From Russia

We've had some trouble with communications from Russia, but we finally have some internet access. Things are going really well though our bodies are completely confused as to what day and time it is.  Clay has posted an update on his blog... see link to the right.  So you can read more there and see some pictures.  Thanks for all your prayers.

New Referral!

So we didn't think we'd get any info on the new little girl, but the people in Russia have been working hard and so we got some pictures today.  She's actually 19 months old right now, so she's exactly a year younger than Jonah. Everything looks good, so just keep praying!

hotels

So while we're in Russia we will spend 2 nights in Krasnoyarsk at the Hotel Krasnoyarsk.  You can see it online at http://www.hotelkrs.ru/indexe.htm.  We will also spent 1 night in Moscow at the Grand Marriott.  There are actually 3 Marriotts in Moscow.  Who knew?  You can look at it online at https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mowgr.  Thanks to some friends here who work for the Marriott, we got a great deal on the room.  I joked to Clay that we were staying at nicer hotels in Russia than we've ever stayed at here in the States.  We will have one free day in Moscow, so we hope to do a little sightseeing provided the weather cooperates.   

Rough Stuff

So our social worker called this morning with bad news.  I guess this never happens, but some judge in Russia made a decision that affected a bunch of kids in orphanages and the little girl referred to us was one of them.  Anyway, now we will not be getting that little girl.  It feels weird to grieve over someone I never really had, but you can get very attached to a picture.  Clay and I have spent the morning crying and trying to explain to Jackson what happened when we don't really even understand it ourselves.  They did say there's a possibility of another little girl that's about 15 months old.  We will know more on this in the next 24 hours.  As of right now, we are still heading to Russia next week and will meet this new little girl.  Please pray for us to make the right decisions for our family!  It's a big adjustment to our minds and spirits to switch from one girl and just move on to the next.  We need to grieve, but we also want to move on with new possibilities. I will post when we know more.

Adoption

I am going to try to post info on our process when I have time.  Yesterday, we started working on travel plans for which we have to have Visas, so we spent the afternoon running around.  We had pictures taken, filled out forms, and overnighted it all to the travel agency who will turn them in for us and then we should have them by the 18th!  Today our plane tickets were finalized.  We are gone 6 days, but somehow only need 3 nights in a hotel.  That tells you how much we're going to be on airplanes. :)

Our Little Girl!

We got the call from our social worker this week. We are leaving on April 22nd for our first trip to Russia which will be about 6 days.  Grandma is coming to stay with the boys!  When we get back and complete our paperwork then they will set our court date for 2-4 months out and that's when we'll take our 2nd trip to bring her home!  

Please pray for our Visas to get processed quickly, safe travels, and for my mom with the boys!  Thanks to everyone who has supported us through this process with prayers and financing!  We love you all and can't wait to introduce Lexi to you in person!

The beach with Granpop and Granginny

We had the most beautiful day at the beach.  So beautiful that none of us adults realized we were getting scorched!  But we knew by that night!  We're also able to build a sandcastle that lasted more than 30 seconds.  The boys finally get the idea of building and not just destroying!

Petting Zoo with Grandma!

Clay's birthday

The boys took turns singing Happy Birthday to Clay!  Notice that we found an Astros cake!!

Fun Pictures!

This is just classic Jonah.  Posing and attempting not to smile.

And here we see Jackson's personality!

Fun on the playground!

Jackson at the egg hunt!

This is me coaching Jackson and his friend, Trevor, on the best way to get the most eggs!  Jackson did really well until he spilled his whole basket and we had to pick them all up :)

Jonah at the egg hunt!

Classic Jonah face :)  He didn't quite get the egg hunt until I opened one of the eggs and showed him the candy and then he was off!!!