Day 15 - A good day

We began our day with the usual routine... getting up and heading out to visit Shawna and Lindsay. We haven't had too much success with toys that have held their interest for very long. So I revisited the bag of toys I brought and found a little bag of necklaces. They're the ones that have little colored beads on a string and I got a bag of 8 for something like $1.00 at Wally World. I put that in my purse and a little doodle board and we set out.

We were greeted with smiles again! But just as soon as we sat down to visit, the lights went out. So I dug into my purse and found a little flashlight that I keep in there just in case...:)  Lindsay loved it! We had to keep her from looking directly into the light but she was so interested in it. About 10 minutes later, the lights came back on. She played with the light a little while longer. Our son LOVES all flashlights so I think these two will enjoy their common interest. Shawna even liked the flashlight, too!

So I turned to the next item in my bag of tricks, I brought out the package of necklaces. Well, to say they were a hit is a complete understatement! They ROCKED!  I gave each of them 2 to play with. Lindsay wanted them all. So I gave her the others. She would hold them and shake them. She would drop them and pick them up and rattle them in the chair! She loved it!  She stood up on her feet for almost the entire 1hr 45 minutes of our visit! This from the little one whose attention doesn't last for more than several minutes on something.

Shawna had two and she was completely content to play with those. She would hold one between both hands and stretch it across her face. She'd hold it up over her head. She would run the beads back and forth across her lips.... This is seriously the absolute MOST I have seen her interact with a single toy since we've been here. She was mesmerized. I was amazed as I watched her lift her arms over her head. She held her arms up and out so she could watch the beads drop and then pull the string tight. She moved her arms back and forth as she moved the beads across her lips. I haven't seen her move this much! WOW! And she did this for the entire visit too! She even babbled a few happy sounds!

Afterward we had planned to go to McDonald's for lunch and make a trip to the grocery store. We didn't go as soon as we planned and we actually kind of dilly-dallied around the apartment before we left. We walked over planning to stop at a coffee shop to drop off some things for a friend. We changed our plan and decided to stop and eat first. It was super-crowded because there was a circus going on this weekend. We couldn't find a table and one large section was reserved for a large group. So we decided to stand near the door and just eat fast and head out.

About that time a new friend of ours calls our name. There's Brenda! She's with the group that has all the tables reserved! So we got to sit down and eat. She tells us that they are waiting on a group of kids from an orphanage that will be there. The kids were over at the circus and would be here any minute.  This group will do some games, puppet skits, tell them about the Christmas story and will provide each of the kids with a Happy Meal before they board a bus and return to the orphanage. They have been doing this outreach for a few years now. We were invited to hang out and help with serving food. What a treat for us! It was a real blessing! Looking back at our day, it was obvious that this was a divine appointment to be there unexpectedly at the right time and place! God is Good!

Ministry team at McDonald's

Afterward, we left with full stomachs and full hearts! They will be doing outreaches on 3 or 4 other days later this week. We offered to be available to help again. We can't speak Russian, but we can be hands to help serve. We committed to pray for their efforts this week and to pray for open doors that will allow them to minister to many more orphaned children here.

After we arrived home, we got a call from our attorney. She told us that her news was not so good. The local court called her and told her that we will not have an appointment for a court hearing before January 10th. Bummer! She will visit the court on Monday and try to get us a set appointment for a hearing on the 10th. She will also ask about the possibility of a date sooner, but there are no promises.

Will you join us in prayer that she will find favor with the judge? Maybe we can have a court date in the week between New Year and Orthodox Christmas. If not, it will set the return date we had hoped for back by a week to ten days. Nothing monumental, but we miss our kids and we want to bring all our family back together as soon as possible.

We discussed and looked at the possibility of flying home for a week or so and returning for court. But it works out less expensive to stay here and wait it out for the extra days. And we'll have more time to visit with Shawna and Lindsay, too.

If it doesn't work out for an earlier date, we're ok with it. A little bummed, but maybe God has some other special opportunities for us while we're here wating!

Paka!
Carrie

Day 14 - It snowed!

Well, it finally snowed today!!! We woke up to a dusty snow falling over the city and left it's mark mostly on cars, tree limbs and grass. But the roads and sidewalks remained wet. It didn't last very long, but left a nice dusting of the pretty white stuff on the grassy areas. We left to visit the girls around 9:30am and the snow was beginning to end.

We were greeted with beautiful smiles from both of them again today! We played inside and mostly just sangs songs and hung out. We sang lots of Christmas songs to them today. Lee and Lindsay played with his phone playing some of the songs he has stored on there. She really likes music and it seems to settle her down.

Lindsay has taken a liking to a new game of getting down and crawling on the floor. She'll lay down on the floor (which is understood to be a no-no) and giggles when one of us comes over to pick her up. She'll go back over and over again... clever little girl!

It was about 2/3rds into our visit that I notice Lindsay had lost a tooth sometime since our visit yesterday! Her two center teeth on the bottom have both the baby teeth with both of the permanent teeth coming in directly behind them. So there are 4 teeth where there should only be two.... but one of the baby teeth is missing today! I think the other baby tooth might be preparing to come out soon. I was relieved because I was sure we'd be going to the dentist to pull some teeth. I didn't get to ask the caregivers about it since the only one that speaks a teeny smidgeon of English wasn't there today.

By the time we got back to the city and our apartment, most of the snow on the ground was already melting.

Today was a low-key day. I didn't get any pictures today, so maybe I can make it up to you tomorrow... and maybe we'll be able to announce an official date for our court appointment..... maybe, just maybe...

Paka!
Carrie

Day 13 - Daddy sings

Our day began again with another visit to the orphanage to see the girls. It was a cool, drizzly, foggy morning today. I'm thinking this must be what it's like in the Pacific Northwest... I think we've only had 2 days of clear skies and full sunshine since we've been here. Having lived in Texas all my life, this is different for me. Rain doesn't last this long, and I'm used to sunny days almost all of the time. We still haven't seen any snow here, yet. All the local people keep telling us just how unusual and warm the weather is for December.

We can tell that the girls are recognizing us when they come out from their room. We are greeted by big smiles now, rather than the confused looks we got the first couple of days.

These are a couple of pictures from the many attempts to get a decent passport picture for them.

 Lindsay was full of energy again and on the move again today. I can't wait to give her the space to get down and play and explore. She really wants to get down on the bare floor and scoot and play, but we know that it's frowned upon here. So we have to keep picking her up and trying to entertain her on our laps, in our arms, or on the chair.  It is acceptable to sit on the floor, but only if  there is a carpet or other covering on the floor. We don't have one in the visiting area we have.

Shawna was her usually quiet, cuddly self - kind of like a little koala cub.  Lindsay was trying to kiss her and play with her, and I finally heard an audible laugh! She seems to have a very low muscle tone across the board, so I think physical therapy will be our first goals for her, once we get all the medical exams for both of them out of the way.  The name we chose for Shawna means "beautiful, gentle" and I think it's very fitting for her sweet personality.

Shawna and Mom

At one point, Lindsay seemed to be getting overexcited. She just could not sit still anywhere. Daddy was finally got up to walk around with her in his arms. He began singing to her some worship songs from church and eventually she settled down and laid her head on his shoulders and relaxed in his arms. It was so sweet! Her eyes were open and you could see that she was soaking it in.

Daddy is singing to Lindsay.

Eventually, it was close to lunch time and the girls' attention was directed toward the caretakers as they brought in the crocks of food from the kitchen. We took them back to the group room. I set Shawna down on the floor and said goodbye. I turned to leave and another little one reached out to me. I reached over to shake his hand as I passed by, but the little guy leaped out of the chair to hug me and wanted to be picked up. My heart ached.... these sweet little ones just crave hugs and attention. The nanny pulled him back and returned him to the chair. I apologized to the nannies in case I had done something I shouldn't have. I had to hold back tears as I left.

With how tiny and frail that Shawna is, I feel certain that she would have a difficult time surviving in a mental institution. That would have been the next "home" for both girls. Because she isn't mobile or walking, it's very likely that she would have spent the rest of her life in a crib or bedridden.  I'm just thankful that we are able to be here now to welcome her into our family. I look forward to seeing what all she and Lindsay will be able to do in another six months with therapy and loving care.

Oh, how I wish things were different here and that each of these children had the opportunity to grow up in the care and love of their own mothers and families. I pray that things will begin to change and improve in their country so that children with disabilities will one day have more acceptance in the community, more educational opportunities, and better medical care. I pray that any child would be able to live with their families and outside of an institutional setting.


The little 6-yr-old girl that is also being adopted here is so, so very happy to have her own family. I wish you could see the pure joy that lights her face when her new parents and brother are visiting her.  It warms my heart! She also points to our girls and then to us saying that we are their Mama and Papa. I think she's happy we are there for them, too. I hope I'll be able to get a picture of her soon.

Afterward, we came back into the city and had lunch at a restaurant that offers traditional foods from this country. It was very good and only cost us about $11.00 US total for both of us. We'll definitely go back there again.

Paka (bye)!
Carrie

Day 12 -

Today we had our regular visit and paperwork stops. One stop was to file the petition to the court. We don't have a firm date, but looks like it will be one day next week!

When we arrived, they brought the girls out to the little entry area and sat Lindsay down on the bench. She looked around for a second and as soon as she spotted Daddy, she got the biggest smile on her face and reached over to him! She was really excited today and a little louder, too. Shawna seemed a little more alert this morning, too!

We had a good visit again and got to watch Lindsay practice some more walking. She's able to take a few steps between two people, or to cruise with something to hold onto (hands, chair, wall...). She does not walk very far on her own. I have no doubt she'll be running in no time once we can get her some therapy started.

Little Shawna is so small, but so quiet, sweet and gentle. I had a chance to check the size of her clothing. The pants she was wearing was 3T, as in the size of a typical 2-3yr old toddler. Oh my heart!  I couldn't find the size tag on her shirt, but I'm sure it was probably the same size.

I received a cute picture of our daughter S, when she went to visit Santa this week. So cute! But after spending the last few days with these two children, she looks just enormous at 5 yrs old!

Before we left, we tried to get a couple pictures that we might be able to use for their national passport applications. Not the best, but there aren't many passport photos that do anyone any justice....

We spent our evening attending a bible study with some new friends that we've made here.

Have a wonderful day, as we head off to sleep!

Paka!
Carrie

Day 11 - Going Outside

From the cold, rainy weather yesterday, we awoke to a beautiful sunny day. Cold, but sunny with no wind! Perfect!

Our driver picked us up and we had to stop to pick up a document from the city official's office.

We arrived at the orphanage and another adopting family had arrived before us and was using our usual visiting place... the little foyer/entry area. So we ended up having to use the enclosed porch area, which was super cold. It was only 1C (about 34F) outside.

The nanny brought the girls out dressed in coats and hats. We understood them to tell us we could only stay on the porch, but not go outside. And Lindsay kept trying to get over to the door. She really, really wanted to go outside!

Bundled up to go outside

All I can say it we had our coats on and it was chilly in there. The girls hands were cold and we kept holding their hands to try to keep them warm. At one point, Lee took his gloves and put them on Lindsay's hands. It was so funny looking at her looking at the big gloves on her hand. It looked like a pair of giant puppets!

Valentine went to the office and tried to get permission to take the girls over to the big building to hang out inside. That building is quarantined for illnesses right now, so that wasn't going to be an option. Instead, he was able to talk to the nanny and get permission for us to take the girls outside and around the grounds in the strollers. So off we went!

Enjoying the sunshine

The weather was beautiful, and actually it felt a little warmer when we were able to get out into the sunshine. The girls really enjoyed it! Daddy would stop the stroller for a bit to stop and look at something, and Lindsay would rock in the stroller like she was trying to get it to go forward. She was NOT interested in stopping! Shawna was perfectly content to sit in the stroller and take in the scenery.

Shawna smiling!

When our time was almost us, we headed back toward the pink house. Lindsay began shaking her head "no." I don't think she was quite ready to go back inside. It was lunch time, so we handed them back over to the nanny and said our goodbyes. Our visit seemed to end so quickly, but we'll be back tomorrow.

We did a little paper-chasing afterward to get another document that needs to go to the capital city overnight.

So from what I understand, we have much of the paperwork in the right offices and our attorney can go to the local court tomorrow to request a court date for us. We'll see what the news will be tomorrow... Our hope is to have a date before the end of this year.... as in.... before the end of next week! The sooner the better!

PRAYER REQUEST:
If you think of us, please pray that the timing of all the paperwork will be perfect. I heard today that the American Embassy visa office will be closing for two days in January to move offices. It has the potential to fall smack-dab in the middle of us trying to get the entry visas for the kids to come home.

Day 10 - Church

It was raining and cold this morning, but we set out to learn the metro (subway) and made it across town without any trouble. Learning to sound out cyrillic letters has proven to be a good thing. We were able to determine our locations and figure out how to get to the next station. Google Translate has been big help in figuring out some of the words we see on a regular basis.

We didn't visit the orphanage today, but took a day to go to church and fellowship with others. We connected with an American that lives here and attended their church service this morning at Calvary Chapel here in K.

It was a great message about thanking God, even in our trials, because God can use those even those trials for an better purpose in our lives.  When we pray and we don't get the answers that we want, we still need to be thankful because many times if we were given that which we asked for, it would cause us more trouble for us.  We should still be thankful, even if the answer is no.  God has a better plan for us if we will be still, be quiet and listen to Him and follow his leading.

A group of us went to have Mexican food for a late lunch. It really wasn't too bad, considering your 6000 miles from your favorite Tex-Mex places back home!  We got tips on a couple of other places to try while we are here.

On the way back, we found a children's store around the corner from our apartment and picked out a toy that we hope the girls will like to play with.  We'll head back to the orphanage tomorrow for our next visit.

Paka!
Carrie

Day 9 - Second Visit

We were able to visit with the girls again today!

Here are a couple pictures from our visit today. The first one is my favorite!

Shawna, Daddy, and Lindsay

Daddy and Shawna

Mommy and Lindsay

All I have to say is that Lindsay is a ball full of energy! She wants to be busy and doesn't want to sit still! We are meeting in a little foyer/entry area and there is really no where to let her get down and move around... boo! It is taboo to be on the floor without a carpet or blanket, so we were trying to keep her entertained either in our laps or sitting on a chair. When she has been on the floor for a second or two, we noticed that she likes to get around by scooting around on her bottom, much like Nathan did before he started walking. Brought back fond memories....

Shawna may be a snuggler... she's so quiet and seems perfectly content to just sit on your lap and watch. Whenever I talked to her, I was able to get a smile from her. She is quite a bit further delayed than Lindsay, but that's ok. We'll have plenty of time to work through it.

Daddy was able to capture more of  Lindsay's attention when he brought out his phone. Boy did she like that! He played some music and she was cute when she was singing along and swaying to the music. She like the pictures, too! He was showing her pictures of brothers and sister.

As we finished our visit and the girls left to have lunch, there was another family who was arriving to visit their child. Remember the little one who cried yesterday, looking for her Mama and Papa? It was them! They were returning for another visit with her. We had a few moments to visit with them, and they seem to be very nice. They are from Italy and have adopted from this country before. We will probably get to see them many more times over the next few weeks. :)

Later we were able to meet up with the Kimbles and had dinner at a good Italian restaurant. The pizza was delicious!

We plan to meet up with an American couple that lives here and go to church with them tomorrow morning.

The weather forecast is calling for rain and some snow in the next day or two. We'll see how my little boots are going to hold up to the temperatures and keep my toes warm.

Paka!

Carrie