Waiting for a Court Date...

We have been home just over a week and we have been busy entertaining friends and family and getting Garretts rooms ready for his arrival home. The Kaufmans stopped in to hang with us a night and we had a fantastic evening catching up on our old Federal Hills days. Their 3 kids are terrific and we were sad to wave good bye when it was time for them to continue on their journey home.

We also had Gram and Coach in town for the long weekend. (Chris's parents) They were down from New England to enjoy the warm sun and a lot of play.

We completed the rest of our paperwork and sent it to be authenticated on Thursday. We are suppose to get court dates at some point this week and hopefully be traveling by early to mid March to bring him home. We are starting to get our visa paperwork together and the gifts we need to bring over for the contributing forces that are assisting us in finalizing the adoption. We have several boxes put together full of orphanage donations as well.

Jordan and I spent the afternoon shopping yesterday for some clothes and a special nigh night for Garrett. It was so great spending some quality time together. I think she is grasping the concept of having a baby brother in the house... I am just not so sure she understands that he will be staying forever. Today we decided to play hooky from our chores and we spent the afternoon swimming.

The room is almost complete and we are eager to carve out a special place for him in our world. Hope he is up for it!!!

Will keep you posted on our court date and travel plans.

We are home and counting down the days...

We made it home late afternoon yesterday and are definitely feeling the time zone and travel difference. (I don't want to chalk it up to getting old.) It took us 28 hours to get home from Samara, Russia. We know what we have to bring next time and that is coffee. Chris and I determined our addiction early on.

We got to spend a few hours with Garrett on Thursday (Russia time) before we left. He was very alert despite the fact that he was woken up from a nap when we arrived. Made a few noises, but otherwise very quiet and calm. This was good compared to the other 2 children that were running laps in the room we were in. It is going to be a fun flight home with all of them next trip. Jordan was also very "serious" when we met her and she has turned into a social talking machine. I am hoping that the "calm" disposition we were told about isn't really the calm before the storm. At least I am prepared.

We were told that our return travel dates will probably be March 13th or 17th. We are thinking the 17th. We are counting down the days. We watched the video last night with my parents and Jordan kept running up to the screen and saying "that is me!" (Maybe she doesn't know as much as we thought.) I will say though, when we arrived at the airport she had a balloon for us and ran into my arms! What a fantastic homecoming. She hasn't left my side since. It made leaving Garrett a little easier knowing we were coming home to her.

My dad napped the ride home. From what I heard, they were together 24/7. They had very busy days. I think my parents will go home and sleep for a week. My mom cooked a fantastic dinner last night AND cleaned up as I think I may have fallen asleep at the table. I don't know how we would have done it without them.

Glad to be home.... Only 28 more days till we go back... but who is counting!!
Missed you all.

I have fallen in love with another man...

Thursday morning, Samara time. (2am USA time). We had an excellent dinner last night in a local Russian restaurant. Some difficulty ordering with the language barrier and menu, but we managed to enjoy a great local meal. This afternoon we head back to the orphanage to see Nikolay aka. Garrett again and spend an hour or so playing and taking in every moment. The travel to this region is tough with the time difference and flight. We are very eager to get home tomorrow and see Jordan. We find ourselves talking about her all the time. I am sure the other 4 couples that we traveled with feel the same. Oh well. Garrett is in for a wonderful life...

The hotel has a bowling alley and pub so Chris and I have managed to keep the gang out late every night. Hey we have a sitter so why not take advantage, right?? We have sampled a lot of local brews as well as other more popular Russian brands. We are walking down to the Volga river this morning and hopefully to an outdoor market for some treats to bring home.

Missing you all.... but love being over here too!!! While it will be difficult to leave Garrett... we are sure looking forward to heading home into the arms of Jordan.