Getting Ready to Bring Them Home

Mama, Papa & Vika

Mama & Denis

Only 30 days from court and we can be together again! Only, it's now going to be more like 40 until we actually leave the orphange again - but this time forever!

We had some problems finding good, direct yet affordable flights the week we were supposed to travel, but everything is good to go now! Grandma & Grandpa Guy will be coming to TX this time to spend the week with Myles, Sophie & Stormy and be here when the kids come home - our own personal welcoming committee!!

We are getting very excited and nervous! Bought (adoption day) gifts for the kids yesterday I think they are going to love - a doll house for Vika and a DSi XL for Denis; my video game boy! We won't be able to pack the doll house, but we can bring her a doll; which she wants badly anyway.

Also we finally got Vika's dresser, so I guess I will be able to finish her room this weekend while Papa constructs the doll's house! Yeah!! :)

Until then, we appreciate the continued prayers from everyone that we arrive home safely, together!

The Verdict Is In!

Our "almost complete" family! 

The verdict is in and we are to officially become the parents of a handsome blonde haired, blue-eyed boy and a sweet and beautiful little brown-haired, brown-eyed girl in 30 days from now; which is when we will return to Stavropol Russia to bring them home! Of course we wish we could have brought them home with us today, but there is now a mandatory 30 day waiting period. This allows the appeals period to end before we leave the country. We were however able to see the kids today for one last time before we travel home and begin preparing for our final trip back to bring them home for good. Although they wanted to just come home with us today too, Denis understood when we explained they would have to wait just a little bit longer. Vika was quite a bit upset however. Hopefully Denis will be able to help his little sister understand. It just took so long for us to make it back this time, to her I think it seems like forever! We are very happy and relieved to say the hardest part is now over on this side. We are grateful to God and to everyone who helped us through this process so far. We begin our travel home tomorrow. Lots to do when we return to prepare for the big day when the children arrive home in Texas! :)

Now For Legal Matters

We had our first day of court today and it went well. It was very formal of course and many questions were asked of us about why we want to adopt these children. Forrest answered the most questions and our lawyer believes we both did very well. It appears that we will not be able to visit the kids today, but hopefully we'll be able to see them tomorrow after the judge renders her decision. Requesting many prayers right now that she decides Denis and Vika will do best with us in America. We wish we could take them all home! All these kids want is to be loved by someone. You can see it in their eyes. They are grateful for the littlest attention you give them. I pray they feel how important and special they all really are. They are all truly GREAT kids! I hope and pray too, even as difficult as this process can be, that more people consider adopting older children like ours. This experience for us has truly been eye-opening in SO MANY ways. We feel so blessed to be able to go through this experience. Adoption is truly God's work!

Fun Days at Summer Camp

We just can't stop smiling!

...and goofing around!

We had an unbelievably great first day with the kids after four long months! We visited them at their summer camp and they were as happy to see us as we were them! Denis has learned some English and is looking forward to coming home with us soon. Denis, along with many of the other campers put on a show for us the first night! Denis and a couple of his buddies did an awesome breakdance routine. He's very talented! Vika was very excited when she first saw her Papa again and ran into his arms. She has since asked for a doll, a stuffed animal and for Mama to have her ears pierced. She is a real girlie-girl! However, she doesn't want to miss out on fishing with Papa, Myles and Denis either. Today, we went for our medical tests and passed with flying colors. Later, we made the 1.5 hour treck again out into the beautiful Russian countryside to see our children. Forrest "the Americanitz" and four of Denis' friends took on about 10 of the other boys in an "extreme basketball" game. It was FUN! Vika wanted to come home with us again tonight. She tried to sneak into the van, but was busted! It feels great to bond with both of them so well again. We can hardly wait to bring them home with us. But, first the judge must approve. Tomorrow we visit the kids again with the Social Worker present and Wednesday and Thursday we have court. Please keep your prayers coming for a smooth process and favorable decision. Love and miss everyone. For now, good night. P.S. We are unable to post all of the great photos we've taken, but will do so when we return for sure. :)

Houston, We Have Touch Down!

Stavropol, Russia - Streetside Art

Stavropol, Russia - Theatre under restoration

Stavropol, Russia - Fountain in the park

Stavropol, Russia - Big Fountain

Stavropol, Russia - Landscaping Art

Well, we arrived safely today in Russia and are exhausted! Trying to adjust to the time change, we have not had much sleep since we left home Friday morning when we had to get up around 3am to catch a 6:30am flight to JFK. Leaving Moscow, our flight was delayed by about 40 minutes; making our total layover in Moscow 7 hours after an 11.5 hour flight! Ugh! But, we are finally back in Stavropol. After eating the recommended pizza at the hotel restaurant, we walked around and enjoyed seeing everything around us, this time without being covered in snow! It's beautiful! Everyone was out enjoying themselves in the weather. We took lots of pictures! Denis and Vika are coming back from vacation at the Black Sea tomorrow. We are hoping to finally see them again! Missing Myles too, but he's having lots of fun at Grandma & Grandpa Guy's. To bed for now...

We Have A Date!

Vika's Girly Room - One half finished!

Although we still have a small mountain of paperwork to complete and bring with us to Russia, we now have a court date!!! We will be going back to see the kids (yeah), have our medical exams done and be meeting with the judge on July 11th & 12th for her decision!

After court, it will be another 30 days before we can return for a third time to process Denis and Vika through the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and come home for good - if the judge says okay of course!

So, there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Myles will be vacationing with my family in NY for the week and be spending time with his Grandma & Grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins, so he's pretty excited about that! Plus, it should be alot cooler there than it is here in Texas. We are expected to hit the 100's this week!!

For now, lot's of paperwork to chase and walls to paint. Vika's furniture is coming on Wednesday!! :)

Sporting Progress!

Boy's Room - Looking In

Boy's Room - Looking Out

Myles' Bed



Denis's Bed

Well, it seems as though we are finally starting to make some progress! After receiving some disappointing news that we needed to re-do some of our paperwork for the judge before they will assign us a court date, the Lord sent us an Angel last week in the form of a CPA! :)

Our original Financial Statement, prepared for us by a CPA in Minnesota that works with our agency, was rejected by the court because it was out-of-state. :( So, it took a while, but I finally found a CPA in Texas that could help us out. So, Myles and I traveled to Austin last Friday for an apostille and our new documents will be off to Russia with the help of another family who is traveling for their court date this Friday!

The Powers, who are adopting an adorable 2 year-old little boy from the same orphanage, and traveled over Spring Break with us, are scheduled for court the week of the 18th. We're praying for their safe journey and very successful outcome. :)

Meanwhile, we took delivery of the boys furniture last week and I was able to put Myles' and Denis's room together yesterday! Yeah! I think it turned out awesome. Apparently, Myles agrees too!! So, I guess you could say I hit a homerun!!

Next, I will be moving Myles in and preparing his old room for Miss Vika! Busy, busy, busy... makes the waiting a lot easier to take. :)