The Nose..

Oh how I yearn for this little girl..I thought I'd post one of my favorite features...HER NOSE!

Get a load of this nose...its PERFECT! MUAHHHH Hopee..hold on..mommy & daddy are going to get there real soon!

Cannot wait till I can post her pics!

Tentative Court Date....

Well, we have a tentative court date for February 4th..hmmm why do I not like this date? I feel like it isn't soon enough;( Because it means we will not make it in time for Hope's birthday and we will not get to Russia, till February 1st..the earliest..YUCKKKKK!

My Agency said to go ahead and get our visas & book our apartment...but I'm dragging my butt..like my dog Rexy does on our carpet sometimes..EWWWWWWW! Well whatever, its how I am feeling right now...and I have my monthly cycle thing too..so add it all up..YUCK!


I will post pics a lil later of the fantastic day we had yesterday at ChuckECheese and the movies. We watched Alvin & The Chipmunks, it was A-W-E-S-O-M-E! The kids LOVED IT! We thought they'd all pass out (because of the busy day at Chucke's) but they laughed the whole movie, ate all the popcorn..and Noah was the last to fall asleep! We were painfully trying to get him to bed, because we felt pretty beat up, HA!

Noah is 3 today;) He's even acting 3...today to turn my mood around we are going to bake a homemade cake for Noah..look out..cause I'm awful at baking!! I will post a pic of the cake (if it even looks like one;)

God Bless & be happy! I should be happy, instead of moping..we can't ask for everything in life...we're getting Hope and that is all that matters!Wink*

J.

This Week...

This week is the week of my youngest son 'Noah's 3rd birthday..so sniff, sniff, to Noah who is approaching 3 on the 19th...and Hopee is right around the corner too..which is why I am also hoping for this week to have news! For it is also the offical 'Russia opening up' week ...yeah this sentence makes sense? Well it does to those of us waiting on Russia ok! It's both of our BABIES' BIRTHDAYS!!WAHHHHHH!
Freddy and I are assuming, that we will know 'offical dates' for travel sometime this week (ok I won't use 'week' anymmore I am annoying myself)...because, we still have to get visas ordered and carry out a travel plan...frankly, one fit for a baby. It's been a while since we have travelled with a baby...and the truth is, one forgets how hard it really is. So, NO WAY ARE WE, going to be running around, trying to connect like crazies around the world, with Hope in tow. So we're looking for a more direct route, NOT VIA PARIS...I am not fond of this airport! We were told that Berlin is worse..so no Lufthansa either! We are thinking, either Alitalia from Miami, or United out of Washington (not thrilled about flying to Washington) but they do fly direct to Moscow's DME (our drivers will not be thrilled) as DME is at the opposite side of town. We've already started looking at apartments too, via Peace Travel again. We were given a business card by a fellow in Russia, who promised we would get a much better apartment& rate with him (he was our visa registration pick up guy). I took his card from him, and figured we would compare and keep him in mind. Though, we think we will stick with Peace Travel. In a smaller apartment probably, and closer to the Metro & baby home location, as we wish to visit Hope every day for the ten day 'waiting period'. I have already packed the Baby home donations (trying to configure what kind of luggage we are taking)..so far only carry-on is out, and not a possibility I am afraid. As just the donations took up an entire suitcase...if we have to leave this suitcase behind, it will be ok. We also will be attemping 'the Metroro' (Russian pronounciation)...ohhhh this one does make me nervous..but I will go in bravery and not look back wink*.

Alright, I have rambled enough. I think I'll just call it 'a blog'...and wait to post again with some concrete news.

P.S. (I haven't left yet;)..I just purchased two books for our trip via Amazon; a Russian phrase book, which is a survival 'must' in my opinion, (I may even take one of those hand held pocket translators) especially, with us taking the metro...the other book is called 'Raising Adopted Children' by Lois Ruskai Melina (this was highly recommended by a fellow PAP & dear friend, thank you Ivana;)

Oh, and NO WAY am I forgetting my 'Russian Adoption Handbook' again..I'm gonna put in my suitcase right now...Okay...I'm leaving;)



J.

PRAY FOR HAITI!

Guys I have been so taken by what is going on in Haiti..that I almost feel guilty thinking about Russia. Haiti is so sad right now..and I just feel like they are not getting their help fast enough. Watching the children suffering there, has given me a very heavy heart these days. I hope they do grant them the 'PeterPan' and bring them into the U.S.A. These children need families...I don't want to carry the burdens of the world, because I alone can do nothing..but that won't stop me from praying though..please pray for Haiti...I repeat, PLEASE PRAY FOR HAITI..ALL OF US!
if we all add Haiti in our prayers regulary..we can help. As well as the monetary donations...heck if we can bring another child here along with Hopee..I'd be willing. Whatever I can do GOD..let me know.