We have an Update...

Well it came as a surprise to us to get a phone call this past Friday with a potential referral. We got the call about 45 minutes before leaving for the Go Diego Go show. I think Chris can attest to the fact that the show was a blur and our minds (and hearts) we racing. I looked over at Jordan... with an ear to ear grin and Garrett rocked so hard and fast I thought his head would spin off. What a moment.

When we started this process, we agreed that we were on a need to know basis and that we would not accept a referral unless we felt truly comfortable. Contrary to this agreement, we have managed to accept this referral without having any information. When we got this referral, something in our guts just felt right. We are scheduled to travel to Russia on July 15th. This little girl (9 months) is in a region southeast of Moscow called Orenburg. The region sits just north of the Kazakhstan border. We have heard wonderful things about the region and the structure of its orphanage program there.

Gram and Coach have signed on to babysit for the first trip. Jordan and Garrett are very excited to have them. Garrett doesn't have a clue, he agrees to everything and Jordan is already scheming. It seems that Jordan and Gram share the same passion for chocolate so I can only imagine the creations that will occur in the kitchen while we are gone.

We are very excited for our trip and really feel cautiously optimistic. Will keep you posted as we get more information. Russia... here we come!

June 2007 Update...

As for the adoption front... we have seen some movement, but have not had any situations that have stuck at the moment. We are a bit limited this time around as we would prefer to go to a region that waives the 10 business day stay in country. There is no leniency to families with children (even adopted ones from Russia). So we continue to wait and let fate take its hand.

Waiting has been fun though. Summer is here and we kicked it off with a trip to Chris's Aunt and Uncle who live here in Florida.
They have a gorgeous home on the beach. I think Jordan and Garrett spent the days, literally, in the water. Their pad to their fingers and toes were raw and we all had a blast. The next few days we spent at Disney and then we headed up to visit my sister and her family in South Carolina. It was a great week! Jordan spent some time playing T Ball while there with her cousin Logan. Logan plays for a team and Uncle Bill is the coach. She has gotten us up every morning since we have been home asking to play ball. We got to do some fishing in their back yard where you practically caught a fish with each cast. Taking the fish off was a real treat for me. Spending time with my sister is time I will always cherish.




Jordan has started a camp this week at our church. She loves going and has already met some new friends. Garrett and I swelter at the park most days and spend a considerable amount of time doing what he enjoys most... swimming. (See right)



We are hopeful that the Russian program will open its doors and allow a more consistent adoption program. Jordan periodically asks us about the new baby. It seems like such a hard concept for her, but she knows how to be a big sister and has become quite the pro. Garrett on the other hand may struggle with the newest addition. He has grown to appreciate his role as the youngest and the one that gets his way most of the time. (Or so he thinks) I thought Jordan was strong willed... Garrett has become rather savvy with his approach to become the what he thinks is the leader of the house. It is hard to believe we have only had him just over a year.



We hope everyone is having a great summer so far... we appreciate all the inquiries about the next adoption and love hearing from you all.

Guess who got glasses???

Well, not much to update on the adoption front. We are slowly moving up on the list, but not stressing the load with the extended wait period and the current activity in the house. It is obvious that good things can come to those who wait. Jordan and Garrett are eagerly awaiting the next Carey addition and we will keep you posted as we gain more information.

Guess who got glasses!!!!!! These glasses have given new meaning to low jack... aka "low garrett." Just another thing to keep track of. He really looks cute though and seems to be adjusting to them well. Occasionally, he will hand them to us when he has had enough, but for the most part, he keeps them on. I thought Jordan would be a great help in picking out his glasses. Instead, she spent the majority of the time on the floor crying that she needed glasses too. By the time we got to the car, I took a pair of her sunglasses and popped the lenses out of them and it appeased her. Who would have known. Phew!

Jordan is finishing up school in a few weeks. We have enrolled her in a camp this summer at our church and she is very excited to have fun with her friends from school. She has one more year of pre K, but for some reason, she THINKS she is going to kindergarten. She is far more prepared then I am. Garrett will be joining her a couple of days next year at school. It will be nice for him to release some of his communication skills on someone else for a few hours. He doesn't stop talking!


While Jordan is at school, Garrett and I can be found cruising around in the "crusher" or at a local construction site down the road. He is obsessed with cranes and "digger up backers."
I have a date with Jordan tomorrow for a mothers day tea. She is very excited to give me the present she has been working on for a couple of weeks. I have a hunch it is yellow as that is the color paint I have been spending my evenings scouring off her clothing. I can't wait.

Have a very happy mothers day!!!!!!!!! I know I will...