We are home!

We finally arrived home on Thursday afternoon and we are SO happy to be here! Going into their room for the first time and seeing THEIR personal things was like Christmas. I cried at their reactions and feel so blessed to finally have them here. Our lives have been hectic, but the girls are adjusting well! We are working through the newness and, of course, there have been some issues. But they have come so far!

My sisters and their families hosted a coming home party and the girls REALLY enjoyed meeting and playing with their cousins. It's all so overwhelming right now.

They watched their brother play football on Friday night. It was SO exciting! He has gotten MVP for both games and I am SO proud. He is leading GISA in tackles! K didn't take her eyes off of him and cheered with her pompoms all night! A, too, loved her pompoms and eventually, they will understand football better than I do.

Sunday was their first day at Sunday School and church and they're frustrated about not understanding. But in time that will come. They enjoyed meeting other children their age.

On Monday, they started gymnastics and now want to go everyday! After class, both coaches asked if they had ever taken gymnastics and were impressed with their abilities. Of course, I was beaming with pride!

Tuesday and Wednesday will be full of appointments (dental, medical, haircuts, etc) and they will be getting ready for school soon. They have met some Russian-speaking friends who have made them feel so comfortable. Thanks to M who explained so many things that they couldn't understand from my broken Russian. These conversations have made the world of difference!

I am tired, busy, overwhelmed, loved, blessed, thankful, excited and going through millions of other emotions! I cannot thank you enough for your encouragement, comments, prayers, and thoughts. In time, I will post pictures and comments from my journal about our ten days, the trip home, and our lives as we adjust.

Friday, September 1

I haven't been able to find Internet anywhere in Stavropol! BUT there is a couple here from Florida who brought a laptop so I am borrowing that for now. I am so thankful! KC - they only have wireless now at the Euro, but it's free. And thanks for the BB updates, everybody. Thanks to those who are commenting - I LOVE reading them! I hope to respond to them all when I get home!

We leave the hotel at 6:15AM - please pray for us! Our flight to Moscow is at 8:00AM, so we should be settled into our apartment by lunch. The girls are excited about flying for the first time and about going to Moscow. I finally got to pick them up around 7:00pm on Wednesday - I have so much to write about that experience! It's been a busy two days here in Stavropol and boy, do I have stories to tell. Linda, that book you want me to write may become a reality! I did get their birth certificates and passports today. We will fly home, hopefully, on Wednesday.

I watched K and A sleep on Wednesday night and just cried and cried. I have NO idea how a woman could give these two beautiful girls away; it's something I could never understand. But while watching them, I, for the first time, am not mad at her for leaving them. They have been in a good place, albeit not the BEST, but they were taken care of and my family and friends will see that in them. They are beautiful and smart, caring and loving, well-mannered and happy, and while watching them sleep peacefully as my daughters and L's sisters, I was very grateful to their biological mother for placing their care in God's hands. He knew long ago that they were my daughters and from this time forward, they forever will be...

Tuesday, August 29

We decided to walk from our hotel to the Intourist, where we would use the Internet and have lunch. We took what seemed like 100 steps straight up to get to the park. Those of you who know me know I'm not the most athletic person in the world! I think I had to stop at least four times to catch my breath! We passed children playing and enjoyed walking through the huge canopy of trees. It reminded me of an area in Central Park in NYC - peaceful and serene. We passed the local school where vendors had set up to sell school supplies - school begins on Friday. We headed towards the major streets of Pyatigorsk where there were cafes, stores, and a street market. It was SO interesting! Approaching Lenin Square, we had to take another 100 steps straight up. With the lack of food and the increase in exercise, I'm sure to have lost a little weight! And it was SO hot - I don't even know why I bother putting on make-up!

Lunch, as usual at the third floor cafe, was excellent. We enjoyed a salad of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, and pasta and meatloaf. Yum! We rested a bit in the lobby and then decided to take the 25-minute walk back to our hotel. And poor J was wearing heels! Needless to say, with the heat and the exercise, we needed a nap!

The coordinator called and said the court documents were ready and I could pick the girls up on Wednesday! Finally, we will be together forever! Now I must wait only one week for all three of my children to be together!

Monday, August 28

Today was Y's last day here so we picked her up to visit D for the last time. Before going to the orphanage, we stopped and bought pizza and soft drinks to take with us for all of the children. Y had to catch a flight that afternoon so we did not stay at the orphanage for very long. However, the children REALLY enjoyed the pizza and especially the Coca Cola! K and A were beautiful as always and I can really tell that they are getting anxious to go home (Mama, too!). We played with dolls for a little while and then it was time to go, but not before K reminded me that she needs more batteries for her CD player.

I found out that I may be able to take the girls with me on Wednesday for good! It depends on when the paperwork arrives from court. We will get passports on Friday and fly to Moscow on Saturday morning!

Please pray for our health; this Russian food is taking its toll. I think maybe we are in need of preservatives (this natural stuff is a shock to my system)!

Suz - I need a BB update. Nobody is taping it for me. Who has been voted off??

Sunday, August 27

The drama continues here in Pyatigorsk. One of the couples here found out, as we were walking out the door to go to our respective orphanages, that a grandmother of their child came forward to adopt the child. You see, there are 16 cases of Americans abusing/killing their adopted Russian children; so when a relative hears "American" they quickly come forward, take the child for two, three, maybe four weeks and then send him or her back to the orphanage. Relatives feel the children are better off in the orphanage than in America. Russians don't hear the good stories that involve forever families, unconditional love, and nurturing. These abuse cases stay on the news five times a day for a month, but hundreds of success stories never make it to the news. So R and C were off to other orphanages today to find a son. Y arrived at my orphanage today. I told her days ago that there was a child for her there and sure enough, after visiting three different orphanages, she met her son, D.

Today was busy, but one of the best yet! I was able to spend some alone time with K and A. We played outside and I discovered K will be a pretty good tennis player. Get ready, L. She loves Maria Sharapova and she was excited to know that there is a poster of Maria in the children's TV/game room at home (some of you may remember my touch of femininity to L's "man room"). I gave K her CD player and A her cassette player - they were more than excited! A listened to her nursery rhymes and Bible songs all day. She is beginning to see consistency in my nature, so she doesn't go overboard to get my attention. She has gotten better at playing and being content about the fact that I am there to stay. K and I worked on her homework - she can already write her first and last name, knows her ABC's and 123's, and is working on colors and her teachers' names.

I did spend a lot of time with the other children, as well. I brought soccer balls, badminton sets, and paddles and balls for them. I brought American magazines (thanks, Traci) for N, who is 17. She loved them and so did all the other teenagers. It amazes me how much they enjoy learning about our culture and our language. One of the boys keeps asking me if America is beautiful and if I have a car. They don't see many cars in the village. It was so hot outside so we decided to go in; it was somewhat cooler, but with no A/C, there was not much of a difference. Five or six of the girls (whom I am getting SO attached to) learned about American money and luckily, I had enough coins to give them all one or two (they were in the bottom of a bag - I don't even know why I had them, but the girls were so grateful). I wrote down all of their birthdays and told K we would send presents on their special day. She was so excited as these girls are her closest friends. There is one, especially, that has gotten so attached to me and I to her. She is K's best friend and they are always together. She is SO precious! I wish I could beg someone in my hometown to adopt her. I wish I could take them ALL! Ir, K's best friend, got really upset today when I had to leave. Now, I just kiss her bye and say "zaftra". I don't know what we'll do on Thursday when we face the possibility that we may never see her again. I can't explain how precious these children are. One of the five mothers, Y (who has visited four-five orphanages in three days), says she's never seen an orphanage like ours. The children are so well-behaved, polite, respectful to adults and each other. They are all cute and loving and healthy. I am reminded every day how thankful I am to the director and caretakers for creating such an excellent environment and being such great role models. The children obviously are treated well, as each child has a great relationship with the caretakers.

The older girls served me tea this afternoon and it was incredible. They are great hostesses and have been taught well. We had cookies and hot tea (yes, in 100 degree weather) and it was delicious! K and A joined me and I have such wonderful pictures of our first tea party! The children were so proud to give us their candies and cookies during the day. They have hearts of gold and I can't imagine how sad I will be when K, A, and I have to leave them. When I have to go, they just gather around, walk me to the gate, and send me off with hugs and kisses. I wish I could express to them how much they've touched my life. To go through what they have gone through and still have such beautiful, caring, and giving hearts shows me the dignity, strength, and grace these children have.

To my bloggy friends who are in various stages of the adoption process - I know it seems as if I am in my own happy little adoption world. But whether you are thinking about adoption, waiting for a referral, deciding on a referral, getting ready to travel for trip one, preparing for court, or enjoying being at home with your children, I haven't forgotten about you. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

To everyone back home - Thanks for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers. I miss you!

Saturday, August 26

Day 4 of the wait - puzzles, naps, a walk through the park - I'm running out of things to do! Fima was overwhelmed by five families today; my pick up time of 2:30pm turned into 8:00pm! All five families were able to get together for dinner tonight, though, and that was fun. It was nice to get out of the hotel and have a nice, normal, English conversation. I also made a vow that I will NEVER complain about my adoption process again! I, by far, have had the least painful adoption I've heard of. There are those who have lost their children for one reason or another. I met a couple who was on day 2 of court when a relative came forward to adopt their two girls. Their rooms at home were ready, a video of trip 1 made, showers given, clothes purchased. The mother is still devastated - I, quite frankly, don't know how I would cope! They've had to visit orphanages to find other children when they should be waiting out their 10 days. Another woman lost her referral on trip 1 after going to the orphanage to find the child missing! A relative came forward when she heard Americans were coming to adopt the girl. The mother is back this time to find other children. One couple lost a referral and were going from orphanage to orphanage to find a son. Only one of the four other couples are here on their initial trip 1 and everthing, so far, is going well for the adoption of 3 girls. Adoption is such a crazy process - we just want to give children love, a warm family, and a comfortable home. It shouldn't have to be this difficult!

I will meet all the families for breakfast on Sunday morning. Two families will go to one orphanage, one family to another, one family to the airport, and I will get to see K and A! I really don't know how Fima does it!

L - Call me! I need a football update! I love you SO much and miss you bunches!

Friday, August 25

Before I begin, let me say a special "Thank you" to everyone reading my blog. It is such an inspiration to me to have so many dear and loyal friends. I couldn't have gone through this journey without you all and I love you!

Thursday was uneventful. Fima ordered lunch to be delivered to my room and we went to the amusement park in the afternoon. I chose this hotel because of the park and it's such a shame the girls won't be able to enjoy the games and rides. It is such a neat place! I did find Diet Pepsi and caramel candies there:)!

Friday was a fun day. We had breakfast (if you call ground beef in a pancake breakfast - more like Taco Bell if you ask me) at the Intourist and met two of the other four couples. We went to the orphanage and played for seven hours! The children were so excited about Americans being there. I don't feel like I got to spend much time with K and A, though. I taught English most of the day and J played games. There are so many adorable children at the orphanage and I am so thankful to meet them. They yearn for love and affection. My daughter, K, the photographer spent lots of time taking 150+ pictures. When she wasn't taking the pictures she was modeling for them. She is a beautiful child! A spent her day swinging from trees and being my wild child! She does enjoy doing whatever it takes to get my full attention. Sometime during the day, she realized I wasn't going anywhere and was able to entertain herself. The children loved the books I brought. Many of them asked question after question about L, our house, our car, whether we have cows, pigs, or chickens. They are so eager to learn English. Most of them already know many words. The orphanage is in need of so many things and there are so many things the girls and boys would appreciate. I plan to send things every month or so. If I can't take them out of their situation, at least I can try to make it a little better. These children are so beautiful, patient, kind, attentive, healthy. Several could go on to be baseball players, doctors, astronauts, nurses, teachers - but they will never be given the opportunity.

The children are happy for K and A, but for the first time today, I noticed a sadness. They realize that the girls are really about to leave. K, especially, has several close friends. Leaving on Thursday will be full of mixed emotions for them.

B - The girls LOVE the scrapbooks. I can't tell you how many times they and all their friends, and even the caretakers, looked at them. K is excited about it all and A is especially excited about the playground. They both already know their ABC's and numbers in English. Thanks for the update on L!

KC - Thanks for you words, they always inspire me.

L - Love you more than words can say!

Wednesday, August 23

We left at 10:30 AM to go to the orphanage. I wonder what the girls think about this process. A was in the baby room (they just recently added 5 or 6 babies - before A was one of the youngest children). She ran to me and hugged me so tightly and we went to find K. Her friend saw us drive up and had already gone to get her. I guess I missed her when I was greeting A. A and I had gone upstairs to the older children's room and I saw for the first time where K sleeps. The beds are not even 2 1/2 feet wide and there were so many in one room! K wasn't with the other girls so we headed back down the stairs. A is so funny when she has a mission - she is so focused and purposeful! We heard K coming - she was running so fast to find me that she just fell into my arms! She thought I was there to take them home. Fima had to explain to them that they couldn't leave just yet. I am so sad!

We went outside to play and had a great time! K loves the digital camera, I may have a photographer in the making. A is very athletic and lvoes sports. We also blew bubbles, which they love. K learned how to write her name in English and I am realizing more and more how smart and determined she is. they experienced the 3D Viewmaster for the first time, which was so funny. A is hilarious! We also played a fishing game that has magnetic fish - they loved that! They ate Teddy Grahams for the first time.

It was time to leave and I hated that! They kissed me a million times and I realized it's as hard on them as it is on me. As they walked back to the orphanage, they turned around at least 3 times to wave "goodbye". These 10 days will be hard, but we've come a long way. This process will be over soon and they will be home. On the 45 minute drive back through their village, through M. Vody, their birthplace, to Pyatigorsk, I realized for the first time that my daughters have grown up in a village. There are goats and cows tied to trees, fields of grain and sunflowers, and people sitting in front of their houses selling produce they've grown. The houses are 1-2 rooms with outhouses and garden plots. I am overwhelmed by how much their world, their lives, everything they've known is about to change. When I'm at the orphanage, I can't help but look into the eyes of children who will never be adopted. And it breaks my heart. There are 16 year old girls who will never know the love of a mother. There are toddlers beating their heads on furniture because there is no one to tell them to stop or to just hold them instead. There are babies with no diapers on and no educational toys to spark their development, so they too will be neglected and never reach their potential. There are 10 children in this village waiting to be placed, but there is no room at our orphanage, so they stay in neglectful families where they don't belong. Our orphanage is already overcrowded and, unfortunately, the adoption process will become harder and more expensive. These children long for love and affection and it breaks my heart that most will NEVER get it.

We traveled to the Intourist for a good Russian meal. WOW! We had green Borscht, cucumber and tomato salad, and mashed potatoes with Chicken Kiev for me and Pork Chops for J. It was SO good! Fima has five families here this week, so I will not be able to see K & A on Thursday.

KC - I miss you so much and wish you were here - you made trip 1 so much better!

L - Congrats on Senior Class Officer! Good luck at your game on Friday night. I miss you and love you very much - E says you can ask for the room number in English (who knew!)

Everyone - Thanks for your comments - I enjoy hearing from you all so much!

Tuesday, August 22

Court - Day 1: I was so nervous. I was prepared for most of the questions, but not all of them. The judge asked more questions than I expected, and they were very detailed. I really liked my attorney and my interpreter was very professional! It's the hardest day, so I was glad when it was over! We went shopping later that PM for balls and other items for the orphanage. That was an experience!

Court - Day 2: I walked in the front door of the courthouse and saw K sitting on a bench. As soon as she saw me, she ran down the hall to hug me. And she didn't let go... The social worker, orphanage director, and Minister of Health testified. They all went into many details about the gtirls and I learned more about them. Of course, I cried when I heard things they have said since April. K has really expressed herself. Since April, her grades have improved and she said she felt honored that I would choose them to be my daughters. She also explained how attached she and A had gotten to their brother, L. The orphanage director said K & A asked every day when I was coming back and eventually they became afraid that I would not return. The wait has been horrible for all of us! The judge approved my petition and I am the proud mother of two beautiful girls. I only wish L could have been there to hear everything that was siad in court about him! I am so blessed to be the mother of three special children.

I left the courtroom to find K. When I saw her in the hall, she looked so scared. She had no idea what was going on. This was the first time I had seen this expression. I walked up to her and said, "Tee moy dochka" and she smiled and hugged me tightly. We walked outside and the director told her they had to go back to the orphanage. She protested a little - she does not understand the process. While I do understand it, I don't agree with it. There is a 10-day waiting period, whihc is an appeal period. During the 10 days, I will visit the girls as much as I can. K said "Good Bye" in perfect English and kissed me. She walked to the corner, turned to wave, and then was gone. My heart melted.

I went back to the hotel to check out to go back to Pyatigorsk and learned that J was almost arrested for shoplifting in the grocery store. The officer did not realize she was trying to get money from her money belt (which she now refuses to wear); he thought she was stealing food! I still laugh about that! We drove 90 miles an hour to Pyatigorsk in 100 degree weather with no A/C! Thank goodness I had a sleeveless shirt and water! We passed a military convoy that contained at least 50-75 trucks! After driving about 2 hours, we met Fima at the hotel and he ordered some delicious pizza. We then settled in for a 10-night stay.

GREAT NEWS!

I am now officially the mother of THREE!

Will post details later but my internet time for today is up. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I did find out that K & A will not get to spend the 10 day waiting period with me :(

L - I LOVE YOU!

Monday, August 21

Hours with no sleep - 56
Airports passed through - 5
Drunk Russian men in row behind us on plane to M. Vody - 3
Flight from Moscow to M. Vody - 8740 rubles
Fee for luggage being overweight - 450 rubles
Water at the airport - 90 rubles
One night at Intourist in Pyatigorsk - 1900 rubles
Two Glasses of orange juice - 40 rubles
Hose for court (since I forgot them) - 75 rubles
Seeing and holding my two beautiful girls after 4 months and 1 day - PRICELESS!

First, let me say how thankful I am to have my best friend, J with me. Those of you who know her know she could win "The Amazing Race" and "Survivor" so I am not as worried about anything! The flight to Moscow was long, noisy, and uncomfortable. In front of us, sat a family of 5 whose baby Katarina was NOT happy; no sleep for me. We arrived at the airport and met Oksana, who arranged for us to be driven to Vnukovo Airport to wait for six hours. By this time, my ankles had tripled in size and I had to change shoes! I made a spectacle of myself by sitting on the floor and propping my pitiful feet on my luggage. Those who know me know that it must have been terribly necessary - I would usually be the mouse in the corner drawing NO attention to myself.

We finally boarded the plane to M. Vody which I was somewhat excited about. It brought me to the place where my daughters were born and to Fima, the BEST Interpreter/Driver in the world! The drunken men seated behind us were a little intimidating, but the food was okay. Seeing Fima at the airport in M. Vody was a huge relief. He has seen the girls several times and said they are excited. Whenever the children are told Americans are coming to the orphanage, K & A ask if it's their Mama :)

We traveled to Pyatigorsk and stayed at the Intourist in a tiny room with NO A/C. We are not going to do that again! In the region, it is so hot and dry that fires are a problem. We could see them from the plane. The next morning we traveled to the sanitorium (a resort spa) to meet the social worker and most importantly to pick up my daughter K. The drive was beautiful - lots of mountains and countryside. While we waited on K at the gates, the social worker asked many questions. It started to prepare me for court. K saw me before I saw her. My back was to her, but they told me that it was all she could do not to run. She hugged me so tightly and her first word was "Mama". After being away for four months I realized, at that moment, how much she and I bonded in April. She is such a beautiful child inside and out. She could not stop smiling. I am so thankful that she can read Russian. I have some great books that make communicating a little easier. We drove to the children's home to see A. My goodness, has that child grown! She may grow to be taller than all of us including her brother. Her hair has grown and she has good bangs. For those of you who don't know, A took scissors and removed her bangs before I saw her in April. She also has lost her two front teeth since I last saw her. A saw K first and ran to her. It warms my heart to see how close they are. A didn't see me until the social worker said "Mama" and A took off towards me. She is so small that it is easy for me to pick her up and that I did! To hold and love these children is such a blessing! We played games, read books, blew bubbles, and worked with their sticker books. They seem so happy.

The caretaker wanted to know which state I lived in and if we had any natural disasters. I responded "Yes if you consider this weather a natural disaster." It is approximately 100 degrees there which is NOT typical. Unfortunately I am accustomed to that in Georgia. I had to sign some additional paperwork and was told more about their medical and social histories. I was aware of most of it and had already picked up on their personalities. A has such a carefree spirit about her with no fear and K is so charming and reserved. I am so lucky to be the mother of these children. After visiting with the girls, we traveled to Stavropol to stay 2 nights for court on Monday and Tuesday. It is very nice here (although they have NO internet at the Euro - KC you should find that amusing). We have A/C and a grocery store nearby and they had the hose I needed for court! KC - thanks so much for your map. It is such a huge help and I am grateful.

There are issues with my medical report and it is a long story, but I am not happy when it comes to miscommunication. To make this long story short, I had to go to 2 Russian clinics on Monday AM for a chest X-ray and a blood test. Very interesting! I was surprised by how affordable it was. I was prepared to be charged hundreds of dollars, but all tests totalled approximately $40, and that includes expedited services. I am now waiting for court this afternoon. K will be present to testify on Tuesday.

I will post when we have a decision.

L: I miss you SO much! I hope school and football are going well for you. I hope you enjoy your packages. Be sweet, work hard, and you know how much I love you!

E and J: Thanks for helping. Love u!

Happy Birthday, K