We were told we could trade out for these pictures soon.
As of tomorrow we will be able to pick up our official permission to meet the kids and we will take the overnight train to their city. We have elected to stay at an apartment closer to the orphanage so we can just walk instead of having to pay a driver each day. The downside is there is no wi-fi in the apartment. We will be able to walk an get internet access though so I will be keeping up this blog as much as I can. The apartment is also about half the cost as well, so it seemed like the best choice.
We are headed back out to get lunch and see the city!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Today's pictures
Pray for us tomorrow. Our appointment is early. I will post when we get home from it. One of these pictures took me by surprise. We were just walking through the streets of city and this word was right in front of me glowing in red. I have no idea what it says in this language, but I know what it said to me.
Pictures
I forgot to add a couple of details of our day yesterday. First of all, our adorable summer cottage had an outhouse. And a shower in the basement next to an empty tiny indoor pool. Good times. Second of all, our driver's dad was apparantly some important guy in the KGB. It was beyond fascinating to hear his take on current politics in this part of the world. We also went to visit his friend who is a iconographer and we were able to see some of his work. And I loved his mother. She just didn't believe me that I don't understand and keep motioning me to follow her so she could tell me all kinds of things. It was a very warm welcome to this country in a way only they could have done it.
Today has been slow and relaxed. We are supposed to take a tour of the capital this evening and then hopefully sleep well before our appointment tomorrow.
I promised lots of pictures (and even of normal, every day things right Kathy?) so here they are!
At the airport
On the plane
Today has been slow and relaxed. We are supposed to take a tour of the capital this evening and then hopefully sleep well before our appointment tomorrow.
I promised lots of pictures (and even of normal, every day things right Kathy?) so here they are!
At the airport
On the plane
Sunday, May 8, 2011
On the ground...Europe I have missed you
After a long day of traveling (or day and a half-not sure how that works with the 8 hour difference) we are finally here. On the ground. In the same country where my children live. We are finally now in an apartment with wi-fi. Sorry for the delay in posting. What can I say? It has been an interesting weekend. Eli did great. Slept on 3 out of 3 flights. We were as comfortable as can be for flying that long and all our luggage made it. Success!
We were met at the airport by an intelligent, history-loving driver. Because of some issues with our apartment, we actually spent the evening in his family's summer cottage while his mother talked to us in rapid Russian fully expecting we were understanding. Ha! The cottage was adorable and surrounded by beautiful blooming trees. We were treated to a tour of the local village and schooled in local history. My kind of evening. Michael was still recovering from jet lag and the local driving including a tendency to stop and turn off the car in the middle of a busy road to answer a phone. Nathan has been anxious for wi-fi but is going with the flow very well.
Now we are back in the capital in a very modern comfortable apartment. I can almost see mcdonald's from here.
Europe I have missed you and all your quirkiness. We are trying to soak up as much of our children's culture and heritage as we can. I love the pride in the people. There is much here that reminds us of England, but there are elements that are definitely distinct to this country. The countryside is beautiful with blooming trees everywhere. We will be here for a few days and then we will travel by train to our city.
Please keep us and the details in your prayers. Our appointment is tomorrow at 11 our time, which is about 3 am central time. We are so excited to find out any details about our kids at that meeting and to find out exactly when we will take a train to meet them.
Today is victory day here. Victory day celebrates the liberation of Europe at the end of World War II. Most european countries still consider this day a very important day in their calendar. I hear there will be a big parade in the city today but we have no clue how to find it right now so I think we might settle for a nap and a walk instead.
Sorry this jumps all over the place. I have tried to put snippets down along the way and want to catch you all up. Email me or post here. I would love to hear from you all. I can't text here or call, but I will be checking email frequently. I will post pictures soon!
We were met at the airport by an intelligent, history-loving driver. Because of some issues with our apartment, we actually spent the evening in his family's summer cottage while his mother talked to us in rapid Russian fully expecting we were understanding. Ha! The cottage was adorable and surrounded by beautiful blooming trees. We were treated to a tour of the local village and schooled in local history. My kind of evening. Michael was still recovering from jet lag and the local driving including a tendency to stop and turn off the car in the middle of a busy road to answer a phone. Nathan has been anxious for wi-fi but is going with the flow very well.
Now we are back in the capital in a very modern comfortable apartment. I can almost see mcdonald's from here.
Europe I have missed you and all your quirkiness. We are trying to soak up as much of our children's culture and heritage as we can. I love the pride in the people. There is much here that reminds us of England, but there are elements that are definitely distinct to this country. The countryside is beautiful with blooming trees everywhere. We will be here for a few days and then we will travel by train to our city.
Please keep us and the details in your prayers. Our appointment is tomorrow at 11 our time, which is about 3 am central time. We are so excited to find out any details about our kids at that meeting and to find out exactly when we will take a train to meet them.
Today is victory day here. Victory day celebrates the liberation of Europe at the end of World War II. Most european countries still consider this day a very important day in their calendar. I hear there will be a big parade in the city today but we have no clue how to find it right now so I think we might settle for a nap and a walk instead.
Sorry this jumps all over the place. I have tried to put snippets down along the way and want to catch you all up. Email me or post here. I would love to hear from you all. I can't text here or call, but I will be checking email frequently. I will post pictures soon!
On our way!
We are currently in the air somewhere between Birmingham and Chicago on the first leg of our adventure. It was painful to leave Anna Faith and Samuel behind. There were lots of tears at my house over the past few days. We are beyond excited to go and meet the two we have yet to meet though. It is a big mix of emotions.
As many of you know, our beautiful state is still suffering in the face of tremendous devastation from the tornados of April 27. My heart is broken for those families hurting, especially for those who lost family members. I know the weight of sudden loss. The feelings of panic and dread. The overwhelming urge to somehow burst out of your skin or the feeling it is going to crawl off without you. And I live with that still. But for me, I had a home to go to. I have a rock of a husband to physically carry me. Some many of these people have nothing left. Nothing.
We flew over a sea of blue tarped homes and debris on our way out of the city. The path of the tornado (one of the many that hit our state that day) looks like claw marks across the ground. It makes my stomach turn.
Last time I flew to Europe was less than 2 weeks after 9/11. This time it is less than 2 weeks after the worst local disaster I have ever seen. It is hard to leave in these times of great suffering. Our prayers continue to be with the grieving and all you amazing people sacrificing time, money, and energy to help.
As for us, please continue to pray for us on this next exciting step. I'm listing some specific needs below. Thank you for partnering with us to cover this adoption in prayer.
- safe, low stress travels (so far so good! Eli has slept so far on this flight but 2 more to go)
-peace over my family in the time we are separated
-a fast court date and a favorable judge
-prepare Grace and Malachi's hearts for a family
-attachment and transition
- finances and timing on this trip
I hope to blog as we go as much as I can. For now we are headed to the capitol city to be given our referrals and then on to our city in a few days. Email anytime. Love and miss you all!
As many of you know, our beautiful state is still suffering in the face of tremendous devastation from the tornados of April 27. My heart is broken for those families hurting, especially for those who lost family members. I know the weight of sudden loss. The feelings of panic and dread. The overwhelming urge to somehow burst out of your skin or the feeling it is going to crawl off without you. And I live with that still. But for me, I had a home to go to. I have a rock of a husband to physically carry me. Some many of these people have nothing left. Nothing.
We flew over a sea of blue tarped homes and debris on our way out of the city. The path of the tornado (one of the many that hit our state that day) looks like claw marks across the ground. It makes my stomach turn.
Last time I flew to Europe was less than 2 weeks after 9/11. This time it is less than 2 weeks after the worst local disaster I have ever seen. It is hard to leave in these times of great suffering. Our prayers continue to be with the grieving and all you amazing people sacrificing time, money, and energy to help.
As for us, please continue to pray for us on this next exciting step. I'm listing some specific needs below. Thank you for partnering with us to cover this adoption in prayer.
- safe, low stress travels (so far so good! Eli has slept so far on this flight but 2 more to go)
-peace over my family in the time we are separated
-a fast court date and a favorable judge
-prepare Grace and Malachi's hearts for a family
-attachment and transition
- finances and timing on this trip
I hope to blog as we go as much as I can. For now we are headed to the capitol city to be given our referrals and then on to our city in a few days. Email anytime. Love and miss you all!
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