Gum Mall

Gum Mall, (pronounced gume) is another beautiful piece of architecture in Red Square.

St. Basil's cathedral

St. Basil's cathedral is one amazing piece of architecture!

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS

We stopped to get a snack and drink at this 50's type diner after the Embassy. Marina is our wonderful Russian friend that is guiding us through all this! The boys found the fountains and splashed each other. Yes, Gavin and Losha were the two that couldn't stop, both were fairly damp by the time we left. We're taking them swimming tomorrow!

The Embassy

We had to take Jacob for his fingerprints today, at the U.S. Embassy. We go back Monday, to the Consulate Tuesday, then wait two days and come home on Thursday. This picture is close to the Embassy. You can not take pictures of the Embassy.

The highlight of my day

Today, 1 hour after Jacky and the boys arrived we had to have the boys at the medical center, for their physicals. When we finished and all 4 boys are hungry (oops 5 including Jacky), Garrett asked us to wait one minute. There was a small boy while we were waiting on our boys, he was crying and holding on to a chair, he then ran outside. Garrett had his Russian book, went to the little boy and in Russian told him "don't be afraid, good Dr.". The small boy walked back inside! I was so proud of Garrett! He warmed my heart!!

Together

Finally, we're together!! No bonding problems here!

Arbat street in Moscow

We took a little stroll along Arbat street in Moscow too.

Moscow flea market

While Jacky was able to go to the Ibresi orphanage we went to the Moscow flea market with friends. No, I did not purchase the fur hats!!!

God's placement

Jacky took the overnight train to Cheboksary Tuesday night. He was able to go to the Ibresi orphanage, but they couldn't get enough train tickets for all of us to go. The boys and I are well protected, while Jacky is away! He took another overnight train again back to Moscow with boys last night. They should be here in a few hours.
Garrett, Gavin and I were able to travel via metro with the Blanco family from Tulsa yesterday. That was an experience, since we don't read Russian. We went to the Moscow flea market, it's huge!

Dima, our driver took Garrett, Gavin & I on a tour of Red Square. Garrett described him perfectly, he said "his mind is a history book". He explained details about many places we saw! We asked, he knew!

Sosha -owner of the flat where we're staying (also Marina's brother), is an English teacher at one of the college's here. He's going to show me a technique to help the boys with there English. God is placing the people in our life, just as we need them!

I will try to post new pictures within a few days.

In Moscow

We're in Moscow and it doesn't look like we're going to Cheboksary. Our boys will be delivered to us Thursday a.m. The good news is, Jacob's orphanage director is coming to us! We will be able to give him a cash donation and another suitcase for the orphanage, which were both donated. We're a little sad that we can't bring joy & laughter to the orphanage, but we're happy we're getting our boys and will get to see the orphanage director. We will see sights with another OK family tomorrow, while waiting on our boys. It seems that we will not get to see our friends "the Duncan family", they will return to Moscow the 6th, from Cheboksary and we leave the 6th.
We had wonderful flights all the way here. Thank you to those that prayed & continue for our return flights! Our 13 year old really enjoys flying now. He stated "Take off and landing is really cool, but the rest is kind of boring."
We ate something after getting here and the boys are sleeping fully clothed. They were exhausted!

Prayer before we leave

I have prayer requests before we leave for Russia again:
1. My friend Stacey needs God's healing touch. My funny, fantastic, fun-loving friend coded twice, while in the hospital, during our stay in Russia the week before last! This particular friend means so much to me, because she helped my extremely reserved son come out of his shell a bit! She makes every area of life fun! I visited her while home this past week and she's talking about coming to the airport when we arrive home. I'm thinking "okay, you died twice and your thinking about welcoming boys to the USA?" Focus my dear, focus on getting well and getting out of the hospital!
2. We need a safe, uneventful flight to and from Russia. Our 13 year old has not flown since he was little and is a tad nervous about flying again.
3. My emotions! I'm a little worked up about being away from our smaller children for 12 days and my parents, especially since Mom has a chemo treatment on the 31st. I do thank God that my Grandma is feeling better!
4. Pray that the Vincent family, the Duncan family and our family continue to have a wonderful God filled period of adjustment. I will add other adoptive families to the prayer request as they come to receive their children. In the mean time please pray for all the families that are working toward the goal of bringing their kids home.
5. We have been unable to get the train tickets in order to visit Jacob's orphanage. We have another suitcase of Christ-centered educational items for the orphanage, but we really wanted to visit and bring laughter to them! An anonymous monetary donation has been made specifically for this orphanage and we will make sure this gets to the director. I know he will be so overwhelmed with thankfulness! Continue to pray for the Ibresi orphanage. We will continue to send aid to this particular orphanage twice a year or more if more is donated. Our sending months will probably be December and June.

Lovable Friends

I must say, we felt quite pampered in Cheboksary! We decided to stay in Cheboksary to spend more time with the boys, instead of going back and staying in Moscow. Moscow is much more modern. We stayed with Luda and Peter in Cheboksary, they treated us like royalty! I didn't cook, clean or anything all week. Luda did everything, occasionally she would allow me to help set the table. Did I feel loved!
When we arrived home Sunday 1:00 a.m. I'm exhausted and thinking "oh, back to the real world"! But wait, another surprise: my house was spotless, when we walked in! My awesome friends (Jennifer and Day) had taken care of everything! I've never felt better in my life! Three amazing women helped care for our children (Cyndi, Day and Jennifer) along with my wonderful parents while we were gone! We are so blessed with wonderful friends and family!!!!

Jacob and Losha

Even more fun than Moscow was our time with the boys! Of course, one day was court, but we relished the remainder of the time. They had a blast swimmming in the Volga River and playing on the beach! They really like ice cream!!!!

Moscow is beautiful

We so enjoyed Moscow! It is such a beautiful city. The architecture is amazing! We were able to see St. Basil's Cathedral, Christ the Saviour Cathedral and many eye-popping things inside Red Square. The Kremlin also has many decorated domed buildings within.

Real Thankfulness

We're back in the states for now. We leave again Saturday. God is providing some amazing opportunities! Jacob is the first International adoption from his orphanage, that is the fact in court that broke my heart the most! When we return, instead of staying in Moscow the entire time, we will go to Cheboksary and then to Jacob's orphanage to take more donated items (crayons and candy thus far). With Jacob being the first international adoption, his director had no idea we would bring a suitcase full of aid. He was so overwhelmed! He cried! This man is the most genuine man that could be in the position he is in! God truly provided a sincere man to care for Jacob through the years! We should learn a lesson from him - to be thankful for socks, underwear, t-shirts, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. It makes me want to do everything I possibly can for this particular orphanage!
Jacob was Alexei, he wants to be called Jacob and that is now his legal name. He said "Jacob, America"!

New fact

In case you never knew: if you decide to travel internationally and have to take a drug test, never eat a lemon poppy seed muffin! Poppyseed (poppy seed dressing, muffin or anything of the sort) will show up as opium, which is a form of morphine and shows up on your drug test as morphine. I experienced this in Russia! Talk about stress! Those of you that know me, know I have to have a bad headache to even take aspirin! For me to have a positive drug test is quite hilarious now, it definitely was not at the time!
There's your interesting fact of the week!

Russia here we come

The day is nearing!!! We leave Saturday for Russia. Finally, we will see Alexei and Losha again. Many things will be difficult about this trip: leaving our children here, knowing my Mom will not feel well for the first week we're gone, not being able to communicate easily with our family & friends, and court. We will be gone for 8 days, return home for 1 week and return to Russia for 13 days. I will attempt to post pictures during our second trip. What a joyous occasion it will be to return to the Tulsa International airport in August, to be with our complete family. We will have email access the 2nd trip. I will post the estimated time of our flight return, so family and friends that want to welcome Alexei and Losha to the wonderful United States of America may have that opportunity! Thank you to the many friends that have shown their support by helping with fundraisers, caring for our children, financial donations and PRAYERS!

Pray

I have prayer request for 4 other families:
1. The Vincent family is in Russia right now. They were able to take their children to the Moscow zoo yesterday, they will be home the 10th with their children. Pray for safe travel and a wonderful transition time for their family.
2. My Mom and I need prayers! We will go to chemo next Thursday before I leave Saturday. This will be very difficult for me to leave her, knowing how she feels the week after chemo. I know God, my Dad and her sister will take care of her.
3. The Merrill family is a wonderful bubbly family I met 2 years ago through Classical Conversations. I've grown very attached to the Momma Merrill, she helped our very shy 9 year old son come out of himself a little. They've had a very difficult past few weeks: Dad Merrill was laid off, Momma Merrill is having female related surgery and they'll be moving. I'm so sad to be losing this wonderful family! I'm so thankful for the help they've been through the adoption fundraisers, but most of all for the difference in my child's life. Pray for God's healing touch, God's awesome provision and miraculous adjustment for this terrific family!
4. The Duncan's are another wonderful Oklahoma family adopting Russian children! They leave for their first trip the day we get back from our first trip. My friend has lost her passport, you have to have this in order to get your visa! God recently provided them a larger home, so they've just moved (still unpacking) and can't find it. Please pray fervently that her passport is revealed quickly so that nothing has to be put off!!
We leave for Russia next Saturday! We will be having a fundraiser this Saturday in Pawhuska at the Boyscout camporee (selling hot dogs, chips and drinks). Please do take the time to pray for us! The funding and all the last minute unexpected costs can be overwhelming. I'm so thankful we have God on our side to take care of all this! He has been faithful to provide every step of the way!!!
We have the following items for sale if you know of anyone that is interested in such items, can you please spread the word.
Here's a link to the mustang we have for sale if you know anyone that's interested:
http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/1233590558.html

House link http://tulsa.craigslist.org/reo/1239007700.html

Dryer and twin bed http://tulsa.craigslist.org/fuo/1235289935.html

mini van http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/1233621363.html

miniature horses http://tulsa.craigslist.org/grd/1233608995.html

Beautiful Palomino 6 yr. mare for $1500 not on craigslist yet.
3 yr old Registered Bay philly $750, gentle but not broke.