Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Happy Birthday to my Husband. No need for numbers, I'll just share with you that I think he looks like 30 something. I got him a super cool case for his I-Phone and new Teflon pans for cooking eggs. I know the 2nd gift is a bit odd but Rich likes to have a specific nice pan for his yummy breakfast. Since I am often treated to this wonderful meal I will do whatever I can to keep my morning cook happy.

This past long weekend has been a nice one. Sun and a cool breeze always makes for a fantastic Memorial Day. We have worked on Jacob's room and it is looking less like the guest room that it once was. My sister Jennifer is a very talented artist who if we are lucky will be painting a mural for us. Also found a nice gift idea to take with us for everyone that is helping us in Russia. More practice packing has started for our second trip. My Mom and Jay came to visit, they will be house sitting again. Getting closer to when we will be traveling.

I wanna see your cute lil toes again

It won't be long now. In just a matter of weeks we will be able to see Jacob again. Oops, I spilled the beans. Calling him Bunny is cute but I am starting to see him as my little Jakeypoo. Just kidding, he's a Jacob. We are missing him quite a bit. I remember saying to Rich on the way to the BH, first day. "Let's be guarded and not get too attached." Huh!!! That is so funny. We are goners. Completely over the Moon. Everyday I look at his pictures and short video clips. It helps to see his smile. The intensity of finishing what is needed is so much greater now. Must be the wait between trips. It is so much harder than waiting for a referral because you have met the little one you hope to parent. I am getting to a better frame of mind. "Every experience God gives us is his perfect preparation for a future that only he can see." I keep reminding myself of who is in charge.

On Tuesday we had a conference call with the director of our agency's Russia Program. Other families also participated with role playing and asking great questions. We both thought it was so helpful. It focused on preparing for court. Just hearing A.G.'s Russian accent makes everything seem better. These next few weeks will be spent getting an education. We are trying to learn as much as we can about the court hearing and exit/visa paperwork. The blogs are so helpful with this, thanks ya'll. I hope you like the picture it was taken on day 2 of our first trip.

Movies and Mother's Day

If you are a fan of the Movies this summer is a good one for blockbusters. Our family is really into movies. Such a great way to escape your own reality for awhile. So far Rich and I have seen "Wolverine" and "Star Trek" I really really liked Star Trek but Rich was somewhat disappointed. If I told you why it would spoil it. Wolverine was just OK. I also went to a matinee with my brother Jay to see "Knowing" which was sort of a bummer. The next 3 - 4 flicks coming out this month look so interesting. May not be able to get out too much later this year. I am more excited about that than anything. Luckily, I like G rated films too so there is a lot for Bunny to watch with us. Last year my favorite was "The Duchess" with Kiera Knightley (chick flick.) 2007 my favorite was "3:10 to Yuma" with Russell Crowe the sound and acting where fantastic (a good western so worth seeing.)

The crib is assembled. It was a gift from Rich's Mom along with three huge packages of diapers. My Sister Jess and Nephew BoBo (who is three) have given us so much to borrow. They want us to bring the big car tomorrow for more. We will be able to borrow a crib mattress and rocker/glider. We are so thankful and I am looking forward to Sunday to celebrate our Moms. Jess is having a luncheon for my Mom. This Mother's day we will be able to visit with both of our Moms who we love so much. Congratulations to all the new Mom's out there.

Happy Mother's Day

Working on our to do lists!

This past week has been filled to the top. We are so busy with so many different items on our to do lists. Successfully checking off completed ones just puts such a smile on my face. Getting closer to seeing Bunny again. I can't wait to hold you.

Our paperwork for the Russian Court hearing has been delivered to the agency. Not without a couple of annoying hang-ups. One involved a persnickety Bank Manager that our Dr. thought would be a whole lot more helpful with doing some notaries. Then a complete moron at the Secretary of State Super Center refused to apostile four of our documents. I showed her, I went to other center in a different County and got it done. I so want to go to her office first thing Monday morning and stick my tongue out at her.

There is one other thing that is more than a hang-up. We thought we had our flights all worked out with a travel agency. Thursday night our credit card was charged and we had a firm itinerary and I was so happy. I actually sleep well that night. Friday at 8:00am we got an e-mail that they had made an error and if we still wanted the flights it would cost an additional $1,000.00. So not cool! We asked for a full refund of course and I will check to make sure on Monday. Anyway back to the drawing board so to speak. We will get that done as soon as possible.

I hope you don't mind sharing, we have a question for anyone who has traveled before us. Regarding the court and pick-up trips. How important is it to be able to change the dates on your flights?

We have a court date!

It has taken me awhile to get back to normal - well my normal. I was so exhausted and a little worn out after our first trip. Some of the documents needed for court made me anxious this past week. Another set of fingerprints. Come on you have two sets already. The 3rd letter about the 1st letter to describe who the 2nd person is, notarized and apostiled. Why would you need that. I guess if I walk in their shoes for awhile I can see the logic??

Yesterday while I was watching a video Rich made for us of "J" Bunny for the fourth time. I got a call from the agency. We now have a confirmed court date for June! I was so relieved. And just 5 minutes ago some paperwork from the state was delivered via fed-ex. This package had me worried if it would get here in time and it did so quickly. So now I am checking into flights and fantasizing that we will get the ten days waived. This made Rich laugh and tell me "stop thinking about that, you are doing the 10 days." Sounds like jail-time to me. I still don't get why they do this, am I blocking the reasoning? Does anyone know why?

The Church pictured is in Gusev. It really shows a lot about this little village. The old cobblestone road and the cross at the top of the steeple are my favorite points. We hope to have all the finish documents in Russia by May 8th, 2009. If we miss the deadline we will not be able to go to the Star Trek movie opening night, hehe! I really wanna see this one, so I need to get the last two documents finished. We can do it!

A few thoughts about my father

Today is my Dad's birthday. He's not with us anymore, he passed away almost 20 years ago. I'm not really sure why I'm thinking about it or why I'm even posting it in a blog. I guess it's because I've been thinking a lot about fatherhood lately. When my dad died I was only 22. The early 20's are a pivotal time in anyone's life - making that transition from school or military or whatever, into the big bad world of responsibility and adulthood. There are many times I wonder what I would be like if he were still around during my 20's and 30's. It's hard to comprehend.

My dad knew his first grandson, my nephew Michael but he won't get to meet my son, which is sad. So I have to believe that my father is somewhere looking over our shoulders and he knows what's going on. And that's the only consolation I have for my wife who is having a hard time with the waiting period. I believe, that not only my father and grandparents but Jolynn's grandparents are all up there (maybe they know each other, maybe not. I don't know how that works) looking over us and making sure that we will bring our son home safely.

My dad would have been 74 today. And I miss him.

Pictures of our trip (edited pics no longer avail - site OOB)

We are settling into our routines again. Rich is up and going quite well. I have had a harder time adjusting and have started to wonder what am I going to do when "J" Bunny comes home. Gonna have to toughen up or something. Jet-lag is rough!! I thought I would have only two more documents to work on for court but I now have six. No problem. I will get them done as soon as possible. We are Praying he will be home for the 4th of July!!!!

Here are pictures of Pushkin, a 1/2 hour drive from St. Petersburg.

Here are pictures of our region Kaliningrad.

Here are pictures of St. Petersburg.

Just click on the picture and it will take you to the slide. There is so much more but I feel the above is a lot to look at. Especially when all you really want to do is see the baby. Soon we will have more. I hope everyone has a Fantastic Weekend!
Congratulations to Jay and Nicole F. who had a gorgeous baby boy last night. He is just perfect!!!!