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.