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!