Every Day & Every Passing Moment..

I think about you everyday Hopee...

There is not a minute that goes by, that I do not stop thinking about my little girl, who is right now, so far far away.

I stop to look at your photos, and the ones of us together, and the movies of us together,..where I am trying to get you to smile or giggle...I just want you crawling on the floor here in your house with your brother, Noah.

Okay-its starting to get hard! Especially now that the 10 days are done..and this would have been the week, that we would have taken Hope out of the orphanage and brought her to the apartment. This feels like it is going to be the loooongest week (Russian holiday) ever!! Hence, January all over again!

We are actually leaving the 27th of February now (am I repeating myself?) so its actually 4 more days now...'Gotcha Day' is a little longer than expected..but not too far away!

My sister will be having her baby right around the same time, we bring Hope home- (she said this was going to happen;)

Hey! I want to say something here- I want to thank the 'Knowles Family'! For commenting on my page (as well as y'all, you know you're all wonderful sweeties)..but I bring up 'the Knowles' for a reason..because, it was their 'blog' that led me to 'Lighthouse Adoptions'! After many months of trying to figure out which Agency (for me, this was the hardest part), I came upon their blog and fell in love! With their posts, with their children, & with their story;) Our daughter Hopee, looks very similar to their daughter Julia (I would have named my daughter Julia, if it wern't for their Julia). You see how powerful blogs can be? God knew exactly what my heart was searching for..and he led me right to Lighthouse Adoptions Inc.
I know this can be a touchy topic, (that's what FRUA is for right?)..but I can only talk about our experience on here;)

Anyway, if you're still going through the adoption process...keep the faith!

As always, I love you guys..you make my day!

Hanging with just Boys..one last time..

Monster Truck show;)

Uhmm..was different & dangerous?

Ha..whatever I love my boys dearly!

God is soo good!

10 Day Wait is OVER!

Already making Mama so proud!

Peekaboo!

Our Nadezda-Hope!



I am going to go back in my older posts and replace the photos with real photos, of Hope and our first meeting etc.

Visas..Again

Just sent out for visas again, and also making apartment reservations already..for yet another 5 day stay. I am actually, more nervous this time around for some reason. Perhaps, because its just flowing too smoothly (99%). We just want to go there and pick Hope up, finally. Take her out of there, and feed her, bath her, dry her, comb her hair and wrap her up in some soft new jammies;) Kiss her lots more and snuggle close till she falls asleep..

I pray the Embassy goes well..please no more holidays or delays!

I have to admitt, so far I am not dying...the three trip process is not bad at all! I thought it would be unbearable, but it's quite fine. Its been very, very beneficial to our three boys!I look back at our original plan..and don't think it would have worked out..the whole going back and forth for an hour at a time with the baby would drive us nuts!

Something to truly think about when on this journey..everyone's experience is truly unique, and can be especially helpful to PAP's..and what works for one may not work for another. So I recommend having an open mind and lots of flexibility. The Agency is there to help with most, but cannot predict all...something to keep in mind..don't get frustrated with the little things, if there's a solution (that can be identified off the bat...even if it sux) just breathe, and keep moving forward!



There's a couple in Russia right now who is with our Agency..I pray for their Adoption Success;)

Hope Isabel!

Freddy I LOVE YOU! I am so happy to welcome another child with you..kindest, most patient person I know.


Hope-Was decided because, there was no way we thought we'd have more children, let alone a girl after three boys...so she is our little Hope. I also find it to be one of the more unique names today, that is still feminine & modern. It also happens to be YaYa's name (grandma)..and NaNa's (other grandma) favorite name.

Isabel-Was decided because, it means 'God's promise' and that is what she is...I truly have always known that I would some day have a daughter of my own.

Two days have gone by already, and so, we have eight more days left until the ten day grace period is done.

I don't want to brag too much..but I just can't wait to show you pics of the little girl we have been blessed with..she is everything we could ever want!

We want to attend the reunion..but will have to play it by year...because we would like to leave February 28th, to be in Russia the 1st of March to begin the immigration process!

WE'RE HOME BOYS!

Yeahhh! Cannot say we arn't exhausted! Thanks for all the support guys:)

Y'know we really thought we were not going to make it home so soon! All the flights to Florida out of Houston, were booked! Let me tell you, I hate houston! We were prepared that possibly, we were going to stay a night at a Hotel by the airport, and try again the next morning. Though, something inside me just felt like (even though we should be greatful that we made it to the States), I needed to do everything possible to get home, even if it meant going to Orlando or Tampa to rent a car...I already left one baby behind..I was not going to be away from the others who are waiting..if we could help it! There seemed to even be a panic, knowing that one baby was so far away from us at this point and the others were not much closer...ahhhhhh! Motherhood; to be away from the children, is a killer!

I thank the Lord again, for hearing me and knowing our hearts and our intentions in this life for our children. Thank you God for bringing us home to our boys. I know why you wanted us to come home (I am so happy about this now), yeah it hurt to leave Hope...but I need more time with the boys before Hope is home, because Hope is going to need so much of me. So our time with the boys needs to take play now...little things need to be reestablished with our sons. Bath time, and dinner time, and park time, and bible time...they need to be absolutley ready for Hope and not startled.

Thank you Lord..cannot say this enough..

Court's Success:) & Saying Good Bye:(

A couple of pics of the place that granted us our daughter under God's eyes! Quite a beautiful building for a courthouse. We didn't get very good close up pics of us, so you could see what we wore or how nervous we looked..oh well..atleast you know how happy we are!



This church used to be a babyhome, and I snapped this on the way to Hope after court.

First and foremost, Freddy wants me to tell you what I did to make sure he looked nice for court. Neither of us, know how to tie a tie (yeah..I know) so because I was very worried about this..I made an effort, by going on 'youtube' and attempting, 'the step by step' video of how to tie a tie! Freddy thought this was hilarious..I didn't think it was so funny...atleast it was a success and I managed to tie a tie for court! Freddy told everyone...whatever! (we both wore suits; Fred in navy and baby blue(tie), and I in a beige/sage color suit & black blouse & pearls, everyone seemed pleased with our choice..looks matter here in Russia..its all about first impressions! Oha ya..and its very, very cold here (wet blowing cold) so layer, ladies bring a hat, and maybe some boots that cover the calves atleast, seriously!

Soon after, we left for court (our appt. was for 11:30am), and met up with the same couple, we had the DOE appointment with, scott & Yuki (lucky folks like us to be moving along the process). Always a pleasure, meeting really good people! They are staying the 10 days, God Bless them & their 2 beautiful children. We both were slightly nervous- (naturally) but immediately, the orphanage director glanced at us and smiled and asked to be introduced to us. We exchanged words (some), and she fell in love with Freddy (believe it or not) she thought he was gorgeous..hehe..Freddy loved this. We also met the social worker who was smiling, she said she was happy that we were so young;) and she handed us two photos of Hope of when she was just 6 months old..sighhhh (melting). we thanked her and then walked into the court room. we all stood up, our translator 'Masha' was behind us translating the whole time every little detail of what was going on and what was to come. Questions that would be asked etc. We were well prepared and felt confident; it was now all about, taking in every moment. Freddy went first to be questioned..and immediately all the women in the court room swooned (he wants me to include this)..hehe..but its true. The judge was EXTREMELY KIND, her questions were few and straighforward:

To Freddy,

What is your name?
What is your date of birth?
What is your Citizenship?
What is your home address?
Describe your home?
Are you working?
What is your yearly income?
What is your position at work?
Why are you adopting?
Who will care for her while you work?
Don't you already have children?
Biological?
Why more?
Why not your own/try again?
Have you met the child?
How many times?
Have you bonded with the child?
How do you feel about her?
How do your boys & family feel about her?
What about her Asian looks?
Are you familiar with her medicals & social history?
How do you feel about them?
Will you be able to provide medical care, should the child need it?
Do you wish to keep her name?
Do you wish to keep her date of birth & place of birth?

To me (I went second),

Name please?
Date of birth?
Citizenship?
You will stay at home and care for her?
How do you feel about her/have you bonded?
How will your boys feel?

Then the Orphanage director appraoched the bench/podium and began to talk about when Hope came to the orphange. About us interacting with Hope. She said that Russians didn't even want to 'look' at Hope, because of her Asian heritage being known. She also, looked back at us and said that Hope had won the lottery and that she wished that she could get adopted by us...ahhhh! The judge told her that she is too old! We all laughed!

Then the social worker approached, and she told how Hope was very healthy, and very well behaved, and how she came to the orphanage. Again, it was mentioned, that she would not be adopted by any Russian family;(

The Judge then asked the prosecuter if she had any questions or objections, and she smiled warmly towards us and said no.

Then the Judge said she needed to leave the room to make her final decision. We provided her with different pictures of us with Hope, she asked if she could keep them and we said yes. We also gave her pics of our boys, so she could see how Hope would fit in. She said they were beautiful;)

She then came back in 10 minutes later (if that) and we stood up to hear her decision. We were 'officially named the parents of 'Hope Isabel Robaina' and will have custody of her, after the 10 days. It happend so fast and we were just elated! Everyone was so kind to us and full of smiles. It made our day..wow what a moment! Who says child birth is the greatest moment? This adoption and its events, have just taken my heart away, along with all these people here in russia...and of course our little girl! We were soon after driven to the baby home again, to see our daughter Hope one last time before we leave (tomorrow at 3am). We saw LAURA & SON AGAIN;) How cool is that?! Hope was feverish and sick..again;( She cried a little, but from discomfort of the teething I guess and the fever;( I held my daughter this time with a lot more confidence. I prayed for her fever and cold to go away, so that she will be strong once more, until mommy & daddy come back for her for real. She fell asleep in my arms..and for the first time..I watched my daughter as she slept, peacefully in my arms, her breathing & little heartbeat pounding away near my chest...it made me cry! I can't believe this beautiful girl is mine. I can't believe all that I have missed..yet I am here now for her..no more will she cry herself to sleep..I may not be here when she wakes up..but it will not be long before I will be near her always & forever. Of course it was time for us to leave again;( Though, when the caretaker came to take her from me she cried and looked back at me once more. It was difficult, but I know God will take care of her for me, until I will return for her...hopefully soon, God willing..March 1st.

Coming back to the apartment I was supposed to feel happy but I felt even more sad. We called our boys to tell them the good news, and hearing them, and their anxiousness, cheered me up..cause I am needed at home also. So I understand this process, and I am greatful to you, Lord for everything..even us going and returning here again in Russia. I love Russia..and I love its people...people with big hearts, and who have been through hard times...most of all I love that we made this journey.

If you want to adopt or have any doubts...just forget & ignore the negative stuff..go with the adoption and go with your heart..its just the right thing to do in a dying world with so little time!

God Bless You guys for following;)

I guess I can post pics after the 10 days? Can't wait!


J.