First Time seeing Tatiana

Scott and I were having lunch in the director's office (which is a separate building from where the children live), and after we finished they told us the nurse will bring in Tatiana very soon. I was looking out the window and saw in the distance the nurse with this little wrapped up child coming toward the office. As they stepped into the door, I had huge waves of emotions like the rush of the first hill on a roller coaster. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh, cry, jump up and down, it was incredible. She came in already talking to the woman who was with her, and she was extremely personable from the time she walked in. Now, the director gave her a piece of candy and told her not to open it. We didn't know that is what she said , so we kept looking at her playing with this piece of candy and not opening it. We thought she didn't know how to open it. While she was playing with it, they were talking with her and she would look over at us. Again, we were not sure what was being said, but they were probably explaining to her about us. Then after ten minutes the director told her she could eat the candy, and she immediately opened the candy and put most of it in her mouth. I think they wanted to show us she listens to instructions and obeys them. I wasn't even thinking about that; I was just looking at her and thinking that's my little girl sitting over there and I want to get up and hug her and tell her to take my hand we're taking you home.

Scott and Missy in front of St. Basil Moscow

Home at Last!

We are home and trying to think about unpacking and getting back into life again. I feel since we recieved the call in mid-December our lives have been crazy. I went early to pick up Luke from school because I missed him so much and couldn't wait to see him. I cried and Luke got very teary.

I'm so glad to be home but if they asked us to come back tomorrow, I would be on that plane even though I can barely think straight right now. It was an extremely busy trip with loads of travel, so we tried to take naps whenever possible. I didn't sleep at all on the long plane ride home because there's something about sleeping in the upright position that gets me every time. I wished at one point I was working the trip so time would go by faster. I told the flight crew on the trip to Moscow I was an ex-flight Attendant and they teased me about helping them out. I didn't sleep good last night and was wide awake at 5am. I remember this feeling all to well from my flying days. I can't wait until it's over and I'm back on EST.

I thank God for a wonderful and blessed trip. At times it feels surreal. Was I really there? Did I really meet our daughter? But, He has this all under control and we will wait for His prefect timing to go back and bring her home! Please Lord make it soon!!!!!! I have more to write about our journey, but this brain is just too sleepy. More to come....

Still trying to take it all in.....

Well, we are back in Moscow and the train ride was long but we slept a little. Today, Ana is taking us around Moscow to see the sights. I am very tired today and I'm still trying to put together everything that has happened since being here. We had a wonderful stay in Voronezh and the people here couldn't be more loving. I cried when we left the train station because everyone took us there to see us off.It was Galina (stayed at her home)with her daughter Kristina, our translator Nick, our driver Sergei. I felt like Dorthy leaving Oz and all her new friends. They stood outside our train window waving and blowing kisses. In fact this whole trip has felt like being in OZ.

This is a part two email because I couldn't get it done this morning, so I will tell you how our day went. Ana took us around Moscow today and we went to Red Square, Lenin's tomb, St. Basil's Cathedral, and some more shopping. They love to see American's come in and shop. It was a very cold day but exciting to see these things I have read about my whole life. We are leaving tomorrow to come back to US Land, and I will be happy to return. I miss everyone, but I miss someone here too that is tugging at our hearts, so that makes it hard to leave.

While we were in the orphanage after spending some time with Tatiana, the Director was asking our translator questions she wanted him to ask us, and while she was asking him the questions Tatiana was answering them without me knowing what they were saying yet. Here is what director wanted Nick to translate to us. DO you think you are going to adopt this little one? Are you ready to take her back to America? Do you think she will like living there? All of these questions were answered by Tatiana saying Da (YES!!!!!),and she wasn't even asking her yet! We have lots of pictures of her and video of the kids in her group, her bedroom and playroom. I can't wait until I am allow to share them.

We were able to talk to Luke using Skype and our webcam, so we were able to look at each other and talk. It was very good for mommy because I sure do miss him. It's free and worth it's weight in gold if you have family far away. It really made me feel good seeing Luke and him seeing us!

I'm very tired again and will be until I get back on Maryland time so.........
Good night Luke in Maryland, Good night Tatiana in Voronezh! I know someday soon we will all be together in Maryland! And I'm headed there tomorrow! Hooray!

We feel your prayers

We are in Voronezh in case some of you do not know. Our train ride was very good and we slept most of the way. Everything is running like clockwork and we feel very comfortable. We had a very good day yesterday meeting the ministry of education. He was very nice and let us take pictures of him. Later that day, we had a tour of the city. There is a whole story here, but I will have to save that for later. I am using a computer in our facilitator's home. We are staying here with her and her daughter who speaks very good english, and she is so funny and cute.

The biggest news is we went to the orphanage to meet Tatiana today, and it was wonderful. Everyone treated us so nice and we had two meals prepared for us with the asst. director. She was very friendly and laughed a lot. They brought Tatiana in to meet us and I held it togehter pretty good. (that is one answer to pray), and she was adorable, and both of us fell in love with her. It was very hard to leave her there, but she is in good hands until we bring her home. Later, we will post some pictures from the back so you can get an idea of her. She is very small and wears a 3T slim or some 2T. She warmed up to us quickly and we had many hugs and kisses. I was able to meet the other children in her group and see where she sleeps and eats and goes potty. We are very tired, very long day for all of us. There is so much to write, but not the time now.

Thank you for praying for us. Tomorrow we see the MOE again to sign papers to adopt her, and Nick will take us around to shop, and then we will be back on the train going back to Moscow.

Thanks to everyone for checking in. We are reading your posts and they are giving us much needed love and prayers. We feel it all the way here because we have a very big God!

We are in Moscow!!!

Long plane ride, but we are here in the Marriott Hotel for some much needed sleep and a shower before we get on the train tonight. We were met right out of customs by our driver, a man that could drive that car through any type of traffic. I was so glad I couldn't see much but he really knew how to weave and fit in places the car didn't look like it would go! I had around three hours of sleep and I don't know if that will get any better tonight, so if you read this and if doesn't make sense, my mind is sleepy. We are staying at our translators house this week, and we are looking forward to it, and hope it will be good enough. Tomorrow we will meet the ministry of education, so please pray that all goes well. I can't wait until we meet Tatiana because that is probably the most on my mind. The Russian people seem very friendly and love having Americans come to their country.

I think it's amazing how a little shower can help your mind and body feel so much better. We are off to eat dinner because we slept through lunch, so i'm a little hungry. I hope to connect tomorrow!

Good News...and planes, trains and automobile

The good news is we got our visa's today!!!! Yeaaaa!!!! So, we are good to go!

We had a phone conference with Christi today concerning the whole trip! Some of it was hard to digest, but we will be on a plane (14 hours) then a few hours in Moscow to clean up, and then (11 hours) on a train to Voronezh where we will be staying in an apartment, and then (five hours) by car to the orphanage.(LOL) We will see the ministry of education the first day, go to the orphanage the second and possbily the third day, notary office and put back on a train to do everything above in reverse. We will have time in Moscow to tour, so we are planning to see some sites on Saturday because we will not fly out until Sunday. We will be very tired puppies when we get back! God is good!