New Life - Day 4 - February 8th

Today we had another chill day here at the hotel without any outside appointments. We began the day at 6:00 am again even though its still pitch dark until around 10:00 am, the kids keep waking up early early. I was too tired to climb out of bed that early so I pulled out my google translate app and practiced some Russian words on Vika. It was so cute, when I would say a word her face would light up and she would give me a hug. I wish I would have learned more Russian throughout the year, but I will keep practicing and learning. Anyone aware of a "Russian for speaking with small children program"? kind of like signing time, with pictures and using the words kids and parents need to communicate with? That would be awesome.

Instead of heading right down to breakfast today we decided to eat a few things we had in our room and have more of a bunch around 10:00. Becky and I stayed up way too late last night blogging, skipping, instagraming, face booking, you name it, so just didn't have the strength to head right out. Luckily Becky was able to get a bit more sleep while I played with the kids in my room. We had a great time watching Bob the Builder in Russian, doing performances in the curtains, they think its a stage, and singing head, shoulders, knees and toes. I also used this time to practice more Russian in the children. They really do love it when we try to speak Russian to them. Becky and I laughed today about the silly way we communicate with them mixing the few Russian words we know with English. Gabe's favorite thing to do is clean, cheesta, so today I was asking the kids if they were "cheestaing" the bathroom. Ha ha, we are trying. It is amazing how well we can communicate with the kids though, it's much easier in that regard than I expected.

Having fun with pipe cleaner.  Grabbed these last minute at the grocery store and they have proven worthy of all kinds of excitement

Gabe "Cheestaing" my bath tub

They love trapsing around in the hotel provided slippers

Gabe vacuuming our carpet with the puppy dog leash backpack thing

More cheestaing.

Then after we got back from the hotel "brunch" we played, played and played some more. Both kids LOVE taking baths and ask to do it all day long. Vika kept asking and then insisting that I give her a bath and I just kept telling her "later" in Russian. She was not very happy with me, but got over it fairly quickly.  We spent a good amount of time playing "Balloon Ball".  We all get really excited when the static makes it stick to the ceiling and one of the kiddos has to knock it down.  I made Vika go to the bathroom mid-game because she was laughing so hard I was afraid she was going to wet her pants.  Nothing in the world like laughing so hard your sides hurt!

Once we finished nap time I was able to show her why she had to wait, we were taking them swimming in the hotel pool. It was so fun to see them experience another first. Gave was extra brave and got in the big, cold pool with Becky. Vika was intimidated by the big pool so we just go in the baby, warm pool. She wasn't quite sure about it at first but then she ended up loving it. I think she will really enjoy the little splash pool in our neighborhood. Both my girls at home love spending the hot summer days there, and so does their mom. It's nice to have somewhere to cool down and lounge in the sun so close to home.

Modeling her first ever swimsuit!

"Who wants to go swimming?!?"

Look at that little fish

After the pool we came back up to the room and Vika got that bath she had been waiting for all day. I can't wait to put all three of my little girls in my big tub at home. They are going to have a blast and Vika can show them how to wash their body and shampoo their hair.

We were so lucky this evening to get to meet up with a local couple here that also belong to our church. It was so inspiring to hear their conversion stories and to be reminded of how blessed we are to have been raised in the gospel. It was so fun to visit with them, they spoke beautiful English. The kids loved talking to them in Russian. We all got a good laugh when I told them I was using the word das to tell Vika good. I figured that if das vedanya meant good bye, then das was good in russian. Ha ha,i guess not. Das is a lot easier to say than the real word, but they taught it to me and I will keep practicing so I can tell Jaymi how good she is doing :) Thanks to the Aland family for putting us in contact with each other. It was another drop of sweet blessings we have enjoyed during our time here in Moscow.

Her first experience in a restaurant.  She ate mashed potatoes, sausages, orange juice, bread and tried some of my pizza

Our picture with Renat and Elena

We finished off the night with a mommy daughter pedicure and Skype with Daddy as Vika drifted off to sleep. I also went to sleep shortly after and had a wonderful nights rest. Vika slept soundly until almost 8:00 in the morning, such a nice gift to her mama. As I lay in bed at night I feel like my soul is about to burst from being so incredibly happy inside. It's amazing how the through this process we have gone from one extreme of happiness to the complete opposite of sadness many time, yet the happiness I feel now infinitely outweighs it all. I'm so grateful for the many miracles we have witnessed over the past year, and I know there was many more being made that I don't even know about. We have been so blessed, so blessed.

Now we have matching toe nails

She sat perfectly still while I painted her nail until they were dry

New Life - Days 2 & 3 February 6th & 7th

New Life - Day 2: Wednesday

Today was a nice chill day here at the hotel.  We didn’t have any appointments to attend toso we spent lots of time playing, eating and snuggling.  The kids were both up and ready to go by 6:00am so got an early start to the day.  Wegot the kids dressed and ready and headed down to breakfast in the hotel.  The Marriott hotel we are staying at has anadoption rate that includes a big breakfast buffet so we have lots of choiceseach day.  Vika is such a good little eaterand feeds herself just fine.  She haslearned some very good skills at the orphanage and will be a great example toher little sisters at home when it comes to dressing, feeding herself, throwingtrash away and cleaning up her toys and clothes.  She makes sure we are keeping our hotel roomnice and tidy.  She is such a Bolshoi“big” girl. 

We bundled the kids all up and went for a little walk aroundthe block to grab something at the store. It was fun to get out and about. Gabe loved playing in the snow, we were afraid he wasn’t going to comeback inside.

This afternoon we did a television interview with theRussian station that has been following our story from the first day we gothere.  It was so fun to show them ourkids and to be able to finish the series with a happy ending.  The kids were both hamming it up for thecameraman.  Gabe pretty much broke out insong and dance for the camera and had us all laughing.  The reporter told me when she left she was soglad she got to report a happy story, because most of the stories she does donot end the way ours did.  She is hopingthat our story will inspire change and soften peoples hearts when it comes tothe children living in orphanages.  

Here is a link to the news story, incase any of you speak Russian :)  Or just to see our cute kids in action.  http://ria.ru/tv_society/20130207/921773583.html

Here are links to the other videos this same agency did of our story.
http://ria.ru/tv_society/20130118/918649720.html
http://ria.ru/tv_society/20130123/919362288.html

Reading her documents.  She loves little pieces of paper and anything that looks "important".

Bundeling up for our adventure outside.  She's looks like she's dressed and ready to hit the ski slopes with Daddy soon!

All geared up for her breakfast fit for a king.  She is so good to sit and wait for me to bring her some breakfast.  She loves just about anything I bring her.  Oatmeal, bacon, fruit, juice, bread, eggs and so much more!

Look at the nutella covered face welcoming me when I got back from picking up some dinner at the grocery store.  To say she LOVED it was an understatement.  

Tucked nicely in her bed, it takes a little convincing to get her to go to sleep, nothing a few primary songs can't handle though :)

New Life - Day 3: Thursday

Today the kids woke up at 6:00 am again so we got right up and headed down to breakfast.  Yesterday at breakfast Gabe got so excited when he saw the chef come out in his big white hat and at one point hopped out of his chair and ran over to him to get a closer look at him.  So today when he walked out and Gabe shouted out to him he waved at us and brought the kids chef hats of their own.  They were so happy!

At 9:30 Alla picked us up and we had the kids checked out by a doctor for part of our Embassy paperwork.  He gave me a bit of a scolding by for wanting to comfort Vika when she started crying during the examination.  He continued with quite the lecture about how if I babied her she would be crying all the time when I got her home.  He did make a few good points, but his ideas were a bit extreme for this mama's heart.  I understand where he was coming from, but I didn't let it make me feel bad at all, as I don't think those were his intentions.

After the doctor we went to the photographer to get the kids passport photos taken.  It was so funny because when they told Vika to smile for the picture she bit her bottom lip just like she did in the picture on the top of the blog.  Thats one of the first things Wayne commented about when I showed him her picture early on because she did it in both of the pictures we had seen of her.  He will be happy to see her showing the same face on her Russian passport.  After the photos were taken we went to the passport office to turn in all our paperwork.  Thats when things got tricky :)

The kids were getting pretty hyped up when we got there and wanted to do some exploring.  Becky and Alla went into the office while I stayed in the waiting area with the two kids.  The first 15 seconds went well as we held hands and did a game of ring around the rosies, expect when we all "bent down" Gabe got loose of my grip on his hand and bolted for the door into another hall.  Holding Vika's hand we darted after him, but I knew if I let go of her I would lose her too, so I picked her up and ran after him.  When I turned the corner I couldn't see him so I poked my head in a room full of ladies, didn't see him, so I went back in the hallway and panik struck.  Mind you this was all in a matter of 15 seconds.  Thankfully one of the ladies called out to me and pointed to the corner and lo and behold was the little guy just hiding in the corner acting like everything was cool.  I grabbed his hand and said "niet" many many times as we walked back to the waiting area.  Becky's husband Brian has asked me many many times not to lose his wife while we are here, but he forgot to remind me not to lose his son!  Thankfully I was able to get in about 10 more minutes of ring around the rosies until Alla and Becky came back.  As I went in to sign my papers I was sure to caution Becky to not let go of either of them for even a second.

We made it back to the hotel around 2:00, had a late lunch and then we were all able to take a much needed nap.  After naps we played, watched some Russian Disney channel and Becky headed over to the grocery store next door to find somethings for dinner.  Little did we know she would come back with the workings for a gourmet meal that we prepared in the hotel coffee pot.  We served pasta noodles with spaghetti sauce, roast chicken, yummy bread, carrot/celery sticks, banana and cucumbers. It hit the spot for all of us!  We will have to send her shopping more often.

Becky slaving away over the coffee pot

Check out that spread!  As Gabe would put it, "Yum, Yum"

The kids and I played a nice game of balloon ball while Becky was at the store.

Vika loves to brush my hair, she always gives me a big hug afterwards.  She is so patient and sits very still when I do her hair.  I LOVE doing little girls hair so I'm excited for another head of hair to do.  

Getting ready for bed, Jaymi thought it was time to take another picture so she got the camera all ready.  Good night!

*In case you were confused, we call her both Jaymi and Vika.  She goes by Vika now, but we plan to transition to Jaymi.  If I point to her and say Jaymi, she says "Da".  We will probably always keep her nickname Vika though, its just so fun to say.  "Veee-ka"

A New Life - February 5th

The day we have all been waiting for.  Wow.  I don’t quite have the words to express how this day went.  Thankfully my new dear dear friend Becky was there and took the most amazing pictures. They tell the story much better than I ever could, but I’ll try my best.

We were scheduled to meet Alla our facilitator at 10:30 amin the lobby after she picked up our official decrees from the courthouse.  At 11:40 we started getting worried becauseAlla is never late and she hadn't arrived yet.  Becky ran up to theroom to grab her cell phone incase Alla had tried to call.  She was gone for what seemed like forever andI started wondering what could possibly be going wrong now.  The judge had told Alla over the phone theday before that they would be ready to be picked up first thing in the morning.  Becky came back down to the lobby and saidshe couldn’t find the phone, of course it took coming all the way back to forher to remember right where it was.  Weall know how that goes J  So she went back up to the room and talked toour other in-country facilitator Marina. She told her that it was taking Alla longer than she expected to geteverything, but that she did have the completed and signed decrees in her hand.  Boy was that a relief.  So we hung out in the lobby for a while longerand then decided to go wait it out in our room.  I'll tell you those last couple of hours of waiting seemed to be the hardest for us.  All I could do was pace around the room as I frequently looked out the window waiting for our silver car to arrive.

Initially the plan was to pick Jaymi up around 11:30, beforelunch and naptime, drop us off at the hotel and take Becky to pickGabe up around 4:00.  Since Alla wasdelayed at the court house we had to change plans and go to pick Jaymi upfirst, it was about 2:00 when we got to her children’s home and then we drovestraight to Gabe’s Baby house to get him.  I'm so glad it worked out that we could be there for each other's pick up, it made it even more fun!

The drive to Jaymi’s baby house seemed so surreal.  I had goosebumps and I couldn’t wipe thesmile off my face, not that I wanted to, but I wouldn’t have been able to if Itried.  Our first stop was a smallgrocery store to purchase our cakes to leave with the orphanage.  In Jeana and Becky style we tried snapping afew photos of the momentous occasion and mid-click the security officer startedshouting at us in Russian to stop, that we could not take pictures in thestore.  Oops, we weren’t aware of thatrule, poor Alla had to try and explain to him but he was less thanimpressed.  Luckily we were able to holdour giggling in until we got out of the store. 

Next stop was the flower shop to purchase roses to go alongwith our beautiful cakes.  Before gettingout of the car I assured Alla that I would not be taking any pictures in the flowershop.  :) We had a good laugh, I’m sure Allais not quite sure what to do with us silly mamma’s sometimes, but sheis so good to us.

It is customary in Russia to present the orphanage staffwith a cake and flowers to celebrate the day your pick up your children.  It is also bad luck to give an even number of flowers in Russia.  Which is kind of funny because they price the roses by the 10's, but you would never buy 10.  I was also able to leave some necklaceswith some of the caretakers to remember little Vika by.  I will be sending them frequent updates onJaymi Viktoria so they will be able to see how she is doing in ourfamily.  We have been so impressed byJaymi’s orphanage and the loving people there we have met, I wish we could haveleft them a million dollars to build a state of the art facility for thechildren with special needs to live until they were all adopted by lovingfamilies.  We will always pray for thepeople there and especially the dear children that have been Jaymi’s bestfriends and family for the last couple years. 

Then it came, the familiar turn I’ve made 10 times over thelast 8 months.  You would never know her little children’s home was there unlessyou had been to it.  It’s quietly tuckedbetween tall apartment buildings and a park with a lake.  We got out of the car and waited at the securitycheckpoint while he called us in.  Allalaughed when he told the person on the other end of the call that Vika’s“American Mother” is here.  The securityguard walked us up to the door and helped me carry my big bag of blankets toleave for Vika’s group members up the four flights of stairs.  We met in N’s office, the Children’s homesocial worker.  She is the sweetest ladyand even though we don’t speak each other’s language, it was apparent from thefirst day we visited Vika that she loves our little girl so much, and Vikaloves her too.  We will forever begrateful to N for her testimony in the courtroom back in December stating thatshe was in favor of our adoption and that she has seen that Vika has bondedwith Wayne and I, especially Wayne JIt didn’t matter that we didn’t speak the same language, we both know how mucheach of us loves this little girl.  Loveis something that you feel, something that you see in the eyes of another, lovespoke to both of us and I will forever feel a connection to this sweet womanand appreciate the love she showed to my little girl over the past coupleyears.

We waited in her office for about 15 minutes while wecompleted some last bits of paperwork and while Jaymi’s care givers woke herfrom her nap and changed her into the new clothes I brought for her.  I passed out the necklaces that I made/boughtto the Director, Social worker and teacher. I had one necklace but wasn’t sure who I would give it to.  Finally the door swung open and there was mylittle girl, dressed perfectly in the clothes I bought for her months ago.  The most fitting was the sweater on top witha bird that said “Fly Free”.  Sheannounced her self the way she always does and ran over to me and I scooped herright up and gave her the biggest squeeze. We talked a bit more to the women in the room with us.  The women that have loved and cared for Vikaover the past couple years.  It was sospecial to be in the same room with all of them, if only I could have spokenRussian and told them all that was in my heart. I would love to return to Russia one day with my whole family to showthem all the beautiful city their sister Jaymi Viktoria is from and to meet upwith these beautiful women.

Vika went around giving hugs and “Paka Paka” (Goodbye’s) toeveryone and we finished dressing her in her warm coat, hat and gloves.  She was so excited to go outside.  It was so touching to see the caregiver thatbrought Vika to us hold her little face in her hands and kiss her over andover.  She then gave her the biggest hugas tears streamed down her face.  I knewI needed to give her the last necklace.  Iwill never forget the sight and the love that was felt for our special littlegirl in that room.

Vika and I grabbed each other’s hands and headed for thedoor.  After going down a couple flightsof stairs she looked up at he director and waved paka paka to her one lasttime.  Once again I could see and feelthe love this dear woman felt for my little girl.  We made the long walk to the car followingbehind Alla and the Social Worker N. When we got through the big green gate I felt another rush of emotion asmy little girl stepped out into this great big world, with me, her mama at herside.  As we headed for the car we turnedback for her to give N one last hug, that’s when I couldn’t keep the tearsinside any more.  As the car door shut Nbroke down and began to sob.  I tried mybest not to let Vika see me cry, but I couldn’t stop the tears.  I was so over joyed that I was finallypicking up my little girl, but my heart broke for the dear friends she wasleaving behind and the caretakers that have grown to love her so much.  After our first trip we left a book ofpictures with N to take into Vika and show her each day so she would rememberus the next time we came back.  N told usthat when she would look at the pictures with Vika she would cry because shemissed us.  Now I will be the one showingJaymi pictures of these dear women often, so she never forgets those that lovedand cared for her here in Russia.

As we drove away we pulled out the Matroyska doll that theorphanage sent home with us for our other girls., such a sweet and tendergift.  Then we pulled out the cute babydoll and backpack they sent for Vika to remember them by.  Oh how she loves her dolly, it will always bea keepsake to be treasured.

In the car we all headed to Gabe’s orphanage for his patientmama to pick him up.  Vika and I waitedin the car with Igor our driver and listened so some Colbie Calait on my cellphone.  It was such an amazing site tosee that cute little boy bust out of the orphanage doors with his mama.   He gotin the car and went on and on about the beep, beep, beep we were ridingin.  As soon as Vika saw him she got soexcited and gave him a big hug and a kiss! Oh how it melted my heart. Another tender mercy to come out of this waiting period is that Jaymiand Gabe have each other to play with while we finish up and head back to thestates.  Seeing them together after allthis time is so special.  Gabe had us alllaughing hysterically on the drive back to the hotel.  My face quite literally began to hurt alittle from smiling and laughing we were doing. It was awesome!!

Before dropping us off at our hotel we stopped at a metrostop for Alla to get out.  Before she gotout of the car she told us that today was the start of a “New Life” for ourlittle ones.  When she got out of the carand looked back the kids were both catching away on their mama’s phones.  It was so cute. 

Igor dropped us off at our hotel and we walked hand in handup to our rooms with our kids.  We werelucky to get adjoining rooms and so the kids played and explored together.  Both kids absolutely loved their time in thetub.  We were a little worried aboutwhether they would like baths because it’s not likely that they don't have themoften, if at all in the orphanage. Thankfully they both had a great time and they ask to take bathsmultiple times throughout the day.  Itfeels so good to finally have them with us.  It almost feels like we are living a dream,thankfully one that we never have to wake up from!

Here’s to a NEW LIFE for all of us!

Last trip to the children's home

Dear Jaymi Viktoria,

Exactly one year ago today I wrote this on your blog;

"Let me just tell you that miracles are happening in your's and our behalves. I do not use that word lightly, they truly ARE miracles. I can't give all the details yet, but just know that you are so loved and that Heavenly Father is watching out for you and your new family like we could have never imagined. We are in His hands and he is taking care of EVERYTHING, from the simple to the massive details of this journey. The prayers of many are being answered every day. So many people were praying that your family would find you, I truly believe the promptings we have received to go forward with this are answers to those prayers. Strangers to both you and I, prayers that we would find each other were answered."

I could never have imagined how many more miracles we had yet to see when I wrote that post. Reading it today is a tender mercy and sweet reminder of the faith we had from the very beginning of this process and how our Father in Heaven took that faith and multiplied it.

I'm sitting in the lobby waiting for our driver and facilitator to take me for my last drive to your orphanage. This time I won't have to leave you, we will leave holding hands. See you soon!

Love Mommy

Tomorrow

Dear Jaymi,

Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting over a year for. I will leave my hotel around 10:30 and head to your orphanage to pick you up forever! It still feels unreal, but the more I think about it the more excited I get. I spent some time this afternoon reading through your blog. I'm so glad I took the time to write down our experiences on this journey to you, I will treasure these memories for the rest of my life.

I am going to do my best to record the events the rest of this week so we can always remember this special time. I wish your dad was here with me to experience this day and I can't wait till we arrive home and he can give you a great big hug!

Tomorrow is the beginning of these rest of our lives together as a family. We are so blessed.