We made it to Moscow!

We got in a few hours ago and checked in to the Novotel Hotel which is literally 2 minutes from the airport. We had a 10 hr layover so we decided to try to get some shut-eye at the hotel. We'll be leaving soon to go back to the airport for our flight to Kras. We are so happy to be traveling with our new PAP friends, the Swingles. They are a great couple, adopting an 18mo old boy from Kras. Anyway, the internet here is NOT free so just a quick check in to let you know we made it to Russia. Now we're off for Siberia!=) Keep us in prayer (Sunday night for you guys). Also, family members, we cannot use our cell phones here but we can call you via Skype. If you don't recognize the phone number and it has an odd area code, it's us so pick up!! We'll be in touch!

Dasvedanya!

It's Friday evening and I want to get in a final blog before we leave in the morning. I've spent the day running errands, cleaning and packing. It's been a challenge to pack everything we want to bring with out going over the 45lb weight limit. Our carry-ons are jam-packed too. Just in case our luggage gets lost, we are packing toiletries and our MOE outfits in our carry-on. Chris' backpack is filled with all of his electronics. I hope we don't forget the important stuff like tickets, passports and $$!=) We dropped Grommit off at Granny's house tonight. I'll miss him desperately but I know he's in good hands. Grommit loves his Granny almost as much as he loves us.
Anyway, thanks so much for all of your prayers while we're gone. We'll try to post after we meet our kiddos. Bye!

It's Official!

We got our visas today and we're officially going to Russia!! Yee Haw! I can't wait to meet our little guys!
To answer some of Jody's questions, yes it does seem real, now that we have our visas!=) We are getting things together to be packed but have everything we need. My sister's gifts arrived the other day. She bought some jewelry, cds and a wallet from Target. Chris' mom picked up some chocolate, coffee and Florida tee-shirts for us today for part of our gifts to give. She loved having a "mission" for us. I would have done it myself except I've been holed up in our house the past 2 days waiting for these important Fed-ex packages.=) We aren't really sure what kinds of gifts to bring, most people (including us) just wing it and get a mixed bunch of goodies for gifts. It's really just the thought that counts to them. I'm not sure how many gifts we'll need so I brought a bunch of stuff and I'm not entirely sure as to who they are going to yet except for the orphanage workers, drivers and translators and a few people at the MOE. I'm not posting pictures of the kids until after our court date as it is not allowed. Thanks for all your questions Jody but especially all of your prayers. We love you and we're so thankful for you and your family. BTW, I'll be sending those magnets to Melody when I get back.=)
Okay everyone, I think I'll post one more time after this right before we leave for the airport. We will try our best to post in Russia but it depends on if we can get internet service. Please pray for us and remember that it's 12 hours ahead of our time in Kras. Thanks so much!!!

Tickets!

Yes!! We got our tickets today!!
Now, everyone pray we get our visas tomorrow!=)

Whirlwind!

Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments and praises. We are so thankful for your prayers and support.
I've been very busy the last 48 hrs or so getting ready for our trip and I expect I will be all next week as well.
I sent all of our info for our visas on Friday. We should get them back on Thursday, cutting it close! I've also been spending a lot of time tracking down brand new cash from banks as Russia does not accept the slightly used kind. This has not been easy but I hope to have it all resolved by Tuesday. We have our flight itinerary and will have tickets by Monday. I'm so happy to be able to travel with another family from our agency. If any of you adoptive families out there have any travel advice, I'm all ears!=)
My sweet sister who lives in SC decided to take on the whole gift buying thing and I am most grateful. She is sending the gifts next week as well.
This week is either gonna fly by or drag on by. Which do you think? I hope it flies by! I can't wait to see our boys!
Please pray for safe travels and protection while we are there, that the airlines do not lose our luggage, that we are able to spend quality time with the boys and that we connect with each other.
I'll do my best to keep you all updated. Thanks!

Guess What?

Did you guess we have referrals? If so you are only half right!
Here's what happened, Tuesday evening at 5:15 we got the referrals. This morning we had our phone appointment with an IA Doctor. We decided to wait to tell everyone about the referrals until we got our travel dates since we went down that road already and didn't want to disappoint everyone again. Well, we didn't have to wait long because at around 3pm today I got a rather amazing and very unexpected phone call... we have travel dates!!!! We are going to Russia baby!!! Woo Hoo!! And it's about time! We leave October 27th! Unbelievable! We even get to go with another family from our agency!
You want another surprise? You do? Well here it is, our referrals are for 2 boys! Totally unexpected but cool nonetheless. A 3 3/4 yr old and a 1 year old! We'll call them M and S for now.
My life is crazy right now! There is so much to be done!
God is so good and His timing and His ways are perfect. All praise and honor and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ!

Things I Hate

My sweet hubby wrote about the things he likes recently so I thought I'd do the opposite and write about the things I hate. So, in no specific order here they are:



Coffee! I like the smell of it but the taste makes me want to hurl!



Ceiling fans! I hate direct wind blowing on me and I hate to be cold!




Roaches! Really, who likes these disgusting creatures? I think I'm kinda phobic though!




Nuts! They ruin everything!!




Waiting!! Yes, we are still waiting! I Hate Waiting!!!

I figured something out!

I actually figured out how to add something to my blog all by myself! It's my Avatar! Check it out. I'm so proud.=)
In adoption news, we have our 3rd homestudy tomorrow! Lord willing it'll be our last. There goes another $450!
I'm really hoping that we'll hear some good news this week. Not expecting any but who knows? ;)

Still Alive

Hey everyone! I thought I'd better let everyone know we're still alive since I haven't blogged in a while. We're still waiting too, shocking I know.=)
We just got back from our staff retreat. Check out my hubby's blog for details. We had fun and it was really relaxing. Other than that, nothing new. Hopefully soon.