We've Arrived in Krasnoyarsk

After an overnight flight, we arrived in Krasnoyarsk this morning. We have a day to rest. Because of the weekend, we expected we would not get to visit the girls until Monday, but we learned we will get to visit them tomorrow afternoon (Sunday). We were also happy to learn that the area coordinator has often been at the orphanage with other families since our last visit. She has seen the girls often, says they are doing well, and has let them know we are coming.

Seven Doctors in Moscow

Our medical exams in Moscow consisted of seeing seven doctors each: an oncologist, a psychiatrist, a pulmonologist, a nuerologist, a dermatologist, a general practitioner, and a doctor of infectious diseases. Thankfully, the visit with each doctor was brief, and they all seemed satisfied that we are both healthy enough to adopt and parent.

We've Arrived in Moscow

The past couple weeks since we got our travel dates have been a whirlwind of activity. Just arranging airfare for us and the girls literally took over twelve hours of phone calls, making arrangements online, and trips to the airport, as our reservations got lost in cyberspace a couple times, among other complications. We each had 4-5 trips to the clinic for lab tests, chest x-rays, meeting with the doctor, then doing it again when some lab tests were missed. We’ve been busy with house projects: painting the girls’ rooms & playroom with the help of friends, setting up the rooms, and assembling a crib, dresser and toy storage. Andy was working to finish what he could at his job in preparation of being gone for over a month. I’ve been practicing Russian with a Russian friend. Then there was the final shopping and packing. Not much sleep the past couple weeks. Thank God for providing adrenaline when we need it. It will all be worth it soon.

We arrived in Moscow this morning after two uneventful flights. We have a day to rest, then medical exams in Moscow tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, then an overnight flight to Krasnoyarsk. We’re looking forward to seeing our girls again early next week and soon becoming a family. We’ll continue to provide updates as we have them.

Blessed Beyond Measure

How do we begin to express thanks to the many who have been praying for us and supporting us along this journey, and the many who have shown us kindness in so many wonderful, unexpected ways? I think of family and friends who have given very generous gifts to help us afford these adoptions, the friend who donated frequent flyer miles for our trip, the friends who helped paint the girls' rooms and helped move furniture, the friends who have thrown showers and the family and friends who have showered us with gifts for the girls, the friends who have given lots of great advice on traveling with children, the friends who searched Craig's List for a stroller for traveling, our doctor friend who put together a first aid kit for our trip and drove us to the airport at 4:15 am, the friends who are taking care of our home and yard while we're gone, our Russian friend who offered to make the girls' favorite food for them when they arrive home and who said I can call her 24 hours a day if we need help communicating, the friends who are adoptive parents who have shared their stories and walked with us on our journey, the friends who have often provided a listening ear, encouragement, and prayer along the way, some for years, and have rejoiced with us at every step of progress. My eyes well up as I think of you all. We thank God for each and every one of you and for so sweetly blessing us!

We're Heading to Russia July 28th!

We got our travel dates today. I prayed we'd get them by today. God is so faithful. So our itinerary will look something like this:

July 28 6:30 am - We leave for Moscow

July 29 - We arrive in Moscow

July 30 - We have medical exams in Moscow, then fly overnight to Krasnoyarsk

July 31 - We arrive in Krasnoyarsk

Aug. 2 - We prepare for court and probably visit the girls

Aug. 3 - We have a court hearing (usually 2-3 hours)

Aug. 3-13 - There is a mandatory ten-day waiting period, during which time we can visit the girls

Aug. 13 or later - Lord willing, the judge signs the adoption decree and we become a family

Aug. 14-17 - We begin adjusting to life as a family and get passports for the girls

Aug. 18 - The four of us fly from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow

Aug. 19 or 20 - The girls have medical exams in Moscow, and we go to the U.S. Embassy to complete documents for the visa process.

Aug. 21 8:30 pm - The four of us arrive home!

We have a date...more details to come.

Just got word today of our official court date to appear in Russia before a judge to take custody.  It's soon.  More later. :)