Ramblings as summer draws to a close...

I have not posted for some time thinking Randall and I would be in Russia right now on our adoption trip. We were told that we had to wait until the kids returned from summer camp. This allowed us to spend time with the kids who were hosted this summer. It is all God's will as this allowed us to grow closer to Sergey, Elena and Sergey who were hosted by the Stoms family in South GA, Evans and the Bowen families in metro Atlanta. We were able to volunteer and attend New Horizons for Children events. It was very healing and beneficial to meet and have fun with these families and other hosting families. It helped the summer pass by more quickly as we have not been able to talk to our kids at summer camp. We have grown to really love these host families and their host kids. These three in particular are best friends with my kids, so I was able to send back letters to my kids. We miss our kids so much and love them so much. It is strange how 2 years ago talking to my co-worker David about New Horizons for Children Orphan hosting program could lead to the soon to be adoption of three beautiful children. God is awesome like that.

The last time we were able to talk to our kids was right before they went to summer camp on June 2nd. They told us that they missed us and wanted to be in our forever family. They asked we tell our extended families they missed them and loved them too. Tonya said "how long Stephanie til you come to Russia?". I am not very far along on my Russian language studies but was able to tell her not soon. She said "August?" It was the only month we thought she knew so we said yes. She said " Woo hoo ~ Stephanie August short time not long time" (in English I might add). I told her "NO for Stephanie August is a LONG time". She said "Oh Stephanie I love you." I cannot tell you what that did to me. I was so happy.

You know, I was just thinking about when they were here this past January and it was getting close for the kids to fly back to Russia. Andrey was booked to fly through JFK where I would fly to JFK with him and he would fly back to Russia with out me. He told me too late that he wanted me to come along on their flight. He said, after I explained to him I could not go because lack of a visa, "You fly back with me. I tell Russian government it is ok. She with me. I show you Moscow, St. Pete, my friend and my school." I teared up and hugged him. I told him I loved him very much. He, Vlad and Tonya then continued our Russia language learning session. It was fun trying to teach the other our native tongue.

At the airport this year when Elena, Sergey and Sergey went back to Russia in August, the kids let me know at first they were concerned about my kids at first coming to America forever. But Sergey told me "I love you" and later told Randall he liked him to. He said Vlad, Tonya, and Andrey will be good. It was like he approved of us or something. Which for a teenage boy is pretty good. Both boys are looking forward to seeing us in Russia. We are praying in early September. We cannot wait. I have always wanted to travel to Russia but never knew as a child I would be going to adopt with my husband.

The Power of Patience

I believe I am being taught the power of patience. I was hoping today that when Russia was reviewing our dossier for the adoption that we would get the date for our first invitation to Russia. I have been informed that it might take as much as two weeks. Our adoption agency does not expect to hear anything until the end of next week. In the mean time we are gathering the final paperwork needed for our date in court.

Randall and I have been able to intermittenly contact the kids. I was able to talk to Vlad last Sunday for about 5 minutes to tell him we mailed them a letter. He know we are trying to come get them and make them apart of our family. I miss my kids.

Funny Stories

While the kids were here this past Christmas 2009; we had a couple of events that had us rolling on the floor. Vlad primarly speaks Russia and is learning English (imagine that!) He has picked up more English on this visit, which was even more evident when playing on the WII out of the clear blue he started fussing at the game he was playing. He could not figure out a puzzle on some game that I was watching him play. All of a sudden he said in perfect English "ah come on." I am not sure why that tickled Randall and I, but we started laughing and could not stop.

One day Tonya was trying to get Randall's attention. He was trying to do the laundry, so Miss Priss went into her room dressed up like a rock star and came back into our room singing "Apple Bottom Jeans." The funny part is that she could not correctly pronounce some of the words in the song.

Mid Host Update

Well it is mid way through the hosting period. So far we have taken the kids to the dentist, swimming in the county aquatics centers, traveled to North Carolina and celebrated Christmas. They really enjoyed hanging around the house playing hide and seek, riding bikes, and playing video games. We have been watching a lot of soccer on line. In fact Vlad made a Freudian slip when talking about his favorite soccer player. Instead of saying Ronaldo he said Randall. We have had some issues with the oldest wanting everything his way. We have been told that is apart of being a teenager. God please help us. The kids eat very well....almost too well. I never realized how much teenage boys can eat. Costcos stock must have shot up several points just from our shopping visits.

First week--Good news on Andrey -- Prayers needed

Good news! LeAnn has found someone who has agreed to fly Andrey here to USA. Please pray this winter storm does not affect this child's chance to spend Christmas with us. Tonya and Vlad are doing well on their first week back in America. They have grown about an inch each since we saw them last Christmas 2008. We are getting along wonderfully. They love for us to ride bikes with them. It is good because it forces me to get out an exercise, but little sore the next morning. We went to my Dentist. Dr Keith Smith and his staff were kind and patient with my non English speaking kids. I really like my dentist. Firs week has been slow because we kept preparing for Andrey's arrival. I miss him.

My most of my kids are home

Finally, Vlad and Tonya have arrived for a month's visit. We are all ecstatic. We missed them so much. Andrey had a visa problem, but through God's intervention will be here with in three days. Thank you New Horizons for Children for bringing my kids back to me. Now we are watching Kung Fu Panda.

We got through to them!!!

We finally got through to them!!! Praise GOD!!!! We were able to talk to Tonya and Vlad. I was so thankful. They could not find Andrey in time :( I was disappointed on that note, but otherwise generally thrilled. Vlad and Tonya mentioned they were studying English, Russian and taking life skills courses. Tonya told us that she and Vlad were in a dance competition. They won best dressed couple and something else. I was so proud of them. They mentioned they had not yet received their care packets we sent them. NHFC checked on it for us and the next Friday wheil I was at work I was presently surprised to find this picture in my email. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you very much to the person who took this photo.....you made my month. We are going to try to call them this Friday (today) or tomorrow. I am so excited. Please pray for us.